davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
THERMOMET
Testing Processes at tho National
Weather Bureau.

"oAtuoT 3uTcdus
Each day at the weather bureau in
Washington the thermometers received
from various manufacturers through
out the country are put through the
test of standardizing them.
The various processes through which
the bulbs pass before they are labeled
accurate" are easy, inasmuch as there
is practically little scientific work at
tached to the test. When a thermom-
eter is first handed to the man In the
testing room 1t is dipped into a vat
filed with compound far below the
freezing point. 1t is thrust in at the
point where it happens to be at the
time and worked up and down until
the degree of the compound is reached
Having then recorded the lowest tenn
perature, the process of testing for the
highest is begun. This is just as sim.
pie as testing for the low temperature.
The bulb is dipped into vat of water,
first at 60 degrees. Then 1t is worked
gradually until 1870 degrees is reached.
II the mercury in the bulb will indi-
cate 1870 degrees further testing is un.
necessary, because that is a tolerably
warm temperature and one seldom If
ever reached by natural heat.
A thermometer the bulb of which
contains mercury will not register
lower than % degrees below zero-that
Is, mercury will freeze at that point.
In this country very little use In
found for thermometers showing moro
than 2S degrees below zero. but In the
far north they are of course necessary
Such instruments. however. contain
spirits in the bulbs instead of mer
curry, but even this fluid becomes slug.
gish when 40 or 30 below zero is re
corded. and 1t will seldom show go be.
Weekly.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
The Earwiq.

There Is no insect which has puzzled
naturalists as to Its proper classified
tion more than the earwig. Some have
asserted that 1t belongs to the beetles.
of which 1t is an "aberraDt type" 9th,
ers that 1t is connected with the grass.
hoppers. Even about it's very name
there has been endless discussion.
Some have thought the name earwig
is the result of the creatures supposed
habit Of getting into the ears, while
others are equally certain that 1t Is
derived from the original name. which
they say was carving. from the fact
that the wing when spread resembles
the human ear. At all events, one
thing is certain-the earwig as we
know It now is a survival of an early
type OF which almost every other men,
Der has become extinct.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
Shampoo.

A md-eighteenth century traveller.
who is the first person known to have
made English OF the word shampoo"
wrote that ''shampooing is an opera
ton not known in Europe and is pc
culiar to the Chinese, which had once
the curiosity to so through, and for
which paid but trifie. However,
had l not seen several Chinese mer-
chants shampooed before me l should
have been apprehensive of danger.
even at the sight of all the different
instruments" The original sham
poo" as this travellers detailed ac-
count and other illusions for long
after his time show. was very much
what we call massage now. 1t was
from India that the word really came.
and 1t represents the imperative of q
verb meaning to knead.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
SAVED BY A PANTHER.
The Fierce Brute Proved Good Tenn
Peranee lecturer.

The Fierce Brute Proved a Good Tenn
Peranse lecturer.
Governor Jennings OF Indiana used
to tell story of his early electionser-
ing days IN which he said that a
panther may be good temperance
lecturer. Colonel w. M. Cockrum re.
peats the story in his pioneer History
OF Indiana" The incident happened
when Governor Jennings was travelling
over the thinly settled hills of Dear.
born county, electioneering for con-
gress.
He met a man with whom he was
well acquainted. by name Tom Ogles-
by, who was just getting over a pro-
tracted debauch. Jennings began ask.
Ing Tom about his political views.
The half sober fellow looked at him
and said:
'Jen, don't you think a man just out
OF panther fight ought to be cleo
tioneered In a different manner from
this? l am just from the grave.
was awakened a little while ago by a
panther putting leaves aud grass over
me. 1t kept this up until was entire
ly covered. 1 lay still for awhile and
then raised up and found the panther
gone. knew l was In danger. so
took my gun and climbed into tree
to see what the panther intended to do
"In u short time heard her coming,
and she had her kittens with her. Ev-
cry few steps she would jump as II
catching something, and the little ones
would go through the same maneu-
vers. She kept this up until she got
near to the bed of leaves she had Gov
cred over me and then made q spring
on the pile. She looked just as felt
when found that was covered up
for dead. She then started In to in
yestigate the cause of my disappear
ance, and before she located me shot
her."
Jennings, after hearing this, said:
well, Tom. i believe i should treat
you as enc from the dead and that you
should begin your life from this point.
We were schoolboys together. l know
you are a capable civil engineer and
well educated. and IL you cease drink
ing will see that you have good po-
sition on the surveying corps.'
Tom Oglesby did quit drinking. Jen
nings was elected and kept his prom
ise to his old friend, who became one
OF the we'll known engineers Of the
United States.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
HOW A HORSE GALLoPs.
The Natural Way and tho Conventional
Pose In Art

The Natural Way and tho Conventional
Pose In Art.
How does horse gallop? Owing to
the rapidity of action it cannot be seen
by the human eye. However, just as
the individual spokes OF rapidly re-
volving wheel can be made visible by
! flash OF lightning, SO the action Of a
galloping horse can be and has been
analysed by instantaneous photogra-
ply.
The statuette OF Sysonby, the thor
oughbred. has been made from photo
graphs taken at the instant when all
four legs are Off the ground. The back
Is arched, the hind feet are directed
forward. the fore feet backward. so
that all are tucked under the animals
body.
When the limbs again touch the
ground the first to do so is one of the
hind feet. which is thrust far forward
SO as to form an acute angle with the
line Of the body and thus serve the
purpose Of spring in breaking the
fierce Of the impact of the hoof when
the horse is going at top speed.
In the conventional mode Of repre-
senting galloping horse all four legs
are of the ground at once, but the
front pair are extended backward In
such way that the undersurfaces Of
their hoofs are directed skyward. the
body being at the same time brought
near the ground. This conventional
pose appears to have been derived from
dog running. when the front and
hind pairs Of legs are respectively ex-
tended forward and backward, with
the soles of the hind feet turned up
ward.
This pose. 1t is thought, was adopt
ed to represent the gallop of the horse
by the goidsmiths OF Mycenae between
300 and 1000 B. c.. whence it was
transmitted by way of Persia and 81
IBERIA to China and Japan, to return
In the eighteenth century as the re-
suit Of commercial relations to west
ern Europe.-Chicago Tribune.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
THE RAT KING.
Hls Method Was Successful. but u
Remains a Secret.


In the early sixties OF the Inst cen.
fury the Smithsonian Institution was
infested with rats. Nothing In the
building seemed to be rat proof. They
ate skins cured with nrsenical soap or
table linen or the contents of Professor
Henry's pantry without dlscrlmina ton.
Every one In the city, from Professor
Henry to the bootblack, had one sub.
3ect In common, and that was rats
As Professor Henry, who lived In
the east end of the building, was lis
tening to an account of the ruin
wrought In his home during that day
Professor Spencer Baird walked In
and said. Just as II he had been fol-
lowing every word of the family con-
versation, II have just been told that
there Is n man in Philadelphia who
can rid this place OF rats"
Professor Henry's eyes expressed
interest and incredulity at the same
moment.
II have his address here" went on
the assistant secretary. HE calls
himself the 'ratten kong and won't
take cent II rat remains and has
"We'll send for him II 1t takes our
last thousand cents to do IT. said
Professor Henry and laughingly pre-
dicted the repetition OF the famous old
tale Of the Pied Piper of Hamein.
Several days later the rat king"
appeared In Washington. He was al
most as short as he was broad and
wore clothes too loose for description;
they had no shape. He carried large
oilcloth sack and covered basket.
His penetrating blue eyes were almost
covered by shaggy eyebrows, and his
blond hair had not been cut. but bag
gled. His manner was short and
brisk. and he went straight TO the
point, talking to Professor Henry In
German.
He declared that not rat would be
In the building three days hence II his
directions were obeyed. During that
time he would stay In the basement
alone; every door was to be locked.
and on no account was he to be dis
turbed until he gave them the signal.
So they left him In absolute darkness
and carried out his directions.
On Sunday morning the queer old
man emerged from the darkness so
confident of his success that he re-
fused to accept the money which was
his due then and there, but insisted
that Professor Henry mail the check
to him In Philadelphia the following
week.
Now you can leave your food in the
basement. and 1t won't be touched.
And won't take a cent If you are
troubled with rats" were his parting
words.
Cheese and cake were directly placed
about the building to tempt the rats.
Morning after morning they were
found as they had been left. and from
that day to this the Smithsonian insti-
tuition has never been seriously trou-
bled with rats. And no one has ever
found out the secret of the rat king's'
method. Companion.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
A LIBERAL OFFER.
its Effect Upon the Customer to Whom
II Was Made.

ttu EUeet upon the customer to Whom
II Was Made.
A business man OF Dayton, o.. tells
this story OF some commercial frIen Ia
of his:
A customer who bought In smlll
way from the wholesalers and whose
credit was not OF the sort known rs
gilt edged visited the city and pur-
chased $500 bin OF goods, paying
$4,000 In cash and giving his note for
the remaining $500.
After the transaction had been closed
and the paper and currency had chang
cd hands the customer said;
''Now, after deal OF that size II is
customary to give purchaser q pres
emit. Come across with IT,"
"Werl throw In n pair OF suspen-
ders," laughed the salesman temporiz-
ingly.
"a pair OF suspenders, Ell. Say. quit
fooling. really mean II. expect you
TO do something In acknowledgment OF
my patronage"
The salesman went to the manager
with the problem. and the manager
said:
~ ht iNNio thut way Npout ~
we might encourage him bit. Wen
do something that ought to please him
greatly. Give him back his $500 note
Make him present of his paper. That
will make him a cash customer and
raise his credit and save him money
besides"
The salesman went back, pleased to
be the bearer OF such joyful tidings of
liberality In business.
"Well, SIR" he said. we've arranged
about that present, all right. Here"
with flourish. as your note. We give
It back to you"
The customer did not seem enthusi-
astic. Instead. without looking at the
note he asked:
as II indorsedY'
"No." said the salesman In astonish-
ment
''Then I guess you better gimme the
suspenders." said the disappointed GUS
tomer.-Chicago News.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
MASTERING A LION.
Exciting Experience Of a Famous Ami.
NAL Trainer.

Exciting Experience Of a Famous Ami
NAL Trainer.
SHOW lion that you are his master
and he will be submissive: once per-
NIT him to get the notion that you fear
him and his antipathy will increase"
said Frank C. Bostock, the famous an
fmal trainer.
In illustration of the lengths to
which owners Of wild beasts will go
In order to retain control of them Bos-
took told the following story:
Some years ago when we were at
the Hippodrome. In Paris. decided as
special attraction TO go into the are
ma with Wallace. a huge African lion
that all our trainers had despaired Of
The house was crowded. We placed
the lion In a cage sixteen feet square,
and this was put inside twenty foot
ring. Two assistants were stationed In
the outer ring In case OF accident.
had scarcely got inside when the beast
leaped at me. IT bit right through my
left hand and with one blow ripped
the flesh or my back. Clear out.
shouted to the two men IN the outer
ring. I am going TO open the doors
and let him into the big arena
81 was as furious as the lion. MY
pride as a trainer was wounded deeper
than my back. flung open the doors.
and the lion sprang out. The blood
was pouring from my wounds. but IN
the excitement OF the moment felt
no paiD-only mad desire to be mas-
ter. I picked up property chair. and
when the beast came again I struck It
full across the muzzle: then. seizipg
my whip, actually became the ag
gressor.
1.-THE audience was in something like
a panic. and loud cries of Enough
enough! were raised. But I hadn't
finished. In ten minutes I had subju-
gated Wallace to such an extent that
he covered like dog. got out Of the
cage and just tainted away. From
that day no one attempted to teach
Wallace."-Pearson's Weekly.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
FOOLED THE CITY.
One Of tAs Hoaxes Perpstrated by
Theodore Hook.

One Of the Aoaxes Perpetrated by
Theodore Hook.
In the early part of the nineteenth
century great preparations were made
in England to receive Spanish am
bassador who was expected to arrive
at Southampton. A mischievous Idea
came into the head of Theodore Hook
Cborn 1873. died lS4lI. novelist and
journalist and above all contriver of
that diversion known as the hoax. The
English feet was lying or Southam
ton. Hook, then a young man. knew
many of the younger officers. He
formed his scheme. and one morning
q launch set out from the feet and
drew up at the quay.
In this launch was he who purported
TO be the Spanish ambassador In al
most royal robes, arrived two days be-
fore the expected time. The mayor OF
Southampton, who was to receive the
Spanish envoy, was greatly clustered.
1t was all so sudden. he did the best
he could. Several companies OF SOL
diers. some on foot. some mounted.
were called out. The bells were rung.
The ambassador. accompanied by a
number of young officers of the neet.
was escorted with much pomp to the
mayors palace. There was banquet
and speechmaking, one of the young
officers acting as interpreter for the
ambassador.
After 1t was over and the Spanish
envoy was supposed to be on his way
to London the true ambassador arriv-
ed. There was but a sorry reception
for him. The other ambassador. who
was Theodore Hook. having perpetrat-
ed the greatest hoax ever known on
mayor and city. had exhausted
the hospitality of the town. The scan
dial was so great. the mayor and the
people of Southampton had been so
outrageously cold. that to make any
stir about the affair would only cause
them to be laughed at all the more.
With the exception of the dismissal
of some of the naval officers who had
taken part in It little was done. and
the affair was allowed to blow over
indianapolis News.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
sha Liked silk Hosiery.

Susan r. Anthony was woman of
simple taste in dress. but her close
friends knew Of one pretty feminine
vanity that she always held to- She
had weakness for silk stockings. Be-
ing pressed on one occasion for an ex-
PLANTATION Of what most women at one
time regarded as an unnecessary ex-
travagance. she laughlngly exclaimed:
"Oh, just love 'em. They are an in
SEPARATION. If have nay silk stockings
on when ] rise to make an address
feel just as if I am walking among
the clouds. They help me to soar
away on flights of eloquence.
wouldn't be without them"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
The Good Dinner.


The successful honsekeeper was
planning a dinner for a few of her
husbands friends.
II must have apple pie and cheese
for dessert" she remarked without q
flicker of indecision.
But should think you would want
something more dainty this time Of
year." suggested the woman who al
ways worried herself sick over a com.
pany dinner, IAN ice or frozen .pud-
ding"
''Oh. but apple pie is my husbands
favorite dish! When he has company
l always serve what he likes best:
then he thinks his guests have had
such a good dinner. and everybody
Is happy. At least my husband and |
are happy. and If the guests aren't no
one is the wiser."-New York Press.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
UP THE GIANTS TOOTH.
Young Woman Describes Hardships In
Mountain Climbing.


Mountain Climbing.
Climbing mountains does not seen
to be an agreeable recreation, to judge
from the experiences OF Nine. Stella
Croissant. who has just assembled the
Giants Tooth. one of the Hottest peaks
Of the Alps. She had the pleasure OF
writing her name on the Mantle OF the
Virgin. which crowns the peak, but
what other satisfaction she derived
from the exploit Is not clear.
Nine. Croissant is a young woman
only twenty-five years of age, but her
youthful vigor seems to have failed 10
make the rigors of mountain climbing
a pleasure. She tells OF muscles strain.
ed to the breaking point. limbs almost
dislocated. cold, fatigue and the hu.
mors OF the guide, for ''the guide In
the high mountains Is king. You must
obey him and smile. whatever hap.
pens" The party crept over slopes OF
soft snow, placing their feet In the
footsteps OF the guide and trying to
make themselves as light as possible,
for they knew that II they dislodged
the snow they would be swept to the
bottom OF the abyss. They were sus-
pended among the crags like spiders
In their webs" Once Nine. Croissaut
let go OF the rope by which she was
drawing herself up to ledge and
hung like package over the void.
She was not afraid. she said. but could
hear the guide swearing.
Thu "a
and after such strenuous labors the
climbers might be expected to indulge
In little rest. But where rest?" asks
Nine. Croissant. 1.-THE summit Is mar
row and bristllng with jagged points,
and one is cold there One freezes In
the most absolute sense of the word.
The wind found no obstacles except
ourselves, and how 1t plays with such
obstacles! II you consider how cold 1t
must be in those attitudes where one
suffers from the rarefaction OF the
air you will realize how the wind pene-
trated the meshes of my sweater and
made my clothes freeze to my skin.
The guide was right when he told me
to put on several undervests. SO we
emptied flask of eau de vie and said
farewell to the summit"
The descent seems to have been as
disagreeable as the ascent. 1t was
horribly cold, and, when the party
reached place where 1t was possible
to rest and. eat, the guide hurried
them on before the pangs of hunger
were half satisfied. All had been fast
ing since daybreak, and 1t was then 8
O'Clock, but they were behind time. the
guide said, and the shades of night
must not find them In the high noun
tain.
There was nothing to do but to obey
the guide, SO the party moved on in
silence. my feet moved automatical-
iy," said Nine. Croissant. II climbed.
Jumped. with only my eyes living in
my whole body. l went on thus, I
don't know how long, until my strength
failed completely and l tainted. They
gave me water and spirits. After an
Instant l revived, and, taking the arm
Of the guide, went off at mad pace.
have the same memory of that stage
Of the journey as one might have of a
1ellrium. My movements had the
strange sureness of the somnambulist
on the edge of roof. My
foot did not stumble or slip. ! went,
went. 1t was vertigo, dance of
he bones broken on the rocks of ice."
New York Tribune.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
Self inspection is the best cure for
self esteem.-- Wordsworth.
One Of the steomers RUNNING

One of the steamers running be-
tween New Orleans and South
American ports now haa refrigerating
radiators in some of her staterooms
They are connected with the refriger-
ating plant of the ship and keep the
rooms cool while in the tropics.
Some of the customs in the east
would seem rather queer if practiced
here. For instance, if you meet a
friend in Central Thibet you insult
him unless you stick out your tongue.
hang on to your right ear, rub your
left hip and bow gracefully while
doing i.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
Appropriats.

A family of children. after the usual
Saturday night romps, gathered In the
drawing room for music and singing.
AS bedtime drew near the mother
said:
Now, children, choose one hymn to
finish up with. and then you must all
say Good night"
Lets have Ere Again Our Sab
bath Close" suggested a bright little
girl Of about seven years of age.
swell, think that would be more
suitable tomorrow evening" replied
the mother.
'Oh. but you always air our Sab
bath clothes on Saturdays, mummy
London Taller.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
Novel Lock For Cars.

Thomas e. Flint of East Syracuse
has invented lock which he believes
will stop freight car burglaries every
where and make him rich man. The
device is novel. 1t is self locking. and
to open the door of the car air must
be forced Into the lock by means of a
small hand pump. The lock is SO con-
structed that only pumps specially
constructed will fit The inventors
plan is that pumps be distributed with
freight agents of the railroads. Syra-
cuse Post-Standard.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
cordwood counasi Fee.

A Barton county farmer sought ad-
vice from a Golden City. attorney
about suing his wife for divorce on
the ground that she did not agree with
him on a horse trade he had made.
The attorney advised him. and the
farmer agreed to pay him for 1t In
cordwood. A few days later the wife
and one Of the little children went to
town with the first installment OF the
wood and unloaded It In the lawyers
shed.--Kansas City Star.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27

Usi ,g the same revolver with
which J. Vernon Dutton killed him.
self FIVE weeks ago, Charles j. Stew.
art of Ilardwick, aged "a years, un-
married, committed suicide Sunday
evening at 10 o'clock lay shooting
himself in the head. He lingere,
through the night and died Monday
morning No reason for the act is
known.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
Bible Eatina.

: l am told by lady resident that In
the Hampshire parish In which am
writing there is living at the present
time a good woman who once ate a
New Testament. day by day and leaf
by leaf. between two slices of bread
and butter. as remedy for fits. This
was treating the Bible as fetch with
vengeance.--London Notes and Que
rieS.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27

j. B. Wilbur, Chicago banker,
has bought three estates in Man
chester, comprising about 1000
acres, for a consideration Of 500,
600. He will occupy the fine resi-
dence of the late A NJ Gilbert, known
as Straw berry Hill"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27

Mrs. S. w. Page of Ludlow, who
is 81 years old, has braided and
sewed nine rugs, all from new cloth
and ranging from th'ee 10 ten feet
in length. She has sold them to a
New York firm. One of the rugs
took first prize at the Vermont tair.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-27
Ideal Existence.

Mrs. Gramercy- What In the world
put the idea of a divorce In your head
MIS-. Park-rve been SO happy here
In the country with the check my hus-
band sends me regularly I'm sure that
living on alimony must be the ideal
existence. Brooklyn Life.