davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
The "Eickc+V

The picket was generally inflicted on
cavalry and artillery men and was IL
singularly brutal bit of torture. A long
post. near which stood stool. was
driven into the ground. The delinquent
was ordered to mount the stool. and
his right hand was fastened to hook
in the post by moose, drawn up as
high as it could be stretched. round his
wrist. A stump the height of the stool,
with its end cut TO Il round and blunt
point. was also driven into the earth
close to the post. Then the stool was
taken away. and the sufferer had moth
ing to rest his bare feet upon but the
stump. (which. though it did not usu-
ally break the skim says Captain
Grose, put him in great torture, his
only means of relief being by resting
his weight on his wrist. the pain of
which soon became intolerable." One
can very well believe him, especially
when he makes the addition that a
man was not infrequently left to stand
in this position for. half an hour, al
though the orthodox period of endur-
ance was fifteen minutes. - London
Graphic.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29

tion of right and left, up and down, or
before and behind. In other words such
perceptions are regarded as due TO
education and not to instinct. An
instructive idea of space, however is
admitted, as it is held that the dread of
falling, shown by the month-old infant
as it clutches anything within reach on
beginning to fall, is a manifestation of
an Unborn sense of space.
The industry utilizing the flow of metals,
a discovery made 30 years ago, has be-
come an important one in Paris. Gold
"copper" aluminium, zinc and other metals
are forced through suitable dies, and
thus shaped into tubes and sections, the
three machines in present use being
capable of eXerting pressures of $50,
500 and 1000 tons respectively. So
enormous a concentration on a small
area causes the unheated metal to flow
much like liquid, and it is given al.
most any shape desired. Recent tests
have been made of tubes before and after
annealing, and heated to various tenn
peratures. Among the practical results
has been the proof of the usefulness of
zinc in cold drawn tubes, which can be
substituted for lead pipes of equal
strength and capacity at saving in cost
of rs to As per cent.
The gold mirrors now made in Eng
land are claimed to have important
advantages for automobile headlights
naval searchlights, and other purposes
The usual glass surface is coated with
gold instead of silver, and the reflected
light is practically free from blue and
violet rays. The more preventative red,
green and yellow rays are retained. The
range of the light is at least equal to
that from silvered mirrors, and there is
much less binding and dazzling effect
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
JUsT IN TIME.
This Squire Wasn't Actually Nigh, but
He Was a Little Close.

Ths Squire Wasn't Actually Nigh, but
He Was Little Close.
They were discussing the salient
traits Of old Squire GregsOn's charac-
ter. the funeral being thing of the
past Some way or mother, between
his goin an the buryin'. nobody felt
free to speak," Abel Nutting had said
as an introduction to his remarks. 1t
seemed mc' en- likely he'd come 10
again an call us to account, same as
usual"
He was free to give to philanthropy
an the church." said Barton Sedgwick
when his turn came but in the fam
ly circle called him kind O close L
won't go so fur's to say he was actu'I-
iy nigh, but he certnly was kind o
close"
"As how?" inquired three voices in
unison. They all had plenty of in
stances of the old squire's 'closeness.'
but it was Barton's privilege to speak
first. lie being cousin once removed.
We'll. | was there to a Sunday din
ner with him last December" said
Barton slowly. He invited Sally an
me. same as always, once year.
well. Sally had one O those stuffy
colds that make you feel worse'n if
you had pneumony. an she vowed she
wouldn't go. She said she couldn't
taste anything anyway, an the mere
thoughts o his CO.. pork an boiled
potatoes went agaias3 her. But she
wanted should go for policy. same as
all us relations went. an did.
"Well. when got there an told
squire he said. Sally not comin'v an
clipped it right out into the kitchen.
leavin' the doors open all the way.
Here he said to old Jane Wills,
that cooked an done for him, have
those potatoes boiled soft yet? That's
good You lift out Mis- Sedgwick's
potato an it'll be just right to fry for
my breakfast tomorrow he said. for
Mis- Sedgwick is KEEP at home with a
cold. Lift it out careful That's right
AN when he come back to me he
was all creased up with smiles he was
so pleased with bimself." Youths
Companion.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
THE SANCl DIAMOND.
It's Course Since 'he Time Queen
Elizabeth BoughS It.

Its Course Since 'he Time Queen
Elizabeth Bought II.
Elizabeth of England purchased the
famous Sanci diamond when DE Sanci,
extravagant and splendid, was low in
purse. When Charles became king and
sent buckingham to Paris to bring
back his bride, Henrietta, the messen-
ger wore the Suuci Charles quarreled
with his queen, Henrietta, and with
his parliament, and not long afterward
Cromwell asked for his head. Henri
eta gave the diamond to the Earl, of
Worcester. Worcester probably gave
it back to the Stuarts. for whom he
ruined himself, for il descended to
James II. James disastrous reign cost
him the crown, but he kept the Sanci
That and other jewels which he took
away with him supported various Stu
art pretendcrs. This particular one was
sold to Louis XIV. of France for $12J.-
600.
Stolen with other jewels in 1892. the
Sanci disappeared for thirty-six years.
A ieweer came by it, and Prince Dem
idoff purchased it for his wife. Twen-
ty years later she let it go to Jamset-
ice Jpejeeboy. rich merchant of Bonn
bay. Again it appeared at Il Paris
jewelers. shop and was sold to the
mahara.iah Of Puttiala. He, too, came
upon hard times. 1t was from Lon
don ieweler that William Waldorf AS
tor bought it for his sons BRIDE
Franklin Clarkin in Everybody's Mag
azine
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
Seizinq the Opportunity.

Doctor-You have no reason to be-
lieve madam. that your husband shot
himself intentionally?
Madam Oh. dear, no! 1t was purely
accidental But is he seriously hurt?
Doctor-Quite seriously, but think
we can save him.
Madam What are you going to do
now with all those horrid surgical in
struments?
Doctor-We are going to probe for
the bullet.
Madam-Yes? Well, doctor. while
you are about it won't you be good
enough to see if you can't find gold
collar button lent him last week ana
that he carelessly swallowed?
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
He Spoke Too Soon.

A well known business man attended
his daughters commencement exer-
cises at an eastern college. He had
been greatly pleased with the beauty
and dignity of the exercises and was
discoursing to his wife upon the refin-
ing influences of college life. Sudden
ly his impressive monologue was cut
short. A girl in cap and gown came
dashing down the steps of the main
hall waving her diploma and shout
ing, Educated by goshw-Ladies
Home Journal.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
THE SPIDER.
1t Differs From an Insect In Five Main
Particulars.

It Differs From an Insect In Five Main
Particulars.
The spider is not an insect. though
probably nine people out of ten would
class it under this term. With scor
pions and mites spiders form class in
the animal kingdom known as arach-
nida. This name is derived from a
mythical parsonage called Arachne,
the daughter of purple dyer of i-y-
dia. who was fabled to have chal-
lenged Minerva to trial of skill in
spinning. SO indignant was the god
dess at this act of boldness that she
forthwith transformed the hapless
challenger into Il spider, presumably
in order that she might have the best
possible opportunity of practicing the
art on which she prided herself so
much.
Spiders differ from insects in five
main particulars. Their eyes are sim
pie instead of compound, they have
eight legs in place of six, they do not
pass through the metamorphoseS
which are characteristic of insects.
they have no antennae and their
breathing is accomplished by means of
organs which combine the functions
of lungs and gils instead of by tubes
pervading their bodies. These points
of distinction are sufficient to deter
mine the fact that it is impossible to
class spiders as insects.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
Why He Was a Heathen.

Sir Arthur Fanshaw related an anus
ing story Of n Mohammedan servant
who when asked his religion replied:
beg pardon. sar. I'm a heathen."
When asked by his master what he
meant by n heather the man answer
ed:
beg pardon. sar. a worshiper Of
stocks and stones"
"Confound it," remarked the master.
81 can't keep man like that in my
service"
To which came the immediate re
joinder
BEG pardon. sar in your highncss
service no time to worship anything"
London News.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
Athletic Exercioc3.

Fattered Restaurant Keeper-I'm
glad to hear, sir, that you've been
growing 50 strong since you began
coming to my restaurant. Fullett-
Well, it's Il fact You see, my habits
are sedentary. and can't afford to
enter Il gymnasium. Yes, sir, your
steaks and roast fowls are making a
new man of me.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29

You need not be troubled in any way
with the stomach, If you will simply
take kodal at those times when you fee
that you need it. Kodal is guaranteed
to relieve you. If it fails your money
will be refunded to you by the druggist
from whom YOU purchased it, Try il to
day on this guarantee. Sold by City
Pharmacy, F. w. Ruhser, prop.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
No Difference.

Miss Wayuppe-It was my good for
tune that my ancestors came over in
the MayAower. Miss Newrich-May
flour! Why, my folks made their for
tune in September wheat 81, Louis
Times.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
Not Anxious.

"You have quite a number of the
poets" said Goodby, who was inspect
ing Woodby's library. "Ah, there's
Browning! Do you understand him."
"No1I don't" said Woodby.
"Ah." said Goodby, continuing his
examination. "have you Praed"
"Certainly not. What's the use Of
praying? l amt anxious to undG--
stand him" ."-Philadelphia Record.
True honor leaves no room for hesi-
70 ticn op doubt - DlI1torob
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
Frightful Fate Averted

II would have been a cripple for life,
from terrible cut on my knee cap,
Writes Frank Disberry, Kelliher,
MINI. without Bucklen's Arnca salve,
which soon cured me. - lnfallible for
wounds, cuts bruises, it soon cures
burns, scalds, old sores, boils, skin
eruptons. Worlds best for Piles.
25c at Spagnoli Drug Store.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
Sarcastic.

There's just one thing wanted to
say to you" began Mrs. Acid to her
husband
"Only one, Mria?" quered he solic-
itously. aren't you feeling Wei"
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29

Spermaceti added to boiled starch
gives the goods a gloss. Borax makes
the starch sitter.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
State Government.
EXECUTIVE

Governor ............. james N. Glllett
Lieut-GovernOr Warren 4. Porter
Secretary of State E. Charles F. Curry
Controller B. Nye
Treasurer VIM r. Williams
Attorney-General. =. Ulysses S. Webb
urveyor-Geueral. VIM. S. Kingsbury
Supt. State Printing w. w. Shannon
Clerk Supreme Court. F.. L. Caughey
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Township -. John Stronm, jackson
Township 2 ...... B. H. Bagley, lone
Township 3......,,A. 3 GrillO, Volcano
Township AID. A. Fraser Sutter Greek
Township 5....,L L. Burke, Plymouth
[Chairman
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29

MISCELLANY
Reported weekly for the Ledger.

Aviation Guide Posts Promising Pro-
ducts-Color in Electricity for
the Farmer-Electric Writing A
Vest-Pocket Pharmacy-Sense Train
ing-Cold Molding of Metals-Light
from Gold Headlights.
Amador ledger., 1909-10-29
NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
LEGISLATIVE
SENATORS FROM CALIFORNIA
EXECUTIVE

SENATOR'S FROM CALIFORNIA
George G. Perkins and Frank 2. Flint
CoNGREssMEN FROM CALIFORNIA
First district ...... VIM. Englebright
Second dist-ic5. Duncan E. McKinlay
Third distrsct Joseph X. Knowland
Fourth district. Julius Kahn
Fifth district E. A. Hayes
Sixth district James G.. Needham
Seventh district. james McLachlan
Eighth district G.. Smith
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

tured to run closely to any schedule. carried passengers between Norwich Town and the Landing, Some one in describing it says: His patrons. most {. ly old ladies' were never in a hurry and felt perfectly safe in Mir. Ben. nett's care. as it was physically inn possible for his horses to move faster than a slow trot It was an easy task for an active man on foot, following the same route. to distance poor old Bennetts conveyance"
 A similar line was established, run ming to Greeneville, but it did not prove profitable Ompibuses followed. that of Hough's, which ran from the city to Bean Hill, being well remembered, as is his long, siderseated sleigh.
 But with the coming of the horse railroad in 1870. later changing to the present efficient electric service, the day of the omnibus passed by forever. as did that of the stage coach at the coming of the railroad.
 Our leisurely forefathers and fore mothers, contented with stage coach travel or even with "Bennetts Hour ly,'' would rub their eyes in astonish- ment to see our streets today filled with electric cars and automobiles. Perhaps-who ws?-they might wish they had made some of those same streets a trihe wider before 1t was too late. But with the 'airship al- most perfected, and public lines of diri- gible balloons alseady projected. who knows what the end may be-
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

"A Resolution Authorizing the Col lection of Toll on the Road from New London to Norwich, Through the Mo- began Reservation-Passed, May, 17e2.
 17e2.
 Resolved by this Assembly, That there may be erected and established by the commissioners hereafter named in and by this resolve to be appointed, and at such place on said road between the dwelling house of George Williams and said Mohegan lands, as the said commissioners shall judge most expe6 tent gate or turnpike for the pur- pose of collecting a toll from persons traveling the said road, which toll shall not exceed the rates following, viz:
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03
The shiftinq channel of the Thames

The shifting channel of the Thames river has always been source of trouble to navigators. Early in the nineteenth century a Channel company was organized and we read in the Norwich Courier of July IS, 1921, as follows:
 "The Norwich Channel Company have nearly completed their opera tions in digging out the Channel of the Thames: and we are happy to state that there is now a sufficiency of water for the steamboat and packets at all times of tide-and, of course, at high water, for vessels of larger bur then"
 Not content with the Thames river, even with a "sufficiency of water" Long Island sound, and the ocean itself the people of Norwich were constant ly bringing forward plans for arti- ficial waterways. In The Courier of March 6, 1922. we read as follows:
 At a numerous meeting of gentle men of this city, convened at Kinney's Hotel, on the evening of the 27th ult. on the subject of a Canal from the tide waters of the River Thames to Worcester County, Massachusetts, the following votes were passed
 Voted. That measures ought to be adopted to ascertain the practicability of having a Canal from the source of the Quinabaug River in Massachusetts, to the head of navigation of the River Thames.
 Voted. That Messrs. Charles Rock well, Joseph Williams, and Francis A. Perkins, be a committee for the pur- pose aforesaid"
 In the Canal Of Intelligence. under date of November 26. 1928, is the fol- lowing notice:
 "All persons friendly to petitioning Congress for aid in making a Canal from this place to Boston. and for aid in deepining the Channel of the River Thames. are requested to meet at the District School House in Chel- sea, this evening at 6 o'clock"
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

The following paragraph is taken from the Providence Gazette of No- vember 6, 1892.
 Norwich, Oct. 19. z "The following Imaginable circum- stance occurred few nights since:
 "As a farmer of Vermont was re- turning from a visit to Providence through this town, having an occa- sion to travel in the night, he was overtaken a few miles this side of Plainfield, between the hours of II and 12, by the mail stage; being wholly unacquainted with their new mode of travelling with lanterns, &c., was so frightened with the sight as to occa- sion a precipitate retreat of several miles before he could muster courage enough to alight from his horse. He here, like one who had seen some sur prising phenomenon, in haste threw himself from his horse at the door of gentleman's house, where, with trembling voice, he begged for en- trance; his cries brought some of the family to his assistance, to whom he related the cause of his alright, assur-
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03
Reoular naviation by steam to New

Regular naviation by steam to New York began in 1S17. There were two steamers on the line, the Connecticut and the Fulton. and they made three trips each per week, stopping at New London and New Haven.
 In 1920. Capt w. w. Colt. who had been commander of a packet, estab- lished a Sound steamboat line. His first steamboat was the General Jack son, but he later commanded in suc- cession the Norwich, the Huntress and the Worcester.
 Captain Colt was one of the most popular of these early steamboat cap tains. He was accustomed to carry packages back and forth between Nor wich and New York, for the accommo- dation of his friends. These packages increased in number until their care became somewhat of a burden upon the busy captain. About this time a young man by the name of Adams ap- piled to him for work. and he suggest ed that he should assume the care of these packages. and should see them safely delivered to the persons to whom they were assigned. From this humble beginning grew the great bus mess enterprise known as the Adams Express company.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

"A Memorial, signed by a number of the Inhabitants of Norwich, was hand ed in, to the last Honorable Assembly of this state exhibiting a complaint that the Mail Stages were suffered to run on the Sabbath; and praying in the following words, viz: That this Honorable Assembly would take into consideration the case now laid before them, and define the limits, and intent of the law of this State respecting said Stages, within said State; and if necessary make such additional pro- vision as their wisdom shall dictate, in order effectually to remove in fu- ture the ground of this complaint
 "A committee from both houses was appointed to consider the above peti- tion and make report of their doings thereon.-The following is the report of the said committee, and the accept ance of the same, by the Honorable Assembly.
 ITO the Honorable General Assembly.
 Your Committee appointed to take into consideration the foregoing repre- sentationl of Joshua Lathrop, &c., and make report thereon. have attended thereto and report, That in our opin7 ion the present existing laws of the State, if duly executed, are sufficient to remedy the evil complained of.
 Signed per order,
 "sROGER NEWBERRY'
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03
Great pride was taken in the beau tifuI new steamboats. One of then

Great pride was taken in the beau tiful new steambosts. One of them, the Union is described as follows: Her length is 126 feet width 34 feet, including her. guards. Her cabin is beautifully finished and furnished her captain courteous. and her men orderly Her common speed is 14 miles per hour. Her engineer, on whom rests q mighty responsibility. is. we are told. a very skillful man. and the utmost reliance may be placed in him.
 the following account of a trip to New York:
 "Oct. 18th 1884. Mondays
 We set out for N. York to make a visit to our childrenll, at o'clock x 20 m. we left the Landing and reached Groton o'clock, took in. a few instrumentation to N. London, & reed more to the amount of 100 in all. amidst rain & wind in great came into the cabin where we were sitting a close row each side of it-& had good opportunity to see what selfish creatures the most of us are heard no concern expressed for any one but self-one woman with a black silk so wet that she fear'd her baby would take cold-& in great concern for fear the maid that brot her babe on board would be carried off-stripp'd & chang'd her dress for another in the midst of us all with the door open another. with a very nice cloth cloaf appear'd in some difficulty as twas wet through-& bland her friend for hurrying her off so soon &c Sc.
 We went to bed early Cor rather to berth. and cot. and f1oor) )-and aft CT very restless night arr'd in New York about a."
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

Taverns had been established, in- deed, very early in the history of New England. But with greater facilities for travel, and with the establishment of stage lines in all directions, the tavern became a place of great inn portance. Tavern keepers were ap- pointed by the town and counted among the town officials No one could obtain a license to keep House of Entertainment who had not a good reputation and considerable means. The tavern served as a clearing house for the news of the day. Here came the post rider with his bag of letters and his budget of news to be delivered by word of mouth. And here gathered the men of the town, for where else could they learn anything of the affairs of the day? To be sure, there were newspapers, but they were few and not widely circulated and con- tained almost nothing which we should call news. At the tavern also the stage coaches made their headquarters and great was the excitement and bus tie attendant upon the arrival and de- parture of the coaches. So great, in- deed, was the commotion that in the Chelsea Courier of July 3, 1799, we read the following:
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

With the close of the war the com merce of Norwich increased rapidly. Horses, cattle. sheep. swine, lumber and produce were carried to the West Indies. where they were exchanged for molasses, sugar. rum. pimento, lines, tamarinds, pepper. coffee, salt, cot ton. tobacco. etc. Most of the vessels in which these voyages were made were sloops. schooners and brigs of from 35 to 70 tons burden. The sea- going shipping belonging in Norwich at this time comprised twenty sloops, nve schooners, five brigs and one ship.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03

In 1905 a fleet of five brigs and schooners started for the Straits of Belle Isle on 8 fishing trip. Four oth- CTS followed in a few days. and part of them visited the Mediterranean be- fore their return.
 With the declaration of war with Great Britain in 1872. the commerce of the Thames ceased. The blockade of the coast by the enemy continued for two years, and American vessels disappeared from the coast. After the war an effort was made to revive the trade with the West Indies, but the attempt was almost useless.
 The Norwich Courier of October 15, 1916, at o'clock in the afternoon, an- nounced. eve stop the press to an- nounce the arrival at this port of the new Steam Boat Connecticut, Captain Bunker" Sc. This steamboat, the first of it's kind upon the waters of the Thames, was greeted with great won der and curiosity. Before long the old packet lines. in spite of their for mer popularity. were forced out of existence, and the old days of uncer- tainty. in which one might consume a week on the voyage to New York. forever passed away.