davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Press., 1914-08-05
SCHOOLS IN ARABIA.
Pupils Sit Swaying on the Floor al
 They All Study Aloud.

Pupils Sit Swaying on the Floor as
 They All Study Aloud.
 In the schools of Arabia the children, with the schOOmaster, sit upon the floor or the ground in semicircle, and each has q tablet of wood which is painted white and upon which the les sons are written. When the latter are learned they are washed out and re placed by other lessons.
 During study hours the Arab schools remind one of the Chinese, for the children all study aloud, and as they chant they rock back and forth like trees ill d storm, and this movement Is continued for an hour or more at a time. The schOOlmaster rocks back and forth also. and altogether the school presents most novel appearance as well as sound. WOrshipers in the mosques always move about while re citing the Koran, as this movement is believed to assist the memory.
 The desks of the Arab schools are odd cOntrivances of palm sticks, upon which is placed the Koran or one of the thirty sections of it. After learn ing the alphabet the boys take up the study of the Koran, memOriZing entire chapters of it until the sacred book il entirely familiar
 A peculiar method is followed in learning the Koran. The study begins with the opening chapter, and from this it skips to the last The last but one is then learned. then the last but two, and so on in inverted order, end ing finally with the second chapter.
The Press., 1914-08-05
The Judge Who Didn't Joke.

The funny sayings of judge who never joked are found in "Arabini. ana," selection of the dicta of Ser. ceant William Arabin, who sat as q judge at the Old Bailey in London from 1880 to 1S39. For instance, his remark to counsel:
 If you can show precisely at what moment the Offense was committed and prove that the prisoner was not there when he did it he could not pos sibly have done it." And he sagely added as an afterthOught, "We cannot divest ourselves of common sense in a court of justice"
 Another. axiom he delivered himself of has been fathered on many other occupants of the bench:
 "If ever there was a case of clearer evidence than this case, this case is that case
The Press., 1914-08-05
sIBILANTS AID SONG.
A Combination That Usas Not Produce
 Satisfactory Results,


 "Writing verses for the printed page and writing words to be set to music and sung," remarked Il gentleman who has won laurels in both departments of industry, "are two very different matters. You can take liberties in the first case which you cannot in the case of lyrics as with these you have to consider the 'singableness' of the words used
 "TO avoid sibilants like pestilence and to use open Vowels such as A and o wherever possible are the two gold en rules. English has been called an unsingable language, and certainly Italian and French are more liquid and easier to VOcalize in, Open vow els are very important. Compare, for instance, the word thee which Is breathed out between the teeth, with its plural you which enables the singer to open the mouth widely. The relative singableness Is apparent mt once.
 An excessive use of sibilhnts pro duces il ludicrOus missing sound, Ntehd the last sentence aloud, and note th" effect.) Nevertheless fl well known dramatist was once careless enough to give an actor speech tn which he described Dick sitting still ns Il stone and steering the horse splendldly.' - London Answers,
The Press., 1914-08-05
Origin of the Word Mustard"

Our English word mustard" is traceable to the French "mOutarde," !" the origin of which is curiously given. Tn 1882 Philip the Bold, duke of Bur gundy, granted to the town of Dijon the privilege of bearing his armoriaI ensigns, with the motto "Moult me tarde" CT wish ardently'D, in return for a handsome contingent of a thou sand men furnished to him at its ex- pense. Pleased with the royal con descension. the authorities ordered the device to be affixed over the principal gates of the city. Time or accident al length obliterated the middle word and the two remaining, moult tarde were printed on the labels which the merchants of Dijon pasted on pots ill which they sent this commodity all over the world.
The Press., 1914-08-05
WHEN JENNY LIND SANG.
Only an Old Ballad. but 1t Touched the
 Hearers Hearts.

Only an Old Ballad. but It Touched the
 Hearers Hearts
 Whenever Jenny Lind came tn din ner my father was careful neither tu ask her to sing nor to allow any one else to suggest 1t in her hearing if he could help 1t He did not think it proper to ask any one to confer that kind of favor upon him merely be''nuse he or she was his guest
 Jenny Lind. however. fully apprHriat ing my fathers taste in the matter used to go up to him and say quite simply Shall l sing?" And. of course she was ui once led to the piano. and an Instant silence fell on the whole company Her husband. Otto Gold schmidt. accompanied her.
 l shall never forget one great occa sion when. after singing one or two of her songs. she asked my father If there was any particular song he would like to heur. Some inspiration came to him to ask her if she ever sang "Auld Rob ID Gray"
 She began 1t at once. and something must have moved her to throw all her marvellous power of emotion into the singing of this old world story Never in my life have l ever heard anything so transporting and overwhelming. Tenrs were In her eyes and solIs of anguish seemed to swell up out of her heurt. Every one in the great drawing room rose and stood around in wide spellbound circle. and wben ut Inst she had finished and stood with one hand On the piano. looking at the floor in si lenre. all were too overcome tO speak My father went to her. took her hand and led her away to a sofa. saying some words of gratitude to her. and the wonderful scene was over.-HOn Stephen Coleridge's Memoirs.
The Press., 1914-08-05
Tail of the Possum.

An old negro was out with a hunter one day. The two found q peculiar track. Following the line of what were plainly footprints was a small, contin- uOus furrow.
 What kind of track is that. Jim?'' asked the puzzled hunter.
 Oats a pOssum track, sahw ex- plained the old negro.
 But how does he make that fur rOw?
 "He makes dat furrer wid his tail"
 with his tail?"
 "Yes, suh. He lets his tail drag"
 "Why do you suppose he lets it dragY
 "Ah doan' know, boss. I jes' reckin he dOan' pay no 'tention to dat tail. S'pose he thinks it'll come along, any hOw."-LOuisville Times.
The Press., 1914-08-05
WELLINGTON.
South WiIIinRtnn.

Mrs. Mary A. Korper and family returned home from the shore Monday.
 Roy H. Jones of Pottsdam, Pa, il the guest of MT. and Mrs. Robert T. Jones.
 The O. E. meeting will be held in the Sunday school room at the church this evening.
 MT. and Mrs. B. k. Benton and MF. and Mrs. Fred OOlbuTn were at 6AVin Rock last Sunday.
 MTs U. B. Griggs made week snd visit to Springfield, returning with AF. Griggs on Saturday.
 Raymond Hill, U. s s. Nashville, now at Portsmouth, N. H., is visiting his aunt, Mrs. Albert Richardson.
 Harry Hopkins, Elmer Maofarlane aud Misses Edna French and Margaret WiegOld we're at the shore Sunday.
 Ar. and Mrs. Edwin Nick Kinney re- turned Monday from East Hampton where they have been enjoying old home week exercises
 Mir. VAohon met ten of the boys in she hall last week Tuesday and made A start toward organizing a company of boy scouts. There will be more ready to join when the time comes.
 Joseph Kalabza, the boy who was badly bitten by dog last week, is doing we'll. The wound was on the leg and required six stitches to he taken. OOl. W. H. Hall took him in his auto to Rockville, where he was attended. His mother arrived Tuesday morning from New York and is with him at Ohas. PObuda's
 In these days when all eyes are turned toward Europe, where so many Americans are stranded, there isI naturally an unusual interest shown and felt for them by friends at home. Miss Doris, daughter of Mir. and Mrs. Wm. H. Hall, with her party of young ladies travelling with their French teacher from Dana Hall were in Milan, Italy last Sunday, on their way to Luzerne, Switzerland, where they should be to-day. Their itin- srary takes them through the southern part of Germany, across to Paris and then np to London, where they should arrive the 25th, sailing for home Sept. 1st on the Laconia of the Cun- nard line. It is possible that the arrangements may have to be changed to avoid territory that may soon be battleields. Switzerland is of course | neutral, but the border between France and Germany is something to be stud jed at a distance.
The Press., 1914-08-05
The Industrious Chinaman.

Of all oriental wOrklnen the Chinese are undoubtedly the best, though there may be some with experience of both races who may be disposed to give the palm to the Japanese. A European who thoroughly understands his busi- ness, and who Is able to impart his knowledge and his instructions in q clear manner to his Chinese subOrdi- nate, and who moreover is blessed with a little patience and tact, will find little difficulty in the management and con
 trOl of Chinese labor of whatever kind
 Speaking generally, they are good and conscientious WOrkmen, and many in deed are very clever fellows. The quality of the work turned out by a good Chinese filter, turner, or machine man varies little from that of the av- craze good British workman of the same class, but the latter would beat him in point of time.-LOndon Express.
The Press., 1914-08-05
NAVAJOS FEAR THE DEAD.
Hence They Get Rid of Their Bodies as
 Quc!dy as Possible.

Hence They Get Rid of Their Bodies as
 Qu.c!dy as Possible.
 One practice of the Navajos that pro notes health among them, however re- pugnant it may be for us, is their dis position of the dead. In the presence of the living the Navajo is without fear, but his terror of the dead is ab- ject and unreasoning. The dead are believed to be possessed of malevolent feelings toward the survivors, with un- limited powers for working evil upon those who rarelessly place themselves within the power of the spirits.
 So when any one dies the only anX- iety of the surviving relatives is to get rid of the body as quickly as possible. If there are any white men living in the neighborhoOd an effort Is made to induce them to perform the offices of undertaken. If not, the disposition of the body depends somewhat upon cir cumstances. If the hogan-the mod ern wigwam-is built of wood it Is set on fire and burned with the body in 1t. If of stone the body is usually taken outside, the entrance to the hogan closed up with stones or sticks and d hole made in the wall opposite to per init the evil spirits to depart and to warn passersby that the structure be. longs to the dead.
 If the death occurred in rocky country the body will likely be taken to some crevice and thrown in it. It may be left uncovered to become the prey of wolves and coyotes, or sticks and stones may be cast over 1t. If the family lives in a sandy part of the reservation.' with no convenient crev- ices or chasms near by, the body will be laid upon the sand, little earth and some stones thrown upon it, and a pile of brush laid over all.-Christian Herald.
The Press., 1914-08-05
UNION.

Miss Irene Marcy has returned to Southbridge.
 W. Richards visited friends in Vest vile the first of the week.
 MT. and Mrs. B. Sellen and family have returned to Hartford.
 MT. and Mrs. Lapracie are visiting their aunt, Mrs. Mary Dodge.
 Mrs. Hattie Phillips of Southbridge visited friends in town last week.
 Mrs. O. L. Baker and daughter, May, of Hartford, are at their summer cottage on the Hill. ''
 Mir. and Mrs. Harry L. Palmer, who have been spending several days at the Marcy homestead, returned to Hart ford the first of the week.
The Press., 1914-08-05
Couldn't Blame the Pump.

A lumberman having awakened on a Sunday morning in $ "dry town" aft CT a big spree of the night before searched his pockets in vain. Being very thirsty, he remembered stum- bling over a pump in the alley back of the hotel.
 He hastened to the pump and began pumping. but without results, as the pump had not been primed. He slow ly backed away and. cycling the pump, said: Well, l don't blame you for not working, anyhow. I wouldn't patron ize you when I had money."-Ex- change.
The Press., 1914-08-05
MADRID's ARID SITE.
Parched and Dusty Now, 1t Was Once
 Watsrsd Garden Spot.

a Watsrsd Garden Spot.
 Travellers find it hard to believe that Madrid ever abounded with water. The modern town stands on so bleak and arid an eminence, its surround ings save in early spring, are so parched and dusty and the water ped dlers cry of "Agua! Aguaw is so in sistent and ubiquitous one fancies Madrid must have been thirsty from the beginning,
 Yet its ancient coat of arms was fl large flint half immersed in water, with steel hatchets striking it on ei- ther side, the ascending sparks form ing sort of canopy around 1t. Alp pended WIS the motto;
 WAS built on water
 My walls are of fire,
 Such is my enblHEOnment.
 This device WAS emblemntic only of the city and its early days before Charles V. hnd started it on its head, long career of greatness merely be cause he credited its climnte with hay Ing cured him nf Il fever.
 At thnt lime Madrid was small town embOwered in tardens and woods md meadows mo with springs md wells lnvishly supplied by nnture. The Mnnznnnrnh, now H melancholy menger stream, wns of II measurable depth !ni with th" npporLioning of her territory into pnlncca md lodging houses for the royal hnngers-On md thc cutting down of the trees to swell th" royal trcnHury the inevitable fol lowed. The sun of well nigh 400 sum mera hns burned nnd reburned the site of the old town and its bestripped suburbs and dried up the natural mois ture. At present the climate of Mad rid is nearly the most trying in all Europe From CaIverts Madrid"
The Press., 1914-08-05

Simonds and Andrews of Willimantio have returned home after spending 8 week at Pleasure Beach.
 Merrow.
 Edward Burdiok and son, Morton, were recent visitors at 4, T. Burdick's.
 Mrs. Edward sehubeler and children were in Stafford one day last week.
 Mrs. Annie Harwood of Stafford was a recent guest of Mrs. Eugene DimOek,
 Charles Glrard of Mansfield is spending a few days with hls sister, Mrs. E. VII Hams.
 Miss H. L. Morrow spent the latter part of the week in Kingston, R, l., on business.
 Mrs. Lucy Willard has returned to her sons home after visiting her daughter, Mrs. Frank Nsweomb, of Holland.
 Andrew Houston of New York City, who has been staying at B. 0. HallOek's for several weeks, has returned home.
 Guests at Mrs. J. B. Merrows' Sunday were Joseph Morrow snd Miss Mary Mer row of Hartford and Mir. and Mrs. Mon roe Baker and little son of Dallas, Tex.
 Mir. and Mrs. I. F. Wilcox and children, Iva and Sarah, were al shore resort in Rhode Island the latter part of the week. They were the guests of Mir. WilcOx's cousin and wife.
 Mrs. Phebe Wilcox, who Is spending a few weeks with her niece, Mrs. B Phil lips, in WIllimantic, returned to her home here for over Sunday. Miss Sarah Brown of Rhode Island is visiting Mrs. Wilcox during the time she Is at home.
 There was 8 most enjoyable gathering at the Tilden homestead in Morrow last Sunday. It was the S8th birthday of Chas. w. Tilden, the head of the house. The hOstesses were Misses Evelyn and Addie Tilden. All of the immediate fam fly were present, among whom were Mir. and Mrs. Walter l.. Tilden and Mir and Mrs. Chas. J. Tilden of Windsor, Mir. and Mrs Leroy P. Tilden of New Lon don, and Mir. and Mrs. A. J. Tilden of Waterbury The grandchildren included Mir. and Mrs. Ed Dexter of Hartford, Dr Walter c Tilden of N. Y. City and Paul Leroy Tilden of New London.
The Press., 1914-08-05
ASHFORD. Westford Hill.


 George Gelina and family are spend ing the having season at Lyman Squire's.
 O. D. Ohism, J W. Armitage and H. P. Amidon now have telephone connection.
 Mrs. White and Mrs. Clark are en- tertaining Mir. and Mrs. Walter Hur- ohinson of Bristol
 Miss Lillian Amidon returned Fri day from visit with relatives in Somersvin and Holland.
 Mrs. c. L. Chism of Stafford, Mir. and Mrs. Fred Ohism and children were at 0. D. Chism's the first of the week.
 Mrs. David Munyan and Mrs. Stella Munyan of Mansfield, and James Sun derland and son, Ralph, from Knowl- ton Hill called on friends here re- gently. making the trip in MT. Sun derland' s auto.
 Several friends and relatives attend ed the burial service of Miss Josie Amidon last week. Miss Amidon spent most of her life in Westtor,L After the death of her mother she cared for her aged father for number of years. The burial was in the family lot at Westford Hill
 Miss E. L. Whiton attended the funeral of her nephew, Samuel N. Brett, at Quinebaug last Saturday. MT. Brett spent his boyhood days in Westford. He was a machinist and died suddenly from heart failure while at his work. Besides his wife he leaves his father, Charles W. Brett, of North Woodstock.
The Press., 1914-08-05
Our Constitution.

The United States constitution is not modelled on any other; but, on the con trary. several are modelled on it, nota- bly, those of Canada, Australia, the Central and South American republics, Switzerland and. to certain extent. China. It was drafted by a conven- ton in 1787. ratified by nine states (the prescribed number) in 17S8 and set to work under George Washington as first president in 1789. It is very simple document, containing originally only seven Christian Herald
The Press., 1914-08-05
Union, Con
ABSTRACT OF STAFFORD. s. Pro

! bate Court, August {. A. D IAiA. ..+ Estate of 'harles Bolieau, ST., late Of stanOrd, in said district, deceased. '.s n. s4 Upon the application Of the executor, pray. ing tha' an order may be granted, authorizing him to compromise and settle any doubtful or disputed claims or actions in favor of or againat said estate, as by said application fully appears, tt is
 Ordered That said application be heard and de- termined at the Probate Oftice In stafford in said district, on the nth day or August, A. D. i9ts, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and that notice hs given to all persons interested in said estate of the pendency Of said application and the time and place Of hearing thereon, by publishing the same once in some newspaper having a circul1- thereof on the public sign.post tn the town of stafford in said district, at least i've days before said day Of hearing.
 ROBERT II. FISK, Judge.
The Press., 1914-08-05
LEWIS MOLAUaHLIN, PuBLIsHER.
n.sO |. year. If paid strictly in advance, o.

R.bO year. If paid strictly In advance, sl2i
 Resolutions, obituaries or cards Of thanks in serted At ons-half advertising rates. Births marriages and deaths inserted free,
 Communications received without signatures AlHays committed to the waste basket without AEtensiOR.
 Ws are always glad to have asaDs Items seni Ia, but request that they reach us by Tuesday RsOn, or earlier, 1T possible. It Is often neess sAEy t0 AbEidgs items that are received the lat ter part of Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday msEalnS. Forms closed Wednesday at 10 q. m
 Rhh paper is mailed regularly to it's subscTib- sn antil aeanits order to discontinue Is Te- salvad and all AEEsaFs are paid in full.
 WeaEs nOg responsible for, nor do we by pub lishias sndOEss the opinions of our correspond sns.
 Fhh Paper and The Connecticut Couranl Ossmi-Wssklyl furnished for sa.lb per year in ad VARes.
 The Press Sl.a6 in advance, Youths Companion a, both for one year for $s at The Press offiee.
The Press., 1914-08-05
A Curtain Lecture.

Miss Polly When was in the city l attended q vaudeville show. and it was just grand Villager What were the names of the pieceSi Miss Polly -I don't remember all. but the curtain said the first piece was "Asbestos " Buffalo Express.
The Press., 1914-08-05
RlaaRan3.

Child Visitor-Mrs. Jones, please can go upstairs in your room and look in your closet? Hostess Why, Will lie, what do you want in my closet? Child Visitor-I want to see the skele- ;on pa says you've got there.-Balti- zaOre American.
The Press., 1914-08-05
PIain Hint

'"NISss Enid,'' began a yoVng ma1z Tor Find, l mean-Tve knows you long enough to drop the Miss haven't r"
 "Yes; I think you have" she said, looking at him steadily. What prefix do you wish to stitute?'-London Tit-Bits.
The Press., 1914-08-05
pomsatio Eoonor,,,..

"Why did she marry a man younger than herself?"
 ''SO she could give him advice as to how his money should be spent" = Florida Times Union.
The Press., 1914-08-05
Driven to lt.

"Can you make me a bureau with a secret drawer?"
 "Yep. Place to hide will, eh?''
 No; just want to have a place where I can keep few clothes. My wife's things occupy all the visible space."-LOuisville Courier-Journal.
The Press., 1914-08-05
A T a Court of Probate holden at Staf IA fond. within and for Lhe nIaIrirt nf ALAT !.

A T a Court of Probate holden at Staf n ford, within and for the District Of staf ford on the 18th day Of october 4. D. 1giA
 Present, ROBERT II. FISK. Judge.
 on motion or Alvah W. Eaton, executor on the estate of Josephine A. Eaton, late or stafford, within said district, deceased.
 This court doth decree that six months be aI- lowed and limited for the creditors Of said estate to exhibit their claims against the same to the executor, and directs that public notice Dc once in some newspaper having a circulation tn said district, and by posting a copy thereof on the public sign post fin said town Of stafford, nearest the place where lhe deceased last dwelt. Certined from Record.
 MARCUS D. FISK, Clerk
The Press., 1914-08-05
6ackhandAd

RrsS don't like that Mir Cutting
 Jess That's unkind of you [ heard him Sny something awfully sweet al'out yon yesterday Bess- Oh did he What was it: Jess He said he imag. ln"d you must havp been perfectly charming as girl.-Cleveland Leader
The Press., 1914-08-05
Fair Warning.

Mistress Jane. saw the milkman kiss you this morning. In the future l will take the milk in. Jane-'Twouldn' be no use. mum. He promised never to kiss anybody but me.-IlIustrated Bits.
The Press., 1914-08-05
OF STAFFORD. ss. Pro

RESTRICT OF STAFFORD, ss. Pro. lJ bate Court, August 8, 1914. Estate Of George W Crawford late of Union in said district deceased.
 Upon the application Of Harry K. Back. pray ng that an instrument in writing purportinK Co be the last will and testament of said deceaaed, may be proved. approved, allowed and admitted to probate, as per application on file fully ap- pears, 1t is
 Ordered-that said application be heard and de- termined at the probate once in stafford in said district, on the 12th day of August. lpi4, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and that notice be given to all persons interested in said estate, or the pendency Of said application, and the time and place Of hearing thereon, by pub fishing the same once in some newspaper hav- Ing circulation in said district and by post Ing copy thereof on the public siRn-poet Cd the town Of Union, in said District.
 ROBERT n. FISK, Judge.
The Press., 1914-08-05
RanolonN Today.

Mother (to conciIiate little irl who has been whipped)-Was she 1 nasty,
 truel mother, then? Moder Child Oh, no. I deserved it.-Lond Punch.