l)cmc0, Mem Bl0omftefo, 3a.
Tho Dark Day In New England,
in 1780.
BT O. TAVAYLOR.
ON tho 10th of May, 1780, the inhabi
tants of New England and adjacent
parts were the trembling witnesses of a
phenomenon never seen before or since,
and which to this day romatnsunexplalned.
The year was celebrated for Its numerous
auroral exhibitions in this latitude They
covered ' the midnight heavens with cor
ruscations of red and silver, and streamed
out lightning, seeming, says one writer,
fairly to flash warmth in the face. The
winter preceding was marked with extra
ordinary severity. Snow lay on the ground
from the middle of November to the mid
dle of April. In December and January a
storm continued seven successive days, and
the snow fell to a depth of four feet on a
level in this single storm and . with drifts
eight and ten feet high. Bheep were bur
ied in the drifts for many days, and even
men and animals porished with the cold.
Long Island Sound was crossed by heavy
artillery on the ice. Narragansett Bay
froze over so hard that men travorsodthe
ice from Providonc.3 to Newport in skating
parties, and from Fall River to Newport
loads of wood were conveyed on the ice
through Bristle ferry. '
Previous to the 19lh a vapor filled the
air for several days. There was a smell of
sulphur. The morning of the 19th was
overcast with some clouds, and rain fell
over the country, with lightning and thun
der. Scarcely any motion was in the air,
what wind there was came from tho south
west. By nine o 'clock in the forenoon, with
out previous warning, the darkness stolo
gradually on, with a luminous appearance
near tho horizon, as if the obscuring clouds
had dropped down from over-head. There
was a yellowness of the atmosphere that
mado clear silver assume a green hue.
Then a dense, undennablo vapor settled
rapidly and without aorial movement over
all the land and ocean from Pennsylvania to
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the dark ness it
caused sinking by degrees until tho sun
light was effectually shut out. Ordinary
cloud it was not. The rapidity with which
bo large an extent of country was envelop
ed precludes the possibility of supposing
this to have been a natural cloud moving
laterally. Besides this, the day was too
calm to imagine such a thing. Down came
the darkness thicker. By ten o'clock the
air was loaded with a thick gloom. The
heavens were tinged with a yellowish or
faint red; the lurid .look increased; few, if
any, ordinary clouds were visible. The
sun, in disappearing, took a brassy hue.
The lurid brars color, spread everywhere,
above and below. The grass assumed the
color of the sky, 'and all out doors work a
sickly, weird and melancholy aspect, a
dusky appearance as if seen 1 through a
Smoked-glass. By eleven o'clock it was as
dark as night itself, and from this until
three in the afternoon the darkness was
extraordinary and frightful. '
The extent of the darkness was greater
than is related of any other similar phe
nomenon on record, not excepting the cel
ebrated dark days over Egypt and Judea.
It reached south to the northern half of
Pennsylvania, and from thence along the
coast northeast to the wilds of Maine, cast
ward to the Qulf of St. Lawrence, and out
at sea 120 miles east of Boston, and un
doubtedly much farther; west to the val
leys of Lake Champlain and the Hudson
River, and north into undefined regions in
Canada. Portland, Boston, Hartfod,New
York, West Point and Albany were affect
ed by it. But the degress of darkness diff
ered in different places, the deepest night
over New England. A tract of land and sea
800 hundred miles in length and 400 miles
in breadth, embracing an area of 820,000
square miles, was known to be clouded,
and so far as can be ascertained, a popula
tion of 700,000 souls sat for a portion of the
day and night in a gloom more or less pro
found and inexplicable.
: Just bow dark the day was is attested
by indisputable evidence.. The hour and
minute could not be discovered on the face
Of the clock or watch by persons, of unim
paired eyesight. Candles became ne
cessity both inside and out side of doors,
and it was impossible to transact ordinary
business without them. Fire on the
bearth-stoue shone as brightly as on
moonless November even! og, and all dinner
tables were set with lighted candles upon
them as if it were the evening repast. The
keenest eyes in doors could not see to read
the common p -int. So far beyond any or
dinary fog was the effect that stages on the
rood either put up at the nearest hotel dur
ing the mid da hours, or carried candles
or lanterns to enable the perplexed driver
to well see his way.
And the brute and feathered" creation
seemed puzzled and agitated. The bird
ceased to fly, and hid themselves in the
branches of the trees. As the darkness
incieased they sang their evening songs as
they do at twilight, and then became silent.
' Pigeons on the wing took shelter of the
forest as they do at night. The whip-poor-'
will, as if it were truly night, cheerfully
sang his song through the gloomy hours.
'Woodcocks, which are night birds, whis
tled as they only do in the night time. Bats
came out of their hiding places and flew
about. Tho fowls marched solemnly to
their roosts as they' .do only at nightfall,
and, after cackling for a while over the
mystery of so short a day, became still.
Cocks crowed as is their custom at nightly
Intervals and the early breaking of day.
Frogs piped their evening concert, and
dogs whined or howled and ran away as
on the approach of an earthquake. The
herds of cattle on New England's thou
sands hills, sought the shelter of the 6hed
or barnyard.lowing as they came to .the gate,
and sheep huddled around, the i pircle with
their heads inward the Invariable token
of apprehended danger.
On tho human family the effect was still
more curious and terrifying. The mechan
ic left his tools in his shop, the farmer bis
plow in the furrow, and each moved in
silent and marveling mood toward the barn
or dwelling. On the home threshold they
were met by a pale and anxious woman,
who tremblingly Inquired, " What is com
ing?"' The alarmed traveller, seeking the
sympathy of his follow man as one im
pressed with a sence of impending peril,
put up at the nearest house, and mingled
his anxious questions and forebodings with
those of the family. Strong men met and
spoke with surprise on their countenances
and little children peered timidly into the
deepening gloom, and then sought the
sheltering parental arms. Schools broke
up in affright, and tho wondering pupils
scampered homeward wuh many expres
sions of childish fear. The inevitable
candle shone out cf the windows of all
dwellings eveiy countenance gathered
blackness a'l hearts were filled with fear
of no. approaching, unparalleled storm, or the
occurrence of a teiTesti ial convulsion; but
it was not the blackness of the storm-cloud,
such as sometimes, with frightful agitation,
breaks over a single city; it was the silent
spreading of tho pall-cloth over the eaith
by strong invisible hands. Many anecdotes
of terror are re'ated. In Boston, from the
hours of 11 or 1 till 8 o'clock, business was
generally suspended and shops were closed.
At Groton, a court was in session in a
meeting-hou'-e full of large w indows, as
was the old style of worship; at but half-
past elevon all faces began to wear a sombre
hue, whoreupon magistrate and people
began to follow suit wi;U New England,
and called for lighted candles. Connecticut
wont totally under tho cloud. The jour
nal of her Ilouse of Representatives puts
on re -oid the fact thai "None could see to
read or wiite in the house, or even at a
window, or distinguish a pe.son at a short
distance, or perceive any distinction of
drees,'' &c, in the circles, of attendants,
Therefore, at eleven o'clock, adjourned the
Ilouse till two o'clock, in the afternoon.!'
Amid the deepening gloom that rapped
about the city, darkened tho rooms of the
State Bouse, and set the lawgivers tremb
ling with the apprehension that the day of
judgement was at hand, when tho motion
for adjournment was made. Colonel Abra
ham Davenport, afterwards Judge of Stam
ford, Conn., and State Councilor in the
Legislative Chamber at Hartford, said;
am against tho adjourmont. Either tho
Day of Judgemen is at hand or it is not.
If it is not, there is no cause for ' adjourn
ment. If it is, I want to be found in the
line of my (duly. I wish candles to be
brought.", ' i .i '
The darkness of the day having been
succeeded an hour or two before evening
by a partially clear sky, and the shining of
Uie sun, still obscured by the black and
vapory mist this interval was followed by a
retjra of the obscuration with great den
sity, that rendered the first part of the
night hideously dark beyond all former ex
perience of probably a million of people
who saw it.
A Horse with one Fault.
A lawyer bought a horse from a traveling
dealer, and after the sale had been effected
the purchaser asked if tho animal bad any
faults.
" As I own the horse now, it will not
affect your Interest if you state the truth,'
continued the lawyer.
" You've given me a fair price,"" said the
seller, " and I don't mind tolling you that
he has ono bad fuult. Ho wont entor the
inn-yard at Hicksville."
"Oh, that's no fault at all," said the
lawyer, " it isn't likely that my business'
will ever bring me to that town." '
A month afterward the lawyer chanced
to be passing through Hicksville.
"Now," said he, as the inn came in
sight, "I'll see if that follow told the truth
about the horse."
He headed the auimal for the yard, and
urged him onward. The horse, instead of
resisting, hurried forward willingly, and
whinnied cheerfully as the owner of the
hotel stepped from the stoop and stroked
his mane.
"Hollo!" exclaimed the inn-keeper
" here's my horse Billy back again. Where
did you find bim?"
" Find htm I" ejaculated the lawyer, " I
bought him. The man of whom I pur
chased him told me that he could not bo
forced to enter this yard."
"You've been sold stranger," said the
inn-keeper. " That horse was stolen from
me four weeks ago, and the thief told
you that yarn to prevent you from traveling
with the horse in this neighborhood.
The lawyer used every argument to re
tain possetsiou, but without avail. He had
to give up the horse.
Table , Manners of 'our Ancestors.
O
UR Saxon ancestors had some rude
are in striking contrast with modern refine
ment. To begin with, they had no table,
but, Instead of one, ft board ;(ftor4), which
was brought for tho occasion from some
place of storage, laid on trestles, and when
the meal was ended, carefully put away
again. This was called laying the board,
to which our Bimilar expr essioa owes its
origin; and from the game sorucecomct our
word boarder" one who sits at tho board
to eat.
The guests and family Jwere, ummoned
by a horn, and after they were seated, the
cloth was spread; about this they were ex
tremely particular, but of what kind of
fabric they were made does not so clearly
appear. : It certainly was not linen,' for
that was not introduced into England for
such use rntil the reign of Elizabeth. For
a long time carpets and'pieoes of tapestry
did service for coverings for tables.
The use of the carpet for tho floor does
not seem to have occurred to those easily
satisfied individuals, who were' willing to
sleep on a straw mat, with a log under
their heads, or at best, with a sack filled
with chaff or straw for a bolster. Floors
were strewn with rushes, occasionly ro-
newod as the accumulations of rubbish
mode it necessary. Amng the items at the
time of crowning of Isabella, Queen of
John, thero is a chargo of thirty-three
shillings for strewing Westminister Hall
with herbs and rushes. It is a custom
which Shakespeare refors to in " Taming a
Shrew" " Where's the cook ? Is tho sup
per ready tho house trimmed, rushes,
strewed, cobwebs swept?" and in other
plays.
Those were the days in which they had
oiled paper or thinly shaved piecos of horn
in what they called wi.ulows, or the open
ings were filled with strips of wickor, in
terlaced in chock work; when scarcoly a
church could boast of a pane of crystal, and
when a nobleman, who had ih'n layers of
beryl in bis castle windows, was looked
upon as very luxurious in his tastes.
After the cloth was arranged - the salt
cellar was set on, then the knives (if they
were so fortunate as to possess any) were
placed, tho spoons, the drinking-horns, and
trenchers. : ' ,
The salt-cellar was the most important
article of all; very large, and made with a
cover. And it is this peculiarity which
Shakespeare alludes to, ' where he makes
Launce say: "The cover of the salt hides
the salt, and therefore it is more than the
salt." Where the host could cfi'ord it, it
was of solid silver, elaborately chased;
often a very subtantial piece of ' plate, as
costly as his means would. allow, i And
this accounts for the greed with ' which
Queen Elizabeth once seized upon ono, on
occasion of visiting a certain great official;
she had already received valuable gifts from
him, and before her departure she "took a
salt, a spoon, and a fo-k of a fair gate."
Tho salt-collar1 occupied t be placo of
honor on the table, and the most distin
guished persons sat above it. To sit "below
the salt," meant to bo in the position of an
inferior. ''
Tho meats were brought In on spits just
as they were cooked, and in that way pass
ed around by the servants to tho guests,
who, in the more barbarous; times, tore off
a portion as best they' could. Afterwards
when they bad advanced a litllo in their
ideas, thero was a carver, who held the
meat with one hand while he carved with
the other ;and the guests helped themselves,
using their hands, and after they had de
voured what they wished, threw the bones
to the dogs and cats that waited under the
tablo and scramblod for thoir share among
tho rushes. Naturally enough, every ono
was expected to wash his hands bo fore
coming to tho "board," and certainly it
was needful afterward.
A few bad knives shaped like a razor,
but forks were uoknown. Evon the great
Elizabeth ate with her fingers. In her
reign, however, commerce was extended,
and luxuries began to appear; porcelain and
glasses Instead of pewter mugs to drink
from, and in her bath-room she bad nili--
rors,and this was considered a great extrav
agance. lier immense aim jolty rooms
wero meagre and cheerless enough with
thoir scant fuioishlngs, and her table, in
spite of many pieces of the plate, was not
altogether removed from the rudeness of
manners of the early Saxons. At first, two
persons ate from one "trenche-," as it was
called. There were no plates, and these
trenchers were made to answer the pur
pose. They were, in faot, large slices of
bread placed before each one, (or two), to
accommodate the (meat. There were two
qualities of bread; one fine, to be eaten;
the other of llio coarse inferior flower, was
mado Into large loaves, then the outer
crust was removed and laid Inside for the
poor, and the rest cut into very thick and
very substantial slices, and thus used in
stead of plates. In the course of time
some ingenious person conceived the happy
idea of having real plates; the wealthy fur
nibbed themselves with valuablo ones of
silver, and eventually the oommon people
were provided with such as their circum
stances admitted, made of wood or pewter,
and finally earthenware came into use. ,
But in those days they were well content-
wlth the primitive arrangement of the
trenchers. The bread thus used soaked up
the gravy, and became quite savory In oon
sequence; and, when the meal was ended
each one ate the plate if ho chose; other
wise it was put into the alms-basket, which
was. s-ays kept ready, and Into which all
the leavings were gathered, and sent out to
the poor waiting at the gate the poor
were never forgotton in those old Saxon
households.
'.' 't j ' ' A Man of one Idea.
IT has been our fortune, more than once,
to encounter men whose minds seem
ed so thoroughly permeated and pervaded
by one idea, that, whatover topio might be
broached in conversation, they would be
strong in their pet notion. We recollect a
farmer who may serve as an illustration,
nis hobby, shange as it may seem, was
comprised in the plebeian word "sausage."
Of these he used annually to manufacture
a large quantity, and with an absence of
false shame worthy of all commendation, so
far from keeping out of sight the stuff
which had aided him to competence, he was
somewhat too forward in obtruding it on
bis acquaintances.
f Good morning, Mr. Jones," , said we,
on one occasion. " Fine weather we are
having just now." . . ,
"Yes," said he earnestly, . " capital
weather we are naving ; lor making saus
ages. If things turn out well, I shall have
a hundred pounds to carry to market.
You wouldn't like a few, would you ? .
. We nastened to inform mm that our
lardor was fully supplied, and not feeling
particularly interested in the turn he had
given the subject, endeavored to broach
another topic.
" Tho Allios find it a difficult matter to
take Sobastopol, Mr. Jones. I suppose you
have read tho latest accounts from the seat
of war?"
"No." .
" The Russians have gained a decided
victory. It is thought, however, there is
a possibilty of the supplies being cut off, so
that the garrison will be compelled, by fear
of starvation, to capitulate."
" You don't say so !" returned Mr. Jones,
I wonder he continued, after a pause, his
eyes lighting up with a new and ; brilliant
idea, " I wonder whether it wouldn't be
good speculation to send a cargo of saus
ages to Sobastopol ? There ain't nothing
more wholesome, and if they are in danger
of being starved out they'd be likely to pay
pretty well." . . , ,
We ventured to suggest that , the allied
squadrons would be a trifling obstacle
in the way of this otherwise feasible plan.
The . next time we met Mr. Jones, was
alter tue aeatu ot jus wile, 'more was
sorrow in his eye, and black crape on his
bat. Our sympathies were touched.,
" Mr Jones," said we, " we have heard
of your misfortune It is indeed a heavy
cross to bear, but you must summon up
all your fortitude."
,..' You don't know," said he, grasping
our hand, "how much. You never can
know. Such a treasuio as she was." said
he, concealing his face in the folds of his
red bandanna. "I shall never get anybody
that can make tautaget like her never!"
Mr. Jones seemed , pvei powered by his
grief , and walked sadly away. We felt
that we could offer no adequate consolation
to one whose sorrow proceeds from such
cause, and did not attempt it. .
. .,., , , A Scared Clergyman. .
They have a clergyman in Clevelard who
has introduced a very effective method of
rousing' tho members of his congregation
who sleep during sermon time. Ho takes
up into the pulpit a package of large tor
pedoes, and when he perceives one of the
deacons nodding, he takes aim at the dea
con's bald head, and in a minute the slum
bering saint wakes up with a jump from a
dream 'about - the battlo of Gettysburg,
This was all well enough for a while. But
one of tho deaoons whoso scalp had been
successfully bombarded for four consecu
tive Sundays, determined to organize re
sistance. So be went out and bought
lot of largo torpedoes, and before church
he slipped up into the pulpit and placed a
torpedo undor eooh leg of the ministers
arm chair. Presently the pastor entered,
Tho church was full. He stood a moment
and beamed upon the congregation through
his spectacles, and then sat down to select
a hymn. He sat down hard with a jerk
Thore was an explosion a ' tearing out as
it were beneath the chair, and a venerable
divine might have been seen coming sud
deuly down the pulpit stairs with his hair
standing on end. The deacon says that if
this does not cure him, be will fire back at
the olorgyman with a mountain-howitzer
located in (he gallery.
C3TA traveling Yankee lately put up
at a country inn, where a number of louug
ers wore assembled telling stories. After
sitting some time and attentively listening
to their folly, he suddenly turned and ask
ed them how much they supposed he bad
been offered for bis dog which he bad with
him, i They all stared, and curiosity was on
tip-toe to know. One guessed five dollars,
another ten, another fifteen, until they all
exhausted their patience, when one seri
ously asked bow much be had been effer
ed. " Not a darned cent V ke replied.
ST. ELMO HOTEL,
(FORMERLY
THE UNION,")
JOS. M.
FEWER, ' . . Proprietory
& 810 ARCn STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
817
Terms,
$2.50 Per Day'.
THE ST. ELMO Is centrally located and has
been re fitted and refurnished, ao that I twill
lie found as comfortable and pleasant a stopping
piocv us tuerv 19 111 1 uuaueipinii. o &
Farmers Take Notice.
rjIIE subscriber oilers for Sale
THRESHING MACHINES. JACKS and HORSE-
rUWEH,
With Tumbling Shaft, and Side-Gearing, Warrant
ed to give satisfaction In siedy and perfect
threshing, light draft and durability, on reasona
ble terms. Also
PL O TJ GHS
Of Superior Make. ,
CORN SHELLE11S,
KETTLES,
STOVES,
scoops
and all castings,
made at a country Foundry. Also,
A GOOD MILL SCREW,
In excellent order, for sale at a low rate.
I refer those wishing to buv to John Adams.
Samuel Shumati, John Boden, Ross Hench, at
Ickesburg. Jacob Shoemaker & Son, Klllotts
burg i Thomas Morrow, Loysvllles John Fllcklng-
er, Jacob Fllcklnger, Centre.
SAMUEL LIGGETT.
Ickesburg, May 14. 1872.
New Millinery Goods
At Newport, I'll.
I BEG to Inform the public that I have Just re
turned from Philadelphia, with a full assort
ment of the latest styles of
MILLINERY GOODS, "
HATS AND BONNETS,
KIBBONB, FRENCH FLOWERS
FEATHERS, ,
CHIGNONS,
LACE CAFES.
NOTIONS,
And all articles usually found In a first-class Milt
linery Establishment. All orders promptly at
tended to. 4nrWe will sell all goods as Cheap as
can be got elsewhere.
DRESS-MAKING done to order and In the la-
test style, as I get the latest Fashions from New
York every month. Goilering done to order, In.
all widths. I will warrant all my work to give sat
isfaction. All work done as low as possible.
ANNIE ICKE8,
Cherry Street, near the Station,
51613 ' ' Newport, Pa.
CARLISLE CARRIAGE FACTORY.
A. B. SIIERK
has a large lot of second-hand work on
hand, which he will sell cheap in order
w inane room lor new worn, ...
FOR THE SPRING TRADE.
He has. also, the best lot of
NEW WORK 0N HAND.
You can always see different styles. Tho material
is not in question any more. lor it is uie Dest used.
If you want satisfaction in style, quality and
price, go to this shop before purchasing elsewhere,
there Is no II mi that has a better Trade, or sella
mure In Cumberland aud Perry counties.
REPAIRING 'AND PAINTING
promptly attended to. Factory Corner of South
aim i lit o
Streets,
3 dp
CARLISLE, PA.
PEItBY COUNTY
Ileal Estate. Insurance,
' ADD
CLAIM AGENCY.
LEWIS POTTES & CO.,
Real Estate Brokers, Insurance, A Ctaim Agent
( New Hloomilell, I a.
WE INVITE the attention of buyers and sell
ers to the advantages we offer them In pur
chasing or disposing ol real estate through our of
fice. We have a very large list of desirab property,
consisting of farms, town property, mills, store
and tavern stands, and real estate of any descrip
tion which we are prepared to otter at great bar-
fialns. We advertise our property very extenslve
y. aud use all our efforts, skill, and dllllgence to
effect a sale. We make no charges unless the-
Sroperty Is sold while registered with us. We also
raw up deeds, bonds, mortgages, andall legal pa
pers at moderate rates. -
Some of the liest, cheapest, and most reliable
fire, life, and cattle insurance companies in the
United States are represented at tills agency.
Proierty Insured either on the oash or mutual
plan, and peretually at 14 and 15 per thousand.
reunions, bounties, and all kinds of war claims
collected. There are thousands of soldiers and
heirs of soldiers who are entitled to pensions and
bounty, who have never made application. Sol
diers, it you were wounded, ruptured, oroontraet
ed a disease in the service from which you are dis
abled, you are entitled to a pension.
When widows of soldiers die or marry, the mtnon
children are entitled to the pension.
Parties having any business to transaet In oun
line, are respectfully invited toftlve us a call, as
we are confident we can render satisfaction In any
branch of our business.
- No charge for Information.
4201y LEWIS POTTER A CO.
JOBINBON HOUSE, '
(Formerly kept by Woodruff and Turbett,)
New Bloomfleld, Ftrry County, Pa.
AMOS ROBINSON, Proprietor.
Thts well known 'and pleasantly located hotel,
has been leased for a number of years by the pres
ent proprietor, and he will spare no pains to accom
modate his euests. The rooms are comfortable,
the table well furnished with the best In the mar
ket, and the bar slocked with choice liquors. At
careful and attentive hostler will be In attendance.
A good livery stable will be kept by the proprietor
April 8, 1871. tf
. ,
Writing- JFiiiicl!
rpHIB FLUID Is warranted EQUAL to Ahwolo's
L and is sold at much less price. The money
will be refunded to those buying It, if It doe no,
prove entirely satisfactory.
For sale by F. Mortimer, New Bloomtleld.
MILLMR A ELDER.
BoleAgeuts,
' ..' 438 ISarket Street.
tatSU FiUadelph'ai. '