Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1874 — The Boy Astronomer. [ARTICLE]

The Boy Astronomer.

The first transit of Venus ever seen by a human eye was predicted by a boy, and was observed by that boy just as he reached the age of manhood. His name was Jeremiah Horrox. We have a somewhat wonderful story to tell you about tpis boy. ; , He lived in an obscure village near Li verpool, England. He was a lover of books of science, and before he had reached the age of eighteen he had mastered the astronomical knowledge of the day. He studied the problems of Kepler, and he made the discovery that the tables of Kepler indicated the near approach of the period of the transit of Venus across the sun’s center. This was about the year 1635. Often on midsummer nights the boy Horrox might have been seen in the fields watching the planet Venus. The desire sprang up within him to see the transit of the beautiful planet across the disc of the sun, for it was a sight that no eye had ever seen, and one that would tend to solve some of the greatest problems ever presented to the mind of an astronomer. So the boy began to examine the astronomical tables of Kepler, and by their aid endeavored to demonstrate at what time the next transit would occur. He found an error in the tables, and then he, being, the first of all astronomers to make the precise calculation, discovered the exact date when the next transit would take place. He told his secret to one intimate friend, a boy who, like himself, loved science. The young astronomer then awaited the event which he had predicted for a number of years, never seeing the loved planet in the shaded evening sky without dreamingof the day when the transit should fulfill the beautiful vision he carried continually in his mind. The memorable year came at last — 1639. The predicted day of the transit came, too, at the end of the year. It was Sunday. It found Horrox, the boy astronomer, now just past twenty years of age, intently watching a sheet of paper in a private room, on which lay the sun’s reflected image. Over this reflection of the sun’s disc on the paper he expected, moment by moment, to see the planet Vpass like a moving spot or a shadow. Suddenly the church-bells rang. He was a very religious youth, and was accustomed to heed the” church-bells as a call from Heaven. The paper still was spotless; no shadow broke the outer edge of the sun’s luminous circle. Still the church-bells rang. Should he go? A cloud might hide the sun before his return, and the expected disclosur be lost for a century. But Horrox said’to himself: “I must not neglect the worship of the Creator to see the wonderful things the Creator has made.” So he left the reflected image of the sun on the paper, and went to the sanctuary. When he returned from the service he hurried to the room. The sun was' still shining, and there, like a shadow on the bright circle on the paper, wps the image of the planet Venus! It crept slowly along the bright center, like the tinger«of the Invisible. Then the boy astronomer knew that the great problems of astronomy were correct, and the thought filled his pure heart with religious joy. Horrox died at the age of twenty-two. Nearly 130 years afterward Venus was again seen crossing the sun. The whole astronomical world was then interested I in the event, and expeditions of observation were fitted out by the principal European Governments. It was observed in this country by David Rittenhouse, who fainted when he saw the visiop.— Hezekiah Butter worth,, in St. Nicholas. - ' The Denver News records this incident for the benefit of those who doubt > woman’s constancy: “ A man was about i dyihg in this city, and an acquaintance ! sent the following telegram to his wife, I who was in Chicago: '“Your husband is dving. Come quick.’ Sue coolly replied: »* Can’t go jyov. If he dies hand him over to the Masons; he’s one of them.’ The man died. The wife hasn’t been heard from since?’ , ? ::

A merry Christmas to all. • Fresh oysters 23 cents per dish at Hemphill’s. The best oysters at Kern’s grocery for 40 cents a can. The Odd Fellows at Francesville have a festival day evening, January 2d, 1575. The Rensselaer schools close this evening for vacation until Monday, January 4th, 1875. There is to be:» ball at Spitler's Hall tonight, also one tomorrow aught and Sew Year’s E ve. The school children are making up a purse of money for the grasslioppet su ti'ere rs i n N ebra ska. Go to Fendig for heavy standard sheetings at 11 centsa yard, and calicos at 8 to 1(1 cents a yard. Go to Hemphill’s for fresh oysters by the can or dish. Citron and fresh lemons just received at Keru’s grocery . A series of holiday meetings will l>e commenced at (he Christian church this evening, and continue through tlie week. Go to the Austin Hou-e and see the Kimball Otvheslral O:g;in. Cheap for cash, or on good time. War ran ted five years. The Odd Fellows’ society at this place contemplate having a pitbl:.installation of officers Tuesday, January sth, 1875. At-Feinlig’s store yon will find the best assortment of boots, shoes, hats, caps ami dry goods at astonishingly low prices tor cash. No better present for 1875 than a good photograph: call a* Dr. Kelley’s gallery and proi ure a Type of yourself for your friend. . - —— ——— Budd Hopkins is agent for the celebrated George A. Wood cabinet, organs. There is not a better parlor or church instrument made. If you want a good suit of clothing go to" Ralf Fendig, who will sell for cash cheaper than any other house — and they will turn out as represented Mr. T. H. Beckwith has become proprietor of the Kansas City livery stable. He has the appearance of a gentleman, and modestly asks a share of public patronage. New stock of Christmas candies and toys at Kern’s grocery. How many will regret not having secured a photo of themselves and dear lit tie ones before 1576! Secure your picture before it is too late. This time the laugh is on a Remington gentleman, who wrote a nies sage tootie of our county otlicers on a postal card, which he inclosed in. tin cuvelojie. affixed a 3-cenl stamp and sent over by mail. __ ' _ Marion Grange No, __ wil I elect offieiTs tor the et isu 111 g year Saturdav night, December 26th. li is exjiected that all members who did not join from political or business motiveswill be present. Brother Kilt, of the Remington J?ecorrf, which is one of the neatest newspapers in the State, permitted his handsome intellectual countenance toetlulge through our sanctum last Saturday. Call frequently. Kern keeps the best sugar, coffee, rice, leu, etc., at bottom prices. “O, 1 always did intend to have his (or her) picture taken, but negle- ted it!” Do not do so again, but cail at Dr. Kelley’s gallery and secure the “shadow ere the substance fades." Mr. Wm. Psxtofj. of Newton township, recently received a full blood Alderny bull calf, from the herd of Mr. Joseph Longworth near Chichinali. Prince Hal is from the purest and best strain of A hit rm ys in the United States. With the next number of this paper will expire the subscriptions of many ho now receive it. Those who desire to renew (am] it would please us io have all <h» so+ will confer a favor by notifying us on or before Saturday, January 2d. 1875. in order lhat their names may be entered upon our mail Look for the new year. <See the advertisement of Vick’s F ural Guide for 1875. The number before u> i* in many respects an improvement upon its predecessors. The information and suggestions in it are worth, to gardeners or llorists, an hundred fold more than the price. Send for a copy. Miss Melle Moore, teacher of school number 71 Shepard jjarkley township, reports for the first mouth an enrollment of 20 pupils: average daily attendance 14-1. Anna Shepard, Effie Shepard, Eugenie Shepard, and Irwin Florence were perfect in attendance, punctuality and deportment A most remarkable case of absentmindedness occurred in our village before Thanksgiving. A citizen purchased a turkey for Thanksgiv ng dinner, took it home and put it in lied with his wife, then went t# thfo coop, perched himself upon the roost and sat there until discovered by one of the family.— Ucming/taii Guard. At a regular communication of Prairie Lodge Nd. 125, F. & A. M., last Saturday night, an -election wa< held to choose officers for the ensuing year, which resulted ir. the selection of M. F. Chilcote, Worshipful Master, Johnson Senior Warden, A. K. Yeoman, Junior Warden, H. W. Wood t Treasurer, and 8. P, Howard, Secretary. £ol. Healey and Uncle Billy Pierce are over in Benton county, hunting that royal North American lion. When Xuey reittra all hands at this office expect to revel for many weeks upon the fleiji of that insatiate, carniverous monster. After that it will be exceedingly imprudent for ordinary people to knock chips oft' our shoulders. Kaiakaua, go home ere your queen is a. widow. _ The market prices at Rensselaer are as follows: Flour SLGO uerquarter barrel sack, buckwheat $4 per cwt.; potatoes sl. apples sl, butter 25 cents a pound, eggs 20 cents a dozen, lapi_ 16 cents a pound, turkeys 6 cents a pound, chickens $1.50 to $2 a dozen, beans $1.75 to $2.75 a bushel, fresh pork 10 cents a pound, fresh beef lo cents, cheese 25 cents, wood $3 to $3.50 ftef cord, coal $lO tn sll per ton.

Remington Lodge No. 351 F. A A. M. will elect officers Saturday even-.; ing, December 26t t. oysters—a novelty of the Season —the and best to be fotpid in the market, al Kern’s grocery. Miss Celia Wilkinson, teacher of I rimary department of the Rensselaer school, reports an enrollment of 49 pupils during the month eliding December 18th, 1874, and an average daily at tendance of 43.2. Allie 1 lenk le, Steven Warren, Scott Seward, Gaylord ( hileote, Hany Zimmerman, Lida Belle Kelley, Frederick Cisse), Inn Hutson, Eddie Hopkins and Frank Cisscl wer<’ perfect, in altend- : anee, punctuality mid deportment. I Estelle Burtrham was also perfect until the hist week, when she was reported sick. Miss Miranda Banta, tear her of 11><»!ir>t hHermciiate department of the Rensselaer sci tool .—repo iff s that the following named pupils wore perfect m attendance, deportment and study for the month eliding December ist If, -4*74, viz: Ichabod Yates, Louisa Hammond, Amy Israel, Blanch Boroughs, Mary Yates, Clara Reeve, Allee Rhoads, Allie Alter, Lizzie Eger, Eddio Reeve, Ella Osborn, Mary Weathers, Homer Hopkins, Maggie Israel, Lilly Alter, Tillie Karsner, Lovina Platt .and Alice Hopkins. Enrollment 50; average de.ii;. ath mlaiiee 4? _■ .... Miss Mattie Benjamin, teacher of tile second intermediate department of the ReiiVselaer school, icports for the month ending Dveemher 18th, 1874. an enrollment of 49 pupils, and an average daily attemhince of -I'i. I-' ifteen were ree< n ded perfect i n at - tendance, punctuality, conduct and deportment, viz: Anna Pillars, Anna Sigler, Mary Beck, Callie Beck, Louisa Platt, Litia K.Usiicr/Myrtie Hem kle. Bettie I’nvitll, Carrie Eger, Frederick Chilvote, Daniel Willey, Victor Willey, Henry Smitlq George Yeoman and Oliver Rhoads. Mr. Evan Tapp, of Milroy township, has taken up an estray two y vy.rs old heifer, white in face, about <»ne half <>f each ear-oil' short tail, ! amLaJarge "1" branded on left hip George W. Poisel, of Gillam township, has taken up a yearling sieer with while in forehead, red neck white sides i n term i ngied wi th rertd is I. roan spots, heavy horns. James Knight, of Barklev township, has taken up a two years old red steer, with mottled w hite face, white on Is’lly and end of tail, swallow fork in tight ear. W in. Paxton, of Newton township, has taken up a red yearling heifer, with whiu*—wfoe f belly, bush <>f tail white. A. J. Freeland, of Newton township, lias taken up a two years old red mid roan stee4\white under belly, branded on left hip with letters "O. H.,” dim brand.<>n right shoulder and right hip. Wjn. Hanley, of Gillam townsiiip, has taken up a white year 1 ing steer, with Idack nose, and inside of ears dark. A gentleman living -hi t'.inci»in*»<, who owns property in Jasper county, writes as follow- in regard to the proposed tax to aid in constructing tile Chicago <fc South Atlantic railroad: * 1 See by I'm: Union that the proposition to'levy a tax for the Railroad is to be submitted to the people. 1 wish I c>>u!d transmit to you a proxy to v< tv a rousing aye lor .me. To my mind the Chicago ami Soutli Atlantie-is-blmoijly proposed IfoitaitiiLat all likely to give Jasper county eonimuiflwilion with the outside world for many years to conn*; am’ rather man see it lail 1 would willingly put up a tax ot even five percent, on my small posc.-s-oiisthere. 1 can not understand how ally man—farmer, stock-raiser, merchant or mechanic —can be so blinded as to vote no upon the proposition. I visit your countv but once u year, and I should consider myseil amply repaid for my investment by the increased comfort and facility of reaching there on one trip. How much more, then, should those who live and do business there feel interested in its'success—barring out of the question all considerations of enhanced values which would undoubted.y be eiFected by it? Whoop it up! Don’t let it lag_or fail ! And, let us II ea r a good ae> •<> unt fro in 111 e pei> pI e ofJasper on the railroad vote —the one thing needful to insure the prosperity ami rapid tilling up of the waste places of the country Let every body vote 1 For the railroad appropriation.’ and then pu?h along the good Work."