davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
A Rather Tough Story.

| remember one Silas Gray, queer
fellow, a citizen Of the world, who, when
he heard travellers tale, always chimed
in with one more extraordinary still.
Such as tbs: Did you ever 60 over the
Rocky Mountains ! Well | wonder at
that. You may be sure you don't know
the world. My ancestors came from
there, and in my younger days we used
often 10 talk about an old uncle that was
living there about century ago. de
was a crack shot, and when he came
down 10 see grandfather, brought par
tcular long gun with him. l thought |
might as we'll 60 and see what they had
done with the old man. Well, do you
know that district is so remarkably heal
thy, high up in the air, that people never
die. They get old and shrlvelled, and
lose their faculties pretty much, and then
the neighbors tie them up in sack aud
ticket Them, and hang them up in the
church. So when | got TO the place |
went TO the church, and sskedshe man
the man that had charge, if he Knew what
had become of my old uncle. The man
said he didn't know, but if would come
along with him, we'd see. So we went
round and examined the sacks, precious
lot of them. Sure enough there was my
uncIes name on one. So the man asked
me if wished to speak TO him. told
him wanted particularly to do it. Well,
he took down the sack, and inside there
was my uncle as dry as mummy.
Hip put him into warm water, and al
ter while the old man began 10 open his
eyes and sneeze. At last, says |, Well,
uncle, can you speak and he said he
could. So began to chat with him a.
bout our relations. The old man present
ly tired, anG began 10 yawn. Says he, II
you have anything particular TO ask about.
| guess you had better make haste, as /
am getting tired and want to be hung up
again. Well, then, uncle, says |, do
Just want TO know what became oil par
,iculsr long gun yOu used to have. Look,
SAYS he, under The thaich al The north
west corner Of The house and you'll find
u. udnhCCs - S'S W ''~N
the old man up again. Well, | found the
gun, ,and loaded it with pound OF po" der
and six pounds of shot In my country
the pigeons are so plentiful that, unless
you drive them away they eatu all the
grain. Somebody has 10 go out every
morning to shoot them. Well, was
anxious for my turn. So got up very
early, long before daylight, and | laid 'he
gun along The fence. just TO sweep the
field as thought. sat down 10 wait for
morning. but somehow fell asleep. When
woke, the ground was literally plaster
ed with pigeons. But The gun swept just
over their heads, and twas no use firing
at them as they lay but | thought that
was no great matter, so made ready.
Halo says |, and up they flew. let
Ay, but the hundredth Of a second too late.
Not bird did kill, bu, we picked up
two bushels and half Of legs and feet on
The ground. PREF. Kedland.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
SHEPHERDST0WN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, VA SATURDAY MORNN

her sweet lille galler boots, or faslen her
gloves, or even TO carry her parssol down
Broadway on rainy day-which last l
consider TO be an inlalible test Of patience
and meekness.
| wouldn'. gorge myself with wine, and
oysters and cigars at fashionable down
town restaurant, while my wife dined at
home on cold mutton, and then look as
black as an overcbsrged ,hundercloud
when the grocer's little bill came in; |
wouldn't expend a small fortune in Gia-
mond shrt-sluds, exlravagani broadcloh
timps, when she ventuied to ask me for
half dollar 10 buy check for the baby's
aprons
And | rather think I'd 60 shopping with
her too, when she limited TO that effect in
stead Of inventing excuses about Smith,
Brown, or the club-aye and pay her
bills, too, without screwing up my mouth
as if had the cramp in The face! And il
she looked into shop window and admi-
red thirty dollar collar, Id walk straight
in and buy it for her, instead Of feigniDg
to be absorbed in The signs opposite, and
forgetting 10 hear what she said.
When | come home at night wouldn't
make bear Of myself, behind the even
ing paper and answer savagely, when she
limidly asked whs. was reading, 'wo.
MEN can't understand politics ! No in.
deed! would read her all the anecdotes
play with the children, pull the pussy's
ears, and iell her how becoming her new
silk was. That's the way TO keep the
women good nalured, take my word for ii;
and what pretiier sight is there liz all the
world than a good natured woman
Mind, cont ask The incorrigible old
bachelor; first, because they're not Judges
Of lhe article. But put the question TO any
sensible fellow between the ages of eigh-
teen and IhiEty-eigbt, and see what he'll
say
Id make point Of always asking my
wife's advice before went 10 vote, and
doing just az she said about il-then Id
be sure to be right. And if any bachelor
friend Of mine had the impudence to ask
me TO an oy s!er supper, without including
my wife in the inyilaiion, do you Suppose
I'd go? Ask my molher-in law about
that.
wonidn't 60 TO evening parties and
flirt desperately with other ladies', and
talk abou, my poor, dear wife, whose i'll
health precluded her enjoymen, Of socie-
.y,' when ! knew very well that she was
setting at home alone with the cat and
crying her eyes ou. over one of my rag
ged old coats.
Good gracious! wha. a wide field of i'm
Provement there is among the benighied
sons OF Adam 1t puts me out Of breath
TO think Of half the reforms I'D make.
Oh! if | were only mani
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

some apprehension that his light would
be exlngulshed, but his care prevented
this. He was landed at the bottom OF the
pit, hundred and ninety feet from the
top. He found it almost perfectly circu-
lar, about Is feet in diameter. with a small
opening al one point, leading to a fine
chamber Of no great extent. He found
on the floor beautiful specimens Of black
slick of immense size, vastly larger than
were ever discovered in any other part Of
the Mammoth Cave, and also multitude
of exquisite formations as pure and white
as virgin snow. Making himself heard,
with grea! effort, by his friends, he al
length asked them to pull him partly up,
intending 10 stop on the way and explore
a cave that he had observed an opening
about forty feet above the bottom of the
pit. Reaching the mouth of tina. rave. he
swung himself with much exerion into
it, and, holding the eEd of the rope in his
hand, he incautiously le. it 60, and it
swung out apparently beyond his reach.
The situation was fearful one. and his
friends above could do nothing for him
Soon however he made hook of the end
Of his lamp, and, by extending himself as
far over the verge as possible without fall
ling, he succeeded in securing the rope.
Fastening it TO rock, he followed the
avanue $50 or 200 yards to point where
he found il blocked by an impossible ava
lanche of rock and earth. Returning 10
!he mouth of this avenue. he beheld an
almost exactly similar mouth OF another
on the opposite side of the pit, but; not
being able to swing himself into it, he re-
fastened the rope around his body, sus-
pended himself again over the abyss, and
shouted to his friends 10 raise him 10 The
top. The pull was an exceedingly Sc
we're one. and The rope. being i'll adjusted
around his body, gave him the mos, ex-
crucialing pain. Blu, soon his pain was
forgotten in new and dreadful peril.
When he was 80 feet from The mouth OF
the pit and 100 from The bottom, sway.
ing and swinging in mid-air, be heard
rapid and excited words Of horror and
alarm above and soon learned that the
rope by which he was upheld had taken
fire from the friction of the timber over
which il passed. Several moments Of
awful suspense TO those above and still
more awful TO him below ensued. To
them and him fatal and instant caiastro-
phe seemed inevitable. But The FIRE was
extinguished with bolle of water be-
longing TO himself, and lhen the party
above, though almost exhausted BY then
labors. succeeding in drawing HIM 10 the
top. He was as calm and self-possessed
as upon his entrance into the pit, but all
Of his companions. overcome by fatigue,
sank down upon the ground, and his
friend Professor Wright, from over-exer-
lion and excitement, tainted and remained
for time insensible.
The young sdveniurer left his name
carved in the depths of the Maelstorm-
the name of the first and only person that
ever gszed upon its mysteries.-Louis-
UWe Journal.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
1BSGgIgAR8OTS.
Terrific Adventure in the Mammoth


At .he supposed end Of what has al
ways been considered The longest avenue
of the Mammoth Cave, nine miles from
lis entrance there is pit, dark and deep
and terrible, known as the Maelstorm.
Tens of thousands have gazed into it with
awe, whilst bengal-ligbts we're thrown
down il 10 make its fearful depth visible,
but none ever had the daring TO explore
it. The celebrated guide Stephen, who
was deemed insensibIe 10 fear, was offer
ed six hundred dollars by The proprietors
Of the Cave if he would descend TO the
bottom Of it, but he shrank from the per-
il. A few years ago, a Tennessee pro-
fessor, learned and bold man, resolved
10 do what no one before him had dared
do, and, making his arrangements with
great ssIe and precaution, he had himself
lowered down by strong rope a hundled
feet, but, at that point, bis courage failed
him, and he called aloud 10 be drawn out.
No human power could ever have induced
him TO repeat the appalling experiment.
A coupls weeks ago however young
gentle Louisville, whose nerves
r sd at mortal peril. heing al
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
"IfI Were a Man"

Don't | wish were man! Wouldn'l
| SET the beaver-hatled population an ex.
ample of brilliant perfection. Wouldn'l
| make myself generally agreeable TO all
the ladies, and talk to EN- as if they had
souls above bonnets! What a glorious
nan | should make!
| wouldn't stand on the hotel steps and
puff clouds of vilianous smoke into the
eyes of all the pretty girls that 60 past,
np spit on The Pavemenls 10 spoil their
II itle shoes and injure their tempers.
| wouldn't Sc. my huge heels down on
D lte trains Of their siIken dresses, 10 tear
IN half off; and think I'm not quite
bre} but THINK I'd knock down the
s, brute who dared complain of the cir.
pmference Of their garments
And when they come into car or ON
bus, | wouldn't stick my nose into a
ewspsPer. or look abslraciedly out Of The
indow. nor get up grumbling. Always
e way with women ! Not bit of it |!
d spring up like patent Indian rubber
bll. and If the old bachelor on the right
and side, and the spruce clerk on the left
and side didn't compress themselves into
be smallest possible space, to make room
|br the crinolines, I'D know the reason
Fhy
And then. when get married Ior 10
|vha, end was created. if moi to pay the
hilliner's bills Of some blessed little bi, Of
|somankindD Wouldn't | make model
husband Do you suppose | should
bother her sweet little life ou, Of her. by
grumbling because paluy button had
3ropped off shir. collar, or string of a
hickey! Do you think I'd explode like
famphene lamp every time found rip
Ia my gloves! I'd like to see myself
hopping 10 any such liitleness.
\ wouldn'i consult The almanac every
ne she bought new bonnet, to see jus.
bw many weeks she had worn The old
be-; and | wouldn't snarle like a cross ii.
er.cat whenever The coffee happened 10
cold or the beefstake raw. jus, as if /
anted her TO abase herself in dust & ash
and burn up her rosy little face before
kitchen hre, while sat with my heels
the table, reading the paper, in the
EXT room. ! wouldn't use profsne Ian
uage when she asked me to button up
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
From the New York Mercury. ]
A Leaf from a Life Book.
August I, l64S.
BY "FANNIE,'

August | lS4S.
Such lovely evening as it is, so brigh,
and cheering,yet withal so quiet and still,
save now and then the low, sweet song Of
The nightingale, there is scarce sound to
be heard. The clear, pale moonbeams
drift in through the vine-wreathed win
dows with bright, witching radiance.
Marble statues CLEAN out whlteIy--here
and there amid the green--in The garden
below; the low music OF playing iounlsins
falls soothingly upon the ear, and The per-
fume Of rare flowers steals upward with
every breath. Oh, it is indeed lovely
eve, almost as fair as was that other even.
ing eight weeks ago.
"OnIy eight weeks bride y no won
der the world seems so very bright and
lovely, no wonder that even now my
heart beats with mingled hope and joy as
listen for his well-known footstep. Ii is
but an hour since he left my side, yet how
long the time seems.
How often do | wonder that he who
nigh. have won The proudest and the fair
est in the land should choose a simple
girl like me. Only seventeen. and yet
wife. did not dream Of this when first
met him three years ago. He praised my
starry eyes. my curling hair. and in his
fond affection called me molebesuliinl ihan
The lsirest daughters Of sunny Spain; ana
|, in my wild Iove-dreaming would won
der ii there could be a nobler form or
.weeier voice than his. lam his wife
his child-wife, he calls me--others have
praised the rare beauty Of May ViVlan,bu!
from no lips do the words seem half so
sweet as his. 1
They told NE that he was rich and
honored, and painted in glowing words
the beautiful home which would be mine,
when ! became bis bride; they spoke oil
his high station in life. Of the many gifted
ones who sought his friendship. until j
almost feared he would be ashamed to
call an humble recIor's daughter hrs
wife. >,
-Four weeks ago he brocpbt me to his
home, and such beautiful place as II is.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
Old Bachelors.
An exchange says 4:


.lf our Maker thought it wrong for Ad-
am 10 live single, when there was not q
woman upon the esr,h, how criminally
guilty are old bachelors, with the world
full Of pretty girls
The Savannah News meets the railing
accusation
Ever since the days OF Alan, old bach
elors have been the butt for everybody's
ridisule. We really protest against it.
There was vast difference between Ad.
am and the old bachelors of our day. Ad.
am could afford TO marry-many old
bachelors nowadays cannot. What with
crinoEne FIVE hundred dollar shawls, and
diamond bracelets, and pin money, j, is
no small undertaking a, this age Of the
world Eve had no choice-it was Adam
or nobody. She had no chance 10 get up
a Irritation, for there was no other means
of ,antslizing her husband-a feminine
peculiarly from that day to ,his-she got
him into scrape By eating the forbidden
fruit, "Old bachelors are criminally
guilty." are they? Give 'old bachelors
the same chance Adam had, and our word
for it, majority OF them would put on
matrimony in no time.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
To my Sweetheart.

lis not the fairness Of the brow,
Nor brightness of the eye:
Nor vet The cheek, whose radiant glow
Can with carnstion vie,
That has the power TO chain my gaze,
Or hold il in control;
The beauty that most admire
Shines spo.less from the soul
The beauty of the form and face
Last only in our prime;
The charms that centre in the soul.
Will never waste with time.
The radiance from that inner shrine,
That lights the thoughtful eye,
Will chain for hours my earnest gaze;
It's charms can never die.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

Wi,hOu, are lovely gardens. Tiny lakes,
playing fountains, and cool, shaded walks.
Within costly furniture, gems of paintings,
rare statuary, elegan, byourlier (; every
thing that wealth can procure 10 adorn aud
beauIi(y, he has gathered together ia our
home, and I--who am but girl--am the
mistress OF these broad domains.
But il is moi for his wealth or fame, not
for tie lovely home which he has given
me, that love him. One g lance Of his
his eve, one tone OF his voice is more pre-
cious 10 me than all his lands or gold. 1t
ls his noble self that love naught else on
earth is half so dear TO me,and my hearts
prayer 10 God tonight is--,hat may be
true, faithful wife.
June /. 1856.
How quickly time flies, for eight years
have borne HE name Of "wile,' for
eight years have shared his joys and sor-
Snow again | sit in my room and
dream over the past. Clouds and sun
shine, JOYS and SORROWS have been mine.
The sunbeams that float in so pleasantly
through the open window, are resting up
on quiet grave in the garden--even now
can sec the white cross as II stands hall
hid by the roses lha, blossom around II.
Only mothers heart can know the deep
grief which was mine when they told me
that Nellie our iue Nellie, must die. Oh,
the wild anguish, the bitter repinngs that
were in my heart when they laid her form
in the siIen, grave. Four years have pas
sed since then, and | am calmer now; there
others still left with me whom may love.
My noble husband is even dearer TO me
now lhan when stood by his side and took
The name of wife and there is another still,
little winsome, laughing, blue eyed fairy
Of five summers calls me mother, and even
now stands peer;ng through the vine leaves
that shade the window, alching for papa's
welI-known form. Yes, ! have those 10
love; and if among my dreams Of The past,
there comes The thought Of what might
have been, and little Nellie,in all her child
sh loveliness rises up before me, weep
for her as one no, lost-only gone before.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
CHOICE 20gGgST.
NETTIE'S DREAM.

NETT1E'S DREAM.
had the sweetest dream dear mother,
As lay on my little bed
/ thought saw my angel brother,
With crown upon his head.
lie wore a robe OF the purest white,
And his eyes were full Of love,
And 0, he looked as wondrous bright,
As the stars that shine above.
He said, 81 watch you Neuie dear,
FROM my home in yonder skies.
And I've come your little heart to cheer,
And wipe your fearful eyes.
IL see you in your merry play,
Or when at mothers side,
You kneel at eve and sweety pray.
PhaI God your steps would guide.
"Then weep no more at my little grave,
Where flowers bloom so fair;
! dwell where sweetes. blossoms wave
In pure celestial air"
And then, dear mother, his wings he
spread,
OF shining silvery hue,
And far away he quietly sped,
And soon was lost to view
called him loud, and then awoke,
SO truthful did il seem;
know, dear mother, Willie spoke,
Allho' il was dream.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

boy, what is your father doing today.
We'll. | 'spose he is sfsii'n. heard
him Tell mother yesterday to go round 10
lhe shops and gel trusted all she could.
and do IL right of, ,co--for bed 60, ev-
erylhiDg ready to fail, 'ceplin' that
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

Settle up your indebtedness al this Office,
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

An old seller. Dragging 10 new conner
of the grszing land in his neigbbo'hood,
says il yields two pounds Of isIlow 10 ev-
ery square foot, and the cows come up
with butter 10 one side Of the bag. and
cheese in the other.' 30. 81 is".9 a1i
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

Why are cIockery ware dealers unlike
all other store keepers Because it
won. do for them 10 crack up their goods.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02

Opp AccIDENT.--On Saturday last. Ma
ior Samuel A. Warren. the Sheriff elect
Of Northampton county. Va. met with a
somew whs. singular accident. The Ma.
jor was gsIlsnting one Of ,he fair dsugh-
iers 81 Virginia with an umbrella hoisied.
In closing the umbrella huuiedly. one OF
the Steel ribs suddenly snapped, and PEN
etrsiing the ear Of Major Warren. caused
him 10 fall senseless and apparently He
less 10 the ground. The whole congre-
CATION were put into consiernaiion 81 Tins
strange accident, all being ignoIsni Of iis
cause and none being more so than she
fair one By his side.--CoT. Pefersbur8
Express.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-10-02
Providence,

What strange Providence, that
mother should be taken in the mids, Of life
from her chiIdreni' Was il ProvidenceF
No! Providence had assigned her three
score years and ien;a term long enough TO
rear her children, and TO see her cbildren's
children; out she did not obey the lawson
which life depends, and, Of course. she
lost it. A father, too, is cut of in the
midst OF bis days. He is a useful and
distinguished citizen. and eminent in his
profession. A general buzz arises on ev-
cry side, What striking Providence!
This man has been in the habit Of study
ing half the nigb,-or passing his days in
ms office or in the courts; Of eating luxu-
rous dinners, and drinking various kinds
Of wine. lie has every day violated the
laws on which health depends. Did
Providence cut him of: The evil rarely
ends here. The diseases Of the father
are often transmitted; and feeble mother
rarely leaves behind her vigorous children.
II has been customary in some Of our cit
les for young ladies 10 walk in Thin shoes
and delicate stockings in mid winter. A
healthy blooming young girl thus dressed
in violation OF heavens laws, paid the
penally-s checked circulation, cold, fe-
yer. and death. What a sad P,ovidence'
exclaimed her friends. Was il Provi-
dence, or her own folly Look al the
mass Of diseases, that are incurred by in
in ealing and drinking. in
study or business; by neglect Of exercise,
and pure air; by indiscreis
dressing, iighl lacng, &c; and all is quiet
ly imputed TO Providence. Is lAere not
impiety as well as ignorance in lhis9
Were the physical laws strictly observed.
from generation TO generation, there would
be an end TO The frightful diseases that cut
life shor,, and Of the long list Of mslsdles
that make life torment or trial. IL is
The opinion Of those who best understand
Ihe physical system, that this wonderful
machine, The body, This goodly temple.
W ould gradually decay, and men would die
IS il falling ssleep.--Uiss Sedg~ieh.
Baltimore Wecker. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1851-1867, 1858-09-10

Observation-Disclosures unb udbere unb 8enauere Nusfunft itnb
I3u baben tn Der 3tdetz Office, Calvert Station, Rprbpft.Gte
Dpn &alDsrt unD Sranfltnftra6e, Baltimprs.
3ult2beS --.- 6. 6. MbreDn, superintendent
Baltimore Wecker. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1851-1867, 1858-09-10
Rudolph Lupus,
r%tbrmader unS Ju,pcttcr.

~E' ~NT fF"FtL'F"DEF
apei Eburen BON @utapfr. Baltimore,
STD made metner 6reunben, fOwie benz publttum TN MI,
eemeinen biermtt bic An3etae, bB i6 pbt9eS @el6aft fGuRtd
ubernUrnnlen babe unb tets elm peblaiOrttrtes Eager pom Ju
pelen, Gtbernen unb gplpenen 3dldeu. ubren, Gtdub. u. par
Tor utren, fcpte dae tn has Surelen- unb lbrtus(STfhdf
etnf6ldaenbe Nrtifel UGrr1' big bdlts.
SD werbc metne 8unben i~eperSslt gut unb btltg bebtenen.
ReparatureG an ubren unb Sawtlen bsiUrBe tb panttl,R.
Nua2UJl Nupplpb Gupu
Baltimore Wecker. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1851-1867, 1858-09-10

DaS @epdd prb mad allen 5auptAatiSnen In gDsf unb
INortb malttrt. .-. ..
fn5- @rcurIpns. 9tdstS mad Ntaeara gaaS unb ,urld $13
9ur6 pte Q~DIenbun8 btefer Baau BITS 28tatamspprt pirb
bic @~ntfernuna beS Q0efenS ~beOeutenb Dertlrst unb MIR yer.
petIen bic RetGnpen af na1fplssnten Ser8Ietb Der Serfdte-
|penen ROuten.