davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
WHOLE NUMBER 25l'
The Englishman's snuf-Box.

The French papers have not, under tho
Influence Of the allience, ceased TO have
their jokes upon Englishman, and one Of
the drollest is told as follows, by the Union
Brc,onnc, from which we translate it :,z
Lord G. well known for his eccentricities,a:
went lately to the establishment Of one Of
our most celebrated workers in fancy arti-
clcs.
II want You to make me-" said he. =
snuti.boX with Il view of my chateau on the
lid"
1T is very easily DONE" was tho reply,
"lf my lord will furnish me with the de-
sign"
Il will but I want also, at tho entrance
ofmy chateau, a niche in which there shall
be dog"
THAT, 90, shall be provided" answer
ed the workman.
but want also, that some means should
be contrived by which, as soon as any one
looks at the dog, he shall 60 back into tho
niche, and only reappear when be is no
longer looked ut.
The workman looked inquiringly, as if
to ascertain whether his customer was not
the victim Of some justification. Reassur-
cd by his examination, and like clever
man, understanding how to take advantage
Of the affair, he said TO the Eng lishman
"What you ask of me ia very hard to
comply with such stuff box will be very
expensive it will cost you thousand
crowns"
"Very well will pay you thousand
crowns"
"Then, my lord, it shall be made accor-
ding to your wishes, and in a month shall
have the honor Of delivering it TO you.
A month later the workman presented
himself to Lord c.
"My lord" said he, "bere is your snuff
box"
Lord G. took it, examined it, and said
That is my chateau with its turrets, and
there is the niche by the doorway: Butt
see no dog"
"Did not your lordsbip said the work.
man, 'say that you wished the dog to- dis
appear when he was looked at 2"
II did," replied his lordship.
"And that lie should reappear when he
WAS no longer looked at 2"
THAT is true, ALSO" was the reply.
"Wcll," said the workman, "you are
looking at it, and the dog has gone into
the niche. Put the box in your pocket, and
the dog will reappear immediately''
Lord G. reflected a moment, and then
exclaimed, ".All right. alright" lie put
the box in his pocket, and took out of his
pocket-book three bank bills of thousand
francs each, and handed them to the skilful
workman.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

How TO IMPROVE AMERICAN UUsBANps:
-"rhe American husbands cultvAtes too
little those ornamental qualities which afe'
dearer to women than house, dress, fushi-
ture, or costly apparels. lie is deficient in
imagination, ami therefore lacks that ele-
ment OF romance, without which it is diff
ficult to retain, however it may have been
acquired, a lasting hold upon the affections
of woman.
"Evcry woman would ike to regard her
husband as q hero; and when, after several
years, intimate association, she Wakes iip t0
the fact that her male companion is merely
a commonplace ready .reckoner utterly
deficient in sympathy with all her finer
feelings and her noblest hopes and aspirI:
lions, she feels as one suddenly. tsakeued
from n dream and sho mist thencefortIi
sink down into hopeless household drudge;
or open other SOURCES Of sympathy. She
has been imposed on-she feels it; and if,
meanwhile, the grosser.r nat,ire of the hus.
band has driven hirf7 alsb to look for other
channels Of enjoyment, you can readily see
that unless the wife is fortunate providing
for herself and for her more aspiring and
and hopeful nature the means of recover
ng her disappointed affections, there must
new recruit added to the army who
take rank as sharers in the unexplained
mystery of unhappy marriage. A thorough
yearly or monthly reading of"The Arabian
Nights would restore many a husband to-
the heart Of his despsring wife provided
that he had the heart and the imagination.
OF enjoy them.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

MALE AND FEMALE. Cxpxp1L1rY. or
WoRK:-"Nothing is so hard to woman as
n long, steady struggle. In matters physi.
cal this is the thing the muscles. of the fair
cannot stand. In matters intellectual and
mora the long strain it is that beats them
dead. Do not look fora Bacona, a New
tona, n HandelFa; Victoria. Huga: Some
American ladies tell uss education has stop
ped the growth Of these. No! mesdamss: ):
These are not in nature. They can babble
letters in ten minutes that you couldno'
more deliver to. order .in ten dayg than a
river can playlike fountain. fljsy can
sparkle gems Of stories ;..theyscsh flash Ike
diamonds Of poems: The entire. sex has
never produced one opera nor one epic that
mankind could tolerate minute land wl,yf
these come by long,, high strung labor:
Bntweak as they are in everythingsbut tho
affections (and there they are giants,1 they
are alltoverpowing while their sgallop lasts:
Fagela shall danes any two of You fiak.otf
the f0of before four O'clock, snds sths,s
dance onstill peep ofday, 'Yon tfnndE off
toyour business, as usual, and copi.f daacs
again the next night, and 20, 6oS. sEhrouth
countless ages, She who Hanged You into
nothingis 10 bsd., & human jjsll5 cfownsa
with 'heatiachen Sz.s -: I.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26
VOLUME 5---NO. 43.
RATES OF ADVERTISING.

The Proprietors of the Abbevile Banner and
Independent Press, have established the follow
ing rates of Advertising to be charged i'll both
papers:
Every Advertisement inserted for q less time
than three months will be charged by The in
settion .,, at OnG Dor Gi G per oq""c,M M ;ien ra,
insertion. and Fifty Cents for each sub<e-
quent insertion.
sY- The Commissioners, Shcriff's. Clerk
and Ordinary's Advertisements will be inserted
in both papers, each charging half price.
tB Sheriff's Levies, One Dollar each.
sS Announcinga Candidate, Five Dol
lars.
Advertising IN Estray, Two Dollars,
to be paid by the Magistrate.
Advertisements inserted for three months, Or
longer, at the following rates:
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

EDMUND BuRKE's IDEA OF PERFEcr
WIFE.-She is handsome. but it is not q
beauty arising from the features, from com.
plexi"n, or from shape. She has all three
in high degree, but it is not hy these
that she touches the hpart-it is all that
sweetness oftemper, benevo!cnce, innocence
and scnsibiIity which face can express
that forms her beauty. Sb. has face that
just arouses yonr attention at first sight; it
grows upon you every moment, and YOU
wonder it did not more than raise attention
at first. Her eyes have mild light, but
awe when she peases, they command, like
good niau put Of office, not by authority,
but by tirture. Her stature is not tall she
is not tnade to he the admira,ions of every
one, but the happiness Of one. She has the
tirmness that does not exclude delicacy-
all the softness that does not imply weak
hess. Her voice is soft, low music, not
formed 10 rule in public assemblies, but to
charm those who can distinguish COM
panny from crowd; it has its advantage,
you must come close to hear it. TO. .des.
scribe her body, describe her mind-oue is
the transcript Of the other. Tier under.
standing is not shown in the variety Of mat
ter it e&erts itself upon, but. the good.
ness of the choice she, makes. Her polite
ness flows rather from natural disposi
tion to oblige, than any rules on that OBJ.
ject, and therefore never fails to strike those
who understand good breeding, and those
who do not.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

FORTUNE UP AND DowN.-The Boston
Ledger, of late date publishes tho follow
ing:
In 1887, youth, then residing in Maine
owned jack knife, which be, being OF a
somewhat trading and money making dis
position, sold fof a gallon Of West India
rum. This he retailed, and with the pro-
ceeds be purchased two gallons, and event.
ually BARREL, which was followed in due
time BY large stock. In word he got
rich, and became Squire Of the district
through the possession and sale Of the jack
knife; ahd ah ihdo,hitable trading indus.
try: He died worth property in zeal estate
and money, valued at eighty thousand dol
lars. This was divided sty ttstanent,
among four cbildreh-three boys and girl
Luck, which seemed to have been the
guardian angel OF the father, deserted the
childreh; for every folly and extravaganza
they could engage. in seemed. Ito occupy
their exclusive attention and, cultivation.
The daughter married unfortunately, and
her patrilnony was soon thrown away by
her speHdtHft OF husband. The sons
were no more fortunate; and two of them
died Of dissipation, and in almost poverty:
The daughter also died: The last Of the
family, for mahy yeats past, has lived on
the kindness Of those who knew him id his
days 81 PROSPERITY, as pride WOULD not
allow hibTtO 60 to the poor farm. A few
days ago hedied, suddenly and Unattended
in a barn where be had laid hitHself down
to take drunken sleep. ,20n his pockets
being examined, AT tbasxass sfoand itIthets
was small pisss of,stiibg and q jaek.,
knits SO, Tie fotehsthst bsgah sitlii
an Supplement- 81 that kind; isft bht sts sin.
pie duplicate We lsass tbstaSfal ,b be-
drawn, in.vhsteysr taabsa ii may !. aaggsst
isto thsreadsr sii ply 8 stating :that. 5ths,
sstpry 6 satfas one sid shd 40 sths facts ssif
knows mans ban s III j. i sllstiea win,
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26
MISCELLANY.
From, Hnrrer's Weekly.
The Honorable Edward Everett.


Neither foreigners NOR nativcs--so far as
we have seen-have ever remarked that one
Of the most striking characteristics Of emf
hent Americans is their aptitude for ora,orv.
Public speaking has grown to be go common
an accomplishment, that there are but few
citizens Of the United States WHO are not
prepared to deliver an impro,hp.u stump
speech on some topic Of general interest.
With US, grocer., mechanics, editors, lawyers,
physicians, are always prepared, as a ecncr-
al thing, TO harangue. The reverse is the
rule abroad in France and England the
men who can speak in public are counted
on the fingers.
In itself the art Of speaking huent1y in
public is nothing it does not imply pro-
fundity ofthoasht, and, except in few eases,
is no Indication of the gift Of eloquencc. I,
is an accident proceeding from our system
of selfgovernment. But it is natural that,
where all can speak, many should speak
well and, further, that of these riany some
few should be excellent orators. There
may seem TO be vain boasting in the remark
that the United States probably contains
tttore masters Of eloquenco than any other
Country In the world; but there is reason to
suppose that such is the case
OF all our orators. the foremost, by gen.
eral consent, Is Edward Everett. He is the
golden tt,outled orator. whom young aspi-
rants to aifie strive to initiate. He is the
type OF the finished and perfect rhetotician.
He was fattoiis speaker when the present
generation lay pulling in the cradle. lie has
made oratory the business and end of his
life. For forty years he has been labori.
ous student, accumulating facts, principles,
and doctrines. For forty years he has made
learning and oratory the business Of his life :;
: dipping into political life by the way just to
borrow from it whatever it had ut thes ser
vice Of bis peculiar aim. and reIinquisbing it
fhet he bad sucked 1t dry. It is natural
that he should be at tie present time the
most perfect orator not only of the United
btates, but perhaps ofthe world.
His life has been remarkably serene, and
happily contrved for his favorite pursuits.
: Born at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1894,
The son Of New England clergyman, he
was esiiscstsd; With the care which such a
father Wis likely to t'estow on his son. So
ypyseccjpus vss be, that at thirteen he niatri:
I culated at Harvard, and graduated With
honqrs,fouyx years later. 4 His aptitude as a
iinguist was 50 notorious that the ruling
powers Of Harvard College kept their eye ou
p ;ssbd soon after lie left the University
I Bsibrs lie was twenty-ope, Re vas offered
the pSofesso.ship Of Greeks with the condi.
ton that, ifhs accepted il. he must spend
ssms Hearssin European travsl.in order to
go AiiessE q, his duties. How few young
tnersat the present day have such offers ex.
ssndsd ID them! And how far.sghted was
ssHsftAtt inthiS remarkable libefaIity to
yenl9 Everett r
ists I'D asis ssss .p.s. /.
tGsssgtss d eltniest lsarS;ns 10 Ger.
sfrf'..L -sSfs sEi - M. ~ s..~"''
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

A GREAT PARK IN New YoRK.-The
Central Park of New York promises to be
agrand affair. The whole amount allowed
by the Legislature " be expended in laying
tout is 81 100000. 1t will contain Sc
ven hundred and seventy acres, one hun
dred and fifty of which will be set apart for
Croton reservoir, in anticipation Of the
rapid growth Of the city, and the copss-
qdeht heuessity for an exhaustible supply
Of water. The commissioners have already
decided that there shall be four or more
crossings from East to West, across the
Park that it shall contain parade ground
Of ffoni twenty to forty acres, three play
gtounds ofthfee to ten acres each,, hall
for exhibitions and cohyerts, an observatory
a skating ground, and an indefinite num-
ber offountains. towers, entrances ,,arches,
statuaty ahd flower gatdens.-Ons thou
sand one hundred and twenty men are on
gagged in breaking stone and laying the
Stone wall that is TO enclose the grounds.
This wall is to be about six feet 10 height,
built Of rough stone, bit very evenly laid,
and is principally intended to keep cattle
from entering the park. A considerable
poition Of it is. already constructed. II. is
estimated that The park will be entirely laid
ods and in every way completed Tor the use
ofthe public in three yeats, but its value
will; Of course; increase With time.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26
From the Central Georgian.
ST. Valentines Day.


Sunday, the l4th of February, is what
used to be known when we were boy rs
Valentines day. This would have been
considered unfortunate thirty years ago
among the young people, as they could not
have their cuttings, candy pullings, &C.,
unless Saturday or Monday was substituted.
We never shall forget the first occasion Of
the kind that we were thought old enough
to he allowed an invitation, nor the happy
feelings we experienced on the reception of
our first Valentine from Jenny Mc-
little Irish girl just entered her teens. It
was MS all Of them used to he, folded in the
shape Of a fan with scrrated edges and
divers hearts Of various size cut with ele-
giant precision. Within its followed folds
was written divers verses which to US had
considerable Cupidi,y about them, such
as,
''Roscs are red and violcts blue,
Sugars sweet. and so are yOm,
The world is wide. the sea is deep,
So IN your beloved arms, &C."
AS some of our readers may he anxious
to know something of the origin of St. Val
eninc's day and how it came to be set apart
for choosing mates for life, we append from
the Boston Post all that Seems to be known
Of the subject:
Mr.. Douce, Whose attainments include
more erudtion concerning the origin and
progress of English customs than any other
antiquarian possesses, must be referred to
upon this occasion. lie observes in his
"ilustrations of Shakespeare" concerning ST.
Valentines day, that "it was the practice
in ancient Rome, during a great part of
this month, February, to celebrate the Lu-
percalia, which were feasts in honor of Pan
and Juno, whence the latter deity was
named Februata, Februlis, and Februlla.
On this occasion, amidst variety of cere-
monies, the names of young women were
put into box, from which they were
drawn hy the men as chance directed. The
pastors of the early Christian church, who
by every possible means endeavored to era
dicatc the vestiges Of pagan superstitions
and chiefly by some communications Of
their forms, substituted, in the present in
stance, the names Of particular saints instead
| of those of the women, and as the festival
of the Lupercalia had commenced about
the middle Of February, they appear to have
chosen St. Valentines day for celebrating
the new feast, because it occurred nearly at
the same time. This is, in part, the opinion
of learned and rational compiler of the
"lives Of saints," the Rev. Albat Butler.
1t would seem, however, that it was utterly
impossible to extirpate altogether any cere.
mony to which the common people had
been much accustomed; fact which it
were easy TO prove in tracing'tLe origin Of
various other popular superstitions. And
accordingly the outline Of the ancient cere-
monies was preserved, but modified by some
adoption to the Christiah system. 1t is
reasonable to suppose that the above prac-
tice Of choosing mates would gradually be-
come reciprocal in the sexes; and that all
persons so chosen would be called VaIen-
tines, from the day on which the ceremony
took place"
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

GoISo TO SPREAD IIERsELF.'-We
find the following "Aoop" rolling the rounds
OF our exchanges; it is from the San Fran
cisco Globe:
AS newly married couple, evidently
from tho country, were promenading Mont
gomery street last evening, their curiosity
WAS suddenly aroused by tho appearance of
some mysterious looking articles, dangling
in large window. They eyed them with
the deepest concern, first on one side then
on the other, until at length the husband,
having completely exhausted his lnagina-
tive powers, drawlcd out
"Well, Sal, consarn my picter ef them
amt the c'lssedest looking things ever
hearn Of" Then twisting himself about,
and giving The contents of the window an
other look, he added, "What on airth kin
they be9 What do you guess the darned
things area'
"Why, Jake, don't you know-krineline
and hoops''
"Do you tell !" CALCULATED Jake, softly
''rbetn's 'em, is ,hey9" and he again ran his
eyes about the strange apparel.
81 think they are so sweet" ventured
Sal, when, at the same moment, n lady
dressed in the very height and breadth OF
the fashion rushed along.
Jake had seen enough. His mind was
made up. Sal, must have ''krineline. !"
Without sating word he started to enter
the store, but was stopped at the door hy
her with all sorts Of entrealies not to carry
the joke any further. But Jake was deter.
mined. He had taken fancy to the goods.
and could not rest until his better half was
supplied with them. She drew back, but
it was of no avail. Tie gathered her arm,
tightly in his own, and making long stride
| into the establishment, exclaimed
"Come along, old gal. you're my wife now,
and--ef you shanI spread yourself'
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

"A License to Marry.

License to Marry is often wanted when
it can't bs had, but poor one is better
than none, when a man is in hurry-viz.,
namely, to wit, the following:
"In the early days Of Texan independence
and youth AN eccentric genius, still living
and reigning, was clerk Of one Of the west
ern counties. The village was quite seclud-
ed in the praires, and the squire pastured
his COWS on the broad acres around, bring
ing them home at night. and letting them
go to grass in the morning. lie kept a
bell on one ofthem 10 help him in finding
them; but one morning, as he was letting
them loose, he perceived that the clapper of
the bell was lost out, and, being unable to
ind it, he made substitute by making
fast his own office key. Not till he had
reached his office did it occur 10 him that
he shodld want the key, but now finding
himself locked out, he betook himself to
other matters, proposing 70 recover the key
at night. About noon roughand-readv
young Texan, in buckskin dress, came rid
ing into town, inquired for the clerk, scared
him up, and asked for marriage license.
"sorry cant accommodate you to-day,
but it is no CO."
"Why not ? Tn going TO lie spliced to-
night, and I must have it whether or no.
"But tile fact is" said the clerk, "my of.
flee is locked up, and my co,u is gone away
aoiM the key !"
"The COW what does the COW want
with the keyI"
So the old fellow told the whole story,
and tue two set off for the prairie to find
the cattle and get the key. But the more
they looked the less they found, and finally
had 10 give it up. A bright thought struck
the clerk Of the cohnty: 4.
"I'Il fix you oat !" said he, and Young
Texas jumped rod, SO tickled was he to
know that lie wa. to be fixed ont of the fix
he was in. They proceeded to store close
Ly the Office, and there the county scribe
'udited tile following autograph -
"Repa5z;c of Teras To all who shall
see il'is present, greeting. Whereas I, the
Undersigned, clerk Of this county having
this morning nnthoughtedly tied my office
key as clapper into my cows bell and
whereas the said COW has gone as,ray to
parts unknown. bearing with her the said
Key, and therefore the said key is non IN,
s'entus est-that is can't be had "a: And
whereas one Abner Barnes has made ap
plication to me for marriage license, and
the said Abner persists that he cannot wall
until the COW comes back with the KEY
but is compelled 10y the violence Of his feel
ings and the arrangements already made te
get married Therefore tlrese presents are
t" command any person legally authorized
to celebrate the rites Of niatrimony to ioir
The said Abner Barnes to Rebecca Downs
and for doing SO this shall DO your sufficient
authority.
Given Under my hand and private seal
on tile doorstep Of my of1ice-the seal o
tile Office being locked up, and my COW
having gone away with the key-this
fourth day Of October, A. D., 1888.
Henry OSBORN, Clerk
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26
From Godey's Lady's Book, for February.
NV Valentine.


Give me n form Of modest grace,
a wcl!.directcd mind,
That bends not rs the feeble twig,
With every changing wind.
Give me check where roses red
Blend with the lily hue
a modest blush, all free from shame,
And joyous, happy, true.
Give me merry, laughing eye.
Yet free from guile or art;
Whose earnes. glance shall ever be
An index to the heart
And be that heart ali free from stain
or high and noble aims;
That oft can feel for others woe,
Or melt at pitty's claims.
a heart wherein loves holy fame
Shall burn when troubles lower.
To gladden. life or cheer the soul
In sorrows darkest hour.
But better far these, than oil,
.Rcligion's benming ray
Should guide her through life's gloomy igh
To an eternal day.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26
=
THE MEDICINE or LAUaHrrn. :.

THE MEDICINE or LAUoHrEn at is
recorded Of DR.. Griffin, (says a writer in the
"Atlantic,") that, when President of the
Andover Theological Seminary, lie conven
ed the students at his room one evening,
apd told them lie had observed that they
were all growing thin and dyspepticai from
a Heglect OF the exercise of Christian laugh
ter, aud lie Insisted upon it that they should
go thiodgh cS,npany dill in it then. and
there. The doctor was an immense man
over ak feet id height, with great atnpli-
tude of chest, and Host magisteiiaf manners. !.
aHers," said he to tho fitst, you must prac..
tice; now hear me y andsbanting OUT into
. soporohs laugh, he fairly obliged his pu-
pIls, one by one, to Join. till the whole we're
almost. convulsed, asfhat will do fof once =
sad the dost8r, @ahds now uind yos keep
in practice ?" $!as4 ssS 49,. - ~ :,
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

Fractions of Squares will be charged in pro.
portion to the above rates.
nB- Business Cards for the term Of one
year, will be charged in proportion to the
space they occupy, at one Dollar per line
space.
tB- For all Advertisements set in double COL
umn. Fifty per Cent extra will be added to the
above rates.
DAVIS l. CREWS,
For Banner:
LEE d WILSON,
For Press.
The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-02-26

aGeorgs, 5oa are looking very smiling; !;
Whit has Bsfpefied f'-=aTbe most delight.
ful tbingl fcaogM thy Jenny bysurprise,
this morning. in her wrapper, and Diihout
hoyps ;.ard j got the first kiss I'ye.had since
whalebode skirts Sanie Into fsshi6nH ~