davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
A Severe Case of Worms.
GNdtchez Courier.

An old man named Christal Poff, Of German
descent, living in Missouri in the locality
known as ''Cracker's Neck" has been for
years afflicted with disease which took the
form of iuordinate thirst, that water could not
allay. He grew worse from year to year, until
finally he became partially insane, and imagin-
ed that all manner of reptiles were after him.
About this time a celebrated physician Of the
Uroscopan school happened in the neighbor-
hood, and was called in to examine the case.
Having applied the test in his practice, he at
once pronounced it chronic case Of worms,
and immediately set to work to compound a
remedy from we'll known vegetable medicines
The mixture was composed of equal parts of
castor oil, wormwood, tansy, rue and assa-
Getida.
After administering repeated doses of the
compound he finally succeeded in starting the
patient to vomiting when the whole cause of
his disorder came to light. He threw up ten
Ash worms, three lamprey eels, seven crawfsh.
Que mud turtle, five Lizards. two tree frogs,
one bull snake, a section of worm fence, and
the worm Of a copper still containing sixteen
coils. He at once spoke Of being better. and
has steadily improved ever since. lie has no
idea how when these things got into Ms
stomach, but remembers having taken a drink
of water when boy, which act was performed
by lying on his belly and drinking from the
tail race of distillery.
Those who feel like it may doubt this story,
but we do not for we have lately conversed
with gentleman who saw the old man have
money purse. which he assured him was
made Of the skin OF one of the eels
White CIoud Chict.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
PloWing by Steam.

The n. y. ITOrid contains description Of
the trial of new English steam plow in New
Jersey. Wequote from the account as follows:
The field was in the shape of an oblong
square and must have contained at least one
hundred acres toerably level, but uneven
from having been in corn the year before
The soil was rather Il sandy loan, which had
never been cultivated over four inches, and
therefore, below that depth, offered more than
usual resistance to the pow. The engines
were stationed on each side of the field
opposite to each other, and distant three
hundred and seventy yards. They were fred
up ana had already commenced work. The
engines were each fourteen horse power by the
English standard, and were on the locomotive
plan. The powing apparatus consisted OF two
gangs Of six each. hung upon an iron frame
moving upon three wheels one of the wheels
running in every sixth furrow, each pair easily
elevated when not in use. A flexible wire
cable was wound round drum ou the under
side Of the engine, and wound up when the
plow was at work by the engine, towards
which the plow drawn. When the plow
had reached the opposite side of the field, the
Signal> whistle vas blown ; that gang which
had been elevated was dropped. after both had
been elevated, till the engine had moved ahead
and placed them in position, when the forward
gang was lowered aud started on its journey.
They were gagged to seven inches deep aud
! some thirteen inches wide, or the six cutting
six feet and half at each time it crossed the
field. The speed was at the rate of five miles
per hour, and the work was at the rate OF
twenty and twenty four acres per day of ten
hours. By noon large crowd had gathered,
some to witness the predicted failure, some
the hoped for success, and many to gratiIy
curiosity. Among the crowd were many iu-
telsent farmers and gentlemen of that region.
After the pIow had gone several times across,
the most skeptical acknowledged that steam-
| plowing in that kind of soi!' was complete
success, and that, though the first outlay OF
capita! was larger than in the old way Of doing
work by teams and men, yet in the aggregate
it would not prove so great as appeared at first
view.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
Passage in the Life of Conjurer.

The sad fate of DR.. Epstein, the Paris con-
jurer, who was wounded by splinter of
ramrod discharged from his own conjuring
pistol, illustrates, (sayS the London O"cAeS-
ira, what Robert Houdin had insisted upon
in his book-that magicians possess no ordl-
nary bravery to stand before the muzzle OF a
pistol. knowing how slight a mischancc may
bring him face to face with death. Houdin
himself used to play with danger with an en-
tirely needless assurance. lie relates how
once he had performed some startling fire.
arm tricks before party of Arabians, max
ing use, Of course, of the ordinary form of
conjuring pistol which is so contrived that
the ra,nrod draws the bullet. While the rest
of the party were expressing their admiration,
a crafty old Marabout, who had some suspi,
cion Of the true nature of the trick, said:
The stranger is doubtless strong magi-
clan will he suffer me TO fire ut him with
my own pistols p
Yes" said Houdin, unhssitatingly "but
first must make invocation to those who as
sist me-"
The next day he met the same party, and
offered saucertul Of bullets TO the inspection
of the Marabout Satisfied that they were
lead-as indeed they were-the Arab handed
his pistols to Houdin, who loaded them, using
the Arab s ramTOQ. Ills own 1TlcDuS were LII
terror, and even his wife, well as she knew
his skill, was in perplexiry when she saw him
hand back to the Arab one of the loaded ps-
tolls.
'.Now fire." he said.
The Arab did So and Houdin was seen
with the bullet between his teeth.
Bah !" he said, seizing the other pistol,
''you cannot use your own weapons. See here.
You have been unable to draw blood from
my flesh. and will draw blood from youder
wall"
lie aimed at the wall, fired and inmedi-
ately i stain of blood was seen. The Mira.
about went up to the wall, and when he had
dipped his tiuger in the blood which was
trickling down, his awe and amazement were
SO great that his features assumed Il CHASTITY
hue. Yet the trick was simple enough, TWO
prepared bullets having been sklIfuIIy SUBJ
stiruted by Iloudin for the leaden bullets he
took up from the saucer. But the experts
ment was quite new, and lIoudin tells US that
he trcmbiei, and could scarcely control his
terror as he saw the Marabout drawing the
trigger Of the pistol.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
An. American Popularity.

The Rev. Mr.. Puushou, writing to tho
Methodist Recorder, in England, respecting
the dedication exercises of the new Metho-,
dist church at Washington, makes this criti~,
c;sm on our national lack of reverence
''Phrenologically speaking, the American
has a finely developed head, but have some-
times thought that where the organ of vene-,
ration should be, there must be perfect hol-
low. There is an infuItesimal reverence for
sacred places, days and things. | have seen
the hat worn almost up to the alter, the news
paper read during the sermon, the reporter
writing his leading article during the min
ister's prayer | should rather welcome than
rebuke anything that would have u tendency
to increase the national reverence, for as the
expression of holy things languish, the things
themselves are apt to become eutsebIed and
die. Time. hOnored, moreover, Us tho Amer
lean practice of raising money for churches
on the Sabbath has become, aud great as may
have been its success, | should Ike to see it
buried in the tomb of all the Capulets,' and
| should feel, as followed its funeral. that q
sworn foe to the higher interests of ohurchel
lay there inferred. We spent eight hours in
the metropolitan church on the day of dedi-
cation-fve in the house of God, and three
in the house of mcrchaudise-that is, five
hours were spent In worship, and three il
raising money"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

TouGH CABBAGE.-This is a good story
of a citizen who used to 20 home late slightly
inebriated, and take lunch usually set out
for him By his considerate wife. One night.
besides the usual dish of cabbage and pork,
she left wash bowl filed with caps in starch.
The lamp had long been extinguished when
the staggering sot returned home, and by mis-
take. when proceeding to satisfy his hunger,
he stuck his fork in the wrong dish. He
worked away at his mouthfuI of caps for some
time, but finally being unable to masticate
them he said to his wife, "OEd woman, where
did you get your cabbage? They are so darn
ed stringy can't chew them .'My gra-
cious," she replied, if the stupid feIIer ain''
eating up all my caps that put in s;arch
over night"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

- All authors are agreed as to the practi>
cal importance picking up and destroying
the wormy apples fast as they fall, either
by hog power, or, when that is iucOuVenieut
and impraeticable, by man power. The
practical utility of allowing gang of hogs
the range of the apple orchard throughout
the summer is undoubtcd. When we consider
that every female moth that matches out in
july or August. from the first brood of apple
worms, will probably deposit an egg in some
two 0. three hundred nearly matured apples,
thereby rendering them more or less unsaIea-
bic, the importance of destroying the wormy
wind faIl-iu the fore part of the season, at
all eTents-becomes at once apparent.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

A PARTISAN SHOP SCENE.-A Paris paper
relates the following: Mime. Y, an ele-
gantly dressed lady, entered one of the en-
poriums of fashion and requested to see some
Nalenciennes lace, but after some time, not
finding any to suit her, withdrew without
making any purchase. She had, however,
been observed by one of the shopmen to slip
piece of goods under her shawl. Neverthe-
less she returned home as if it were unnO-
ticcd. but on reaching the door of her house,
was acco>ted by messenger who handed her
a small parcel and letter, which was thus
worded:
"-Nnd0ml Il am afraid that the fifteen
ysrds of lace which you selected in my shop
will not be sufficient to trim your dress;
therefore send you second piece of the same
pattern. beg to be informed whether you
accept it"
The signature was that of the master of
the establishment. 1t is needless TO say that
the lady was only too glad to escape. by a
prompt payment for the whole, from some
very unpleasant consequences.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

SOCIAL LoyE.-How sweet is social nffec-
ton When the world is dark without we
have light within. When cares disturb the
breast, when sorrow broods about the heart,
what Joy gathers in the circle of love We
forget the world, with all its animosities, while
blessed with social kindness. That man can
not be unhappy, who has hearts that vibrato
in sympathy with his own, who is cheered by
the smile of affection and the voice Of ten
derness Let the world be dark and cold,
let the hate and animosity Of bad men gather
about him in the place of business but when
he enters the ARK of love, his own cherished
circle, he forgets all these, and the cloud
passes from his brow and the sorrow from his
heart. The warm sympathies of his wife
aud children dispel every shadow, and he
feels thrill Of joy in his bosom which words
not adequate to express. He who is a
stranger to the joys OF kindness has not be-
gun to live.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
The Milky Way.

The milky way forms the grandest feature
of the armament. 1t completely encircIes
the whole fabric of the skies. aud sends its
light down upon US, according to the best OBJ
servations, from no less than lS.UGU.UUO Of
suns These are planted at various distances
too remote to be more than fcebly understood,
but their light, the medium of measurement.
requires for its transit to our earth: periods
ranging from ten to thousand years. Such
is the sum Of the great truths revealed to US
by the two Herschels, who, with zeal which
no obstacle could daunt. have explored every
part of the prodigious circle. Sir William
HerscheI, after accomplishing his famous sec
ton, believed that he had gauged the milky
way to its lowest depth affirming that be could
follow cluster of stars with his telescope, con-
Quoted expressly for the investigation, as far
back as would require 100000 years fer the
transmission of its light. But, pTesumptous
as it may seem, We must be permitted to doubt
this assertion, as the same telescope, in the
same master hs nd, was not sufficiently power
full to resolve even the nebule in Orion
Nor must we forget that light. our only clew
to those unsearchable, regions expands and
decomposes In its progress and coming from
a point SO remote, its radiant waves would be
dispersed in space. Thus ths reflection is
forced upon US that new cluster and systems,
whose beaDing light will never reach our
earth, still throng beyond; and that, though
it is permitted to behold the immensity,
we shall never see the bounds of the creation
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
-"One Of the drve.t humorists I ey

TONE of the dryest humorists I ever
met" says Sa!a, sis Z. T. Barnum." "On
board the river steamers in the Western States
they feed you at moderate outlay, very
sumptuously. but the portions supplied arc
usually of microscopic dimensions. BpTpum
had taken passage on one Of these stately
Noah's Arks. He called, at tea time. for the
beef steak. The negro brought him the
usually shriyelled mite of boiled flesh. certain
ly not sufficient for more than two nouthsfull.
Barnum poised the morsel on his fork scanned
it certainly as though it were a sample Of steak
submitted to his inspection. then returned it
to the waiter, sayiug.-"Y 5, that's what I
mean Bring me some of it"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
PORTTOAL.
[FOr tie Spirit of Jefferson ]
MY TREASURE.


It's onl; a little siIkeu curli
With the gloss long worn away,
Yet I've treasured it up as precious thing
She gave il to me for plain guild ring,
On the morn of our tridal day.
Soft and sweet were her ruby lips,
And her face was wOndrous fair;
Fragile and far 8 a beautiful flower,
And O'er my life ehe exerted power
That still! lives IN this tress OF her hair.
It's only a little tress OF her hair
Yet my hearts bound up in this;
love it now as loved her then,
And memory goes back to the time again
When my life was a dream OF bliss.
God took her away, my beautiful pearl,
To home more bright than mine;
] saw her blue veined eyelids close,
placed onher bosom young white rose
And gave her loves parting sigh.
Oh. my soul was heavy with grief that day,
Though my eyes ave forth no tears;
! loved her then and love her now,
Ard only death eau dissolve the vow
Which I've kept through all these years.
Va, June 2T, 1869.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

Do CATTLE LOSE THEIR CUDs Fl think
they do not but know of number Of per-.
sons who, as soon as an OK or a cow is taken
sick from any cause. (and OF course the an
imals do not chew their cud whilo sick)
make them cud some using goldfish skin
and sweet elder bark yeast another preparing
a wad Of hay in some mysterious way, another
giving piece of salt pork. OF course mono
of these things will hurt the animal. Tho
question is where do they get the first cud
1t Is certainly not made by the hand ofman,
and put into tire calfs mouth on the con
trary, the little calf at three weeks old is seen
chewing the cud.
In my opinion. when animals are taken sick,
no matter what causes the sickness, they stop
chewing their cud from the same reason that
person loses his appetite, but as soon as they
are restored to health by letting nature with
some mild medicine, they get well, and their
appetite returns, and they will raise and chew
their cud as hefore.-Cor. Western RUraL
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
: A gentleman asked a lady..known

A gentleman asked lady,,kDown to be
utterly ignorant OF the languages. How did
you get along when abroad to make yourself
understood 2'' "Oh, my dear sir" replied
she with quite French air, I'VE had an
fnferrupter with US ~ The same lady having
arranged some statues in the adjoining room,
requested the same gentleman, before he left
the same dag, to step into the next 'imPart-
nent and see her antics (0ntSf~ss).
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

-"Leave you my friend. said tipsy fell
low ciinging to lamp post On dark night
"leave you in condition not TO take care ef
yourself! Chic) never"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

Numerous camels. the offspring of those
originally taken there by the army, are said
to roam over the Western plains.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

"A husband can readily foot the bills of
wife who is not afraid Of being seen footing
the stockings of the husband.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

The first day little boy went to school,
the teacher asked him if he could spell p
eyes, sir" well, how do you spell boy ?"
"Oh, just as other folks do"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

A girl in Wisconsin swallowed forty
percussion caps. Her mother refrained from
spanking her for fear of an explosion.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13

What relation is the door-mat to the
scraper? \ step fa(r)ther.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
MORE CARDS.
COLD MEDAL FOR 1867
~ ..L.. .,.arJed IN

For the Best Pianos now made over Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York Pianos by the
MARYLAND INSTITUTE.
OFFICE AND wARERouM No: NORTH LIBERTY
sr near baltimore street, BALTIMORE, MD.
c,T,EFF,S PIANOS have uII the latest improve
y ments including the AGRAFFE TREBLE,
Ivnry Fronts. and the Improved French Action, ,
f,IIv warranted for EIue Years, with the privilege
Of &c .Isin IL months if not entirely satis
factory to purchaser
Second hand Pianos and Parlor OrganG always
on hand, from $50 to $500.
Referees who have our Pianos in use:-.
Gen. r. E; Lee, Lexington, Virginia. Gen.
Rott Ransom Wilmington N. C. John Burns,
Dr. L. G CordeIl Warren Eby, John B. Packet.
Cha rEestown, Th0s NJ. Isbell of jefferson county,
L. b. Burns of Clat Ike county. Mrs. Schwartswei-
der Mozart Musical Association of Winchester.
TERMS LIBERAL. A call is solicited.
Anil IA 1850 d. Oct. 2.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-27
YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The Young Mems Christian Association of
NewYork held their regular monthly meeting last night
at their rooms Fifthaye Mr.. VIM. E. Dodge, jr, IN
the chair After the devotional exercises singing by the
Association and prayer by the President reports OF the
various committees were called for. Mr.. Parsons, Chair
mau OF the Invitation Committee reported progress In
the work allotted them During the last month they had
extended their Invitations to the bank clerks, and
had taken measures 10 extend them 10 the clerks
In the marine and fire insurance companies. Mr..
Deano Chairman OF the Membership Committee, reported
1876 new applications during the month. The
Committees on devotional meetings had in view
scheme for holding meetings at the engine
houses. The prospect was very promising.
Reports from other Committees showed the following
condition OF the Association throughout the city. Two
members OF the Young Mems Christian Association Of
Halifax present, aud delivered brief addresses The
building will be ready for occupation, and Will
very much extend tho facilities OF tho Association for
doing good The los members reported by the Commit
tee Membership admitted by unanimous vote.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-27
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE COMMISSION.

Gems. Wright and Newton and Major King,
the Government Commissioners for the proposed Brook
Ign Bridge; Mr.. John A. Roebling Chief Engineer. and
other prominent gentlemen in all party OF a. returned
last Thursday from their tour OF inspecting the suspen-
sion bridges at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Niagara
Falls From actual observation Of those works they
have arrived at the practical conclusion that what has
already been done at those points be done as the
East River larger scale The excursiOnists first in
spected the suspension bridge over the Allegheny River
al Pittsburgh. which they regarded very fine work,
and which supports an immense traffic. It's spans are
3A feet long Next the bridge at Cincinnati was exam
ned This the largest OF the three structures Its GEN.
span for the River bridget and 100 feet above low
day OF inspection at Cincinnati the excursioniss pro-
ceedcd TO Niagara Falls The bridge at this point has
an upper floor for a railway and lower floor for car
riage.way and its span is $40 feet long. One
day was spent in each city, and the United
states Commissioners returned entirely salts
fled as 10 the perfect practcablllty aud sereiy
OF the proposed work the East River In this view
they will mako their report shortly to the War De
partnent, whose sanction Is DOW only needed Tor the
commencement Of the structure. The Commissioners 1t
thought will probably finish their report by the end OF
the present week but 10 Ia also thought that the Secre
cary of will require short time for the examination
OF all documents before he accords his sanction to the
project Gems Wright and Newton have been authorized
to in this city the examining commission; Major
King being stationed In Washington acts as the inter
mediary IN the communications passing between the
Government and the local Commissioners.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-27
ANOTHER HOMICIDE.

Albert Simmons, who was cut on the left
arm on the 9TH by Henry waldoyer died at his resi-
deuce No. 800 East Twenty slXthst. on Sunday night
Deceased was employed carver and butcher In tho
saloon Of John Ryan. at No. 100 Yescys Waldeyor
who n a pork butcher. having stall in Washington Mar
ket into the place the day named, 10 sharpen
knife grndstons kept In the place AZ he was about
leave the saloon, Simmons suggested that ho had
better treat. he had used the grindstone so
without further prOvocatlon, IL IA hlleged:
Waldeyer caught up a ohopping knife that lay near and
cut simmons the left arm. Coroner Flynn was called
on the 10th inst take the ante morton statement OF
simmons who testified To the above facts IL WAS not
believed by tho attendant physician az the time that
Simmons would die, and Wadeyor was then released on
s2OO0 bail. On learning Of the death OF simmons, Cor0-
ne Flynn issued his warrant for the arrest 81 Waldeyer
and Yesterday afternoon lac apprehended IN Brook
lyn by Officer Haley OF the CorOners Office. ad com
mtted TO the Tombs The inquest will be held today.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-27
BASE BALL.

The Atlantics did not play against the Aiphas
Yesterday as announced The nine stood against heiu
whom they defeated q to9 In full game some very
pretty play was shown. kopt ferguson ni,ou ,uO
na,obo,,s nosition Win. Kelley however, was present.
bnt took position on the field side -, ,,.,, m
The members and friends OF tns 81, n EPPvsian Fields
80 pauesrate the seasons play. Owing to the many
changes made during tho playing no c0rrce.
~ The Club having received many ValuaDio
ocdWtons since last year. will be enabled 10 present al
old time nine the coming summer .o, ,,o eo,, WA
terdav the drst time this season Their new nine we're
on hand and played against tho held' ihS mo Niuo "
IN prosperous condition. ,,,. ,ooor. s,v nay I'm
The Atantics the Phiiadelphla papers say pS "
that city next Friday WIN the hey h o raved
ON saturday the Athletic Club OF Phhadeipnla paIeu