davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1871-01-25

TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICuON.-Master
Wilton, who keeps the high school at Tuftou
bOrO, though now robust and stout enough,
when he first graduated and commenced teach
ing was as thin as lath and quite etTeminate
looking, being very small in size, and wore his
hair parted in the middle over the whitest
forehead in the world His first school was in
CantOnville, X. l., and he had been engaged
by the school district committee on the re-
Communications he had brought with him, and
was not known to a single person in town.
Under these circumstances a humorous idea
seized him to create a surprise, and withhold
an appearance till the last moment, which he
carried out. The pupils had assembled, and
the tormalty OF drawing seats gone through
with, when he arrived upon the ground-a lit
| tie fellow so small as not to awaken suspicion
that he was the teacher. They all thought he
was strange scholar, as he had books under
his arm, and they talked before him freely
about the expected pedagoguer Nobody
spoke to him for some time, till a beautiful
girl of about thirteen summers, with face
beamlng with good nature, came to him, and,
with blush, asked him If he had chosen his
seat. He informed her that he had not, when
she assured him confdentally that the seat
next hers was vacant, and that she should like
to have him set by her." He assured her
that he knew, from her appearance there was
no one in the school he should more like to sit
by, but that he shsud be compelled to make
other arrangements He accordingly called
the Getting to order, and to the astoni ,hment
of ALL announced himself the teacher-tO the
disappointment, also, of the little girl who
wished him for nrighHOr But this latter
was relieved in few years when she became
his wife and he verified his prophecy of " set
ting more by her" than any one else in tht
school
Smyrna times., 1871-01-25
The Blue Hens Chickens.

The question is often asked why are the
Delaware boys called the Blue Hens Chick
enS?' The following will give the intOrma-
ton desired:
"In the Revolutionary war, Delaware was
among the most denSely populated portions of
our country; and is said to have furnished five
thOusand fighting men to the revolutionary
army. The regiment Of Delaware Blues was
so called frCm their blue uniforms When
they marched from Wilmington in ITO, they
were indeed > gallant sight. Eight hundred
men with perfect discipline in their march,
but when advancing in line it was said "A bull
let might he passed from one end Of the rCgi
ment to the other between the ankles Of every
soldier without touching man-exhibited a
spectacle such as was not witnessed since that
day,
They were exposed to every action from
Long Island to Charleston, and az fast as
they fell in battle their ranks were recruited
from Delaware alone. Jaquette, who was one
OF the officers, used to say that he could march
/ all day with them from sunrise to sunset, anC
when on (Ileeh 5 retreat everybody else were
! tired and sleepy, his Sussex soldiers alone
would get a fiddle and dance around thei
watch fires. They were engaged in thirty-twt
pitched battles and were always the last to re
treat. 1t was natural that they should hav
been the pride and boast of the State in whicl
scarcely man was left who had not a relation
or friend in the regiment.
Captain Caldwell had company recruited
from Kent and Sussex called by the rest 'Cald
wells game socks, and the regiment after
time in Carolina was nicknamed the Blu
Hens Chickens as the fun and fancy of thei
comrades preferred the phrase
" But after they had been distinguished j
the south, the name of the B'ue Hen was az
piled to the State, whenever after battle tn
recruiting officers were sent home to get nor
chickens Of her raising, and those who cam
from Kent were chiefly taken from her fores
OF white oak. The poor fellows for the mo
part died in the battles Of the Revolution, an
but very few of those returned ever receive
f any reward for their services, being paid off
continental money. But the Wings of II
Revolution never ceased to boast of the BIZ
. Hen and her chickens and to this day their d
\ cendentS will often boa t in Kent, that th
. are the cocks OF that blood and were tax,
. from the stopping white oak.
Smyrna times., 1871-01-25

GENTLEMAN Well, Miss =, the long
and short of it is this: here am; you can
take me or leave me-
Lddy-scratching a gutter on the sand with
her parasol, so as to allow a little salt water to
run from one hole into another. "Of course
| know that 5 all nonsense.
GcnHcm0n-" Nonsense By JOve it ism t
nonsense at all. Come, Jane, here | am come
at any rate you can say something"
Lady,: Yes, | suppose l can say some
thing
Geatlemam-'' Well, which is it to be; take
me or leave me?'
Lady-Very slowly, and with a voice per-
haps hardly articulate, carrying on at the same
time her engineering work on wider scale.
"Well, | don't exactly want to leave you.
Smyrna times., 1871-01-25
Slippery Places.

Suddenness is, after all, the desideratum.
Suddenness and unexpectedness are the es-
Senrial qualities OF wit A joke to be thor
Oughly enjoyable must be sharp, sudden, and
unexpected So also must be a seat on the
sidewalk. That is the reason why seat on
sidewalk is so much like good joke is itself,
III fact, a good joke. Anything, therefore,
that promotes it is cOmmendable. And SO We
always view with admiration these little slip
perry places that cross the walk from caves,
troughs, and er-conductOrs-thaw in the
sun you know, and freeze at sundOwn. We
admire them ever SO much-gO away round
them to admire them. They are such good
things to happen on asyOu are going home late
at night, thinking Of your Mary Ann, or your
quarterly dividend, or your starry days, or who
is going to make your next present, and what
it will he. You strike one of these oasis, SO
to speak, in desert of blue stone, and, with
scarcely an effort on your part, you sit down.
There 5 something about it so easy, and, with
al, so kind of sudden like; and it's so quick
over, and you dom have to stand round get
ting ready for it, and shivering over it, as boys
do when they go in swimming on a cold day
and 1t Is SO warming when you get there, and
! so cooling If you stay there for a little while
and it is so encouraging, too, about your teeth
if you even had any doubts about their being
set in strong and it excitcs such a lively sense
of gratitude that Nature has provided some
thing for you to sit down on and then it's 81
smooth and so slippery and, if you don't tea
your clothes, its 80 easy to get right up anC
smile, and even if you do tear your clothes
the present fashion of overcoats is SO mucl
better than short jackets for adjusting to nev
relations of that kind; and, above all, there
al awakening of a sense of feeling of superiorit
to earth-that getting up above the world an
sitting right down on it, that sometimes W
banker after and don't have-that on tn
: whole we are inclined to think the slipper
places are a means of grace. We ought t
I have more of them
Smyrna times., 1871-01-25
SIMMONS

eral COslIIe. som
head is troubled
considerable loss
full sensation OF h
nnnht To- have B
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16


Suicide in Scott County, ia. The
citizens Of the upper end of Scott
county, near Cove creek, were star
tied on Saturday evening by the an
nouncement that Mr.. VIM. Taylor
had committed suicide that morning,
by shooting himself through the head.
He started from his home early in the
morning, his family thinking he was
going to visit some neighbors, nothing
was heard of him till about five O. clCck
IN the evening, when his body was
discovered in field near his home,
pierced through the temple by three
rife balls, and the musket still clutch
ed in his hand and pointing towards
the fatal wound. No cause could be
assigned for the fearful deed, but it
is supposed by his friends that domes>
tic troubles urged him to it. He had
lost his wife about three months be-
fore and the care of his family, con-
sisting of five small children, one of
whom being only about three months
old, seemed to pray upon his mind
aud on failure to secure another help
mate, put an end to his troubles. -
We understand that lie attempted to
hang himself about fifteen years ago.
and would have succeeded, had it not
been for the timely presence of
ueighbor, who happened to discover
him hanging and cut the rope just as
breath was leaving him. Mr.. Taylor
was about fifty years of age. A jury
Of inquest was empannelled and rem
dereG verdict in accordance with
the facts, as stated above.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

King C0lieye.-By reference to our
advertising columns it will be seen
that the next session Of King College
will open on the first Thursday in
August. Our people can now see the
fruits of this young institution. 1t
has sent into the world its first
graduated class. These young men
are calculated to ornament society
and to take hold practically of the
difficulties of life. The work Of
King College is honorable alike to
It's founder and to those who now
have it in charge. The College can
do as well for the people as any insti-
tuition within reach. Will the PEG
ple do as we'll for the College? 1t is
worthy of the most liberal patronage
and the most generous endowment.
Its work has been accomplished m>
der great difficulties, but Its embar
easements have in no way detracted
from the character of its work. 1t is
only the continuance of its valuable
officers that is inIperiIed. Bristol
cannot do without it, and it should
not be allowed to appear before us as
asking aims. We should, out of sell
protection crowd our generositieS and
our patronage upon it. 1t is alreedy
an honor to Bristol, and we know of
no institution which we could more
heartily commend to the public
President TadIock and Prof, Winston
deserve at our hands the most fiat
tering notice. and at the hands OF the
public the most hearty recognition
for their patient able and valuable
services. In developing and inform
ING the intellects of young men they
have proven themselves decidedly SUI
DeIiOr.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

Trial Of the ".Sprdgue" and "E1-
celsior MoWers. The Sprdg1te Trj-
,lyyaDhdnt.- The committee appointed
to decide between the Sprague and
Excelsior mowers, beg leave to report
as follows:
LIST. Which is the cheapest machine?
The COMMITTEES believe the Sprague is.
2d. The most simple in construc-
ton? Taking the machine as whole,
we believe the Sprague has the prefer
ence.
Sd. Which is the most durable p
Your Committee without the test OF
use cannot say.
4th Which requires the most pow
er? Your Comm ttee is of the opin-
ion that the Excelsior does.
5th. Which has the least side draft?
Your Committee is of the opinion that
il depends upon the length of cutter
bar and condition of grass being cut.
9Th. Which does the most work iii
the least time? No test.
9TH. Which does the best work T?
Your Committee are of the opinion
that both machines do excellent work
Sth. Which is the most portable
when i'm operation or otherwise? Your
Committee think the Sprague Is.
9th. The arrangement for throw
ing i'm and out of gear? Your Com
mittee are of opinion that both are
well arranged
10th. The accessibility of parts :or
convenience ofoiling, tightening nuts,
Sc? Your Committee give the Sprague
the preference.
Ilth. Convenience and safety oil
driver? Your Committee hasno choice.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
Sunday School Union.

A call meeting of this orgaization
will be held at the Presbyterian
church on Sunday evening, next, at
3 O'Clock. Exercises will be opened
by reading the Scriptures, singing
and prayer.
Sermon by Rev. David Sullins, adj
dressed particularly to the children.
TIE following S. School songs have
been selected for the occasion -
Beautiful River" Nearer Home ;
"Sweetly Sing "Angels in the
Air" and Work for The Night is
Coming. -
At some time during the evening
the attention of the members of the
Union will be called to one or two
items of business.
The teachers and pupils in the
several Schools are invited to be pres
ent, in force.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

The Exercises on Solar HiH.-The
closing exercises at Mr.. SuIlins' High
School on Thursday evening of last
week were far more interesting than
those of the previous evening. The
pupils were more advanced and the
musical performance was very fine.
At least one thousand persons were in
attendance. The exercises were un-
avOidably protracted TO the WEAKNESS
OF u portion of the audience and closed
only at half past eleven o'clock. Ma
ny of the compositions were very
good and were well read. With the
fruit of Prof Pape's instructions in
music, the people are unusually wen
pleased, and sc think he should be
retained a. he doubtless will be. The
dialogues were acted in a manner
which swept the house with applause.
We hope the trustees will see TO il
that Mr. Sullins be permanently in
stalled in charge of the school. The
standard OF education and of demean-
or as exemplilied in the education OF
The pupils is of high order. Really
Bristol Is peculiarly blessed with good
schools
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

Picnic ut JjdoR.-Tomorrow is
the day fixed upon for tho Picnic at
Union and visit to Morrclrs Cave
The occasion will be one of interest
and pleasure. and we advise all who
a:e fond of chatting with pretty girls,
spending a few hours with the socia-
bic and hospitable people Of Union
ard. at the same time, examining the
mysteries of a large natural cave, not
to fail TO embrace this opportunity -
The train will leave here at 6 o'clock
IN the morning and return at o'clock
in the evening.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
OBITUARY.

Mas. ELIZA J. SHORES, Consort of F. II
Shores, Esq, departed this life May 3lst.,
1871, in the 3lst year of her Age.
The subject of this notice enjoyed that
peace of mind which passeth all under
standing; her walk was upright and shed a
kallOw of light around her pathway, to her
weeping friends and relatives, who stood
around her dying bed she gave the valuable
warming " weep not for me, but grieve Bit
terly for your own sins, | will soon be walk
ing the roiden streets of the new Jerusalem"
How comforting to the bereayed husband,
children and friends whom she has left on
earth. to know that, in Heaven, she wears q
crown of Glory. May they too be privileged
to strike their harp and blend their music OF
praise with her around the eternal throne
of God.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

18th. Adaptation to uneven surface
and cutting ut different heights? Your
Committed is of the opinion that the
Sprague is the easiest adjusted.
REHABILITATION
Sprague-6 points of excellence.
Undetermined-6 points.
CARD OF HOUGH s CHURCH.
KNOXVILLE, June s.
The two Sprague Mowers which
Messrs. Church Il HOugh bad at the
moving contest, were so greatly adj
mired by the farmers present, and their
eXcellences SO throughly appreciated,
that both machines were eagerly
sought for and were sold before leaving
the ground.
HoUGH & CHURCH.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
BRISTOL BRIEFS.

Mr.. Moses Childress has sold his
span of fine horses for $337.50.
The neat sesidence of Mr.. G. G.
Galloway, OH 4th street, is rapidly
approaching completion, having re-
ceived a white dress from the brush
Of the painter.
The Methodist Parsonage is in pro-
cess of erection, on the lot owned by
the Church, lying on Main street west
of DIR. Ii. L. Berry's residence.
The Bristol Calaboose, has been
moved and now stands north Of the
Shelby grave.
The street committee on the Bristol
side have filed up mud alley, alias
9th street.
Whooping cough and humps are
very prevalent among the children in
this town.
The warm weather is driving the
tide of health and pleasure seekers
to the mountains and watering places.
Travel over the a NJ & Q. railroad
is largely Increasing.
Capt. w. A. d. Waldrop, the cour-
teous and efficient agent of the a.
NJ. & 0 road, has ordered the diScon
tinuapce of the sale Of snacks, cigars
&c. on the depot grounds.
The macadamizing of the lower
portion of Main street IS nearly COM
pleted.
We are pleased to learn that John
Hammer, son of our esteemed towns
man, Capt. J. c. Hammer. is rapidly
recovering from a recent severe at.
tact of fever.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
Mrs. Gates and Mrs Jaras.-Mrs. Ga

Mrs. Gates and Nrs Jarles.-Mrs. Gates.
Good morning, Mrs. James. How well you
are looking far better than when l saw
you last.
Ms. James.-Oh yes l am much better
than | have been for long time, and | am
now on my way for more of my favOrite
medicine-PLANTATIoN BITTERs. One bot
tie OF it is worth all the doctors in the world.
No more doctors for me.
Mrs. Gates.--Nearly every one speaks
well of PLANTATION .BITTERs. and | have a
mind to try it myself The fact is, l have
no appetite, strength or energy for anything.
Mary aud Lizzie are the same way, and
lounge about the house all day long, good
for nothing.
Mrs. James.--My word for it, Mrs. Gates,
Just let them try PLANTATION BITTERS mode
rately three times day, and you will see
wonderful improvement.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

aggregate TdrcS.-We present to
our readers this week the aggregate
amount of Taxes assessed for 1871, in
Sullivan County.
TheIevy it seems, will meet the emer-
gency. The ordinary Tax" will pay
the expenses of the current year I'M
less they should exceed those of last
year. We are also pleased to see that
the specific tax will overpay the judy
ments reported by the chairman, at
the January term Of our court, as hav-
ing been obtained against the county.
1t is true some additional judgments
have been obtained against the county
since that time amounting in the ag-
gregate to about s 10000, but the reve-
nue. collected from other sources, if
equal to the amount received last year,
viii be sufficient to meet them. So
that, when the taxes levied, are all
collected, the county will be able to
discharge all of its liabilities, regain
its lost credit and issue good paper.
The Total State Tax is s1324S.49.
" {" County Specific Tax is 7225.72.
I" Ordinary 47SO.35.
4" School Fund " 9lO.5O
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

Fine CdJboqe.-By that courteous
and prompt official of the Va. & Tenn
Division Of the a. NJ. & o. II. r.,
Mr.. M. l.. Comann, we have been
presented with several heads of cab
6age which are certainly the largest
and finest we have seen during the
present season. We have eaten and
enjoyed them, and if there he any
more emphatic way To testify our APP
probation OF Mr.. Comann's courtesy,
ST would he our readiness 70 be again
placed under such pleasant obliga-
lions. Mr.. Comann is one ofthe most
cautious, accommodating aud aseful
officers on the line.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
Aggregate S 26l65.O6


Rcu. Z. f. HOSS-As this young
and promising preacher of ihe Metho-
dist Church, is well and favorably
known in this community, we clip
the following from the Greenville Sen
Gnci:
This popular and very promising
young minister who filled the Metho-
dist pulpit of the Church South, in
this place last year, and who during
the present year has been laboring in
Knoxville, with such signal success in
the divine work, will soon leave for
the Pacific coast, in answer to a call
made by Bishop McTyerie, for young
ministers To volunteer to go to that
distant field. Many warm friends,
and the liolstOn Conference, will re-
gret the departure of this piGsIs and
talented young divine; and to leave
the scenes of his early childhood, his
many warm and admiring friends, and
more, fond doting parents who al
most idoliZp him, to leave all these
for a distant land having no famil-
lar face, must Lave cost him strug-
gle indeed; and certainly he could
have been moved to such a course on
IN by sincere devotion 10 that cause
To which he has pledged the labor of
his life. Those who know him can
well predict for him a career useful
and brilliant.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

Masonic Ccle5ration at Glade
Spring,-We tender our thanks to
Mr. NJ. i. Peoples for an invitation
60 attend the Masonic Celebration,
at Glade Spring. on the oath prox.
Gen'l Malone has very kindly con-
scnted to pass visitors from Abingdon.
Saltyi.le, Marion, Wytheville, Rural
Retreat and this point for half fare.
1t is expected that Hon. r. r. Well
ford, of Richmond will deliver an
address before the mystic craft. As
we hear of no such celebration of St.
Johns day here, we hope that good
ly number of our brethren viii avail
themselves of the opportunity to join
in the festivities Of the occasion and
enjoy the Inequalities of the frater~
nifty at the Spr;ns. The excursion
tickets will be valid from the 22Ed
to the oath inclusive.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
Just Beyond the Horizon Of Bris'
TOD.

Trotter Brothers now have the
charge of the daily mail service from
Dublin. via Pearisburg. Red Sulphur
and Union. to the Greenbrier White
Sulphur. and. during the spring sea-
son, will run a line Of stages on the
route.
Gen. A. A. Chapman. on behalf
of himself and Others has brought
suit against Joseph Maitland and 9th
ers for the recovery of the Wilson
Cary Nicholas Survey, lying in the
counties of Mercer, Raleigh and Wy
oming. W. Va, aud containing hall
a million of acres.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

The Bee SeosoR.-T here have been
no swarms during the season in this
locality or vicinity. Hives have yield
ed good stocks OF honey. Mr.. Saml
Vance informs us that there viii not
probably he any swarms until after
the poplar bloom shall have disap-
peared.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

Pie Nics.-The Presbyterian Sun
day School had social gathering at
their church, last Tuesday morning,
and enjoyed themselves for an hour
or two in the shade Of the beautiful
trees tn the church yard. After par
taking of some refreshments dispers-
ed to their homes with contcnted
hearts.
We understand that the Baptist
School will hold their animal Pic Mic,
on next Wednesday.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16

E~ If you have a discharge from the
nose, offensive or otherwise, stopping up OF
the nose, at times giving nasal twang to
voice, paltial loss of the sense of smell, taste
or hearing, feel dull and stupid, have pain
or pressure in the head, take cold easily,
you may rest assured that you have Catarrh.
Thousands annually, without manifesting
half of the above symptoms, terminate in
Consumption, or Insanity, and end in the
grave. K V. Pierce, NJ. D., of Buffalo, n.
T., is the proprietor OF DR.. Sage's Catarrh
Kennedy perfect specific for Catarrh,
which he sends to any address, postpaid for
sixty cents. Sold by most druggists every
where.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
NIARl{IED.

WRITTEN MILLER. = At the
Nickels House in this city, by Elder
J. 7. KincannOn, on the 18th inst,
Mr.. SAM'L L. WHITTEN, of Liberty,
Va, and Hiss SUE 5. MILLER, of Sa-
lem, Va.
Liberty and Salem papers please
copy.
Observation-Disclosures
Stuart's Chapel, May 18th, by Rev.
+, a. Farley, Mr. 0. L. CUNNINGHAM
and Mrs. MATILDA BURDINE, all of
Russell Co., Va.
Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-06-16
Important Notice.

All persons indebted to me by note
or account, are notified that they must
speedily come forward, and settle or
they viii find their debts in the hands
Of an officer for collection.
j. a. BUCKNER.
Nav 20 TIT.