davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

soIemnly retreat TO his buffers pan
try before allowing himself the lux
~ of smile or cough, made one
quite ashamed TO indulge in such
demonstrations He scarcely ever
spoke bus when he did 80. il was TO
express some decided conviction as
to the inevitable destiny Of bis race
in this world and the next
ats no use to tell me- he would
jerk out in short sentences, that
white folks and niggas are going to
the same place in heaven Sure as
as your born, thcre1l be quarter
built of for Us to live in. And they'll
have something for US to do; why,
they'll set US TO pushing along the
clouds, if they can't find anything
else"
Before the war, there lived on
plantation near Lynchburg an old
colored preacher, whose sermons
where truly remarkable. One day
bis master, who happened to be pass
ing, paused to listen as he discoursed
to his fellow-servants. His subject
was hell and its horrors /; which he
described in terrible terms, declaring
that there was whipping and whal-
ing and snatehing out Of teeth" He
then proceeded, with touch Of Dan
tesque vigor, to tell his hearers that
hell was region of fearful cold,
where ice and snow covered all
things, and where freezing was the
favorite punishment
why, Cesar said his master the
next time they met, curious to learn
why the preacher differed so strongly
from the usually accepted theory Of
the Internal regions, what makes
you tell my servants that hell is 3
cold place'r
Law, Massa, / don't dare to tell
them people nothing elsel Why, if |
was to say that hell was warm, some
Of them rheumatic niggas would be
wanting to start down thar the very
first frost y Mrs Seen1uler, in Old
and Ner for September.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

| Not few of the modern dances were
first brought out on the stage.
The cotillion-introduced here un
der the name of The German--is 8
very old dance, which has been but
slightly modified, for most Of its hg-
ures were well known more than one
hundred years ago in several Of the
ancient provinces of France. The
bouquet, mirror and butterfly figures,
for instance, were quite popular, and
it mainly consisted, and does now, OF
round dances. Then, as now, it re-
quired some talent to be good lead
er of the cotillion. Verify, there is
nothing new under the sun.
The Orientals are very fond Of wit
Messing ballets and intricate pas-seul,
but they never dance themselves
The danes Of the Bayaderes and
almees are true pantamimes, though
not always very delicate or graceful
ones.
The Moorish ladies of rank, who
spend their days in trimming garIands
Of jessamine, and in smoking long
chibouk, sometimes vary the monot-
ony of their existence by little dance
in their secluded apartments.
One of their number performs 8
rather mournful tune on a guitar or
tamborine, while another woman,
clad in Q loose and transparent gown,
with long, flowing sleeves, rises and
begins a series Of contortions and
swaying motions, until, utterly ex-
hausted, she gives up the place, to a
third one, who goes through the same
performance with evident pleasure.
and not unfrequently with a sort of
frenzv, as if overpowered by her
emotions.
But all public dancing is done by
paid bayaderes, who, though well
treated, much admired and highly
praised, are regarded as outcasts from
society, and unworthy Of respect.
Their fantastic dances are, however.
a prominent feature at every festival
or gathering, whether public or pri-
vate, and excite the greatest enthusi-
asm, which finds vent in loud ap-
plause and shouts Of delight, in a pro-
fusion of gifts showered upon the
bewitching dancers, and in the burn
ing of perfumes and aromatic gums.
In short, the practice or custom Of
dancing seems to be inherent to man
kind. for it has existed from time i'm
memorial among all the nations and
people Of the globe, regardles. OF col
or, race, religion or habits
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
Dancing and Dances.

However much people may diffel
regarding the propriety of dancing
there can be no dispute as to its an
tiquity. In fact it is a matter of his
tory that the earliest people of whom
we have any record are known to have
resorted to dancing as means o.
pleasure, and in some instances, de
voutly tripped the light fantastic toe in
their religious worship. The most
popular dances of the present day,
in many instances, had origin wears
ago, with some half civilized or bar.
barous people.
Originally dancing was hardly more
than saltatery or swaying motion,
a sort of cadence promenade, which
was introduced into every religious
rite.
Among the Hebrews, the Levites
were divided into two bands or COM
panies, one Of singers and the other
Of dancers, and when rejoicings were
held in honor of any important event,
the priests performed solemn dances,
in token of their joy and gratitude
Frequent illusions are made in Da-
vid's Psalms to this mode of thanks
giving.
In Egypt, the priests Of the god
Osiris performed astronomical dances.
symbolieal of the motions of the heav-
enly bodies, and which were quite
similar to those instituted by the
Chinese and Hindoos in honor of
their gods.
The ancient Greeks almost invaria-
bly, combined dancing with music in
the worship of their numerous divin-
tiles. One Of the most celebrated of
these was the Guossian, said to have
been imported from the island of Crete
by Theseus. 1t was circular dance,
like most of those performed around
the sacrifcial altars
With the exception of the dance Of
Bacchus, nearly all the sacred dances
were rather simple. The Phrygian
dance Of the Corybantes was, how
ever, somewhat ferocious and wild in
its character, the dancers being all
armed with lances and shields, and
displaying warrior-like spirit in the
principal figures. Gradually, and al
most impereeptibly, the nature of all
these dances was modified and became
more theatrical.
The Romans performed only sa-
cred dances, at first, and regarded all
others as degrading Romulus is
said to have invented the first war
dance, and Numa instituted the or
der of the Salii, whose occupation
it was to dance around the affairs of
the god Mars. A time came, how
ever, when the Romans departed
from their primitive rigorousness, and
running into the other extreme, they
honored dancing as one of the most
ennobling arts; they even treated ia
vorite public dancers in manner be-
fitting great men or sovereigns only.
Two mimic dancers, Pylades and
Bathyllus, created so great an enthu-
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
Negro Traits.

I The way in which evil is some
times suggested to the immature
minds of servants and children by.ac
cusing them on speculation of some
fancied wrong-doing, the manner in
which they are thus shown the prae.
tieability of acts which they would
otherwise suppose impossible fol
them to accomplish, has seldom been
better illustrated than in a story
which stills eirculates in Virginia
concerning q negro boy which his
mama it was Bill He was owned
by an eccentric old lady, whose sus-
pieious temper made life q burden to
herself and every one around her.
One day she sent Bill down into the
cellar to draw cider for dinner. The
cellar contained also some fresh but
ter: and. as the boy failed to reap
pear within a reasonable time, she be-
gan to fear for its safety. Going to
the hall of the stairway she called to
him.
"Bill, what are you doing down
there? | know YOU are stealing that
butterl"
Law, missis," replied the boy ;
"how could | steal the butter? Whar
is got to put it ?''
Why YOU could hide it in your
shirt-bosom," she incautiously re-
Piled
Bless your heart, Massa John, y
said the grinning negro, as be after
wards told the story to my grandfath-
er, II never wanted for butter from
that day "
The real, though perhaps uncon-
scious, creed of vast number of per-
sons, is well expressed in the advice
given by an old black man to a wild
young yirginian:-
"Massa Richard" said this hoary
evil-doer, solemnly lifting up his hand
to emphasize his admonition, ''ifthere
is hereafter, don't carry on-but,"
he added, suddenly breaking out into
enthusiasm and broad grin, "if
there amt no hereafter, carry on pow
erful ~
l am sorry to say that the young
gentleman in question adopted the
latter half of his sable mentors in
struction with a readiness with
which advice is seldom received, or,
at least. acted upon.
Talking of a future existence re-
calls the opinion pronounced upon his
own prospects, and those of his race,
by an elderlymulatto man, the dining
room servant in a house on the bank
of the Rappahannock He was over
whelmingly genteel and to see him
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

\ man was picked up recently by
the New York police, who seemed TO
be suffering from mental alteration,
but on recovery, gave this account Of
himself:
When be left his happy home,
early in the morning, his wife kissed
him goodbye, as was her custom
when she wanted any errand per-
formed, and then asked him to ego
to the dressmaker, and tell her that
she (his wife) had changed her
mind, and would have the wstered
silk made up instead Of the poplin !;
"and be sure to tell her, dear" said
his wife, 'that II she thinks il would
look better with ten bias founees
without putting, box-plezted below the
equator, which should be gathered in
hem-stitebed gudgeOus up and down
the seams, with a gusset stitch be-
tween, she caR make it up in that
way, instead of futing the bobinette
insertion, and piercing out with point
applique, as | suggested yesterday"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

LESSON IN NATURAL HIsTORY.-
What is the wisest bird ,
A sage hen.
The most ecclesiastical animall
A monkey.
An arithmetieal reptile
The adder.
Scholastic an!mals2
Whales, because they are found in
schools, and the schoolmastcr raises
them.
An argumentative animal, {,
The goat, because he has "but"
for everything.
Theatre-going animals,
Kids, always found in the dress
circle.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

SOMEBODY having applied to an
editor for 8 method by which he could
cure his daughter Of her partiality for
young men. is kindly informed that
there are several methods Of reform.
One way is to skin the young person
another is to put her into well and
drop few loads of gravel on her
head; another is to bind her ankles
to an anvil and upset her out of a
boat
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

An Arkansas local solilOquizes
thusly: Some Of our exchanges are
publishing as q curious item a state
ment to the effect that a horse in
Iowa pulled the plug out of the bung-
hole of a barrel We do not see
anything extraordinary in the occur
renee. Now, If the horse had pulled
the barrel out Of . bunghole and
slaked his thirst with the plug. or If
the barrel had pulled the bunghole of
the plug and slaked its thirst with the
horse, or if the plug had pulled the
horse out of the barrel and slsked its
thirst with the bunghole. or if the
bunghole had pulled the thirst out Of
the horse and slsked the plug with the
barrel, or if the barrel had pulled the
horse out of the bunghole and plug
ged its thirst with .lake, IT might be
worth while to make some fuss over
=.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

3 tOHStlluLt uOol daiuhiuS CNIutuCt
guilt. In this case, however, every
thing had been done in the most skill
/ full manner, and | could not succeed
in making any discoveries"
Il was about to leave the room il
despair, when, giancing toward the
bed, | noticed what appeared to be q
light scratch on the neck of the mur
dered man, Just above the gaping
wound which had so eruelly letout hi:
life's blood. On examination, / found
it to be nothing more than hair
which had in some manner become
loosened from the head of the assas.
sin. and had settled on the neck ot
the victim, where it now lay, a silen,
vet truthful witness, pointing out the
guilty wretch to the eve of justice
The hair was of deep red color,
which was totally unlike that of any
of the household. 1t was, indeed
the same color and shade as that Of
Conrad Smithley. ~
| placed it carefully in my pocket
book, and, saying nothing to any one
of my discovery, started for the resi-
denee of Smithley, intent on doing a
little acting. / found him, as his at
tendant said, i'll in bed, and ON no ac.
count must be be disturbed. "Only
a ruse," l thought. ITO divert suspi-
cion.n Stating to the wbman that
wanted to see him but foE o few mo-
ments on the most urgent business,
she finally reluctantly consented to
my entrance. | found him lying upon
bed apparently in great pain, In
my youth / had studied mSdicine, and
was consequently well Informed on
such matters, and l saw ct once, with
a quick glace, that he was only feign-
ing sickness. He started up some
what angrily as l entered, but | ST.
fenced him with motion of my
hand
Conrad Smithley, this is desper-
ate game you are playing, but it viii
avail you nothing"
What DO you gn he exclaim-
ed springing TO his feet, his sickness
'all gone
Il mean that the game is up, and
the murderer Of John Randolph is
discovered"
As | had anticipated, be sank into
a chair. and burning his face in his
hand, sobbed out, Lost lost II
DO you confess the murder them"
Recovering himself a little, be
gasped, What proofs have you ?"
Enough to hang you, and nothing
but q confession can procure you q
lighter punishment / then rapidly
detailed to him the circumstances
which led NE to the conviction that
be was John RandolPh's murderer-
his threats, his motives, and finally
the unmistakable evidence he had left
of his presence at the murdered mans
bedside The last link in the chain
completely overwhelmed him. He
was not an experienced criminal, and
he saw no hope for escape.
Il confess" he said, NOW that
concealment is no longer of USE"
/ took him at once into custody,
and soon had the satisfaction Of see
ing him change places with Edgar
Morton, who was overjoyed at his
release.
Conrad Smithley was tried for
and, knowing that any de-
fense would be useless after his con-
fession to me, pleaded guilty and
threw himself upon the mercy of the
Court, which sentenced him TO i'm
for life
About a year after, received an
envelope containing an invitation to
the wedding Of Cecile Randolph and
Edgar Morton, who lived long and
happily together, and never ceased
thanking me that Edgar was saved
by hair.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

A DOLLIE WARDEN PIK-Tske
about four yards Of light dough,
gather it up in tueks and founces,
crimp the edges, and 6ll up with fruit,
then lay on the overskirt, fasten it
with buttons Of dough, connected
with frills of the same, and you will
have tasteful and elegant pie, only
you must eat it, not wear It
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

You will alwus notisone thing, the
devil never offers to go into partner
ship with bizzy man but w viii
often see him offer to jine the lazy.
and furnish all the espital-Josh
BILLINGS.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

A Young man asked a yoang lady
her age, and she replied: six
times seven and seven times three
added to my age will exceed six
times nine and four, as double my age
excseds twenty" The young man
said he thought she looked much
older
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

AN Indiana man recently had a
monstrous saw log drawn clear across
bis body by yoke of oxen. IL
didn't hurt him any. bat he objects on
the whole to going into the corduroy
business with his good clothes on.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
This Protection RppiiestO any Age,
Ana is expressly stated in every Policy.
THEADYANTAGEoFS SUCH PROTECTION

This Is 70 certify that my late husband. Daniel
3 Thompson was insured IN the Berkshire Life
Insurance Company, Pittsfeld. Mass, Tor $1,000,
December 10Th, 1870, premium payable quarterly.
That two payments were made up to June 10Th.
ISL that he died October 18TH four months after
he failed 10 make his payment
The usual proofs Of death were forwarded 20 the
Company. and the full amount of the policy less
the two quarterly payments due at the time Of his
death, was paid to me by their General Agent in
Philadelphia. W. II. Graves. at their office, :. w.
corner Chestnut and Eleventh Streets.
fSigncd) NETTIE THOMPSON,
". H. Greene. late Of New York. insured a few
years since in the Berkshire Life Insurance Com
pany for -. 500; but owing to misfortune in busi-
ness was unable 70 make any payment 70 the
Company during year and nve months prior to
hls decease. l have this day paid lat the New
York Office Of the Company, IL Broadway, corner
oi Chamcers street three thousand TIVE hundred
and nnety-nine dollars. this being the full amount
due TO ms widow. after deducting the overdue pay
ments and interest
J. H. FRANCISCUS,
New York, March 18th, 20. Superintendent
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

The Pal Hall Gazette says: Lady
Franklin, it appears, has received no
tice to quit her house at Keningston-
gore. and letter appeared in the
Times, yesterday, signed "Ons ef
the Public" expressing indignation,
and, among other matters, spoke Of
Lady Franklin's "straigbtened means.
Lady Franklin has, ia consequence,
written the letter which follows:
II am deeply touched By the SYM
pathy Of your correspondent in nv
behalf, knowing IS I read that il eI-
presses the feeling Of many whoss Of
fectionate solicitude must be the pride
and joy of my remaining yesr. But
/ beg your permission to clear up one
point On which there may be misap-
prehension- Ny income. secured TO
me for life upon entailed property, Is
sufficient for my principal wants snd
very quiet style Of living, and | de-
sire TO acknowledge gratefully the
Tact when three years ago I received
an addition to It which, as in duty
bound, | represented to the Lords
Commissioners OF the Admiralty,
they conferred upon me, nevertheless,
the boon Of confirming my Admiral's
widows pension The low rent aud
peculiar character Of the modest home
| am now summoned to quit permit
me the otherwise unattainable advaa-
tage to nv health Of spending the
worst months Of the year in warm
climates, from which / return only
the more eagerly to a home on which
a have spent all could spare 70 make
it habitable and convenient But the
indulgence sought for me must be
founded rather upon consideration for
my increasing inirmities than upon
the exigencies Of poverty from
which ! an happily preserved.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

An old farmer said Of his clergy
man. whose sermon lacked point
"Ah yes he's o good man, bat he
uiU rake with the teeth upwards. :"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

A little girl wanting . fan, bat not
being able to remember the word,
said she, wanted, a thing to brush
of the warmth with"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
Read the Following List of
Claims Paid.

James Joice. New York City, q, 600, payrnen;
overdue months.
p II. G. Hampe, New York City, o., 900. pay
menf overdue months and DAYS.
Mrs. q. b. Hart, Chicago, III, 5000, payment
overdue months and Is days
H. F. Moore. Boston, Mas, e. 900, payment
overdue msnths and 10 days.
James II. Adair, New Maysville, Ind, e, 600
payment overdue months aud days.
Bernard OGrady, Detroit Mich. s.. 600, pay
ment overdue 2 years. 10 months and II days.
Jones d. EstabrOok. Fitehburg, Mass, o.. 600,
payment overdue years month and days
GOODCHILD x nARSHALI- Agents.
June I2-T2 Somerset Pa
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
IN STOYST0WN.

The undersigned. proprietor Of the Diamond
Hotel. the southeast corner Of the Diamond, be
Ing induced by his many friends, would say 10 the
travelling public that he is prepared 20 receive
and Hospitality entertain all who may give him a
call His house Will be conducted with the best
order and furnish fine accommodations.
SAMUEL CUSTER,
Stoys;Ovn, Pa, April l7th, ls72-
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

The following, from a village
chureh-yard in Georgia, is touching /:
"Open your eyes,
For here Les
AL that can roI
Right were she sos,
W ben she vas happy,
Our Elixa Jane,
Called home again.
To Join her pappy'
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16
FAMILY MACHINE
Now Manufactured.

And we solicit an examination of n AGENTS want
81 In every county, u whom We viii give the most
liberal terms.
EATON BROS, 70 Filth Ave, Pittsburgh. Pa.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-10-16

For example; Suppose you are thirty-hve years
OF age and take a Reserve Fund Policy al or
dilITy life rates.
one annual payment viii insure you years and
} DAYS.
Two annual payments viii insure you years
and L days.
Three annual payments viii insure you 5 years
and p days.
Five annual payments VIII insure YOU 10 years
and So days.
Six annual payments viii insure you Il years
and II days.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-18
The Examinations at Rome.

The Roman illuminations in honor OF
the Kings entry were very splendid.
Romans are fastidious about fireworks.
Says the London Orchestra: The
Piazza del Popolo was very pretty, q
fairy pavilion Of light, or a bower, rath.
er, the great obelisk forming the cen.
trail support. Lines stretching from
the top of the circle of Pail were hung
with light bouquets, bunches of grapes,
and all sorts of pretty devices. An inn
mense revolving Star Of Italy at the
base of the obelisk, looking toward Via
del Balbuino, Corso, and Rippetta,
blazed with electric light. Via Rip
petta was q continuous grove of flower.
lamps all the way to the Senate House.
The Rotonda was lighted a la Bengal,
and the obelisk in the Piazza was q
beautiful palm tree. But the Cam.
pidoglio was the great success of all.
The ancient temples were restored in
lines of light produced by innumerable
gas jets; a great star shone upon the
summit of the tower, and the palace of
the Senator disappeared behind an
embroidered tapestry whose stitches
were colored lamps. The porphyry
statue of old Rome sat triumphant be.
tween her river-gods, and Marcus An.
relius, on his prancing charger, seemed
just awakening from an enchanted
sleep; over all, the splendid moon
shining peacefully in the deep-blue sky,
lighting up the temples and the ruins
just behind this gay scene, to the de-
spair of any mortal pyrotechnist.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-18
A Valuable Souvenir.

Says the Fort Wayne Sentinel: eve
were shown, a day or two ago, the iden-
tical ring worn by Edward Kean in his
great persOnatiOn of Cardinal Wolsev.
BY the elder Kean it was given to his
son, Charles Kean, and by him to
Col. Charles Carol Hicks, Of this city.
The ring is massive gold, clasping a
large Scotch pebble of marvellous
brilliancy. The stone was picked up
by the elder Kean on the margin of one
of the beautiful Scotch lakes, and cut
by celebrated London lapi,lary. The
ring is engraved Charles Kean to Col.
Charles G. Hicks, January LIST, 1866. "
It has been worn by the two Keans up-
wards of GO years upon the stage, and
on that account, large sums of money
have been offered by eminent English
actors to Col. Hicks for the souvenir. -
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-18
A Strange Fox.

Tho following story we find in the
Philadelphia Press IS s'Now we know
that the 'opera glasses used by Ches-
ter county fox-hunters are the kind
that hold about pint each. The other
day party of hunters, with a large
pack of hounds, pursued Reynard to
the farm of Mr.. Newcomer, and the
dogs failing to follow the trail further
than the barn, it was supposed the fox
took refuge inside. Search was made.
and the animal discovered in the back
end Of the cattle stalls. Then a fox.
hunter procured basket, crept cau-
tiously up to the fox, clapped the bas-
ket over it, and cried, Il have him /! I
have him = The basket and contents
were dragged carefully to the light, and
Mr.. Fox proved to be an old horse COL
lar. How Is that for opera glasses 2 F"