davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
RIDGWAY, Pa, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1872.

terday. "A curious book for young
lady to read, ia it not, my friendsl" he
said, reading the title aloud, "An
about poisons.' But you would not
wonder at the selection if you had heard
her soliloquy, her fiendish plot to poison
my bride. Does it seem pcssit le that
lady guest of mine is a murderess at
heart None but a fiend could be oapa-
BILE of such cold -blooded deed But,
most happily for us both, 1 thwarted
you. The poisoned drink you prepared
for Ethel she did not taste, for l emptied
the glass. And now, Miss Vaugn leave
my presence. have just ordered your
maid to pack your trunks Immediately,
and may you go out into the world q
wiser and better woman for this
nights sad lesson"
Thanks, monsieur, for your kind
wishes; but only week since you
thought the fiend' was very wise and
beautiful, you know said Bernice, with
a low laugh, as she left the room.
A year later Philip and Ethel read of
her marriage to a man old enough to be
her father, but who was as rich as
Cr9sus.
"Poor Bernice," Ethel murmured.
"Why poor, dearest 7" Phil asked.
Because she has sold herself for
gold, and can never know the Joy of
loving and being loved" was her reply.
-Wdeerlv Magazine.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
How they Shave In China.

A fellow who has been shaved in
China says that his barber first stropped
the razor on his leg, and then did the
shaving without any lather. The GUS
toner demonstrated, but was told that
the lather was entirely useless, and had
tendency to make the hair stiff and
tough, and was, therefore, never used by
persons who had any knowledge of the
face and its appendages.
After the beard had been taken off
and it was done in very short time
the barber took long, sharp, needle
shaped spoon, and began to explore his
customers ears. He brought up from
numerous little crevices bits of wax and
dirt, that had been accumulating since
his childhood. The barber suddenly
twisted his subjects neck to one side in
such manner that,it cracked as if the
vertebr@ had been dislocated.
"Hold on" shouted the party, alarm
ed for the safety of his neck.
"All right" replied the tonsor, "me
no hurt you," and he continued to jerk
and twist the neck until it was as Timber
as an old lady's dish-rag. He then fell
to beating the back, breast, arms and
sides with his fists, then he pummeled
the muscles until they fairly glowed
with the beating they received. He
then dashed bucket of cold water ovel
his man, dried the skin with towels, ant
declared that his work was done
Price, two cents.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
Skoptsy in Ronmania.

Among the numerous religious sects
found in Russia the strangest and most
unnatural is that of Skoptsy. Born of
an Interpretation as barbarous as it is
literal of the text-"If thy eye offend
thee, pluck it ont etc.--the fundament-
al dogma of this sect is mutilation,
which is soN of baptism or circum-
cision of its converts.
In spite of the endeavors of the Rus
sian Government to prevent their MAX
ing proselytes, they have not only
maintained an existence in certain parts
of the empire, but actually seem to in
crease, as their number is variously esti-
mated at from seven hundred and fifty
thousand to one million. Indeed, some
writers say their number is much greater
than even million. They are gener-
ally well-to-do, and many Of them are
rich, which accounts, doubtless, in q
measure, for the non-success of the gov
ernment in its endeavors to destroy
them. They buy immunity from the
provincial authorities, and thus have
been able to maintain an existence for
four or five hundred years, although,
owing to the nature of their fundamental
dogma, they would soon die out if they
made no proselytes.
Nevertheless, the energetic measures
resorted to from time to time by the
Russian Government have driven a GER
tain number of them to Moldavia,
where, owing to the corruption of the
courts and the instability Of the govern
ment, they can live in greater security.
In fact, although Prince Michael Stour-
"a showed disposition to rid his domin-
ons of the sect, which in his time was
represented by about eighty members,
his measures remained dead letter, and
to-day the city of Jassy alone contains
six hundred Skopts, who are among the
most thrifty of its citizens.
A deplorable circumstance recently
called public attention to them. The
corpse of q young Russian girl that had
been clandestinely buried was discov-
cred, and it was found that she had died
while submitting to the operation prac-
tised by these people on their proselytes.
The discovery, as was very natural, Gre
ated great excitement, and the govern
ment took the matter in hand. At first
it seemed that energetic measures would
be adopted to put an end to these
shameful barbarities; but the Skopts
have found means to silence the officials
The courts have declared that there is
no law under which the sect can be pro-
ceeded against. The laws of Moldavia
it would seem, are alike insufficient fol
the protection of the Jews and for the
abolition of the barbarous' practices OF
the Skopts:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
Romance of the Telegraph.

A telegraph clerk of London. who
was engaged on a wire to Berlin, formed
an acquaintance with and an attach
ment for female clerk, who worked on
the same wire in Berlin. He made pro-
posals of marriage to her, and she ao-
cepted him without having seen him
They were married, and the marriage
resulting from their electric affinities is
supposed to have turned out as we'll as
those in which the senses are more ap-
parently concerned. These young clerks
however,s were not very rash, nor did
they marry without due acquaintance
with each other, as many prudent per
sons might suppese-for, according tc
Mr.. Scudamore, clerk at one end o.
the wire can readily tell, by the way il
which a clerk at the other does hi
work. whether he is passionate Oh
sulky, cheerful or dull, sanguine OIL
phlegmatic, i'll naturea or good ma
tured."
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
Liability of Telegraph Companies.

An important legal decision was an
nounced at the last term of the law
court in this district, which settles the
law in this State as to the liability of
telegraph companies to their employers
in case of failure to transmit or deliver
messages. AS the case George W. True
ct ais. against International Telegraph
Company is of novel impression in our
courts and of interest to the public, we
give brief statement of the facts. In
1870, George W. True & Co., of this city,
sent dispatch to their correspondents
in Baltimore, accepting an offer of a
cargo of corn at a given price and
freight. The offer had been made by
telegraph the same day, and the reply
was sent on might blank" of the In
ternational Telegraph line at the usual
night rates. The dispatch, on account
of the carelessaess of some operator on
the line west of Boston, was not duly
forwarded, and True &, Co. failed to Sc
cure the cargo of corn. As the market
price of corn and freights advanced i'm
pediately, they were obliged to buy
other corn to meet the wants of their
business at price largely in advance of
that offered. A claim was Immediately
preferred against the telegraph compa-
ny for the damage resulting from their
failure to promptly transmit the Ines
sage to its destination, which was re-
sisted by the company on the ground
that one of the conditions printed on
their might blanks" subject to which
the message was sent, was that the tele-
graph company should not be liable, in
case of failure to deliver the message, to
an amount greater than the sum paid
for its transmission-in this case, forty
eight cents. Suit was therefore
brought to recover special damages the
case was argued July, 1870, and has
been under consideration two years
the court has now rendered a decision in
which the claim of the plaintiffs is sus,
tanned in full.
The ground OF the decision was that
although telegraph companies may es.
tablish reasonable rules for the conduct
of their business, they cannot by printed
notices on their blanks relieve them
selves from the liability which the law
imposes on them from motives of public
policy; that the courts are to determine
in the last resort whether the rules anG
limitations prescribed by the company
are reasonable, and that the condition
set up in defense in this case was no
binding upon the plaintiffs, as it at
tempted to relieve the telegraph compa
ny from all liability beyond thu
amount paid for the message), whethe,
arising from carelessness, accident o.
wilful default of the company and it
servants. The measure of damage wa
declared to be the difference between
the price of the cargo offered and o
that bought to supply its place, with tn
additional freight.-POrtland (Me.l Press
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
English Cutlery.

The importation of wire and steel
goods into England was at first restrict
ed by Queen Elizabeth, in order that
home manufactures might be fostered
There was a guild of London cutters in
the time of Henry ", but the important
corporation in Sheffield was not legaliz-
ed until 1924. During the next centu-
ry, the progress of scientific invention
benefited the iron and steel manufac-
lures. The production of cast steel fur
thered the common use of knives, and
many other cutting instruments, be-
sides rendering them cheaper, better and
more abundant. Improved methods oi
smelling, casting, forging, rolling,
drawing, sharpening, polishing, damas-
cening and gliding, raised the cutters
art to high state of perfection.
Great as was the progress of this art
in the eighteenth century, it has been
far outstripred in the nineteenth
Shear steel began to be made in Shelf
field in 1900. The inventions of Mushet
and Lucus in 1900 and 1904 further ex.
tended the manufacture. Forks and
scissors were made by rolling in 1905
From this time, immense cutlery work,
sprang up in England, France and Ger
many, and the competition between the
three countries has been highly benef
cial, for while England stands undoubt
edly foremost, yet both France and Ger
many possess their own peculiar excel
lences. 5.-
Amongst the imports connected with
cutlery, there is in Sheffield an annua
consumption of more than seventy ton
of ivory for the handles of knives anC
forks, and about three thousand opera
tives are employed in forging and grind
ing the blades. An equal number o
work-people are engaged on pen an'
po ,ket knives, made annually to tn
value of 100000. Very many are oc
cupied in fabricating razors and scis
sors. The great Exhibition of 1851
and subsequent exhibitions, both il
England and elsewhere have afforde'
opportunities to the Sheffield cutters G
proving their matchless skill in domesti
and other branches of cutlery. Sword
perfect masterpices of artistic design
] were displayed, their blades damascenet
decorated with elaborate etching an
gliding upon aground q Of blue.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26

In the parish of St. Damien, county of
Berthier, Canada, there is living a wo-
man who has attained the extraordinary
age of one hundred and eight years.
She was born in 1764, at Marquette,
Mich, which was then trading station.
Her father was Frenchman named
Auger, and her mother an Indian wo-
man. She is quite blind and nearly
deaf, but still enjoys degree of physical
health and soundness of mind which are
remarkable in person SO aged.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
POETR Y.
do AS NEAR RIGHT AS YOU CAN


The world stretches widely before you,
Geld for your muscle and brain;
Andthough clouds may often float DER you,
And often como tempests and :ain,
Be fearless Of storms which o'ertake you
Push forward through all like man
Good fortune will never forsake you,
II you do as near right as you can.
Remember, the will to do rightly,
If used, will evil confound
Live daily by conscience, that mighty
Your sleep NAV be peaceful and sound.
In contests Of right never wavor-
Lot honesty shape every plan,
And life will of Paradise SAVIOR,
If you do as near right as you can.
Though foes darkest scandal may speed,
And strive with their shrewdost of tact,
To .njure your fame, never heed,
But justly and honestly act;
And ask Of the Ruler Of Heaven
To save your fair name as man,
And all that you ask will be given.
II you do as near right as You can
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26

A Connecticut editor says; sour
early peas came up in two days alter
they were planted, this year. Any
body's will, if the hens are allowed to
run in the garden"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26

Tie following from an experienced
London firm seems to throw light on ar
important step in the gradual prepara-
ton of the Californian diamond scheme
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05
TERMS:
evening State SunrnaI.

The BANQUET Of the Alexandra
Commercial Exchange, which we had the
good fortune Of attending last week, was
amost successful and satisfactory affair.
The merchants and manufacturers of
Alexandra met with their customers, and
invited guests from other cities, to dedi-
cate their new and beautiful hall. Good
speeches and toasts were mingled properly
with the abundant viands provided by
the generous entertainers. Fraternal good
feeling prevailed, and everybody was hap
py. We hope that this pleasant occasion
may prove to be the dawn Of a new day
for Alexandra. She ought to be one of
the great manufacturing cities of the conti-
nent. Her people, as we are glad to see,
are now rising from their stupor and hes
itancy to put themselves in the path of pre-
gress. She has our best wishes and our
earnest aid in all efforts to achieve better
future. aa.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

POLICE ITEMS.-Spencer G.. Marks,
charged with stealing a gold hunting case
watch, five gold finger-rings, one LADY, g
gold necklace, and 1915 in gold, silver and
currency, all of the value of $50, the pro-
perty of VIM. H. Lipscomb, of Washing
ton city, was arrested in this city on Sat-
urday by Detectives Rogers and Dan
Wren. Marks was committed to Jail to
await requisition from the authorities of
Washington city.
George Benedict and George S. Webb,
were arrested on Saturday morning on the
charge Of attempting to poison Bette
Short. Owing to the nonappearace of an
important witness for the Commonwealth,
tho case was continued till Wednesday.
Henry Tyler, charged with being drunk
in the street and resisting the authority of
the police, was fined s..
James Trent and John Green, charged
with stealing lot of manufactured tobac-
CO, valued at 1.50, the property of W. S.
o. Mayo. Found. guilty and sent to Jail
for fifteen days.
Maria Smith, charged with stealing watch,
valued at $l2, the property Of VIM. Burks.
Watch taken under color of right. Dis
charged.
Nelson Harris, charged with abusing
Preston Mayo, his father-in-law, and Pres
ton Mayo charged with abusing and threat
ening the life of Nelson Harris. Both par
ties bound over to be of good behavior.
Sarah Brown, charged with stealing two
dollars, the property of VIM. Meredith.
Sent to Jail for thirty days.
A deaf and dumb colored man, name
unknown, was up on the charge of stealing
lot of bags from Bowman & Watson.
Committed.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05
AUCTION SALES.

VIM. IRA SMITH, Receiver of the Bank o
Pittsylvania, in the matter of Harvey Terry
against the President, Directors 4 Co. of SAID
bank, win sell on Friday, March sth, at II
o'clock A. NJ, in front of the United States
CustomHouse, on Bank street, bills, golt
claim, Confederate notes, &C., in his hand:
as receiver in said cause.
M. F. PLEAsANTS and E. NJ Garnett, special
commissioners, in the matter of Harvey
Terry vs. Monticello Bank, will sell on
Tuesday, February 2oth, two valuable
farms, in Henrico county, seven miles west
OF Richmond.
II. X. POLLARD, assignee of Joseph A. Pynes.
will sell on Tuesday, February Goth, at Mil
ler's Tavern, Essex county, valuable real
estate, and lot of shoses in action.
w. NJ DAVIDSON, assignee of G.. Watson
Scott, will sell on Friday, l6th February,
near Prospect depot, on the Southside rail-
road, 290 acres of valuable land.
T. H. CAMPBELL, trustee, and W. b. Tabb,
assignee, of J. H. Neal, will sell on Friday,
March LIST, at Jetersville, Amelia county,
275 acres Of valuable lands. 81. -
JOHN r. KILBY will sell ON Monday Mar ch
4th, at Isle of Wight Courthouse, the tract
of land known as "White Marsh"
YOUNG l. CLEMENTS, trustee, will sell on
Tuesday, February 18th, in King William
county, valuable lands and personal pro.
perty
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

THE BOILER EXPLosIoN.-On Satur-
day, soon after it occurred, we gave SUBJ
stantially correct account of the terrific
boiler explosion in the bark mill of Messrs.
Maury, Wagner & Co., on Ninth street,
between the canal and river. August Von-
delehr, the engineer, who was so badly in
jured, was subsequently removed to his
home, where he died abeut nine o'clock
Saturday night. Immediately after the
accident DR.. M. A. Rust was conveyed to
the injured man, and gave every attention
in his power. The body was found to be
literally scalded all over, and one eye utter
ly destroyed. The immediate cause of
death was the inhalation of steam, which
had so injured the respiratory organs as to
render recovery impossible.
y Vondelehr was steady and sober man,
and an excellent machinist. He leaves a
wife and three children to mourn his
sudden and dreadful death. He was a
German, and about thirty-three years of
age. His funeral took place on yesterday,
from the Marshall street Catholic church,
and was largely attended. z.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

CHANCERY CoURT-Hon. E. II. Fuz-
uhgh. Judge.-The following cases were
disposed of Saturday:
O'Neil's executor VS.. Isaac A. Goddin,
&c. Order directing James E. Goddin, a
purchaser, to show cause on the 18th Feb
ruary, 1872, why he does not comply with
the terms of sale made under former de-
cree in this cause.
Mitchells executor vs. Mitchell and
others; Fl. Y. Mitchell vs.. Mitchell, &c.
Decree referring cause to commissioner
for inquiry and account. 4
King, &C., VS.. Clash, &c. Decree con-
tirming report of commissioners and max
ing distribution of the fund on hand.
Mary Brooks VS.. VIM. Turpin, &c. De-
cree referring cause to commissioner for
enquiry, account and report. .
Streat VS.. Davenport and others. Decree
perpetuatiDg injunction as to part of the
demand against the said Streat, and dis
solving it as to the residue.
Black VS.. Tyler. Order overruling mo-
ton to dissolve the injunction heretofore
awarded in this cause, and continuing the
same.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

The first number of "The Song Mes
senger" for the new year is received; it's
pages richer than ever with instruction and
song. Without disparagement to contem-
poraneous publications of the kind, we
pronounce the "Song Messenger" to be
the best musical monthly extant. Its
pages abound with the newest and most
available music, with the best thoughts
from the best writer's upon musical topics,
accessible, and is highly instructive and
entertaining throughout.
"Mr. Roots Corner" for January, con-
tains valuable hints upon church music
and congregational singing, and will be an
ticipated from month to month, with an in
terest, second only to that we feel in wei.
coming his gems Of song. We understand
preparations are being made to publish a
new church music book, from the pen of
this favorite composer, which we confident
ly expect will eclipse all his former efforts
in this direction.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

MANY A TRUE WORD Spoken IN
JEsT.-What if certain number of the
Legislature was tight Saturday night; was
that any reason why the telegraph should
tell his wife of it? Not a bit of it. 1t
happened thusly:
The session Of Saturday having closed a
little late, ye member thought he would
dine at Ger6t's, before leaving via the Pc
tersburg train. He succeeded in reaching
the depot just in time to see the train grace
fully gliding across the bridge. Knowing
the anxiety that would be felt at home if he
failed to appear on time, he telegraphed his
wife, 81 am left will be over in the morn
ing"
Imagine his surprise when, on meeting
his usually affectionate wife, he found her
in tears, sad and distressed, because the
telegraph had made him say, 81 am tight !;
will be over in the morning." An expla-
nation was made, but knowing the hus-
bands weakness, the devoted wife required
proof, which it was impossible for him to
furnish. A scene ensued, for which we
think the telegraph should pay to the tune
of thousand or two.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05
BY A. g. Pulliam, Auctioneer.

A sSIGNEE'S SALE OF VALUABLE REAL
"A ESTATE IN THE COUNTY OF HEN.
RICO, TWO MILES FROM RICHMOND AT
AUCTION-By virtue Of decree of the Dis
trict Court of the United States for the Eastern
District Of Virginia, entered on the Gath day of
January, 1872, in the matter of ]. and d. w
Hitchcock VS.. w. L. g, Garnett, bankrupt, we
shall sell, as assignee and trustees in u deed of
trust Of said bankrupt, proceed to sell, ut public
auction, to the highest bidder, at ~ M, TUES
DAY, February 9th, 1872, in front of the
Custom House, in the city Of Richmond, GER
tain lot or piece of land containing about 81
ACRES surrendered by said bankrupt.
Said land Is on the Chesapeake and Ohio rail
road about two miles from the city of Richmond,
and will be sold free from all encumbrances
A full description will be given on the day Of
sale.
TERMS--One-third cash; balance on a credit
of six and twelve months, Will interest added
from the day Of sale; deferred payments to be
secured by a deed of trust.
CHAS. S. CONVERSE,
Assignee OF w. l.. q. Garnett.
p. w. GRUBBS, E.
A. BODEKER, Trustees
STEVEN HUNTER,
fe 5---2aw3w
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

MISS WELLESLEY, HAVING SHAKEN
OFF ALL DEAD WEIGHT, PROPOSES TO
GIVE A SERIES OF DRAMATIC READ
INGs AT VIRGINIA HALL.-The lovers
of the drama, will be delighted to learn
that Miss Wellesley has consented to give
two readings from Shakespeare, Tuesday
and Wednesday evenings, at Virginia Hall.
Those who were unwilling to be bored
and tortured by the imperfections of those
with whom this young lady was necessarily
associated at the Theatre, have now the op-
portunity of being entertained by one Of
the brightest geniuses of this continent.
We do not hesitate to recommend this
beautiful and talented young actress to our
citizens, who will not permit her to leave
Richmond with so little appreciation of her
merits as has been heretofore shown.
"Romeo and Juliet" has been selected for
Tuesday evening, and Macbeth for We'd
nesday evening.
We invite the ladies and gentlemen of
our city to an entertainment for which we
feel sure they will thank us, and predict
tor Miss Wellesley such a brilliant assem-
blage as has not greeted one of her profess
sion this season.
The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05

a GOOD NEWS FOR LOVERS OF THE
DRAMA.-The owners of Assembly Hall
have wisely determined to so arrange the in
terror of the building as to fit it for theatre
cal purposes. -...
We Know of no movement likely to cre-
ate such general satisfaction among our cit
izens who take pleasure in theatrical mat
ters.
1t will not be sufficient to complete me-
nessary stage arrangements, but the seats
must be made comfortable and so arranged
as to give fair and uninterrupted view of
all that passes in front. This must not be
neglected. AS at present arranged, those
who are in the rear of the building are
compelled to stretch their necks 10 dis
tressing extent to see what is going on in
front. Let the comfort of the audience be
consulted, and We feel safe in asserting that
Assembly Hall will be the place of Rich
mond, and its owners literally repaid for
all expense incurred.