davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Signature of the Cross.

The mark which persons who are unable
to write are required to make instead of
their signature, is in the form Of a cross
and this practice, having formerly been
followed by kings and mobiles, is constantly
referred to as an instance of the deplorable
Ignorance Of ancient times. This sigma
ture is not, however, invariably proof of
such ignorance. Anciently the use of the
mark was not confined to illiterate per-
sons; for among the Saxons the mark of
the cross, as an attestation Of the good
faith of the persons signing, was required
to be attached to the signature of those
who could write, as well as to stand in the
place of the signature of those who could
not write. In those times, if a man could
write or even read, his knowledge was con-
sidered proof presumptivc that he was in
holy orders. The clericus, or clerk, was
synonymous with pennman; and the laity,
or people who were not clerks, did not feel
any urgent necessity for the use of letters.
The ancient use Of the cross was therefore
universal, alike by those who could and
those who could not write; it was, indeed,
the symbol Of an oath, from its sacred as
sociations, as well as the mark generally
adopted. Hence the origin of the ex-
preston "God save the mark as form
Of ejaculation approaching the character Of
an oath.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

Immediately after the declaration of
war with England, in 1872, Elbert Ander-
son, Of New York, then contractor, visit
ed Troy, where he purchased a large quan-
tity ofprovisions. The inspectors Of the
articles at that place were Ebenezer and
Samuel Wilson. The latter gentleman
universally known as ''Uncle Sam gem
orally superintendent in person large
number Of workmen, who, on this occasion,
were employed in overhauling the provi-
sions purchased by the contractor The
casks were marked "E. A.-U. s." Their
inspection fell to the lot Of a facetious fel-
low, who, on being asked the meaning of the
mark, said he did not know, unless it meant
Albert Aadersoa and Uncle Sam alludinp
to Uncle Sam WILSON. The joke took
among the workmen, and passed currently
and 'sUncle Sam, when present, was often
rallied by them on the increasing extent
Of his possessions.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

Anquetil, in his Histoire de France,
1905, has the following in reference to
this mode Of ehastisement
They (the two crusading kings, Richard
Ceur de Leon and Philip Augustas) af-
terwards made in concert the laws Of po-
lice which should be observed in both
their armies. No women, except washer
women, were to be permitted to accompany
the troops. Whoever killed another was,
according to the place where the crime
should be committed, to be cast in the sea,
or buried alive, bound to the corpse Of the
murdered person. Whoever wounded an
other was to have his hand cut of; who
ever struck another should be plunged
three times into the sea; and whoever
committed theft should have ,carm pitch
poured our his head, telich should then
be po,0dered ,oitt feathers, and the offend
er should afterwards be left abandoned on
the first shore.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

This word can easily be traced 20 a
Greek origin. The verb skedaannn,i, Of
which the rool is steda, is used freely by
Thurcydides, Heroditus, and other Greek
writers in describing the dispersion Of q
routed army From the root skesa the
word skedaddle is formed by simply adding
the euphonious termination die and dou-
bling the d, as required by the analogy Of
our language in such words In many
words Of undoubted Greek extraction,
much greater changes are made. \
The Swedes have similar word, slNtl-
deaaali, and the Danes another, slededehl,
both Of which have the same signiication
An old version Of the Irish New Testa-
ment contains the following passage, For
it is written, | win smite the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock shall be sgedad
ol" This compound Irish word sgedad Of
Gall scattered or utterly routed) was prob-
ably used by some Irishman at Bul Run,
and, being regarded as felicitous. was at
once sdopted.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Extraordinary Result of Kindness.

A servant Of the Rev. Rowland Hill
suddenly died, and his master preached
his funeral sermon to numerous audience,
in the course of which he mentioned the
followinganecdote: Many persons present
were acquainted with the deceased, and
have had it in their power to observe his
character and conduct. They can bear
witness that | speak the truth, when |
assert that for number of yeas past he
has proved himself a perfectly sober, honest
industrious, and religious man, faithfully
performing, as far as lay in his power, the
duties of his station in life, and serving
God with constancy and zeal and yet this
very man, this virtuous and pious man,
was once robber on the highway. More
than thirty years ago, he stopped me on
the high-road, and demanded my money.
Not at all intimidated, argued with him.
| asked what could induce him to pursue
so iniquitous course Of life. II have
been coachman, sir, said ne, but am now
out Of place, and not being able to get a
character, can get no employment and am
therefore obliged to resort to this means of
gaining a subsistence. | desired him to
call upon me he promised he would, and
kept his word. | talked further with
him, and offered to take him into my
service, He consented; and ever since
that period he has served me faithfully,
and not me only, but he has faithfully
served his God, And instead of having
finished his life in public ignominious
manner, with depravcd and hardened
mind, as he probably would soon have
done, he has died in peace, rejoicing IN
hope, and prepared, We trust, for the society
Of just men made perfect.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
The Old woman.

1t was thus few days ago, we heard a
stripping Of sixteen designate the mother
who bore him. BY coarse husbands we
have heard wives 50 called occasionally.
though in the latter case the phrase is
more often used endearingly. At all
times, as commonly spoken, it jars upon
the ears and shocks the sense. An old
woman should be an object of reverence
above and beyond almost all other phases
of humanity. Her very age should be her
surest passport to courteous consideration.
The aged mother of grown up family
needs no other certificate of worth. She
is a monument ofexcellence, approved and
warranted. She has fought faithfully athe
good fight and came of eonqueror. Upon
her venerable face she hears the marks
of the conflict in all its furrowed lines.
The most erieyous of the ills of life have
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Our Q)lio.
Sam PatOh's Last Leap.

While in Rochester met Mr. Hebbard,
an old resident of Genesee county, who
saw Sam Patch make his famous jump of
Genesec Falls, thirty or forty years ago.
He says the day was great day in Ro-
chester The people gathered for miles
around to see this intermittent American
jump, as he performed his last feat
Sam Patch had previously jumped over
Niagara. Then, saying "some things can
be done as well as others" he slashed
around through the Western part of the
State to back up his proverb. Before his
last jump he bought big black bear of a
circus man, and led him over the turnpike
to Rochester
The morning of the day came. Sam
had arrived in town with the black bear,
and the crowd rushed into Rochester
from miles around Twelve O'Clock was
the hour to jump--to jump a hundred feet
downtown the terrible fall into the
boiling cauldron below. A staging had
been built out over the water, and Sam
appeared on the staging dressed in sailors
fancy jacket His friends now took up a
collection on shore, while Sam swung his
hat and said, after jumping himself, he
would return and throw the bear over.
Then, amid deathlike stiffness, he ran a
few steps and gave one leap into the air
and fell, cutting the mist, like lead-sinker,
two hundred feet into the seething whirl.
pool. As he left the staging his body
assumed an oblique position, his head
foremost, but above his feet. As he struck
the water there was dreadful silence
while the populace awaited with choking
breath his temperance. One minute
two minutes three minutes, and no signs
of the daring jumper. Then the people
set up loud wail-a long murmur Of
sorrow. This was the end Of Sam Patch
They say he had been drinking during
the morning, and failed to keep his fee,
together and his body perpendicular, as on
previous occasions So when he struck the
water the breath left his body, and he wai
knocked senseless. A month or so after
ward they found his body away down below
Rochester, drifted upon the rocks Com
mercial Adrertiser.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
cfafts for the Curious.
Mind Your P's and o's.

II would be curious thing, if they
could be traced out, to ascertain the origin
Of half the quaint old sayings and maxims
that have come down TO the present time
from unknown generations. Who, for ex-
ample, was aDick, who had the odd-look-
ing "hat-band,r and who has so long been
the synonym or representative of oddly
acting people? Who knows anything au-
thentic Of the leanness Of Jobs turkey"
who has so many followers in the ranks Of
humanity? Scores of other sayings there
are, concerning which similar questions
might be asked. Who ever knew, until
comparatively late years, what was the Or
igin of the cautionary saying, ''Mind your
Ps and Q's"? A modern antiquarian,
however, has put the world right in rela-
tion to that saying. In ale-houses in the
olden time, when chalk "scores" were
marked upon the wall, or behind the door
Of the tap-room, it was customary to put
the initials "P' and 20" at the head of
every mans account, TO show the number
Of "pints' and quarts for which he was
in arrears; and we may presume many a
friendly rustic to have tapped his neighbor
on the shoulder, when he was indulging
too freely in his potations, and to have ex-
claimed, as he pointed to the chalk-score,
"Mind your P's and Qs, man mind your
Ps and Q's" The writer from whom we
CLEAN this information mentions sn anus
ing anecdote in connection with il, which
had its origin in London, at the time
Learned Phi" was attracting the attention
Of half the town A theatrical wag, who
attended the porcine performances, malici-
ously set before the four-legged actor some
peds--a temptation which the animal
could not resist, and which Immediately
occasioned him to lose the "cue" given
him by the Snowman. The pig-exhibitor
demonstrated with the author of the mis-
chief on the unfairness of what he had
done to which he replied, Il only wanted
to know whether the pig knew his peas
from his 'cues I -
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

The following simple method of drilling
a hole in glass, may interest many readers !:
First secure over the place to be drilled, a
thin piece Of pine, with hole in ii the
size of the one you want to drill. The
thin stuff used in backing picture-frames
will answer for this purpose. This is
simply guide for steadying the drill at
starting The drill is brass tube Of the
size desired, the thinner the better. Put
centre into the top of it and run with a
common bow like that used in drilling by
watchmakers. Feed the drill with rather
fine emery and keep wet with saturated
solution Of gum camphor in spirits of tur-
pentine, and you can drill glass as easily as
brass. The tubular drill cuts out circular
core, and the hole can be smoothed or
enlarged to any desirable extent, with a
round file wet with the solution referred
to. Keep the drill upright
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Old Hundred.

The history of this old psalm-tune, which
almost every one has been accustomed to
hear ever since he can remember, is the
subject Of a work recently written by an
English clergyman. Luther has generally
been considered the author of aOld Hun
dred," but it has been pretty satisfactorily
ascertained that ii was composed in the
sixteenth century, and certainly previous
to 1546, by William Franc, German.
In the course Of time its arrangement has
undergone repeated alterations; and it is
said that, as it originally appeared, it was
Of more lively character than at present.
Many Of these attentions have been care
fully preserved and may be seen BY refer
ence to Moore's Encyclopedia Of Music.
The oldest copy Of it that has been pre-
served was published in France, in Marot
and Beza's Psalms, 1850. 1t contrasts as
broadly with the present style of musical
notation as does the English Of Chaucer
with that Of Noah Webster.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Brother Jonathan.

The origin Of this term, as applied to
the United States, is as follows: When
General Washington, after having been ap-
pointed commander Of the Revolutionary
War, went to Massachusetts to organize il,
he found a great want Of ammunition and
other means Of defence; and on one occa-
sion il seemed that no means could be de-
vised for the necessary safety. jonathan
Trumbull, the elder, was then Governor Of
Connecticut; and the General, placing the
greatest reliance on his exceIlency's judg-
ment, remarked, aWe must consult Broth
er Jonathan on the subject" The Gen.
eral did 20, and the Governor was success.
full in supplying many Of the wants Of the
army aud thenceforward, whom difficulties
arose, and the army was spread over the
country, it became a by-phrase, aWe must
consult Brother jonathan" and the name
has now become a designation for tho
whole country, as John Bull has for Eng
land.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

The Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown has
been lecturing in Liverpool on ''The People
Of America In speaking of the physique
of the American people, he said the pro-
portion oftall men was much greater than
in England, although it was very rarely
that fresh, jolly looking face was to be
seen in the United States. The people of
America, he considered, were distinguished
for their sobriety, but among our weak
nesses the reverend gentleman particularly
specified the love of inery. In personal
cleanliness the Americans seemed to him
superior to Englishpcople. In conclusion,
he noticed the extreme affability Of Ameri-
cans.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

A professional hunter, named Repzs,
was out hunting this week, says the Port
land 0regoaiaa, December 9Th, on Mar
tins island, down the Columbia. The
hunter was accompanied BY young hound
only, which started some animal little
distance away IN the dense brush. Reps
ran from the thick timber IN which hs wa,
standing, toward the edge Of the water. A
clear space Of several rods divided the brush
and the river margin. On reaching the
bank, Repzs halted and placed himself in
an attitude Of defense. In few minutes
the hound emerged from the timber and
came running toward it's master. Imme-
diately following the dog, and in hot pursuit
a large and ferocious panther bounded IN
sight. Reps raised his gun TO his shoulder
and fired. The ball took effect IN the
jaws Of the animal, but did not in6ict any
serious injury, nor retard It's advance toward
the hunter. On firing, Reps retreated
into the water up 70 his arm-pits The
wounded and infuriated animal sprang
sitter and tackled the hunter. The dog
came to the rescue Of his master, and
made il 80 warm for the panther that Il
abandoned Repzs and turned on the hound
Renzs ,radcd out fo1xarj N. h.xL <...*.<n
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Blue Stocking.

IL was the fashion in London, in 1881,
for the ladies to have evening assemblies,
where they might participate in converse
tion with literary men. These societies
acquired the name Of Blue-iStockiag Clubs,
an appellation which has been applied to
pedantic females ever since. II arose
from the custom of Mr.. Stillingheet, one
Of the most eminent members, wearing
blue stockings. Such was the excellence
of his conversation, aud his absence was
so great a loss, that it used to be said,
ave can do nothing without the Blue
Stockings" and thus the title was gradu-
ally established In Hannah More poem
Bas bleu, many of the most conspicuous
members are mentioned
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
gllr sportsman.



The Icelanders, says the National Mag
asiae, take no active part IN the whale
fishery, but devote themselysa, as rule.
to that Of shark and cod They fish prin.
cipally from light open boats, with project
ing prows, and carrying only one small
lug-sail. Row-boats are preferred on &C.
count Of the number Of hands required.
The Icelandic fishermen are described as
possessing power Of endurance, an ability
to keep the sea IN all weathers, and
courage above all praise they seoru 70 take
provisions Of any kind 70 sea, though they
never neglect to carry their snuii-horns.
II is greatly TO be deplored that these hardy
mariners are 80 careless both rs 10 their
personal comforts and as to the seaworthi-
ness Of their craft, since TO these faults
may doubtless be traced the fact that forty
per cent Of the deaths Of the men are
caused BY drowning. When vessel d in
search Of sharks, il is anchored at q place
where they are presumed b be---in pre-
ference, near the rising edge Of bank.
The anchor used is generally a four prong
ed iron grapple, weighing about $50 pounds,
with fifteen to twenty fatboms nine-sixieen
inch iron chain cable, and $50 fathom
long hawser. When anchored, the fishing
commences. If nothing is caught, the po-
sition is shifted until the shark Is found
and If the take is good, the vessel remains
at the post, and rides out the storm II
necessary The lines uaed are Of the
thickness Of deep-sea headlines, fastened
to three fathoms Of chain, in the middle Of
which leaden weight Of ten pounds to
thirteen pounds Is fixed. Under this
strong six-inch hook is fastened I; the entire
hook is covered with bait, and ii is notch
ed inside the bend to prevent the latter
slipping down. When the shark is hauled
up to the surface it is killed by means Of
long spear. A harpoon is then fixed in
It, and the rope fastened to the ships side;
after which the carcase is ripped up BY a
knife affixed to pole, and the liver is
taken out and placed in barrels, and slowed
away in the hold. The value Of carcase
is about Is. 3D. The flesh is sold to the
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18
Church Music.

A good way to entice the multitude into
our churches on Sundays is to have good
music and to have It good, let familiar
tunes he sung to familiar words, and let It
be considered the religious duty of every
soul to participate.
Music is emotional it is prayer, and
praise, and worship, all in the one. To
sing from the heart, feel the sentiment the
words express, is the very form Of divine
worship. 1t is truth, and doctrine, and
humility, and thanksgiving, all in one.
And when it is so much to the Christian
heart, such great aid to worship; when
it is the passage-way Of the soul from earth
to heaven, surely everything possible should
be done to encourageand enable every hear
er in religious assembly to ',join in, and
perhaps there is no quicker, no easier, no
more efficient way to have every man,
woman and child, sing in a religious
assembly, than to have fewer tunes, few
er hymns, and let each hymn have its
characteristic tune. A great part of the
enthusiasm of large assemblies in singing
national hymn is the universally with
which it is sung With what tremendous
effect is a chorus sometimes sung when
every human being seems to join in |
Depend upon it, musie is greater quick
ener of religious thought, of heavenly
emotion, than preaching or prayer and all
other instrumentalities combined. A main
reason why some churches succeed in
nglarge numbersin their places of
meeting may be the deep earnestness with
which every man, woman and child seems
to JUN in the songs of paise.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

DRINKING HEALTHs.-The drinking Of
healths originated during the Danish occu-
patton Of Britain. The Danes frequently
stabbed Englishmen while in the act Of
drinking, and it finally became necessary
for the English, in view Of the constant
repetition Of this dastardly mode Of assas-
sination, to enter into compact to be
mutual pledges Of security for each others
health and preservation. Hence the Gus
tom Of pledging and drinking healths.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

When Ms. Stanton was delivering her
lecture on the Coming Girl" in Green
Bay, Wisconsin, she told how her father,
when they were going over the highlands
Of Scotland together, had pair of boots
made for her, After the lecture, bronze.
face, fuzzy individual said to her; "An
wi ye shek haan's wi the maan wha made
thebooties for ye?" and there be was. shs
did.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

A correspondent sends to London pa
per an account Of visit to two islands off
the west coast Of Ireland, called North and
South Inishkea, where the inhabitants are
absolutely heathens. He writes The
religion Of these islanders is confined to
the worship Of large wooden idol. This
is no exaggerated figure Of the Virgin Ma
ry, but rudely carved image of man,
about eight feet high, dressed in long
flannel gown" This is kept in shed,
and when storms arise it is taken to the
shore and besought to abate them, etc.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

There b an imperative demand for good
tenor singers In our various charch choirs,
which Ia totally unsupplied. We do not
believe there are half dozen in New York
and Brooklyn, outside ofthe Episcopal and
Roman Catholic churches. = Church n.
tetligmoer.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

Every man, however good he may be,
has yet better man dwelling within him,
which Is properly. himself, but to whom,
nevertheless, he Is often unfaithful. II is
to the interior and less mutable being that
we should attach ourselves, not 10 the
changeable, everyday man,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

The Episcopal Bishop Of Nebraska Is
now engaged in erecting the thlrty-secoud
church Of bis original missionary jurisdic.
tion since the commencement Of his epIsco,
pate, SIX years ago.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

VULGARITY OF OvERDREssING.-
surer sign Of vulgarity exists than an inor-
dinate love of Snowy dress. Toilets, even
when tasteful as to color and style, denote,
ifhabitually rich and snowy, mental vulgar
ity, their transparent design being, by SUI
perfcial material means, to impress the
beholder. The refined beholder is unfa-
vorably impressed, suspecting such outward
richness to be mask of inward poverty.
Hence, prevalent fashion of costly dress
ing betrays general vulgarity. The finest
type Of ladyhood recoils offended, from her
mirror, if seeing herself besilked, and be-
feathered, and bejewelled, for a morning
walk or drive. She will be simply elegant
in her attire, indoors or out, as in her
manners; and will not exhibit, either in
the one or the other, the slightest effort to
outyie her neighbor,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

Would you marry and be happy? To
an ounce Of love add at least q grain of
good sense and Judgment in choosing
a companion.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

Edwin A. Stevens, Jr., Of Hoboken, N.
j., is II years old and worth $40, 900, 900.
Il viii probably he the ruin Of him.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

A ship has arrived in the Thames freight.
ed with manure from Australia, for trial
IN England.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-18

An order has just been issued to expel
the gyrsies from Italy,