davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

'UT8uOma ID worse. L UeltSVo ueI u y
ing You must 60 for DR.. Berne. You
will end him at the ball. Go quickly" :"
She went back and sat there wearily
waiting for sound, sign from the
dying woman; but none came. Slowly,
but perceptibly, the lines settled around
the pleasant mouth. and the dark shadows
crept over the pallid face, but no sound
issued from the pale lips.
Janet bent ber head. There was faint
flntter--no more, and she cIasped her
hands. Would grandma disappear before
her eyes and never speak-a word?
She caught the cold hand in her own
and cried aloud:
..Grandma! speak to me speak to
your little Janet! Don't you hear me,
grandma :"
But grandma heard nothing The chill
ness of death had settled down. and even
as she knelt there the spirit fed, and
Janet was alone.
She understood it all when she arose,
and sank hack half faintiug, in the arm
chair near the bed
Janet. my poor darling"
S0e Utica ueT ucdu husttu DoSWoItu
was leaning over her.
"My little girl: Why did you not
send me word tonight aud let Inc share
your sorrow I"
You Austin?'
Eyes, have I not All. forgive me
This is no time or place. l missed you
as | have always missed you. but thought
it your pleasure to remain at home. When
your father came in with a white fright
ened face. and whispered to DR.. Berne, I
knew that you we're in trouble | came
at once. and, Janet, shall not again
leave you"
She knew his meaning, and did not put
him away when he held her close in his
arms and drew her into the parlor
Margaret and Lettie coming in with
their faces horror stricken. saw him hold
ing her in his arms, her tired head resting
wearily upon his shoulder, and the prsud
Lette said:
"Mr Bosworth-I am surprised -
"You need not be this is my privilege
now and forever"
Three days afterward they gathered IL
'ne sa'he parioT W uc"r Rranuhd . VIII
and testament read. After some little di
rectious, it said
And to my beloved grand daughter
Janet Leeds, bequeth the Holmes es
tate, together with my entire stock of fur
niture and money, amounting to ter
thousand dollars"
Janet's father smiled upon his astopish
ed and crest fallen daughters.
at was mothers whim. She never
desired it to be known. Therefore yol
were ignorant of the fact that she had
dollar beyond the annuity that l held 70,
her"
When six months later, Austin ant
Janet were married, her elder sister
dared to say that he married her for hel
money He knew better, and so did |.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

intense. 1t also has an important signi-
fication. which you will do well to heed
The closing of the eye signifies that in all
your dealings with mankind you are.bound
to have one eye to business. Laying the
finger alongside the nose is emblematical
Of wisdom, and places you at once among
the knowing ones This is extremely
handy in prognosticating new weather.
and saves the wear and tear Of almaaacs
Wngging the ears signifies sublimity Of
purpose. and is thought to be emblsmatic
Of chidhoods happy hours. 1t is, also,
supposed by some profound scholars to
have distinct reference TO apple dump
lngs. but the fact is somewhat obscured
by the dust of ages. In token that you
are one of US you will now be branded
This ceremony is uncommonly impress
sive and consists of tive brands. They
are both applied while the iron is hot
and consists Of one letter Of the alphabet
each. The first is a large letter s, on
which you will please sit while the other
letter is applied to the stomach. The let
ter S. my worthy chicken. signifies scoop
ed, and refers to railroad monopolies. 1t
is also supposed to indicate the seat Of
learning-the spot where the old timo
teacher hunted for brains with a ferrule.
The second letter G. and it is applied, as
| said before, to the stomach. 1t has a
double meaning. FIRST, the application
is an agricultural one, 'corn-crib, and
has reference to the stomach as being the
great receptacle tor Bourbon whiskey =
r. J1 ha Epl
home market for corn. The second ap-
plcation of the letter G, distracted in
fant. is got hold Of as follows: When a
granger desires to ascertain for sure if
there is another of the order in the room
he gently raises himself by the slack of
his-hs unmentionabies scratches his off
thigh with his near hoof and remarks in
a voice of thunder:
Are there any grangers about?
| The answer is 'Jeesewax.'
The inquirer then says, Let us see,
Cetter O. and the other party must i'm
meliatcly pull out his stomach and dis
close the brand.
These brands are applied in such a man
uer that am enabled TO insure you that
they will wash
l was here interrupted, Mr.. Editor, by
n voley fred into the open window, evil
IDENTIFY intended for me- Fortunately |
escaped without a scratch, and, what is of
more consequence, succeeded IN bringing
off my precious manuscripts. This is
about all there is in the ceremony of any
Importance must leave the country at
"nce-armed men are at my beels-they
know am writing to expose them You
may hear from me again by mail if should
deem it best to expose the other degrees
Until then-adieu.
From your sacred friend, B. POLE
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
What Boy Knows About Girls.

Girls are the most unaccountable things
in the world--except woman. Like the
wicked flea, when you have them they
amt there. can cipher clean over the
improper fractions and the teacher says I
do it first-rato but | can't cipher out
girl proper or improper, and you can't
either. The only rule in arithmetic that
hits their case is the double rule of two
They are as full of old Nick as their skin
can hold, and they would die if they
couldn't torment somebody. When they
sey, though they amt as mean as they let
on; sometimes. they are good deal
meaner The only way to get along with
girl when she comes to you with her
nonsense is to give her tit for tat and that
will hummux her. and when you get a
girl fummuxed she is as nice as new
pin. A girl can sow more wild oats in a
day than boy can sow in year, but
girls get their wild oats sowed after a
while which boys never do. and then they
settle down as calm and placid as a mud
puddle. But like girls first-rate, and
guess the boys all do. don't care how
many tricks they play on me-and they
don't care either. The hoitytoityist girl.
in the world can always boil over like o
glass of beer. BY aud by they will ge,
into the traces with somebody they like,
and pull as steady as an old stage-horse
That is tho beauty of them. So let them
wave, say; they will pay for it some
day, sewing on buttons and trying tc
make decent man out of fellow they
have spliced on to aud ten chances to on,
if they don't get the vert of it.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
Hedges for Ornament.

Those Of our readers who have seen 4
well-trimmed hedge formed of some hand
some, flo sering shrub. need not to be told
what beautiful effect it produces during
its season of bloom. The Dentzia is now
covered with a mantle of white, and firm
hedge Of the well-known species, D. Sea-
bra, is indeed a captivating sight. This
very attractive plant is a strong grower.
entirely hardy, forms dense mass of fu-7
liagc, and appears eminently adapted for
the purpose of a hedge Of screen 1t bears
the shears with impunity, and puts ous itr
foliage early as well as holds it late
Those who desire a neat little hedge or
screen to inclose their yards, or for d.
vision in their grounds. where animals can
not injure it, will find this unexcclled for
the purpose. just at present a specimen
Dentzia hedge in the grounds of friend
is the admired of all beholders. and US We
have seen it within the last few days. .
sight to be remembered. As fur az the
eye could distinguish its outline. the paro
white covering of bloom was the Object
above all others to crafty lover Of luw-
ers.-Er. q
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
At the Virginia Springs.

The routine at all the springs is much
the same. The hotel is usually roomy
building, surrounded by porches or veran-
das. and stands in the middle Of green
lawn, dotted with the white oak or some
other of the superb trees abounding in the
Virginia mountains. In the hotel the ball
and dining-rooms and the general recep-
ton parlor are grouped; while in the
small, neatly painted, one-story cottages,
ranged in rcws, equi-distant from the ho-
tel. the visitors are lodged. There is a
host of attentive and polite colored serving
men and women, ex-valets and ex-nurses
of the "before-the-war" epoch. and they
will tell you, with pardonable pride, Il
used to belong to ole Mars -" men
tioning seme name famous in the annals
Of slave proprietership. Here. one can
thus establish the charm and seclusion of
his own home, and combine with it the
benefits accruing frem a sojourn at wat
ering- place. Society, which is usually
very good, crystalizes in the parlors OF
hotels and in the ballro rooms, where bands
of colored musicians discourse the latest
themes Of Strauss and Gungl When one
tires of dancing and of the promena les to
the springs" there are the mountains,
and the strolls along the ridges thousands
of feet above the level of the sea, where
the air is always pure aud inspiring
There is no gaming, save an Innocent
Whist party by some sleepy Old boys who
lurk in the porches, keeping out of the
strong morning sun; there is no Saratog.
ian route of carriage and drag; no crowd
ed street, with ultra style predominant il
every costume; nothing but simplicity
sensible enjoyment, and excellent taste
In the sunny mornings the ladies ant
their cavaliers wander about the mountain
pathways; dress does not exact homag,
until diuner-time, and the children joil
with their parents in the ssrolls and prom
enades, followed by the venerable .auH.
ties" black and fat. who seem indispensa
BILE appendagcs to every Southern famil,
having young children -Edmard KIM
in The Great South" !" ScriLaer's 10
April.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
Sell The Racers.

At the time when the rivalry and jeal-
ousy of the great Wing leaders, Messrs
Clay and Webster, disturbed the harmony
and menaced the integrity of the party,
Mr. Scaton, of the National Intelligcncer.
then Mayor of Washington entertained at
his hospitable mansion large company of
the most conspicuous gentlemen in the
city belonging to that organization. One
object was to furnish an eligible oppor-
tunity for those of the same political creed
to confer freely at the social board, with
view to securing unity of action in Con-
gress Mr. Seatan had great faith in the
softening influence of discreet conviviali-
ty, and being genial host, Of elegant ad-
dress and winning manners. no man in
Washington was better fitted to manage
an affair of the kind He was universal
ly popular, never said or did an ungra-
cious thing aud his entertainments were
always a success There was general
attendance Of the Wings. including Con-
gressmen aud members Of the cabinet .end
some prominent officers Of the army aud
navy-General Scott, whose Presidential
aspirations had given such uneasiness to
several gentlemen whose eyes were turned
in the same direction. besides Mr. Web
ster and Mr. Clay
1t was july time, high living being a
prevalent weakness of politicians in Wash
ton. both Wing and Democratic. The
situation had been discussed several
prominent gentlemen having frankly ex.
pressed their views Obviously there
was lack Of harmony among the leaders
AT this stage of the consultation, Cost
johnson, speaking in tone so loud as to
arrest the attention Of the company, beg
ged permission to relate an anecdote which
he thought applicable to the matter under
consideration. go on go on" rcsound.
ed from all parts of the room.
IA neighbor of mine in Washington
county, wealthy planter, was much ad
dicted to horse-racing. The turf was a
passion with him. He had stable Of
fine horses. of the purest blood. and hi
attended every meeting, far and near, i
the race-course was accessible. His horse!
ran well, but he never won purse. AT
ter repeated disappointmpnts he told BIZ
trainer that he had made up bis mind t.
sell his racing stud and retire from th'
field. "Don't do dat. massa." said th,
darkey; "dem's first-rate hosses. and rul
like de wind" But they never win
race, and am determined to sell them
"Pray don't. massa---dey's good for seme
thing--dey can just beat one anodder.'
There was loud laugh at the story bu
it was observed that Messrs. Clay, Web
ster aud Scott, did not seem to enjoy it a
! much az the rest Of the company.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
JANET'S FORTUNE.

"And when die | shall leave my for
tune to one who will use it to the very
best advantage" smiling from beneath
her spectaeles to the young girls around
her
"Your fortune. grandma! what will that
be? That old basket, with its horrid
yarn and needles, and the never ending
knitting work? Ii so, you need not leave
them with me. Janet will use it to bet
ter advantage than could
"Yes. Lettie, you are right; and am
sure | don't want it, either. ii M, what
a fortune, to be sure -
"I'll accept it. grandma, and prize it,
if you will oaly add your sweet, content.
cd disposition. 1t would be fortune
which none of US ueed despise.'
Janet Leeds was the youngest of the
family, and the plainest. She had u sweet
fresh face and tender eyes; but these
paled into ugliness before Lettie's black
orbs aud shining curls. aud the blonde
loveliness of belle Margaret So she set
tied back like modest violet in the chin
ney corner aud waited on grandma, or as
sisted the maid in the housework
Once ina while she ventured out to "A
party in the village, but so seldom that
the people never observed her. That
made it unpleasant. and she staid at home
still closer.
But on that morning. while they were
ehattering with grandma, she felt deal
of real discomfort for the first time in
months Clara Boswerth, her bosom
friend, was to give party that evening
and she could not go. For weeks prepa-
rations had been going on in their quiet
family. She had given up the money
saved for a new winter cloak, that Lete ,
green silk might be retrimr,ed for the oc-
casion. aud the best dress she had in the
world was plain garnet colored popliu
with black velvet trimmings.
She had family suggested that she
might wear that. but the cry of dismay
that came from her sisters silenced her.
.'Go and wear the old poplin!" cried
Lettie from the clouds Of white billnwy
lace that was to udorn the green silk
"You must be crazy"
II SHOULD think so y chimed Margare,
who was fitting lace berthe over tn.
waist Of delicate white satin. "Do you
want Austin Bosworth to think us fami
ly of paupers 1t is to be grand affair
and Clara expects all who honor it witt
their presence to pay her respect enougl
to dress respectfully 1t is Austin's first
appearance after his European tour, ant
surely you do not want him to think mean
ly Of us?"
The tears came up. but Janet was brav'
and no one saw them.
That night. when the two girls-th,
one in her dark beauty and wonderful,
becoming array and the other all deli
cacy, her fair. pcarly loveliness enhance,
by the pale purple color Of her dress
came laughing into grandma's room lit
tie shadow darkened her face, and sh
found it very difficult to keep back III
tears.
Fine feathers make fine birds. but fin
birds do not always sing the sweetest
JAMIE" said grandma. after they wer,
gone II know who is the true one il
this family. know my little singing
bird. jamie. and she is denrer than dog
On 6ne ladies'. Austin and Clara vii
come to-morrow, ard he will tell us abou
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

DoN'T NEGLECT THE GARpks Tho
american Agr1alturist says: TOO many
farmers look upon the garden as a need
less luxury, aud the consequence is that
they, of all other classes, have the least
variety of vegetables aud fruits upon their
tables. They do not realize the benefit
of a proper ntermixture Of vegetables
with meat. and how necessary they are tu
health. 1t is a fact people living in the
cities have greater variety of vegetables
the year Though than the farmer Tlrs
cost of garden is but slight, and with
the exception of plowing aud cartipg Of
manure the necessary horticultural labor
could'be done by children; besides the
interest the work would excite would be
of great value in preventing them from
leaving farm. Many boy who is now
a successful farmer, dates his interest in
agricultural and horticultural pursui,s
from the sense of his responsibility while
attending to the garden"
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
A Contented Farmer.

Once upon time, Frederick, King of
Prussia, surnamed "Old Fritz" took
ride, and espied an old farmer blowing his
acre by the wayside, and checrily singing
his melody
You are we'll off, old man." said the
king, docs this one acre belong to you,
on which you SO industriously labor p
mo. sir" replied the old farmer, who
knew not that it was the king Il am not
30 rich as that; | pillow by the day for
wages"
"How much do you get?" asked the
king.
Eight groschen (abeut twenty cents)
day." said the farmer.
That is not much" replied the king ;
can you get along with this p
"Get along, aud have something to
spare"
"Hew is that"
The farmer smiled and said, "Well, if
must tell you, two groscheu are for my
self and wife; with two pay my old
debts two lend away aud two | give
away for the Lords sake"
This is mystery which I cannot
solve" replied the king.
"Ihen | will solve it for you," said the
farmer. 81 have two old parents at home
who kept me when was weak and need
ed help; and now that they are weak and
need help keep them This is my debt
toward which pay two grosehen day
The third pair of groschen, which | lend
away, spend for my children, that they
may receive Christian instruction. This
will come handy to me and my wife wheu
we get old. With the last two groscher
| maintain two sick sisters. whom would
not be compelled to keep; this give fo'
the Lords sake"
The king, we'll pleased with his answer
said,-
"Bravely spoken old man, Now I vii
also give you something to guess. Hav'
you ever seen me before 2"
"Never." said the farmer.
"In less than five minutes you shall Sc,
Inc fifty times, and carry in your pocke
fifty of my likenesses :"
This is riddle which l cannot uu
ravel." said the farmer.
"Then l will do it for you," replied th,
king.
Thrusting his hand into his pocket, ant
counting him City brand-new gold piece
into his hand. stamped with his roya
likeness, he said to the astonished farmer
who knew not what was coming
The coin is genuine, for it also come
from our Lord God, and am his pay
ter. | bid you adieu."
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

DWARF PsAEs,-Dr. e. W. Sylvester,
of Wayne county, New York. rssd ap es-
say lately before the American Institute
Farmers Club, on Dwarf Pears. He
said dwarf pear trees are especially valua-'
BILE on account of earliness in coming uto
bearing. With proper selection of va
rieties, the amateur can have succession
of fruit for family use from the DoyenDs
dE,e, which rpens in July, to the Vicar
of Wakefield, which may be kept as late
as March, and all this ON a small piece Of
ground. He quoted the report of Wlliam
Saunders Of sixteen years observation in
raising and selling dwarf pears and Wash
ington city market, wherein Mr.. Saunders
claims that dwarfs are less subject to-
blight than standards, will average as
much money product BY acre, cost No
more for cultivation, and less for pruning
and picking fruit, and promise to he rs
longlived. Mr.. Sylvester advised PLANT.
ing so that the junction of pear and quinee
will be about three inches below lir sur
face of the ground.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
Seleet Aoetrp.
THE BEAUTIFUL LAND.

There's a beautiful land by the spoiler untred,
Uupoluted by sorrow and care;
II ia lighted alone by the presence OF God
Whose throne and whose temple is there:
ttscrystaiue streams, with murmuring how,
Meander through valleys so green,
And its mountains Of jasper are bright in the
glow,
Of n splendor no mortal hath seen.
And througs Of bright singers with jubilant
breath,
And one known on earth IS the anger OF dsath'
Shines here rs the angel OF life
An infinite tenderness beams from his eyes,
On his brow is an infinite calm,
Ana his voice, as it thrills through the depths of
the skies,
Is as sweet as the Seraphim's psalm
Through the amaranth groves Of the beautiful
land,
Walk the souls who were faithful in this;
A ID their foreheads, star-crowned, By zephyrs
are famed,
That eyermore murmur Of bliss;
They taste the rich fruitage that hangs from the
trees
And breathe the sweet odors Of flowers
More fragrant than ever was kissed by the breeze
In Araby's loveliest bowers
Old prophets, whose werds were spirit OF fame
Blazing out DER the darkness OF time;
And martyrs whose courage no tortures could
tame,
Nor turn from their purpose sublime,
And saints and confessors numoer'ess tnrong,
who were loyal to truth and to right,
And left as they walked through the darkness
of wrong,
Their footprints encircled with light.
And the dear little children who went to their
rest,
Ere their lives had been sulled by sin,
While the Angel of Morning still 'arried guest,
Their spirits pure temple within
All are there-.,ll are therein the beautiful
land,
The land by the toiler untrod,
And their toreheads, star-crowned, by sweet
zpphyrs are famed,
That flow from the gardens OF God.
My soul hath looked in thro' the gateway OF
Dreams
On the city all paven with gold,
And though il still waits on this desolate strand,
pilgrim and stranger on earth,
Yet il knew in that glimpse OF that beautiful
land,
That il gazed on the home of its birth.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

STARTING SWEET PoTAroEs For start
ing sweet potato sprouts. says u South
Jersey farmer, | have used the following
plan, which has the advantage of mt need
ing sash dig out a trench two fevt
deep. Into this | put 70, Of fresh leo-s
manure in the month Of April Upon the
manure lspread six inches Of sand or lighs
sandy loan, and plant the potatoes in this
sand. If the weather is cold cover with
marsh hay or straw during ths day. bst
always at night. and if there is IN extra
cold snap with frost | spread barn sheet
or blanket over the straw. As soon as I
am ready to plant, farrow out the ground
three feet apart each way. drop shovel.
full of manure at each check. draw four
hoesful Of earth over the. manure, making
broad hill. and plant the sprouss.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

TIME.-Years rush by US like the wind.
We see not whence the eddy comes, nor
whitherward it is tending; and we seem
ourselves to witness their fight without a
sense that We are changed; and yet time
is beguiling man of his strength as the
wind robs the woods Of their foliage. He
is wise man who. like the millwright,
employs every gust.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

Remember that the frst spark burns
down the house. Quench the first spark
of passion, and all viii be we'll. No good
comes of wrath; it puts no money in the
pocket and no JOY in the heart. Anger be-
gins with folly and ends with repentance.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
Original Aoetrp.
For the Transeript.
Let Us All Help One Another.

Let US all help one another,
And heart of kindness show,
As down Times flowing river,
In the boat OF Life we row:
For though rough may be the weather,
And the sky be overcast,
If We only pull together,
We can brave the storm at last.
Let us all help one another
In mistortunes wintry day,
And be kinder still, as ever
Earth's best gifts be suatched away;
When bright fortune gilds the morrow,
Hollow hearts will fawn and cling,
But when comes the night of sorrow,
Only true hearts comfort bring.
Let US all help one another,
And do good when'er we can,
Wbs wiihholds the hand of kindness,
Scarce deserves the name Of man
For the one great law of nature,
Which was meant mankind to bless,
Bids us help u fellow creature,
When we find him in distress.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

"And did you hear him call her my dear
or anything like that 7" asked the lawyer.
"No, sir, Of course not; why, she was
his wife, answered the lady witness.
Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18

Swine are liable to aud 90 ssIIsy iton