davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
A Word to Young Mechanics.

Every ono TINT ever learned trade
knows that many time ho has been
without any clear idea Of what he was
doing, having merely acted rs the mn
chino OF n master who was credited with
being a No. l mechanic, md all which
that should imply, but who just lacked
one thing, and that very important
one-he did not understand how to tell
another how to do what he could do OK.
ceedingly well himself, and, as general
rule, got into passion because his
"cub" didn't do it Just to his mind.
Now l could drop word OF advice hero
to iourneymen; but you know, boys, as
well rs l do, that il is not our place to
tell n "iour." anything, for fear his dig
nifty might suffer, and ours too in copso-
quencc. But my advice to you is simply
this !: In starting out to learn q trade,
mako up your mind to learn and study
both at the same time. This combine
ton OF occupations, it unfortunately hap
pens, is rarely agreeable at fifteen or
seventeen years Of age, when one hAs
Just left school, and all study is looked
at As something belonging to bygono
days. I have been told by many young
man that work was his portion now, and
that hc didn't have time to study, and
besides ho was so tired at night that it
was out Of the question. My reply to
those who speak in this way is:
"But you misunderstood mo, my
Young friend. The lessons you need to
study now are not taught in schools, col
lcges or seminnries. You never SEQ tho
books you need to apply your mind to
now in libnries."
lay piece OF wood before the car
pcnter and say: "NIy boy, that is ono
Of your books" I present piece OF
iron to the blacksmith in the same man.
ncr, and on through all the branches OF
mechanism. The carpenter answers
"Why, this is only n piece Of pine, or
Of oak, and nothing MORE" The smith
will say : ga bit Of iron, and tliat's all. "
But hore comes the question: "What
do you know Of the nature Of tho wood,
or Of the iron, and why should you know
its naturol Truo, you may DO able to
work them after II fashion, and your
powers Of imitation may enable you to
bo as good n mechanic Ms the man who
taught you; but you will never thus, i'll
the nature Of things. excel, and excellence
is what every young man should have in
view in any pursuit, for without it you
will bO termed just what you 30 often
hear of-only mechanic"
Every mechanic should llavc rs thor
ough n knowledge Of tho material hc
works M has tn best chemist in the
land and this canuot DO arrived ut with
out close study and attention to its every
natural fcaturo-strength, power Of re-
sistancc, and tension in short, every
thing connected with its working or
tnnBformatiOn from one condition to au.
other. This knowledge is what is meant
when you hear man spoken Of rs an
experienced mechanic.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
Superstition In Kentucky.

The following story seems incredible,
but it is told, apparently in entire
seriousness, by the Columbus (Ky.)
Messenger: There lives within fow
miles OF Clinton, in this county. n we'll
known and respected family by tho name
of Berry, tho Oldest daughter OF which
has been married, and lives in the edge
Of Ballard county. This daughter has
poor health, md it seems must be ut
least partially deranged. This daughter
told the family that q man by the name
of Med Donald had died near Charleston,
Mo-, and TINT no had since appeared to
her in tho form Of m angel and made
various revelations to her; that hc had
told her tie nature Of her disease, and
what to do to effect n cure; and that she
had followed tho directions given and
been relieved, thus proving the reliability
Of tho spiritual communication. She
also told them that on another occasion
this spirit had informed her that certain
neighboring ladies' were witches, and
that they would come TO the house in tho
form Of cats and do them some great in
Jury. Tho family were firm believers in
the power OF spiritual to communicate
with physical beings, and their minds
were so wrought upon that they fully
believed tho insane story Of their daugh-
ter. Tho Holy Scriptures were searched
for confirmatory proofs to prophecies
md in parallel cases Of history, rs well
as for authority as to what should be
done with tho witches. Hero they con-
vinced themselves that tho witches
should be put to death. In tho mean.
time tho ladies who Ind beon accused OF
witchcraft were appriscd Of tho state Of
mind existing in tho Berry family, and
became alarmed and terror stricken nj
most beyond endurance. Finally, one
day while tho two boys in the iamily
were out getting wood a couple Of cats
came running and caterwauling near by.
Tho bows, to use their own words,
"thougit the witches had them," and
scampered into tho house; the elder boy,
aged probably fifteen or sixteen years,
took a gun and went out to shoot tho
cats, or witches, or whatever they might
be; but failing TO llnu lncm, no peSun
making threats against the ladies whom
he supposed to be identical with the
cats, for ho firmly believed that these
ladies' could transform themselves into
cats and again resume their human forms
at will. Some reports say that he actu.
ally went to their houses in search oi
them, making threats by tho way.
Having gone thus far, other neighbors
interfered and caused the arrest Of the
family, consisting Of Mr.. John Berry,
his vito and two sons. being them.
selves put upon oath they testified that
thcy solmenly believed these stories Of
witchcrait, and that in Justice and III
obedience to tho Scriptures the witches
should be killed. Ono or two attorneys
and some other citizens told them that
such belief was insanity, and that If they
persisted in it they would have to be
sent to tho insane asylum. After con.
siderable reasoning they admitted that
thoy might bc mistaken, and they were
released on giving bond in tho sum Of
$500 for good behavior.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
A Strange Superstition.

A singular case has been heard before
tho English courts. A laboring man
was tried for tho manslaughter Of his
son, child two years of ago, under
circumstances Of the most extraordinary
character. This prisoner was o member
of n sect called tho peculiar People,"
Ono OF tho rules Of this denomination is
that in all cases Of illness it is against
tho law OF God, rs written in tho Holy
Scriptures, to call upon medical men for
assistance. Tho church provided TINT
in all cases they should rely entirely
upon "prayer and amounting the body
with oil" The infant son Of this lahorer
was attacked with pleurisy and intlamma-
ton Of tho lungs. No doctor was sum
moncd. Tho elders Of the church visited
tho child, prayed over it, laid their hands
upon it and anointed it with oil. In
timo it died, and the father was arrested
on tho charge Of manslaughter, in yirtu
ally contributing to tho death Of his son.
On tho tlill ons Of tho elders Of tho
"Pcculiar People" testified to tho anoint-
ing, and quoted Scripture to provo that
his action was according to tho law OF
God. He furthermore informed the
court thnt the father Ind given tho child
sport wine, arrow root, now milk and
other nourisling things" and ho gayo
the still further information that tho
sect had resolved, in tho event OF con
tagious disease breaking out among their
number, to call in medical advice :" for
tho sake OF their noighbors." In te-
sponso to question Of the judge this
elder said that they used tho same reme-
dies for helpless infants unable to pro-
tect themselves that were employed for
grown up persons, and declined to pledge
himself, in response to further inquiry,
or to pledge any of his people to make
anyaltentionin the treatment Of theirchil-
tlron in cases of sickness. They would
still depend upon prayer. A physician
testified that the child died Of plcurisy,
and that it might, II properly treated,
have lived. The jury found tho prisoner
guilty, but added that they believed hc
was acting for the best according to
his religious notions, and that what 'ho
did was intended for the benefit Of tho
child" There is further suggestion
that the law should compel people to
obtain medical assistance for children
when thoy arc i'll. The judge postponed
Judgment, allowed the prisoner to goat
largo upon bail and submitted the case
to the court OF criminal appeal, saying
that if his view OF the law were correct it
would have tho effect Of compelling peo-
pie, whether "peculiar" or not, to pro-
euro medical treatment for their children.
This is singular phase Of our modern
civilization. II seems to us TINT tho
position taken by the judge is tho proper
one, and that when "religious convic-
tions" develop into manslaughter thcy
should be interrupted by the law.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
How lie Won Her.

Tho reader must imagine that tho fol.
lowing takes place in snug little parlor
before bright fire. The speaker is n
short, dark.complexioned man, who
seems to enjoy life thoroughly. His
companion is n younger man than him
self and n bachelor.
How did / come to get the prize
Well, now, that is n question. II you
hnvo patience enough to listen I'll tell
you. As you know, I was what my
family called n queer boy. 1 didn't
drink and keep late hours, but much to
tho pity and possibly annoyance Of my
relatives, who were strict Methodists,
I wandered in tho neighborhood Of
W church.
"Rather timidly I sat down in pow
on the right hand side Of tho church,
and fixed myself so that I could hnyc n
view Of every person coming in, and ut
the same time SEQ the preacher. While
glancing around my ego fell on what
you have called my prize
She was dressed in dccp mourning,
rs I subsequently found out, for n near
relative. This only added to her charms.
Her face was beautiful clear pale. Her
eyes were blue, and OF that large and
loving kind which follow cannot help
admiring. When she laughed two rows
Of pcarly-white teeth wero displayed.
Her whole manner was TINT OF Indy
combined with tho beautiful simplicity
Of child.
"Under tho left lappel Of my vest all
at once something began to jump. !
guess it was my heart. For tho life Of
me, I couldn't keep my eyes of her.
Now and then 1 was rewarded with n
smile and n glance. For some time this
was our only acquaintance. I attended
that church Sunday after Sunday. AT
Inst was introduced to her. This was
what I, Ind been looking for, and nov
TINT I had it seemed to DO in tho third
heaven. 1 was timid ut first, but ono
evening after church I heard her say:
"Oh, dear, Two no ono to leave mo
home, my folks arc all gonc."
"I ut once volunteered to DO her cs.
cort my offer was accepted, and from
that day onward I grew into her con.
fidcnce. I gave to her my whole heart.
I couldn't help it, she was so good and
80 beautiful. -Four years ran on and !
ventured to pop the question, although
it had been mutually popped a long time
bofore. We were sitting alonoono even
ing in the cozy little parlor of her house.
Her hand was in mine. I neryously
said: .....
Katie, do you remember that little
two story house 1 Paid I'd like to live
inf
"Ycs, what Of iti" shc said, her large
blue eyes looking into mine.
"Well, I have one of them now, and
it is very lonely place. I want some
person to take care of it for NO. Can
you recommend any person
~ really don't know single person
I could trust" she replied.
"sI do" said I, "and that ono is
yourself, Katie. Will you come aud
take care Of it-takc complete posses.
sion I"
ga gentle pressure on my hand was
the answer. That evening We asked
Pa aud Ma who both said yes
"Thero is the whole story. You
know tho rest. How happy wc have
lived. Not n single quar- hero she
comes herself, the best little wife any
man could wish for"
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
Tho Potato Bug.

Tho Colorado potato beetle Inns put in
its appearance, and has now reached salt
water. Some of the potato growing
counties Of New Jersey arc badly infcst-
cd, and they arc equally numerous in
Pennsylvania, and southwark. Last fall,
says the Agricuit,u,ist, We gavo warning
that they were near tho coast, and havc
this year given timely notice. Knowing
that they were to be expected, tho writer
began to examine his potatoes rs soon
rs they were fairly up, and in tho last
week Of May o few bugs were found.
Examination was daily madeof the vines,
and few hundred in all collected, and
what few eggs were found destroyed.
II tho first ones which come from their
winter quarters i'll the ground areallowed
to breed, then tho case becomes serious,
but having, while tho plants were small,
and the beetles easily seen, disposed OF
tho first brood, wO hopo to keep tlemin
check, though no doubt some will come
in from other places, and it will not do
to omit frequent examination. Those
who have been SO unfortunate rs to al-
low tho insects to got tho mastery must
resort at once to parisgrecn. Every day
OF delay makes the matter worse. II tho
bugs aro few, pick by hand, aud destroy
tho eggs, which willbe found in little
orange. .colored clusters on tho leaves.
II toomany topick, then ,lse paris green,
observing all the precautions given
relative to its use. Keep up tho watch
if no bugs arc found now, they arc liable
to como Mt any time during tho summer,
and success depends greatly on begin
ming in time.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

Hon. Allen W. Dodge gives tho fol
lowing account Of his first examination
when making application for the posi-
tion OF schooltcachor:
I wns reading M account OF Concord
when I was young man in college,
over fifty years ago, taught school
there two winters-and all Of q sudden
I camc to tho picture Of old Ezra Rip
Icy, tho grandfather Of Ralph Waldo
Emerson. He was the very man who
examined me md gave me certificate
I have it at home-certiiying that l was
"of good moral character" and GER
tifying, too, that "I was qualified to
teach school in tho town OF Concord, "
and he signed it in sort OF John Han.
cock style, "Ezra Ripley, minister"
and the minister par excellence in the
town OF Concord. If you will pardon
mo, will tell you how he examined me.
l went there in the evening with fear
and trembling, and sat down and told
him that was the man he was to ex-
aminc. He looked Mt me, and l trem-
bled from head to foot, and hc spelled
nc" spelling matches" of that kind
were rare-ho even made mo read, and
examined my writing, and then put me
through n course Of addition, subtrac-
ton, multiplication, and division, vulgar
fractions, md that sort OF thing; and
said hc: ~ am satisfied with your Mt
tainments, but there is one thing, before
I give you certificate, l must require
of you, aud you must consent to do" !
said: "What is that, sir I" "You must
open and close your school every day
with prayer!" l said: 81 nm not q
professor Of religion; I never prayed out
loud in my life, and think it is unfair
for you to require it OF me-" He said
"Young man, I want no arguing" l
said "What do you want, DR.. .Ripleyf"
He said: al want you to prny;" and I
said again that I could not do it, and he
said "You cannot keep this school.
Well, now, I wanted to keep the school
badly; it was my first attempt, and l
thought to be set aside from any cause
whatever would bo n lasting disgrace. |
thought it over; thought very quick,
and l said "Will you allow nc, DR..
Ripley, to write out the form OF prayer
on piece Of paper or slate, and pray
with one eye open until l get it by
heartl" He said to me : "Any way you
can fix it, young man; I am satisfied il
you are" And I said: az will keep the
school," And-wcll, what do you think
IIc Ind to call his daughter Hannah
Haunnh was there in n moment-hG
said Hannah, draw mug Of cider.
Well, wc passed n very pleasant even
ing, tho cider was very nice, and We
parted good friends; and I didn't think
he was so stern man when l LETT, as
when I came. Well, that illustrates, tc
certain extent, tho character of the
clergy Of TINT day-thoy were the "mas'
ters Of tho situation )" their word was
hw," 90
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
4 MilI Case.

Mrs. Crugcr, q lady Of wealth, and
distinguished for many years in New
York society, died in 1872, at the age Of
eighty.thrco, leaving n considerable es-
tate. by a will which is the subject
matter Of the surrogato's decision, shc
left some $40, 900, being the larger part
OF her estate, to tho American Bible
Society and the Board Of Foreign Mis-,
sions in equal parts. This will was
executed Jan. 8, 1868, and a codicil,
which changes tho method, but not the
purpose. Of the previous paper, was
executed July 90, 1869. Iu opposition
to the probate Of tho will, it Is alleged
by Mrs. Cruger's next Of kin, who under
IN intostate distribution Of tho property
would be her heirs, that tho testatrix
was at tho dates Of tho will aud codicil
incapable Of making n valid will, on
account OF au insane condition OF mind,
with special reference to tho subject
matter OF those instruments. Surrogate
Hutchings, after considering the evi.
dcnce in tho case, rejects the papers aud
decides that Mrs. Cruger died intestatc.
The Bible Society loses tho largo bo-
quest, and it goes Of course to tho hcirf
OF the deceased. .,.. NJ
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
Gbe 9enr0erat.
The sIilkmald,s Song.

In Tennyson's new drama, "Quecn
Mary" we find the following little gong:
aIrLENAIp (sinsins without.
Shame upon you, Robin, -.
Shame upon you now!
Kiss mo would you? with my hands
Milking tho COW? 'r
Daisies grow again,
Kingcups blow again,
And you camc and kiss'd mo milking tho COW.
Robin camo beliind'mo,
Kissd mo we'll VOW;
Gun him could with my hands
Milking tho COW?
Swallows fly again,
Cuckoos cry again,
And you camo and kissd mo milking tho COW.
Como, Robin, Robin,
Como and kiss mo now;
Hclp 1t can II with my hands
Milking tho cowP
Rinsdovcs COO again, &
All things WOO again,
Come behind and kiss mo milking tho COW.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

Tug MISSISSIPPI RvER. Captain Eads
reports that provisional works 1000 feet
long have already been constructed in
tho south pass OF tho Mississippi on the
limo Of the jettya arc being pushed
seaward at the rate OF two hundred feet
per day. Two hundred mechanics and
iaborers and four pile.lriving machines
arc at work, and largcquantity Of stone
with other material Is ready at hand.
Additional machinery aud accommodate
tions arc being prepared, and in short
time the working force will be largely IN
creased, .sf4
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

LnERAn.-Aboardo of ono Of tho sleep.
ing.cars which arrived in Detroit the
other morning, was IN Iowa man, whose
big boots had been blacked with the
rest whilo no slept. When ho camo to
put them on ho asked what the charge
was, and tho porter replied that hc could
give whatever he saw fit. Tho traveller
put out n nicklc, smiled patronizingly,
and handed il out with the remark
"ThGro-you may keep tho whole oil
it. When I'm around homo like Ia
know where my money goes to, but
when i travel | pay my way and want
things pleasant"
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

Hen MoSEr.-An old Indy in New
York particularly desired that a certain
cushion on which sho sat in church
should bo buried with her, aud MS there
was difficulty about getting it into her
coffin it was luckily proposed to cut it,
when several thousand dollars in green
backs came ta-iIht. The old lady was
clearly. i That, il sho did bring
pe'-S .,oyorld, sho would ut all
,nonoSsssjrie take something
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

II aman has got something to say, ii
is proper to lot him say it. II ho Is a
reasonable man ho will bo satisfied with
the permission to speak, mud not expect
you to quit work and listen to him.
Tho reports from tho various deparis
ments In the South concerning the cottof
crop 1s,sshly satisfactory.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
4 81. 1881 4I6-ansI

1nud NJ SAbooi nv.
sT14, 1888 over the amount give
lihe Auditors report for1s74. IL
mot bo generally known, but the
4 lility ofthe coil, and the cheaPpeI
lands is inducing many indust
rmoyers' to locate in BraItou
hey are fast opening up and i'm
ibg tho country. Braxton is clir'
right after Lewis, and unless We
fet q railroad here, i. will be mi
iuckn between us.-The County
Tor the present year is So cents 4
SlO0-a material decrease over
year since tho organization ofth'
State. -
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

ACleycland woman has cnt out ~
Newspaper ACCOUNTS on tho Be
scandal whisiy, Il ccuidgct hol} ~
pasted iovsslhs lsSay plakr :. S
e4tssS;,el ~ Iii ,t,Si-Sly
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19

Tho misery felt by the child who
couldn't go to tho picnic is nothing ts
tbat q The one who has been to Y.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
THE lFIl BEACON LIGHT.

y. I+lfTr aHaaaA -.
VI was to be married the coming
t.i5o Rolin Weatherbee, heir Of the
Wfherbee estate. How matters Ind
dressed SO far and I had been en-
GSd to Rollin I scarcely knew. Did I
Se him I. asked myself many times,
ffhout being able to answer tho query.
~ mother had very quietly and in her
dstermined way settled the whole affair,
and / supposed I had nothing to do but
Souietly submit to the decree. Idid not
dislike Rollin, and indeed there was lit
tle about him to make one do anything
Int like him. I knew my young female
friends envied me.
Twas paying my Inst maiden visit with
nv mother, and tho wedding day was
drawing near. At the seaside whero we
were I met Breeze Rogers, and our 40
X draintance ut once ripened into friend-
ship. I had scarcely noted the growth
Of this intimacy until one evening Breoce
and Iwcre taking our accustomed walk,
when he suddenly turned 70 me and
said: ~ ,iisai 70 'l;lf!t ~
as this thing true your mother tells
met" -a s.lr99h
awhat thing Z" I almost whispered,
aYou knowl" he answered tiercely.
aIs it true that you areto be the:wife o.
Rollin Weatherbee next 0ctobefi That
YOU ara here tomhke your preparationsi
"Yes." The word came almost with
q gasp. 9He took my hands in his ant
looked down upon me. y .'.l
tYou shall not-you shall not / low
yon, You re mine, now and forever.
Before could speak or cry out no hat
taken mo in his arms, and was raining
kisses upon my lips. I was young
romantic and impulsive. This man hht
aroused strange feeling in my breast
that now, rs lay in his arms, 1 belieyet
must be love. I could see the reckles
beauty Of his face rs it bent above me
and almost uncohsciously 1 clasped m,
arms about his neck, sobbing wildly
and Whispering: "0h, il l had know
YOU sooner-ii 1t were not too late."
"It is not too late, he cried, passion
,aL,lvnSAsinipc me to his heart. "Yol
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-07-19
nyAN Upsnun CouNrY CuRII


THE Wheeling Ia,elligeneer
,Mr. John Laishley, who reside
Virginia street, Island, has in biz
session one Of The most unique nA
curiositities We have ever seen.
d corn.cob shaped precisely like .
. man hand. The cob is about tht
Of q lady's hand, and is q perfect
Of q right hand. with fingers
thumb complete. The shape coul
be more perfect; even the cur,
the wrist, the knuckle, and {
nails are represented faithfully.
corn was grown on tie Fainsl
farm, near Buckhannou, upshur