davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
Who Rob Orchards.

In 4 certain village, in the far West.
was an atheist. This man, of course.
never entered any place of worship. In
deed, in the fruit season. he was spcci-
ally busy on the Sundays, in defending
his orchard from his great enemies, the
woodpecker, and the idle, proaigate per-
sons of the village, who, on that day,
usually made sad havoc among his APP
pies and peaches.
One day. while at work with his SON.
in-law-an atheist like him self although
more kind and courteous gentleman
rs pastor Of n congregation was pass
ing, he very rudely accosted the minis
ter.
''Sir, what is the use OF your preach
ing? What good do you Dolby it? Why
don't you teach these fellows better NOR
ale? Why don't yobtell them some
thing about stealing in your sermons,
and keep them from robbing my or
chards?"
To this the minister pleasantly re-
piled, my dear sir. / am sorry that YOU
are so annoyed, and I should most will
ingly read the fellows who rob your or
chard lecture on thieving, but, the
truth is, they are all so like you and the
major here that | never get n chance"
Good, good replied the major.
laughing; on which tho elder atheist.
blushing little, and in an apoiogetic
tone. said:
well, well, believe il is true enough !:
it is not the church-going people that
steal my apples"
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

with harsh remarks upon his cruelty.
but he did not heed them and went on.
Another and another egg was broken.
and still there was no sign Of life. Then
the whole body of bystanders broke out
into loud murmur, and cries of "the
brute ~ LET the child die i'm peace,''
ale is ciazy-take the child away
from him.
lie desisted for moment from his
efforts, and turned with fierceness
which had before been foreign TO his ma
ture, but no one who saw him afterward
forgot it. Fools" he Missed. mind
your own business and leave me to
mine! Take her away, will you? Try
it !" and he went on cmptying egg after
egg down the apparently lifeless throat
The mother could stand this no Ion
ger. Her first-born was tortured to
death before eyes, and she imploringly
flung herself on her knees before her
husband d father, who had that moment
arrived
"Oh. father, do stop him :" she gasp.
ed; "he will obey you; do stop him
He is torturing that poor dying child"
The grandfather started forward q step
ceeding an outrageous one but he stop
ped and said 4:
"Mary, let him alone. The Child will
die if he does not 60 on. 1t can not do
more ii he does. l would not say n
word to him for the world. The child
is his-let him use it ut his pleasure"
There was silence then. In mo-
ment more there was CULVER of the eye-
| lids, convulsive movement ofthe che IT,
and the teeth lost their tension. The
father seized his child, turned her face
downward, and the poison began to flow
| from her mouth. Again, and again as
the retching ceased, he repeated the
experimental life returning still more
and the face losing its black color eve
! ry instant. More than twenty times
albumen had been administered, and
more then half those times followed by
the expulsion Of the poison when the
! eyes opened, the father desisted. the lit.
tie sufferer lay just alive in his arms,
exhausted, its little life terribly shatter,
ed, but SuOetI!
Then, when the necessity for exertion
& determination was over when the ply
stefan had been summoned, x they knew
that darling little Blossom might live,
after many weeks of struggle between
! life and death-when the relieved friends
had acknowledged that they had wrong
cd him first; when the beautiful and
sorrowful wife had blessed him through
her kisses and tears, and all knew that.
under God. only such an almost fierce
determination could have saved the
child-then the father sat down, un-
nerved. and and wept like a child.
| Blossom is alive to-day, and her
brown eyes are opening upon woman
hood. But there is no hour in my life
that brings so thrilling a recollection as
that of the young fathers struggle for
the life of his child-that Fight With
Poison which / have only family indi-
Gated because beyond description -
From Strton'S Leisure Hour Miscellany.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
The Singing Tree.

One Of the torments to which the trav-
eler is subjected in the North Australian
scrubs is Il singing tree (urtica gigas, J
which is very abundant, and ranges in
size from q large shrub of thirty feet in
few inches. Its leaf is large and Pc
culiar, from being covered with short,
silvery hair, which when shaken, emits
fine, pungent dust, most irritable to
the skin and nostrils. If touched it
causes most acute pain. which is felt for
months afterwards-a dull. knawinq
pain, accompanied by n burning sensa-
ton, particularly in the shoulder and
under the arm, where small Jumps often
arise. Even when the sting has quite
died away, the unwary bushman is for
chilly reminded of his indiscretion each
time that the affected part is brought in
10 contact with water The fruit is of n
pink, Gcshy color hanging in clusters.
and so inviting that q stranger is ire
sistibly tempted TO pluck it; but sell
dom more than once, for, though the
raspberry like berries are harmless in
themselves, some contact with the leaves
is almost unavoidable. The blacks are
said 30 cat the fruit, but for this can.
not vouch. though / have tasted one or
two Of odd times, and found them very
pleasant. The worst Of this nettle is
the tendency it exhibits TO shoot M
wherever n clearing has been affected.
In passing through the dray tracks cut
through the scrub. great caution was ne.
ccssary 20 avoid the young plants that
4 e. IL. 4
never known n case Of its being fatal 10
human beings. but have seen people
subjected by it 10 great suffering. nota-
bly, n scientific gentleman, who plucked
of branch and carried it some distance
rs curiosity, wondering the while what
caused the pain and numbness i'm his
arm. Horses have seen die i'm agony
from the sting, the wounded parts be.
coming paralyzed; but, strange 90 say,
il does not seem 90 injurc cattle, who
dash through tho shrubs full Of IL with
out receiving any damage. This curl
Gus anomaly is we'll known 90 all bush.
CvseFs Illustrated Trureis.
-.-..
a UNIVERSAL Moral PANACEA.-A
reader OF thc Hejrc,C Leuder proposes
the following remedy FOR the ills Of thC
flesh and spirit, composed Of leaves
plants and roots. which, iftakcn without
wry face will make any man respccta
bic and happy:
Leave OFT drinking.
Leave or smoking.
Leave or chewing.
Leave OF snuiiing
Leave off swearing
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
Boys Wanted.

Boys of spirit, boys of will,
Boys of muscle, brain, and power
Fit to cope with any thing.
These are wanted every hour.
Not the weak aud whining drones,
That all troubles magnify
No, the vatchwoid of 81 can't"
But the noble one, am Try"
Do whater you have 10 do
With "A true and honest zeal
Bend your sinews to the task,
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Though YOUR duty may be hard,
Look not on IL as AN ILL
IL IL be au honest task,
Do it with an honest will.
At the anvil, on the farm,
WheresOsver you may be
From your future efforts, boys,
Comes nations destiny.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
HARvEsr1No Rr1Lrrs-A Romc. G.

HARVESTING BULLETS-A Rome, Ga.
paper says: Captain III. III. Smith, in
his mercantile travelling, recently stop
ped ut Resaca, where he came across a
business that was entirely new to him.
is certainly novel to us, and, we sup
pose, is equally as new and curious to
most of our readers. AS is we'll known,
Resaca was the scene of one of the hard
est fought battles of the many that gave
such bloody emphasis to that great war
drama between the States, from which
we have not yet and perhaps may never
recover.
In Resaca there is merchant. part
Of whose business it is to collect the
leadcn bullets that are scattered over
that tragic field He employs a good
many children, who are steadily engag-
ct in collecting these bullets, for which
lie pays them five cents per pound
These bullets he ships to Baltimore.
where he sells them ut seven cents. He
told Captain Smith that he had already
collected and shipped $4,000 pounds.
and that he then had on hand about p
600 more pounds. This is reversing
the order OF things, and sowing the
whirlwind from which the wind is reaped
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

MAKING SoFT SoAP.-Mary c. West
has the following chat with neighbor.
and as she gives few hints as TO max
ing soft soap. we quote entire:
How did you run your lyeP" asked.
81 put ashes in large barrel till it
was full, and then allowed water TO soak
through from the top in the usual way"
"Was your lye strong enough TO bear
an egg so soon rs it came from the bar
rel"
Yes"
And did it seem to cut up the grease?"
yes"
well, that was all right--what was
the trouble with it. them"
why, the I've and the grease would
not unite when it had cooled the grease
was all on the top and the I've at the bot.
tom-its always just my luck"
What kind of wood did you burn to
make your ashes?"
''Oak, bay and magnolia"
And what did you put in the bottom
of your barrel, under your astes?"
Nothing but little fine brush and
broom sedge, to keep the ashes from
running out"
"All has been perfectly right except
the last-in that lies the secret of your
bad luck. You should have put at the
bottom Of your vessel few pounds OF
quick-lime-that you are likely always
TO find necessary when you burn swamp
wood. Ashes from swamp wood have a
great power to absorb carbonic acid from
the atmosphere, and carbonic acid pro-
duces the effect which you name but
lime neutralizes the acid and makes it
all right"
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
Selling His Rights.

a good story Used to be told OF the
old fashioned relations between master
and servants in colonial times in New
England. A gentleman in the neigh
borhood of Boston hired n farm servant,
10 whom he became much attached be-
cause of his fidelity and thoroughncss
iii all kinds of work. But one habit OF
the servant was very offensive. lie kept
his hat on in the house, and even in his
masters room.
The gentleman, after long annoyance,
determined TO correct the habit.
"John," said he, kin lily, one day, "you
always keep your hat on when you come
into the house"
"Well, sir, haven't right to-
Eyes. | suppose you have" was the
reluctant reply.
"Well. then, why shouldn't l."
This the gentleman was not prepared
TO answer, SO lac determined on another
line of attack
Now, John, what will you take-how
much more wares will you AK to take
your hat or when You come inn"
well, that requires consideration,
guess"
Take il into consideration, then, and
tell me tomorrow IN )rning."
In tde morning, John presented him.
self promptly.
"Wcll, John, have y0u considered To-
Yes. sir; guess it's worth a dollar
q month.
It's settled then John. You shall
have another dollar q month"
John was satisfied lie hal maintain.
ci his rights, waving their exercise fo7
n consideration.
The gentleman was also satisfied
lie retained COOL servant, who reform
his only bad habit.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

10 One day last week smiling in
FAINT toddled away from its home near
Viola, Iowa, on the Dubuque Southwes-
tern railroad, and lay down between the
rails to sleep. A few moments later a
train came along and the engineer, see.
ing he could not stop in time, pulled her
wide open and banged the whole train
over the sleeping cherub before it woke,
and never touched hair Of it. Had the
little one attempted to rise it would
have been killed instantly.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
South 3ranrh 9ntelli9enfer.
RoMNEY, FRIDAY, MAY 21. 1875.
IV,The Alexandria Gazette lamen.s

tV'The Alexandria Gazette laments
the dullness Of the fishing business in
the following strain: The 9Th of Nav
has come and yet no fish of any account.
rs compared with the receipts Of former
years. The local markets, and those of
some OF the Northern cities have been
partially supplied, but the salters have
put up no fish worth mentioning, and
the proprietors of some of the shores.
disheartened by the prospect, have al
ready "cut out" or are contemplating
doing so at an early day.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

~ II is well known that the blue and
scarlet colors in juxtaposition cause a
dazzling effect on the eye These col
ors, strung on a line and placed over
strawberry beds, produce puzzling eff.
feet on the birds, and it is said no bird
will enter the garden while these colors
Gutter in the air.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

tS~Coal ashes can he made a most
useful article of manure, and instead of
being thrown away as something worth
less should be husbanded. Mr.. Leon.
ard, of Massachusetts, several years since
gave the following statement OF his ex.
perience with this material as a manure
"On an old moving field too much run
down we top dressed n square piece OF
ground fairly with clear coal ashes, ear
ly in the spring. While the crop was
growing at all stages the difference was
perceptible. When ready for the scythe.
it was more in quantity and as TO quail.
ity. it produced equal parts Of herbs.
grass and red clover If the clover was
not introduced by the agency Of the ash.
es, we know not how II was introduced,
for four years none was seen there be-
fore, or in any other part of the field
and this was the only clover seed I'm said
field the past season. Both grass and
clover was more vigorous, green and
/ lively within the top dressed square, and
just az visible all around was the ex-
hausted crop" lie says. further, that he
tried half n shovel full TO n hill Of pota.
toes. and that the produce was most sat.
isfactOry. Almost side by side In com
post manure, our potatoes were some.
what infected with rot in the ashes
they were all healthy and sound almost
TO potato"
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

Hay FEvEE~-A gentleman who has
had this hitherto incurable torment for
twentyyears publishes the following Ger.
tain cure Get n saturated solution Of
sulphate ofquinine ia water, in the pro.
portion OF one quart Of quinine % 40
Of water, 70 be well shaken and applied
10 the nostrils while lying down, With
cameFs hair brush. until il is felt in the
throat the relief is immediate. My
wife had IL every season for tbirty.fve
years. This simple remedy cured her
at once. Our phial contains water
5oz quinine grains, Pass Il along
&. q. M.Jier.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
Are We to Have the Grasshop-
per PIoqus IL Wess ILirqiMiu?

The Waynesburg pa Republican of
last week says that grasshoppers have
been seen in great numbers in some To-
calites in Greene county, this spring.
\ young Mr.. Jacobs, who lives on Smith
Creek, says that in blowing for oats.
near spring of water where the grass
"as heavy and thickly matted, the
lrasshoppers had congregated by thou
lnds-of every size and age. In other
parts OF tie county reports come also
OF the pests being seen already this
spring.
n correspondent Of the Wheeling Reg
's'er, writing from near Blacksville, this
county also mentions that grasshoppers
have already been seen in large numbers
ga that vicinity.
From the above, and other reports,
H. begins to look like there was some
Foundation for the recent rumors of the
grasslopper invasion. Let us hear from
other sections Of Monongalia. If the
advance guard of the main army of our
l'n--lcggcl jumpers do intend to visit
US, let rs know in what direction we
may meet them.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

TRAINING HORSE TO TRoT.--A cor
respondent Of the Turf, Field and Fam.
tells how he trained an old cavalry horse
to trot. He was accustomed TO slope"
and could not be made to understand
what was required of him, until space
OF some four hundred yards was measur-
ed off in field, and he was ridden across
this. Whenever he broke he was scold-
ed, Mt once turned about and again start
ed from the starting point. If he trot-
ted across without breaking he was pet
ted and fed Jumps of sugar, apples OF
some other pleasant food In this way
he soon learned what was wanted, and
made every effort TO trot this distance in
the shortest time, becoming horse of
unusual speed. A somewhat similar
plan was some years since set forth in
circular and sold ut one dollar. We re-
fer to this now not so much because of
the desirability of knowing how to teach
horse 20 trot, as because the lesson
taught can be applied in very many ways.
Teaching-any domestic animals what is
expected Of them is Of the greatest i'm
portancc. If an animal knows that
specific duty is required. to be followed
by rest or reward, it will much more rea-
Oily do what is expected than if it has
no definite conception what is before it.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

tV Eighteen women in n Massachu.
sets town recently cowhided a man for
kicking his wife, AMI the job was so
we'll done that no hasn't been able TO
split wood for four wecks
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
Farmer and House,keeper.
lS~One thousand laths will cover So.
venty yards of surface. and eleven ms.
of nails will put them on.

tVAn excellent furniture polish is
made with one pint OF linseed oil and
about half gill of alcohol. stirred we'll
together and applied TO the furniture
with linen rag. Rub dry with a soft
cotton cloth and finish with an old piece
of silk
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

VT is singular that mineral waters
'ro only beneficial 10 the wealthy. We
.ogar knew Of physician 20 advise a
POOR man 70 20 70 my wateringplacs
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

a CURIoUs WATFE.F owl ~ 4 CurI.
Gus PLACE.-A few days ago some young
men captured on the farm Of Mr.. viii
liam Frautz. about four miles north of
this city. under some logs and leaves.
where 1t had taken refuge from rain.
storm. n curious sca.fowl They brought
IL 90 this city, and it is now in q cage
at the store Of Mr.. Daniel Frautz. Cen.
ire street, near Bedford. where it has
been visited by numbers Of persons --
The bird is about the size Of n large
chicken has black feathers. and n white
bill tipped with black large half web
bed feet, and small wings 80 one has
been able 90 give il a name. Up tovcs.
terdav 10 refused 20 cat anything but
fish, but yesterday devoured. in addition
70 several fish, quantity Of bread
Cumberland Nc,cs, Mag "a.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

IV-An over.reachiug horse, says an
exchange, whose hind feet are continu.
ally hitting TIE forward shoes. should
wear heavy shoes forward and light ones
behind. The theory is that the heavier
hoof will be thrown little further ahead
each time than the lighter one.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

Heretofore there has been deficiency
bill resulting from excessive and unau-
thorzed OUTLAWS by the heads OF depart
ments, ranging from two to eleven mil
lions every year. There ~ no reason
why that excrescence should not be cut
of, and all contracts beyond the limit Of
appropriations be explicitly forbidden
by severe penalties for disobcdencc
The public printing house is source
OF corruption. and ought 20 be abolished
entirely. Two millions y year are eX,
pended upon il. nearly half Of which
goes into the pockets OF n Ring The
Department Of Justice squandered over
two millions year on marshals and dc.
puties for partisan purposes. The Post
Office is now paying several millions n
year 20 n Ring Of contractors, who sue.
Ceedcd through straw bids and the con.
nivance Of the late Postmaster-Geucral.
The expenses Of the Senate and House
of Representatives with costly CAPT.
toll police ofidIers. ought 20 be cut down
one.third nj the first dash.
In every aspect. fifiy millions Of re-
duction is n moderate estimate for re-.
trenchmcut. and the margin might cnsi.
Nv be enlarged by n close examination
Of oil the items I'm detail We have rca.
son 10 believe that the new House Of Re.
personalities will insist generally upon
scaling the appropriations on this broad
basis. Any other course would disap-
point the public expectation.
The Senate will resist any such econ
omy. and be backed by al tho power Of
- y sN y
tho widespread influence ofpatronage in
all its seductive and treacherous forms.
The issue will then be made mp squarely
before the country, and If the worst
comes 20 the worst, the House can hold
the purse strings tight and defy the Sc
nate and its selfish allies. So there is
every prospect Of an interesting session
next winter v y S'1
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

70 Eight bushels Of good lime, six.
teen bushels Of sand and one bushel Of
hair will make enough good mortar %
nlaster one hundred square yards.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

4 CUWors LOVE SToEY.--A very GU
riou5 love story is told by several Of the
ancient writer's respecting Eyigard. n
secretary 10 Charlemagno, and a daugh-
Ger or That emperor, The secretary fell
Il love with the princes, who ut length
allowed him to visit her. One winters
night BE stayed with her very late. and
'u The meantime deep snow had fallen.
lr he left. his foot-marks would be OBJ
served. and yet TO stay would expose
him 20 danger. At length the princes
resolved 90 carry him ON her back to n
ue.1lboring house, which she did. II
Happened, however. that from tho win
do" OF his bed room the emperor saw
'.c whole affair.
Tn tie assembly Of his lords on the fol-
lowing day. when Evigard and his daugh-
'.r we're presented. he asked what ought
~ To- lone to the man who compelled
f.o Kings daughter 20 carry him on her
shoulders, through frost and snow. in
'.a middle of winters night? The To-
Er.5 we're alarmed, but the emperor, ad-
5-o ing Evigard said "Ilad'st thou
loved my daughter thou should'st have
come 10 nc thou art worthy Of death.
IH' give thee two lives. Take thy fair
porter in marriage; fear God. and love
one another"
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

tV'Onc thousand shingles, laid four
inches 90 the weather, will cover one
hundred square feet Of surface. and five
lbs OF single nails will fasten them on
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

IVIf the staff be,crooked tho shadow
cannot hc straight
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21

Mn. ROCss's ARBEsT.-Among our
citizens, who have known Charley
Iiouss for years, perfect unanimity Of
disbelief in his alleged LAPSE obtains
The account, by the way, appeared only
in one New York paper. We can find
no allusion TO il in any Of the others.
Since the above was written we have
heard that Mr.. Rouss has been released
from his imprisonment. 1t seems that
10 was what is known in police language
- a put up job. - WmcheSier Nc,rs.