davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

The HEAD OF CRoMwELL.-Mr. Hor,
ace Wilkinson Of Seyenoaks, Kent, Eng
land, claims to be the owner of the skull
of Oliver Cromwell The Protector died
on the Sd of September, 1858, in his six.
tieth year, and was buried with great pomp
in Henry Wis chapel in Westminster
Abbey on the 23d of November, after ly.
ing in state at the Somerset House at the
expense of f60,OO0. The coffin which
contained the body had been privately de-
posted in Westminster Abbey before, and
ii was only to his efigy these costly hon.
ors were paid. 1t is claimed by Mr.. VIII
kinson that after the Restoration Cromwcll's
body was exnumed and hung at Tyburn,
and then buried beneath the gallows, but
the skull remained on the top Of Westmin.
ster Hall, and having been embalmed
ie6cd the atmosphere for twenty-five yeass
when it was blown down one day aud picked
up by the sentry. 1t was then purchased
BY MIR. Cox for museum, who sold Il
for f250. The spcar-head that protrudc.
through the skull is covered with rust,
and the skin resembles hard, dry leather
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

Mr. George Smith has written letter
to the London Telegraph concerning his
effort to read the Cuneiform tablets, which
were procured by him in Assyria and de-
posted in the British Museum. These
tablets contain the Chaldaic account Of
the creation and fall Of man, aud thus, at
this comparatively late day Of the world,
their report comes to strengthen or to
weaken the Mosaic history as recorded iii
the Bible Of the same great events. Mr..
Smith, after giving an account Of the dis
eoyery Of the tablets, says that when COM
plete they must have numbered nine or
ten, and that the history as recorded on
them Of what occurred "in the beginning"
was much longer and fuller than the cor
responding report in the Book Of Genesis
He continues as follows
"The narrative Of the Assyrian tablets
commences with a description of the peri
cd before the world was created, when
there existed chaos or confusion. The
desolate and empty state Of the universe
and the generation by chaos of monsters
are wildly given. The chaos is presided
over by female power named Tisalat or
Tiamat, corresponding to the Thalatth Of
Berosus; but as It proceeds the Assyrian
account agrees rather with the Bible than
with the short account from Berosus We
are told, in the Inscriptions, of the fall Of
the celestial being who appears to corres-
pond to Satan. In his ambition he raises
his hand against the sanctuary of the God
of heaven, and the description Of him is
really magnificent. He is represented
riding in chariot through celestial space,
surrounded by the storms, with the light
ming playing before him, and welding a
thuuderbolt as weapon.
This rebellion leads to war in heaven
and the conquest Of the powers Of evil, the
gods in due course creating the universe
in stages, as in the Mosaic narrative, sur
veying each step Of the work and pro-
nouncing it good. The divine work cul-
inmates in the creation of man, who is
made upright and free from evil, and
endowed by the gods with the noble
faculty of speech.
"The Deity then delivers long address
to the newly-created being, instructing
him in all his duties and privileges, and
pointing out the glory Of his state. But
this condition of blessing does not last
long before man, yielding to temptation,
falls; and the Deity then pronoueces upon
him terrible curse, invoking on his head
all the evils which have since afflicted
humanity. These last details are upon
the fragment which l excavated during
my first journey to Assyria.
II have at present recovered no more Of
the story, and am not yet in position to
give the full translations and details; but |
hope during the spring to find time to
search over the collection Of smaller frag-
ments of tablets, and to light upon any
smaller parts Of the legends which may
have escaped me. When my investiga'
tions are completed I win publish full
account and translation Of these Genesis
legends, all of which / have now beer
fortunate enough to find, some in the old
Museum collection, others by excavation il
Assyria"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

GUASo NOT AN ExcREMENT.-The
long.received opinion that guano is the
deposit Of myriads Of sea birds, accumulat-
ing through long ages, is rendered unten-
able by the recent investigation Of DR..
Habel. After treating the guano with an
acid, microscopical and chemical examina-
ton revealed that the insoluble residue was
composed Of fossil sponges and other
maritime animals and plants precisely simi-
lar In construction to such As still exist in
those seas. The fact that the anchors Of
ships in the neighborhood Of the guano
islands often bring up guano from the
bottom Of the ocean Is quite in opposition
to the prevalent belief DR.. Habel there
fore considers that the deposits Of guano
must be the result Of the accumulation oi
fossil plants and animals whose organic
matter has been transformed into nitroge-
nous substance, the mineral portion remain,
ing intact.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17
Select Storp.
THE RoUNDwOOD GHOST.
a THRILLING STORY.

At last | had an habitatiou Of my own,
an imposing red-brick structure, roomy
enough to furnish homes for full score Of
demure little mortals like myself
You win lose yourself in this great
barn of a house, Madelon," said Aunt
Jerusha, who had accompanied me to
Roundwood to be the ruling divinity of
the meaoge.
1t would not be much of loss to the
world in general if | should"
Humphl have no predictions for
mistlctoe boughs and old oak chests. l
want no such skeletons rising up to murder
my rest"
Trouble comes fast enough without
borrowing it,
"At any rate, I've spoken my mind,
and not without reason. 1t is doubtful if
you have heard all that have concerning
your new possessions"
Aunt Jerusha looked so solemn that l
quickly asked;
"What have you heard 2"
"Roundwood has ghost. You needn' I
laugh-it may prove to be no laughing
matter. ! sot the story from the servants.
Not soul Of them but is convinced the
house is haunted"
Tell me what they say"
at is really quite dreadful, Madclon.
They declare that Madam Belgrave can't
rest quietly in her grave, but comes back
to her old room night after night, and
walks the floor until morning"
Has anybody seen her2"
"No; but all Of them have heard her
pacing up aud down the apartment"
Humph. The ghost must be laid l
don't like the idea of being disturbed at
all hours Of the night by any such uncanny
people"
:" Nor T. dryly. "But who viii do it2''
II will" was my answer, as caught a
sunbonnet from the wall, and darted out
into the garden TO escape Amt Jerusha' :
solemn visage while | ruminated upon the
ways and means.
However, the prim, old-fashioncd gar
den, with its quaint angular walks, and
funny little beds, from which the flowers
lifted bright aud smiling faces, as if in
welcome, soon drove oil thoughts Of the
ghost from my head.
| wandered up and down the box-bord-
cred paths, peeping into grape arbors, aud
summerhouscs, inhaIipg the balsamic odors
in the air, and hugging 10 myself the
delicious sense Of possession until ! grew
quite jubiIant or all my pleasures, sha,
ofproprietorship was the keenest just then.
And why, indeed, shouldn't a nice brick
house, with available grounds be sjoy
for ever
! had reached the lower portion Of the
grounds, aud was looking around npon my
domain with quite the air of aae graadt
Priacesse, when my gaze suddenly eneoun
tered a frec-aud-easy figure leaning over !
wicket in the hedee.ow. Starting at th'
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17
eeagIiola

Seagliola Is she most perfect imitation
of marble known. Il was invented in
Italy by Gaido del Conte Or Fasai, 1884,
l649) an ingenious mason Of Carl, ii Iom-
hardy For columns and interior decorn-
tions it has, in a great measure, superseded
the use Of coiored marbles, being far loss
costly and quite as durable. It also takes
an equally high polish, and is eold to the
touch, 50 that il can scarcely Be distin-
guished from marble either BY sight or
touch.
Another advantage il has over marble
Is thSs when used as shafts or pillars il
can be applied 70 hollow columns Of wood,
or as pilasters attacked to wall, thereby
not requiring that suppevt In the Aoor be-
meath which would be necessary If solid
shafts Of marble were employed.
The use Of scagliola Is not confined
alone 70 columns and pilasters; By its
means we are able to successfully initiate
the rarest and most costly stones, and il
has been advantageousIy used for such
ornamental purposes as table-slabs, pedes-
tails, hoors, &c.
The manufacture Of scaglioIa has been
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17
How 70 walrE roa THE NEwsrArnas

HowTo WRIrE ron THE NEWSPAPERS.
BE brief This is the age Of telegraphs
and stenography.
Be pointed. Don't write all around
subject without hitting it.
State facts, but don't stop to moralize.
It's drowsy subject. Let The reader do
his own dreaming
Eschew preface. Plunge at once into
your subject, like swimmer into cold
water.
If you have written sentence that you
think particularly fine, draw your pen
through Il. A pet child is always the
worst in family
Condense. Make sure that you really
have an idea, and then record il in the
shortest possible terms. We want thoughts
in their quintessence When your article
is completed, strike out nine-tenths of the
adjectiyes.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17


The UsE OF STIMuLANTs.-It is
strange how completely the need of a
stimulant Of some kind has taken hold Of
mankind. Whiskey and brandy enough
to float line Of battle ships is sold monthly,
and the less Objectionable wine and beer
aow in perpetual rivers from the presses
and watts. Whiskey, rum and gin, are the
popular drinks here and in Europe. In
France the deadly absinthe kills its thou
sands As stimulant opium has come
into use of late years, and shows on the
importers books fearful increase. Very
few persons, we venture TO say, recognize
opium-eators among their friends; yet they
must be all around US, or where does this
great consumption 60? Here We have
hashecsh In the East, coco and other drugs
in Peru and South America, the betel nut
in India, peculiar species Of mushroom
in Russia, in addition to fiery brandy, and
the greatest variety of intoxicating mate
rial in Africa. There is no nation free
from the curse, or that does not in some
way seek the river Lethe.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

The tea tree was brought to England
from China in 176s. The first barrol Of
tar made in New England was in 1858.
The art of knitting lace was discovered in
Germany in 1861. Cables made Of chain
were first used in the Royal Navy in 1912.
The manufacture Of silk was introduced
into Europe in the year 55l. The plant
known as the aDahlia" was discovered in
Mexico in 1889. Steam was first used 20
produce motion in 1923, by Brancas, in
Rome Water was first conveyed 10 Lon
don by means Of leaden pipes in 1887.
Human hair varies from the 250th 70 the
60oth part Of an inch in thickness.
Parchcd corn is not a modern luxury, but
was common in ancient Bible times.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17
So PER ANNUM.
Select poetrp.
THE SONG OF STEAM.
ny oEonoK ". CUTTER.

Harness me down with your iron bands,
Be sure Of your curb and rein,
For scorn tho strength Of your puny hands
As a tempest scorns chain.
How laughed as lay concealed from sight
For many countless hour,
At the childish hoasts Of human might,
And the pride of human power.
When saw an army upon the land,
A navy upon the seas,
Creeping along, n snail.like band,
Or waiting wayward breeze
When saw the peasant reel
With the toll that he family bore,
As he turned at the tardy Wheel
Or toiled at the weary oar.
When measured the painting coursers speed,
The flight ofthe carrier dove,
As they bore law king decreed
Or the lines of impatient love,
could but think how the world would feel
As these were outstripped aihr,
When should be bound to the rushing keel
Or chained to the flying car
Ha! hal ha They found me at last,
And they invited me forth at length
And rushed to my throne with n thunderblast,
And laughed in my iron strength!
Oh! then ye saw wondrous change
On the earth and ocean wide,
Where now my fiery armies range,
Nor wait for wind or tide.
Hurrah hurrah the waters DER,
The mountains steep decline;
Time--space--have yielded to my power
The world the world is mine
The rivers the sun hath earliest blest,
Or those where his beams decline;
The giant streams Of the queenly West,
Or the orient foods divine.
The ocean pales where'er ! sweep
To hear my strength rejoice,
And monsters of the briny deep
Cover trembling at my voice.
| carry the wealth and ore Of earth,
The thought of the Godlike mind
The wind lags after my going forth,
The lightning is left behind.
In the darksome depth Of the iathomless mine
My treless arm doth play,
Where the rocks ne er saw the suns decline
Or the dawn Of the glorious day.
bring carihs glittering jewels up
From the hidden caves below,
And make the fountains granite cup
With crystal gush o'erlow.
blow the bellows, forge the steel
In all the shops of trade;
hammer the ore and turn the wheel
Where arms of strength are made
manage the furnace, the mill, the mint
] carry, spin, weave,
And all my doing put in print
On every Saturday eve.
I've no muscle TO weary, no breast to decay,
No bones to be ''laid on the Shelf"
And soon intend you may ''go and play"
While manage the world myself
But harness me down with your iron bands,
BE sure Of your curb and rein,
For | scorn the strength of your puny hands
As the tempest scorns chain.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

The PEAcocK.-I have always suppos-
ed the use Of the peacock as symbol ia
art to be only as the representative Of
pride. ! am confident such is tho general
idea. Recently, | have met with the sug.
gestion that Che peacock Is the symbol Of
the resurrection.
The peacock was used by the early
Christians to represent immortality and
the resurrection. The idea Of it's repre-.
senting pride is comparatively modern. Il
is quite impossible 70 say what is the ORR
gin of the older use, but d ispossibly from
an ancient Oriental idea, found in Persian
and other sources, that the hesh Of the
peacock would not decay.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

HINTS ron EvERrBoDY.-The way to
get credit is to be punetual the way to
preserve it is not to use il much. Settle
often; have short accounts Trust no
mans appearance; appearance is deceisfal,
perhaps assumed for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning credit Beware Of gaudy exterior;
roughs usually dress wen. The rich are
plain; trust him, If any one, who carries
but little on bis back. Never trust him
who fiies into passion on being dunned,
but make him pay quickly, Il there is any
virtue in the jaw. Whenever you meet q
man who is profoundly fond Of argument,
you win meet one profoundly iguorant oi
the operation Of the human heart. Mind
your own aiIais; let al ths errors you see
in others management suggest correction
! in your own
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

Coon ADyIoE.--President Porter, Of
Yale College, recently gave the following
laccnic advice TO the students in the course
Of an extended address :-''D Don't drink.
Don't chew. Don't smoke. Don'tswear.
Don't deceive. Don'tread novels. Don,
marry until yea can support a wife. Be
earnest Be selfreIiant Be generous.
Be civil. Read the papers. Advertise
your business. Make money, and Dc
good with IL Love God and your fellow.
men
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

- -
"Other hands may reap the harvest,
That they now with toll put in;
but there always must be sowing
Ere the reaping can begin.
What though dificulties thEeatenl
What though storms the work deiayi
Let them doubt not, LET them slacken
Not their earnest into play,
what though they note not their progres,
Let them only peneyerel
First the blade comes, then the ear comes
Then the fun corn In the ear.
And the star Of which I told thee
Ifthou more Of wouldst know
II shall still be brightly burning
As the seasons come and go.
And DER II my constant vigil
still IN keep with watehful eye;
But the members Off Irving
Must heneelorth ib fame supply.
Tell them every deed Of honor
They perform while here below.
To that stars intrinsic brightness
Only adds deeper glow.
Every time that Self is conquered,
And beneyolence has sway,
When loves sacrifice Is offered.
Then Il beams with broader nay
when their industry is greatest
When their earnestness beats high,
Then the pure light Of their beacon
Flames In beauty DER the sky
-And. IL ever clouds and darkness
Settle DER their timid souls
10 Gods pillar bright of fire
stili before His Israel rolls.
Let them look moment backward
Ger the Irvings past career
Then possess their souls In patieace.
And press ON without fear.
Let them sec her sweetly smiling.
When the frst bay crowned her brow,
When her gifted cincinnAtuss
For her service len his plow,
let them note her modest pleasure
When the air with praise was rent,
As THE STEPPING STONES or GREATNESS
To THE STARRY HEAVENS" went
"Let them mark her growing glory
As she steps from stone to stone.
Until "cHAsoE," the subtle goddess,
Makes her omuipresenec known.
\ n 4.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

.Mr. VIM. H. Ogg plowed corn all day on the 18th
Of June. 1858 then walked five miles and delivered
the lrst Anniversary Address Of the Irving Though
he would not thank me for revealing this j. hid.
ftrH Rock, Aprl ia.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-17

Why y pig Ike tree2 Because he
roots.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-21

The Atlantic Monthly for November
makes Il brilliant opening with the first
two chapters Of Mr.. Howeil's new novel,
Private Theatricals," the scenery and
persons of which are distinctly American
and very striking. This is followed by
Charles Dudley Warmers AT the Gates
OF the East" a travel sketch, fresh and full
of color, in which sentiment and keen fun
are charmingly blended Useful iEforma-
ton finds u worthy exponent in Colonel
Warnings final paper on Sanitary Drain
age, " and This is followed by the eleventh
chapter of Mr.. James Frederick Hudson
Charles Francis Adams, Jr., begins his
long expected series Of articles on rail-
roads, with an interesting account of some
great railroad accidents Mrs hemble q
Old Woman's Gossircontili,es its unfail-
ing supply Of curit- Is anecdotes, and Geo.
Cary Eggleston takes us into the region Of
historic "Reminiscences in his account of lne
in the Old Dominion. The literary essay
OF the number treats Of Hans Christian
Anderson's short stories, and is by
Horace r. Scudler. the American trans
lator Anderson. Besides these cOntribu-
tons, there are poems by T. B. Aldrich
Mrs. Thaxtcr; Edgar Fawcett and G. p,
I.athrop; and the departments of music
and education are entertaining as we'll a,
instructive:
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-21

Died, in st. Charles, Mo-, on Sept. Goth,
1875, ut 8 O'Clock, p. M, Mr.. Jacob KILLER,
ST.. aged s. years.
Another of the early settlers of Saint
Charles has passed away. He was born in
Woodstock, Va. in 1890. was in the ser
vice in the war Of 1872, and moved to Saiilt
Charles in 1928, where he lived to the day
OF his death respected by all his acquain-
taness for his unwavering integrity of
character. His memory remained unm-
paired, and his delineations of early Incl
dents were unusually Interesting. from his
graphic description OF men and scenery.
drunken man in Staunton, who was
being taken to the lookup, and had no
$3.50, having made an efrectual appeal to
destituteitriend. suddeuly bethought HIM
of election times and said "Tackle the
candidates. Shove right into 'eln. Dbl
man that won't stand by his constitu-
ents. You don't want nothing from the
legislature. Let 'em represent you now"
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-21
Premiums.

Premiums.
Among the premiums given at the Au
gusta Fair. were five to Danmer & New
man. of this place for agricultural imple-
meHts, consisting Of Lime Spreader, Three
horse Pillow, Two horse Pillow, Hill Side
Piow and Triangular Harrow. The har-
row was invented by Capt l.. H. McGin-
MS. Of this county and patented on the 18th
of October. On the 18th a premium was
received and the harrow on cxhibitien'was
sold to an Augusta county farmer. These
harrows are said to be superior to the eel
ebrated slant tooth Thomas harrow. A
mong the advantages are that without loss
of time the teeth can be placed per-
pendicular, or slanting forward or back
ward. the teeth can be reversed without
taking them out OF the beam, thus saving
the cost and inconvenience of sharpening
them. The harl ow can be cleaned with
out lifting it from the ground. Messrs.
banner & Newman are now manufacturing
these harrows. Their construction is SO
simple, that where they prefer it, farmers
can manufacture their own harr0ws.
Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-21

As an act ii justice to Mr.. Richard Doug
lass, we publish the card Of Mr.. l.. S. Reed
as it appeared in the Register. The rumors
Of Mr.. D S arrest having reached this place,
It is well that all should know the facts
upon which they are based:
20 THE PUBLIC.
write this rs ali act of justice to an in
n6reat man. Mr.. Richard DouSlass,a men,
Der OF my family, was arrested as the pei
petrator of the cowardly and villainous act
Ut stoiing my house. l cam OF, in short
card. state all my reasons for believing him
innocent Of the charge. know him to be
"A personal friend of mine. He is gentle
man by instinct and raising. If there were
no other reasons, these would lie sufficient
In my own mind. Char acter is not the
growth of day or week, but Of lite
time; and men are rarely transfer ed from
gentlemen into demons instantaneously.
No friend of mine or gentleman was ell
gagged in the act:
Most of the stoning was done while Mr..
Douglass was in the house and in my wife S
presence; and once a rock was hurled at
him as he opened the door and stepped on
the porch, bruising his hand and firing a
gun he held in his hand. Did he employ
some one to rock him :? 1t appeared to be
the chief object ot1the william to injure him
On one occasion lie entered the front door
amidst volley Of stones:
The stoning did not cease with the ar
rest of Mr.. Douglass At this writing |
have been at home two nights, and Mir.
Douglass in his room, and have ever ev-
idence that some cowartlly person has been
lurking around my premises. and at very
late hour of the night has thrown rocks
which struck the house.
care but little personally for all this.
For my wite's comfort and happiness am
much concerned, and our regret is that Il
personal friend and gentleman AMI inmate
of our family should have been made the
scapegoat to bear off the sins of another.
think the local in the ''Old Common
wealth injurious to the character of Mr..
Douglass where ne is not known. l do not
suppose the editor intended this. He should
have added the statement that Mrs. Reed
would not prosecute the case because she
did not belize for moment that MT.
Douglass tare,c the stones.
hope us an act Of justice the editor of
the cold Commonwealth will publish this
card. L. S. REED.