davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
How They Manage In China.

A paper in China says: We learn that
one of the mandarins here, who had
swindled the government Of large
sum of money when making purchases
of warlike materials at Hong Kong dur
ING the Formosan affair, was brought up
for trial before the redoubtable Ting
aud the Fantai. This degraded official
was subjected, as an introduction OF
something severe in store tor him, to a
fogging OF one hundred blows on the
palms of his hands. he was to have
been bambooed in the usual way as
other criminals on the breech, but for
his bitter crying and vehement entrea-
ties, coupled with the fact Of his not be-
ing in very good health. The default
ing official is surnamed Man, and is re-
lated to Taoutai of that name who WIS
degraded at the same time with the
Vioeroy Ying Han in the Waising affair.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
War as O Missionary.

And now, we are told. the barbarous
Turk is to be subdued; Christian mis-
sionary is to be sent to take possession
OF his territory; that missionary is war
Pious people rejoice that all things are
to work together for good: as if red
handed carnage were the meet handmaid
OF the cross
The Turk may be barbarous; no
doubt he is. Nothing can be more bar
barous' than war. The civilized world
has experienced a great shock at the
cruelties of the Turks toward the cap
tured Servians. A little different, per-
haps, but essentially the same, we ap-
prehend, is too apt to be true history OF
every conquering army. Wherever
shooting, killing and destroying are in
order, wrongs, which still spare the life
of the victim, almost inevitably follow
in their train.
We recall to mind q letter written
many years ago by brave and dashing
young officer on the staff Of Gen. Zach
ary Taylor, during the conquest OF
Mexico. It was addressed to bis wife,
auu kaV6 du dCCOuub VI o DoVo1O III HA43SA&
he had been engaged shortly before.
He referred to the outrages perpetl lated
by the soldiers, and concluded with the
exclamation: eff this be war, God de-
liver me from war I"
Gen. Winfield Scott, whose proudest
title was that Of "Apostle OF Peace,
conferred upon hir by the Rev. William
Henry Charming, although he had been
pronounced by the Duke of Wellington
the greatest captain of the age, once re-
marked: 81 hope never to see another
battlefield" he then described, with
deep emotion, the horrors of war, as he
had Witnessed them. We trust the day
will come, in the history of the human
race, when there will be no more wars,
and peace will reign throughout the
earth.-Lcdger.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
An Atom of Love.

During the course of the Edwards.
Heating breach of promise suit in San
Francisco, the stock broking defendant
WAS asked to explain the following love
letter, which he had written before the
spring rise in stocks: eff one atom Of
the deep, deep love I feel foc You is
scattered throughout the whole world, I
could stake my life it will ill, if allowed
to do so, the entire human race, and
thence viii derive the word commonly
used as love. Goodbye, my dearest
dear. Yours, till death and beyond it
and eternity" The unfortunate witness
was somewhat stunned, and could not
vail inst what he bad meant.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
Financial Condition OF Russia.

A great deal has been said OF the i'm.
possibility of Russia making war, owing
to her financial embarrassments and the
difficulty of raising loan. The hnan-
cial embarrassment is considerable, and
large loan outside Russia is probably
not to be raised, but. the London Spec
tator SAYS q national loan on the No
poleonic principle would produce some
millions, and Russia has one oppressive
and extravagant but effective resource.
She can procure nearly everything by
issuing inconvertible paper. An issue
of ESQ, 100000 (s150, 600, ,0OW would
only increase her paper currency one
fifth, and probably only raise the agio
on gold twenty per centun,, which, as
America has shown us, can be borne
without paralysis of industry. It is a
most ruinous expedient, but Russia has
resorted to it twice already, and each
time has survived.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06

"But, OIL it wasn't all right with
me until I saw him again, and would
have gone down on my knees to him to
beg and pray him to forgive me, only
he wouldn't let me, but took me in his
arms instead, He's that kind of great,
strong, splendid man, is Tom, that he
couldn't get angry at woman.
"But it was lesson to me, and, as
Tom says, I'm always on time, what
ever I have to do
"There's no delay. There's no put
ting off in my house, and I gossip when
there's nothing else to do.
"'You see, you're anxious about
your glass; says Tom, when he's in a
joking mood, as you heard him just
bow. But I've got to feel that I've my
duty to do as well as Tom has, and that
one Of the duties we all have on the
train of life, that flies on whether we
want it to or not, is always to be on
time"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
A Champion Better.

The following story is going around
in French military circles. An officer,
Verdier, was celebrated in his garrison
for winning every bet. None OF his
comrades could boast Of ever having
been victorious, and at last no one cared
to enter bet with him. One day Yer
der was transferred to another regi-
mont, but the fame of his peculiar luck
had already spread before him. After a
supper rendered him by his new COM
rades on the evening of his arrival, and
when the champagne made its appear
ance, General B. called out els it
really true, Verdier, that you win every
bet?"
$50 it is, general"
"But how the deuce do you do it 2"
"Oh, very simple. I am a physiog-
nomist. and bet only when 1 am quite
sure"
"You are o physiognomist. Well,
then, what, for instance, can you read
now in my facet"
"I can see," said Verdier, promptly,
"that your old wound on the upper
and back part Of your leg is broken out
again."
"Nonsense," thundered ont the gen.
eral, "I never had wound there !"
II beg pardon, my general, but -,
"No but after I assure you, slr.
"Perhaps you do not like to speak OF
it j; perhaps duel
"Le diable !-you won't believe me.
What will you beta"
"Anything you please, general"
"Five hundred francs"
"All right, five hundred francs.
"The gentlemen present are wit:
nesses." With these words the general
at once proceeded to divest himself,
sans acne la Suwarow, of his panta-
looms, and scrutinous inspection by all
present revealed the fact that there was
no trace Of wound by sword or ball.
"You lost the bet, Verdier.* shouted
the general, packing himself up again.
II have lost, indeed, this once. Men
may err sometimes. Here are your tive
hundred francs"
The general put the money with q
chuckle into his pocket. After he ar.
rived home he at once wrote to his old
chum, the general in command of Yer:
dier's former regiment: :Dear friend
The story about Verdier's luck is all
humbug! He just made bet that 1
had wound on my back, for five hun
dred francs, and of course lost it." The
answer came back: "Your naivete is
truly charming! Your winning of the
five hundred francs cost me two thou
sand, which Verdier bet me on the day
of his leaving that he will make you, on
the first evening of meeting, take of
your inexpressibles in the presence OF
your officers, and that you yourself will
inform me of it.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
Easily Done.

The circular Of Chicago divorce law
yer is before us. He offers to get a di-
vorce in six weeks for 500, and there
need be no greater cause of complaint
than that "the parties cannot live in
peace and union together, and that their
welfare demands separation" The ap
plicant has simply to sign an affidavit,
pay the fee and receive the document.
The lawyer does not require the pres
ence OF his client, as he does bis court
business in Ga Territory where there is
no State organization to interfere. In
this case, residence anywhere in the
United States is all that is required, and
affidavit of plaintiff is sufficient proof. "
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
EXPLORATIONS In Palestine.

In these days when every spot OF
ground made interesting by the secular
history of mankind is undergoing the
most careful survey and study, it will be
far from creditable either to the Chris
tians or the Jews of Europe and Ameri-
ca If the explorations in Palestine, OF
which an attractive account was given at
the meeting OF the American Geogra-
phical Society, should be teebly and in
adequately prosecuted. The German
government has appropriated, as O re-
port informs US, asum Of $40, 600 marks,
in addition to the 12O, COO marks already
expended, for the prosecution Of the
great excavations making at Olympia;
and it is not brilliantly satisfactory to
be told, as we are, that while England is
spending only $15, 900 year on the ex-
plorations in Palestine, the American
Investigations upon that sacred soil
have been practically brought to a
standstin for the lack of funds. The
imprecation Of the sweet singer OF Is
rael, "If T forget thee, oh, Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget her cunning"
would seem to be chanted in vain by
the believers alike in the old and in the
new dispensation. Not to theologians
only nor to devout persons, nor yet to
archeologists and historians, should the
prosecution of those enterprises be a
matter of lively interest. The artist
and the student of architecture are
deeply concerned in them. A great
deal has been done for our knowledge
of Palestine as land of Scripture and
of story, by such writer's in our mother
tongue as Robinson and Stanley, Prime,
Porter, Kitto and Thompson; but the
magnificent work Of the Count De
Vogue, and the more recent monograph
of another admirable French savant and
traveller on the French castles in the
Holy Land, open fields quite untouched
by English and American explorers. OF
these o glimpse, though but q sigh
glimpse, was afforded us by the gentle
men who addressed the Geographical
Society, and We trust that practical steps
may be taken to bring American science
and enterr rise fully abreast with Euro
pean investigation in this arena, 80
crowded with lofty recollections and the
scene OF incidents OF such transcendent
importance.-NeW York World.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
The Prevention Of Suicide.

It has often been said of people slight
ly insane who commit or attempt sui
eide, that they are moved by unreason-
ing selfshness or vanity. Even vanity
might, and we venture to think would,
be in many cases overborne by the recol-
lection that suicide is murder, and that
the person who commits it will be treat
ed after death as felon-his body
buried without Christian rites, his fami-
ly disgraced and his property lost to
them. The man who could make and
sign disposition of his property with
the intention of suicide clearly in his
mind would be more determined on self
destruction than certainly half OF the
persons who atpresent commit the dread
full act.
It has not, we believe, been denied by
medical men that the homicida mania
is frequently restrained by tho fear OF
punishment. But, as the law is at pre-
sent y orked, many cases occur In which
the maniac coolly acts upon the impu.
nifty which will attend his crime. The
same feeling may work upon suicides.
They may, and often do, know and be-
ieve that under no circumstances will
the old law be brought to bear upon
their case. Among recent examples
there is large proportion in which the
suicide, however insane upon the one
point, WAS perfectly sane upon every
thing else, and, there being no restrain
ing thought In the fear Of legal conse-
quences, has been left to commit self
murder as an act affecting himself alone.
There are many men to whom disgrace
appears worse than death. Such feel.
ing is not uncommon even among those
whose intellects are considerably dis
ordered. Stealing, adultery, blasphemy
are quite impossible to many man who
will yet commit suicide. The idea OF
hurting another is often more repugnant
than that of hurting oneself.
There are many with whom consid-
Grafton of the injury done to their fami-
lies would operate powerfully as deter
rent, even more powerfully than the
desire to crafty the suicidal impulse.
Passion is thus controlled. and the man
who would stick at no crime to attain an
end where his own longings are concern
ed is yet held back by the consequences
his rashness may bring upon those whom
he loves, or even those with whom he
wishes to stand well. It is not possible
to believe that if every intelligent sui
oide-that is, every suicide whose intel
lect has only failed on the one point
could be shown, whether by argument
or by witnessing the experience OF
others, that his crime would be punished
by social disgrace, he might not be in
duced to hesitate, and, as in all diseases,
time gained would be life saved.
The impulse is often transient. Re-
strained for a sufficient period it dies
out, and every consideration, legal and
moral, which can.be used for its restraint
should be diligently sought out and en-
ployed. Half dozen verdicts of .telo-
desc would have a stronger influence,
we are convince d, upon intending sui
cides, and would have greater effect
upon the annual number of cases than
any medical treatment whatever.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
THE CASTAWAYS.
Life on q Desert Rock.

LlI0 ON q D0SoTt 1LOCAs
This was the usual daily routine, from
which the reader will be able to form
some idea of the life We led, says one
who WAS cast away on desert rock:
I got up about seven o'clock and took
the ashes out OF the fireplace, lit the
fire, and swept out the house with o
birds wing. When the stone pot got
heated, I put in the grease, and if we
had eggs we fried them in it, or cooked
the meat in it. It generally took about
q couple of hours to cook the breakfast,
as we could do little at time; my
mother looked after it sometimes. After
breakfast often went down to the gully
and had a wash-with eggs when plenti-
full, often using dozen OF them and
when they could not be spared, I cut a
penguin's throat over a piece Of rag,
scrubbing myself with the blood, and
then washing it off with water; it WAS not
such a good plan as the eggs, but was
better than nothing.
My wash over, I would get birds for
our evening meal, either young penguins
or mollyhawks, and then set to work
skinning and cutting them up. After
that I generally killed and skinned
about fifty old penguins and stored up
the skins for winter fuel. Thirty fat
skins were about as much as man in
our reduced state could carry easily. I
packed them in stacks about four feet
high. The old-kept skins burnt well,
though they smelt strongly, and were
full Of maggots; but We were very glad
to have them. I stored about seven
hundred or eight hundred, which would
have lasted US some time, ss We only
burnt about five or six in our small fire
during the day.
Twas always glad to get my skinning
over, as I had got 80 sick OF it and
dreadful looking figures we must some
times have been-our hands and clothes
covered with blood. and our faces often
spotted with it. The evening meal was
generally cooked by my mother, OF
which I ate some, leaving little for the
morning, then got in water for The
night, put the turf on the fire, and
retired to bed, or rock rather. Igener-
ally slept well, except when I dreamed of
skinning penguins. Ny mother also
slept pretty well, considering the dis
comfort, etc. On Sunday never did
any skinning, but washed myself in the
gully in the morning. We always had
supply of f. cd ready for the Sunday. I
then paid visits to some of the other
shanties, and got all the news, such as a
new yarn and dreams were great
source of amusement-we dreamt in
such q realistic manner.
Having dreams was quite like letter
by post, for they took our minds off the
island, and enabled us to forget for
time our miserable circumstances, and
any interesting ones I retailed to my
mother. In the night when We awoke
we invariably asked each others dreams,
which were often about something to
eat, often about being at home and the
ship that was to take us off the island
always pleasant. Dreaming, in fact,
was by far the pleasantest part of our
existence on that miserable island.
Many were the prophecies that were
made about when we should get of.
At first we an1iously paid attention to
them; but when one or two turned out
wrong, no one took much account OF
them.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
before which 80 many fall, as the evil Of

before which 80 many fall, as the evil OF
intemperance.
most earnestly desire thattRe youth
of our country, especially Cd Rbbath-
school scholars, shall give all their in.
fuence against this great evil. May
God help you to avoid the perils in
lfe's journey, and the traps that are set
for your feet, so that from your place OF
safety you may reach out your hand to
help the tempted who are struggling in
their chains, and may by sef-denial be
enabled to "fulfill the law of Christ,
by helping some poor burdened souls
into the higher life of purity and free
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06

Tn DrrEnENoB.-"Did you ever. 3"
asks the Cincinnati Times, swatch the
noiseless movements of pretty girl 8 lips
as her dress is trodden upon, and marvel
at the self command which enables her
to do the situation justice in so quiet a
mannerf A dozen fonts Of type wouldn't t
furnish dashes enough to represent the
remarks OF the average IAN under Aks
inakamepk"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
A Long Search.

A young man named Collins went to
Cherokee county, Ala, and after making
love to the ai1teen-year old bride OF a
si,ty.year resident, eloped with her.
The old man procured carte de visite
of Collins, saddled his horse, and for
two years tracked the compile over the
States of Mississippi, Alabama, North
and South Carolina, and into Georgia,
where he met Collins at Jonesboro and
had him arrested. Collins refused to
say where the wife was, and was SEN
fenced to the chain gang for twelve
months. The old man is still securing
the country in search OF bis "poor
Marv -
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06

In Ara1oA.-In the elevated regions
OF the interior of Africa, where there
are no dense primeval forests, extensive
swamps and pestilential jungles, cattle
and horses show no sign Of infection or
poisoned state OF blood. They flourish
in unoounted herds. And in those re-
gions men are healthy, vigorous. and in.
tsllisens,
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06

"Is there an opening here for an in;
tellectual writeri" said very red faced
youth, with the cork Of bottle stick
ing out of his breast pocket. The edl-
tor, with much dignity, took the mans
intellect in, and said can opening
yes, sir kind and considerate carpen-
ter, foreseeing your visit, left an open
Ing for yon. Turn the knob to the
right"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
VALUABLE EsrATEs.-A number of

VALUABLE EsTATEs.-A number of
well known estates in the James river
section of Virginia have been sold lately
to Northern and Western capitalists.
The "Groye," near the historic James
town, brought $50 an acre; "Arina, at
Atkins Landing. 100000; Ruf6ns'
homestead, near Por. Walthall, $50. 900;
the beautiful d" Ellerslie," in Chester
field COUNTY, $23, 900 and an elegant
possession just above Aikens' Landing,
On tho river, s86, 900.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06
The Well Digger.

The Well Digger.
Gene, listen all, while relate
What recently befell
Unto farmer down in Maine,
While digging Of well.
Full many yard he dug and delved
And still he dug in vain;
"Alack!" quoth he, "e'en water seems
Prohibited in Maine!"
And still he dug and delved away,
And still the we'll WAS dry;
The only water to be found
Was in the farmers eye.
For by the breaking Of the bank
That tumbled from the station,
AL suddenly his hopes were dashed
OF future liquidation.
And now his sands were running fast,
And he had died, 10 doubt,
But that just when the earth caved in
He happened to be out!
"Alas! have happy thought"
Exclaimed this wicked man
"To dig away this cured we'll
see pretty pan.
"I'l hide me straight, and when my wife
And exc the neie hbors know
What's happened to the digging here,
They'll think that I'm below!
"And 30, to save my precious life,
They'll dig the We'll, no donbt,
Fen deeper than it WIS at first,
Before they find me OUT"
:. And 30 he hid him in the barn
Through all the hungry day,
To bide the digging Of his well
In this deceitful way.
But list what grief and shame befell
The false. ungrateful man,
The while he slyy watched to see
The working Of bis plan.
The neighbors all, with one accord,
Unto each other said:
"wi,h such q weight with earth above,
The man is surely desd!'
And the wife, with pious care,
All needless cost to save,
Said "Since the Lord has willed it,
Zen let it be his gravel
John G. SAGE.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-06

Do you ever read the newspapers !
No Have you any opinion upon any
thingi No Do you know your right
hand from your left No Do you
copsider yourself species Of born idiot
Yes! Then you are at for o 3uryman'
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-16

HIS ARBITRARY ARREST OF POOR oYsTER-
MAN--A SCENE IN THE ToMDs COURT.
For tho past eleven years John Coffee an old Irish
man, living at No l23 Roosevelt street. has kept
little wooden shanty, in which he sells oysters, In tho
square at Roosevelt and South streets Before he put
up tho shanly OF the square used 10 DO oc-
cupied by old boats and chain cabloa Coffee has q
wllc and large family maintain aud his only Of
support tho business hc carried In tho shanty.
His obglng disposition made him favor,e with the
South street merchants to whose portcrs and truck.
men he furnished dinner A month ago Captain
Alexander s. Williams, OF the Fourth precinct. con-
ccved the idea OF oustng poor old Coffee He asked
Coffee II no had u permit, and being answered
in the negative told tho old that IL hi
did not close up his stand he would arrest him.
The was brought 10 the attention OF soma nnuen-
tial gentlemen who had resolution passed by tho
Board or Aldermen giving Coffee permission 10 have
his stand in the square On Wednesday Mr.. G )ffcc
opened hts stand, and was arrosted by Captain WILL
Jams. lie explained that lilo had permit from the
Board Of Alderman, but Captain Williams would not
listen 10 him. and locked him up. When Mr.. Conce
was brought hciorc Justice wandeIl, yesterday
ing he produced his permit Captain Williams asserted
a forgery certificate from Mr.. Tuomey, Clerk
OF the Board OF Aldermen, vouching for its genuine
ness then produced. and tins also branded
forgery by Captain William. Judge Wandell, how
ever knew Mr. 1uomey's writing aud said, II. IL gen.
une cannot go behind the action of tho Mayor and
Board OF Aldermen dismiss the complaint"
Captain Williams sala - don't care straw about
violation Of tho health code. HIS place ID public
nuisance"
complaint II the Health Board takes any action In tho
matter they can do SO. My good man, you are dis
charged
Captain Williams, who could scarcely control his
temper. said, "All right all right. sir' A. no cit
the ho ordered Mr. Coecs rcarrest In the ovont
Of Tho latter reopenng his little place OF business