davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
Sold His Wife for Two Quarts Of

AT Warrington, Lancashire, Eng
land, young man recently sold biz
wife. good looking woman of six and
twenty summers. for the small sum Of
the price Of half a gallon Of beer He
had lived apart from his wife for about
two years. and q laborer who lodge
with her mother, having become smit-
ten with her charms, conceived the idea
that if her husband sold her to him
there would be no lawful inpediment to
her becoming bis wife. Accordingly
the pair proceeded to public house,
and the husband Was sent for. The
other told him that be would bay his
wife If be would sell her. The husband
replied that he could have her f
'snowt," If be liked; but the othsr. man
did not want to obtain her 20 ohesply,
and requested the husband to name the
price. He uas told that he could have
her for half . gallon Of beer. which was
at once sent for and drank, and the
sealed, to the apparent satis-
faction Of all parties The purchaser
said she was good wsnch to him, and
be loved her. He would like to marry
her, he said, and asked the husband il
he would "hurt" her. The reply was.
mo. theaw can marry her as soon as.
Eheaw loikes, to-neet, if theaw's moind.
| won't hurt either of You" The hus-
band returned to his work, and the wife
EFF the house with her purchaser.
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
THE PROMISE OF YOUTH.

What terrible mistake we. do make
in this matter. to be sure! Is there a
family in the land where genius has not
grown up into very poor creature
whose cygnet has put on no swans
plunage as be swan down the stream
Of years? If the despised fool has not
as often developed into a genius. it is
that geniuses are rare birds, and do not
roost on every perch Ifw were quite
wise ourselves. Of course we should
make the mistakes less often. But are
they not almost impossible to avoid i?
How can We look on bright child,
quick in thought. ready 10 speech. and
full Of childish wit and fun, and refrain
from doing this little rule -of-three sum
about them: If the child Of eight is 50
clever, what will the man of thirty not
be? Or. again. how can we guess that
the dull, thick-witted child, sleepy and
listless, who has never seen a CLEAN Of
the others wit, who has none of the
charm and brightness Of the other, dull
in perception and slow in speech how
can we guess that he is genius in dis
guise? How can we tell that.the quick
early growth of the one will be arrested,
that his wit will crystallize into flippan-
cy, and bis cleverness into disputatious
dogmotism? And what is to make us
guess that the heaviness and cloudiness
of the other is but the great ferment Of
vast mental powers-the mysterious de-
velopment Of grand intellect?
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
Old Maids.

A quaint and gallant writer. some
fifty years ago. said II love an old
maid-I use the single number, as
speaking Of = singulsrity il Humanity.
An old maid. il not merely an anti
quarian. She Is an antiquity; not
merely record of the past, but the
very past itself. She has escaped !
great chapge. and sympathixes not ID
the ordinary mutations Of mortality
She inhabits little eternity Of her own.
She is miss from the beginning Of the
chapter to the end. / do not Ike to
hear them called mistress. as is some
times the practice for that looks and
sounds like resignation Of despair. .
voluntary extinction Of hope. I do not
know whether marriages are made in
heaven some people say there are
but / am almost sure old maids are. -
There is something about them which
is not of the earth. earthly. They are
spectators Of the world not adventur-
ers or ramblers, perhaps guardians.
We say nothing Of tattlers. They are
evidently predestined to be what they
are They owe not the singularity Of
their condition to any lack Of beauty,
wisdom, wit. or good temper; there is
no accounting for it but on the plea Of
fatality. | have known many old
maids. and, Of them all. net one that
hse not possessed as many good and
amiable qualities as ninety and-nins Of
i hundred of'my married acquaintances.
Why then are they single? It is their
fate"
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12

Two STRINGS honest peasant
surprised an infdel one day, who was
jeering at him for believing the Bible,
BY the reply, 1--WE country people like
toIhave two strings to our bow" "What
do you mean 2 inquired the infdel.-
"Only this. rejoined the poor man !;
that believing the Bible, and acting
up to it, is like having two strings to
one bow /; for if it is not true, shall
be better man for living according to
it, and so it will be for my good in this
life,-that is one string to my bow.
And, if it should be true, it will be bet
ter for me in the next ife,-that Is an
other string, and pretty strong one it
is But. sir, if you do not believe the
Bible. and on that account, do not live
as it requires, you have not one string
to your bow. And, oh, sir, if it's tre-
mendous threatenings prove true, ,-oh,
think what then will become Of you p
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12

"a. 49,
ABOUT HAf1Ns. Hate not: 1t is
not worth while. Your life is not long
enough to make it pay to cherish i'll viii
or bard thoughts toward any one
What If that man has cheated you; or
that woman has played you false p
What if this friend has forsaken you 10
your time Of need, or that one. having
won your utmost confidence. your
warmest love. has concluded that he
prefers to consider and treat you as a
stranger? Let il all pass What dif-
ference win it make to you 10 4 few
yeara when you 60 hence to the sun
country" All Who treat
you wrongly now will be more sorry
for i then, than you, even in your
deepest disappointment and grief. can
be. A few more smiles, few more
tears, some pleasure. much pain. lit
tie longer hurrying and worrying in the
world, some hasty greetings. and
abrupt farewells, and life will Be over,
and iujurer and the injured will be laid
away. and ere long forgotten. Il it
worth while to hate each other !?
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
A Hazardous Experiment.

Daniel Hurley is a bod carrier, and
lives with bis family in the top story oi
a five story brick tenement At 507 Thir-
teenth street, New York. On hot nights
be has slept on the roof. which is un-
guarded by any rail, and on, three sides
there is sheer descent to the curb
stones Of the rear yards. One night
residents in the neighborhood heard
cries for help and police. Many gath
cred in the rear yard. but could not as
certain the direction whence the voice
came. Mrs. Hurley was aroused. and
ran about the house calling forher hus.
band An officer came quickly, and
soon four or Eve more policemen were
on the ground. Mrs. Hurley fell in the
street. overcome with terror. Z
The officers deserted Hurley dang
ling in the air at the back Of the house
at Thirteenth street and Avenue A. In
the obscurity Of the night the men could
not see what sustained him. but Hurley
shouted "I'm on the clothesline; for
Gods, sake. help! | can't hold out
much longer. I'm slipping !" The
officers, followed by the neighbors. ran
first to one housetop and then to an
other. and at last reached the one from
which Hurley hung. Other officers
placed themselves in the yard under the
suspended man, that they might break
his fall if he lost his hold. Hurley
family called: Hurry up; I'm about
gone I" The policemen tied clothes
line to the rope on which Hurley lay,
and were about to cut the latter cord
from its fastening in the window. when
the staple by which it was attached to
the house gave way. Hurley, dang
ling at the end, was dropped to point
midway between the housetop and the |
ground. and there held by the cord in |
the hands Of The policemen Slowly be |
was lowered to the ground, where he
lay painting and exhausted for several
He said be remembered |
nothing until he found himself falling
and then he clutched at the rope. He
thought be was going down stairs to
bed until the rope cut him. Then be
held on with both hands, and called for
lid. Probably be rose in his sleep, and
walked over the roofs to the edge of
SOB. imagined that the courtyard was
lis bedroom, and stepped into it
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12

could but gain her consent to become
his wife. A month quickly passed
away, and Elsie began to look forward
to her return home She tried to per.
suade herself it was Lulu she most
longed to see, but another image would
always stand between them. A letter
from Lulu hastened her departure. Mr..
Howard was going to travel in search
Of new scenes, would be gone several
months, and earnestly desired to say
goodby to Elsie before starting.
Mr.. Savage expressed great regret at
her arrangements. and sought private
interview with her one day previous to
her departure. Elsie would gladly have
avoided it. but saw no alternative. Mr..
Savage expressed the truest affection for
her and told her if she would become
his bride no pleasure should denied her
and everything that wealth could pro-
cure should be at her command.
Elsie courteously but firmly refused
him, whereupon be asked If another
claimed her heart. She indignantly re-
piled. .'You have no right. sir. to ask
me such questions. / refused you be-
cause / did not love you"
During the week intervening between
Elsie's return home and Mr.. Howard's
departure from the village, he frequent
y called at Willow Grove. The time
passed quickly and Charlie prepared for
a farewell call. The visit was pro-
louged to an unusually late hour. for
neither Charlie nor Elsie noted the
fight Of time. The blinds were closely
drawn. SO that no curious eye eould see
the deep blush mantling Elsie's fair
face. nor could listening ear hear the
low -breathed words meant for her ears
alone. The village gossips must be
content to know only the results of that
When Charlie arose to go. be took
Elsie's hand and said, II am very poor
,ow. but you will wait for me Elsie, my
Elsie. l am sorry shall never have
wealth to offer you"
II am not accustomed to riches.
Charlie. in worldly point of view. but
know l shall possess unbounded wealth
o your love, and will try to be patient"
eplied Elsie with alook Of perfect con-
idcnce Charlie stopped to press kiss
% her beautiful brow. then turned to
%.
The ensuing months were busy ones
t Willow Grove, and many were the
oetic gems produced by Elsie's pen
When Charlie returned he told Elsie he
'as ready to receive her as his bride.
nd it remained only for her to appoint
be time for their nuptials. She was
realty surprised, having expected to
1ait years, instead Of months.
She asked no questions, but supposed !
9 had attained great skill in painting,
I'd was already acquiring fame. But
harlie had surprise for Elsie which ,
e reserved till their wedding day. A II
istant relative had died lately and g
harlie unexpectedly became heir to /
Is handsome fortune. He said after
ard, the happiest hour Of his life was '
hen be led Elsie to the hymenial altar .
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
The Presidents Programme.

General T. Morris Chester, promi
nent statesman Of Louisiana, Of African
descent, has been to Washington to SCI
the President. General Chester is. ",
believe, the superintendent or assistant
superintendent Of education in Louis
lana, and is much esteemed by Marshal
Packard and Collector Casey Coming
thus well accredited, and having thf
further advantages of an introduction
from Secretary Robeson, Chester ap-
pears to have been taken at once into
the confidence of the administration. -
In fact, be came. to ask the administra-
tion what it was going to do for Pack
ard this fall, and the administration
told him Packard need give himself
no uneasiness he will be taken care Of.
Only three Of the Southern States. the
President is reported to have said. are
to be carried for Hayes. North and
South Carolina and Louisiana. and if
Packard will but select the right kind
Of man as bis successor in the Marshal's
Office, there will be no lack of money or
Of troops. The President rather thought.
that Packard should be 10 mo- hurry
about resigning the Marshalship, as be
mightbe needed to carry out the plans;
but in any case . vigorous campaign
was promised. The report Of this con-
versation reaches us from several differ
ent sources. General Chester being ap-
parently somewhat leaky statesman.
and in the main it is probably correct.
Mr.. Haralson. the colored member Of
Congress from Alabama. and the repre-
sentative of that State in the Republi-
can national committee. made . speech
at Salem the other day in which be in
oluded Mississippi also among the States
that we're to vote for Hayes, or, at
least, that were not to be allowed to
vote for Tilden. If the Democrats carry
hat State, be said, sit is certain the |
United States Senate will not count the |
1ote. I have talked with the Senators.
ind know what say" Possibly Mr.
3rant has not talked with the Senators, |
md is not aware Of this part Of the pro-
yramme or perhaps, as the Senate is
,oing to take care of Mississippi, he
loes not concern himself about that
State. His part of the work is to carry
be Carolinas and Louisiana, and he
las evidently made up his mind to do
!. They are to be carried by corrup-
ion and force. for Hayes, the civil SER
ice reforner. and Wheeler, the advo-
ate Of justice to the South. That such
plan should be thus carefully matured
} not surprising, for it is in this way
hat elections have beer. carried in the
outhern States for ten years past. and
be party was never 10 greater stress
han now. But that such plans should
e calmly talked about and complacently
cquiesced in by those who in their
carts bold them in abhorrence, is far
'om comforting. There Was time
hen many sincere Republicans felt
lat the success Of their candidates WAS
!, important that they must wink 1t
~ Irregularities that were necessary
secure it. We do not think it il 50
this time, or that any one can sin
rely. believe it good thing for this
'untry that . Presidential election
lould be decided BY the bayonet.
Times.
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
A Colored Mans Speech.

A Democratic ratification meeting
was held in Tallahassee, Florida, about
ten days ago, and among the speakers
was colored man named Gardner, and
a correspondent Of the Jacksonville
Press reports him as folloWs:
"God intended US to be free. Who
brought the people out Of the Land Of
Egypt and the house of bondage? Does
Moses claim the glory? The Republi-
can party never intended to free us. It
was by accident, so far as they are con-
cerned They did not whip the South
to free US. They could not whip them.
They were getting the worst Of it, and
they called upon US. Just like. now
suppose you and another man fight, and
be cant lick you. but is getting sick of
his bargain, and be calls another man
to help him and they double team on
you-that's the way it was done It
was for the Union. And now, if you
don't want them to break up the Union
and steal all there is in it, come and
vote for Tilden and Drew. NY old
father put two hundred and odd dollars
in the Freedman's Bank and lost it,
and his children need it to-day. Did
the Radicals ever do you any good ? Do
they give you any work ? What busi-
ness do they do requiring your assist
ance They don't own any property.
All they want is to make money, and
they get it out Of you and me BY heavy
tax SO they can get $S day, when. We
have to work in the sun for fifty cents
Where are the promised forty acres and
the mule You all know preacher Hall
and heard him prcach-well we had to
sell his mule, that be worked hard to
buy. SO as to pay his tax. and the other
Sunday be came to church and gave
out the text. aud before be begun be |
asked the congregation to help him with
collection to pay his tsx-why didn't |
be 60 to the Radicals to help him -
Cause he knowed it was no use. You,
my colored folks. are prejudiced against
Democrats. You will be freer under
them than you are now, when man
can't vote as he pleases without being
beaten. and then there is no law to pro.
tect him. A cry from the crowd. "Yes,
just like Georgia. You needn't say
nothing about Georgia. went to Sa
vannab. and in three months l made
hundred and odd dollars. If any man
do wrong there. he is punished BY the
law, but here there is no law to protect
you. | had some pigs and chickens,
and they were stolen. and the justice of
the peace never done a thing to the
man that stole them. These fsllows
who come here from Georgia, run off to
keep out Of prison for some rascalify
An honest man can live anywhere cx-
cept among rogues !"
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
The DroWu Sentinel.

A General. after gaining ] great vic.
tory, was encamping with biz army fol
the night. He ordered watch to be kept
all around the camp ss usual. One ol
the sentiuels5 q hsEwsnt to his station,
grumbled to himself, and said, !" Why
could not the General let us have !
| qniet nights rest for once. after beat
ing tue enemy I'm sure there is moth
ing toabe afraid Of !"
The man then went to his station and
stood for some time looking about him.
1t was a bright night, with a harvest
moon. but. as he could see no sign Of
danger anywhere. be said to nself.
II am teHiply tired. | shall iIeep for
just five minutes, out Of the moonlight.
under the shadow Of this tree So he
lay down
Presently be started up. dreaming
that some one had pushed : lantern be-
fore his eyes. and he found that the
moon wss shining brightly down On
him through The branches Of the tree
above hin. The next minute % arrow
whissed past bis ear. and the whole
Geld tefore him seemed alive with sol
diers in dark green coats, who sprang
up from the ground. where they had
been silently bot surely creeping on
ward, and rushed toward him.
Fortunately the arrow bad missed
him, SO be shouted aloud to give the |
alarm, and ran back to some other SEN
tinels The army to which be belonged
was thus saved, and the soldier said Il
shall never forget, Is long ss I live,
that when one is at war, one must
watch"
Our whole life is war with evil -
Just as we have conquered ii. it some-
lines attacks Us when We least expect
L. For example, when we have re-
'isted the temptation to be cross and /
oettish. or disobedient, sometimes when
Fe are thinking, How good We have
)een !" comes another sudden tempta-
ion, and We are not on cur guard, and |
10 not resist it, Jesus says to us,
Watch and pray, that ye enter not
nto temptation n
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12

"Wanted-A man." sings DR.. Hol-
land, and to the following effect:
God give us men time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and
ready hands; 80
Men whom the lust of office does not kin;
Men whom the spoils Of Office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and will
Men who have honor, men who will not lie !;
Men who can stand before demagogue,
And damn his treacherous batteries without
winking;
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the
fog
In public duty and in private thinking
For, while the rabble with their thumb worn
creed, 'tss
Their large professions and little deeds,
Mingle in fishstrife, To- Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice
sleeps.
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12

GERMANY's SILVER "A semi official
statement shows that the German gov
ernment estimates that the amount of
silver likely to be disposed Of by it will
not exceed 97 500, 900, and that it is
being sold at the rate Of but two or three
millions sterling per annum There had
been greatly exaggerated statements as
to the amount of silver the German
government would sell, some accounts
putting it at many hundred tons, but
this official announcement. showing
much less sum to be disposed Of. no
doubt contributed to the late improve
ment iuthe market value Of silver
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
TRUSTEES SALE
REAL ESTATE.

By virtue of an order of the Orphans Court
of the State of Delaware, in and for New
Castle county, made the 3rd day of April, A.
d. 1876, will be exposed to sale at public
auction, at the Hotel Of George Whitfield in
the town Of New Castle, on
THURSDAY, AUG. 17th, lS76,
Arl1 o'clock, a. M,
The following described lands and tene-
ments being the residue of the Real Estate
late Of Michael Denning, deceased, to-vit -
All that tract and parcel of land situate in
Red Lion Hundred, New Castle county and
State afdressid, bounded and described al
follows beginning at stone on the west
side of Buck road, corner for John Marcy and
these premises, thence down the side of the
said road south 38o 32< west 84-lO0 -per-
ches thence south SOC 50/ east A 32-l00S per-
ches TO a stake, thence north $50 32< east
$40 perches to stone in - Jesters land,
thence with said TESTERS land north 500 50/
west l3 4-l0 perches TO q stone, corner for
this and said TESTERS land and line of land of
- Bradley thence with said Bradley's land
north loo IA 48-l00 perches to stone, corner
for this and said Bradley's land, thence north
$50 81 west 10 $500 perches to a stone cor
her for this and said Bradley's land, thence
N. 10 q w ~ l6-100 perches 10 stone, cor
ner for this and lands of - Bradley and DR..
Tyndall, thence with said Tyndalps land s.
$50 43> E. l8 24-l00 perches to a stone in line
of land of John Marcy, corner for this and
land of DR.. Tyndall, thence with said Marcy's
land 8. 70 Az w. 44 4-l0 perches to stone,
corner for this and said Marcy's land, thence
with said Marcy's land s. 500 30< E. 26 8-l0
perches to the west side Of said Buck road and
place Of beginning, containing within said
houuda n Acres and porc1,oc ~ Lard - i
ihe same more or less.
And it is ordered that the purchasers there
of be and appear at the next Orphans Court
for New Castle county, that the court may
assign to him, her or them the premises sold
pursuant to said order, he, she or they with
sufficient surety or sureties to be approved by
the Court, entering into recognizance to the
State, to be taken and acknowledged in said
Court, in penal sum 10 be determined by the
said Court, with condition to pay to the par
ties entitled severally, or their executors, ad-
ministrators Or assigns respectively, their just
and proportiopate shares Of the said purchase |
money, with interest from such time as the |
Court may determine in manner and form as
may by the direction of said Court be pre-
scribed and appointed in said condition.
Aftendapcs Y II b kRen and terms of oaIel
made known Ii the tine add place afolfsaid. |
by JOHN h. RODNEY, ESQ, Trusted,
Attest: On BY HIS ATTORNEY. |
@. M. vandever, Clerk Orphans Court.
=
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
Selett poetru.
I'VE BEEN THINKING.

I've been thinking, I've been thinking,
What 4 glorious world were this, e
Did folks mind their business more,
And mind their neighbors' less;
For instance, you and |, my friend,
) Are sadly prone to talk
OF matters that concern us not,
) And others follies mock.
Pve been thinking if we begin
To mind our own affairs,
That possibly our neighbors might
C0ntrive TO manage theirs.
We've faults enough at home to mend
1t may be so Of others;
1t would seem strange if it were not,
Since all mankind are brothers.
Oh ! would that we had charity
For every man and woman
Forgiveness is the mark of those
We know ito err is human -
Then let US Danish jealousy
Let's lift our fallen brother;
And as We journey down life's road,
Do good to one another.
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
A turned Down page.
There's turned-down page, as some writ

There's turned-down page, as some writeI
says,
In every human life
A hidden story Of happier days s.ss
Of peace amid the strife; s
A folded leaf that the world knows not
A love dream rudely crushed.
The sight of a foe that is not forgot,
Altho' the voice be hushed,
The far-distant sounds ofa harp's soft strings,
An echo on the air;
The hidden page may be full of such things,
Of things that once were fair.
There is hidden page in each life, and mine
A story might unfold;
But The end was sad of the dream divine
1t better rests untold
Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12

A little girl was asked Whist VAS the
meaning Of the word .shappy." She
gave pretty answer. sayiug ut is to
feel as if you wanted to'eive up al your
things to your little sister,