davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
Snakes In Missouri,

The sons Of Mr.. jason Smith, who
lives dozen miles from Fayette, NO.,
in the Moniteau township, in exploring
n ravine near his house, discovered a
snake den, in which there were 174
blacksnakes all knotted together, one
garter snake, two house snakes and two
moccasins. When the snakes were first
dug out they were torpid, but the sun
soon enliyened the mass Of blacksnakes,
and the farmers who had gathered to
see the sight were forced to use hoes,
hatchcts, axes, etc., to put m end to
them.
Another snake story comes from Mr..
Lee Wright, n farmer, who lives a few
miles east OF Fayette. Last fall he hired
n man to clean out n well which had not
been used for some time. He had low.
cred tho man to the bottom OF the we'll
in tub, and was turning away when he
heard a piercing yell. Looking into the
well he saw a multitude Of snakes along
the rocky walls reaching out their long
heads. The man from below could SEQ
their glistening eyes. He screamed and
raved, and Topped around in the tub,
and asked to be drawn up. Mr.. Wright
began to turn tho windlass, and the man
was pulled up through the middle OF
protruding snake heads. In his excite
ment he shook the rope, which swayed
the tub to and fro, so that he was thrown
uncomfortably near the reptiles. When
he jumped out he was covered with cold
perspiration, md his body trembledike
n leaf. He spread the story Of his ad-
venture, and no one could be hired to
clean tho well. Mr.. Wright concluded
to remove tho rock and I'LL it up, md
when the work was begun the snakes
began to show themselves. Before ten
feet OF rock had been removed seventy
four blacksnakes. from two to six feet
long, wero killed. Then the well cavetl
in, aud the rest were buried.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
Notes of the Fashions.

Linen parasols are much worn this
season.
Small reversible shawls OF thread laco
aro counted with novelties for dreSsy
house toilets.
Cream colored muslin handkerchiefs
are offered for sale.
Ladies' will be expected to wear some
outside wrap on tho street, even during
the summer.
Pink and blue batistes, striped and
plain, are offered for summer dresses.
Gray and ccru batistes will again be
worn this season rs overdresses for
black or brown skirts.
Brocaded cream colOrcd silk parasols
are trimmed with cashmere lace.
A cuirasse, short in front, cut open at
tho sides and finished at the back by
two long lAppets, gives new shupe of
corsage.
Tho madrilenc fringe is novelty. It
is composed Of n network OF silk, fin.
ished with several rows Of tasscls.
There arc Il great variety of mantles
aud jackets, but the casaque and the
scarf are the two iavorites.
A new model in overskirts hns from
four to six long straight hrcadths OF ma
terial, with the lower part of each seam
left open, forming square aprons and
square backs.
The Centennial kerchief is n three.
cornered affair, made Of white muslin
and trimmed with Valencienneso or other
lace, to wear about the neck.
Whatever is Centennial" is the
fashion. Children use Centennial hand
kerchiefs, having the corners marked
1776 and 1876.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15

The London Standards Paris CORE
spondent says the fire in the theater in
Rouen broke out while the actors were
dressing for performance OF the opera
OF Hamlet," aud was discovered before
the public were admitted. The flames
spread rapidly. The outlets OF tho
building were so narrow that tho exit OF
the members OF the chorus and the
supernumenrics was cut of, and the
poor people crowded tho windows,
many leAping from them upon bedding
piled below by the inhabitants. One
chorus singer was visible for an hour in
an upper window beyond the reach OF
help. -Four soldiers were killed and
fifteen wounded iu endeavoring to save
lives. About fifty persons were badly
injured and taken to tho hospital. a
leading singer, Nine. Pzys, entered the
burning building in search OF her hus.
band and persisted in tho flames. Her
body has not been found.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
The Story OF the Madman.

President Grant, in conversation with
gentleman in Washington, told the
story Of the madmau who has recently
given such romantic testimony before
the committee on expenditures in the In
terror department. The President says
that he was1 conscious for many weeks
that he was being Swallowed, that he
could never leave : the White House
without finding this rhaniac turn upon
him at some street couler and lower
upon him with his raving eyes. This
espionage became intolsTable, and the
President one day stopped he man anil
told him that it must cease or he would
have him arrested. 1t did. not cease,
and the President. in his walks, carried
u cane.
The mailman still continued to haunt
the White House grounds and the
streets, md was finally taken to the
ASYLUM. Ho had been there but short
time, when his friends here told the
authorities that they would take him tc
his home in ireland, II he should be re
leased. The request was Immediately y
granted, and he was sent to Ireland
He did not remain there long.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15

among the evergreens-lt was my boy 3
foot upon the threshold He has come
back TO me r.
She rushed to the door and threw it
wide open.
"Ernestl Ny boy n
And the tall, stalwart figure canght
her in its arms, as il she had been o lit
tie child.
"Mother, are you glad to see your
wanderer back once morel"
Nor is it any aspersion on his manly
dignity to state that n slight moisture
was sparkling on his long eyelashcs rs
he bent to kiss his mothers check |
Men are but mortals, even though they
be six feet high, and framed accordingly.
As she drew him in he caught q mo-
montary glimpse Of the figure in the
apartment beyond.
" You are not alone, mother2"
"No; Edith is with me-"
"And who may Edith bel"
Didn't you get my lettersl Iwrotc
oil about hcr."
81 haven't seen n letter for three
months"
Edith was standing where the full
brilliauce Of the lamp shone upon he.
blushing cheek and radiant hair, rs
mother and soa entered the room to-
gether. Ernest stopped short, gazing Mt
her in bewilderment.
Mabel !"
Ernest, what do you mean ?" ex.
claimed Mrs. Be, kford, doubtful
whether or not her son Ind taken leave
OF bis senses. "This is Edith Moore. I"
"She is Mabel Moore, my own afii-
anced wife |" said Ernest, springing
forward and scaling his words on lip and
brow and check with half q dozen kisses,
while tho young lady, much to Mrs.
Beckford's horror, made not the slight.
est resistance.
The next moment, however, she with
drew from his encircling arms, and glid-
cd to the astonished matron's side.
Dearest Mrs. Beckford," she said,
softly, "Imay tell you now what was
just trembling on my lips when Ernest's
footsteps interrupted me. My name is
Edith, but it is Mabel, too. Will you
forgive mo for stealing into your heart
by stratagemi I knew you were pre-.
JUDGED against one whom you regarded
ns n mere butterfly Of fashion, and I had
told Ernest that I would never marry
him without your consent. Half an
hour ago promised never to leave
you. Mother, you will not send me
AWAY from you now ~
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
The Crime Of Arson.

The alarming prevalence Of the crime
Of arson, which costs the country fifty
millions O year, and for which tho con.
vention OF fire underwriters have been
trying to find preventive, proceeds
mainly from two motives-the malicious
or revengeful motive, and the mercenary
or insurance award motive. There are
also cases in which the crime is perpe-
trated as means OF covering up some
other crime. Psrseyering research,
aided by the guidance thus furnished,
ought to lead to the discovery OF the
offenders in large proportion OF in
stances. The fire underwriters have, OF
course, the best OF reasons for prosecut'
ing their researches in the event OF any
incendiary fro by which they lose
money; but they have not yet been able
to establish an effective system OF detec-
ton in their own interest. Insurance
companies are not the only parties con-
cerned in the suppression Of this crime.
People whose property is uninsured,
and the tenants Of all houses and stores,
whether insured or not, are concerned.
In fact, it is n crime that affects the
whole community, and one that often
results in the destruction OF life as well
as property. Til" incendiary is public
enemy, against whom the hand OF every
man should be raised, and with whom
Justice should always be MS severe rs the
Inv will allow. A wicked young girl in
Buffalo, named Caroline Fox, pleaded
guilty to the charge of having set fire to
an institution there known MS the 1ngle-
sidc Home. OF which she had been mn
inmate, and upon tho managers OF which
she desired to take revenge. She was
sent by the court to Randall's island
"until discharged by law." Two men
named Skidmoro wcrc tried in Suffolk
county for firing n house, the flames Of
which consumed three men and ono
woman, against whom the accused had
made threats; but no insurance COM
pany was interested in their conviction,
and tho evidence offered was insufficient
to secure it. Gases like these, with such
results, would be less frequent than they
are ii some means were devised Of secur.
ing the cooperation OF tho public at
large with the fire underwriters in tho
suppression OF oil incendiarism, without
regard to the incident OF Insurance.
NeW York SIN.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
rruthrulncss to children.

A parent, unlike n poet, is not born
l,e is made. There are certain things
which he has at onc0 to learn, or he will
have no more influence over his child
than il hc were common stranger. To
gain obedience, you must first set your
sell to deserve it. Whatever you
promise your little one, however small
the thing may seem to you, and what.
over trouble it costs you, perform it.
Never let the doubt once enter that in.
nocent mind that you say what you do
not mean, or will not act up to what
you say. Make as few prohibitory laws
as You possibly can, but once made,
keep them. Iu what is granted, M in
what is denied, compel yourself, how
ever weary, or worried, or impatient, to
administer always even.handed Justice.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
What we are Learning.

The two countries OF the world, leav-
ing central Africa out Of account, about
which least is known to outsiders, are
Thibet and Corca, both Of them popu-
lous, and both ruled by despots OF the
Oriental type. The numerous attempts
made to open them up to travel and
commerce have heretofore proved
failnres, and they remain sealed again t
all the influences OF our form Of civiliza-
tion. But mankind will presently gain
entnnce into Corea. By the treaty
through which war has been averted, and
the long standing quarrel closed be-
tween Japan and Corel, two Of the
Corean ports will next year be opened
to commerce with the enterprising
Japanese. This is a signal triumph Of
Japanese diplomacy. 1t has gained that
which all the menaces and all the nego,
tiation Of British and other European
agents havo failed in gaining. Other
governments, including the United
States, will.now OF course demand that
Corea shall put them upon m eQuaI
footing with the Japanese.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15

It is time to plant early peas. Then
it will soon bo time for hens. Then
come neighborhood fights.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
The Undiscovered Country.

The Undiscovered Country.
Could We but know
The land that ends our dark, uncertain travel,
Where lie those happier hills and meadows
low
Ah! Il fbyond tho spirits lnmost cAvil
Aught Of tho c1untry could We surely know,
Who would not go7
Might wo but hear
Tho lowering angels high imagined chorus,
Or catch betimes, with watchful eyes and
clear,
Ono radiant vista Of tho realm before us
With one rapt moment given TO SEQ AID
hear,
All WIN vnuld fenr7
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15

"Do You think I shall ever forget it
Only wait, Ernest, and all will come
right in Gods own time, she answered,
with her hand in his.
And thus they parted.
The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15
Items OF Interest.

The first governor Of Iowa keeps n
little grocery in little town, and does
littln business.
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12
D1spATcHEs IN THE Ara

D1sPArcHEs IN THE AiR--An
ocean hotning bird Of great docility,
intelligence and spirit, has been
found in Iceland, which flies at a
speed of $50 miles an hour, and is
able to find its home over sea and
land from any part Of the habitabie
world. A pair ofithese birds a short
time since, brought dispatches from
Paris to a lonely spot in a wild and
rocky part of Kent, within ten miles
of London, in one and a half hours.
Press carrier-pigeons took the dis
patches on to the city, the whole dis
tance from Paris to London by act
ualiparcel mode of conveyance. be-
ing done in one and q half hours. II
the experiments at present beng
made in training and educating them
continue successful, it is hoped by
next summer to establish a daily
miniature ocean mail between Amer
lea and Europe, the whole distanc'
to be trayersed between sunrise II
one hemisphere and sunset in tn
other. 4lalt- hai'
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12

II nv. E,,4lt, &C 1lp szIr Now
4E - LMpEHYs aI,Es oe ~. ,,a1;ao- tbronc,b
tlag poln : sI5oss s.eI 5,s;,b d1r
our country nas - r hoen
PeoPie, a,lu s1in1 - = s =
ReInl!eeo % a ig9ha u ss sa, ah, anu X oi,,i
tnere = 2 49, ~; - To- 1 49,
nelrof1es III, -. H. h % H. y.
.oaI op az az. az tilo,1fore e. e his tif,y.. "a
60, - y IL fathar DoTn Pa5t6
4lse s9I: a. f.ss 80 Ess,sarar Of Braz;I
4 Is Tas snI ~ n,SS o',In soIt nf K;na John
TfF snu y as q 60. sne IN IS+s Af.,;g of Por.
~ ab's t1y5,. sa,,s - R;n
lugal. y ~ Gg'.a.s,.h ia a',,a5ad Pastbga
'wileIl ~ she 5enS III ,,,.,s5 ~
Y loof' anu = = - -. ~,
r'Ice al 1ae q, e''i.sl,' gl e & 1908
emperor a1ter tne aesols.ss..a - -.
Il ne aedteated ilt ia - l.S
son, the present. emperor, WY was
then only nine years ota, Ana aey tesuln =
ing to sii. fer1t9ugat oroys oSs nls us.l =
ling brother; Don Mlguei, 81 anu ~ ~ y ,lgs
ed a shortAYed reign. 8 Ion ssLas l.soao a'
IL. was declared z g ags ~
by act oriIhe braziaa1 af sst'su; fI;s !
and was crowned July !I, ga. .:...Elais slts
reign mas been an an esS ~ u Sois'..ls.es' .
progress ana prosperity ief sl' = conl' e'.
try t9at nag .Previousiy oesn .....1S Ic y
stantly distracted :oy !ne qnalnsls arr "a q
factions and freqae1tly torn, " CIV! .
war. 1ne nallon-=nas- an.as- se.s' -
. advance IN the PeyhlSl els1it14slol n
and Of material Development; Top Top
ulation has ine5easea, scnIoiS = S.,;i, Iass Es.;
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12

sa An Indiana girl at Yassafq College
writes to her parents; 'This is the
most stylish hairpin Of q boarding
school / ever tumbled toms Lean eat.
four times a. day 1ifIIo want TO, and.
get fair hack At the hash every
time.
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12
.Led0t NOtice.

Maggie Curtis, PrF In Court q Common s,II6 40
-, VS.. SHle41s, ASH ttSlta W.
~IFbl i16Sansdant. Melville F. Curtis, viii take
notice That the plaintiff on the 26th Day oI
Abfil. l67G filed her petition in said 'Sottit,
eharffnR said defendant with gross negtecs oI
dIifviaIld Drunkenness for more than three
VeSSrE lifAe prayer of said petition is for diT
Y0rok and efistady of children, and the case 6
kSill Be forhesring at the May Term oI SAID
canrf en- fSSi'f''' Z MAGGIE CURTIS
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12

DIR. Benjamin Richardson, the
leading sanitary authority of Eng
land. delivered lecture March 26,
before the Jews of London, upon
stthe Vitality of the Jews, and the
Mosaic Sanitary Code" After giy-
ing some interesting statistics as to.
the large proportion of Jews who
reach old age, DR.. Richardson's then
took up the causes of this alongeyii
ty, chief among which was the
observance of the laws off, Moses.
Its provisions, be said, form mar
veldus collection of sanitary rules.
The rest enioined upon the seventh
day is a, most important provision
fof health, which if strictly, obeyed
would insure to any nation an extra
teIm of life. The cleansings of the
lhause vessels, and person whichl are
enidined, and the, abstainingo from
Jthe hesh of animals which feed upon
garbage, are great checks. upon the
spread of desease. In addition &c
these,are the control of passion and
the special care Of the aged, enforer
ed in the Commandments. ..s...e,3
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12
Sheriff as Special Master Commissioner
Sale OF lend. end Tsneuaents.

AsRtGbalG Common Pleas, Jan. Term, 1876.
h C. Tombes ct at
flis against i8 = tH al a-!4 -. y
James A. Shoecraft
aDY virtue or an Order of Sale du-
,D ly issued from said Court in the above
case to me directed, will offer for sale by
way of public auction, at the door of the.
Court House In Jefferson, Ashtabula County,
ohio. on Monday, the 18th day Of May, A d.
ISTS between the hours OF 10 a. m. and Il m.
O'clock of said day, the following described
land and tenemepts, to-wit: .
Situated $ fnthe township Of Ashtabula,
Cn1nty OF Ashtabula and State of Ohio, and
fnoIVi1 as being six acres of land In Lot seven
teen in said township, and is bounded north
By lands of A. A. Lee, east BY lands OF said
Isrnes A Shoecraft and w. W. Smith, known
as the aMineral Springs south by lands OF
the Widow and heirs Of J. 3. Watrous, de-
ceased, and west BY the t9EnsnlP ro.lo'
Fg.if H9TAH lolla Z i. =. 1OUNG,
Sheriff as Special Master Gommissioner. Is one
/ Sheriff's Office Jefferson, o., April IL, ISs0.
/ THEo. HALL, PITTS Attorney.
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12

Z SPLITTING. OF 4 TRER BEf ELEcTRIu
CTrY.-A, few wears 1agolthe writer
was spending summer on pa tue u = itau tes
soB river. near New burg and a.. at the !
close of a sultry day in August wit
snessed. a most violent storm accom-
Dapied by electrical discharges that
snroassed in bewildering grandeur |
any thing of like nature he
he had ever seen. Flash after Hash
followed In rapid succession, until
one more intense than usual seemed
10 have struck the house that we oc.
cupied. or in very near proximity,
as It was stunning in its effects and
accompanied by pecnliar hissing
! sound not pleasant to the ear or easy
to describe. However, no visible
damage was sustained, and, ike
the storm clouds, the remembrance
of the occasion passed away, and was
for the time forgottens a
L. About a month after the storm
mentioned Que of the huge white
OAK trees that grew close TO the nv
er's side showed unmistakable signs
Of distress. The top withered, the
leaves curied, aud the giant that had
stood guard unharmed for SO many
centuries over the historic memories
! of Newburg Bay was seen to be slow
| Iy but surely yielding up Its life; But
| the cause OF dissolution was not then
manifest.
The tree died, and its towering
trunk and huge naked branches
stood in mournful majesty amid its
companions clothed IN green. Soon
the eyes of a speenlatIve carpenter
were directed to the tree, he wishing
to use the tall piece Of timber for y
. spar. .ial : asi a
The tree was cut close to the
ground, and it fell across piece ol
plowed meadow. But sad for thu
e hopes of the mechanic; upon pealing
! the bark from the trunk the bod!
I of the tree was found to be spill
's from root to branch-not an unevel
n fracture, but almost as smooth as
n cut with a saw, the sides beini
/ blackened, like a gunpowder explo
: sion. fa
le The tree had undoubtedly receiv
a ed a powerful shock of electricity
IN and the splitting Of the entire trun
) caused bv the sudden evaporation Q
I'd the LIQUIDS contained in its artere.
ze separating in moment the toug
y, fibre, as a wedge and q maliet al
Sc used to effect like result, but :
IS, great expenditure of labor, by q
90 hand of man. Strange to say, tn
we tree bore no outward sign OF ln]pr',
an and with the exception Of the entll
ea trunk being split in half, was sour
is IN every part.
-se a5 PhiLGdeI0tiG BaGEtettsa.-
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12
Sheriff as Special Master Commissioner.
sale or Lands and Tenemenls.
AslRabaiIG Cb1nmop Pleas.
Exrs. of William sanborn,

AsIRabaJd CoIHnson Pleas.
Exrs. of William sanborn,
!. James W. Rogers ct al.
DY virtue of an Order of Sale duly
ID issued from said Court in the above case
to me directed, will offer for sale by way OF
public auction at the door Of the Court House
In Jefferson, Ashtabula county, Ohio, ON
h,g,,vaen the .le hours of Ssss u and . O'clock
Of said day, the following described lands and
tenements, to-wit:
Situated in the township Of Ashtabula,
County of Ashtabula, State of Ohio, known
as a water lot on the west side OF AshtaDula
River, at Ashtabula Harbor, and Is part OF
lot Number tWenty-three t23J, m block NUM-
her fortv-three (43) in the village plat At Ash
fabuIa Harbor, and Is bounded easterlyl DY
Ashtabula River, sOutherly. Dy land Of n.
Hubbard, ]. d. Hubert and 4 T. farsons
known as lot. Number twenty-tWo ~, west
erlyI by the Tight-of-Way Of the Ashtabuia,
Youngstow and Pittsburgh Railroad COM
rant as surveyed and located, and nortneriy
by land OF ri Hubbard, known as lot twenty:
four (24l And also the following described
lands and tenements, to-Wit; Sltoate IN tne
Incorporate village Of Ashtahuia, county OF
Asbtabula State Of Ohio and known as being
Dart OF lot Number one %, in Fassett 4 HAIR S
town plat, in the village OF Ashtabuia aIoTe-
said being 81 ixtY-flVe f65)4eet ffOnttng on Lake
street. and one hundred and sixty-nVe (lbol
feet on the line or the right-Of-Way OF the
lake Shore & Michigan Southern Hallway
station grounds. being strip OF land Sixty
| 1--WE f65) feet in width from the north SIDE OF
| eaidlot Number one q, be the same more OF
| less subject to all legal highways
Terms cash. Appraised at = 777,,15c
II
Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12
sIAftnchnle7at.

W NC q '-.-' a0aiTst Yards J p of Ashta-
Richard Wilkinson, ,Deft. bulaTp and Co, O..
On the 2ond of April, 1876, said Justice is-
sued an order of attachmeptin in the above ac-
tion for the sum Of $685. The case is for hear
mo IN the 5th tiay Of June, 1875, at a. ms the
de7endaut heing q nonresident -
SfIS79 - MARTHA PIRNDLE, PIN. {