davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
A Sea Fight.

The Zanzibar correspondent OF the
Western Morning Ne,os, writing under
date October 20, says : The bark Pau
line has arrived at Zanzibar, with Goals
for her majesty's ships. When off Cape
ST. ROGUE, South America, sight was
presented that made the crew aghast-
nothing less than the great sea serpent
engaged in conflict with whale. 1t
had wound itself twice round the whale,
and was twirling it with tremendous
velocity, lashing the water into foam.
The noise could be distinctly heard on
board, and after battling for some time
both disappeared. The serpents length
can be imagined. 1t had two coils around
a full-sized sperm whale, with thirty feet
clear at each end. Its diameter was from
three to four feet. They saw it twice
afterward. Once it came very close to
the vessel, and raised itself about sixty
feet out of the water, as if about to at.
tack them. . I have questioned men and
officers, trying to find out any discrep-
ancy between their statements, but am
convert to the belief that it was seen.
Another naval officer writes to the
Western Morning Ne,cs to precisely the
same effect and the officers OF he1
majesty's ships on the station are said tc
! be convinced of the truth of the story.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
The Georgia Swamp.

The expedition which is exploring the
vast and hitherto almost unknown Oke-
fenokee swamp, in Georgia, has dis
covered that there are no extensive lakes
on the east side of the swamp, as has
hitherto been believed. The supposed
lakes are in fact prairies covered with
swamp grass, and forming in the rainy
season wide sheets of water. Among
these swamp prairies are elevations re-
sembling islands in sea, and covered
with a growth of trees. The soil OF the
islands is very rich. There are only
two small lakes in the prairies, though
open spaces are to be found, varying
from twenty to twenty-five feet in
diameter, frequently very deep, and al
ways covered with a growth OF water
lilies. They partly spent sometime ne
in tracing the stream known as
Double Branches, which is about
fifty feet wide, and has a sluggish
current. The stream enters the swamp
at its northern extremity, and continues
its course about midway, and Is evident
ly the channel for the waters OF Alllga-
tor and Gum Swamp creeks and other
streams that ran into the great mofass.
It is believed that the Double Branches
is tributary of the suwanee.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
An Anecdote Of John Randolph.

John Randolph boarded in George,
town while o member of Congress, and
generally rode over to the capitol, bnt
Sometimes he walked. On keen frosty
morning he was walking over to the
House, and soon after he crossed Rock
creek bridge he was spied by MIR. b.,
who was walking on the opposite side OF
the street, in the same direction. Mr.
B. had a speaking acquaintance with
Randolph, and seeing him across the
street, thought it o good time to improve,
and so crossed over to walk with him:
Now, Randolph had very long legs and
was, even in his ordinary gait, a very
fast walker. With some difficulty, MIR;
B. came up with Mr.. Randolph and
saluted him with: "Good morning,
MIR. Randolph; you are walking fast this
morning" "Yes, SIR" squeaked Ran.
dolph, "and I can walk still faster,
and thereupon Mr.. Randolph increased
his long stride, and Mr.. B. was soon
left to pursue his way alone.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
Don Carlos, Letter.

The following is the full text of the
letter of Don Carlos to King Alfonso,
a few items of which have been before
published : The attitude of the Presi-
dent of the American republic may be
considered as the prelude of war if
you do not recognize the independence
of Cuba. The revolution which you
represent is responsible for the depth
of ignominy at which Spain has arrived.
But for the revolution this parricidal re-
bellion would never have been born.
Had I been sreigring it would never
have gathered strength. The legitimate
right of him who commands can alone
reform without constraint, yield with
out weakness, repress without anger,
govern without passion. But the in
tegrity of the country is in question,
and all its children ought to defend it.
When tie country is in danger, parties
disappear; there remains only Span
iards. If war breaks out offer you a
truce as long as the struggle with the
United States lasts. Be it quite under
stood, however, that foreign war is the
only motive of the truce / propose, and
that 1 firmly maintain my rights to the
crown, Just as retain the certainty OF
one day graspiDg it. Beyond the sea l
have no territory governed by my arms,
and I cannot send my loyal volunteers
to Cuba, but will defend these prov
inces and the Can ADRIAN coast. Twill
arm as privateers the indomitable sons
of those shores which gave birth to El
Cano, Legarpi and Churruca. [ will
pursue the maritime commerce OF our
enemies by going to seek them perhaps
even in their own ports, In the event
of foreign war do you accept the truce
I offer you2 Let US, then, appoint the
deiegates who must arrange it. Do you
reject it9 The world will be witness
that Catholic Spain has nobly performed
its duty. Do you prefer to ask it of the
enemy who menaces you1 Humble
yourself if you have the heart to do it.
You will, perhaps, obtain a momentary
respite, but there will soon be an at
tempt to excite fresh conflicts, and
Cuba will be lost to the country. For
you will remain the dishonor of having
humbled yourself, and the shame of
having BUNDLED yourself in vain.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
Borrowed the Money.

The Independent tells the following
story: The evening before his inau'
guration as Vice President, Henry VII
son called on Mr.. Sumner and said
"Sumner, can you lend me hundred
dollars ? I have not got money enough
to be inaugurated on" Mr.. Summer re-
piled Certainly. If it had been a
large sum I might not have been able 70
help YOU; but I can always lend friend
a hundred dollars" He then gave Mr..
Wilson a check for the amount, and
after the latter had retired Mr.. Sumner
remarked "There is an incident worth
remembering-such one as could never
have occurred in any country but our
own" That cancelled check, if still in
existence, with Senator Summers sigma
ture on its face and Vice-President VIII
sons on the back, would be a very de-
sirable autograph.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06

Der, could be seen twisting and turning
on their tails to where Mungul Deem sat
tum-tumming and piping as unconcern-
ed as if he were receiving visits from
the doves of paradise instead of the
deadly enemies Of mankind. The only
change noticeable in him was that he
moved his head continually as il salaam-
ing to the snakes. At last, when very
large company of cobras was gathered
around the magician, and many an anxi-
GUS fear was expressed by the lookers-on
lest he should be stung to death, it was
apparent that he very perceptibly
changed the strain of his rude music
from the wild discordant sound which
had marked it to rather plaintive air,
which I thought his instrument incap-
able of producing Judging from the
previous performance.
Every one now noticed that the snakes
were, in military phraseology, "chaDg
ing front to the rear upon the center "
by turning round upon their tails, with
heads down, and on their bellies winding
back as if intent on reaching their holes
as fast as they had come from them. In
so doing their mouths came, or seemed
to come in contact with the powder
which Mungul Deem had previously
scattered and, as it seemed, on tasting
it they Immediately gave up the ghost
in whatever part of the field they
chanced to be.
The snake charmer continued his pip
ING for some time, after which he per-
formed dance that would have done
honor to the Dervishes. This dance
lasted about fifteen minutes, during
which Mungul kept at first slowly NOV
ing his body in circle, until the move
ment and excitement of the dancer seem
ed to grow intense. His arms were
raised and lowered his head swayed to
and fro as if it would come of, and at
last he fell to the ground, apparently in
q state of complete exhaustion. This
was not so, however, for upon an attend
ant administering some potion from
cup, he stood up and declared the bat
tie won and himself unscathed.
The spectators then descended from
their rostrum, and I can testify as one
of the party that on inspection that
ground was found to abe well covered
with the carcasses of dead cobras, the
most deadly of the genus hydra. l
learned some time afterwards that the
owner of the land, Mean Raj, was no
more troubled by his former plague; in
fact, wss 80 we'll content that he had re-
warded Mungnl Deem literally, while luis
servants no more refused to till the
ground where the Indian snake charmer
had charmed so wisely and 80 well.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
Served Right.

Of all small vices, tobacco chewing is
about the most offensive and it is as
tonishing that people will tolerate it.
Here is an amusing embarrassment, that
the man deserved A young Hartford
merchant called on young Lady few
evenings since, and was shown into the
parlor to await her appearance, when,
the lamps being unlit, he removed a
large quid of tobacco from his mouth
and threw it out of the window, as he
supposed. When the lady appeared
with light, the most prominent object
in the room was that young man staring
in very embarrassed way at q big chunk
of tobacco pinning the lace curtain to the
unopened window.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06

How the Mexican Robbers Conduct their
Raids and Garry OF the Cattle.


Raids and Garry OF the Cattle.
Saws the New Orleans Picayu'ae = A
gentleman who, for some time past, has
been sojourning at Brownsville, Texas,
and has had an excellent opportunity OF
observing the operations Of predatory
bands of Mexicans who cross the Rio
Grande, gives the following description
of the naodus operandi Of these raids !:
It appears that the owners OF the
ranches on the Mexican side have Sorm-
ed species of league, of which Cortina
is the head and front and moving spirit.
On the day appointed for the raid, q
series of signals, well understood among
the leaguers, collects the various detach-
ments into one body. The proprietor
of each rancho summons his vaqueros
and peones, and, as in feudal times,
Joins his forces to the main company,
under the command of chief.
It is generally at some fandango,
which brings together the inhabitants OF
an extensive tract of country, the plot
of the excursion is concocted. All nee
essary preparations having been made,
the Free Lances make rapid dash for
the river, and after crossing, either
by swimming, or by boats held in readi-
ness by their confederates, the band
strikes out into the country, but never
in q direct route. The rancho upon
which the principal attack is made forms
the vortex Of an angle, the sides OF
which are the lines of advance and re-
treat of the raiding party.
When the cattle, etc., have been Sc
cured, swift couriers are sent out, who
make detour, and, crossing the river,
notify their friends of the point where
The predatory band is likely to Gro IS.
The men on the Mexican side of the
river then post themselves advantage
ously to cover the retreat of the success
full robbers. The beeves are purchased
from the raiders at IS per head by large
cattle dealers, and cold in the markets
at prices ranging as high as $17 per
head. This is, therefore, q lucrative
business for beth thieves and pur-
chasers. lhe organization of these
chevaliers dindustrie is almost perfect,
and their nefarious schemes are carried
out with a unity of concert and action
that generally crowns them with sue
cess.
Bloody scenes are frequently enacted
during these incursions. Not long since
a band of Mexicans captured, at small
puebla near Brownsville, q poor school
master, who had unfortunately incurred
their hatred. The villains deliberately
hacked off the legs of the miserable
man and then commanded him to walk
on the bleeding stumps if he would save
his life. In his agony he made few
convulsive movements, while the inhu-
man butchers slashed him with their
swords and knives.
Not content with this barbarous treat
ment, one of them, suggesting that the
stumps were too long, cut off what re-
mained of them ly dividing the hip
joints. Death soon came to terminate
the sufferings of the unfortunate man.
The knife with which this diabolical
deed was done was over one foot In
length, and is now in the possession OF
Lieutenant McNaly, of Texas.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
Items Of Interest.

A good wife is good thing, but bad
husband beats her.
The late elections waited ten Missis-
sippi editors into Office.
Seal-brown stockings are colored with
picric acid, an active poison.
If man thinks he would feel fetter Oh,
by all means let him of 60.
There are CD, $50 beggars in Paris,
two-thirds of whom are females.
An average crop Of wheat in the
United States is now about 3oO,OOo,ooo
bushels.
The Russian government owns l4S
salt works, which produce annually
about 100000 tons.
Mrs. Matthew Griswold, of Connecti-
cut, had governors for father, brother
husband, son, and nephew.
Cali boy John, and he will be steady;
call him Charles, and he will deviate into
Charlie, and 60 in for Irritation.
New York youths in their twentieth
year affect spit curls. No wonder SPAN
trembles at the name Of America.
Between five thousand and SIX thou
sand houses in Philadelphia have been
registered for Centennial visitors.
Vice President Wilson is said to have
left an estate worth about s., 600, and
his place in Natick is valued at $2,oOO.
The Belgians are the least itigious
people in the world, as it takes an aver
age of $1,000 of them to support one
lawyer.
A high Uhlan officer of the Prussian
puards has been sentenced to q year and
q half imprisonment in military fortress
for being married to o young Lady VINO
was not of noble birth.
There is q dispute between Indiana
and Kentucky about the ownership OF q
small island in the Ohio river near
Evansville. It will not be squabbied
for any the less viciously because 1t ls
worth little or nothing.
The Leck (Stafordshire) Improvement
Commissioners have refused to receive
into their cemetery the following ePl,
taph: "Twenty-one years q dutiu
daughter, three years chaste and vlrtu-
GUS sweetheart and forty years LOVING
wife"
A Mississippi alligator munched on
the wooden left leg OF an editor the otner
day, when he might just as well have
had the whole body of a Congressman In
place of it. LIS there a moral heref
Isn't there something here for parents
and guardians to ponderover2
A man named Nathaniel Lyle SNUG
eled himself into box car on branch
of the St. Paul railroad, between AUSTIN
and Mason City, Iowa. The car took
fire and Lyle suffered some injuries
He sued the company for damages;
Physicians swore that Lyle was afflicted
with consumption, the result OF partial
suffocation and roasting in the car. and
a jury gave the plaintiff verdict tor $l'-
500.
Mime Antoinette Sterling, having been
invited by Canon Kingsiey to Eversley
Vicarage, sang to him his ballad. "The
Three Fishers" She says: "He had
never seen me before, and when l came
to that part of the song which expresses
the suspense of the weeping women on
the shore, I heard him say: Go on
that's right. But when the suspense
was over and the bodies were lying on
the sands, missing his precious e1cla,na-
tions, I looked up and saw him sittlng
with his face in his hands, crying at his
own pathetic story"
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
A Blessing.

The adage that Affections are often
blessings in disguise receives veridcation
in the case of poor man, whose wife
during the first year of their marriage
yanked at his hair until he became en-
tirely bald. This misfortune set his IN,
yentive faculties at work, and the result
was the production of hair inivgorator,
the sale of which has made the family
rich. He often says to his wife, as they
roll along in their carriage: "The
most devoted love could not de mere
for me than yea have done"
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
TIE POSTAL SERVICE.
Report OF United States Postmaster.Gen.
eral Jewell.

The report of Postmaster General
Jewell shows, among other things, that
the ordinary receipts of that department
during the fiscal year ended June 80,
1875, were $26, ,671, 218. so, an increase OF
$299, 3A.80, or 1.13 per cent, over the
receipts of 1874, being less than the es-
innate made in 1873 by 81, ,809, ,331. To
the ordinary receipts should be added
the sum of $3.50, 600, subsidies to steam
ship lines, drawn from the general treas
ury and expended, and S120, 14l.09,
revenue from ordinary order business,
making the receipts from all sources
S27, Al ,36O.57. The expenditures OF
all kinds were $33, Gil, ,309. As, an increase
of 81, ,4S4, ,834.S7, or 4.62 per cent. over
those for 1874, and less than the amount
estimated in 1873 by S31S,603. The
amount drawn from the general treasury
under appropriations to meet deficiencies
was 1854, 646.96 from which should
be deducted the sum Of 81, 1893, 1885,,
referred to i'll previous paragraph,
which will leave, as the legitimate
amount drawn on account Of the past
fiscal year, 81, ZIG, ,329. 46, against s., 259,-
933. .55 for the fiscal year OF 1874 a
difference in favor of 1876 of $685.
6O6.09. The number of recorded COM
plants during the past year OF missing
letters of value is 5,645, of which 2,677
were registered and 2,968 unregistered.
The registered letters contained, as is
alleged, currency, bonds, drafts, etc.,
amounting to $76, ,2l6.24, and the un-
registered valuable contents amounting
to s75,997.16. Of the 2,671 registered
letters reported as lost 1,083 were salts
factorily accounted for, Oil actually lost
and 683 remain under investigation.
During the year 3O7 persons were ar
rested charged with various violations
of the postal laws, the greater portion OF
whom were not connected with the
postal service.
In the Money Order department., the
annual transactions have reached about
$50, 900, 900. The officers of the depart
ment are subjected to great annoyances,
and the department itself to great pecu.
MARY loss, by the prevalent system OF
"straw-bidding" on long and expensive
routes. Several stringent laws have been
enacted with view to the eradication
of the evil, but they have signally failed
to accomplish the desired result. The
department. pays the railroad companies
for Transportation of the mails about
$40, 900, 600 annually.
The weight of public documents sent
through the mails from members OF
Congress was estimated by the depart,
ment to be from two to three hundred
tons.
The act of June 23, 1874, requiring
prepayment in stamps Of postage on
newspapers and periodical publications
mailed from known Offices of publication
or news agencies, and addressed to
regular subscribers or news agents, went
into effect the first of January, 1875, and
from present indications it will realize
about 81, 100000 for the first calendar
year. The new system has worked 80
admirably, and has given such general
satisfaction, that no change is deemed
necessary.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
Wages Now and Before the War.

The Springfield (Mass.) Republican,
which has been investigating the present
wages of local labor as compared with
the wages of 1860, confesses to some
surprise at the result, all the important
branches Of industry except railroad
service showing an advance still retained
of from forty to sixty-fve per cent, and
the average advanced for all classes COW
cred by the investigation being still
fifty-two per cent. The general average
of the excess of present over ante-war
wages is given as follows:
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06

WILL Nor Go.-On one block in the
western part of Detroit, says the Free
Press, there are eight ladies who won't
90 to church on Sunday because a ninth
lady has an India shawl and they have
NOT. And the lady who has it won't 60
because there is no chance for her to
show off the ehawl before the eight,
vhess feelings she well understands
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06

SEVERE FR1Ne.-Mr: E. j. Reed
says A faintidea may be formed, per-
haps, of the extent to which Sebastopol
was fred upon when I say that from a
tax of six pence per cwt., which the gov
eminent levied upon the proceeds OF the
sales Of old iron, shot, and shell, pic cd
up and sold by the people, sum ct
nearly 5000 was res]iSed.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06
The Frost King.

From out bis winter palace
The king has started forth;
The birds have left their summer nests;
The wind is in the north.
The river and the mountain,
The brown and wrinkled sod,
Begin to show already where 90
- HIS messengers have tied.
The clouds unrsn their ermine,
And DER meadow, lane and street,
like courtiers, spread their mantles down
Before the royal feet. ,r.---af. sr
Close to the friendly corners
The sheltered ivies cling,
And wear their emerald cloaks despite
The coming Of king.
4 His misn and look are naughty,
His voice is cold and stern,
And yet his kisses on the cheek
Like crimson roses burn.
Down from the crested mountain,
With grandeur in his tread
The winter king is coming, with
Awhile crown on his head.
Not amid waving banners, - -,
S0rto the sound Of drums
Beating their gladdest music,
This conquering hero comes;
sgsBut silently and selemn'y
he enters his domain,
With twenty and ahundred good A
Stout yeomen in his train.
Claspins the old earth tightly
Against his frozen breast, - 49,.
As II she were his chosen queen,
He says: II bring thee rest.
Thou hast reigned long and nob|y, .
Thy virtues all areInown, ss e 80
And thou wilt not forgotten be,
Though possess the throne
ssseontentedly rresignipg -
>Her scepter and her crown,
Beneath downy coyerlet Sc
The weary queenlay down,
-saz To deep wifi Ter companions,
vu.ss. Who, at the touch of spring, --
ss.s. Shall rise again in time to see
The going ofa king. - NJ 49,
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-06

The table is one of interest, and de-
serves little thought.
National Republican., 1876-09-27

A RT SCHOOL (NIRS. S. E.FULLER, PRIN-
~ cipal, will reopen SEPTEMRERlS. Thorough
Instruction in Pen, Pencil and Crayon Drawing;
OIL and Water-cOlor Painting; Mechanical, Archi-
tectural and Typographical Drawing; Illuminating
Lettering, &c. See circulars at bookstores and at
the claSs-rooms, IOl6 Tenth street N. w. au29-lm
National Republican., 1876-09-27
Vandalism at the Capitol.

The officers in charge of the Senate wing of
the Capitol are much troubled by the evidence
that some malicious person or persons have
deliberately gone to work to deface that wing.
A short time ago nearly gallon of Oil, which
must have been brought into the building for
the purpose, was spilled on one Of the inner
flights of marble stairs. A day or two since
It was discovered that large quantity of blue
ink had been poured over the outer balustrade
Of the corridor connecting the Senate wing
with the main building. The ink was poured
in two or three places and splashed about SO
as to do as much injury as possible. 1t cannot
be removed without cutting into the marble.
So many people are now at the Capitol every
day, the number of visitors averaging more
than thousand, that it is impossible to keep
watch of them al. Even if such surveillance
were undertaken, it would be prevented by the
fact that the number of the Capitol police was
so reduced at the last session that the build
ing cannot be properly patrolled.