davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
How they Cured the Tutor.

He was the pink of perfection. If the
cream of human excellence was to be
churned the butter wouldlump up in the
shape of Professor Porteous Prye, tutor,
of Detroit. He had contracted the
bad habit of stealing up stairs,
in his stocking feet, to see if
the lights were out at ten. 1t
is hard teaching old dogs new tricks, but
bows sometimes succeed better with old
professors.
Tommy Tayre is cadaverous youth,
with sulphur -colored mustache, but the
iron had entered his soul, and he said
he must do what he could. So he
bought three'papers of carpet tacks one
night, and stood the innocent little nails
on their heads all the way up and down
the stairs, and retired with his faithful
followers to the wood closet above to
await results. Promptly the chapel bell
struck ten, then season of waiting and
whispering followed. Presently came a
furry, creeping sound like woolen stock
ings feeling their way over rough boards.
Tommy tucked his hat in his mouth
his mouth runs clear around, except a
small isthmus which connects the top OF
his head with the nape of his neck-and
held his nose till the first burst of glee
hsd subsidized. Now came suppressed
scream, one foot on the stairs; then an
oiher foot down; then scream that
wasn't suppressed; then howl; he bad
struck the second stair; then he sat
down on the next step, but he got up
again, and a groan, with exclamation
points after it, came tearing up to the
wood closet. The boys stood back to
give Tommy room to kick, then came a
scrabbling and shouting of heavy words,
and Tom promptly appeared and asked,
in a voice fresh from the valley of Nod :
"What seems to be tho matter2"
"Matter !" "The boys;" s" the de-
mons;" "confound it," "see here"
"help !" and he shifted about and hung
to the railing, and tried to stand on his
knees.
Tom brought q light, aud the boys
carried the wounded man to his room;
offered sympathy; got clawhammer
and drew out the tacks. The professor
wears slippers and sits on a cushion.
Tom sits on nettles, for seventeen boys
know the secret, and it is spreading like
smallpox in an Indian camp.-Ffee
Press
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
How it Went.

In Williamsburgh, N. Y, is mansion
that was tenanted for several years by an
estimable family, who wished to remain
still longer but the landlord desired to
increase the rent, and told them to move.
he let the place to person at the
increased price, received one months
rent, and at the end OF the third, dls.
nossessed his tenants for non-payment OF
two months rent. Since that time the
place remained vacant, until it has en-
tirely t disappeared. Several persons ap; r;
Piled, promising to tske care of it, if
allowed to occupy it, but the owner said
he would rather see it go to ruin than
not to get his price, and SO, as though
in response to his desire, one after
another of the neighbors took a piece.
Doors, windows, and frames were taken
away for firewood, until to-day naught
remains but the bricks, constituting the
foundation and the cellar.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
A Terrible Isolation.

Porters' island, Lake Superior, is a
bit of rock, upon which was built the
" government house," the residence OF
that high and potent individual, the
United States agent, who reigned over
the copper land, countersigning permits
and dispensing favors of a consular
nature to visitors to Cooper Harbor.
In the summer of 1916, says an ex,
change, we saw half-breed woman who
had been Crusoeing on the island; she
and her husband had been placed on the
island in charge of property. Owing to
the wreck of the brig Astor, in the fall
of 1S45, supplies failed to reach them.
Long they waited for succor, but In vain.
Winter came on, snow covered the
ground, and ice gathered on the waters;
then this lone pair were LETT to their tate
on this savage, desolate island, "out OF
humanity's reach" The shrieking winds
as they swept through the fir trees, and
the black pillows of the stormy lake,
spending their sullen fury upon the
rocky coasts, were the only sounds that
could greet the ear during the long,
dark winter of that high northern lati'
tude. For companionship they must de-
pend upon each other. But, before the
winter was half spent, the husband sick
ened and died, and the poor woman was
absolutely alone. Wrapping the remains
of her dead husband in blanket, she
removed them from the hut and deposit:
ed them in the snow, where, frozen solid
like pillar of ice, they were preserved
until the return of spring permitted ol
their burial. The widow passed the
long winter as best she could, subsistine
upon the flesh of rabbits which she man
aged to onare; her bereavement, hard
ships and the terrors of isolation, won
derful as it may seem, did not affect hel
health or mind. She was taken off from
the island in the spring, and was happy
enough when she reached the mainland.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
The Newspaper Exhibition.

One of the most unique and interest
ing features of the Centennial exhibition
will be the collection of American news
papers. Nothing will give to intelligent
visitors from abroad so clear an insight
into the peculiarities of our civilization.
The 1870 periodicals that are now pub
lished in the United States show all the
phases of our varied activities, tastes,
idiosyncracies, politics, religions faith,
social and business and professional
life. We are more given to newspaper
reading than any o her people. In our
newest frontier settlements the news
paper is the first institution " to be
founded. From the local "organ " OF
the shanty village in Montana to the
great dailies of New York, there are all
sorts of sizes and variations of develop
ment of "American ideas of journal
ism"
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
Particulars of a Horrible Affair.

Silas Wilder, who killed his father
and mother with an ak at East Lyndon,
VT, cut his wife's throat, then his own,
and afterwards hanged himself, was
thirty years old and well-to-do farmer.
His parents opposed his marriage, and
made his marital relations very unpleas-
ant. A difficulty arose between them and
the result was the terrible deed. He
had been married but year.
There was terrible excitement at East
Lyndon over the tragedy. 1t is sup
posed that Wilder was laboripg under
temporary insanity superinduced by ex-
cessive excitement and passion. The
details of the tragedy are most horrible.
His father and mother were aged re-
spectively seventy-three and seventy
years. The immediate cause of the
affair was an alteration with his wife,
who in altering pair of overalls had
made them too short. After angry words
Wilder started for the shed saying he
would get an ak and end the trouble.
His wife followed him and seized the ax,
when he drew q dirk and stabbed her.
He left her for dead, and taking the ak
started for his father, who had followed
Linn, and struck him fearful blow,
the ak crushing through the old mans
head. At this point he appeared still
further infuriated, and next attacked his
mother, killing her with three fearful
blows over the head and breast, and
leaving her lying at the front door he re-
turned to the shed and found his father
had crawled into the kitchen. He struck
him as he lay upon the floor, and the ak
crushed through his head and remained
fixed on the floor. He then cut his own
throat, and, death not ensuing at once,
he ran to the barn, fastened rope
around his neck and jumped from a
beam. The fall broke his neck aid he
died instantly.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
Obtained His Fee.

Recently a minister, residing near
Crescent, N. Y, went three miles from
home to perform weddil 6 ceremony,
and his experience is thus detailed: AZ
ter the couple had been pronounced man
and wife, the happy groom drew up a
chair, and, seating himself, said, in a
voice loud enough to be heard all over
the room: "Well, how much is it2"
The clergyman's surprise may be easily
imagined. AS soon as he recovered from
it sufficiently to do so, he replied:
"Oh, I never set any price on such little
matters" "Well," replied the groom,
"but I want to know. How much is
it," "Anything you like" replied the
clergyman. "That won't do" said the
groom; elm bound to know, so ycu
may as we'll tell me-" Seeing that
things were getting desperate, a friend
of the newly married man called him
aside and whispered to him. This
seemed to do no good, for, returning to
the vacant chair, the groom again COM
menced conversation, with the remark
"Pretty hard times, amt it2" eyes, "
replied the clergyman. "Oh! come
now," said Benedict, "tell me how much
it is, and have done with it." But the
minister didn't tell, and the father of
the bride relieved him just then by re-
marking that he would attend to the
matter. And thus it stood for awhile,
when, to the dominie's great surprise,
the bride appeared upon the scene. She
walked up and laid three one dollar bills
upon his knee, one ut time, counting
in loud voice as she did so: "One,
two, three" and ending with "there p
She had been q factory girl, and it was
very evident that she was the moneyed
! man of the new firm.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
A Struggle for Education.

On the ninth day of October, A. D.
1900, q poor insane woman of Rutland,
Vermont, the wife of helpless cripple,
gave birth to a puny baby, whom the
good neighbors were moved to hope that
God would mercifully recall from 80 in
hospitable world as this promised to
prove to the newborn child.
On the twenty fourth day of August,
A. D. 1873, there died in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts,, venerable clergyman,
loved and honored throughout the coun-
try, and known in his books the world
over. The unpromising infant who
came unwelcome into the world at the
beginning of the century had become
the DIR. John Todd whose influence for
good has been felt to the very ends of
the earth, and whose published writings
are read in more languages than one can
we'll count on the fingers.
The childhood of the young John was
passed, after the fashion of rural child
hood in New England at that early day,
chiefly in hard work. His crippled
father died about six years after the
boys birth, leaving a large family,
which, by reason of extreme poverty and
the helplessness of the maniac mother,
was necessarily scattered. John found a
home with an aunt in North Killing
worth, Connecticut, where he remained
several wears, working hard for his
food and part of his clothing" and
trapping wild animals for the rest.
When ten years of age he passed a brief
time in New Haven, attending school,
and earning his bread in the capacity OF
"chore boy" in the house of kinsman.
It was during this residence near Yale
College that he first came into contact
with people of higher culture than was
common among the rural folk of North
Killingworth, and the accident appears
to have determined the whole course OF
his life. His ambition was awakened,
end from that time forward his purpose
4as Gxed-to secure the benefits of q
thorough training in the schools. The
task he thus set himself seemed hope
less one-so much so, indeed, that from
first to last his friends labored diligently
to dissuade him from the undertaking.
He was without money, without pros
poets, and without friends able to help
him; but young as he was, the iron Will
which served him so we'll in after life
was already his, and he appears never to
have faltered in his purpose, after it was
once formed. He lived poorly, by such
work as he could get to do, saved every
moment of time, studied under any mas
ters he could find, and finally, in the au-
tumn of 1918, entered Yale College, hay
ing travelled thither on footfrom Charles
town, Massachusetts, "with his entire
wardrobe under one aim and his entire
library under the other" Atthe time
of his matriculation, he tells us, he had
but three cents in the world, two OF
which he paid out for toll in crossing a
bridge on the same day.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09

are no capital punishments inthe Brazils.
What is most dreaded is banishment for
six months or a year to Rats island,
where they live Robinson Crusoe life,
and may starve unless they fish and cul-
tivate the soil, no provisions being sent
from headquarters.
The convicts generally are not fed by
government, but are allowed about 50
per month to purchase food, and, when
they can, toba co and other luxurles.
The entire farm produce and manufac-
lures are claimed by government, the
farm laborer getting nothing beyond a
few heads of maize after days work
Their clothing is coarse but strong, and
they appeared to have no distinctive
dress. Their usual food, purchased
either at the government or private
stores, consists of maize, manioc, white
and black beans, all island produce, and
jerked beef from the Brazils. Food and
other necessaries are, on the whole, dear ;
and the scanty pay makes luxuries like
tea, coffee, etc., for which they are
charged enormously, for the most part
beyond their reach.
The private stores are small dirty
dens, the stock of which might be pur-
chased in any American city for $25 or
$50. They usually belong to privileged
convicts, some of whom are wealthy,
and do not scruple to enrich themselves
by preying on their poorer fellow pris-
oners. One said to be worth $500, 900
was formerly a bank cashier and had
been sentenced to twenty years Danish
ment for emtezzlement. Some Of the
women, transported for husband poison
ing, are also we'll to do. Neither wealth
nor possessions are forfeited to the
crown, nor is Brazilian society less leni-
ent, inasmuch as, his time having e1-
pired, the convict may soon, especially
if rich, regain his old social pos ton.
Here, as elsewhere, however, Danish
ment does not always prove an effectual
cure for crime. A detective was then
on the island to ascertain whence certain
counterfeit coins occasionally circulated
were emanating. He must be an adept
who contrives to carry on secret coming
under such adverse circumstances, and
to pass base money in community OF
this kind.
Some of the life prisoners who have
been long on the island, and have grown
old in the place, like it, and are content
ed, if not happy. On the whole, there
does not appear to be much discomfort.
Many of the prisoners would not be
taken for other than we'll. conducted la
borers, farm servants, or artisans. But
the majority have demoralized, self
conscious, hang-dog look.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
Dnmestic BankruptcY.

He had been telling her for weeks
past, says the Detroit Free Press, that
times were tight, money scarce, bank
ruptcy stalking abroad through the land,
and so forth, and she had consented to
the discharge of the nurse girl, and up
stairs girl, and had wheedled the cook
into doing general housework. That
wasn't enough. He came home one
night and said he wasgoing to discharge
the hostler; that money had gone up to
thirty per cent; that he could t afford
to carry his life insurance any longer;
that she mustn't ask for any more new
clothes for year. She went over the
house and pinched expenses down
again, and things ran along until the
other day, when he remarked: "We,ve
got to reduce still further or bust u She
was pondering over his remarks late
that evening when he came home. He
was so long getting his overcoat OF
that she went into the hall. He gave the
coat one awful jerk just then and fell
over.
"What on earth ails you |" she ex-
claimed, as she tried to help him up.
"Nozzing," he replied.
As he got up she peered into his face.
The feet was as plain as if it had been
written on whitewashed fence with
tar.
"You are drunkp' she said, as she
drew back.
He gazed at her without replying.
"Here you've been yelling reduce
reduce!' all winter, and while am try
ing to reduce you 60 and get drunk
You'd better reduce your whisky.
"Vi said angling bout REFUGE J" ne
asked.
eyes, you have"
"Nhaz want REFUGE for?"
:...Only to-day you said we'd either got
to reduce or bust"
"Di say zat?"
eyes, you did"
"Well, ju rejuce2"
"No; how could IT'
"Zen didn't bust!"
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09

hal t of removing these shavings to his
sta ,. Following the clew to the stable
it vas found that dry manure heap had
been disturbed and blood was found on
some boards near by.
It was proved that on the previous
morning Alley started from his stable
with four barrels, and teamster, in
jumping from V agon, had ascertained
that two of them were heavy. Two OF
the barrels were not satisfactorily ac-
counted for, and man testified that he
saw the team and barrels with a man
strongly resembling Alley on the mill
dam, whence they we're supposed to have
been thrown into the river. Alley owed
Ellis about 5000, needed money, and
Ellis was known to have been looking
for the suspected man on the night OF
the murder. A new Ak that Alley had
bought was missing. Stains were found
on his clothing, which experts declared
20 be the blood of the murdered man. A
woman had heard strange noises on the
night of the murder, like the rolling OF
barrels. Alley, it was shown, had plenty
of money after Ellis death. An ex-
animation of the stomach of the MUIR
dered man showed that he must have
died between six and nine o'clock on the
fatal evening. Seemingly, here was
perfect chain of circumstantial evidence.
But the defense met the theory that Al
lev had committed the murder in quar-
rel by showing his peaceable disposition
and his high reputation for honesty, and
controverted the assertion of the prose
cution that Alley was in debt to Ellis,
and without money to meet an engage
ment that fell due at the time of the muir
der, by showing that the prisoner owned
real estate in New Hampshire, and had
money in bank. Alleys abundance OF
ready money after the murder was ex-
planned by his son having repaid him
S125 the evening before. He gave sat
isfactory account of how he had spent
his time on the day of the murder. Ex-
perts called by the defense swore that
the blood on the prisoners clothes, being
dry, could not be distinguished from
the blood of a beast. This conflicting
scientific testimony confused the jury to
the advantage of the prisoner, and he
was acquitted. II he was not the muir
derer, the murderer was never found.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
People will Talk.

feOpie Will 1dlk.
You may 60 through the world, but twill be
very slow,
If you listen to ali that is said as you go;
You'll be worried and fretted and kept in
stew.
For rneddlesome tongues must have something
to do,
And people will talk.
II quiet and modest, you'll have it presumed
That your humble position is only assumed
You're wolf in sleeps clothing or else your
fool;
But don't get excited-keep perfectly cool,
For people will talk.
And then, if you show the least boldness of
heart
Or slight inclination to take your own part,
They will call you an upstsrt, conceited and
vain,
But keep straight ahead-dont stop to e1-
For people will talk.
II threadbare your dress and old-fsshioned
your hat,
Some one will surely tske notice Of that,
And hint rather strong that you can't pay your
way;
But don't get excited, whatever they say
For people will talk.
II your dress is in fashion, don't think to
escape,
For they criticise them in different shape
You're ahead Of your means, or your tailor's
unpaid,
But mind your own business ss-tbere's nsugb'
to be made
For people will talk.
Now, the best way to do it is to do rs you
please;
Fer your mind, if you have one, will then be
at ease.
OF course you will meet with all sorts Of abuse
But don't think to stop them-it aiu't any use
For people will talk.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09

The following suggestion, given in
Scribner's Magazine, is worthy the con-
sideration of parents:
Nervousness with a child is almost
always a ma ter of the stomach. A
G ust of bread will usually put an end to
the most obstinate preverseness. Chill
dren, for this reason, should never be
allowed to go to bed, after fit of cry,
ing, with an empty stomach. A bit OF
bread and Jelly or cup of custard will
bring back smiles and happiness when
all the moral law fails, and forthe sound
est of reasons.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
Mineral Wool.

The method of manufacture at the
Krupp works, Essen, Prussia, is as fol.
lows: The pig iron furnace is provided
with a tap an inch in diameter, out OF
which a continual stream Of Stag is al
lowed to flow and to fall distance OF
two feet six inches, at which point the
falling stream of Stag is met by strong
blast of cold air, the effect OF which is to
separate the Stag into myrisds OF hair
like threads, IS white as snow, resem-
bling the finest wool. These fibers,
like spun glass, if handled, will .pene.
arate the skin. The mineral wood ID
used for packing steam pipes, boilers
etc. and is valuable product.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09

A burly Briton, maddened by some
stage reflections on John Bull in Mil
wa1kee theater, a few nights ago,
charged upon the actors, revolver In
hand, and cleared the stage in liffy.
And yet they call this the glorious CEN
tennial year.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09

CRoUP.-Croup may be cured in one
minute, and the remedy is simply alum
and sugar. The way to accomplish the
act is to take knife or crater and shave
off in small particles about teaspoonful
Of alum, then mix it with about twice
its quantity of sugar, to make palatable.
Almost instantaneous relief will follow.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-09
Resignation. .

Let nothing make thee sad or fretful,
Or too regretful;
Be still
What God hath ordered must be right;
Then find in it thine own delight,
My will.
Why shouldst thou fill to-day with sorrow
About tomorrow,
My heart!
One wa.cheeall with care mcst true,
Doubt not that he will give thee, too,
Thy part.