davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
How he Got a Coat to Fit Him.

A middle aged son Of the Emerald
Isle went into Detroit clothing store
the other day, and said he wanted a
"good, chape coat" He was big,
round shouldered man, and his arms
were almost as long as those of Sir Dan
Donnelly, who could "button the e1-
tremities of his knee-breeches without
STOPPING" The largest trade size Of
coats is No. 42, and the salesman took
one of that size from the pile and tried
it on his customer. 1t was too small
every way, particularly in the sleeves.
The cuffs were six inches above the
wrists, and the customer said he felt
like pot of porridge that had boiled
over. The salesman handed the coat to
an assistant and said: "Bring here q
forty-four coat" The assistant fumbled
little at the pile, and brought back the
same coat. 1t was tried and rejected,
the customer remarking: "Sure, if 1
wore that coat they'd be sayin' I was a
gossoon that wasn't done CROWN. I"
"You are an awful big man." said the
astute salesman, winking at his fellow
clerk; "I'll try a No. 48 on you.
L" Make it forty-nine, for the honor Of
ould Ireland" said the patriotic Mile
sian. "Forty-nins was brought (the
same coat) and also found too small. A
Napoleonic look OF decision illumined
the face of the salesman as he confident
IL cried: "Bring here fifty-two coat.
I'm bound to fit you, anyhow" The
identical coat was again tried on, and
the customer appeared satisfied. 81
never get sleeves long enough for me, |"
said he, "but I'll get them heightened
out, and then they will be all right. |"
He bought the coat.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
The Irish Medal.

The medal presented by the Irish
citizens of the District of Columbia to
the member of the Irish team making
the largest score consists of beautiful
fve-pointed golden star, depending
from pin in the form Of an eagle with
outstre ched wings. The weight of the
medal is sixty pennyweights. A dia-
mond is imbedded at each point OF the
star. In the center of the star is an en-
craving of the Capitol building, on one e
side of which are the figures "1776,"
and on the other "1S76." At the lower
part of the star black and white enam-
eled target with diamond as bulls
eye. Crossed over the upper part OF
tie star are two rifles joined together at
the top and secured to the upper point
of the star by miniature laurel wreath
in gold. From the talons of the eagle,
which is of solid gold, in bold relief, are
to either side the American
and Irish flags done in enamel.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
A Grange Barbecue.

A granger in Jena, La, writes as fol-
lows: What is a barbecuel Webster
defines it to roast hog whole, and he is
considered standard authority. For the
sake of your many readers let me try to
describe one ut greater length, given by
Pine Grove grange. 1t was said to be
an average one. When a neighbor de-
cides to give barbecue committee OF
arrangements is appointed, subscrip-
tions of money, provisions, beeyes,
hogs, sheep, goats and venison aretaken
up. Poultry, bread and cakes are cook
ed at home by the ladies of the vicinity
aud then brought to the manager OF the
pit. This consists of what might be
termed a ditch. about three feet deep,
the same wide, and forty or fifty feet
long, which is filed up with hard wood
logs and poles, then set on fire. When
we'll burned to Goals, poles from six
inches to foot thick are hauled on both
sides, close to the edge of the pit; by
this time the beeves are quartered and
parboiled, nice peeled handspikes OF
sweet wood are run through the quar-
ters and other animals and placed across
the large poles, care being taken thatthe
meat touch neither sides no, bottom.
In twelve or eighteen hours it is cooked.
Coffee is made in large pots or small
sugar kettles. Plates, cups and saucers,
knives, forks and every requisite are
placed under large carving table in the
center of a parallelogram dining table,
inclosing about one-eighth of an acre.
Between the carving and dining tables
at either end is q small table, where lit
tie boys eat at one and little girls at the
other, and their wants are attended to
by some school teacher or minister.
Some four feet outside of the main
table strong forks are driven into the
ground, fresh cut pine poles are placed
horizontally in them, the outside of
these are peeled, and the fresh pitch,
with turpentine, springs out like heavy
perspiration. Then woe betide the gar
ment that comes in contact with it, for
it has no respect of persons. This con-
trivance saves the police some trouble,
as they have to stand guard most of the
day. They are known by wearing red
ribbon OIL the left shoulder. Walters
are young or single men, and recognized
by wearing a blue ribbon on the left
arm; half dozen expert carvers cut up
the bread and meat. There is sliding
pole near one corner of the square, SO
when dinner is announced one of the
guards runs it back and another counts
as the ladies come in by pairs. When
the complement is in for the number Of
plates the pole is replaced, and no more
can enter. This prevents any confusion
inside. The speakers platform being
raised, logs are hauled, with the ends
facing the stand, and strong planks laid
across for seats. The whole is placed
under dense forest shade, near cool
spring of water, so if all present cannot
enjoy themselves it must be their own
fault. .. .. ..
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
Follow Your Leader.

P.ide has much to do with the cour-
age of mankind. Less than century
ago there was a game among the mer-
chants of New York called "follow your
leader" the fine of the participant who
failed to do so being his wounded pride
and late supper. This game came to
an end one night when an intrepid chal-
lepger, whose pride had on one occasion
carried him in the wake of his leader
over the end of a North river pier in
among the ice foes, coolly seated him
sell in his Office upon twenty-pound
keg of gunpowder from the bunghole OF
which a paper was lighted at the end
extending across the room. "Follow
YOUR leader!" he said to his friends, but
they left precipitately when the paper
had burned up to the heel OF bis bot,
which rested against the keg.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
Piece Work.

While piece work is strongly resisted
by the association of the Amalgamated
Engineers in England in it's corporate
capacity, and by certain proportion
of the workmen is much dlsllked III
many important districts, the men who
have learned it's value to the able and
industrious mechanic would strenuously
oppose any proposal to limit its opera
tiOns.
Here I cannot do better than give an
extract from Mr.. Brassey's essay on
"Work and Wages" recording the ex-
perience of the authors father, whose
testimony is emphatically in favor OF
piece work.
NV father, says Mr.. Brassey, always
preferred putting price upon the work
rather than paying by the day. This
system was modified to suit the usual
habits of the people with whom he had
to deal. Piece work could not in all
cases be adopted without some compll-
cations and difficulties; but my father
always looked upon day workas losing
game, and all his work was carried out,
as far as possible, by sub-contract,
which is piece work on q somewhat
larger scale. Even the scaffolding for
the erection of an iron bridge, such as
that over the Severn, near Colebrook
dale, of 200 feet span, was carried ont
upon the principle of sub contract; and
the same system was adopted for the
excavation of shafts and adjacentlengths
of tunnel. Payment by piece is beneti-
cial alike to the master and the man.
The man earns higher wages, while the
master has the satisfaction OF obtaining
an equivalent for the wages he has paid,
and completing the contrsct which he
has undertaken with far greater rapid
ity. On public works the difference in
the earnings of the men paid by piece
work and the men working by the day
was always remarkable. In the canal
making days men working in butty
gangs would earn four shillings, wh',e
others working on the day system wol I'd
not earn more than from two to thee
shillings q day.
1t seems to me thai piece work is one
of the many instances in which friend
has been mistaken for an enemy; and
that great calamity would befall those
who have denounced it if their denanci-
atoms were carried into practical effect
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
Adjusting a Loss.

The Boston Commercial Bulletin has
the following: Keen fellows those in
surance agents. There was an alarm of
fire the other day, caused by gas e1-
plosion in the "saloon of Mr.. Michael
MCGOWAN, at the North End. AS soon
as the excitement had quieted down q
little Mr.. MCGOWAN started for the insur-
ance office, where he had taken out q
policy on his "shebeen and its con-
tents.
Soon after Michael left, quiet look
ing gentleman entered and interviewed
Mrs. MCGOWAN on the subject of gas.
He was very severe; he thought the gas
had been improperly used; he doubted
if the company would put pipes inthere
again if 80 much damage was done.
Mrs. MCGOWAN was alarmed. She
knew that much of Mr.. McGowan's
business was transacted "under the gas
light" and she volubly protested !:
"Aisy, sir, av ye plaze; is it the gas and
the fre9 Divil harm have they done
anyway, barrin' Mike drivin' the head
av him thro' the windy, but nanny the
worse lick he's got whin he's been out
wild the byes. Burn, is it7 Nothing
was burnt but Mixes ould coat. As fur
the whisky, it wouldn't burn if you'd
trow it on the fire. Damage, is it2
Wait till I get drop O. whitewash, the
morrow, and divil sign Of scorch
yell see."
Meanwhile Mike, with his head bound
up and wearing a woefl countenance,
was waiting at the insurance office.
Presently the agent arrived, land Mr.. Nc
Gowan opened his case at once.
"Good marnin', Mister Premium. I've
iist drapped in fur me insurance, sor.
The bloody gas works, bad luck to 'em,
busted the stoofng ahl out avthe pipes,
and sit fire to me place, and trow'd me
clan troo the windy, wild me head agin
Murphy's wall, az kapes the grocer's
shop, that came from county Cork an
knows me well, barrin' he'll sell glass
a whisky on the Fly, which, being gro
Ger, is agin me rights"
As soon as Mr.. MCGOWAN stopped for
wind, the agent quietly inquired:
"How much do you think your loss
is, Mr.. MCGOWAN e
"Well, l do not know, sor. What
wild me place busted, and me stock
burned, me clothin' destryed, me he'd
bruk, to say nothin' av the blud on
Murphy's wall, I'm thinkin' a matter of
five hunder dollars wud be squaring
me-"
"Mr. McGowan," said the agent,
drawing bank note from his drawer,
81 have been up to your place this
morning and seen what damage has been
done, besides having the pleasure of an
interview with Mrs. MCGOWAN. There
is twenty dollars to. pay for bucket of
whitewash, a pane of glass, and your
broken head, and don't you ever try to
play games on insurance people.
Mr.. McGowan's face heightened inch
by inch, and his square jaw dropped as
the insurance man continued. Finally,
his eye falling under the gaze of the
other, he pocketed the money, signed
the necessary papers, and merely re-
marked
$50 we've had an interview wild the
ould woman, have ye2 Be gorra! I'll
have one wild her meself agin I go
back"
MIR. MCGOWAN was true to his word,
for he paid the twenty dollars to the
clerk of the police court the next morn
ing for, as Mrs. MEG. described it,
"batiu' her like an ould carpet"
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
Life in California.

Such incidents as the following are
still common in stage coach travelling IN
California The coach contained eight
men and four women, all unarmed.
When the coach 1eached part of the
road lined by thick growth OF brush,
into which it is impossible to turn a
loaded wagon or even light one: two
men sprung up and commanded the
driver to stop ald throw out the express
boxes. Both men wore white cloths
under their hats, one end being thrown
up over the front of the hat and the
other, with eye holes, covering the face.
One man, with double barreled shot
gun, aimed at the driver, and the other
at the body of the coach where the pas
sengers mostly were. After a short
parley two boxes of treasure were thrown
out, and the driver was compelled to
drive on, the shotgun covering him until
he was hidden by turn in the road.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
The Reign Of Terror.

During the reign of terror all the
prisons OF France were filled with vic
Tins. These were generally the most
worthy people in the community, whose
only crime was in being obnoxious to
the ruling powers. Those who were
suspected fled, if possible, but were
generally unable to carry away their
property. Millions of property were
contiscated. The prisons were crowded
with the rich, the elegant and the cult
vated classes. Thousands were gull
lotined; and universal fear and anarchy
reigned without a parallel. Deputies,
even those who had been most instru-
mental in bringing about the revolu-
ton, were sacrificed by the triumphant
Jacobins. Women and retired citizens
were not allowed to escape their fury
and vengeance. Marie Antionette and
the Princess Elizabeth and Madame
Roland we're among the first victims.
Then it was that terrible scenes became
of daily, almost hourly, occurrence.
Delicate and beautiful women knelt be-
fore the bloody autocrats of the revolu-
ton, Offering vain appeal for the safety
of those dear to them. But the savage
cruelty of the republican leaders, tasting
for the first time the sweets of power,
was not to be satisfied until the popu-
lace, sated with gore, arose en- naasse
ard stilled their proceedings with the
S.enacing cry of "No more blood
shed"
Marat and Robespierre themselves
shared the fate of their victims. Upon
the former, vengeance was wreaked by
the hand of woman. From the town
of Caen came Charlotte Corday, and,
after many unsuccessful attempts, made
her way to the presence of Marat. The
so-called "father of his country" was
seated in his bath. A cloth had been
thrown over him, and he was writing
upon board, which eused as desk.
He put few questions to his visitor,
who suddenly approached the bath,
and, leaning over it, struck the occu-
pant with her knife. The blow was
dealt with such force that the weapon
entered Marat's rosom up to the hilt.
He uttered single cry, and expired al
most Immediately. Robespierre's death
occurred upon the scaffold. In the
diary of Charles Henri Samson, e1ecu
toner of Paris during the revolution,
occurs the following entry: Robes
pierre was the tenth to appear on the
platform. he went up the steps of the
scatfold without any assistance what
ever. His demeanor exhibited neither
weakness nor assumed bravery; his eye
was cold and calm. The men were Or
dered to take off the linen in which the
prisoners face was wrapped. They did
so, and uncovered his jaw, broken by
blow from one of the mob. The pain
must have been horrible, for Robes
pierre uttered fearful cry. The blood
trickled down from the jaw, and the
mouth remained wide open. He was
Immediately strapped down, and, less
than a minute after. the knife fell. The
mead was shown to tho crowd, like that
of rho king -
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
Be Careful What You Say.

I .. asking Of persor's faults,
RS: don't forget your own;
Remcn Der those with homes Of glass
She seldom throw stone.
five Es7e nothing else to do
But talk OF those who siu,
'Tis better We commence at home,
And from that point begin.
We have 10 right to judge man
Until he's fairly tried;
Should We not like his company,
We know the world is wide.
Some may have faults-and who have not3
The old as well ss young;
Perhsps.we may. for aught We kLow,
Have fifty to their one.
I'll tell you Of a better plan,
And one that works full we'll:
Iay my own defects to cure,
Ere Of others tell.
And though l somstimss hope to be
No worse than some know,
My own shortcomings lid me let
The faults Of others 60.
Then let US al when We commence
To slsnder friend or foe,
Tuink of the harm ono word may do
To these who little know.
Remember, curses, sometimes, like
OR chickens, "roost st home"
Don't speak Of others faults until
We have none Of our own.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26

AN ADDRESS. s.-O'Connor Power, NJ.
P, is on his way to the United States
for the purpose of presenting con-
eratulatory centennial address to Presi
dent Grant Oh behalf o: the Irish peo
nle. IrelaLd seems determined to &C.
knowledge, IS far as utterance ean con-
yey, the warmth of her affection for the
country which has given home to go
many millions of her children.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
An AFRICAN FoUNDRY.-Lie1

An AFRICAN FoUNDRY.-Lieutenant
Cameron mentions an African tribe car
ryine on an extensive iron trade, having
foundries fifty feet long by thirty feet
wide, where they frequently get l5O to
200 pounds of metal in single smelt-
iug, but we are not clear as to the 10
cality.
Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-26
Some Of a Chinaman's Vices.
GAMBLING.

To surprise Chinese gambling party
in faqrante deictn is considered the
acme of police subtlety and daring. On
every block is to be seen one, two, or
three quiet faced watchtul old China
men, sitting on little stools in narrow
doorways, set some twelve feet back
from the sidewalk. John passes Ger
berus unchallenged, threads the pas
sages easily enough and finds himself in
the temple Of fortune, reduced to dirty
little gambling shop. But should
officers x, Y and q (or any other un.
known quantity make rush on any OF
these little, old, watchful men, there
are hundred chances to one that they
will be quick enough to prevent him
pulling cord that sets bell a-tlnkllng.
Once let that bell tinkle and though the
Invading force were fifty strong all
would be in vain. For suppose they
skurry past Cerberus and try the as
sault. Obstacle number one is a big
door, three, five, six inches thick, with
heavy cross bars of wood and iron on
the wrong side which would defy the
whole force used collectively as bat
tering ram and even were that door
passed in the first sweep, the passage is
found to be q maze, with barricaded
door at every angle ingenious mechanl-
cal contrivances slip bolt and bar into
their heavy sockets quick as light,
while the tinkle of the bell has sent the
gamblers flying by some rear exit or up
to the roof. One memorable time, a
certain wonderfully active and efficient
officer, while hotly pressing some flying
pigtails in one of these passages, sud
denly found himself hauled up to the
ceiling, with his neck in moose, and
there he dangled until cut down by his
brother stars.
Closely related to gambling are the
lotteries, in which almost every Chinese
storekeeper deals. On every ticket
eighty Chinese numbers are printed,
the buyer having the privilege of cross
ing out five or more of these numbers,
and if any or all of these numbers when
drawn are found to be prizes the money
called for is paid. The prizes are five,
and vary from twenty-five cents to one
hundred dollars, the price Of the tickets
being from ten cents to one dollar.
The drawings take place twice day.
This much you are told. White people
patronize this petty system OF robbery
extensively. No drawing party has yet
been seized, and the whole business Is
intangible and shady.-Scribners.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-05-27
Machinery Hall.

Of the fourteen acres of space the
Machinery building covers, the exhibit
ors have occupied thirteen. All the
space is allotted. There are eight
thousand machines in position. The
American exhibitors of machinery take
up seventy-five per cent. of the space al
lotted. Great Britain is next in import
ance in this line and is SO much less i'm
portant than the English expected that
the British representatives here apollo
gize for their display of machinery and
acknowledge that the Yankees can beat
them on machinery. A clock company
have an immense clock here, with
twenty-six electric dials. Two of these
are five feet, and twenty-four three feet
in diameter. The strong machine at the
top and front of the building runs the
whole of these dials by connection
through an electric wire, but the hands
of the main dial in front are propelled
by the machine itself.
The pyramid of speigel eisen and the
immense sheets of Bessemer steel, in the
British section, show elaborate taste anC
great perfection of art in mechanics
The ship sectionsare led by John Roach
of New York and Chester, whose vessels
and compound engines are marvels o
skill in the models. Beautiful models O
ships also come from England. Mr.
Roach says he has contract to build
steamboat to ply on Long Island soun(
that will cost million dollars, and will
be the finest ever built. Mr.. Hoe ha
filed his printing press section. 4
Philadelphia house grinds out envelope
by the thousand, by a mysterious ant
surprising patented method. The Bel
gian mining machinery is at once power
full and efficient. It works at boring il
rock and sand like the sinking of
twelve-foot artesian we'll. Fire engine
and almost everything you can think Q
are here in great profusion and seeming
perfection, u
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-05-27
Xantippe.

1t seems that the memory Of this woman,
like that Of her renowned husband, is likely to
be kept alive to the end of time. She is said
to have possessed very irritable temper and
her name has become synonym of "vixen,"
or "scold." Is is more than possible, how
ever, that the Judgment passed upon her by
mankind has been too severe. A more charita-
BILE disposition would undoubtedly have dis
covered in her many good qualities, and have
attributed her failing more to physical in
tirmities than to moral obliquity. The party
most intimately acquainted with her, and
therefore best able to form correct opinion
gives her credit for many domestic virtues. Ii
is now well known that many of the diseases
to which women are subject have a direct
tendency to render them irritable, peeyish,
cross, morose, unreasonable, 80 that they
chafe and fret over all those little ills and an
noyances that person in health would bear
with composure. 1t is fair to infer that most
of the tantrums OF Xantippe were due to these
causes alone; and could Socrates, as he re-
turned from the Senate, the Gymnasium, OF
the Atheneum, have stopped at Pestle & Nor
tars drug store and carried home q bottle
of DR.. r. V, Pierce'J Favorite Prescription.
now and then, no doubt he might have evaded
many "curtain lecture" allayed MANY
domestic broil, made it much pleasanter fol
the children, and more enjoyable for himself
and rescued his wife's name from the unenvia-
| bic, World-Wlde ana eternal notoriety it hat
attained. Thousands Of women bless the day
on which DR.. Pierce's Favorite Prescription
WAS first made known to them. A singl,
bottle often gives delicate and suffering wo
men more relief than months of treatmen
from their family physician. In all those de
engagements causing backache, dragging dow
sensations, nervous and general debility, 1t il
sovereign remedy. Its soothing and healing
properties render it of the utmost value Il
ladies suffering from internal fever, conges
ton, Inflammation or liberation, and it
strengthening effects tend to correct displace
ments of internal parts, the result of weak
ness Of natural supports. 1t is sold by a
druggists.