davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
The Torpcd0 Boats Construction.

One of the torpedo launches used IN
destroying the Turkish monitor near
Matchin, on the Danube, was recently
carefully looked over bya correspondent
of the London Daily Ne,cs, who mi
nutely describes it. The launch was only
about twenty-five feet long with about
four feet beam. The torpedo spars, of
which each boat carried two, were about
thirty feet long. They were placed on
each side of the boat in large iron rings
fore and aft, which maintained them in a
horizontal position when not being used.
The torpedo is attached, of course, to the
forward end of the spar. The torpedoes
themselves were about twenty inches in
length by eighteen inches in diameter,
and were covered apparently with wood.
When used, tho torpedo-bar is thrust
forward through the rings until it is only
supported by one, and the torpedo on
tile end of the spar may then be hoistcd
up and down as on the end of lever. It
is known that the force of torpedo only
acts within n radius of ten feet, and as
the spar is thirty feet long, the boat is
thus at safe distance from the explo-
sion, except the danger OF it being filled
aud swamped by the column of water
which the torpedo inevitably throws up.
The launch is m ordinary wooden one,
covered owe with a wooden deck, sup
ported by very slight wooden or iron up
rights. The sides from little above
the water are protected by plates of iron
q quarter of an inch thick, loosely fasten-
ell on to the uprights, and sufficient to
stop bullet, leaving exposed about four
inches just below the deck for the crew
to fire through in case of need. Neither
the bow nor the stern, however, were
protected in this way, and the launch
coming on would be exposed to be ira
versed from stem to stern by the enemy's
bullets. AS is we'll known, not single
bullet has ever penetrated the boat or
wounded q man, although the launch
must have been for several seconds with
in twenty feet of the monitor, and the
Turks had fired probably more than 100
shots at her at that distance. The reason
was, that it had not occurred to them to
fire down through the deck, which was
only Of wood, and ali their bullets had
been expended on the iron plates, which
were of course impenetrable. The tor
pedo is made to explode by contact, and
may also be exploded by an electric bat
terry in case the shock should not have
been sufficient to explode it..
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
The Credit Business.

After having inspected pile Of calico
in one of the Detroit stores, somewhat
rusty looking man blandly remarked to
the clerk before him
"Credit must be given e.
"No, sir-we don't trust" was the
reply. -.
ii was going to remark that credit
must be given me for -
"We couldn't do it, sir. The rule
applies to every one.
"Couldn't do what?" asked the man.
Couldn't give you credit"
"You are very uncivil, sir, very, but
yet I will soy before I 60 out of here
that credit must be given me for being
honest and impartial, when I say that |
never saw three hitching-posts look
nicer than them out there. That's oil,
sir, and I wish I hadn't said that much. "
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
Something in the Bed,

Judge Pitman has habit of slipping
his watch under his pillow when he goes
to bed. The other night somehow ii
slipped down, and, as the Judge was rest.
less, it gradually worked its way down.
ward toward the foot of the bed. After
q bit, while he was lying awake, his foot
touched it, and it felt very cold; he was
surprised and scared, and, jumping from
bed he said
"By gracious, Maria !! there's q toad
or snake or something under the covers.
I touched it with my foot"
Mrs. Pitman gave loud scream and
was out on the floor in an instant.
"Now don't go to hollering and wax
ing up the neighbors," said the judge.
"You go and get me broom or some
thing, and we'll fix the thing mighty
qaick."
Mrs. Pitman got the broom and gave
it to the Judge, with the remark that she
felt as if snakes were creeping all up and
down her legs and back.
"Oh, nonsense, Maria ! Nowyou turn
down the covers slowly. while l hold the
broom and bang it. Put bucket Of
water alongside the bed, too, SOS we can
shove it in and drown it.
Mrs. Pitman fixed the bucket and
gently removed the covers. The Judge
held the broom uplifted, and as soon as
the black ribbon OF the watch was re-
vealed, he cracked away three or four
times with his broom. Then he pushed
the thing off into the bucket. Then they
took the bucket to the light to investi-
gate the matter. When the Judge saw
what it was, he said:
"I might've known that. Just like
you women, to 60 screeching and fuss:ng
about nothing. Who's going to pay me
for that watch It's utterly ruined"
cit was you That made the fuss, no
me-" said Mrs. P. You needn't try to
put the blame off on me-.
"Oh, hush up, and go to bed. I'm
tired of hearing you blather. Blame me
if amt going to get a divorce and emil
CRATE.
And the Judge turned in and growled
at Maria until he fell asleep.-1lar i'd
eIer.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
A Thunder Storm in London.

There was terrific thunder storm in
London on July 5. Three pcals of thun-
der were heard in quick succession at
Kilburn, and q sheet of fire flashed in
the street. The thoroughfare for some
distance seemed to be in flames, and q
material similar to molten metal des-
cended, leaving behind clinkers from an
inch to six or seven inches in circum-
ference. The street for a distance of
fifty yards was covered, something like
a couple of bushels having been picked
up by persons in the neighborhood. A
child named Frost, who was running
from one house to another, was struck
with some of the liquid and severely
burned. The fire-ball then struck a
telegraph wire, which passed over the
street, completely burning it up for 4
distance of 500 yards. For ten minutes
after the fall of the thunder-bolt the
whole neighborhood was enveloped in n
thick blue and yellow fog.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
NV Mothers Door.

I met in the mist one summer morning
A girl whom had known from child.
And whose bright self was her best adorning -
But that dark morning her looks were wild.
Stop, little Norah =" She did as I bade her.
"Why are you here alone on the moor?'
l was sad last night, to-day am sadder,
Because 60 from my mothers door"
Why do you 80, then, and what is your
sorrow?
Tell an old man who has known you go long. y
"Soggath Aroon, you will know tomorrow,
And be frst-but dont-to say was wrong.
used to be glad-no girl was gladder--
never remembered that we were poor;
/ was sad last night, and to-day am saddcr,
Because 90 from my mothers door,"
What has she done to you?" Broken my
heart, SIR
"And what have you done to her now. pray -
Nothing but love him, and take his part, sir,
For the poor fellow hasn't word to say.
Then she got mad, and you got madder,
And didn't you stampyou foot on the 1oor!"
Il was sad last night -" land to-day you
are sadder.
Because you go from your mothers door.
"lou will 60 back, Norah. Give neyour hand
now."
"Iwould rather not, sir" ~ say YOU will.
You will fetch him to see me. You understand
now."
Your reverence knows him. It's only Phil.
She locked me up and he brought ladder.
He loves me-" "You told me that before.
But your mother is sad "She shall not be
sadder-
l will not 50 from my mothers door
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08

I had made my plans; then, watch in
hand, I impatiently waited for DIR.
Barker's return.
: He was back to his time, and in few
words I had made my arrangements.
doctor" said I, "you said you were
in my debt for this nj ght's work.
! "My dear Sir, III write you check
for twenty guineas with pleasure, he
replied. -,
"Pay me in this way" I said, {" see
that these patients whose names have
written on this slip of paper are attended
to well for the next two days, and tell Our
friend here that his message has been
seen to.
He promised eagerly, and the next
minute I was in the street, running to
the nearest cab-stand. I was just in
time to catch the early morning train,
and half mad, half joyous, I sat impatient
ly there till the train dropped me at
Burnley, where the fly slowly jolted me
over to the Four-Mile Form.
1t was bright, clear morning, and
the sun glanced from the river upon the
trees; but could think of only one thing
as I kept urging the driver on, and he
must have thought me mad as I leaped
out and rushed into the we'll known
parlor.
"Kate p I cried, as half blind, I ran
toward pale face lying back in al easy
chair by the fire.
"You scoundrel - was roared at the
same moment, and the sturdy farmer had
ME pinned by the throat.
eyes all that" I said; "only hear
me-"
His hands dropped rs Kate uttered n
low cry and tainted.
"Quick !" I said; "water and some
brandy"
With low growl of rage my old patient
for gout obeyed me, and in few minutes
; I had her head raised on my arm.
Have you come to say good-by p
she said feebly; and there was such a
look of reproach in that poor, wan face,
that I only answered in whisper:
."No! no Ito ask you to give and
bless me with your love-to ask you to
forgive me for my cruel weakness l
must have been mad"
A deep groan made me turn my head
to see that the farmers head was down
upon his arms, and his broad shoulders
were heaving.
"I thought you would never come
again." said Kate, feebly; but I didn't
give up hope. And now I shall get well
sOOn."
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
A Curious Family.

The Times and Despatch of Reading
says: Albany, the township OF snakes
and catamounts, possesses one OF the
most curious families in the county,
whose history is quite remarkable.
Kunkel is the name of the family, which
consists of five persons, four old bach
elors and one old maid, brothers and
sister, who are bound together by the
most affectionate ties and refuse to be
separated. The sister is in her seventieth
year, and is noted for her excellent man
agement, welding great influence over
her younger brothers, who range in age
from fifty to sixty-tive years, the
youngest being upward of fifty years
old. They are all over six feet tall, pos
sessed of herculean frames. The farm
upon which the live has been handed
down over a hundred years, and was &C
quired by their ancestors over century
ago. Their house was erected more than
one hundred years ago, after the style
of the first settlers, split logs for floor,
filled up with clay. They do all their
own work, and are neat and clean in all
they do. Their farm is in excellent cen
dition, and produces annually large
crops. They do not have their horses
shod in the winter, only in the summer.
In winter the shoes are removed, and
the horses are not taken further than to
water. They carry oil their grain to the
mill and back on their shoulders, never
using the horses for this purpose. The
barn roof, and o number of the out
buildings are thatched with straw. The
family is much respected, and is reported
to be wealthy. A sister, who married a
number of years ago, has been utterly
discarded, her singular brothers and
sister having paid her the portion to
which she was entitled ont of her fathers
estate, and will have no further inter-
course with her. This curious family
resides near Wesnesville, in Albany
township, and have never been out Of
the county, and it is believed never out
of the township. They are said to have
relatives in Philadelphia whom they
have never seen nor visited.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
Vindictiye to the Last.

A horrible story of mans inhuman
hatred for fellow-creature comes from
Maysville, KY. Levi Ball had furnished
the family of James G. Owens with sup
plies to the amount Of 5000, and, finding
it impossible to collect, he levied on
Owens property, which was released on
claimants bond, and on that Ball also
secured a Judgment. These various
proceedings aroused Owens to pitch of
madness, and he swore to kill Ball.
Every insult he could devise he cast
upon his prospective victim to win some
provocation, and finally he solemnly as
serted his intention of pouring the con-
tents Of his shotgun, which he had
charged with forty slugs, into Balls sys-
tenn. A few days ago he met Ball and
commenced his abuse again, whereupon
Ball fired four shots, mortally wounding
his vindictive enemy. On his death-bed
Owens went into commissions at the sug-
gestion that he must die before killing
the object of his hatred, and when he
recovered he exacted with his dying
breath solemn oath from his seventeen
year-old son that he would never rest
until he had sent Ball to his grave.
Upon the trial of Ball for the shooting,
he was promptly acquitted.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
Railroad Statistics.

Advance sheets of Poor's RailWay
Manual, soon to be issued show that the
number of miles operated N this country
last year were 73, ,508, against 1850 in
1875. The gross earnings amounted to
s497, 200, 900, against SOB, 100, 900 in the
previous year, while the net earningswere
s1sG, 400, GOO, against$1s5, 500, ,00oin 1876.
The increase in net earnings in the face
of the large falling off in gross earnings
is attributed to the spirit of economy
which has characterized railroad manage
ment during the past year. The
dividends paid in 1876 amounted to
sG8, 1000, against s74,30O,O0 in
1876, the falling off being due to the de-
fault of several corporations, notably the
coal companies.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
BARGAIN HUNTERS.
How Some Wotiten Make Purchases In New
vnrk

How Some Wonten Make pnrChases In New
York.
Says q New York correspondent:
Some of the Broadway dry goods men
say smuggling has had scarcely any
effect on the;t trade. Others think it
has hurt them good deal. They tell
some queer yarns about tho bargain
hunters who spend their days run1ling
about, like Mrs. Toodles, in quest OF
something cheap. ssid one the other
day: "Give o regular shopper hint
that there are some smuggled goods in
the market, and she'll spend week
hunting for them all over town. Ten to
one she hasn't the slightest use for any
thing in the lot, but that's neither here
nor there. If goods are smuggled they
must be bargains, and she's bound to
have something out Of the lot, anyway,
want or no want" One of the walkers
in Broadway store tells this story:
DO women. prefer smuggled goods :?
Well, not all, but pretty large number
do. Let me tell you what occurred in
our silk room not long ago. A lady who
spends five days in the week shopping
came in as usual and wanted to see q
piece of silk. She had been in almost
every day, and of course nearly always
went off without buying. This time the
clerk who had to wait on her turned
round when he had chance and offered
to bet five dollars with another clerk
that he'd make her buy enough silk for
q dress. The bet was taken on the spot.
Then the clerk got down to work. He
took down piece after piece, spread them
out, piled them up in heaps till a dozen
shelves we're emptied, and talked till he
began to grow hoarse. But it was no
use. She objected to one piece after
another, now the quality, now the shade,
now the price; but still the young man
kept on. He was at it fully an hour
when she got up to go. Then his strate-
gy came into play. Leaning over the
counter he motioned to her to come near,
and then said in whisper:
"Madam, can I say word in strict
confdence?" She nodded, and he went
"You would like o real bargain,
wouldn't you ?" She nodded again.
"Well, this is just how it is. That
young man." motioning with his head to
the clerk with whom he had made the
bet. "has fine piece of smuggled silk
that he will sell very low. OF course he
can't say anything about it himself, but
I can show it now, if you want to see it. "
"Well, I will look at it."
Putting his hand under the counter
he brought up piece of silk that he had
slipped down when she was getting up
to leave. She examined it and asked the
price.
"Three dollars is the regular price for
the same goods, but you can have this
for two."
"You say it is smuggled ?"
eyes, ma'am, but don't speak so
loud"
"Well, will take twenty-five yards.
every well, ma'am; it's the greatest
bargain you ever got." She was greatly
pleased, but the silk was the same that
She had rejected fifteen minutes before
at $1.75.
A person hearing this story said: 'Do
you allow clerks to do business that
way?"
"Not at all; when it became known the
young man lost his place; but the incl
dent shows how ready some women are
to pick up imaginary bargains if there is
any hint about smuggling"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-08
Gray's Elegy in a Churchyard.

Two stanzas have been added to Gray's
famous elegy, in order to do away with
it's one reproach of having no woman in
it except "the busy housewife" They
are to appear after the fourteenth stanza
of the original and to take precedence of
the men altogether. Here they are:
Here sleeps some fair, whose unaffected charms
Bloom'd with attraction to herself unknown,
Whose beauty might have blessed monarchs 5
arms,
Whose virtues cast luster on throne.
Whose modest beauties warm'd humble heart,
Or cheered the labors of some homely spouse ;
Whose virtues form'd to every duteous part,
The healthful offspring which adorned her
house.
Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-11
Milton.

Old Boreas put an injunction on the lecture, last Thursday evening, by filling the air so full of fine sitting snow that the stars could scarcely be seen through it.. The lecture was consequently postponed till Thursday, the 1lth inst. One week from that time, Thursday the 18th, comes the neyt in the course; subject, ''The Arts, Sciences and Literature of the An cients."
 Business dull. Snow, snow, every where ]! Farmers dipping water from springs. if they can find it. for their stock! No wood piles yet; altogether too much sledding Many roads blockaded. J. D. Berry, the Litchfeld and Cornwall Bridge stage driver, the greatest example of New England pluck. and perseverance. has been up to time with every mail yet, though unhitching his horses three times within a mile, and dragging his sleigh over the drifts by. hand. Q.
Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-11
Ellsworth,

The snow still falls and I don't see any reason why we cannot have some sleighing bye and bye. We have snow here almost any depth, from one to eight or ten feet deep. to suit circumstances and may probably cause a sleigh-ridc next fourth of July if we live.
 Some of the boys that used to live around here are spending the winter at the Litchfield boarding house, believe. One of.them employed his time so we'll before, that he returned speedily. A good many think they will go farther be- fore they ever see Sharon again.
 The Centennial year has closed and made way for '77.
 Christmas has come and gone once more. and yet all are not happy. Both district schools celebrated it with a Christmas tree and had good time.
 Owing to SO much stormy weather the services in either church have not been very we'll attended for the last two Sundays. Every one prophecies an old fashioned winter. and plenty of snow.
 KSoT-Now.
Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-11

ford. Detective Wyant and W. s. Ford, immediately went in pursuit of him. ar- rested him in Birmingham. and brought him before Justice Ford, when he plead- ed guilty. and was sent up to the County House to board.
 JURoRs.-At meeting of the Select men and civil authority on the lst inst. the following persons were elected Ju- TOTS: E.iada N. Moore, Chas. Fl. Mason, Sheldon J. Logan, Stephen s. Morehouse. Wm. O'Dell, Benajah P. Beach, Chas. Beach, Joseph N. Frost, Franklin Hollis ter, Harvey Couch, David Calhoun, Stan- ley Williams, R N. Cogswe!I, Edward Hull, Dayton Burnham, Joseph Watson. Levi Morehouse, Ralph l. Wheaton and George A. Tomlinson.
 EccLEs1AsTicAL.-Att the annual chnrch meeting on Thursday, F N. Galpin was elected Clerk; c. l.. Hickox, Treasurer; J. G. Fenn s. D. Platt and 0. H. Mason, Standing Committee; s. D. Platt, Super intendent of Sunday School, and George s Clalk, Assistant; Alfred H. Wyant, Librarian
 POLITICAL. commend the Enquirer for it's independent course in politics. but do not think it necessary to deny that It is Republican paper. Permit us to ask the Editor, who is elected President of the United States? And though We have as great horror for Carpet -Baggers as he has; from whom have we most to fear, 6O, 900 Carpet Baggers under the admin istration of Gov. Hayes, or GOO, 900 hun gry office seekers under MT. Tilden? We commend to his attention tue Fable of tue OK and the Flies.
 DONATION VIsIT.-Many of the friends of MT. Colton visited the Parsonage last Friday afternoon and evening, where they were cordially welcomed by him and hls family. After spending a season in social intercourse, refreshments were dis tributed, and when the company separa- ted, they left with the family about eigh. ty dollars in greenbacks, besides other tokens of their good will. It was also a ings. as weli as tarfiefes' ara fJkga 6ssl ble nature, for example, ladies hats, furs &c. We understand one gentleman lost an overcoat. An well. mistakes will occu, in the best regulated families
 WEEK OF PRAYER.-The Holidays and Donation visits are over, and this week will be observed as a week of Prayer. s. The Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford former ly of New Haven, now of Jersey City, will deliver lecture in our Hall on We'd nesday evening, Jan. 24th, and after the lecture there will be readings and recita- tions by Miss Miles. Mrs. Hanafords s former lecture in this place was very much liked, and full house is expected.
Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-11
Kent.

The O. I. 0. entertainment at Gibbs Hall, Wednesday evening 27th ult. gave good satisfaction. The Tableaux were splendid, and the minstrel performance was accounted by good judges next to Bryants or Christy's on Broadway After the entertainment the benches were moved and a social hop enjoyed for two or three hours, making very pleasant evening
 Thursday evening. the 18th Nlt., came of the Masonic ball at Gibbs Hall; about 200 couples were assembled. About ten o'clock. tables were spread. bountifully laden, when all present were invited to partake; after which Duncan's band fur nished the music till the Sd hour, when all seemed satisfied to retire.
 On the 28th ult., after several week s illness. Mrs. Phoebe Schemerhorn. died at the residence of her son in law, MT. P. Hufcut, aged 7s years. The funeral was at the house on Saturday, the 3Oth, after which the remains were taken to South. Dover for interment
 The heavy fall of snow and hail on the night of the 18th ut. has made the travelling no better. as there is about two feet of snow on level; little too much oi agood thing. On Sunday, 31st ult.. about noon. a train of cars passed here drawn by two engines conveying passengers to the fu- neral of Mir. Franklin, late Superintend. ent of the Houstonic railroad at Cansan.
 Mrs. Moses Smith is quite sick of fever.
 Several cases of measles reported in town.
 Mercury 15e below zero on Thurs day morning.
 -Sleighing fine. snow almost three feet deep. I.
Litchfield enquirer., 1877-01-11
With Enquirer.

With Enquirer. H.rper's Weekly. S2'ae 'ae Harper's Bazar. .:..........."o'1 Harper's Magazine. e.............o, Atlantic Monthly. ..... 5,2O Scribner's Monthly. ..........'oo .'o'20 The Galaxy .............'. The Agricnlturist. .... ...........o'do Arthur's Home Magazine. ...... ,OO Peterson's Magazine .3,5O Hodey's Lady's Book. ..........4,N NY. Weekly Tribune. .........3,oO NY. Semi-weekly Tribune. ....4 ,5O N. Y. Weekly Times. es...........3,ZO N. Y. Semi-weekly Times. 4,oO Old & New. ............'.o'z St Nicholas. Peter's Household Melodies, .5,2O La Creme de la Creme, .5,O Parlor Music. .......... D. ~ Demorrst's Monthly Magazine, 4.OO