davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
Business of the Dead Letter Office.

The whole number of dead letters re.
celved at the Dead Letter Office during the
year ending June, 1877, was 3,234,6OO,
which is 349,944 less than the number re.
celved the previous years. OF these 2.GO4..
S93, merely ordinary letters of no special
Importance, about half Of which were re.
turned to the writers, or forwarded to the
persons for whom they were intended.
This is reduction of about 100000 from
the number received the previous wear.
There were 52l ,465 letters received, which
were properly addressed, but on which the
sender had neglected to place stamp. The
number of letters returned to tho United
States from foreign countries was l69,599,
tho persons to whom they were addressed
not having called for them within ninety
days, the time allowed. The number of
letters sent to the Dead Letter Office con-
tanning money was 32,746; and the az
gregate amount contained in them was
sol 1881, Al. This is q reduction from the
previous year, when there were received
35,6l2 letters, containing currency to the
amount OF $54,72l. Last year owners were
found for 20,SS4 letters, inclosing S37. .952.
The year previous the proportion was about
the same. The money is held in the Dead
Letter Office for one year, to the credit of
the writer, but at the expiration of that
time it goes in the United States Treasury.
Nearly 81, 100000 was found in l2,94l
letters, in the shape of drafts, certificates of
deposits, bonds and other papers represent.
ing, money. OF these, 1861 letters, with
enclosures valued at 81 ,204, ,405, were re.
turned to their owners. There were 26l.
500 letters that came in containing iewelry
ana other articles of intrinsic value. OF
these, 1926 were delivered to their
writers with the Enclosures. Over $1,000
letters were found to contain photographs,
ana over $4,000 contained postage stamps.
a great proportion of these were returned
dressed.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

my horse gave out, and became so cold
and weary that found it necessary to ask
a farmer not far from here to give me a
nights lodging, which he kindly did. |
was much nearer my jounrney's end than
l supposed"
This explanation was satisfactory to all
parties, and in due time the congregation
dispersed, and the Presiding Elder went
home with Brother and Sister w. One
thing is certain, however, the story never
got out for some years after the worthy
brother and sister had passed from their
ilabors, and it was then related by Mr.. N.
himself, who was rather eccentric in his
character, and, like numbers of his minis
terlai brethren, fond of joke, and given
to relating stories.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
Church Music.

1t Is one Of the anomalies of the epoch
that while in many of the Methodist.
Baptlst and Presbyterian churches paid
chOlrs have taken the music in hand and
have supplanted the old. congregational
singing, many of the Catholic churches
and the Episcopal ritualists have returned
to the simple music in which all can
participate A generation ago the Meth.
odlst church relied less on the " foolishness
OF preaching" than on the stirring strains
OF their old and captivating hymns. Now
they have in many cases followed the ex.
ample OF the Episcopalians, and have their
music done for them by professional
slngers-and very often it is poor operatic
stuff, badly rendered. Florid music has
been until comparatively recent times an
almost universal feature of the Catholic
ritual. The masses of Haydn, Mozart and
Mercadante require 4 highly cultivated
taste to be appreciated and a trained and
disciplined body Of musicians to render
them. 1t is quite impossible for the con.
gregatlons to participate in them, or even
to follow understandiy. The grand words
arc too frequently sacrificed to the REQUIRE.
ments OF complex musical form, and lost
III senseless repetitions, diversions and
relteratlons, alterations of solo, duet and
chorus, and instrumental effects. There is
certain paltriness even in the elaborate
masses OF Mozart or Beethoven, when
the large and splendid energy of the words
IS lost III rOlade, dssipated in gallopinr
tugue, or reduced to a pulp in a chorus.
No brilliant music can add ANYTHING to the
GIorla n ETccLstS or the Crcl3, and that
music Is best which is so nude and simple
as to suffer the words to come out clearest
and which all the people can ioin. 1t is
this which gives the charm to the old
.'regoHan chants. The change is going on
IN some OF the Episcopal churches The
rltuallsts have returned to the simplest
forms OF music, and all the CONGREGATION
are expected to participate. The reform
has, however, gone farthest in the Catholic
churches In this city all of the German
churches have adopted congregational
Singing, and more recently the Cathedral
mas adopted 1t, entirely abolishig its time.
honored choir. 1t is probable that the
revolution will go on. We are far from
saying that all church music should be
SIMPLE. 1t may be we'll at times to praise
the Lord with trumpets But simple
music may be very grand and no organ or
orchestra can approach the glorious quality
OF tone that rises from a multitude of
human voices. There is something sympa.
thetlc, magnetic and thrilling in its force
and volume. 1t seems strange that this
precious instrument, the voice Of the multi.
tude, ever should have been superseded bv
the professional soloists. The return to
the traditions of grander past is a sign of
health and earnestness in the present
Balto. Gazette.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
WHOLE NO. 1,lG9.

4 BLIND Mans CouRrsnIp.-Last Tburs.
day evening the Rev. J. b. Biggs oficiated
at wedding Of romantic interest. For y
long time Mr.. T. J. Hutchinson had loved
Mrs. NJ. E. Hudson, both of this city, but
ne IS totally blind, and for that reason felt
dellcacy about making his love known,
About the origin of this love nothing can
be said. 1t could not be called "a love at
hrst sight, but her voice was sweet and
gentle, and its mild echoes penetrated to
inc bind mans heart, weighing him down
with all the desponding sadness of hopeless
loTe' IN his grief he made confidant of
q q, Iaoy iriend, who diyulged the secret to
5arI. IboI. hudson and carried the glad tidings
back to the melancholy lover that his naS.
sion was returned The minor matters
were soon arranged, and the happy nuptial3
were celebrated as montioned.-SprtnqfcL
(.HasS.) 1dcerl=er.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
SMILE WHENEVER YOU CAN.

Why should you dread tomorrow,
And thus spoil your to-day?
For when you borrow trouble
You always have to pay.
1t is 4 good old maxim,
That should often be preached
Don't cross the bridge before you
Until the bridge ia reached.
1ou might be spared much signing
IfyOu would keep in mind
The thought that good and evil
Are always here combined.
There must be something wanting.
And though you roll in wealth,
You may miss from your casllct
That precious jewel-Lealth!
And tho you're strong and sturdy,
You may have an empty purse;
(And earth has many trials
Which 1 consider worse;
But whether joy or sorrow
Fill up your mortal span,
Twill make your pathway brighter
To smile whene'cr you can.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
GOD.

o thou Eternal One whose presence bright
All space must occupy-all motion guide;
Unchanged through times all devastating flight,
Thou only God There is no God beside,
Being above all beings, mighty one
Whom none can comprehend and none explore
Who filrst existence with Thyself alone
Embracing all, supporting, ruling DER!
Being whom We call God, and know no more!
Thy chains the unmCasured universe surround,
Upheld by Thee, by Thee inspired with breath,
Thou the beginning with the end was bound,
And beautifully mingled life and death
As sparks mount upward from the fiery blaze,
So suns born, and worlds spring forth from Thee
And as the spanglcs in the sunny rays
Shine around the silvery snow, the pageantry
Of Heavens bright army glittcrs i'll Thy praise.
million torches lighted by Thy hand,
Wander unweared through the blue abyss;
They own Thy power, accomplish Thy command,
All gay with life, all eloquent with bliss.
What shall We call them? Piles of crystal light?
glorious company of golden streams?
Lamps celestial ether burning bright?
Suns lighting systems with their joyous beams?
But Thou to them art as the moon to night.
Yes, us the drops of water TO the sea,
All this magnifcence in Thee is lost
What are ten thousand worlds compared to Thee!
And what am then? Heavens unnumbercd host.
Though multiplied by myriads, and arrayed
In all the glory of sublmest thought,
Is but an atom in the balance weighed
Against Thy greatness-is a cipher brought
Against infnty What am l? Naught
Nothing but the cflluencc of Thy light divine
Pervading worlds, hath reached my bosom too;
Yes, in my spirit doth Thy spirit shine,
As shines the sunbeam in drop of dew
Naught!-but live, and on hopes pinions fly,
Eager, toward Thy presence; for in Thee
live and breathe, and dwell, aspiring high;
Zen to the throne of Thy divinity,
am, 0 God, and surely Thou must be
Thou art directing guiding ALL Thou art
Direct my understanding, then, to Thee;
Control my spirit guide my wandering heart,
Though but an atom midst immensity
Still am something, fashioned by Thy hand!
hold middle rank, 'twixt heaven and earth
On the last verge of mortal being stand,
Close to the realms whore angels have their birth
Just off the boundaries of the spirit land!
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
SHE UNDERSTOOD HIN.

\ Apensive mood came DER me;
l remarked with many u sigh,
The frost and cold will soon be here.
The landscape changed to brown and serc.
And all things green will die"
She looked sweet, sympathetic,
And the tears stood in her eye,
As she murmured in a voice divine
Placing her lily hand in mine
" I'm sorry, but-good-by"
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

\ touching tragedy at Troy: Mrs Marsh.
the divorced wife Of Samuel Marsh, died at
the house of friend under circumstances
which lead to the belief that she committed
suicide. Her husband secured a divorce
from her about year ago for infdelity.
She asked to be forgiven and restored to
her home, and was repulsed. At an early
hour the next morning she was found upon
the steps of her husbands store in diving
condition, and removed to the house where
she died
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

HARD TINES IN CALIFoRXIA.-Newsf from
California is not encouraging. In the rich
valley Of Napa many able-bodiod men are
working on farms for their mere board. and
many others, according to report, would be
glad of the opportunity. Excellent farm
hands are working for $40 to $l3 per
month. 1t seems to be matter of fact
that hard times prevail in the Golden
State.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

Gen. Mcclellan says in Harper'S Maga-ine
that our army loses larger proportion of
officers killed in time of peace than the
British army loses in peace and war
together. Taking the number killed in
the half century from 1904 to 1854, and
deducting the losses during the wars of
1912, of Mexico, of Florida and the Black
Hawk, and consider the intervening peace
ful periods, the percentage of Killed is
greater to the whole force than that of the
British army in the same period, though
Great Britain was at war nearly the whole
time.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

The Conference of Protestant Missiona.
ries held in Shanghai, China, recommended
tho observance of the first Sunday in
October for special prayer for the spread of
Christianity throughout that empire. An
address to the ministers and members of
the Methodist Churches, issued by the
Missionary secretaries and bishops, requests
them so to observe the day.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

My son, would you suppose the Lords
Prayer could be engraved in q space no
larger than the area of nickel cent ?"
" Well, yes, father, if cent is as big in
everybody's eye as it is in yours, think
there would be no difficulty in putting it
on about four times"
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

Father Grogan, of St. Bridget's Catholic
Church, Chicago, while travelling in n rail.
road train from the suburbs last Wednes.
day, noticed volume in the satchelrack,
and taking it down turned the leaves of
the Protestant New Testament. Suddenly
he moved toward the window and tossed
the book out on the prairie. The train
man reported the incident to tho con.
ductor, who promptly demonstrated with
the passenger. "What book is that you're
reading now?" he asked, abruptly. iThat
is mono Of your business" Guoth the
reverend gentleman. "Why did YOU
throw the other one out of the window ?"
The priest attempted to explain that he
had seen on the fy-leaf some naughty
words and figures, and that, acting on the
impulse of the moment, he had thrown
the book out of the window, being shocked
by the illustrations and interiineations.
Ihe conductor lost his temper and threaten.
ed to throw the priest out of the window
after the Bible. There was tumult in the
car, and friend of the priest challenged
one man to fight. When the train
reached Chicago the priest was arrested,
but as his explanation was satisfactory to
the magistrate, he was discharged without
bail. As this copy of the Bible was owned
oy the railroad corporation, the reverend
traveller obviously had no right to cast it
out, as he did. If the caricatures and
pencil-marks were offensive to him, he
might have borrowed a small square of
indla'rubber from one of the bluestockinp
beldames in the middle of the car.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
Differing Doctors,

a case has just occurred in PHILADELPHIA
which not only illustrates the wide differ
ence OF opinion between the Iomnopathic
and Allopathic Schools of Medicine bnt
suggests that the radical disagreement NAV
be followed by disagreeable results. An
inmate OF the Home for the Aged and In.
ilrm Colored Persons added to his intirnj.
ties by becoming lunatic. Two physicians
OF the homeopathic school certified to tho
negros insanity, and desired his removal
To- the proper department of tho almshouse.
Inc signature OF one of the outdoor physi.
clans was also necessary, and this. uDon
pelhg applied to, DR.. Muller, an allopathic
practitioner, refused to give, as he did not
consider the two hOmmopaths to be doctors
at ALL lie was afraid, he said if he signed
The paper that he would be expelled from
the fhlladeIphla Medical Society. While
inc dispute was going on rather warmly.
Inc patIent settled it, so far as he was con.
cclhed, by jumping from a fcurth.storv
window OF the Home, instantly killing him
sell lie thus Vlndicatcd the diagnosis of
the disciples Of IIahnemann, and proved
that, whatever might be said oG their deyo
ton to lntinitesinal doses, they a least
knew lunatic when thew saw him.
Meanwhile, the Board of Guardians are in.
VestIgatlng the matter, and we really wish
That they could hit upon some way of
reconclllng the champions of the rival sys.
TENS. We confess, however, that we are
entirely at a loss to know how thov might
accomplish so desirable a result, unless
they could also devise some way of entirely
changing human nature. IN this particu.
lar case, 1t Is true, we do not see why the
aiIopathlc Practitioner might not have
recognised the hommopathsts as medical
men, so far as to take their word for it that
the negro was mad. At least, they knew
something Of the symptoms of lunacv, as
most people do, whether they are pLysi.
cians or not; and in such an cmercency it
was hardly wise to stand upon a point of
etiquette. The truth or falsity of medical
dogmas was not at all involved, and it was
mere matter Of humanity to put rayinc
maniac where he could neither harm him
sell nor anybody else. We question whetb
cH the Philadelphia Medical Society would
have expelled DR.. Muller for granting his
certificate, even though it formally admit
TED that Drs Thatcher and Banks were
physicians. 1t was not 4 matter of consul.
tatlon. 1t involved no question of practice
II DR.. Muller had quietly stepped over to
the Home, seen the patient, and then
signed the paper, no blow, we think, would
have been struck at medical orthodoxy
which 1t could not bear.--N \. TiJu.c.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

A blacksmith, having been slandered,
was advised to apply to the courts for re-
dress. He replied, with true wisdom, Il
shall never sue anybody for slander. can
go into my shop and work out better
character in six months than l could get in
a courthouse in year!" e
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

An Irish clergyman once broke off the
thread of his discourse, and thus addressed
the congregation: "My dear brethren,
let me tell you that am Just half through
my sermon; but as perceive your impa-
tience, will say that the remaining half is
not more than a quarter as long as that
you have heard"
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
REVIVAL SONG.

The following are two stanzas Of song
winch IS very popular among the colored
worshlppers of this city and which is often
sung at revivals:
shake dc dus' Off OBJ my feet.
An walk barefoot on tie goldrcn street
know my hides chuck full Of sin.
But know old Peter will let Inc in.
CHORUS.
Den rise children, rise up in a crowd
An shout an sing to the angels loud:
An fix your eyes on dc lam oh rest
kase hell am hot as hornets nest.
-Ralcigh ~ c. OJMter.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

:, bishop Haven was lately taken i'll at
Aenia, Ohio, where he was presiding over
an Annual Conference, and Bishop Simpson
was summoned to take his place. Bishop
Haven has not been in good health since
MS trip to the West Coast OF Africa.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

Among the many outgrowths of Sunday.
school work is the Foreign Sunday y-school
Association" which has its headquarters in
Brooylyn. Its object is the planting and
support of Sunday.schools on the Continent
OF Europe. The Sunday School has not
been readily adopted by the Continental
Churches, but meets with growing favor.
In Germany and German Switzerland this
society now reports 500 schools, 5,3l9
teachers and S5,095 scholars. In Holland
there has also been rapid progress. Mr..
Albert Woodruff is President.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
We still hear occasionally of the tende

We still hear occasionally of the tender,
passionate, worshipping lover, who lies in
ambush for the idol Of his hearts affections,
and.cuts her head off with hatchet because
she will not marry him. 1t is getting to be
proposes, than to reject him. And that
possibility makes it very unpleasant for the
man when he " tasks. ."-Hackeye.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

A would,b be modest lady pulled the sleeve
of her under garment over her wrist, when
physician was about feeling her pulse.
The doctor took the corner of his coat and
laid it upon his patients arm, saying: "a
linen pulse should have woolen.physi-
cian."
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

1t may be we'll enough to whip boy
when he needs it, but it is waste of time
and talent to try to convince him that YOU
intend the thrashing for anything but your
own amusement.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

Brown, meeting Jones, his friend, and
seeing he looked very miserable, said /:
" Halloo, old man, why you've face just
fit for funeral" $50 ought to have"
replied Jones, considering I've just had
an execution in my house."
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
DERZHAVIN'S ODE.

[The death in London, November D. OF the eminent
scholar and phanthropiSt Sir John Browning, should
revive popular interest in the various varieties of
foreign literature made familiar to the EngishSpea
ing world by his fine transatons. OF these
the wonderful Ode of Deity, by the Russian poet
statesman Gabriel Derzhavin, is particularly worthy
of attention 1t has been translated into many
languages, is even said to be inscribed in golden
letters white satin in the imperial palace of China
and fully vndcates its fame in the wel-known dress
given by the illustrious Englishmanl
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

An Indiana farmer don't pay any tolls.
He shoots the gate-keeper, and jogs right
along. They have tried him twice, but he
gets clear, since one of his aunt's cousins
used to act "flighty like"
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

Captain" said son of Erin, as a ship
was nearing the coast in inclement weather,
shave ye almenik on board?" "No,
haven't" "Then, be jabers, we shall have
to take the weather as it comes"
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

A Massachusetts COW came home the
other day carrying on her horn the follow.
ing note; Inclosed find six cents for one
quart of milk taken this forenoon" And
the six cents were there.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

Over quarter of the population of Ron
dout, N. Y, have signed the temperance
pledge. This would make the number of
pledge-signers not less than 6,00O.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

The foolish man will ask woman if her
baby isn't trifle cross.eyed; but a wise
man will wait till he gets TO the next town,
and make the inquiry by postal card,
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
Mount DrSFPT
HE TO HER.

BOSTON, July :, lN77.
DEAR SALLY; Lots of pretty girls here, too.
Can't get away from business. Jonx.
Sally came back to Boston the next day.
-Bo&ton Transcript.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

A WALL STREET SENSATION
to the New York San there is a Wall street
sensation over the purchase of the First
National Bank of that city by Jay Cooke
IL Co. The principal operator in the
purchase is said to be II. G. Fahnestock,
formerly of Washington city, and who is
said to have made great deal of money,
Notwithstanding the trouble of the firm Of
Jay Cooke d Co., with which he was con.
nected. He is described now as avery bold
operator and as a shrewder man than JAY
Gould. The cause of the sensation in Wall
street over the capture of the First National
Bank by Jay Cooke & Co. is said to be
because it practically makes that firm
members Of the syndicate.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

STAGE NANEs.-The custom Of changing
names when adopting the stage as a
profession IS still very common one. and
having selected one and achieved success
under 1t, the policy OF retaining it is ap
parent. Many Of the prominent ladies
upon the stage are married, vet the original
name by which they were introduced TO
the footlights IS still preserved. Charlotte
Thompson is Mrs. Lorraine Rogers: Adelaide
Nelson IS Mrs. Leigh; Maria Gordon is
Mrs. John I. Raymond; Marie Brabrook is
Mrs. Geo Rignold; Clara Morris is Mrs.
llarriott; Kate Claxton is Mrs. Dore Lyon;
Rose Eytinge is Mrs. George II. Butler, and
Effie Germon is Mrs Nelsc Seymour. The
change Of name with actors is as common.
1t may not be generally known that the
real name Of John I. Raymond Colonel
Sellers is John @ Brien; Lawrence Barrett
was originally Larry Brannigan: Barney
Williams was Barney Flaherty; George
Clark is Peter ONeil; Harry Montague is
Henry B. Mann, and w. j. Florence oriei.
nally possessed tho Enthusiastically Hiber.
nian name Of VIM. Conlan. The list might
be indefinitely eXtended.-N. \. Mil.
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

AT meeting of the Stoughton Street
Baptist Church, Boston, held last week.
the pastor, the Rev. NJ. Angelo Dougherty,
read his letter of resignation. He assigned
as the reason change of his views in rela.
ton to baptismal immersion,
Smyrna times., 1877-09-26

NJ. Thiers, the distinguished Frenchman
who recently died, was very far from being
materialist. q often," he was in the
habit of saying in his last days, "invoke
that God in whom l am happy to believe,
who is denied by fools and ignorant people,
but in whom the enlightened man finds his
consolation and hope. l have with con.
viction defended the Christian religion as
insuring in the highest degeee the grandeur
of France and liberty in its best sense. and
believing that society without Catholicism
would fall into a frightful chaos Foolish
prejudices do not alarm me, and | shall
never fear to encounter them when great
andnoble interests are at stake. Materialism
is at once stupidity and a danger. For
myself, am passionate believer in re.
ligion, and if | were possessed of more time
and strength | would like to confound
Materialism in the name of science and
good sense