davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

The late Mrs. Jane W was equally
remarkable for kindness of heart and a6.
sence of mind. One day she was accosted
by beggar, whose stout and healthy APP
pearance startled her into a momentary
doubt of the needfulness of charity in this
instance. "Why," exclaimed the good
old lady, "you look we'll able to work.
"Yes," replied the supplicant, "but have
been deaf and dumb these seven years"
Poor man, what heavy affliction I" ex.
claimed Mrs. W, at the same time
giving him relief with liberal hand. On
returning home she mentioned the fact, re.
marking, "What dreadful thing it is to
be deprived of such precious faculties ~
" But how" asked her sister, "did you
know that the poor map had heen deaf and
dumb for seven years?" "Why," was the
quiet and unconscious answer, "he told me
so."
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

While the Church Congress. now in sos.
sion in New York, is discussing ccclesiacti
cal architecture, it may not be amiss to re.
mind its readers and listeners Of some Of
the beautiful Episcopal churches of the last
century, which are still standing in the
South. FIRST among these in historic in.
interest Is st. Johns, on Church Hill. Rich
mond, wherein Patrick Henry made his
famous speech which every school.boy de-
claims before he is out of roundabouts. Al
Alexandria is the parish church where
Washington had a pew, and near Palace
Court, in Williamsburg, quaintest of Viz.
elnlan towns, stands Brenton Church.
Beyond the Ashley River, near Charleston.
Is the antique parish church of st Andrew.
while opposite the City Hall and the Court
House stands st. Michael's one Of the most
beautiful churches in the South, with
spire which is the only handsome thing in
shabby and dingy city. The most in.
teresting Of church ruins is the crumbling
tower jamestown but the most beautiful
is Old Blandbury Church, in the cemetery
at Petersburg. During the war tablet was
placed upon the walls to commemorate the
exploits of small band of soldiers who de-.
Tended the city. 1t seems out of place
upon those moss-coverad walls. 1t is not
easy for Americans to keep their hands
away from old buildings. One of the few
interesting churches near New York, the
old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow, near
lrving's grave, has been married during the
Summer by whitewash and fresh paint
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

EPIsCoPALIANs ON DANCING.-In the Epis.
copal Church Congress, in session in New
York last week, the topic for one evening
was Christianity and Popular Amuse.
ments.' Rev. w. w. Newton, of Boston,
IN speaking of the drama said actors DENY
that the corruption of the stage is their
iault, and lay the blame on the managers,
and tie latter lay the blame on the people,
whom, they say, will not encourage or at.
tend pure, legitimate dramas. The speaker
believed that us Christian citizens we should
go down into the world Of amusement and
make 1t purer and better. People require
recreation and relaxation, and he believed
IN standing on honest ground of no com.
promise with the unreiormed theatre of TO-.
day, and awaiting with hope and courage
the drama OF tomorrow. Applause.
Rev. j. V. Lewis, of Washington, d. c.,
SAID he believed in reforming the men who
seek amusements in theatres, and then
managers would soon reform their PLAYS to
suit Il reformed taste.
Rev. /. q. Addison, of Washington, D..
T., denounced dancing as at present in
practice, and every clergyman should lift
hls voice in denunciation of it.
Prof. Cowling, Of Kentucky, said dancing
was healthy and pure exercise and seldom
abused.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07
A Pretty Pet.

The Baltimore Gazette of Wednesday last
published the following story, contributed
by an Annapolis correspondent
remarkable story of snake charm
ing has been brought to light here. Mr..
Luke Brewer lives near the dock in this
city, and is the father of little girl and
boy aged respectively nine and six years.
He discovered on Saturday last that his
children had been playing with a water.
snake three and a.half feet in length. 1t
appears that the reptile had made its land
home underneath the kitchen flooring of
Mr.. Brewers dwelling, and came thence
through an orltice in the ground Just out
side the house. The little girl on the dav
above mentioned informed her father that
they had pretty pet just like an eel that
came out OF hole in the ground, and
played with them and the kittens. He
asked the child to show him where it was,
but was told that it would not come out
while he was there. He left for few
minutes, and while returning was met by
his daughter, who said she had called her
pet, and 1t was now playing with her
brother. The frightened father hastened
to the yard, and was almost paralyzed with
fear on discovering his little boy carressing
the snakes head. He ordered the little
fellow away, The child reluctantly com.
Piled by stepping back, whereupon the
father seized club, when the reptile com
menced to make for its den. The boy then
moved toward it, calling it endearing names,
and was about to pick it up when Mr..
Brewer dispatched it, against the earnest
and fearful entreaties of the infatuated
children. The boy, robust, hearty little
fellow, refused to be cOmfOrted abStlininp
from food the rest of the day, and begging
to be allowed to bring the dead serpent into
the house. Mr.. Brewer thinks that the
children had been amusing themselves all
the summer with their strange pet. The
tail of the snake for distance of three
inches from the end bore evidence that
two kittens, which were in the house, had
also been participants in the sport"
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

A STATE UNIVERSITY FOR COLoRED YoUTUs
The State of Texas has just purchased
400 acres of land, with valuable buildincs
and improvements, near Hampstead, for
the State University for Colored Youths
The price paid was $4,000 The intention
is to combine the State University with the
Agricultural and Mechanical College, the
same in effect to be a bench of the college
at Bryan.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

An American platform lecturer solemnly
said one evening before his auditors:
Parents, you have children, or if not,
your daughters may have"
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

SwINDLER's TRICK.-A welldressed.
genteel-looking young man registered at
one of our city hotels, yesterday, as James
+. Homer, of Cleaveland, Q. At an early
hour in the evening he rushed into the
clerk with story of pressing need for
few dollars, and offered to give a very hand
some CONGO ring as security. The money
80 was loaned but nothing has been seen
Of the fellow since. Upon examination
the ring was discovered to be almost worth,
less, being an imitation stone and base
metal. His hotel bill also remains unpaid.
The same fellow successfully played the
same trick upon down town liquor mer-
chant.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Agassiz says that in certain Amazonan
tribes, on the wedding day, and while the
festivities are in progress, the bridegroom's
hands are then tied up in paper bag with
fire ants. If he bears this torture smilingly
and unmoved, he is considered fit for the
trials of matrimony.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

A good repartee is told of young man
who was reminded that his aunt had paid
his debts, and that he should be more sub
missive to the wishes of his relative. eyes,
yes, my aunt paid my creditors, but what
has she done for me p
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

The PAY OF EDITORIAL WRrERs.-The
leading editorial writers on the London
ItmeS get 1000 guineas per annnm, which
Is a pretty fair salary. The largest salaries
pad IN America are not quite equal to this.
Or. Connery the managing editor of the
New York Herald, receives $1,000; White.
law keld, OF the Tribune, $4,000; Charles
A. Dana, the editor of the New York Sun.
$1,000 besides his profits as a stock owner;
Hurlbut, OF the World. $4,000. The Boston
newspapers pay well. Hascall, the editor
OF the HeraId, gets $4,000, and has Just re.
celved years absence to go to Europe. his
salary being continued. The Western
press pays very fair salaries. The leading
editorial writer on the Chicago Times gets
$4,000. and the managing editor $4,000:
Watterson. of the Couricr-,JouraaL 81. 800
and an interest in the profits Sheehan. of
the Chicago Tribune, $6,000 The largest
sum paid in America to any editorial writer
is that received from the New York Herald
by Mr.. Charles Nordhoif. He gets $lO,OOOa
year, and writes when and what he pleases.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

One of the dress.reform ladies writes
that at last she has reduced the main part
OF her dress to three articles-the union
under garment, o gabrielle skirt, and
princess dress-that they are light, quickly
put on, and do not look outlandish either.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Gail Hamilton says this voluntary resig-
nation by ofiice-holders all over the
country is very much like that of the old
farmers wife. "Was she willing to die ?"
inquired the sympathzing neighbor. "WiI-
ing" responded the bluff old widower, "she
was obliged to ~
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07
Blarney.

The veteran politician and soldier, Cen
eral Shiels, tells the following story
While | was in the Senate | saw much
OF Webster both in and out Of the Capitol.
lie met me one day and said: Shields.
find have got into difficulty with some
OF my constituents, some Quakers, who are
dissatisfied with my advocacy of certain
measure, and they have sent a large dclega.
ton down here from Massachusetts to make
protest. have promised to meet them
this evening, and | would like to have YOU
there.
"Why, what can do ?"
Your native blarney, Shields-it may
hel p me out of the trouble"
| laughed at the idea Of blarney affecting
anything where Daniel Wcbstcr's clooucncc
could not convince, and ! made that OBJ
lection; but he insisted and promised to
be on hand. Evening came, and ioined
Mr.. Webster at his rooms. Presently tine
delegation arrived and were seated dozen
or twenty of the most solemn men | have
ever seen, all rigidly costumed in Quaker
dress. Without wasting any time the
chairman arose and addressed Mr. Webster
IN set speech. lie commenced severely
on the course of the Senator as to the
measure in question. setting forth the bad
SiNSto hulCIl IL ulIpIlI nave on I!lGIl sect,
expressing great sorrow and surprise that
Mr.. Webster had been found supporting
such a bill, and concluded with viyorou,
protest in writing which bore many sigma
lures. Webster listened attentivclv. with
unchanged countenance and when the
spokesman had resumed his seat he rose
and replied. He spoke half an hour. and
before he concluded he grow rs clooucnt
as he was often heard. His defence was
simply that he deemed the measure one
demanded by the interests of the whole
country, although it might not be specially
adapted to the interest of any sect. and
after clearly setting this forth he made
such an appeal to the delegation to rcmem.
Der that they were Americans rs we'll as
Quakcrs, that | was fairly electrified. The
effect produced by his words on the delcrl
tion was astonishing. When he began
they were all seated after he had spoken
ten minutes one after another rose to his
feet until they were all Standing: then
they commenced to move toward him, and
they had soon surrounded him in a Lady.
Before he finished ! saw the chairman take
out his petition and tear it to pieces and
when he had finished some of them were
shedding tears, and all were crasping
Wehsters hands as fast as they could ret
them. . Friend Webster" cried the
spokesman, "thee is right and we are
wrong; we owe thee an apology; we Will
say no more about it; thee knows thy duty
better than We The next day met Nh |
W ebster, and with countcnancc of perfect
gravity he said We'll, Shicds.-now
didn't we blarncy those fellows nicely ?"
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Southern Congressman are sending home
word that there is no further hope of
offices for Democrats, and that applicants
would better save their money and stay at
home. Whereupon the Southern press
fears the President is wavering in his "re-
Cancellation" policy. This is sad.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Recreations should not be expensive, lest
the pain Of purchasing them exceed the
pleasure Of their enjoyment.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

There is not a girl on earth, whether the
daughter of prince or pauper, who, if made
a perfect mistress of all household duties,
and were thrown into community wholly
unknown, would not rise. from one station
to another, and eventually become the mis-.
treSs of her own mansion, while multitudes
of young women placed in positions of ease,
elegance, an atiluencc, but being unified
to fill them, will as certainly descend from
one round Of the ladder to another. until
at the close Of life, they are found where
the really competent started from. Mothers
of America, if you wish to rid your own
and your children's households of the de.
stroying locusts which infect your houses
and eat up your substance, take pride in
educating your daughters to be perfect mis-
tresses of every homo duty; then, if you
leave them without dollar, be assured
they will never lack warm garment,
bounteous meal, or a cosey roof, nor fail of
the respect Of any one who knows them
Fanny Fern.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Celia Flaherty is Rochester girl Of so
humorous a disposition that her inclina-
ton to play jokes amounts nearly to a
mania. She ordered coal to be sent to
persons who did not want it, dispatched
letters to excite the jealousy Of husbands
md wives, had cofins delivered at sick
folks houses, and had physicians to make
night searches FOR imaginary patients. At
length the police resolved to catch her at
her pranks. A detective opened a cor
rrcspondence, and begged her to give him
her picture. She sent photograh of the
back of her head suppo>ing that it could
not be recognized; but he studied the hair
closely, and then walked the streets in.
dustriously until he saw match for it in
style. Miss Flaherty then had an ex-
perience in a Jail and police court that
may be of bcnfit to her.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

A platform orator calls his lecture " How
TO Gain Wealth" There are several ways
of accomplishing this object. One is to
over-ssue stock; another is to ''raise" =" in
surance scrip; another is to get elected
president of savings bank, and fourth is
to charge 5000 night for a $40 lecture
NorriSto,rn Herald.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

" COMPANY. - Wiiat a crrcmouious ATTAIN
we n."b.' ii ca.e3tuum. company TO-.
many Of a. hose Ill! sense Of Lc.nc az HON.
the moment stranger crosses our thre,.
mold; and hr Instantly feels himself to be a
mere vi>!toi-uothiu. mnrc-and acts ac.
cordmGly. The man who knows how to
drop III OF an evening, draw up his chair
to your hearth as if it were his own, and
tall into the usual evening routine of the
household as il he were member of it
how welcome he always is! The man who
comes To stay under your roof for a season.
and who, without being intrusive or
familiar, makes you feel that he is "at
home with you, and is content in his usual
fashion Of occupatiou-how delightful a
guest he is! And the houses-ah, how few
OF them into which one can 90 for a day
or week, and feel sure that the family
routine is in no wise altered. the family
comfort in no wise lesScned, but, on the
contrary. increased hy ones presence
what JOY it is to cross their thresholds!
What harbors of refuge they are to the
weary wanderers! What sweet reminis.
cences they bring to the lonely and home
less
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

\ classical gentleman living in Eureka,
New, rolled his eyes, stretched out his
arms, and in tones which betrayed rapture
and astonishmcnt, pronounced the name
Of his adopted town lie had found some.
thing. He had sent to New York pub
fishing house for pony, to wit, a copy OF
an English translation of Cicero's Orations.
and the order had been promptly filled !;
and in turning over the leaves he found a
twenty-dolldr National bank BILL where
upon he apostrophizod the town as afore,
said. He then shook the leaves to see if
there were any similar book-marks, and
discovered five and two ones. Net value
of the find, $27. The book was fresh from
the press and not secondhand copy, and
it had been forwarded by the publishers
themselves. The classical gentleman filled
out an order for $25 worth of the firms
publications, sending two of the very bank
notes which he had found. He promises
to repeat the order and collect a fine
library, if the publishers will do their share.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

At the market" Well, how goes the
sale of game this year? p Badly, very
badly prices are so high that very few
people can be found to buy. The business
would be ruined entirely if it wasn't that
we have one class of steady customers
the amateur sportsmen who have been out
for days shooting"
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Why, how's this, Thomas? I've pulled
the door bell off, ringing it, I've kicked
myself lame, and fired six shots from my
revolver, and yet I've been kept out in the
pelting rain for nearly an hour!" "Well,
sir, dunno" (After considerable thoughtl
Maybe was asleep r'-Hnper's Ba-ar.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

FEMALE REFoENAloEIa~.--An experiment
mas Lately been tFIed III Indianapolis, Ind.
IN regard 10 the nana cement Of female re-.
formaiofIcs Whicn DESERVES the con,idera.
uon oI those IN all parts OF the country
having the direction Of such institution,
and OF the pubic at large This expert,
ment consists IN giving the care Of these re-.
loFmatoles entirely to women. 1t has
been tried AT indianapolis ior the past four
years and Is pruyiu. a complete success,
All the women prisoners in tie State prison
WeF" transferred to the new institution.
out there Is no communication OF any kiua
belWrrii these COnyirts and the y0uur uirl,
IN the f"iofmttory proper Many OF the
I"iArf cIss are known as hardened
characters. but the n!utr0n has no ditiicnlty
III managing them alone by the mllde,t
treatment. Uut oi niucty-iye DISCHARGED
from the prison III four years but two have
been sentenced for subsequent ofitnses.
Many oi them, after discharge, have been
furnished with good situations, which they
are ctr,H1bly filling. Only half a dozen
inmates OF cthcr rctoImatory or pri>oI,
have gone back to their former habits after
leaving the institution. The Girls in the,
reiormatorY are admitted between the ane,
oi ten and fifteen. and are DISCHARGED Al
eighteen. There are now one hundred
and thnty five @ili, in the institution. who
are well trained intellectually, and are also
carefully instructed in household duties.
Onc @! tn" directors Of the institution /,
the wife of CX-iioy. iruATic..>.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Gold hairpins are now worn by some
ladies.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

Now is the time to house your plants.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

An Irish lady called on a Photographer
to have cabinet portrait taken. When
tie artist removed the plate he told her She
need not sit any longer. On coming out
from the dark room he found her still bolt
upright in the chair, with that look Of
p,etntied despair on her face peculiar to the
Photographic pose. You needn't sit
there any longer" said the frightened
artist. What's that?" she hoarsely wills.
percd, without changing muscle. IL say
You needn' I sit there now have finished"
" Am to pay ye dolar?" She inter,
rogated in the same gurgling tone, with her
eyes strained on the mark. yes"
Well, thin, do you name to say I'm to
give ye dollar Cor five minutes in the
'heer? Begorra, I'll have full ten minits
iur the money. and that's little enough in
all conscience = And She had it.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07

The estate Of Weiner, Philadelphia's Mort.
gage Prince, is worth the pretty penny of a
million and half. Heinrich Weiner came
to America when a boy, and his first busi
ness venture was the importation of laccs
and ribbons, in a very small way. from
switzerland. By stinting himself, and
saving every penny not required in his
business, which he Immediately invested IN
mortgages, he accumulated his vast for.
tune lie wore one coat and a little surar.
loaf hat for over ten years steadily. and
always carried his lunch to his place of
business in plate slung over his arm. He
was scrupulously exact IN all his dealings.
and when, after his death, the Auditor
called upon all those having claims against
MN TO present them at once, there was not
single response. Up to the day of his
death in 1875, he refused to take seven ncr
cent. interest, when the law allowed only
six.
Smyrna times., 1877-11-07
WHOLE NO. 1,I15.

" " "o DISCOVERED AMERICA? ?"-The pro,
Pret"r OF an office on Griswold street was
yesterday approached by an embarrassed
ana annoyed citizen, who asked:
IL isn IN your line, know, but can
you tel me who discovered Amcrica?''
why Christopher Columbus Of course
was the answer
That's the chap; that's the identical
man. continued the other Give been
trying for more than four hours to rcmcm.
Der the name, but couldn't fetch it. !
ttopher Gumback, and Christopbcr Calm.
6ut couldn't think Of Christopher Colum,
bus, I'll write it down on the snot
over on Larned street this morning cot
INTO political discussion with an in.7Ir.
ance man, and he wrenchcd me all TO
pieces Just because couldn't think of
Christopher Columbus's name when WANTED
to. DO you spell it 'Co' or 'Ko?'.,-
Dct9H Free Press.
National Republican., 1877-07-27

of people in the cities who could improve
their condition by going to the country to
engage in farming or gardening. Especially
is this the case with the families in which
there are unemployed boys. In no way are
the ranks of tramps and criminals he re-
cruited 80 rapidly as by the boys who are
brought up in towns and cities without be-
ing taught any trade or profession. They
make Just such men rs those who are most
frequently the leaders in the riots which
now prevail throughout the land.
Lands are cheap and abundant and farm
labor IN in demand so that any laborer who
has any manhood in him can make himself
comfortable by going TO the country to en-
gage in farming or gardening on his own
account or hircing himself as n farm hand.
Such persons need not plead the want of n
practical knowledge of agriculture as an
excuse for not going to the country. Such
knowledge like al other kinds, is easily
acquired by those who earnestly seek it.
Neighboring farmers will always be found
who will be exceedingly glad to assist
novices with advice and practical instruc-
tions.
In this connection II is well to bear in
mind the fact that lands have fallen very
much in price, so that II does not now re-
quirc large sum to buy place upon which
fruit raising or gardening can be proftably
carried on. Ten or fifteen acres in the
vicinity Of IA city or large town iudiciously
managed will afford comfortable support
for an ordinary family Such trncts Of land
can be had within a reasonable distance Of
all the large cities upon terms which place
them within the reach of any man Of ordi-
nary energy. II is, moreover, just this class
Of small farmers who get more real enjoy
ment out of life than any other men.
We know of no remedy for the disorgan-
lied labor of the country which would be &c
effcctual as to transfer the laborers from the
places where their labor Is not wanted to
the places in which it could be utilized for
themselves and the country. No occupation
il more ennobling than agriculture, and If at
tention were generally called to the attrac-
tions and advantages Of country life, thou
sands OF laborers would be glad to leave the
Overcrowded marts of mechanical labor
where the fiercer struggles for bread have
produced such calamitous consequences
Men who really want to work, and who arr
out of employment, should seek the quiet
and independence of country life instead o.
remaining in the overpopulnted cities, where
want and ruin will inevitably overwhclm SC
many labores, simply because there is moth
ing for many OF them to do. The necessity
for some such action will now be greater
than ever, for the loss OF confidence which
will follow the strikes will make il more
difficult than ever to find employment on
railroads and in the manufacturing centre.
of the country.