davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03
The Power of the Car.

If were to sum up the cardinal fault
of the Russian army in three words
should say it is the total "want of initia-
tive" Something in the imperial sys.
tenn seems to stifle and kill the power OF
individual action. And yet in no army
in the world are greater pains taken to
recognize and stimulate individual en-
terprises. Crosses, decorations, swords,
and sashes of honor are distributed with
IL lavish hand, and, better still, they are
given on the spot, and not, as with US,
when the recollection of the brilliant
deed has nearly died away.
The Emperor himself is the great and
sole fountain of military honor. He
watches all personally. The theory is
that no act escapes his eye. Certainly
to see how his every word and gesture is
followed by those around him he would
appear the earthly incarnation of SUI
preme power. And this personal bear
ING enhances the reward in every case. A
generous word, friendly look, the we'll
chosen expression of praise to suit the in
dividual, go home to the heart of the re-
cipient as much as the highly cherished
reward itself
Two hundred officers of all ranks
breakfast and dine daily at his table
From the youngest to the Oldest every
eye is fixed on him. Before the meal i'll
the assembled circle, as the Car appears,
it is seen one day that an aid-de-camp
behind him carries cushion with crosses
ON it, and perhaps half dozen sword
knots of honor-the riband of st. George,
orange and back-to be worn attached
to the sword hit. Instantly expectation
is at its height. The Cars voice calls
the chosen name; all make room for the
chosen man to pass; he comes blushing
and flushed, receives the prize, bends
low to kiss the imperial hand, and re-
tires, bowling at every step, made man
for life, the admired and courted of ali
the beholders. Then he has to go
through the usual embracing and kiss
ing ON both cheeks from his friends.
The effect of the system is magnetic;
it is to concentrate all power and au-
thority absolutely in one center. The
Car is the earthly Providence of the
soldier and officer, AS well as the en-
bodm mt of the military power and
glory OF his country. have seen old
officers so overcome with this mark of
distinction that they went about for ten
minutes afterward like children, weeping,
with the priced decoration in their hands,
showing it around, half dazed. No sys-
TEN can be imagined more calculated to
stimulate individual efforts to the ut
most. Yet, with all this squirting there
is something wanting. 1t is the indi-
viduality and the habits of spontaneous
action, which only the education and
modes of thought of free people can
supply. Whether it be long standing
faint of serfdom, whether it be too much
Imperialism, the initiative is wholly absent.
You tell the Russian what to do, and he
will spring to it like an obedient child.
In year it would never have occurred
to him to do it of himself.-L0ndon
Times Bucharest Correspondence.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

A sTAUNcH Tory from distant county
took up his two sons to London, to pre-
sent them to Disraeli, the illustrious
leader of the party. "Give them word
Of advice. Mr.. Disrseli, on their introduce
ton into life; it would he an honor they
would never forget" The premier hest
ta,ed; the countryman urged. Very
much worried at the request, Mr.. Disraeli
at last consented. "Never try to ascer-
tain," he said to the elder boy, who WAS
the man who wore the iron mask, or you
will be thought terrible bore. Nor do
you," he added to the second, task who
was the author of Junius,' or you will
be thought bigger bore than your
brother"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

A LANEsBoRo' minister who recently
drove to Shelburue Falls to marry, on
their invitation, a couple in well-to-do
circumstances, occupying two days in
the round trip of seventy miles, received
therefor s., or So above the price of the
framed certificate which he presented to
them.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

THERE are two ways of attaining an
important end, force and perseverance.
Force falls to the lot of the privileged
few, but austere and sustained persever-
ance can be practiced by the most insig
nficant. Its silent powers grow irresist-
IDLE with time.-Udddme lSpetchiae.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

A NEW development of our export
trade is in the extensive shipment of tool
handles. An Eastern house has just fl III, d
an order from Sheffield, England, firm
for $4,000 dozen of hickory and a,h
shovel and other tool handles, with "more
10 follow"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

SIX hupdred men are employed in the
granite quarries of Hurricane Island.
Maine. preparing stone for the st. Louis
postoffice and custom house.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

A BEGGAR. accompanied by his dog,
stand at a Paris street corner. He dis
plays placard: "Have pity on the
blind" He is caught atten,ively regard
ing coin dropped into his cup. "Ah!
you Can see. then" yes" why then
the placardl" at is not for myself beg
II is my dog who is blind"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

Az Irish Clergyman once broke of
the thread of his discourse, and thus ad-
dressed the congregation: MY dear
brethren, let me tell you that l am just
half through my sermon; but as | per-
ceive your Impotence, l will say that
the remaining half is not more than a
quarter as long as that you have
heard"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03

SENSIBLE ALMOST TO THE LAST
and Mrs. Tom Mulcahy lived on far
They were shrewd and thrifty, and b
the reputation of being "close." Fina
Mrs. Mulcahy sickened aud was about
die. Finding herself nearing the el
she expressed desire to put things in
der before that event occurred, and I
Tom prepared to listen.
"Tom," says Mrs. Mulcahy, "ther
Mrs. Smith, up at the crossing, she ov
me 81 so for butter; see ye get it,"
"Sinsible to the last, my dear; sinsil
to the last said Tom. "I'll get it,
"Then there's Mrs. Jones, up at
creek, she owes me $3.50 for chicken
"Ah! look at that, now, for q moir
she forgets nothing"
sand Mrs. Brown, in the village, g
owes me 81 80 for milk"
"D'yc hear thatl Sinsible to the la
sinsible to the last. Go on, my dear"
"Aud--and-"
"Yis."
"And Mrs. Roberts, at the toll gate
owe her"
"Ah! poor dear poor dear" broke
old Tom, hastily; show her moind d.
be wandering! Sure we've allowed
To talk too mnch entirelv an we have y
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05

BETTER WHISTLE THAN WHINE.-As 1
was taking walk early in September, no.
ticed two little boys on their way to school.
The smaller one tumbled and fell, and though
he was not very much hurt, he began to
whine in babyish way, not regular roaring
boy cry, as though be was half killed, but
little cross whine.
The older boy took his hand in kind and
fatherly way and said:
"Oh never mind, Jimmy; don't whine;
it is great deal better to uhsstle."
And he began in the merriest way cheer
full, boy whistle.
Jimmy tried to join in the whistle. .
II can't whistle as nice as you, Charlie"
said he, "my lips won't pucker up good"
"Oh that is because you have not got all
the whine out yet," said Charlie; "but you
try minute, and the whistle will drive the
whine away"
So he did, and the last saw or heard of the
little fellows they were whistling away as earn
estly as though that was the chief end of life.
I learned lesson which hope shall not
soon forget, and it called out these few lines,
which may possibly cheer another wilmer of
maturer years, as this class is by no means
confined to the children.-Eraminer and
Chronicle.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05
SING SING STATE PRISON,

A reporter of the Star recently visited tn
New York State Prison at Sing Sing, ant
learned the following facts in regard to tn
institution from one of the officials:
"How many prisoners are there?"
"Ope thousand six hundred and fifty at th
present time-too many for the accommoda
tions."
"Have they suffered in the hot weather ?"
eyes. 1t has made several ILL.,"
"How about their meals?'
"They breakfast at q. M, have hash
clearinghouse style 1.-THE chaplain smiled j
coffee and good bread. They dine at twelv'
o'clock noon, and their bill of fare is changed
from day to day. Sometimes they have boil
ed beef, sometimes fish or ham, with vegeta
bles. On Sunday they have rice pudding
butter and coffee, and every day good vege
table soup. To these meals they march il
lock-step-by the company, under keeper
each company being composed Of from fort.
to seventy men. Grace is not said at meal
time as formerly, great complaint having beel
made by the prisoners at being kept waiting
while their food was cooling on the tables
Supper is given them in their cells, to which
they 90 at six o'clock p. m. This meal con
sists of cold meat, tea or coffee, and frequent
ly cheese-the last novelty in prison diet"
"How about the chapel? Do all the pris
oners attend thatr'
"Yes. We have nine o'clock a. m. ser
vice in the chapel, which seats 1000. They
are all anxious to attend, and are seemingl,
much interested. never preach to them
but talk to them and try to give them words o
encouragement, the whole service taking only
an hour. We have good singing by convicts
who have rehersals during the week"
"We have contract for making stoves
having 900 men at work in the foundry alone
Then shoes are made by the convicts for the
Bay State Company, and 1900 pairs art
turned out each day. Laundry-wash is done
for the city stores very extensively, each mar
earning from sixty to ninety cents per day fol
the State. Then there is, in addition, the
regular prison work, the manufactures, cloth
ing, etc. Often the convicts say to me, oh
if l had only learned q trade / never woulo
have been here They all learn one while
here"
lis all the labor done by the convicts?"
eyes, all of it, and the accounts are KEEP
by accomplished book. ok.keepers-all prisoners.
"What notorious criminals are here at pres
ent?" :.
"Well, there is Bush the celebrated carriage
maker, Rabbits defaulting clerk, and {
number of others-I don't like mentioning
them."
"Most of the prisoners are young?"
"Yes, almost all and let me state that they
one and all, express their satisfaction viii
the present management of the prison"
The warden on again visiting his Office ex
pressed desire to have the reporter dine
with him, and on acceptance opened doo
into corridor and led the way into very hand
some parlors. The ladies of the family soor
after led the way to the dining.room, wher'
an appetizipg dinner was served by two ser
wants in white linen clothes-both convicts
All their servants in fact, are convicts, anc
very good servants they are, too, ss it is con
sidered privilege to have the freedom of th'
house
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05

SLEEP FOR THE BRAIN.-"Blessings light
on him that first invented Sleep" says Sancho
Panza and the tired workman, tired in body
or brain, echoes the benediction. The best
possible thing for man to do whom be feels
too weak to carry anything through is to
go to bed and sleep as long as he can.
This is the only actual recuperation of brain
force, because during sleep the brain is in q
state of rest, 10 condition to receive and ap-
propriate articles of nutriment from the blood,
which take the place of those which have
been consumed by previous labor, since the
very act of thinking barns-np solid. particles,
as -ovory turn of the wheel Or screw of tha
steamer is the result of consumption by fire
of the fuel in the furnace. The supply of
human brain substance can only be had from
the nutriment particles in the blood, which
were obtained from the food eaten previously;
and the brain is so constituted that it can best
receive and appropriate to itself those nutri-
tive particles during the state of rest, of quiet
and stiffness of sleep. Mere stimulants sup
ply nothing in themselves; they goad the
brain and force it to greater consumption of
substance until it is so exhausted that there
is not power enough left to take up a fresh
supply.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05
on turning over. The pillow should be hard
enough to prevent the head sinking more than
about 8 inches.


The ToAD.-Not only are toads harmless,
they are absolutely aud directly useful to US,
perambulating our fields and gardens at
night, and devouring vast quantities of inju.
rious insects which could never be destroyed
by the hand of man. The mode in which a
toad takes his prey is very curious. The sim
.larly beautiful eye of the toad is as quick
as it is bright, and if within the range of its
vision an insect or grub should happen 70
move, the toad is sure to see it, and nearly
certain to catch it. First, the toad holds its
head as high as possible, so as to make sure
of its prey, and then crawls slowly towards
it, preferring to get under it if possible.
When it is nearly within reach it gazes in
tent at the insect, it's mouth being gradually
brought nearer and nearer; something pink
then flashes from its mouth, and the insect
vanishes as if by magic. The pink fash is
the tongue of the toad, which is formed in a
rather curious way. The base of the tongue
is fixed close to the front of the lower jaw,
and is long and tapering, the tip pointing
down the throat when it is at rest. When,
however, it is used for catching prey, it is
thrown out with sort of "fick," and the
tip, which is covered with glutinous secre-
tion, adheres to the insect and conveys it
down the toad's throat before the prey has
time to make an effort for escape. When the
toad swallows its prey it does it with mighty
effort, during which the eyes almost disap-
pear, the size of the insect having little to do
with the vehemence of the demonstration.
Sometimes, when large beetle is swallowed,
it does struggle, but too late, and for some
time its struggles may be seen through the
thin and ribless sides of its capturer, the toad
sitting the while in perfect composure, not in
the least affected by the scratchings and
kickings that are going on in its Interior
The Lancet. ..-..- .rL
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05

The USE OF ToBAcco.-It is rather singu-
lar that Americans are the only civilized peo-
pie who habitually chew tobacco, although
sailors of nearly every nation are addicted to
its mastication. 1t is singular, too, that we,
probably, employ tobacco in other ways less
than ether countries. Shutting is rather rare
here, common as it is in Europe, especiallyon
the continent. We do not smoke any more
than, if as much as, the English and the
French, Italians, notably the Germans, Dutch
and Spaniards, exceed Us in smoking. But
as tobacco eaters We occupy the field alone,
having, it is to be regretted, a monopoly of
one of the most unwholesome and obnoxious
of practices. The national mastication and
expectoration are known over the world, and
do ample service in all conceptions and carri-
catures of brother Jonathan. To see lands.
man chewing tobacco anywhere abroad is to
know him for an American, native or adopted.
Perhaps we stick to the worst of the three
customs, because tobacco is to go large an ex-
tent an American plant. Europe knew moth.
ing of it until the discovery of the Western
world by Columbus The sailors he cent
ashore at Cuba found the natives smoking,
and seeing them emit smoke from their mouths
and nostrils, imagined them to be on fire.
All the natives from the northwest coast to
Patagonia use tobacco, and to chew it is one
of our inalienable and aboriginal rights.-M.
Y Times.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05

which he had to correct, and it was late II
the evening when the work was complete.
"How is it now, Tom ?" asked Mr.. Scott
as he came into the testing house and founo
the workmen ready to depart. .a ...y
"she's all right, sir; You may give your
warrant without fear. ...,
"God bless yon, Tom! You don't know
how like sweet music the old voice sounds
Will you take your place again p
await till Monday morning, sir. If you
will offer it to me then, will take it."
At the little cottage Ellen Darcey's Autter
ing heart was sinking. That morning after
| Tom had gone, she had found two dollar
bill in ths coffee cup She knew that he left
it for her. She had been out and bought tes
and sugar, and -four and butter and bit o.
tender steak; and all day long ray of ligh1
had been dancing and shimmering before
her-a ray from the blessed light Of Other
days. With prayer and hope she had set out
the tea table, and waited, but the sun wen,
down and no Tom came. Eight o'clock
and almost nine Oh! was it but a false
glimmer after all? -.,.r,.. -..
Hark! The old step! quick, strong, eager
for home. Yes, it was Tom, with the old
CRIME upon his hands, and the 'odor Of oil up
on his garments. -
Il have kept you waiting, Nellie"
"Tom p
II didn't mean to- but the work hung on. u
"Tom Tom You have been to the old
shopw
"Yes, and I'm to have the old place, and
"Oh! Tom"
And she threw her arms around his neck
and covered his face with kisses.
"Nellie, darling, wait little, and you
shall have the old Tom back again.
"Oh! Tom. I've got him now-bless him
bless him! Ny own Tom? my husband, my
darling~ ...
And then Tom Darcy realized the full
power and blessing of woman's love.
1t was banquet of the gods, was that sup
per-of the household gods all restored
with the bright angels of peace and love and
joy spreading their wings over the board.
On the following Monday morning, Tom
Darcy assumed his place at the head of the
great machine shop, and those who thor
oughly knew him had no fear of his going
back into the slough and joylessness.
A few days later Tom met Peter Tindar
on the street.
"Eh Tom, old boy, what's up!'
II am upright side up"
"Yes-I see. But hope you haven't for.
saken US, Tom ?"
81 have forsaken only the evil you have in
store, Peter. The fact is concluded. My
wife and little ones had fed on husks long
enough, and if there was good kernel left
in my heart, or in my manhood, they should
have it." .....
"Ah! you heard what said to my wife
that night?''
eyes, Peter; and I shall be grateful to
you for it as long as I live. My remem'
brance of you will always be relieved by that
tinge of warmth and brightness"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05
Seletted gaetrg.
FORTY YEARS AGO.

FOh11 IEANS A~Os
how wondrous are the changes, Jim,
Since forty years ago,
When gals wore woollen dresses, Jim,
And boys wore pants OF tow,
When shoes were made of calf skin go
And socks of homespun wool,
And children did half days work,
Before the hour Of school.
The girls took music lessons, Jim,
Upon the spinning wheel, a.
And practiced late and early, Jim,
On the spindle; swift and reel;
The boys would ride bareback to the mill,
A dozen miles or so,
And hurry off before twas day,
Some forty years ago. .s... g..
The people rode to meeting,
In sleds instead Of sleighs;
And wagons rode as easy, Jim,
AS buggies nowadays; ...~ .... Pc
And oxen answered we'll for teams,
Though they'd be too slow,
For people lived not half so fast ...t..
Some forty years ago.
O. well do remember, Jim,
That Wilson 81 patent stove,
That father bought and paid for, Jim,
In cloth our gals had wove;
And how the neighbors wondered, Jim, -
When we got the thing to 60,
They said 'twould burst and Kill us all,
> Some forty years ago.
Yes, everything is different, Jim,
From what it used to was,
For men are always tampering, Jim,
With God'Sgreat natural laws;
But what on earth we're coming to
Does anybody know?
For everything has changed so much,
Since forty years ago.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05

paper, all numbered, is charged to the printers
to whom it is delivered, and the plates are
also numbered and charged to them. When
not in actual use the platessFe kept carefully
locked up in the safe-aaittle room in it
self.
OVER TWO MILLION STAMPS DAY.
Each of these eleven, presses, turns out
1900 sheets day, or 1920 week. Each
sheet contains 200, and assthey are delivered
to the postmasters onlysin sheets Of 100 il
follows that each sheet must be cut right
through the middle. This is done by hand
A girl, with long pair, Of shears, cuts them
as accurately as ruled line, showing what a
good eye and rapid handi can do. There is
no room in the crowded sheet for any error
and the girls make none.y One girl whom
watched for while, cut 30 sheets minute
II 900 day! 1t was silent cut, cut, cut
from morning till night-working as if he,
life depended upon it. She sits at her work
The girls are all busy at a variety of process
es in the preparation of the stamps, all Of
which require delicacE of touch as we'll as
swiftness, and their @agss average $S a week
" From ro'' the ''l printing toom and the drying
room (the latter an iasuaerably hot place
where the sheets are plac cel on drying racks
they 60 to the cumming foom-which is also
drying room but NOT hot-the drying be-
ing aided by revolving fans affixed to shaft
which send their influence through lofty piles
of the gummed sheets 10 frames. The gum
used is not gum arabicLthat would, in dry.
ing, cause the sheets to curl and crsck-but
is simply kind of potato starch. 1t is made
l believe in Providence. A girl swiftly ad.
justs the edges of beaFof printed sheets SO
as to slide them all into place while she deft.
ly daubs them at single stroke with the mu.
cilaginous substance, which she applies with
single motion of wide brush. This is the
substance you lick ito make it stick" on
the letter you drop in the post Office. The
sheets are dried in wooden Frames.
sMoorHED AND COUNTED.
After the cumming and drying, the stamps,
in sheets, are hattened out and made smooth
by being subjected to the persuasive power OF
a hydraulic press, the frce being 450 tons.
They are put in thin bnsrds, which divide the
several packages. Apdfafter they come out
they are taken and counted again by girls
seated at tables, who also swiftly adjust them
in even heaps while counting. Let one Of
these damsels make mistake, even of a sin.
gle sheet, and she necessarily discovers it on
the final footings and adjustments. Then
there is careful going over all these weary
thousands of sheets-till that lost sheet
is found. If he doesn't turn up then the
piles are turned around, and gone through
with from the edge on the side, not the oppo.
site edge-and 10, the delinquent is probably
found to have got turned under, and so did
not report at muster, for the count is done at
the edges.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-05

TEXAS IN 1880.-The census for 1880 for the
taking of which Congress has prepared bill, 1,
will show great change in the shifting of
population and power. The most important
growth will be seen in Texas, that State
whose wealth will be poured into New Or.
leans, and which, with the Texas Paci6c
road completed, will make New Orleans the
greatest commercial city on this continent.
The area of Texas is four or five times as
large as Pennsylvania. It's present population
is estimated at fully 100000. It annually
receives 100000 to 100000 emigrants from
various parts of the United States and foreign
countries. It produces 100000 bales of cot
ton, worth $40,O00,000. It also exports cat
tie valued at $10.00O,000; beef in barrels
and in cans, $2,00O,000; and other produc-
tions valued at $3,0OO,OO0. &C.
Texas is also coming into importance as a
wheat producing State, and when commune
cation is established between Northern Texas
and New Orleans. this product will be large
ly increased. In 1880, when the new census
is taken and there is new apportionment of
representatives, Texas will be the foremost in
the list of growing commonwealth to claim
an increased representation. Her gain will
be acquired at the expense Of the slow grow
ing States of the East, which are gradually
falling off in political Importance, and which
in time must occupy a secondary position in
the decisions of national questions Mobile
Register.