davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
A TERRIBLE NIGHT AT A THEAFR.

a TERRIBLE NIGHT AT A THEATRE.
Once when was {, oallow, bashful
cub, took g plain, unsentimentai coun-
try girl to comedy one night. 1 had
known her day she seemed divine
| wore my new boots. At the end OF
the first half hour she said, "Why do
you fidget with your feet so ?" l said,
"Did I?"-then [ put nay attention there
and kept still. At the end of another
half hour she said, ''Why do you say,
Yes, oh yesn and 'Ha, ha, oh, certain
ly, very truen to everything say, when
half the time these are entirely irrelevant
answers?" I blushed, and explained
that had been little absent. minded.
At the end ofanother half-hour she said,
"Please, why do you gaze so steadfastly
at vacancy, and yet look so sad?n
explained that I always did that when
1 was rejecting. d.
An hour passed, and then she turned
and contemplated me with her earnest
eyes and said, "Why do you cry all the
timer" I explained that very funny
comedies always made me cry. At last
human nature surrendered. and secret
iy clipped my boots off This was mis-.
take. l was not able to get them OH any
more. 1t was a rainy night; there were
no omnibuses going our way and aa
walked home, burning up with shame,
with the girl on one arm and my boots
under the other, 1 was an object worthy
of some compassion. especially in those
moments of martyrdom, when I had to
pass through the glare that fell upon the
pavement from the street lamps,
Finally, this child of the iOrest said
Where are your boots 81 and being taken
unprepared, put a fitting finish to the
foiiies of the evening with the stupid
remark: 1.-THE higher classes do not
wear them to the theatre. ~" Mari
IUain's Random Notes."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

A BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.-The glory
of summer has gone by, the beautiful
greenness has become w1thered and
dead Were this all, were there no as
sociations of moral desolatio2s of faded
hopes, of hearts witheripg in the bosoms
of the living, connected with the decay
ing scenery around us we would not in
dulge in moments melancholy. The
season of flowers will flow gracefully as
before, the trees will again toss their
cumbrous heads Of greenness to the
sunlight; and by messy stone and wind
ing rivulet the coming blossoms will
start up at the bidding of their guardian.
But the human heart has no change
like that of nature, 1t has no returning
spring-time. Once blighted in its hour
of freshness, it bears forever the mark
of the spoiler. The dews of affection
may fall, and the gentle rain Of SYM
pathy be lavished upon it, but the stone
root of blighted feeling will never again
waken into life-nor the crushed flow
ers of hope blossom with their wonted
beauty.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

The POETRY OF THE OLD PLANTA-
TIoN.-What nights (says a Southern
writer) were the nights on the old plan
tation! The mellow light of the har-
vest moon crept through the rustling
leaves of the tall oaks, fell softly upon
the open space beyond, and bathed the
brown old barn in flood of golden
glory, while the songs of the negroes at
the corn pile-lusty chorus and plain
tive refrain-shOok the silence until it
broke upon the air in far reaching waves
of melody. m-
But, alas, all these are gone. The
moon pursues her pathway as serenely
as OF old, but she no longer looks down
upon the scenes that were familiar to
your youth. The old homestead and
barn are given up to decay, and the
songs OF the negroes have been hushed
into silence by the necessities of q new
dispensation. The old plantation itself
Is gone. 1t has passed away; but the
hand of time, inexorable and vet ten
der, has woven about it the sweet sug-
gestions of poetry and romance-memO-
rails that neither death nor decay can
destroy.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
For the SPECTATOR.
THE OLD PLACE.

BY WILLIAM rIszsf{xsON IIEATON, AUTHOR O.
SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH.
Though no gray and ivied to@er
Here rears it's walls above tosa2b,
And no sound of bugie echoes
From Q turrets lonely gloom:-
Though yon lionestead's crumbling walls
Meier enclosed dim, gorgeous halls
Around its heartiass.one once there gathered,
Loving hearts as lsina and true
AS ever beat beneath bright Jewels
Sparkling as the 1aorning dew
Gathered when the day is DER,
But, alas they'll meet no more.
Yet not ricl III memories only
Is the old anome's ruined fame, r
Every glen and valley lonely
And the meadow lard and plain,
But So ch fancies breathe around
AS make the old place hallowed ground.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

pistol in his hand, ready to meet old
Bates. Up came the old gentleman,
more furious than ever, and jumped
down from his horse, and stood facing
him with his pistol.
''Villain!" cries he, II demand that
lady"
"Sir," replied jeremiah, 'ishe is mine.
I respect you, but will never yield"
"Wait moment Does she go with
you of her own free will? Don't dare
to lie!"
Eyes, sir, of her free will and choice"
replied jeremiah. "Do you think me a
highwayman. to carry off a lady against
her wish? ?"
And now they were yelling so loudly
that even deaf old grandfather Bates,
who had managed to get the window
down, heard every word.
Out came her head over the door. The
hood of the cloak fell off, and under it
was her cap. 1 don't know what the
moon had been doing before, but now
she shone bright and clear, and every
thing was,as plain to be seen as at noon
day. Out came the old lady's head in
the moonlight.
''That's dreadful falsehood," said
she. II did not come with him of my
own will. He picked me up and carried
me off while 1 was picking herbs in the
garden for the lotion for your rheumat-
ism, squire. I've been screaming all the
way, and he's been kissing me, the
wretch. To think this should have hap
pened to me at my age, when I've been
SO properly conducted all my life!"
"Lord have mercy on us !" says Jere-
miah. 'Is that you, Madam Bates ?"
II dAxr - \ 4
ed it,"
'sir," he said to the squire, "I am
willing to meet you wherever you please.
You have the right to challenge me. I
have insulted you; haYe insulted this
lady, but unintentionally- lly-unintention-
ally, sir; beg ten thousand pardons. /
believed that I had carried off your
granddaughter. Miss Miranda, who had
promised to be my wife,"
And just then up ratified a little gig,
driven by Peleg. the hired man, with
Miranda sitting in it,
ooh, thank heaven" she cried, "no
one is killed. Oh, dear grandma oh,
dear grandpa, forgive. Jeremiah-Mr.
Jones-I trust you have explained ALL"
Madam, I have" said jeremiah,
bowling low.
Now it seemed to the young folks thai
the end of all things had come, but it
was just the happy turning point.
The old gentleman liked joke, and
here was a good one and the old lady
was nightly pleased with being taken
for girl of eighteen.
"Husband," she said, tucking her
hand under his arm, 1--WE were young
ourselves once, and you know you would
have run off with me if you could not
have had me otherwise
$50 would, indeed" said the old
squire. "Iou Eere twice as pretty as
! Miranda then, in those days"
"Well. perhaps I was" said the old
lady "But now, my dear, to please me,
let Mr.. Jones know THAI you no longer
refuse your consent to his marriage with
Miranda
And with that the old man offered his
hand to Jeremiah, and there was we'd
ding at the hall before Christmas came.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

TAKE Your COUNTY PAPER.-The
Waverly Magoziae, one of the soundest
ana most popular periodicals published
In the United States, thus diseourses on
county papers: ".
DO the city papers say anything in
regard to our own county? Nothing
Do they contain notices of your schools,
meetings, churches, Improvements, and
hundreds Of other local matters of in.
terest which your own paper publishes
without pay? Not an item. Do they
ever say word calculated to draw at
tentlon to your county and aid in its
progress and enterprise? Not line=
AND there are men who take such con-
tracted views of this matter that unless
laey are getting as many square inches
81 reading matter in their ewn paper,
tney think they are not getting the
worth of their money. 1t reminds us
OF man who took the largest pair of
boots because the price was the same as
him." ',--"" .' - as-'' '-'N' .i'' luz"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
NEVER GROW OLD.
looked in the tell-tale mirror,
And aa1v the ,narka ~ coro

looked in the tell-tale mirror,
And saw the marks of care, 10
The crows feet and the wrinkles, r.sf
And the gray in the dark brown hair.
My wife looked o'er my shoulder
Most beautiful was she; %"
Thou wilt never grow old, love-" she said,
"Never grow old to me. is3-1.
For age is the chilling of heart, - gaco
And thine, as mine can tell, .ssfl i.s.f
Is as young and warm as when first we heard
The sound of our bridal bellr'
l turned and kissed her ripe red lips;
"Let time do its worst ON me, a-t
If in my soul, my love, my faith,
never seem old to thee" -
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

Parent (whose daughter mas a weak
ness for an artist)--"I hear you take
walks with that pictur-making fellow.
have / no more to say to him! A smart
fellow. with no coat to his back.n Smart
grandson-"Oh, come now, grandpa
he's not much worse than you in that
respect, for yesterday heard the doctor
say you hadn't any coat to your stom-
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
fHels
o EFT RY
DREAMIG AT FOUR-SCORE.


She sits in the gathering twilight
In her well-worn rocking-chair,
With the snow Of life's long winter
In the meshes of her hair.
She dreams of the little children
Who left her long ago,
And listens for their footsteps
With the longing mothers know.
She hears them coming, coming!
And her heart is all elate =
AT the patter of little footsteps
Down by the garden gate.
The clatter OF children's voices
Comes merrily to her ears,
And she cries, in her quivering treble,
You are late, my little dearsv'
And then, they are here beside her
As She had them long ago
Susie, and Ben, and Mary,
And Ruthie, and little Joe.
And her heart throbs high with rapture
As each fond kiss is given,
And the night is filed with music
Sweet as her dreams Of heaven.
Such wonderful things they tell her!
4 nest in the apple-tree;
l.ad the robin gave them a scolding
For climbing up to see;
4 wee white lamb in the pasture
A wild rose on the hill
And such great ripe strawberry
AS Joe found by the mill!
She listens TO al. their prattie,
Her hearts abrim with rest,
she's queen in a little Kingdom,
Each child is a royal guest.
Queen? 'Tis an empty title!
More than q queen is she:
Mother of young infmortals
Who gather at her knee.
She brings their welcome supper,
And they sit down at her feet
Tired, and hungry and happy.
And she laughs to see them eat.
Then she sinooths the yellow tangles
With a mothers patient hand,
while she tells some wonderful story
OF the children's fairy-land.
Then fhe little knotted shoe-strlngs
Are patiently united,
And the children in their n1ght-goWns
Kneel at their mothers side.
Their voices are low and sleepy
Ere their simple prayers are said,
And the goodnight kiss is given
BY eacIl waiting little bed.
Then quiet comes about her,
Solemn and still and deep,
And she saya in her dreamy sancies,
srrhe children are fast asleep"
Yes, fast asleep, pSsF mother,
In their beds so low and green,
Daisies and clover biosso1a
Each face and the sky between.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
Reliable EviSanco

MIR. II. r. STEvENs,-Dear Sir: I will most
cheerfully add my testimony to the great num-
ber you have already received in favor of your
great and good medicine, VEGETINE, for / do
not think enough can be said in its praise, for
was troubled over so years with that dreadful
disease, Catarrh, and had such bad coughing
spells that it would seem as though I never
could breath any more, and VEGETINE has
cured me, and do feel to thank God all the
time that there is so good medicine as VEGE-
TINE, and also think it one of the best medi-
e1nes for coughs and weak, sinking feelings at
the stomach. and advise everybody to take tho
lEGETINE, for can assure them it is one of
the best medicines that ever was.
MRS. l.. GORE,
Cor. Magazine and Walnut sts.,
Cambridge, Mass,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
sevenSv-one Years Of Age.

EAST MARSHFIELD, Aug. %, 1870. :
MIR. STEVENS, - Dear Sir: I am seventy-one
years of age; have suffered many years with
Kidney Complaint, weakness in my back and
stomach: was induced by friends to try your
for weakness of the kidneys 1 ever used. I
have tried many remedies for this complaint,
and never found so much relief as from the
VEGETINE 1t strengthens and invigorates tho
whole system. Many of my acquaintance have
taken 1t, and | believe it to be good for all the
complaints for which it is recommended.
Yours truly. JOSIAH H. SHERMAN.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

TURKEY HASH.-Cut up the remains
Of a turkey into small dice with a very
little OF the dressing; put the gravy you
nave left IN saucepan with the bones
and pieces you do not use in the hash,
adding, If necessary, a little boiling wa
ter, together with sweet marjoram, nut
meg, grated lemon peal, salt, and pep
per, and mushroom catsup, to taste; let
1t stew slowly one e-half hour, then strain
it, put it in the turkey, and let it sim
mer one-quarter of an hour, or Just long
enough for the turkey to get well heated
through, serve on three-cornersd bits
OF toast buttered just around the edge
of the dish, and if you like you may
sift bread crumbs over the top and some
small pieces of butter and brown it in
the oven or with heated salamander.
No. 2.-RemOve all the bones and
chop the meat very fine. Put in the
bottom OF buttered tin layer of crack
sI-erumbs slightly moistened with hot
water or milk; next layer of the
chopped meat; a small onion, chopped
very fine, may next be added half
teaspoonful of thyme sprinkled in im-
proves the flavor Of the dish; salt and
pepper to taste, and if you have cold
gravy dilute it and pour it into the dish !;
roll some more crackers, add beaten
egg and a little more milk mix together,
and spread smoothly over the top; stick
bits OF butter. generously over it and
bake;' cover the mixture with a plate,
and let it cook thoroughly. then re-
move the cover and brown. Cold roast
beef and mutton may be prepared in
the same way.
No. 3.-Cut the meat from the bones,
put them in a saucepan and pour over
them quart of boiling water; let them
simmer two hours; chop the meat very
fine; remove the bones; place the meat
in the saucepan and simmer half-hour
longer; add butter, salt, and pepper,
and thicken slightly with flour; have
ready dish of buttered toast pour
the hash over it, and serve very hot
Other cold meats may be prepared in
the same way.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
Hanged but at Large.

The telegraph recently reported the
hanging of Reuben Proctor, in Iowa,
for murder. A strange story in relation
| to this matter is told by the Des Moines
Le0der, of which the following is the
substance: t-T5
"After life had become extinct, the
body was delivered to his friends. 1t
was taken home and laid out upon the
bed and member of the family kept
watch by its side. The person fell
asleep for few hours, and upon waking
observed that the features of the sup
posed corpse had undergone no change,
and were not rigid and fixed as in death.
He felt the arms and legs and found
them limp and not without slight de-
gree of warmth. Putting his ear in the
region of the heart, he thought he could
hear it family beating. He then took
mirror, and holding it to the lips, q
slight moisture became visible on the
glass. He rubbed this away and held it
there again. and with like result. Again
and again he repeated the experiment,
and always with like result, until he be-
came satisfied that the moisture was
the result of respiration. He. then
reused the rest of the family by shout
ing the announcement that Reuben was
still alive; but not until they had ex-
amined for themselves could thew be
convinced of the fact. This unlocked
for position Of affairs threw the whole
household into tumult of excitement.
and for time they knew not what to
do. They dared not send for medical
aid, fearing that the mob might hear of
it and return to make sure work of him
a second time. At length, with such
methods as suggested themselves, they
set about the work of resuscitatien,
They rubbed the body vigorously. Thev
threw cold water upon the surface. For
some time they seemed to accomplish
nothing, but at last feeble groan es-
capped the lips; his eyes opened, closed
again, as if dreading to see; they spoke
to him, told him he was with friends
and need have no fear. He again epen-
ed his eyes In curious, wondering
way, and after few attempts spoke.
but with great difficulty. He did not
seem to be conscious of the events of
the day, and inquired what had hap
pened. They told him, and as his mem
ory was awakened to the terrible ordeal
ne had undergone, a convulsive tremor
shook his whole frame. What remains
may be briefly told. A mock funeral
was natural, the house was Stunned by
the neighbors, and thus contributed to
the scheme in progress. A coffin was
procured, filled with dirt, and duly con-
signed to the grave. A few days after
Reuben Proctor, so disguised that his
own mother would not recognize him,
left home never to return.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

Discerning child-"Are you cur new
nurse"' Nurse-"Yes, dear" Child
wen, then, l am one of those boys
VINO can only be managed by kindness ;
SO you had better get some sponge cake
and oranges at once.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

The Greeks are so courteous that they
speak Of woman with big feet, pug
nose and shrill voice as "a mistake Of the
angels" eQr Al-isgr as.ils i
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

Which Is the most wonderful animal
~ IL I: tne Iarm yard The pig ; because it
70 klleQ dSst, and cured afterWard.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
unprecedented Merit.
All Diseases of the Blood .

II VEGETINE will relieve pain, cleanse purify
and cure such diseases, restoring the patient to
remea afE ynE or
elusive proof, if you are sufferer, you can be
cured? Why is this medicine performing such
great cures? 1t works in the blood in the
circulating fluid. 1t can truly be called the
GREAT BLOOD PURIFIER. The great source
Of disease originates in the blood; and no med
1cine that does not act directly upon it, to purify
and renovate, has any just claim upon public
attention
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

Father, is Jack a better name than
John?n mo, my son; Jack is inele-
CANT. Say John, always" "Well, IA
ther, saw you sling that boot-John at
cat last night out of the bathroom
window"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
Appreciation,

APpfeCI alton.
.CHARLEsTowN, Mass. March 49, 1869.
H. r. STEvENs,-Dear Sir: This is to certify
that l have used your "Blood Preparation
WEGETINE) in my family for several years, and
mors or Rheumatic Affections it cannot be ex-
celled; and as a Blood Purifier and spring medi-
cine 1t is the best thing have ever used, and
nave used almost everything. I can cheerfully
recommend it to any one in need of such
medlelne. Yours respectfully,
Mrs. :. "A. DINSMORE,
1S Russell street.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26

Some men are SO absorbed in religion
that they forget their debts.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
$tauufotl Spectator,
RATES OF ADVERTISING.

ADvKRrIsEMRNrs will be inserted at the rate
Of LOO per square of eight lines or less, for the
first insertion, and 50 cents for each subsequent
insertion. - -
~ A liberal discount will be made on adver.
tisements published for 8, 6, or u months.
~ SPECIAL NOTICES will be inserted at don.
BILE the advertising rates. M
HE Obituaries, Announcements of Candidates
for Office, and all communications of a personal
or private character, will be charged for as ad-
vertisements, 81 -
Address -'Staunton Spectator" staunton, Va.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
DRUGS AND MEDICINES.
SUCCESS
Test of Merifc
VEGETIN II IL ,

The great success of Vegetine in curing such
diseases as Scrofula, inherited in the blood to-
gether with the increasing demand of the medi-
cine, is conclusive evidence of its actual merit.
No medicine was ever placed before the public
with so much positive proof of its real value as
the VEGETINE, which has cured many cases of
Scrofula of five, ten and twenty years. standing,
where the patient has had many physicians
tried many of the known remedies; and, after
trying the VEGErINE, the common remark is,
1t acts differently, works differently, from any
medicine l have ever taken'' VEGETINE will
cleanse Scrofula from the system. Try it.
Unprecedented Merit.
BOSTON, Jan. 1st 1876.
II. r. STEVENS, Esq.-Dear Sir: For many
years l have been afflicted with humor in the
blood which finally developed into Scald Head,
and only those who are similarly afflicted can
realize the disagreeable suffering one is COM
PEELED to endure with this complaint. For a
long time my head was in dreadful condition.
l used various kinds of remedies and medicines,
some of which was especially prepared for me.
got no better,-indeed, constantly grew worse
the surface of my head being entirely covered
with sores OF the most aggravated nature. This
was my condition when commenced taking the
VEGETNE, which 1 am pleased to inform you
and the public Gf you choose to make it public,
has made complete and satisfactory cure of
my disease; and l shall always deem it great
pleasure to mention the unprecedented merit of
FEGETINE. remain, very thankfully,
CHARLES r. SMITH.
33S Fourth street Solith RoSton
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-26
RAILROADS.

Il, OHIO RAILROAD
" On and after Monday Feb, 1lth, 1877, Pas
senger Trains will run as follows:
FROM ST. ITNITDN WErGTyV
The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-14

81 DEEM 1T MY DUTY TO TELL THE
WoRIDrwhat DIR. Sscdyne's Compound
Syrup Of WIld Cherry, has done for me.
l had violent cough, night sweats,
sore throat. great weakness, with severe
attacks of hemorrhage; gave up all
hope of recovery. am now cured, a
sound and hearty man. Edward Ell.
Hanson, engineer atSwecny's pottery,
1884 Ridge avenue, Philadelphia. Over
twenty-five years have elapsed, and
still remain healthy man. In order
that all may test the great virtues OF
DIR. Swayne's COMPOUND Syrup OF
Wild Cherry we have issued trial bot
| ties at rs cents. No family should be
without this valuable medicine, as
Ioftentimes O single 25 cent bottle will
l cure a recent cough or cold, and thu;
prevent much suffering and risk. Il
also cures asthma, bronchitis, hyel
Ieomplaint, and enfiehes and puritie:
the blood, giving tone and strength t.
the entire system. Trial bottles q
cents; large size, 81. Sold at WHOLESALE
and retail by John Bengston, Rock Is
Hand.