davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
Rome In the Time of Her Kings.

1t il evident that in the period desig-
mated "a thatof the Kings, when Rome
commenced her career of conquest, she
was, for that time and country great and
wealthy city. This is proved by the
works of the kings, the Capitoine Tenn
pie, the excavation for the Circus Max
linus, the Servian wall, and, above all.
the Cloaca Maxima. Historians have,
indeed, undertaken to give US a very dis
paraging picture of ancient Rome, which
they confidently describe rs nothing
more than great village of shingle-
rooted cottages, thinly scattered over a
large area.
We ak in vain what are the materi-
ais of this description. IL is most prob
able that the private buildings of Rome
under the kings were rooted with moth
ing better than shingle, and il is very
likely that they were mean and dirty,
IS the private buildings of A Atbens appear
TO have been, and as those of most of
the great cities of the Middle Ages un-
questiOnably were. But the Cloaca
Maxima IL I'm itself conclusive evidence
OF large population of wealth and Of n
not incOnsiderable degree Of civilization.
Taking our stand upon this monument.
and clearing our vision entirely Of Rom
illus and his asylum. We seem dimly
TO perceive the eXNtcuce of deep pre-
historic background, richer than is com
monty supposed in the germs of civili-
zation-- remark which may i'm all likeli-
hood be extended TO the background Of
history in general. Nothing surely can
be more grOtesque than the idea of q set
of wolves, like the Morse pirates before
their conversion 10 Christianity, CON
structing in their den the Cloaca Max.
ina. That Rome was comparatively
great and wealthy IS certain. We can
hardly doubt that she was q seat Of in
dustry and commerce, and that the theory
which represents her industry and com
mefce as having been developed subse-
quently 10 her conquests is the reverse
Of The fact Whence but from industry
and commerce, could Che population and
the wealth have come?
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
TIE ntrRON YEAR.

The leaves that made our forest pathway shady
begin 10 rustic down upon the breeze;
ne year is fading like a stately lady
:, no laws aside her youthful vanities:
het while the memory OF her beauty lingers
. Sne can not wear the Livery Of cid.
60 Autumn comes, 20 paint with frosty fingers
Some leaves with hues OF crimson and Of gold.
The Matron's voice filed ali the hills aud valleys
With full-toned music, when the leaves were
young,
while now, in forest dells Az garden alleys,
chirplng reedy song AZ eve Is sung;
let sometimes too. when sunlight gilds the morning
A carol bursts from some hsif-nased tree,
AS n, her slow but sure decadenee snorning
one woke again With olden melody.
with odorous May-buds, sweet as youthful pleas
ures,
She made her aeauty bright aud debonair:
But now, the sad earth yields floral treasures
And twines no roses for the matron's hair;
stu can she not all lovely things surrender;
Right regal Is her drapery now
Goid, purple green, nwronght with ev. ~ splendor
And clustering grapes ia garlands on her brow.
In June, she brought us tufts OF fragrant clover
Rtfe With the Wild bees CHEEKY monotone
And, when the earliest bloom was past and over
Offered us sweeter scents from fields ne " -mosrn /;
Now, upland orchards yield, with Iatterng laugh
ter, ~
Their red-cheeked bounty to the groaning vain.
Ana heavy-lafen racks go creeping after,
Piled high with sheaves cf golden bearded grain
Erelong, when love aud life are clingnc
And iestal holly shines on every wall
Her knell shall be the New Yer bells out tringing-
The driited snow her stainless burlal-pal
she fadeS and fala but proudly and -ndately.
This Matron year, who has such largess given
Her brow still Tranquil, and her pre- ence stately
As one who. losiug earth, holds fast TO heaven.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
A Joke on a General.

When Gen. Morrow was In command
1T Camp Douglas, Utah he received
notice one day that Gen, Rosecrans.
Col. Buell. and several Others would be
at his headquarters by a certain day.
Owing to sickness in his family Gen.
Morrow could not conveniently receive
them, and IL was ar1inged that the post
surgeon should do the honor. for the
General at his own house. The morning
they were expected Gen. Morrow. while
at dinner, saw six hOrsemen approach
ing. and, suppOsing his orderly had not
understood his orders 20 take the party
70 the doctors, at Oscc called his colored
boy, and told him 70 bring the gentle
men into the parlOr then takea decanter Of
brandy, and one of whisky, with sugar
and ice-water, and tell them 10 helm
themselves-w was done. the darkev
being well posted in that respect When
Gen. Morrow finished his mealhe walked
into the parlor, and was introduced suc.
cessiyely to a reveresld doctor from AL
bany, one from Philadelphia. New York
Baltimore and other places. lust return
ing from San Francisco, from the Chris
tian Association. The General for once
was nOnplusscd Gentlemen" said be
expected another party. Gen. Rose
Grams and friends, and in accordance
with a custom Of the West. better hon
ored in the breach than i'm the observ.
ance, sent in refreshments suited 10 their
tastes"
General said one Of the clergy.
men, you need say no more about IL. I
was chaplain in the army once. and
understand all about IT," The next
day, meeting ROsccrans, Gen. Morrow
called out, Rosey, your miserable
habit Of drinking has got me into dis.
repute with all Christians by offering
whisky to q lot Of clergymen" Then
telling him Of the circumstance. Gen.
Morrow said 10 was too good 10 keen
and be intended putting IL in Harpers
Drawer. ROsecrans promised If he would
not 70 send five gallons Of the hest
whisky from San Francisco "AH
right, said, Gen. Morrow, "if il comes.
no Drawer II not, in the Joke goes ("
As 10 never appeared In the Drawer. the
inference ~ % The whisky IL obvious
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
How Becchcr Lost the Toss.
New York sun

In 1914 Beecher was the young pastor
OF church in Indianapolis, on meager
salary of about $3.50 per annum. At a
meeting of the Directors of the Madison
aud indianapolis Railroad for that year,
the Board was casting about for some
new and live man as President of the
Company. This was the earliest com
plcted railroad in the State of Indiana,
and prior to that date the incumbent
of this office was the late Samuel Mer-
rell, man of quiet and retiring habits,
of not much force in the new enterprise
of railroading, and who was formerly
President of the Indiana State Bank at
Indianapolis
This Board of Directors comprised
many men who have made their impress
as prominent citizens Of the Hoosier
state and of the nation. Among them
was Chauncey Rose, of Terre HRute,
aftcrward owner of the Terre Haute and
indianapolis Railroad, and founder of
the Newsboys' Home i'm New York City.
Others were II. Ill. Winslow, long and
favorably known IA senior member of the
banking house of Winslow, Lanier Il Co,
New York; j. ID. Lanicr, afterward n
member of the same firm; David White,
then President of the Farmers and
Mechanics Bank of Madison, and who
as long time popular cap'aini in famous
steamboat racing times on the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers acquired the sobriquet
of Old Enterprise; and Robert j.
Cravens, Of Madison, well known as n
member and presiding officer of the In.
diana State Senate, and who defeated Win
Cumback for the United States Senate
by putting forward ID. ID. Pratt, the
tallest man that ever wore the senatorial
tCga in the National Capitol, being,
when erect, at full length, no less than
six feet seven inches in height.
Mr.. Lanier and Captain White, hav-
ing frequent occasion in their visits T.,
indianapolis to observe the charac, 10.
of Bcecher, and believing that ", In,
rising young minister was latent. mate
rial for an efficient and success .(ttl pros
ident of the new road, plF.ced him /,
nomination for that Office. His comnet
itor was John Brough, of CINCINNATI
whose name Is prominently associated
with early railroad Enterprises i'm Ohio
and Indiana.
For several consecutive ballots durino
the two days sessions of the Board the
vote was a tie--five for Beecher, five fo,
l3rough. The contest was finally determ
med by the "toss OF n copper" USING
A coin of the old cumbrous kind, knowT
ms " BungtOwn," popular circulating
medium for more than half a century
beforc the days of nickels and little
rents.
Head for Beecher, tails Tor Brouph. -
exclaimed Captain White, IA j. w.
Mccullough tipped the copper into the
arr III was misscall for the young
minister. Tails showed up. BeecheI
lost the railroad Office, the Church and
the country retained his lifelong sery-
ices in the pulpit
The for. going facts were narrated by
Captain White, now deceased. while
sojourning with the writer at the MAY.
well house, Nashville, Tenn, i'm the
winter of l8G9-'70, f.. NJ. BARNuM.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
KINGW0OD. PRESTON COUNTY, VIVA. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBEI

90 One sound, and I'll blow your
brains out, he hissed.
Resistance was useless, so | submit.
ted. He disarmed me, flung me on the
ground, and fastened my haRds behind
me with cord he pslled from his
pocket. He then went n 6rw yards away
To warn the rangers, | suppose. Iheard
a ringing cheer, shots. oaths, and all the
usual noise of a hand to-hand encounter.
Giving a short and sudden wrench, | cot
loose, and rushed forward 10 see the re-
suit of the fight. Just as advanced ]
heard two shots fired almost simultan.
eously, and bullet shaved past NV
head. clapped my hand 10 my left
ear. Heaven the lobe was shot away.
Another inch, and should nave been
killed.
Rather narrow shave. that said
one OF the troopers, coming forward.
just saw the fellow drawing bead
on you when dropped him.
went forward, and found the vic
tory had been ours. Three of the
rangers had been shot down, one Of them
Mapping Bill. Two were wounded. and
lay on the ground, whilst one had es
capped. Judge Lynch soon settled the
two prisoners.
We recovered all our gold, and made
preparations for our return. We gave
the dead hasty burial, easing them,
OF course, of all valuables, etc. I found
a pocket-b book on the body of my would.
be slayer, and from it ] CLEANED full
account of the gang. From information
therein contained, Sandy and some
weeks later, made little expedition of
our own 10 place in the hush, where
we found quite collection of nuggets
and dust-the result of many months of a
bush-ranger's life. AS it was impossible
TO restore the treasure to its lawful
owners, we were Obliged to keep ii. We
returned to the camp; and, in consid-
Grafton Of our successful efforts, we re-
ceived share of the gold. Some
months later left the diggings. and re-
turned home, married Mary, and settled
down here. | ought to add that gave
the trooper who so bravely saved my
life an old silver ring TO wear for my
sake. / have never seen him since; but
If j ever do, he shall be welcomed as n
king. Such, gentlemen, is the story of
the Lucky Shot "
The hearty thanks of the company
were devoted TO Mr. White for his story.
apd the company drank the trooper :
health.
You never saw him after?" asked
Mr.. White.
Never, sir"
Could you recognize him if you
were to see him% / asked.
Can't say; he may have altered con
siderably; but | should recognize the
ring Immediately"
!" Then is that ~ said !, putting out
NrnNr afrHs A A. r
which was the identical ring.
" IL is; and you are Jack Fox ?"
am; and | am exceedingly glad to
meet an old friend once more"
Loud were the exclamations of Joy at
this disclosure. We had fresh bumpers,
and we caroused until the small hours,
lighting our old battles over again.
accepted Mr.. Whites invitation TO
stay with him for a short time, and
must admit that spentsome very happy
hours in " The Travellers Rest"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
Is Cronnet a Good Moral Gnme :

One day this summer, says Burdette.
we rode fifty miles in a railroad car.
seated behind four men, who were play
ing with those awful playthings Of the
devil--cards. They played euchre until
they were tired Of It. They played a
little seven-up, pedro, and occasionally
triiie of poker. We never heard a
dispute. Their bursts Of merriment oc-
casionally at some unexpected play re-
peatedly drew our eyes from our book
They never quarreled and never called
names once. When we got at our station
we sat at our window and watched a
party OF young men and maidens playing
crOquet. In fifteen minutes we saw two
persons cheat successfully We heard
the ono player who did not cheat accused
Of cheating FIVE times We heard four
distinct, bitter quarrels. We heard a
beautiful girl tell two lies, and a meek
looking young man three, and finally
We saw the young Prl throw her
mallet against The fence 20 hard IL
frightened horse, ths other young girl
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
Ab0At POrcnpines,

correspondent of the Philadelphia
L.e"geI says that he has killed porcu-
pines IN western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
"here tAey are quite common, and he
addS; The pOrcupinc tx nocturnal
uepFH1ator, and feeds on green corn.
PuLnpkins andother vegetables. II il n
Rseat pest in the sugar camps, gnawinR
the wooden sap buckets stored for the
summer, attracted by the sweet that has
soaked into the wood. 1t il n sluggish
animal and relies for defense upon its
armor OF quills or spines, which il can
erect at pleasure. When attacked. il
rolls itself into ball, and presents a
bristling surface 10 the adversary, like
n chestnut bur. Neither il or the Afri-
can Porcupine has the power to shoot
or throw It's quills, as the credulous be.
lieye. But the ambitious dog that as
sails the porcupine, anticipating an easy
conquest from its noncombative appear
ance' Will retire from the conflict a sad
der and wiser dog. The quills readily
detach themselves from the pOrcupine'. /.
back and pierce the dogs nose, and will
work straight into the flesh. The writer
has helped TO relieve n dog from these
unWelcOme intruders. Poor PontO WAS
placed on his back, and n pitchfork
struck astride of his neck and firmly
held In the ground, while friendly
hand with pinchers extracted the quills
some OF them having worked 40 far i'm as
10 afford only slight hold for the instru-
ment: 1t isa very painful operation,
and the dog undergoing IL utters most
fearful yells and piteous whines. Only
dogs OF peculiar pluck and pugnacity
VIII hazard n second encounter with
this spiny animal.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07
SONNET.

know n royal castle builder. He
Has planned Gin cloudsl house beyond compare,
And furnished " with treasures passing rare
Gathered from distant lands across the sea.
Fountains gush forth; and many curious tree
shadows rich lawns broidercd with bright parterro
Of scented shrubs and how'rs, And birds are there
Well skilled In notes OF y Ivan minstrelsy.
Closed L. the door. Unopened are the gates
The blossoms droop, and ekc the birds are dumb,
The builder sadly sits one who waits
For somo loved frend-alasl who does not come.
In his tair mansion will he over dwel9
one little maid--and only she can tell.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07

One Of the most annoying things that
can happen 10 refined man or woman
- TO have their conversation constantly
interrupted A man Or woman who has
anything 10 say that is worth saving.
desires 70 say 10 in his or her own way (:
and those who have brains 10 appfe.
ciate II will be- equally desirous of hear
ing IT without interruption. Yet IL IL a
common thing for parlOr conversation
70 partake more Of the nature Of Tower
OF Babel than q conversation among
rational beings, who are supposed To
know and appreciate what each other
says. begins 20 relate an incident. and
before he has finished two sentences.
some parrot in fine clothe- chimes in
with her senseless gabble, breaking the
thread Of discourse, and compelling the
narrator 70 begin again, or abandon the
attempt tO instruct or entertain. This
is the grOssest of impolitencss; never
theless, 10 is NJ common an occurrence
as conversation itself. It's not too much
To say that nine out Of ten people who
indulge this habit arc incapable Of carry
ing ON rational conversation on any
useful topic, and indulge in these
breaches Of etiquette by way Of covering
their retreat and hiding their ignorance.
Here Is a promising field for social re-
form.
L.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07

pounded her mallet so hard on the
ground that il Knocked the buds off an
apple tree, they both banged into the
house at different doors, and the two
Young men looked sheepish and went off
after drink. Now, why is thisG Isn't
crOquet good, moral game?
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07

Envy is frequently the foundation of
false reports. There is a jealousy which
renders the success Of nthers " provoca.
tiou ~ wslsvolenco
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-09-07

TIE three Rs in vacation time
Road, rail and river.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-11-14
FAIRvIEw SCHOOLGIRLS,
Noy 10 1879


The members of the night school
met as agreed. The teacher,
W. L. Ragsdale, called the meeting
to order. At roll-call twenty names
were called, and took part in the ex-
ercises of the evening. Misses Cleo
Malone and Lille Cleaveland we're
appointed as disputants. Oral spell
ing vas then INDUCED in to the
amount of IT'S words here and there
in Webster's old blue-black spelling
book, to the entire satisfaction of
some dozen visitors. Declarations
by Messrs. C. Woods and Samuel
Woods, and Miss Emma Quacken-
bush. Mr.. w, L. Ragsdale made a
talk of some ten minutes upon the
following subjects: 'sThe True OBJ
jects of Education" Mr.. Ragsdale's
first proposition was that the teacher
should understand what he teaches,
and instruct without arrogance to the
measure of his capacity. He said
precepts and rules are repulsivc to
the young, but happy illustration
winneth them.
Tie meeting adjourned to meet
Tuesday night, November 10, 1878,
at z 1-2 O'Clock. The citizens OF
Fairview are requested to attend.
A SPECTATOR.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-11-14
PECULIAR PEOPLE.

The man with neck whiskers.
Schoolgirl who doesn't chew gum.
He who picks his teeth with afork.
The man who does not like to hear
himself talk.
Barkeeper who s'draws the froth at
the bottom"
Woman who can walk gracefully
with small heels.
Young lady with pretty teeth who
doesn't like laughing.
A man who considers a bar bill {
debt of honor.
The man who can 'ssmile and
smile and not be a villain.
The man who takes out a paper OF
fine cut in q crowd.
Young lady with a mole on hei
arm who likes short sleeves.
The mar who never drinks any.
thing stronger than buttermilk.
a young man .pftwentv who does
not know more than 4 nsaruf f5FEy.
Young married man who doesn't
cringe when he wheels cut his first
baby.
An editor that is not capable OF
running his paper better than other
people that try to.
A man who can preserve perfect
urbanity in q party of ladies when
bis snspender button has just parted.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-11-14
FULTON ETIQUETTE.

In Fulton, Galloway county, when
a gentleman desires to escort a lady
to church he writes her as follows:
Compliments of Mr.--to Miss
-: L respectfully solicit the
pleasure of escorting your corporeal
system across the alluvial landscape
that lies between your fathers hos
pitable domicIle and the sanctury of
God, there to hear the expoundlng of
the Scripture.
The maiden replies:
l will with pleasure allow you the
exquisite beautitude of cscorting my
corporal system over the space OF
ground intervening between my par
entail domicile and the edifce of d.
vine worship, when the diurnal orb
OF day shall have sought its last rest
ing place behind the occidental hills.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-11-14

There will be IN adjourned meet
ing of the city council next Monday
night to appoint a night watch. j..
B. S~tanhope's name, backed with a six
foot petition of names has been pre-
sertad.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-11-14
General average SO. Boys average So

Newton Basket, our efficient coun-
ty surveyor. on account of i'll health
has resigned his place, which will be
filed by appointment by the county
court on next Monday, the 18th. We
have heard Mr.. Signor, of Vandalia
spoken of, and we think his appoint
ment would meet with appreciation.
He is well qualified and fitted in eve
ry way for the Office. The eastern
part of the. county deserves this Of
fee and we trust Mr.. Signor will be
appointed:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-11-14

Jim Graham, who had received
several votes for coroner, was then
sent for to act as coroner, and he
came rushing down to see the man
before he died, which he did. Wood
roof was then, sent for to shave the
dying man he came up, sharpened
his z and made his lather, but
being informed the man was dead,
went for his ''dead mans cups" re-
turning he found the mans beard had
turned to straw; he then went for
Dunn and told him he could not
stand it to shave the man he was 50
badly mutilated. Dunn came up.
took off his coat and said he could
shave a man if he was knocked into
slivers no bigger than straws, but when
he saw the straw he failed to come to
time. After several other persons,
the Mayor and Marshal among thep'
had visited the ''corpse in state'' the
wake was closed with q visit from DR..
Reilly. The doctor was aroused from
a deep sleep, gathered up his surgical
instruments and fastened to the scene
of action. On coming into the room
the sheet was lifted from the feet and
stuffed legs of the dummy, and the
DR.. was told to feel them and see if
they were not crushed. On feeling
them, and the hay and straw giving
under his touch, he pronounced the
legs crushed to pulp. AS the sitting
odor of a sick room always makes us
sick we left at this juncture. We
think the DR.. fully diagnosed the
case before he gave it up.