davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

very roof against which was clinging, ane
feeling like the tiniest atom in the immensely
of my danger.
"But, having dropped safely to the full
length of the rope, and lighted my full share
of iron cups, 1 was really, at that moment
sitting in secure enjoyment Of the stupendous
scene.
GAIL at once I felt the rope vibrate !!
looked up-I saw man clinging with one
hand to an iron rod, and with the other
saints of heaven! what did see. 1t was my
fellow convict, Pedro Valdemar, firing the
rope above me with his torch
III acted upon instinct-I had no time tor
thought. Everything was done in one fearful
moment clambered up like cat-l dash
ed my torch full in his felon.face, and then
clutched the rope, an inch or two above the
spot where it was burning
"Utterly blinded and bafied, he uttered an
awful cry and dropped like fpne Then he
bounded, like an India rubberNall, down the
rounded roof, and over into the abyss.
"Well that is about the whole story, senior.
When Pedro was picked up from the stone
tagging of the plaza, there wasn't whole
bone in his body, and his mother wouldn't
have recognized him.
"Yondsr broken stone marks the place
where he alighted, and one of the holy faith.
ers gave me permission to scratch upon it the
inscription which it has borne ever since
The Doom of the Bravo as it would read
in English"
"But how were you saved yourself?" ex-
claimed, almost horror.stricken with his story.
"Caramba ! I never exactly knew my
SELF" said the muleteer, drawing a long breath,
as he rolled and lighted his last cigarette.
Scarcely had the bravos death shrek ceased
ringing in my ears, when found myself be-
ing hauled up. The assistance came not a
moment too soon, for was sick and giddy
with horror, and swooned dead away as soon
as I was safe inside the window.
"The next day waited on the general su-
perintendent, and told him how it all had
happened. The vacant rope by which Pedro
descended, and the burnt fragment by which
I had been drawn up sufficiently corrobora-
ted my statement which was afterwards re-
peated to the archbishop and others high in
authority.
81 not only received much sympathy, but
some pecuniary assistance; and tor long
time they gave me lucrative menial employ
ment about the cathedral here, which was
finally lost to me- however, through my own
folly, and-must say it my love of aguar-
diente, as we'll. But somehow 1 was never
the same man after that horror of the dome.
"What! these four reals for my simple
story? But you Americanos are always gen.
erous Miles gracious, senor! See! here
comes the padre to take charge Of you again,
and I have only bored you for half an hour.
Buenos dias, senor"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

The BENEFIT OF LAUGHrNe.-Dr. Green,
in his "Problem Of. Health" says sthat there is
not the remotest corner or inlet Of the minute
blood vessels of the human body that does
not feel some waver from the convulsion occa-
stoned by good hearty laughter. The life
principle, or the inward man, is shaken to its
innermost depths, sending new tides of life
and strength to the surface, thus materially
tending to insure good health to persons who
moderately indulge therein. The blood moves
more rapidly and conveys different impressions
to all the organs Of the body, as it visits them
on that particular journey, when the man is
laughing, from what it does at other times.
For this reason every good hearty laugh in
which person indulges, tends to lengthen his
life, conveying, as it does,1 new and distinct
stimulus to the vital forces. Doubtless, the
time will come, when the physicians, conce-
ding more Importance than they do now to
the influence of the mind upon the vital forces
of the body, will make their prescriptions more
with reference to the condition Of the mind,
and partially discard drugs for the body /; and
in so doing will find the best and most effi-
cient methods of producing the required effect
upon the patient.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

haS A thoughtful housewife in New Lon.
don, Conn, started fish hook on strange
route of adventure not long age, and brought,
some people into curious juxtapositions as a
result of her plans. Finding the hook among
her husbands papers, she thought best to de-
stroy it, fearing that it might wend its way
into bis fingers: Accordingly she threw it
into the fire. The following morning her
good husband, while patiently taking out
from the stove CRATE pieces Of stone and partly
burned coal that had accumulated there, sud.
denly found a fish hook in the feshy part of
his thumb He called surgeon, and when
the hook had been removed, he put it in his
waistcoat pocket, thinking to- show it to his
friends and neighbors. After breakfast he
went out, and while on the street met color.
ed woman, who passed him with high head
and rapid pace. The two people suddenly
came to an embarrassing halt The hook
had found its way through the side of the
genteman's pocket, and its point found itself
in the wrist of the jaunty maiden: This at
forded great delight for the small boys who
gathered to the spot from all directions. Re-
leasing himself from the hook, the gentleman
saw his whilom captive dash away from him
and pass down the street. A policeman at
tempted to stop her, but before he had sue,
ceeded in inducing her to return, he found
the fsh-hook had lodged itself in the hollow
of his hand. At this point, the strange event
full history of a. fish hook draws to close.
The policeman found surgeon to extract it
from his bleeding hand, and then deposited it
in the station-house to show to the public.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

sa> The mathematician, pencil in hand, is
let loose again, and asserts that the year 1881
left to right and from right to left it reads
the same; 1S divided by 2gives 9 as quo
tient; 81 divided by and 9 is the quotient.
If 1881 is divided by 209, 9 is the quotient; ;
if divided by 8, the quotient contains g; if
multiplied by 8, the products contain two 9's.
One and are 8; 8 and 1 are 9. If the 1S
be placed under the 81 and added, the sum
is SO. Ifthe figures be added thus, l, 8, 8, l,
it will give 1S. Reading from left to right
is 1S; and reading from right to left 1S, and
18 is two.ninths Of 81. BY adding, dividing
and multiplying nineteen 9's are produced,
being one 9 for each required to complete
the century.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13
HONOR YOUR BusrNEss.-It is a good sign

HONOR Your BUSINESS. 1t is good sign
when man is proud Of his work or his call
ing. Yet nothing is more common than to
hear men finding fault constantly with their
particular business, deeming themselves un.
fortunate because fastened to it by the neces-
sity of gaining livelihood. In this way men
fret and laboriously destroy all their comforts
in the work; or they change their business,
and go on miserably, shifting from one thing
to another, till the grave or the poor house
gives them fast grasp. But while occasion.
ally man fails in life because he is not in the
place fitted for his peculiar talent, it happens
ten times oftener, that failure results from
neglect, and even contempt, of an honest busi.
ness. A man should put his heart into every
thing that he does. There is no profession,
no business or pursuit, that has not its. pecu-
liar cares and vexations. No man will escape
annoyances by changing his business. No
mechanical business is altogether agreeable.
Commerce, in its endless varieties, is affected,
like all other pursuits, with trials, unwelcome
duties, and spirittrying necessities. 1t is the
very wantonness cf folly for man to search
out the frets and burdens of his calling, and
give his mind every day to q consideration Of
them. They are inevitable. Brooding over
them only gives them strength. On the other
hand, man has power given to him to shed
beauty and pleasure on the homeliest toll, if
he is wise. Let man adopt his business and
identify it with pleasant associations, for
Heaven has given US Imagination, not alone
to make us poets, but to enable all men to
beautify homely things. Heartrvarnish will
cover up innumerable evils and defects.
Look at the good things. Accept your lot
as man does piece of rugged ground, and
begin to get out the rocks and roots, to deep
en- and mellow the soil, to enrich and plant it.
There is something in the most forbidding av'
ocation around which man may twine pleas,
ant fancies, out of which he may develop
honest pride.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

The SENATE SNUFF Box.-There is GU.
rious old custom kept up in the United States
Senate Chamber. On each side Of the Vice
Presidents seat are fastened two snuff boxes.
They are the result of custom inaugurated
almost at the foundation of the government,
when snuff:taking was universal habit.
Thurman is the only Senator who makes q
habit of using snuff, but sometimes Senator
will stop and take an occasional pinch, while
the many visitors to the chamber take little
out of curiosity At first the box was kept
on the ce-President's desk, but in those days
so many Senators used the article, and so fire.
quently forgot to bring their boxes with them,
that it was resolved to place two public recep.
tacles for it, and in the annual expenses Of the
Senate is always found the item Of snuff.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

The PRIME OF LIFE.-Between the ages
of forty-fve and sixty, a man who has proper
ly regulated himself may be considered in
the prime of life His matured strength of
constitution renders him almost .impervious
to an attack Of disease, and experience has
given soundness to his judgment. His mind
is resolute, firm and equal; all his functions
are in the highest order he assumes mastery
over his business; builds up competence on
the foundation he has laid in early manhood,
and passes through period Of life attended
by many qualifications. Having gone over q
year or two over sixty he arrives at stand
still. But athwart is the viaduct called the
turn of life, which if crossed in safety, leads
to the valley of "old age" round which the
river winds, and then beyond, without boat or
causeway, to effect his passage. The bridge
is, however, constructed of fragile material,
and it depends how it is trodden whether it
bend or break. Gout and appoplexy are
also in the vicinity to waylay the traveller,
and thrust him from the pass but let him
gird up his loins and provide himself with q
filter staff, and he may trudge on in safety
and with perfect composure; To quiet met
aphor, "the turn of life" is a turn either into
a prolonged walk or into the grave. The
system and powers having reached the ut
most expansion, now begin either to close like
a flower at sunset or break down at once.
One injudicious stimulant, a single fatal ex.
element, may force it beyond its strength,
while careful supply Of props and the with.
drawal of all that tends to force plant, will
sustain it in beauty and vigor until night has
entirely set in.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

LINCOLN READING THE EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION TO HIS CABINET.-Just here
I will, in imitation of Mr.. Lincoln, tell little
story which Secretary Chase told at his din
ner table to guests the year after the procla-
nation. He said that when the Cabinet took
their seats in council, Mr.. Lincoln, in sol.
emn and impressive manner, read aloud the
momentous State paper. After the reading
was finished he addressed his advisers, request
ing advice or suggestions. Then spoke Mr.:
Chase, urging that line should be altered
here and there. Mr.. Seward and Mr.. STAN
ton also found fault. Mr.. Lincoln patiently
waited until his advisers objections had
scarcely left anything of the original. When
they were through, a smile broke over the
homely, rugged face Of the man who, in lofti'
ness of purpose and prophetic vision of the
future, stood so far ahead of the men who
surrounded him, and with the wit and readi'
ness that never seemed to desert him, he said:
"Gentlemen, your remarks remind me of the
greeting which farmer received after an alb.
sence from home. One of his servants ran to
him and said: Master, the old sow is dead
and all the little pigs, too but l didn't like
to tell you all the bad news at once.'" The
Cabinet applied the moral, and the proclama-
ton was issued in its original FORM Wash
inqton Letter to Courier Journal
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13
VENTILATION OF BEDROOMS Lon

VENTILATION OF BEDROOMS Lon
don Lancet has some comments on this topic
which may be read with as much profit in this
country as in London. 1t says: IF a man
were to deliberately shut himself for some six
or eight hours daily, in a stufy room, with
closed doors and windows, (the doors not being
open even to change the air, during the period
Of incarceration, and we're then to complain
of headache and debility, he would be justly
told that his own want of intelligent foresight
was the cause of his suffering. Nevertheless,
this is what the great mass Of people do every
night of their lives with no thought of their
imprudence. There are few bedrooms in
which it is perfectly safe to pass the night,
without something more than ordinary pre-
cautions, to secure an inflow of fresh air.
Every sleeping apartment should, of course,
have fire place with an open chimney, and
in cold weather, it is we'll if the CRATE contains
small fire, at least enough to create an up.
cast current and carry off the vitiated air of
the room. In all such cases, however, when
fire is used, it is necessary to see that the air
drawn into the room comes from the outside Of
the house. By an easy mistake, it is possible
to place the occupant Of bedroom with q
fire in closed house, in direct current Of
foul air drawn from all parts of the establish
ment. Summer or Winter, with or without
the use of fires, it is we'll to have free ingress
of pure air. This should be the ventillator' .
first concern. Foul air will find an exit if
pure air is admitted in sufficient quantity, but
it is not certain that pure air will be drawn in
if the impure air is drawn away. So far as
sleeping rooms are concerned, it is wise to let
in air from without. The aim must be to
accomplish the object without causing great
fall in the temperature or of draught The
windows may be drawn down an inch or two
at the top, with advantage, and fold of mus.
lin will form 'ventillator' to take off the feel
ing of draught This, with an open fireplace,
will generally suffice, and produce no unpleas-
ant consequences, even when the weather is
cold. 1t is, however, essential that the air
outside should be pure. Little is likely to be
gained by letting in fog or even a town
mist
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

AN INDIGNANT PoET.-Despite his grave
character, Frederick the Great loved an oc.
casional joke, provided it were well spiced
with malice.
On one occasion, Voltaire, according to
previous appointment, came to read a poem
in manuscript for his approval.
The king meantime secreted behind screen
in the same room man of wonderful memo
ry, who had the gift of repeating any compo-
sition, however long, to which he had once
listened. :.
When Voltaire had concluded his recital,
Frederick expressed great admiration, but
declared he had heard the poem before
The poet was indignant, repelling the
charge Of plagiarism with great warmth.
The king, however, insisted that the poem
was by no means of recent origin, and said
there was man in the court who could re-
peat it from beginning to end.
He sent for the man who had been conceal.
ed behind the screen and who had listened to
the reading, and requested him to repeat a
certain poem, quoting the first lines.
The man instantly, and to the great aston.
ishment of Voltaire, repeated the poem word
for word.
After the king had sufficiently enjoyed his
jest, he revealed the trick to Voltaire, who
was both surprised and indignant.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

n9r The warlike tone of the foreign news con-
tinues, and the prophets are promising triple
alliance between Germany, Austria and Eng.
land against another trio-Russia, Italy and
France. The monstrous proportions which
European armaments are assuming, can be
inferred from the official statement of the
Hungarian government that when the militia
ry systems of Europe are completed, Italy will
have over 1000, 900 soldiers France, which
has 1885, now, will have 2,723, 900; Rus
sia has 2,4S9,000 already, and Austro.Hun-
gary ], $4,000.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

S@ A 70 year old maid, who was quite i'll
in Savannah, told the doctor she had never
been hugged by man in her life, and asked
for one kiss. The gallant door complied
with this request, of course, and she got we'll.
When the doctor got home and told the
story to his wife he got-well, he is balder
than he was.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

h6r The law of Connecticut makes the hus-
band responsible for his wife's debts contracted
before marriage. Recently, Hartford man
engaged to wed widow whom he knew to be
in debt, and bought up all claims against her at
twenty cents on the dollar before he applied
for license to marry. Most people would
rather have widow without mortgage on
her, r
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

s9- Secretary Sherman is quoted as saying
that probably Mr.. W. H. Vanderbilt and Mr..
J. w. Mackey are the richest men in this
country. Each of them owns about $5,000,-
900 in the bonds of the United States-and
they are the only two individuals known to
hold that amount in these bonds. Each Of
them receives $4,000 in interest every three
months
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

s6e When man enters church during the
singing of a hymn, and sits down to hear the
sermon, only to see the contribution box
passed and find the services are just over, his
feelings are only equaled by the man who
falls asleep in his pew, and in a dreamy state
calls to the minister to "set 'em up again"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

p@ Postmaster-G General Key has issued in.
structions to the postmasters in New York
city, Louisville and New Orleans, to refuse
hereafter to rent boxes in their Offices to
lottery companies or their agents.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

bde A German priest walking with his par.
ishioners in procession over their fields to
bless them, when he came to an unpromising
crop, would pass on saying, "Here prayers
avil nothing this must have manure"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

n@r tits estimated that there are nine million
voters in the United States, and out of that
number at least two-thirds are farmers.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

p9- The new flag adopted by the State Of
Georgia, consists of perpendicular blue bar
from top to bottom of the flag, next to the
staff, and three horizontal bars, red, white and
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

G. North Carolina has more licensed grain
distilleries than any other State in the Union,
the record showing 1866; Kentucky comes
next, 149.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

b6r The women in this country sauander
$14,5O0,000 a year on ribbons. Just think
how many cigars that money would buy.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13
ICE AND ICE.HOUSES.

The ice harvest is not far off, and now is
the time to make preparation for its storage.
Ice is the cheapest of luxuries. The earth
yields no crop with less outlay. 1t requires
no seed, no planting, no cultivation. One
does not need even rod of land on which to
grow this crop. 1t is produced on the public
domain of our lakes and rivers, in quantity
immensely beyond demand. All that is re-
qured of the consumer is that he will harvest
and store it. There are niggardly men in the
world, but we have never known one so mean
as to act the part of the dog in the manger,
and not allow the public to help themselves
to all the ice they pleased from the lake or
river contiguous to his estate.
For farmer who has no vacant shed in
which to store ice, or much money to waste
on this luxury, I recommend that he build a
rude structure, in some convenient but not
prominent place, twelve feet square on the
ground, with posts ten feet high, double board
ing it, and filling in between the boards with
sawdust. The roof may be boarded or shin
gled as he pleases. If the former, the cracks
should be battened. The ground should be
covered also with sawdust, to the depth of six
inches, to prevent the heat Of the earth from
melting the ice. Such structure will hold
little over thirty tons of ice-more than
enough for an ordinary family, and giving a
good margin for the accommodation of your
neighbors.
One of the great secrets of keeping ice is to
pack it we'll. The cakes should be cut of uni
form size-two feet long by fifteen inches wide
is convenient size for handling-and in
packing, care should be taken to fill up all the
interstices with broken ice and "to break
joints" as the masons say. This prevents the
circulation of air through the mass. Each
layer should he kept level, and if between
each layer there is little pounded ice, the
cakes will come out all the better when need
ed for use. Of course, over the top layer
there should be a covering Of saw dust six
inches deep. If ice packed in this manner
does not keep as long as it is wanted, it will
probably be in consequence Of wasteful con-
sumption in the house.-ALEx. HYDE, in the
Country Gentleman.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

sg Nearly 100000 emigrants have arrived
in this country since the first Of January, and
it is estimated that at least 10000 more will
come by the end of the year. In point Of
numbers, the Germans are first, and next, in
the order named, come Irish, English, swedes,
Scotch, Norwegians, Swiss, Russians, Welch
and French. The commissioners of immigra-
tion estimate, that upon an average, the immi.
grants have brought $40 each in money, and
personal property to the same value This
would make total Of $22,260,O00 thus
brought into this country and distributed in
this way this year.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

aa% A schoolmaster, meeting with a for
mer pupil said This is quite stormy day,
John" "Yes sir" answered John, "this is
quite wet rain" The teacher, thinking to
rebuke such hyperbole, asked if he ever knew
of any other than wet rain" l never knew
personally Of any other" returned John !;
"but have read in certain book Of a time
when it rained fire and birthstone, and that
would not be a very wet rain"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-11-13

BooKs-Books are society, and they never
repel the humblest reader that strives tobring
himself up to the enjoyment Of the expressed
thoughts of great minds. The well ordered
library brings the world within our grasp.
Sages, poets, historians, novelists, philoso.
pliers, humorists are as ready to speak through
the printed page to the man of the loyliest
station as to the king upon his throne, and
frequently the former enters more nearly into
complete sympathy with the thought or fam
cies that the glowing words express than the
latter. The grand democracyof books ex-
cludes no one who has selfrespect enough to
learn to read but, instead, every one can
end companion and friend within; its liber-
al domain. We know of nothing more fasci-
mating, nothing more tempting to cultivated
man or woman, than books.