davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
Lake George RattIesnakes.

One denizen Of this region cannot be
spoken of without degree of respect
combined with aversion. 1t is the rat
tlesnake. He flies the haunts of men,
and is gradually disappearing from that
vicinage; but, like inferior races of man,
which, before they altogether vanish be-
fore an advancing civilization. cling des-
pcrately to a few strongholds, so this
reptile yet retains certain positions
around the lake, which are infested in a
way that demands caution on the part of
the tourist, It is not uncommon to see
these snakes swimming in the lake, pass
ing from cove to cove or isle to isle.
Leaning over boat one calm day, 1 saw
one swimming under the stern. lie
raised his head when he saw me. and the
expression Of his face was neither ami
able nor assuring as he darted his heaa
spitefully forward. l hit him with n
stick, when he dived and disappeared.
Tongue Mountain and Shelving Rock
are most infested at present. An old
man and woman who occupy solitary
cabin on the former have long made a
business of catching rattlesnakes and
supplying the market. The demand is
much larger than one would suppose on
the part of showmen and naturalists,
and also from the people Of the neighbor-
hood, who have the notion that rattle
snake oil is an infallible remedy for the
rheumatism. Doubtless this supersti-
tion-for it is nothing else-arose in the
same way as the belief in former days in
Il nevis eye, a baby's finger, silver
from the finger-nail of a mummy, or the
baboon's blood-objects remote or diff
cult to obtain. The quotation for good
healthy rattlesnakes at Lake George
averages one dollar apiece, caught and
delivered. Those who doRot mind the
trifling annoyance of being bitten by one
are allowed the free range of the rattle
snake preserves. and may catch them for
nothing.-Harper's Magazine.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
A Remarkable Feat In Railroading.

A St. Louis paper OF recent date says:
One of the most remarkable teats ever
ACCOMPLISHED in railroading was per-
formed to-day by the st. Louis, Iron
Mountain and Southern in 4 change OF
gauge of 700 miles Of road. Heretofore
the gauge has been five feet. Since
twelve o'clock last night it has been re-
duced to the standard width of four feet
eight and halfinches. About SIX weeks
ago the board of directors OF the Iron
Mountain adopted resolution providing
for change Of gauge, and immediately
thereafter Mr.. Thomas Allen, the prcsl-
dent of the company, gave the 0r'i"r 'or
the work to be done. Active prep:ra-
ticns were begun at once.
Extra men were employed. and o., tn
shops began TO run on extra time. Every
locomotive and every car had to be cut
down for the new gauge, and much OF
this had to be done beforehand. so there
would be no interruption OF business.
The actual work of changing the track
began last night at some points as soon
as the midnight trains had passed: Over
5000 men were employed for the oc-
casion. The men were divided into
SQUADS. and each squad was put under
the charge of "boss." The bosses
were under the direction Of the road
masters, and the roadmasters were under
the direction Of the division superin-
tendent, the whole being under the
supervision Of the general superinten-
dent.
There are four divisions Of tn" Iron
Mountain railroad. The Texas division
is l45 miles in length; the Arkansas
division is $50 miles in length: the Mis-,
souri, division is 1876 miles in length. and
the St. Louis division is l72 miles in
length.
A number OF sections were finished by
six o'clock this morning, and by two
o'clock this afternoon the whole vast
work was accomplished. Over, 600
freight cars, sixty engines and all the
passenger coaches had been cut down
and are ready for the new gauge, and the
regular business of the road was inter-
fcred with only about six or seven
hours. Regular trains will start this
afternoon, and will arri we and depart
rs usual. The cost of the change will
! not fall short of s2oo.ooo.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
Calculating Machines.

Staffel has invented an arithmetical
machine in which three cylinders are so
arranged that they can work all the
simpler rules of arithmetic, carrying
MULTIPLICATION up to millions by MIL
lions; if the machine is required to so I've
an impossible sum, such rs subtractlnS
q larger number from 4 smaller or al-
viding a smaller sum by a greater, it re-
fuses, and rings bell MS an admon,tlon.
Colmar invented an arithmometer IN
which the action is rather by plates
sliding in grooves than by rotating cyl
inders; like Staffel's it can perform add!-
ton, subtraction, multiplication, d.
vision and evolution. Wertheimer, by
means of a metal plate with indlces
notched teeth and holes, has contrlved
an apparatus for adding and subtracting
sums of money. Baranowski's lnVen-
ton is for calculating wages, prices, in
terest and other sums of money; it IS
known rs the Ready Reckoner: and is
worked by means of a handle which re-
yeals figures or numerals in openings in
a brass plate. Schott, Lalanne, Roget,
Maurel. Roth, Slovinsks and Scheutz have
in like manner invented machines for
solving aritlmetical problems. Ofthese,'
Scheutz's excites great admiration
among scientific men; Mr.. Babbage
highly extolled it. and deplored that it
had found a purchaser in America in
stead Of England. 1t can compute
mathematical tables, calculate to sixteen
places of igues, and stamp on a plate OF
lead the result up to eight places. pro-
ducing matrix or mold, from which
cliche cast in type metal can be OBJ
tanned suitable for printing from. 1t
does it's work at the rate of twenty-five
figures or numerals per minute, calcu..
lated, recorded and stamped in metal
mn error either in the calculating or
the printing being almost impossible
Chambers Journal
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
What HBOOm" Means.

The current word to express a pc
culiar and frequent phenomenon in
American politics is boom" 1t is de-
rived from the Western idiom describing
the treshets in rivers and creeks. In
those streams that are far from the
stable equilibrium of tidal waters there
are very great inequalities of volume.
Some of them vary from six inches of
dust in dry time to sixty feet of water
during season Of rains, and all have
their times when the usually thin and
shallow streams come pouring down in
a yellow flood, bearing fence rails and
corn stacks and other signs of the inva-
sion of tho riparian farms, and laden
with the dog-gone expletives of the set
tiers and the vexations Of the travellers
delayed Mt the fords. The stream is pow
erful while it lasts, but that is only for
day or two, and while it is at its height
of temporary greatness it is called a
"boom." Lost Creek or the Dry Fork
is ADJOINING" is the way in which the
natives describe these passing cbulitions
of nature.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
The Country Press as Rising Power.

"It is not true that the ability Of the
press is declining. The papers of the
country are better written now than
they ever were before. They are better
edited. Their average courtesy is
greater; their average morality is purer;
their average tendency higher. They
better hit the wants Of great, micellane-
GUS communities, and so they have more
readers in proportion to population.
Their power may be more ditfused; but
it is Enthusiastically greater. There has
oeen no more remarkable phenomenon
IN the history of the profession than the
rapid growth of the country press and
it's increase in ability. in resources, in
self-resp pect and in influence. There are
half dozen towns in the interior of
New York which now have better news.
papers. with larger income and more in
fiuence, than those of the metropolis
itself third, or perhaps even q quar-
ter, of a century ago.
"No! The power of the newspaper
is not declining. Never before was it so
great. Never before did it offer such n
career. But it is power accompanied by
the usual conditions greatest when
most self-respecting and least selt.seeK,
ing. There is more good young blood
tending to this than to any OF
the other professions. There is
more movement in it than in
bar, or pulpit, or whatever other
so-called learned profession you will
more growth, a larger opportunity, a
greater future. We are getting the best.
These young men will leave us far be-
hind. They will achieve a usefulness
and command power to which we
cannot aspire. Very crude and narrow
will seem our worthiest work to the able
editors Of a quarter OF century hence; !;
very splendid will be the structure they
erect. We shall not rear the columns or
carve the capitals for that stately
temple. Let us at least aspire, with
honest purpose and on a wise plan, to
lay Alright its foundations. ~ Wh'tela'o
Reid.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
The Water Perambulat0r.

When Cooley read the accounts of
Paul Boyton's exploit in swimming the
English Channel, it struck him that he
could improve little on Boyton's life
preserver. He said he had invented an
apparatus with which man could walk
on the surface of the water, and with
little practice glide over it with the
velocity with which a good skater skins
over tie ice. So he invited party of
us down to the river one day to see him
operate the machine. At the appointed
time he appeared with something that
looked like small gunboat under each
arm. Then he strapped one on each
foot, and we saw that the article was
about four feet long, and shaped like
shallow scow.
As he prepared to lower himself over
the edge of the wharf, he asked us to
designate the point on the other side of
the river at which we wished him to
land. He said it was immaterial to him
whether he went one mile or six, up
stream or down stream, because he
could just hop along over that river like
swallow. His general idea was to
produce a revolution in navigation, and
to make men independent Of steamers
and other vessels when they desired to
travel upon the water with rapidity.
Then he dropped into the stream with
his scows, and steadied himself by hold
ing on to the side of the wharf until he
was ready TO start. At last he said the
experiment would begin, and he struck
out with his left foot. The front end of
that particular scow scuttled under the
water, and as he tried to save himself
with his right foot, the end of that scow
also dipped down, and Cooley tumbled.
The next minute he was hanging head
downward in the river with nothing
visible to the spectators but the bottoms
of two four-foot gunboats. The patent
apparatus simply kept all the rest of him
under water. Then couple OF men
padded out to him in skiff and hauled
him in. Then we unbuckled his scows,
took off his clothes, ana rolled him over
n vinegar barrel to work the water out
of him. In about an hour he came to,
and, uttering groan, he said:
"Where am 1?''
We explained to him, and he asked:
What drowned me?"
We told him that lie was injured by
an attempt to revolutionize navigation,
and he demanded:
How'd 7 try to do it?"
We reminded him that he had started
for a skim up the river with a frigate
tied to each foot, and then he asked:
"Where the deuce are them ma
chines?"
We showed them to him, and, calling
Ben Martin to him, he said, family:
ben, 1 wish you'd cuss them things
for me. Cuss 'em vigorous, and then
split 'cn up into kin'lin' wood for the
poor. I'm too weak to do justice to the
subject"
Then we took him home, and he was
in bed for a fortnight. He says now that
all he wants to live for is to see Boyton
some day 90 chuck to the bottom.
Then he'll be perfectly happy.-Mar
df]]er
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
Beating the Boat.

The other day one of the ferry-boat
captains found aboard of his craft a
cadaverous looking chap who had
beaten his way to and fro so often that
patience was no longer virtue. When
it was found that lie had no ticket the
captain roared out:
"What did I tell you the last time I
passed you over?"
You said you'd throw me into the
river next time I tried to beat my way
across" was the calm reply.
land now -" yelled the captain,
as he started to pull off his coat.
"And now you won't. You are a
good-hearted man and don't want you
to get into trouble on my account. l
will 20 overheard on my own hook"
He stepped to the gangway and made
dive before any one could prevent.
The boat was stopped, life-preservers
thrown out, and, after hard work, the
man was hauled aboard. The captain
seized him, braced him against the cabin,
and, shaking his fist under the beats
nose, exclaimed:
"Look-a-here, you miserable, sinful
man, I've been put to ten dollars trouble
trying to collect your five-cent fare!
After this it is understood that you are
always to ride free, and if you offer to
pay fare I'll lick you!'-Detrott Fyr'
Press.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
A Button in n Letter.

A lady in Troy, N. Y, has common
military button which has something of
history. During the late war c. c..
Gomez, Of Jefferson county, Union SOL
dier, was, with 4 number of comrades,
taken captive and confined in Libby pri-
son. Some time after he mar aged to
change his suit of blue and sent it home
to his wife. About two years later one
of the brass buttons which had adorned
the coat was used rs a plaything by a
child of the soldier.
The lower part of the button une1.
pectedly became detached, and revealed
in the hollow space a quantity Of paper
which was very neatly packed. An
examination of the buttons mysterious
contents disclosed letter consisting of
five pages, each sheet being about three
inches wide and five inches long. The
missive was addressed to Mrs. Gomez,
and contained an account of her hus-
bands captivity and also related to
family matters. The letter and button
are still in state of preservation, and
are highly priced by the lady who sue
ceeded in obtaining them.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
The Power Of the Printed Page.

The power of the printed page SO. far
transcends any personal speech, in these
days of universal reading, that any COM
parison would be futile.
When the strongest array of facts, the
most cogent reasoning possible, persua-
sion that melts into patlos, or ringing
sentences that leap electric from point to
point in the argument, can all be COM
passed in form, and struck off by the
hundred thousand and transmitted in one
day to the people of a whole State, what
voice, even though of a siren or saint,
c,n hope to compete with its influence?
And this power of print, wonderful rs it
now seems, is only ut the lightning: for
invention is already rife with methods of
rendering it vocal rs human speech, In
st;lnt as photography, and infinite IN re-
production.
Facts are what the world wants to see
in print, and facts are short. sturdy
things, Just fit to put in print. Opinions
are Of value only as they hold facts in
solution. Your moving eloquenccs are
but facts on fire. Iteration, too. and re-
iteration are essential. Facts which come
through the eyes are more permanent,
when fixed, than those got though the
ear; yet, like kilograms, they require to be
repeated to make sure.
In right cause the printed page in its
rapidity of reach and result is past belief.
1t is with such weapons that reforms are
waged. Multiply impressions and effects
become cumulative. Scattera few scores
of these documents in the quiet by-ways
where the wrongis being brooded over
and soon there will be neighborhood
in blaze. Feed the flame, extend the
circle, spread the papers, and in a few
months q good result will be accom-
plished.
Print is at its cheapest, and the amount
of invaluable publications to be had by
the poorest fully equals his time to pc
ruse it. When good paper is sent the
whole year for dollar or two, it re-
quires calculating machine to fix the
minimum OF prices paid for every right
word said in it.-B. G1uts Bro,Cn.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
The Darien Canal.

NJ. De Lessep's announcement that the
Darien canal will be much easier work
than the Suez, and that the total cost
ought not to exceed S50,OO0, 900, will
doubtless be gratifying to all who are
interested in the Aspinwall- Panama
route. Whether Vasco Nunez de Bal
boa, the first explorer who crossed the
Isthmus to the Pacific, did or did not
propose the canal scheme to Charles ",
it was undoubtedly familiar to the men
ofthat age, and might possibly have been
achieved by Cortez, but for the disas-
ferrous issue of his Honduras expedition.
Curiously enough, the proposed route is
almost identical with that followed 200
years ago by Morgan's buccaneers, who,
after unheard-of sufferings among the
swamps and thorn,jungles of the in
terror. reached Panama on the ninth
day, defeating the Spaniards, and dis
persing, with lighted torches, the wild
cattle driven against them by the latter.
They returned with vast booty. most
of which, however, was lost in their
subsequent shipwreck. Morgan was af-
terward knighted and made governor of
the West Indies by Charles H., his first
act being to hang all his old comrades as
apiratical thieves"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
Where q Flirt Missed 1t.

Forney's Progress describes an inter
esting scene in thcater. The f1irt for
once met her match. Seated in the Or
chestra q certain lady and gentleman; !;
the former much enamored Of the latter,
in fact, desirous of winning him. The
lady, however, has flirting tendencies,
and indulges them with handsome
party in the circle. The escort is not
unobservant of this little by-play, and
finally asks, smilingly, "Do you know
that gentleman with whom you are flirt-
ing?" An embarrassed negative is the
reply. "Then excuse me for moment" "
The escort Immediately crosses the
theater, and puts q similar question to
the other conspirator. "Sir, are you ac-
quainted with the lady at whom you
have been smiling this last half hour?"" "
mo" "Would you like to be?"
pleasantly. Very much surprised:
"Certainly." "Then come with me. "
A moment later the escort introduces
the not altogether comfortable pair.
Then the mild expression leaves the in
suited gentleman's face, and lie says
sternly: "Now. sir, you may accom-
pany this lady home" With a bow he
takes his leave, and the woman who
loves him never hears his voice again.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
His Idea Of Business.

Jimmie Harvey, aged two years and a
half, came into the Southern Police Sta
ton this morning with both thumbs
pressing against his eye-balls.
Don't cry" said Lieutenant Farnan.
and then everybody in the station echoed
the lieutenant's words and as each
"don't cry" fell from an earnest lip Jim
mie only beloved the louder.
What's your name, little one?" in.
quired the lieutenant.
Jimmie"
Jimmie what?"
Jimmie Harvey; an l lives on Front
street" ~,
Have you lost your way. Jimmie'"
"Ycs, sir"
How old are you?"
Dunno"
"Who'S your Eather?"
Dunno"
SIS he in husiness?"
Eyes, sir"
"What does he doo"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. me, was
the bubbling answer, which, tcginning
ftintly, ended in Il downright below.
Jimmie WAS placed on chair to await
the arrival of his father. when perhaps
some more business will he transacted.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
Pearls from Emerson.

What is weed?-A plant whose vir-
tues have not yet been discovered.
There is not property in nature but
a mind is born to seek and find it out.
War is the extension of a gun-barrel.
Cant is useful to provoke common
sense.
The flower of civilization is the fin
ished man; the man of sense, of accom-
plishment, of social power-the gentle
man.
Here lin the United States) is all man
kind in hi, s!,;rt-slncvcs.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
Who?
Who is the sweetest baby
That ever said "A-goo %

Who is the sweetest baby
That ever said "A-goo?"
Who is the dearest baby,
With eyes so soft and blue!
Who is the prettiest baby?
I think know. Do you?
Who has the softest golden
Little rings Of hair?
Who has the rosiest cheeks and
The smoothes. forehead fair?
Who has the sweetest kisses,
Enough OF them and to spare?
Who has the cunningest fingers,
And who the pinkest OF toes?
Who has a mouth like a rosebud,
And who the daintiest nose?
And who is as sweet altogether
AS the very sweetest rose?
Who has the prettiest dimples,
SET Dancing in chin and cheek?
And who is learning the dearest
OF all dear names to speaA?
/And whose blue eyes are learning
Mammals dear eyes to seek?
Ah! surely, there's only one answer
To the questions asked you here;
Only one true, glad answer,
Awaiting the mothers ear.
Who is the prince of babies!
Why, OF course, my baby dear!
Mary D. Brine, in the Independen
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30
. What it Means. |

Arrayed in snow-wkii pants and vest!
And other rainent tair to view, ult
I stood before my sweetheart Sye-aV; =
The charming creature 1love best INT
"Tell me, and does my costume suiti
asked that apple Of my eye, .n'ar
And then the charmer made reply
" Oh, yes, you do look awful cuteH
Although frequently had heard
My sweetheart vent her pleasure no,
must confess did not know g.!
The meaning OF that iav'rite word. sf,i
But presently at window side ~ ~ -
: We stood and watched the passing tfFong
And soon donkey passed along -:
With ears like sails extending wide. = -
And gazing at the dolefm brute r '''s'.
My sweetheart gavo merry cry
quote her Ian yuage with Sigh ''i'
=" Oh, Charley, amt he awful cute!" 9"
III ,7.>:,'. Eugene Field
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-30

The young lady strolls by the muir
murine s'%l, filled with romantic thoughts
an l. fanrirs, and returning to her hotel
nnds that seven large and three small
frrrk,,e; have sudG enly appeared on the
left side of her nose. and she is Mortified
hryOnd mrlsur"
Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1879-06-06
Ru0olpb 6ir3rl,
Oeut11er AbpDfat
uuo
Sffentlic6er Sfptar

rra!ii3irt in @1scrnabe. Sia9e unN 8rdnfIin
&uunty nnb im SbCrg'ri6ts brs StddtrS Nlii-
lruri.
glac anSertrautrn @si6afts prrbsn pinttli6
unb biQis beIprst.
Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1879-06-06
1le6cr Baltimore.

Sseer, tsr tas alte gaterlanb beiu6en cher
0ermanrte unb 8rspnte rem @urcra tpmmen
aiien nil, IrlIte bic prd6tpoqen neuen. eiieruen
S6rauten. Yribampfi6iHe eGs
Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1879-06-06

hermann Lesser
\. Brandenburger
II. c Kehr
John Allemann, jr-
Mary Fitzgerald
John Casey
? B Price
4. Stukenbroker
Scott Richardson
Ernst MeIlies
Mary Zessinger
Mrs. Hotter
Scott Richardson
Mic Fluetsch
Rudolph Poser
Louis Neese
Fred Brand
F. A. F. BOIL
John w. Willard
do
Thos J. Branson
Jacob Fell
Aug Wacker
George Eppler
Chas. Zell
W. WehmuelIcr
Wm. G. Bocing
B. A. Nichoff
Oswald Fluhr
Drs. Frymann Bros
Rudolph Hirzel
G. A. & O. T. Mertens
Aug Rick
R. II. HaSenritter
Jas, Halligan
Dan. Haid
Green Olden
Burrel Green
Levy Gibson
John Fisher
tdw. Brlnsdon
). W. Maushund
& A Mertens
b A Niehoff
Chr. Schlender
Dan Haefner
Frank Rebsamen
Otto Monnig
Conrad Schuch
J. s. Henderson
Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1879-06-06

Election services 81 ~ ~
Road Overseer services 90 w w
do 20 90 90
Pauper ~ ~ O0 00
o,.,,+ of ponnar 40 90
ID RI s,.o,.saors services lO3 60
A''''>' A. 1874 81
AZ 148 20
Do,. 10 90
i,I,+ of pounor % 90
:, H..o,,soo,s services So SO
''''''' Jo 357 IS
Co,,.tro ~ rood commissioner 70 OC
Road oversecrs services oO t ta
A. As OC
A. &C
o.,., o,-,onditures 10 OF
do w
11 n1.o,.soo,.s services 227 81
do 80 ~ ~
do l9Z w w
Expenditures for Pauper - U,
Road overscers services ~ ~ ~
Clerks fees 100 y, W
Expenditures for Pauper ~ w
Stationery U! ~
Medical attendance on prisoner l u
Prosecuting attorneys salery 10 "
Clothing for prisoner % o q q
Justice county court ~ " "
Attornev fees 800 o
Petit juror
Witness before grand jury
do
do U
Grand Juror .
do 0
do