davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12
EDISON AND THE BAEIEs.

Mr.. Edison, the inventor of the phono-
graph, promises to have such claim to be
regarded as o public benefactor as has been
presented by few men since the creation of
the world. For centuries the world has
longed, but longed in vain, for two or three
things; for some certain cure for balduess,
for an umbrella that would find its way
back home when it is lost, and for device
by which baby could put himself to sleep.
Human ingenuity has done much for the
baby; he has had soothing syrups con-
coctsd for him; he has had self-rockinS
cradles constructed for him. and the
greatest musical composers have written
lullabies for him; but still he refuses to go
to sleep in reputable and Christian man
ner. Edison now proposes to vanquish the
triumphant and indomitable baby. He is
building cradle which is SO arranged that
when the baby cries the sound will be re-
ceived by a telephone The vibrating
waves will set in motion lever which will
rock the cradle. When the baby stops cry
ing the cradle remains at rest when the
baby lifts up his voice the movement Of
the rocking begins and the louder the baby
cries the moro furiously the cradle rocks
The theory is that the child will cry him
self to sleep, and thus seems most reason
able and probable. But there will be ex-
ceptions. of course. There are strong.
lunged babies which in moments of intense
excitement will be likely to infuse into
Edisons cradle such vehemenoe that they
will turn cc- ~ -.,. -.a~.-'t-
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12
..see here, Amelia" exclaimed Uncle

''See here, Amelia" exclaimed Uncle
Joshua, bursting in like a thunderstorm,
''your fool Of o husband says you've fell in
love with come one, and tina. you wrote
him letter saying you'd meet him at tep
o'clock tonight and run away with him,
aud he says he's seen this letter. Now 1
don't believe word of it. but I'd like to
have you explain, if YOU can"
"I never wrote any such thing" de-
clared Mrs. Jones, Indignantly.
"You did!" exclaimed Jones. "Ifs no
use for you to lie about it, Amelia. You've
broke my heart, and you did write that
letter. / found it on your desk, and here
it is. It begins, Dear Edward"
'Oh, know all about it now!" cried
Mrs Jones, beginning to laugh. "Oh
dear me! You see, Laura Wade and
agreed to write o story, and had got mine
half done, and went over to read it to her
this afternoon, and when l got there /
found that I'd lost q page of it. I must
have left it on my desk. 1t was about
woman who was going to elope-my story
was-and she wrote that she would go with
her lover, and then, when she thought it
all over, concluded to stay Mt home and do
her duty. The page that was missing was
the one that had the letter on it that she
wrote to her lover. You found it, and
thought I was going to run away! Oh
dear me I never heard of anything SO
funnyl Oh dear mel" and Mrs Jones
laughed until the tears ron down her
cheeks.
II can't see anything very funny about
it" said Mr.. Jones, feeling rather sheepish.
"How was to know that you were writ
ing stories You've no business to spend
your time in that way"
'lhats so," ,growled Uncle Joshua,
whose stomach began to feel sore and
bruised you're fool for writing stories,
and Jones is . fool any Yay."
Which was poor consolation for Jones.
The story of the whole affair Leaked out,
and he will never hear the last of Mrs.
Jones elopement.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12
CHINESE sUPERsTITIONs.

Il may be said of the Chinese that, from
the cradle to the grave, from the highest
to the lowest, the life of each is an endless
chain of superstitious observance of idol
and mith worship, and of perpetual effort
to ward off the malign influence of evil
spirits. The following are few samples
of the charms used for this purpose
As o general rule anything red is service
able in this way. To mark the "stops" in
O book with red ink will keep away evil
spirits from the reader; So also, will pieces
of red rags or strings. AS those wicked
spirits very often mutilate helpless little
boys unless duly armed against them,
parents stitch piece of red cloth in the
pockets Of the little fellows and braid the
cue with piece of red silk to prevent
fiends from cutting it off. Yellow paper is
also very eficacious. Slips of this paper,
six to twelve inches long, inscribed with
red or black ink. are suspended on bed
curtains or it is burnt and the ashes min
gled with tea or hot water and drank as o
specific against evil influences. Ancient
coins are very good also. They are tied
to the wrists of newborn babes, and put
under the bed of the newly married The
small point of On iron plough will do
if the coin is Lot convenient, for iron of
anS kind is potent against spirits. A knife
that has been used in killing person is
veHy excellent Iron nails that have been
ussd in sealing coffin ore not amiss if
carried in the pocket or braided into the
cut; or they may be beaten into ring and
wa n in that shape until boy is sixteen
years old.
Yet, excellent as are these remedies
they are used only by the defensive; but,
as the fiend may feel more or less embold-
ened by mere defensive tactics alone, an
aggressive policy is often adopted, espe-
cially in the case of a man lying sick in bed.
For this purpose hempen whip is made
In the shape of snake, with which the
bed and bedstead are well whipped and the
lurking spirits made to take hasty exit.
Evil spirits are much addicted to the mali.
cious practice of injuring houses in course
of erection. To put stop to their pranks,
piece of red or yellow paper, duly in
scribed with the proper formula, is tied to
the ridge-pole OF small bag of red silk or
cotton is used instead, containing five kinds
of grain in honor of five succ essive en-
perors, or five iron nails of different lengths
Another very excellent safe guard against
evil spirits is picture of flying tiger, the
spirits being much afraid of that ferocious
feline. A lion grasping naked sword is
good; but two lions coming down hill
the sun and moon between them, are much
better A cat made of lime and burnt clay,
and looking at something at distance, is
eficacious; or three paper arrows, or pa
per boy in the attitude of shooting an ar
row, or an earthern lion, any of these is
also good. .--Sm Francisco CiyonicLe
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12

TRICH
is, exp
( the ci
ely ND
G or u
au streJ
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12
Tho Words OF Strength.

Thore are three lessons would writoA
Three words as with burning pen,
IN tractngs OF eternal light,
Upon the hearts OF men.
Have Hope. Though clouds environ no7s
And gladness hides her face In scorn,
Put thou the shadow from tiny brow
No night but hath Its morn.
Have Faith. where'er thy bark Is drivnr--
The caIms deport, the tempcst's mlrih--
Know this-God rates the hosts OF Heaven,
The Inhabitants OF earth.
Have Love. Not love alone for ono,
But man as man, thy brother call,
And scatter like tho clrcilng sun
Thy charities on all.
Thus grave these lessons on thy soul
Hope. Faith and Love-and thou shalt fIutl
strength when life's surses rudest roll,
Light when thou else were blind.
SssilIcr.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12

Doctors do not flourish in Serbia. Up
to very recent date their place was sup
piled by the "wise women" called ''babas. I"
These 'babas'' profess to have an intuitive
knowledge of medicinal plants but that in
telligent being, the Serbian peasant, placed
much less trust in thoir medical man than
in their magical skill. Their performance
in this line was remarkable, and their rus
tic patients had every faith in it. The most
commonly fatal diseases in Serbia are con-
sumption and congestion of the lungs.
The staple remedy for the latter ailment is
to administer to the patient three apples
grown on the same bough. If, after eat
ing these apples, which are supposed to
have some mysterious connection with the
Trinity, the patient feels no better, then.
but not till then, the wise woman adopts
more vigorous measures. The unfortunate
malade is laid on the ground on his
stomach; the wise woman scatters salt over
him. and marches around him mumbling
cabalistic words. This seems to be q kind
Of exorcism, and would indicate a belief
that the illness is caused by witchtraft or
deinoniacal possession.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12

OIJSE,
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April
UCCEd
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Thursti|
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Iter. " |
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12
List

LIS
diseas|
Fever, |
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The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-12

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Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14
s LOCAL DIRECTORY.

Masonic Staunton Lodge No. 13.-J Howard
Wayt, Master; James Ker, Secretary. Meet at their
lodge in Masonic Building the second and last Fri
day nights in each month.
Union Royal Arch Chapter-W, Il. ii. Lynn, High
Priest; James Ker, Secretary. Meets in Masonic
Hall'the second Tuesday nightin each month.
Stevenson Commandery-W. H. H. Lynn Com
mander; James F. Patterson, Recorder. Meets IL
Masonic Hall the fourth Monday in each month.
Knights of Honor.-T C. Morton, Past Dictator
W. W. Gibbs, Dictator; F. Fl. Link, Reporter Meets
every Monday night in Charity Temperance Hail.
Odd Fellows-Staunton Lodge No. 45.--John e.
Smith, Noble Grand; @. s. Crowder, Secretay Meets
every Thursday night in Odd Fellows Hall.
Central Encampment No 4-W. M. Simpson
Chief Patriarch james w. Blackburn, Scribe Meet
second and fourth Tuesday In each month in Ode
Fellows Hall.
Hay Makers.-W. H. H.Lynn Grand Sultan; A
A. Eskridge, Secretary Meets every Friday nigt
in Firemans Hall
Temperance Soceties-West Augusta Lodg9-A
s. HYDE W. G. T.; G. D. Hyde, W. "a. S., Meet:
every Saturday night in. Bruce's building.
Mizpah Lodge.-Wm. j. McCawley, Worthy Chief
John W. Bryan, Secretary. Meets every Thurs
day night in Charity Hall over Wa IT'S drug store.
Sons of Jonadab-Wm. B. Hyde, Worthy Chief
John M Henkle, Secretary. Meets every Tuesday
night in Charity Hall Sons of Temperance.
Sons of Temperance-G. &. Bunch Worthy Patri
arch; VIM. Fuller Worthy Secretary.
Juvenile Templars.-J. W. Newton, Supernten-
dent; J. Herbert Stiff, Secretary $50 members-nt
regular meetings,
Fire Department Fire Company
Michael Cox, Captain; Thos. j. Crowder, Secretary
Meets fourth Tuesday in every m onth at Firemen.
Hall
Tod n
Quarles, Captain; Sandy Wilson, Secretary. Meets
on first Wednesday in each month at their headquar
tiers in the Sullivan building.
Capt. J. II. Waters Chief Engineer of Fire De
partment.
Military.-West Augusta Guard-Wm. L. Bum
gardner, Captain; Lewis M. Bumgardner, Secretary
Meets in their armory in the Wayt building every
Monday night. Regular meetings first Monday il
each month.
Stanton Artillery-A. II. Fultz, Captain; N. M
Warner Secretary. Meets at their armory near the
C. g. o. Depot every Tuesday night Regular meeti
ngs second Tuesday in each month.
Stonewal Brigade Band.-Prof A. J. Turner, Con
ductor; E. M. Cushing, President; W. H. Barkman
Secretary. Meets Tuesday and Friday.nights every
week.
Religious-Young Mems Christian Association
FL M McIlhany, President; j. E. Guy Secretary
Meets at their rooms in City Hall for all devotiona
exercises every Sunday evening at 3A P. NJ. Direc
tory meetings at the call of the President. Library
open every evening from to P. M.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

ORIGIN OF WoRDs.-The word ''pamph-
LETT is derived from the name Of Greek
authoress, Pamphyla, who compiled d
history of the world into thirty-6ve little
books. ''Punch and Judy" IS con-
traction from Pontius and Judas. It is a
relic of an old miracle play" in which
the actors were Pontius PLATE and Judas
Iscariot. ''Bigot'' is from Visigotha. in
which the fierce and intolerant Arianism
OF the Visigoth conqueror of Spain has
been handed down to infamy. Hum
bug' is from Hamburg; "a piece of Ham
burg news" was Ill Germany a proverbial
expression for false political rumors
"Gauze'' derives it's name from GAIA,
where 1t was first named. ''Tabby cat'' is
all unconscious that her name is derived
from Atab, a famous street in kagdad, in
hablted by the manufacturers OF silken
s.uffs, called ataby or taffety, The wavy
markings of the watered silks resembling
pussy's coat. "Old Scratch" is the demon
Skratti, who still survives in the super
stitions of Northern Europe. ''Qld Nlck''
is none other than Nlkr, the dangerous
water demon OF Scandinavian legend. The
lemon takes its name from the city OF
Lima.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

BOYS ON THEIR HoNoR.-There is
something significant about the fact men
toned by the Superintendent of the
House of Refuge, that some of the boys
who abseonded from the House of Refuge
on Sunday made no attempt to run away
when taken out con their honor" and
necessarily given more than usual oppor-
tunities to escape, The boys have been
frequently taken to the great exhibition
building, aud allowed reasonable freedom,
ON their simple pledge to take no advan-
tage of the chance to run away, and we
believe no boy has yet violated pledge
thus given. The existence Of this pc
culiar kind of honor In such marked de-
eree was scarcely to have been expected
from the class of boys sent to thu House of
Refuge, but the kindly, generous, but firm
discipline maintained there has apparently
laid this much of foundation for better
character. Philadelphia Newss
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14
Hetty NJ arvln.

When the British and Tories attacked
New London, Connecticut. in 1776, and
set price OF the head CT Governor Girls
void, the latter fled to the town of Il,
where his cousin, Mrs. Marvin, hid him
for some days in secluded farm house.
But at length the subtle foe discovered his
retreat, and one afternoon i'll May he was
routed from his hiding place by the tidings
that band of horsemen were approaching
to capture him. His only chance OF escape
| was to reach the mouth of little creek
which emptied itself into the Connecti-
cut river, just above the entrace of the lat
ter into Long Island Sound.
There he had boat stationed, with two
faithful attendants, hidden beneath the
| high banks of the creek. The distance
from the farm house to the boat was two
miles, by the usual travelled road. But a
| little path across the farmers orchard
| would bring him to the boat aid save a
quarters length of his fearful run for life
Just where the path from the orchard
opened into the road, Hetty sat with her
dog Towser tending the bleaching of her
household linen. The long web Of forty
yards or more which was diligently spun
and woven during the long winter months
| was whitened in May and thus made ready
for use. The business of bleaching was
| well economical, being usually done by
the youngest daughters of the family, who
were not old enough to spin or strong
enough for the heavier work of the kitchen
or the dairy.
The roll of linen was taken by the far
mer or his "stout'' help to grassy plat
| beside spring or meadow brook; there
it was thoroughly wetted and spread upon
the green turf, to take the best heat of the
sun by days and dews by night. The little
maid who attended it would sit near.
Thus sat Hetty Marvin, the young
| daughter of Gov. Griswold's cousin, when
her hunted friend sprang past her into the
road. to escape his pursuers.-Hetty was
timid child, but wise beyond any of her
elders. She was frightened by the head
long race with which the Governor rushed
across the meadow. But she quickly COM
pretended the scene and instantly quoted
her faithful ToWser, who, though friend
to the family guest, thought it becoming
to bark loudly at his hurried steps. Her
wise forethought arrested the Governors
notice, and suggested scheme to elude
his pursuers.
'Hetty," he said earnestly, II am flying
for my iifes and unless [ can reach my
boat before T ara oyertaken / am lost
man. You see the road forks here, but
you must tell those who ore chasing me
that have gone up the road to catch the
mail wagon, which will soon be along. you
know. Then they will turn off the other
| way"
| "Oh. COUSIN" said the little girl, III
agony of distress, II can't tell lie--in-
deed can't. why did you tell nae which
way you were geingg"
"Hetty, dear child, surely you would got
betray me to my deathY Harkl they are
comingl hear the click of their horses
feet. Oh. Hetty, tell them have gone up
the road instead Of down, and heaven will
bless you.'5 @'''
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

The VALUE OF a SLIGHT INCIDENT.
"A story Is told OF a merchant in New
Milford which illustrates the Importance
OF seemingly chance incidents. AS he was
about to step into his Carriage in front
of a store, his horse raised foot with the
evident intention Of planting it firmly in a
puddle underneath. The gentleman. hay
ing on good suit Of clothes and not car
ing TO soil them, dashed into the nearest
door, which happened to lead into an in
insurance agents office Thu agent said +;
y suppose yoq have como to renew the
insurance on your store, which expires
to-day" IL had forgotten it, said the
merchant, land should like you to attend
to it," He then drove off and took the
train for Bridgeport. On returning the
next day. he isarnad shat his store had
burned down in the oonf,agration which
swept one side Of the street.-Hartord
tConn.) Coarant.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

lNFLU EN- e CT NHWSPAPERS.-A
school teacher who had been long time
engaged in his profession, and witnessed
the influence of newspapers upon the
minds of family of children, writes as
follows:
I have found it to be universal fact,
without exception. that those scholars Of
both sexes and of all ages. who have access
to newspapers at home, when compared
with those who have not, are as follows:
/. Better readers, excellent in pronoun-
/ citation, and consequently read more and
Understandings.
2. They are better spoilers, and define
words with ease and accuracy.
8. They obtain practical knowledge of
geography in almost half the time it re-
quires of others as the papers have made
them acquainted with the location of the
important places, of nations, their govern
ment ard doings on the globe.
4. They are better grammarians for hav-
ing become so familiar with every variety
of style in the newspapers, from the COM
mon place advertisement to the finished
and classical orations OF the statesmen;
they more readily comprehend the mean
ing of the text, and constantly analyse it's
construction with accuracy.
5. They write a better composition, u.s.
ing better Language, containing more
thought more clearly and correctly ex-
pressed.
6, Those young men who have for years
ing the lead in debating societies, exhibit
ing more extensive knowledge npon a
greater variety of subjects, and expressing
their views with greater fiuency, clearness
and correctness,
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14
Peter Cartwright.

Among the most notable Of the Ameri-
can pioneer preachers was Peter Cart
wright, who was korn in Amherst county.
Va. in 1855, and died at Pleasant Plains,
Ill.,. In 1872 When he was a child his pa
rents removed to Kentucky. where, about
mentality Of an itinerant preacher, and
Joined the Methodist Episcopal church
He was ordained as Deacon in 1866. and
as Elder in 1905 In 1872 he was appointed
Presidigg Elder ard acted in that capaci-
ty sixty years; the last forty-five in the
illinois Conference. During his ministry
he received more than 10000 members in
the church, baptised more than 1900
persons, and for thirty-three years preach
ed, on an average, four sermons week.
His Fifty Years Presiding Elder" and
his Autobiography" edited by Rev. W
F. Stricklond, D. D., are perfect store
house Of characteristic anecdotes and rem
iniscences. Among these we find the
following:
One day, on approaching ferry across
the river Illinois, he heard the ferryman
swearing terribly at the sermons Of Peter
Cartwright, and threatening that il he
ever had to ferry the preacher across, and
he knew him, he would drown him in the
river. Peter, unrecognized, said to the
ferryman:
"stranger, I want you to put me
across"
"Wait till I'm ready" said the ferry
man, AID pursued his conversation and
structures en- Peter Cartwright. Having
finished, he turned to Peter and said:
'Now I'll put you across"
On reaching the middle of the stream,
in the boat, and told the ferryman to let
go his pole.
'sWhat for?' saked the ferryman.
"Well, you've jusC been using my name
improper-like; and you said if ever came
this way you would drown me. Now you've
got chance
us your name Peter Cartwright?' asked
the ferryman.
MY name is Peter Cartwright"
Instantly the ferryman laid hold of the
preacher; but he die not know Peters
strength, for Peter instantly seized the fer
ryman, and Holding him by the nape of
the neck, plunged him in the water, say
ing:
II baptize thee splash in the name of
Satan, whose child thou art.''
Then lifting him up, dripping, Peter
asked:
''Did you ever pray?"
mo-"
''Then it's time you did"
ssI'lI do no such thingI" answered the
ferryman.
Splash! splash and the ferryman was in
the depths again.
''Will you pray now?" asked Peter.
The gasping victim shouted: "I'll do
anything you bid mel"
''Then follow me-'Our Father, which
art in heaven y etc.
Having acted as clerk, repeating after
Peter, the ferryman cried:
''Now let me go!''
mot yet" said Peter. "Y GU must
make me three promises: 1st, that you will
repeat that prayer morning and evening,
as long asyou live: End, that god will hear
every pioneer preacher that comes within
five miles of this ferry; and. 3rd, that you
will put every Methodist preacher over
free of expense. Do you promise and
VOW?
strange to say, that very man became a
shining light in the church.
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14
q
Dottrp.
A Memory.

If he had come in the early dawn,
When the sunrise flushed the earth,
would have given him all my heart,
Whatever the heart was worth.
If he had come at the noontide hour
He would not have come too late;
would have given him patient faith,
For then had learned to wait.
If he had come in the after glow, .
In the peace OF the eventide,
Iwould have given him hands and brains,
And worked for him till died.
If he comes now the sun is set, M
And the light has died away,
will not give him broken life,
But will turn and say him MAY"
il. Court Journal
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

HAVE courage enough to review your
own conduct; to condemn it where you de-
tect faults; to amend it to the best of your
ability; to make good resolves for your fu-
tyre guidance, and to keep thew,
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

As every thread Of gold is valuable, SO is
svery minute of time; and as 1t would be
great folly to s'oe horses (as the Roman
Emperor Nero did) with gold, so it is to
spend time in triAes,
Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14

IT should cheer the steps Of the servant
of Jesus Christ as he jou rneys to know
that even in darkness his guide is still with
him, and that guide is the King of the
country through which he is travelling
John Foster