davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
Borrowing Newspapers

There is large class of persons in
every community who make themselves
pests to their neighbors by the i'll habit
of borrowing. They borrow everything.
With grocery store on nearly every
corner and a green grocer's in nearly
every square, with emotion :" shops ac-
cessible everywhere. these chronic bor-
rowers are continually sending into
their neigbors on right and on left for q
" spoonful Of lard" "cup of four" a
little sugar." q little yeast" " a piece of
tape" 1"spool Of cotton" a No. 6
needle" and so on through a very long
and curious catalogue. These same
people, and many others beides, make its
regular practice of borrowing your
newspape generally with the polite but
meaningless qualification that they
would like to look at it for Il few min
utes, if you have done with it." Of
course they get it, whether you have
done with it or not. This practice causes
great inconvenience, and ought to be
abandoned, by all considerate persons.
As a rule the paper is wanted for some
specific object--to find out about trains,
to hear how so and so got hurt, all of
them sufficient reasons why everybody
who can afford it should take a paper for
himself. We do not speak of the injus-
tice of this system to the newspaper pub
fishers. who have to pay roundly Tor the
news which the purchaser of the paper
gets at a fair price, and for which the
borrower pays nothing at all. That be-
longs to the equities of the case, while
all that need be considered here is the
nconvenience-th nuisance. in fact-oi
one class of persons habitually borrow.
ing and getting the use of articles fol
which another class pay the regular
prices, but of which the borrowers de-
prive them of the comfortable enjoy.
mpnt- Sun.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
A LenrnedP0Odle.

Once an expert in Paris, finding it was
impossible to convince people that he
was right and tie public were wrong,
taught poodle to determine what was
q true antique coin, and what was bogus.
A dealer would bring coins for sale.
Their false character would be stated at
once, but when the sellers were disputa-
tive the expert would say, My poodle
can tell you without the least trouble
which coin or coins are false" The
poodle would be introduced. The
money would be placed on the table,
the good with the bad, and after nosing
them for an instant, the dog would
knock off the table with his paw all the
bad pieces. Of course this trait of canine
sagacity was convincing. The mans
knowledge was but secondary with that
of the dog. and the party with the false
coins would 90 away perfectly satisfied.
The fame Of the dog extended over
many countries. There was even tho
possibility that the poodle would be
elected an honorary member of several
learned societies. People would come
with coins, asking for the expert. and
when he was absent would say: "Well,
if the master is out, pray let the dog
look at them. Wewill be quite satisfied
with his Judgment" The Trick was
quite simple. The numismatist took
care to handle the bad coins and not to
touch the authentic pieces. The dogs
fine sense of smell at once distinguished
the pieces his masters fingers touched,
and he unhesitatingly separated the bad
coins from the good ones.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
Easy Goes What Easy Comes.

A New York correspondent writes:
Enormous fortunes have been made
in New York during the last few months
in the stock market. There are reports
of one gentleman who has cleared $780,
600 by his speculations, and another who
pocketed cool Sl50,0oo of a judge who
has made 100000, and of many others
who have been extremely fortunate in
their operations. But it is not in stocks
alone that money has been rapidly made.
Almost every variety of property has
gone up in value, so that everybody
feels richer than he was before, and con-
sequently happier. But it is asad fact
that as wealth has been gained, so has
extravaganza increased, and in ratio
out of all proportion in most cases to
the money made. Young New York
brokers, who a year ago had hard work
to meet the honest demands of land
ladies, fshoemakers, tailors, washer
women and the like, now indulge in the
most profuse expenditures. They live
in luxurious apartments, dress in Eng
lish clothes, dine on the best in the land,
drink the most costly wines and smoke
the most expensive cigars. Quite q
number of new equipages, dog-carts, T
carts and coupes have been started on
the strength of successful downtown
speculations. Some are based on stocks,
some on grain. some on pig tin, some on
lead, some on real estate, etc., but they
all represent the general advance in
values. New houses and apartments
are being expensively furnished. Fash,
ionable tailors, dressmakers and
milliners never were so busy. One
Fifth avenue tailor boasts of having
made l19 dress suits for the regular
clientele since the opening of the season.
1t is a notable fact that in all matters
pertaining to dress, both men and
women, among the. Well-to-do and mod
erately well-to.do classes, now choose
the most expensive articles. Economy
is no longer the order of the da'e
One OF these days the reaction will come,
and then the lesson which the people
ought to have learned by heart during
the panic will have to be taught them
again. It is remarkable how little
sense the best of us have just as SOON as
we grow rich.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
Peculiar Russian Justice.

In the government of Volhynia, suw-
hia, Justice appears to be administered
after peculiar fashion. The wife or a
well-to-do peasant addressed herself to
the court of the district with a GO m
plaint against her husband. chaging
him with beating ano torturing her, and
with keeping her in the cold without
food until she had nearly died of star
vation. He had bound her stark naked
10 post in the street and requested the
passers-by to strike her, which he did
himself each time they refused to do so (.
The brute had even fastened her down
to the ground, and in such 4 position
had heaped stones and heavy weights
upon her body until one OF her arms
had been broken. When the wife's ac-
cusation was brought before the tribu-
nal the man took fright and did not ap-
pear to answer the charge; but neither
his absence nor contempt Of court pre-
vented the learned judges from coming
to an immediate decision. The wife
beatcr was found mot guilty." on the
plea that husband has the perfect
right to beat his wife if he so chooses,
and it cannot be permitted to a wife to
ignore the authority of her husband.
On the following day the husband, en-
boldened throug b the generous acqult-
tai by his peers, turned the tables on
his better half by bringing q counter
complaint against her before the same
court, which promptly declared against
the unfortunate woman, and by its salu.
tary judgment she was actually flosged
publicly there and then Oh the SPOT in
the most shameful manner.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
A Disaster that Might Have Happened

A Washington Sunday newspaper
publishes the following: In order to
lend especial brilliancy to the scene in
the rotunda ofthe capital when the ball
of the Society of the Army Of the Cum
berland was given, every gas jet in and
around the immense space was put into
requisition. Something like one thou
sand, therefore. were lighted that had
not been used during the preceding
eleven years. All ut once, about eleven
o'clock, while the gayety was at its
height, all tho gas in the upper lofts Of
the rotunda went out instantly. There
was considerable commotion among
the guests, while the officials OF the
building rushed around to repair the
accident. 1t was supposed that the
1900 jets in use, which had so myster-
iously ceased burning, might be pour
ing out a great volume of gas, which
might at any time explode. At this
critical juncture the Capitol electrician,
Mr.. Rogers, quickly mounted to the
top of the interior and turned off the
stop-cock of every burner. almost mi
raculously, however, valve in the
supply pipe had acted automatically,
not only thus shutting off the flow of
gas, but holding it back also. Had not
this been the case, and if Mr.. Rogers
had not been at hand, there would have
been an explosion that night which
would have brought down the entire
dome of the capital in huge fragments
upon the heads of the assembled hun
dreds, among whom were the president
and cabinet officers. Persons whosat.
tended the ball had no knowledge atal
the gas supply failed at any time.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
A Burmese Lady Gambler.

The Burmese OF all classes (says an
old resident in Burmah) are great gam
blers, and at certain season of tile year
it is permitted by all. A father does not
attempt to keep his son from gambling
debts. Nevertheless, here, as in every
other society where gambling is prac-
ticed, it is the prolific cause of immor-
atty and crime. One peculiar case was
once brought before me judicially. AS
intimated above, both sexes are accus-
toned to gamble and many stake their
bets as the boats come up to the wharf
to show themselves off before going to
the starting post. In this way pretty
girl of eighteen or so, of very respectable
family, bet five rupees on the first race
with a young man, neighbor who met
and joined her party at her stand.
Losing this bet, and having no more
money with her, she hacked her gold ring
against the five rupees doubled on the
third race she bet her gold necklace
against her former losses; and as for
tune still crossed her, she next offered
10 lay her bracelets against her ring and
necklace, which was accepted. Strange
to say the bracelets were also lost, and
all her ornaments were at once handed
over to the winner. The girl was now
driven to despair. for the jewelry be-
longed to her mother, who, when pro-
voked, was wont to punish her Sc
verely. The young man seeing his ad-
vantage, and having been for some time
silent suitor for her hand, offered to
lay the whole of his winnings against
her promise thati in the event of her los
ing she would become his wife. For a
moment she started in anger at the
whispered proposal. But then those
beautiful bracelets. that necklace that
her young friends all so envied, her
mothers rage when she returned home
Surely she could not lose a fifth time
But the girl did lose; and having not
the slightest intention OF taking up he1
lou" ON the following day she re-
paired to me. Her mother and elder
sister came with her up to my house in
the greatest grief, exclaimiDg, "Ch
save-save US from this disgrace!" Their
the above account was given me in tears
and sorrow, and the girl added, "Ht
now demands the fnlfillment Of the
promise! Oh, save mel" I sent for thf
young man; of course held the promise
null and void, and earnestly lecturet
them on the folly of gambling, and thu
misery it usually produces.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
Philosophy not Pistols.
tbs sweet to love,
But an, how bitter,
To love q girl

And then not glt hcr.
An evidence of the above, says a Phila-
delphia paper, think of young Mr.. NJ,
of this city, who has loved to despera-
tion all summer pretty Chestnut street
girl; think of the many lines of love-
burdened lore he poured into her willing
ear; think of the theater tickets he has
investediin; think of the buggy rides, the
flowers, the photographs, the ice cream
treats, the rings, the lockets, ETC.. ad IN
fnit1n,, that have been hers at his cost !!
and then mediate upon his disappoint-
ment when. few days since, the fair
c. eature informed him in q sublimely
innocent manner that her wedding
would take place with Mr.. S., of Kala-
mozoo. Did young Mr.. M. drown him
self? Did he snap a pistol at his lacer-
ated heart? Did lhe take laudanum, ar
senic, or lock himselfup with charcoal
furnace? No! but he acted like phil
osopher. He referred to his diary. He
procured two sheets Of commercial
paper. He made out an itemized ac-
count of the money he had spent upon
the "gal who flung him." and sent it to
the old man. The young lady pronounced
it all 80. X" and yourg Mr.. NJ. re-
ceived check for the amount (S60.32)
upon a prominent bank. upon which he
obtained the money, and is now bitterly
happy.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
A Conductors Fortune.

Our Hartford Sunday correspondent
tells anew in this interesting way the
story of the 81, 900 good fortune OF Con
ductor Mckinney Of the Southern rail-
road: Two of the conductors OF TINS
road have recently closed their connec-
tion with it, one Of them after about
thirty wears of service. These men-con
ductors-meet all sorts OF people. It IS
some time since the story ofonc OF Con-
ductor McKinney's adventures on TINS
road has been rctold. MANY years
AGO, - one night while he was taking up
fires. q man without q ticket offered
him a large bill, and. he, as conductors
are apt to do, took it along, saying nc
would w soon return with the change.
The purpose OF these delays is to make
quiet study of tho bill in the baggage
car and see if it is all right. When
he reached the baggage. car WIN
the bill, Mr.. Mckinney found whSI
he had taken to he 800 was a Dill
for 81 900. He returned to the passenger
and found he had shifted his seat. Tell
ing him there was mistake. that the
bill was for $1,000. he was amazed 10
have, the fellow repudiate the whole az,
rangcment. He knew nothing OF It. ana
insisted, and was supported by q f1ena's
testimony, that lie had ticket and that
it had been taken up. Finslly Mr.. NC
Kinney went off with the bill, which
the next day he turned into the company
with his explanation. 1t was deposited
here in the Phenix bank. rs spcriaiI
deposit, and drew interest ior, several
wears, was never claimed, and hnnIty
was given to the conductor y the COM
pany. The only explanation was that
some hank burglars were on the tram;
that one of them carelessly took out the
wrong bi !. and that they decided 1t was
better to lose the $1,000 than to i1Sk
being arrested. Probably they thought
he knew of the burglary. One story
had it that this was a bill Of the COM
pany's. and that the operation was the
trick Of "spotter " to catch this con,
ductor stealing, but : company mahagca
Us this was in those days, would not 80
scattering 81, 600 bills around even Tor
the sake OF tempting an honest man to
he q thief.-Springfeld (Masss) Repnb
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
Ponnpeii.

Though the victims of the great erup-
ton of Vesuvius in AID. ~ lived so long
ago they were our fellow-creaturcs. and
it is impossible to recall their fate
especially, one might think, to recall it
on the spot-withOuta a feeling of horror.
Sir William Gill estimated the mum ber
of people who perished at 1900; but
during recent excavations so many
bodies have been found that it seems to
have been far greater; and when we
consider that, closely rs the inhabitants
were packed, Pompeii was still but a
little place, the proportions Of deaths
appears large 1t is of course. satisfac-
tory to the antiquary to reflect that the
misfortunes of Pompeii have been 4
great gain to modern knowledge. The
manners of the ancient Romans are better
known to us by what has been discovered
here under the ashes then by all the
pictures or statutes or writings existing
elsewhere. The town had been very re-
Gently rebuilt, and the remains are
chiefly of one period; her decorations
are remarkable for their rarity as well
as tor their freshness. In fact, the state
of pictorial art in the first century would
be almost unknown to us but for the
frescoes from the house Of the tragic
poet, and the beautiful wall-palnuings
now in the Naples .-Saturd7y
Night.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
Turning Gray.

Lite's sands are running fast away;
The buoyant step OF youth is gone;
The falling hair is turning gray;
And time seems now to hurry on
More heetly than in days OF yore-
Before the heart became its prey
Before twas saddened to the core
Before the hair was quite so gray.
Yes, turning gray! Age comes like snow,
AS still, and carves each careworn line;
It's wrinkles on the brow will grow;
The hair with silver streaks will shine;
The eyes their brightness lose; the hand
Grow dry and tremulous and thin
For lite, alas! is quickly spanned,
And death its gates soon closes in.
All, turning gray! We tain would hide
The sign how long with time we've been
Those deepened wrinkles, side by side,
Cut by the sorrows we lave seen;
So feeblel beats the heart as years
+ More quickly cluster on our head;
And autumn rain-drops hang like tears
On some tair flower that's nearly dead
Like perished petals from the flower,
Z" Our hopes and widest Joys are laid
Burn only for day or hour
Sweet gambols by the fancy played.
As age comes on we long for rest
'i AS saints near shrines will long to prays
But still we love that time the best
Before the hair is turning gray.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
The Diseases of Wild Animals.

While first surgeon Of the Thirty frs
regiment Of the line, then stationed a
Afabera, in Algeria, I dissected the
carcasses of about fifty lions. The lungs
of twenty of them was affected one
half of them were almost gone, showing
that consumption is prevalent among
the lions of the Sahara and the Sahel.
At the Jardin des Plantes, in Paris,
seven lions have died since 1859. All of
them ere born there. I dissected them,
and found that their lungs were entirely
healthy. To what was the difference
due? They received their food regularly,
and were carefully protected from in
clement weather, while the lions in
Africa had to 90 without food for days,
had to inhale the sandy air of the desert,
and were frequently drenched by terri
BILE rains.
There is at the Jardin des Plantes, a
wolf ffom the Ardennes. He was caught
when about six years old. He was suf-
fering from.a cough, and at one time we
thought he was dying. He hawked and
spat. and was always sullen and morose.
Often lie abstained from food for several
days. At last we chloroformed him,
and examined his throat. He was found
to be suffering from nasal catarrh in its
most aggravated form. Under proper
medical treatment he recovered rapidly.
Nine wolves born at the Jardin never
showed the slightest sign Of disease.
NJ. Jacquemart, the famous Indian
hunter. often told me that he had seen
tigers splitting blood, which exhausted
them so that they could be approached
within few feet with impunity.
All monkeys are very delicate ami
mails. They are not gluttonous, and
having so much exercise, they arc rarely
afflicted with diseases of the bowels.
But they have weak lungs, and the rea-
son why so many of the most interesting
among them die when brought to
Europe, is the too sudden change Of air,
diet, and water. There is no more in
telligent monkey than the chimpanzee,
n truly wonderful animal. While in
Berlin, dined at the Geological Gardens
by the side of pet chimpanzee. He
partook of every dish like Il human be-
ing, put sugar into his teacup, stirred
it with spoon, and drank the beverage
with evident relish. But lis eyes
looked supernaturally bright. ! felt
his pulse. 1t was 1885,. He will not
live long," said to his keeper.
"Why nvt?" he asked, with SORROW
full mein.
"He is a consumptive," I replied.
Indeed! He often coughs"
The chimpanzee died n month later
His left lung was entirely gone.-Pof.
Jean, in Popular Science Monthly.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-17
pulls in with little rake the bank note
which he adds tn q pile Of bills under

pulls in with little rake the bank note
which he adds t., a pile of bills under
his elbow, leaving the newly won roll
of 1000 francs in gold on red again, and
tossing ten francs in silver to the bank
as the rules require on the gain of
thousand. The lady of the three napo-
loens looks sad, and her mouth quivers
as they are raked in by the bank. It
her right, why did she playP" I've seen
Christian men and women, who went
"only to look on" come away without
a cent.
Suicides are not very frequent, as the
losers, thanks to precautions taken, be-
long generally to classes that can afford
to lose. In cases of suicide the journals
of the department register the fact very
briefly, in a line or two. Probably as
each journal receives 300 or 40U francs
for the short advertisement to players,
it includes a tacit agreement not 10 in
quire to deeply into tragic events. These
journals do not demand the suppression
of a casino which brings thousands OF
rich visitors to the shores OF the Medi-
terranean. During the month of Febru-
ary, 1879, $1,000 visitors came to Mo-
naco.
At Nice, gentleman and lady were
pointed out to me who had lost, it was
said, 100000 francs made by fifteen
years. toll in India. They seemed sad
enough. The lady was resplendent in
silk, but her partner seemed desirous
of making economies in his linen, and
perhaps :" making it up in that way"
The bank, am told, handed him back
I,500 for travelling expenses to England.
The bank at Monaco is not likely to
break in spite of dreamers. Temporarily
it is occasionally. forced to stop, as a
couple of years ago when an Englishman
won in one evening $4,000 francs. I
think, however, that the banks capital
is more secure than that of many Amel i
can stock companies; also that the
players have perhaps as much chance
winning as stockholders of said compa-
nies. A croupier at Hamburg, in amo-
ment of confidence, told me that in
the end the bank must win" The eld-
est daughter of Mr.. Blanc, the deceased
director, married. a year or so ago, the
Polish Prince Radetsky. and the young
est, the journals here inform US, is en-
gagged to Prince Henride Bourbon (Sicil-
ian branch, having dot of fifteen mil
lion francs. Mr.. Blanc, the famous di-
rector, died short time ago, and was
loved and esteemed in the
principality, thousands attending his
funeral.