davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
Tho IIrniaen.

When we sailed down the river from
Iicntscn we had strange passenger on
board The tablc-boy of one of the Eng
llsh merchants had risen with the sell help
ful energy that CharaCtcriZcs the country,
until he became mandarin aud commau-
der of one of the Chinese gun boats station
cd In the river He, his two wives, and
four children had died within one week
about year before, and the gcomancers
having only now settled the lucky day, the
collins were placed on board for burial at
his native town, II thousand miles away
The quondam table-boys was the largest of
these structures, standing at least three feet
high, and by way of honor ii lay lust out
side the cabin door, and ON top there was,
in cage, pure white cock with mag
nificent comb, n grave and stately bird that
was to be killed at the grave. AS we
steamed slowly down, three minute guns
boomcd and strain of the most mOurnful
and wild music iloated into the night We
were passing the dead mans ship, and the
band played it's last adicus, for every
honor was paid, and IA powerful mandarin
was To accompany the body all tiie way
We saw little of him; perhaps his with
drawal was from rcscrvc-mainly, | fear,
from sea-sCkncss. But even when our
number was increased by another manda-
rim of equal rank, who came on board with
family Of seven, common nationality did
not draw them together. Although one
was an old gentleman of seventy, they spent
their days in their respective statc-rooms
(and, alas their nights nlso) fighting crick-
cts A supply of these insects travelled
with thcin, Trained as birds are trained for
cock fights; it is said that they have even
what resemble spurs. The little wooden
cages passed in every day, and as the
creatures raise II mOurnful chrp or war
whoop as they approach each other, cry
that grows shrillcras the combat progresses,
and is followed by quick, fierce notes OF
victory when one is slain, and as the men
OF Office protested that the noise lulcd them
TO sleep, we had the indcscrbablc aIl-pcr
vading smell Of opium by day aud the
neycr-ccasng cry Of the cricket by night.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
Omnibus Ibeggars.

trick of the London bcggar IL to ret
into an omnibus and tender the conductor
hall fare at the end of tnc journey. There
IL sure To bt n row, which attracts plenty
of attention, and the bcggar being detained
by the conductor, has an opportunity for
telling moving story. The result il That
he has his fare paid and receives contribu-
ton besides As often as not the bcggnr
in This instance, is "A plckpocket ar the friend
OF pickpockcts, and the scene is got up at
the end Of the ride either to attract atten-
ton from the light fingered doings that have
just taken place or to provide suitable Oc-
cason for the exercise of such doings. IL
is also favoritc beggar device for youth
and girl to go out into thorough fare at a
busy time. A suitable spot reached, there
IL a scufllc, the girl falls, and the lad runs
away at the top Of hs speed. She rises
hOwlng, gathers crowd and relates, i'm "A
voice much broken by sobs and tears that
the money had been brought IN half an hour
before by the mother rs her days earnings
and that she (thc girD had come out with il
To purchase food for her little brothers and
sisters who had not yet broken their fast;
and now-as she takes care to ask-what
in the world is she TO do? Here comes "A
passion of weeping, aud ere many minutes
go by the half CTown-that has never been
lost-is pretty sure TO he made up with in
tcrcst, This is trick that may be prac-
uced every half hour with DOmc slight change
OF locality. But it is necessary for the girl
to have acquaintanccs within reach, who
back her mp In case any inquisitivo or be
ncvolcnt individual should insist on accom-
panyng her home. Here, however, she
never has much 10 dread. Professional
beggars have trusiy acquaintance at hand
ln most quartCrs And even were it other
wise, there is a FrccmasOnry among the
body which enables all it's members to
recognize ono another at sight; and there is
an esprit dU cOTIJs among them too, which
incitcs them TO support one Of themselves,
although perfect stranger through thick
and thin, when called upon TO do so. 4
kindred trick is for the professional vagrant
to light candle some dirty evening and go
poking about gutter in search of say u
shilling. The coin is always described as
the last Of the scarchcr's store, and wanting
which he or she will have TO 20 without
food and lodging for the night. Another
effective dodge is for very fccblc-lo0k-
ing individual 20 crawl slowly along, in the
nclghborhOod Of one of the hospitals, co.
wards thc close Of the hours appointed for
NlHP'inlNH Il'tI'lNin lb bui NbDI IldiltlIht
and then, tripping up and falling heavily,
to break q bottle Of stuff on the pavement
Similarly children arc taught 10 excite
compassion by yelling over broken vessels
m The street and declaring at the same time
tnat they dare not now return home. as
step father aunt and stcp-mothcr, or some
relation popularity understood 10 be the in-
CarnatiOn Of all unkindncss 10 children,
would punish them terribly for the mishap.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
The valley ot Death.

In the Northeast corner of San Bcrnar-
dlno county, lying partly in myo county,
and 10y the newly surveyed line, partly
also IN the state OF Nevada, is n region
parMlelcd 10y few other spots ON the face of
the earth. We say the world Is instinct
with lille. Here, If the phrascology may
pe pardoncd, lS place instinct with death
huge basin, whose rim is the ancient hills
stricken with harrcuuCss OF eternal doSola.
ton, whose bosom the blasted waste of the
dcscrt-trccless, shrublcss, waterlcss. save
few bitter pools like the I've of potash
water; surrounded hy mountains that tower
thousands of feet above the sea level. itself
lying three thousand feet above the sea.
IL is very "GchCnna"-a place of death
and bones Birds do not tly over Il: ami.
mails do not enter IT; vegetation cannot ex-
lst IN IL. The broad sends absorb the heat
the bare mountains reflect IL, the cuncloudcd
sun daily adds TO IT, Ninety degrees i'm
the shade tartihcnl heat, there is no other)
means winter 30 and l4O degcees,
means summer. The hot air grows hotter:
waves trcmblc with heat, until nature,
gnaded with madness, can endure no longer.
aud then the burning blast rouscs itself
rouscs in It's might; rouscs as nm angry
blast, with hoarsc ominious roar; swcpt
mile after mile ON, ever ON, over the broad
reach of the desert, bearing in its black.
whirling bosom black as midnight dust
SAND, alkalt and death. Sometimes murky
clouds gather on the mountains above: then
there is n rush warning sigh of the winds
"A low rumbling IN the air, the hills uuiv-
or, the earth trcmbles, and "A torrent half
water half mud, bounds from the hills.
leaps into the desert, plowing chasms like
river beds in the loose sand The clouds
scatter, the sun comes again, the eternal
thirst is net qucnchcd. The raging river
was only dream. In the year iSiS a
party OF emigrants entered the basin. Day
after day they tuilcd ON, thirsting, dying.
The pitrlcss mountain walled thom in-uo
escape. One 10y one they dropped and died
few abandoned everything, scaled the
mountains and escaped. The others lie AS
they fell, dried to mummics birds even
dcvour their flesh; no beasts to prey upon
them. Wagon tires unrusted, gun barrels
bright, untarnishcd Such is the place.
Mile after mile silence reigns, silence and
death.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31

breast with one arm, Phipps, who must have
misunderstood him, suddenly turned the
water ON again, and the stream struck
Rogers I'm the nOStrils, nearly choking him,
and causing him TO let 40 his hold ON the
ladder and fall to the ground. When ne got
up he said that a man who would own such
"A hen as that was, in his opinion, no oettcr
Than pirate and pagan, and so he got
over the fence and went INTO the house
Phipps then went after him and apollo
gized, and then he asked Rogers To lend
him shotgun, SO that he could XIII the
chicken Rogers agreed, and he climbed
back over che fence with the gun i'm his
hand. Phipps took the gun and fired. lie
missed the chicken and blew the entire Gu
pola of the smoke house. Then Rogers said
hat there were some men who knew no
more about firing gun than "A tom cat
knows about idolatry. 80 Rogers took the
weapon, aimed carefully, and pulled the
trigger. About one shot Int the hen. and
the remainder struck cow i'm nn adjoining
lot, exciting her SO that she hooked "A bov
and threw him over five rail fence The
hen uew up ON top OF Phipps house and
cackled rs If she had laid POO eggs a minute
Tor the last quarter of an hour Phipps
proposed to tire Ht the hen. bnt Rogers sar-
Casllcally minated that if he did he would
probably hit Mrs. phipps, who was churn-
ing milk in the cellar Then Phipps told
Rogcra To shoot, and Rogers did SO, with
the result that lac missed the chicken and
broke eight pancs of glass in Phipps' garrct
window. Then Rogers said Phipps must
have spoiled the gun 10y fooling with it, and
he climbed over the fence again and went
home. just as hc reached the house phipps
threw stone at the hen, soaring her 80
that she flew down, knocking two pitchers
and tcacup of the dresser, and frightened
the hired girl into Mysteries. Rogers rushed
IN, grabbed the chicken, wrung its neck.
and went oHt TO the fence. As he tossed
the carcass over TO Phipps, ne said
There's that indecent. infamous chicken
of yours; you take il and keep IT, And |
give YOU notice that if you come fooling
around here with any more such diabolcal
birds hens or roosters, I'll blow your head
of If Pm hung for il. y
Then he went into the house, aud Rogers
and Phipps don't speak when they see each
other at meeting.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
Got SOmethinS Frisky.

"Got something frisky ~ he asked, as
he walked into livery stable and called
for saddle horse something that will
prance about lively and wake fellow
out Of his lcthargy? / used 20 ride the
trick mule in circus, an ! reckon can
back anything that wears hair" They
broOght him out a calico colOrcd beast,
with vicious eye, and he mounted it and
dashed off. Before he had gone two blocks
the animal bucked, crashed through high
board fence and plunged into cellar, toss
ing his rider over the top Of an adjacent
woodshed and landing him on the ragged
edge Of a lawnmower They bore him home
Strengthened him ont, and three surgeons
came in and reduced his dislocatons and
plastered him up with raw beef A few
weeks later he called az the stable and said
If they had a gentle saw-horse with an af-
fectionate disposition, bride with curb
bit and martingales, and a saddle with two
horns and a cruppcr to it, he believed he
would go up in the hay NOW and gallop
around a little where il was soft and It
wouldn't hurt him if he went 10 sleep and
tell of, az he did the other day.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
Historic stones.

The IrauRStein. or ''stOue OF betrothal.
dates from the times of Odin. Ii is "A large
hole in the rock of sufficient dimensions for
man TO pass his hand through it and grasp
another on the opposite side In the Ork-
neys, at Stcnuis, village between Kirk
wall and StromneSs. among the standing
stones of Stennis, there is "A similar stone,
which is called the stone of Odin. Until
the middle of the last century this stone
was the Witnessed betrothal, marriage vows
and other solemn contracts, and whOslcvcr
violated the vow made 20 Odin" was
avoided as infamous Children who were
passed through the hole were supposed To
be insured against the palsy The word
Tram signifies "bctrothed. The pretty
village of Gmunden Is situated at the lower
extremity Of the lake, where the river Traun
issues from il and joins that of Gmundcn,
the two forming one lake, which is called
sometimes 10y the latter name, at others the
Iraunsce, originating perhaps in the union
oi the two strcalus. Stones have plaVed "A
considerable part as seats of judgment i'm
pagan times, as in the stones of Stcnnis. of
Stonehenge and of Avcbury Those i'm the
Orkneys were originally scmiCirclc of tall
upright stones on one side of lake, and "A
similar group of circular pillars which stood
"n the projecting prOmontory of the adioin-
ing lake. The stones were upwards of
twenty feet high and of immense size; be
tween the two lakes was a narrow neck of
land, and over this curious bridge of rough
stones is thrown into the form of a cause
way. Besides the stones mentioned there
were the Logan stones, great bosses OF stones
so cunningly fitted one upon another that
II the upper one were touched i'm certain
spot with the finger il would move, but no
strength of man could otherwise move il.
This was the trial stone, which could bc
made to show person guilty or innocent,
as best suited the pagan priests. Similar
stones were remarked by Pliny, A. ID. 100,
who mentions one near lIarposa, which
might be moved with a finger, and Ptolc-
my, a. ID. 100, says, "the Gygoran rock
could he moved with "A stalk of Asphodcl."
The Logan stones in Cornwall are well
known. Astonishing virtues have been at
trbuted to small stones which have natu-
raj hole in them; these were termed "holv
stones and were sometimes tied round
the nccks of cattle TO charm away addcrs.
Perforated stones, says Daniel Wilson,
in his Archaeology of Scotland" ''must
have once been very common i'm England
and Scotland, as the Anglo-SaXons made
laws TO prevent the British people from pur-
SUNG old Pagan practices" Like the
''Imunstcin, the menautOl, or holcd stone
in Cornwall, IS celebrated for the cure of
special diseases; those afflicted with scrof-
ula are cured, if drawn naked through the
men-au-tol, and then drawn on the grass
three times 0gdi1St tie sun.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31

Nm interesting and at the same time in
siructlvc romance connected with the sub
jcct Of cigars and lobnccO is the history Of
"a famous Cuban family. In years gone
by no cigar made i'm Cuba was more wide
~ and lavorably known by lovers Of the
weed than those which came from the fac
tory Of Jose Parnga, the elder Their
reputation was first. class, not only 10 This
country but also among the smokers Of the
old world. Their manufacturer amasscd u
colossal fortune from the business, and dy-
ing, left his son, the present JOse parlaga,
over 80, 600, ,OOO The youug man spend
thrift Of the first water, lived wild, rcck-
less life for years in all the European CAPT
tails, throwing away his patrmony with
thc lavish hand Of an oriental prince, and
finally returned to Caba 10 find himself
bankrupt and pcnnllcss. Soon after, how
ever, by one Of those most curious freaks
Of Dame Fortune. hc won $3.50, 600 i'm u
lottery This sopn followed the millions that
had gone before IT, The factory was pur-
chased by u stock company who employ
the ruined scion Of Partagas in some capac-
itY, that his name, the gacat trade mark
may still distinguish their wares
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
Russian Justice.

n verdict highly Characteristic Of Rus
sian justice was recently given in the Dis
trict Court Of Cherson, ib Southern Russia.
Three young coleglans Of respectable par
entage stood arranged before that tribunal
upon the charge OF having az different
times stolen from the master Of the British
merchantmen Beta, lying at anchor in
Nicholoien iarbOr, a golden watch and
chain, purse containing "a sovereign and
pair OF golden sleeve links The pris-
Oncrs made full confession Of their deln-
queucy, but appealed with heart rending
sObs 20 the patriotism Of the Court for cx-
oneratiOn from the legal consequences Of
their crime upon the grounds that "thcy
had proposed exercising % well mcrited
vcngencc upon the wicked English, who
had inflicted so many wrongs upon Holy
Russia l' Thus invoked, the imy returned
q unanimous verdict Of mot guilty, which
enabled the judges to mulct the British
plaintiff in all the costs Of the action, in
cluding the expenses incurred by the State
during the detention OF the three Young
thieves ia prison down to the day Of their
trial,
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
She Henewed

Not long ago - policeman in Detroit
heard oaths and yclls and the sound Of CON
fict in house ON biz beat As ho entered
tic yard a man and woman burst open the
side door and rolled down the steps i'm u
heap, kicking and clawiug with q right goou
will
"What is the trouble hercl' asked the
officer. az hc pulled them apart
'Thcrc, I'm glad you happened along !'
exclaimed the man, ns hc jumped up. "Ihc
old woman and me have had dispute for
the last ten or fifteen years as To- when
Christopher Columbus discovered America.
Maybe you know.
1T wac I'm 1899. " replied thc officer.
'Just the date J sald-- just the date !
had'' cried thc husband as hc danced
around. "Now then, old woman, will you
give It. up2'
Never
you wOntT'
"Not an inch / said 1890, and had
your neck across the edge Of the step We
agreed not to bite nor scratch, and ! prefer
TO renew the conflict rather than take q
strangers figures Come in the house,
The officer waited at the gate until ne
heard two chairs smashed down and a dozen
yclls, and he resumed his rounds with a
growing conviction that Columbus would
Ultimately be two years ahead in that house.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
SOME DAY.

You smooth the tSngles from my hair
With gentle touch and tenderest care.
And count the years ere you shall mari
Bright silver threads among the dark
Smiling the while TO hear me say.
You'll think Of this again some day
Some day"
do not scorn the power OF time.
Nor count the years of fadeless prime;
But no white CLEANS will over shine
Among these heavy locks OF mine;
Aye. laugh as gayly As you may,
You'll think of this again some day
Some day
Some day / shall not feel as now,
Your soft hand move along my brow;
l shall not slight your light commands,
And draw your tresses through my hands;
shall be silent and obey
And you-you will not laugh some day
Some day!
l know how long your loving hands
Wall hnger in these glossy bands
When you snail weave my latest crown
or thor thick masses, loug and brown;
But you will see no touch of gray
Adorn their shining length that day
Some day
And while your tears are falling hot
Upon the lips which an nswsr not
You'll take from these one treasured tress,
And leave the rest 10 silentness-
Remember that use to say
You'll think Of this again some day
Some dayl"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31

In the depths Of o forest there lived two
foxes who never had q cross word with each
other. One Of them said one day, in the
politest fox language
Let's quarrel
every we'll" SAID the other. "as you
please, dear friend but how shall wc SET
about itY'
ooh, it cannot bc difficult said fox
number one n wolcggcd people iaIl ont.
why should not wc1'
SO they tried all sorts Of ways bat 90
could not be- done, because each would give
way. AZ last number one brought two
stones
There, said hc 'you say they're yours,
and i'll say they're mine, and We will
quarrel, and fight, and scratch Now I1I
begin. These stones are mine
Every we'll answered the other, gently,
you arc welcome 90 them,
"But we shall never quarrel NJ this rate, 80
cried the other, jumping mp and licking his
face.
"You old simpleton, don't you know
that it takes two to make quarrel any
day ~
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-01-31
watch me Giido.

ln vacant lot ON Pctcrboro street, Dc
troit, is a strip Of ice about foot wide
and thirty feet long, and lone boy with q
pair of big skates was making himself be
lievc that lac was having heaps Of fnn. A
passing . pedestrian couldn't see It in
that light. hc leaned over the fence and
called out
"SOnny, what arc you doingl"
"Skating was the reply NJ the young
stcr cut a pigeon wing aud got his breath
again.
"Isnt that o pretty small spot 10 skate
onf' qucricd the man.
ooh, 10 is plenty big enough 20 fall down
on" was the cheerful answer cover
seven boys bumped their noses here till they
had 20 stay out of school, and ono fellow
struck on the back of his head this morn
ing and hollered so loud that We had % sit
down on his stomach, Watch me glide"
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

ELEcrIoS.-Next Monday II corpor-
alton election, and candidates can be
seen on every corner. Our corporation
finances should be carefully looked 10
this year, or Jasper town orders will de-
prcciatc in value. Below Is list OF
candidates to select from:
Trustee, "a ward--Charlcs Soliga.
:" " Charles il~r.
Trustee. "a ward John =. Barnett.
I" 9 John Troxler.
Eomuald Beck.
Trustee LIST ward-Joscph Kraft.
John Allies.
q = DR.. A. w. Bigham
MarshaI--John Il. Gardner, William
ii. Flick and George w. Seng.
Treasurer--AndrewJ McNcrncy.
Ccrk-B. l.. Greene.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30
Notice Of Application for Liquor
License.

Ny0TicE ii hereby given 70 The citizens q Jasper
IN and cambridge township Dubois county Indiana,
that the undersigned VIII Apply u" WV $500 N N.nnN
1850 under the o. Act entitled AN Aci
N regulate and license the sale OF srrtuous vinnus
NAN Ana other liquors. 20 limit the licene
fee NJ ia charged w cities end towns ad 70 cpehi al
former laws regulating the sic % Intoxicating liquors
ana ali laws and parts Of laws corning IN conflict VIII
violation thereof ana declaring an emergency passed
by the Legislature Of Indiana, IN lsI5 for license Y
sell spirituous vinous and malt liquors, ~ quanhues
IN term OF one year. The precise location where he
csres "a c II "a his house situated on ths corner q
West sixth and Newton Ss on 10y ~ t'as $3.50 = "
Dubois county, Indiana. JUN bhiA'
April I'D. les0-3M.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

Mrs. Emma Withers having procured
the latest styles of stamping patterns
especially adapted for pillows l. prepar-
ed TO execute work on short notice. one
also makes combings into pulls, curls,
switches, &c. Those wis ling work done
In this line would do we'll to give her
call. All kinds of hair ornaments made
to order. u
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

~ Rev. Chainev, Of the Unitarian
church, at Evansville, has renounccd ali
religion. and dcnounces prayer as idola-
try, and speaks Of God as myth. Ills
sanity is questionable, and yet his con.
grcgation refused to accept his rcsigna'
ton, and retain him 10 tickle their fan.
cies on Sundays, and help them to while
away the time.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

nr.Mr. John d. Christney, Of Spring
Station, has declared himself . candidate
for the Legislature, subject to The dccis.
ion Of the Democratic Convention o.
Spencer county. lie would make .
good one.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

Drrn. We regret to learn that the
essimablc wife Of Mr.. q. Rudolph, o
Portersville, died "Wednesday last. she
was sick but short time. Truly III
the midst Of life we are in DEATH The
family have the heartfelt sympathy OF all
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

RFTrRSED.--Mr. John Dillon got back
from his visit last Saturday looking AZ
happy, with his jannty straw hat on. a
though /" She had assured him she was
.wa;tinu. only waiting for him.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

IMPROVEMENTS Mr.. Chris. Senncng y
building large addition TO his house ~
PortersviIlc, to accommodate his family
grocery business, which he has added 70
hi@ other business.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-04-30

INSANE IvQrKsT.--An inquest OF ~
macy was held yesterday at The Clerk
Office by Esqs. Tieman and Harris over
Miss Mary Siudor. She is the mother
OF an illcgitinatc child, which she A.
tempted to kill recently.