davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
The Chinese Theater.

In the north of China every town and
every large village boasts of its perma-
nent theater, while the inhabitants of
other villages, too small to be so fortu-
nate, find little difficulty in extemporiz-
ing theaters of mat and bamboo on any
chance arrival of an itinerant troop of
actors. AS long as the visit of these
wandering players last, the people of
the district give themselves up to the en-
joyment of the holiday. Early each
morning the roads from all the country
round may be seen crowded with peo
pie, the poorer ones on foot, and, if in
the north of China, the Weather classes
on mules or in carts, all tending to the
one point of attraction; the women gay
in blue, red or green silks, and the men
in their best and brightest attire. five
follow this pleasure-seeking crowd, we
enter theater built in the form of
parallelogram, at one end of which is
plat form, generally, though not always,
as wide as the building. The platform
is divided breadthwise by a wooden par
tition with two entrances, the front part
forming the stage, and the rear portion
serving the purposes of green room,
property room and abode of the troupe.
The body of the theater, answering to
our pit and stalls, is without seats or
partitions; while above and encirclng
the whole are the boxes in which the
women and principal subscribers have
their places. If the district should be
very poor one the probability is that
we find ourselves opposite a covered
stage or an open piece of ground, in
front of which the carts of the visi Ors,
full of their occupants, are arranged in
semi-circle, thus forming the walls of
IL truly Thespian theater. Within this
enclosure stands n densely packed, good
natured, eager crowd, whose power of
standing is only equaled by their po ver
of unilagging enjoyment. No money is
taken at the doors. Tie troupe is rem
orally hired either by private indi-
vidual or by public subscription for n
certain number of days, and free admis-
sion is granted to every one. The per-
tormances last from the early morning
until late in the evening, with short in
tervals between each four or five pieces.
The acting, generally speaking, is good,
ter the Chinese are naturally quick of
observation, and are thus able, in every
day life, to catch easily the tone of those
with whom they associate, and on the
stage to assume the characters they wish
to represent. The possession of these
faculties is the more important, as the
actors get very little guidance from the
play book, which almost entirely con-
hde their directions to " enter, "exit I"
and "aside," or as the Chinese literally
translated means, ascen1 -" descend"
and turn the back and say."-Conten,-
porGru ReUieU.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
A Story of Bismarck's Youth.

When Prince Bismarck, then simply
Herr Won marck-Schonhausen was
a student at Gottingen, he was known
for his boidness and undaunted courage.
Freely abandoning himself to the rather
rough pleasures of German university
life, he entered into them with the vigor
SO often displayed by him in graVer
matters. First in the "Kneipe," the
students tavern, and in the ''Fechtsaal," :"
their fencing hall, he was but little seen
in the college rooms listening to the
lectures of the learned professors.
Dreaded on account of his acknowledged
skill and prowess, there was hardly any
one among his fellow-students venture
some enough to measure swords with
him. But even here the modern Go
Hath found David in the person of
young Westphalian, who, offended at
Prince Bismarck's arrogant manners,
challenged him, although he was vainly
dissuaded on all sides from a contest
with the sturdy Pommeranian nob,e-
man.
Herr Biedewald, the gentleman in
question, stood his ground with such
skill that he, after wearying his adver-
sary by his skillful defense, finally dealt
hin a heavy blow, the signs of which
are still discernible on the chancellor's
face. Long years passed before the two
antagonists again met. While the one
had risen to the highest rank, the other
devoted himself to the welfare of his
native town, which ultimately returned
him to parliament, where he,a strong
representative of the liberal party, found
himself obliged to oppose the reaction
airy measures of Prince Bismarck, whose
championship of the rights of the throne
and altar had not yet been mitigated by
his subsequent success in unification of
his fatherland. Herr Biedewald's death
occurring a few days ago, has vividly
recalled the interesting incidents of his
encounter with the leading statesman,
which also formed the subject of popu-
lar song, well known among Germans
London Globe,
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
He DIDN'T Read the Papers.

A story comes from Milton, a town in
New Hampshire, which every news
paper ir the land ought to copy for the
benefit'of its readers. 1t is the recent
experience of man there who never
read the papers. He has two large ice
houses ON his farm. and he improved the
few cold snaps of the winter by filling
them for summer emergencies. He
didn't know anything about an ice FAM
inc, and so when speculative neighbor,
who does read the papers. came around
and offered him $500 for his ice crop, he
greedily closed the bargain, and
chuckled to himself as he thought how
much wiser he was than The other man.
He didn't, however, the next day when
another man came and offered him
$4,000 for that same lot of ice, and when
his first caller finally sold it for $500
to Boston ice company, he was heard
to tell his family what a confounded,
dashed, addlepated idiot he was. That
he vowed to subscribe regularly to half
dozen papers goes without saying
Nea0 York Graphic rH r
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
A SOUTHERN PATRIARCH.
A Man with Five Hundred and Seventy
ElVe LIvInr Descendnnfs.

rive Living Descendnntss .r
A letter to the Charleston Is. C)
NesoS says: In the course of threescore
years and ten, l have many times read
of families remarkable for size, weight,
number, ETC., and have as often Thought
if honor attached to locality produc-
ing large family, Orangeburg county,
s. c., would wear the laurels. Old Mr.
William Smoak, the patriarch of the
family of that name, is a native, of Ger
man extraction, born early in February,
l7s4, consequently has just entered his
ninety seventh .year, aud, since 1911,
has been a resident of that section of the
county between the North and South
Edisto rivers familiarly known as the
Fork. The old man and his wife, who
died few years ago, raised thirteen
children, ten now living. They had
first six sons, then two daughters. then
three sons, and the last two daughters.
The eldest is seventy Live years of age,
the youngest fifty. sfl .rtur
The old man has ten living children,
l04 grandchildren, 39l great-grandchil-
dren, and 20 great-great-g at-grandchildren
making in all SIS living descend
ants, and ll6 dead. The most remarka-
BILE feature of this family Gone which
think would require search of both
hemispheres to find a paralleD is the
fact that both the old people lived to see
their youngest and thirteenth child a
grandmother. Who can beat that ?
Notwithstanding the old mans sight
and hearing are much impaired, his
general health is good, and lie would be
quite smart for one of his age had it
not been for fall he got some years
ago, which injured one thigh and hip,
from which he has never entirely re-
covered. He is great talker, and has
most vivid recollection of events
which transpired in his boyhood and
early manhood. He was much of a
Nimrod in his time, and relates with
the gre atest minuteness incidents of his
deer and wolf hunts Many stately buck
and ravenous wolf succumbed to his
deadly aim with that old flint and steel
musket that he would not lay down in
exchange for an amateur sportsman IS
hundred dollar double barrel. The per-
cussion principle was at that time latent
in the brain of the inventor, but the old
man did not feel the need of improved
firearms, for when he drew the trigger
of that old musket on game there was
sure to be " meat in the pot" He killed
the last wolves that were known to be
in this part of the country. We enter
tain a fervent hope that the old man
may live to be a centenarian, when (if
the writer is alive) there will be a
proposition for grand picnic and re-
union. A circle with diameter of fif-
teen miles would inclose four-ifths of
the family. The writer has known this
family sixty years as Woodworking,
industrious people, and not drunkard
among them. Who can beat thatP
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
The COunterfeiter'sW Wedding.

An interesting little story fioated up
from Reno on this mornings train. Last
evening, shortly after eight o'clock, a
stylishly dressed young man, with a
young woman of good appearance hang
ing on his arm, called at the residence
OF one of the ministers of the place and
said he wanted the services of the clergy
man to unite him to the young lady.
He did not volunteer any information
as to where himself or his companion
came from. He produced his license
and requested the clergyman to perform
the ceremony as simply and quickly as
possible: Both evidently were of legal
age, and the parsOn at once tied the
knot. calling in the members of his own
family rs witnesses. When the pair
had been made husband and wife the
groom drew a $50 greenback from fat
looking pocketbock and directed the
minister to take $40 from that" His
reverence, with many thanks, took the
bill, and after diligent search hunted up
S4n in coin, which he passed to the
bridegroom, who politely wished the
minister and his family good evening
and walked off with his blushing and
timid bride.
This morning the parson was making
a tour of the hotels and using 81 mewhat
worldly language. He could find the
happy pair nowhere, and is convinced
that the marriage was mere trick to
pass a $50 counterfeit greenback on
him. The bill is bogus, and as both
bridegroom and bride have gone none
know whittier, it does look us if some
genius has discovered this new method
of Showing the queer" The awful
sinfulness of the device does not forDid
the reflection that an enterprising young
man and woman could grow rich by
travelling and marrying every hundred
miles or SO. Virginia City (Neu.)
Chronicle.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
A ScOrpiOn's Suicide.

DIR. Allen Thomson. of London. gives
the following account of the scorpion
committing suicide by means of his
own poison. While residing many
years ago, during the summer months,
at the baths of Lucca, Italy, in sonie-
what damp locality, my informant, to-
gether with the rest of the family, was
much annoyed by the frequent intru-
sion of small black scorpions in the
house, and their being secreted among
the bedclothes, in shoes, and in other
articles of the dress. 1t thus became
necessary to ne constantly on.the watch
for the troublesome creatures, and to
take some means for their removal and
destruction. Having been informed by
the natives of the place that the scor-
pion would destroy itself if exposed to a
sudden light, my informant and her
riend soon became adopts in catching
the scorpions and disposing of them in
the manner suggested. This consisted
in contining the animal under an in
verted drinking glass or lumber, below
which card was inserted when the cap-
ture was made, and then, waiting till
dark, sudden ly bringing the light Of a
candle near the glass in which the AMI
NAL was confined. No sooner was this
done than the scorpions invariably
showed signs of great excitement, run
ming round and round the interior of
the tumbler with reckless velocity for a
number of times. This state having
lasted for minute or more, the animal
suddenly became quiet, and turning its
tail, or hinderpart of its body over its
back, brought its recurved sting down
upon the middle of the head, pierc-
ing it forcibly, and in few moments
became quite motionless, and in fact
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
In Powder Form.

vegetine put up in this form comes within
the reach of all. BY making the medicine
yourself you can, from q SOC, package con.
tanning the barks, roots and herbs, make two
bottles of the liquid vegetine. Thousands
will gladly avail themselves OF this opror-
tunity, who have the conveniences to make
age, ,...,t. d s.l .sta- 1f,r ..,fg...t.s -.
vegetine in powder form is sold by all
druggists and general stores. If you cannot
buy it OF them, enclose fifty cents in postage
stamps for one package, or one dollar for two
packages, and l will send IL by return mail.
II. r. Stevens, Boston, Mass. ek rt
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

There are at present in Europe 7l9
princes and princesses, each having a
claim more or less remote to a crown.
The one with the greatest number of
titles is the Emperor of Austria, Francis
Joseph. In addition to his title as en-
peror, he is nine times king, once arch
duke, twice grand duke, eighteen times
duke, four times margraye. five times
count prince, twice prince, and many
S.ste Tbe makS Kns e Of %
first names, his eldest SON has twenty
and his youngest twenty mine.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
FOR THE FAIR SEX.
Fashion Notes.

Double-breasted effects are given to
many basques.
Robespierre coats are made of the
richest OF fabrics.
Combination dresses are popular
among the lates styles.
Directoire styles lead in the first inn.
portations of French costumes.
Among the new wraps are shirred
mantles of black satin de Lyon.
French bunting, cashmere, camel's-
hair, etc., are much used for suits.
The most novel features of the sum-
mer suits will be in the small details
A prominent feature of new suits is
the festooned frobt of the lower skirt.
Shepherdess dresses are made up in
Vatican and Marie Antoinette fashions.
Cloths resem bling English homespuns
are used for the new costumes imported
from Paris.
Spanish lace mantles are very large
wide scarfs, and in the shawl shapes
formerly worn.
An effort will be made to bring
trimmed sleeves in vogue again by vari-
Gus styles of putting.
Foulsrd dresses are trimmed with
dark rich satins in plaitings or shirring
and much white lace.
The immense directoire cravat is often
made of satin instead of white muslin,
and edged with white lace.
The Tallien overskirt, open on the
lett side and draped on the right, is suit
able for any summer goods.
Foulard and pongee dresses are taking
the place of the thin striped and barred
summer silks formerly used.
Soft wooden draperies will be given
panier effects, but much more moderate
than the bouffant scarfs OF last season.
Shirring, which has been in popular
favor some time, will hold its own this
season, and may even be more in favor
than ever.
The French costume, which includes
Robespierre coat, is an excellent model
of the directoire styles now so much in
vogue in Paris.
, Coat basques and overskirts of quaint
shapes divide favor with long over
dresses, which are a crompromise he.
. tween polonaises and surtouts.
Great variety is shown in the i'm
ported models of costumes, and it is
quite certain that no one style will pre-
vafl to the exclusion of all others.
Habits of velvet or satin overdresses
of tulle or of silk covered with lace will
be worn. These habits are cut almost
precisely like the masculine frock-coat,
but have no sleeves whatever, only a
row OF narrow white lace gathered
around the armhole.
The lingerie which accompanies the
directoire coat is part of it that must
be in keeping, and consists of very
large cravat bow of white muslin and
lace worn very high at the throat, with
a high linen collar, or else double ruffles
OF muslin and lace around the neck and
wrists.
A. new idea in dress is to " brighten
up" light and colorless dresses and dark
somber ones with gay, brilliantly
colored fabric. For instance, a narrow
knife-plaiting of dark red satin may be
placed around the bottom of Il dress, no
matter how light or how dark the dress
material may be.
According to Harper'S Boznr, dark
blue linen and navy blue Scotch ging-
hams are made UP into short dresses
with striped claret-colored borders, or
else the gayest Turkey red calico with
palm-leaf figures is used for the cuffs.
collars, pockets, borders, and for Il tuli
guimpe, which is finished at the top
with a frill.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
How to Get Sick.

Expose yourself day and night, eat toe
much without exercise; work too hard
without rest; doctor all the time; take
all the vile nostrums advertised; and
then you will want TO know
How to Get Well,
Which is answered in three words
Take Hop Bitters! See other column
Cypress.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

Daniel O'Connell once met conceited
literary friend, and exclaimed: /" 1 saw
a capital thing in you last pamphlet" 4"
I" Did youP" eagerly replied his de-
lighted listener; "wbat was it?" +" "A
pound Of butter.n
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

A book on the Liver, its diseases and thcir
treatment sent free. Including treatises upor
Liver Complaints, Torpid Liver, Jaundice
Biliousness, Headache, Constipation, Dyspep.
sia, Malaria, etc. Address DR.. Sanford, l62
Broadway, New York city, N. Y.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

Never defer untifto-morrow what should be
attended to to-day A slight cough ought
never TO be neglected when o 25.ceit bottle Of
r..Bull's Coughs Syrup viii prevent it from
becoming chronic. ,...,.,-g st,.--
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

When exhausted by mental labor take
Kidney-Wort to maintain healthy ;tion
of all organs.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
when old M, Higpinswortb I,

2 When old Mr.. Higginsworth was
asked If he took a newspaper, he replied
that Since our member of Congress has
stopped sending me the Congressio ma
Record don't take any, but | guess /
kin get along without it. IL never
gives, much news anyhow.--S. Paul
Dispatch, sH fsonf talrrhrI frsr.-.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
GRooERs recommend c. Gilbert's starohe

Get Lyons Patent Heel Stiffeners applied
TO those new boots before you run them over.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

The VoItaic Belt Co.. Marshall, Mich.
will send their Electro oltaic Belts to the
afflicted upon 80 days trial. See their adver-
hsement in this paper headed, ION 30 Days
u
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
Vegetine.
One Package in Powder Form
Cured Scrofula.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR DOCTORS BILLS.

s6 BREMEN ST., East Boston, Mass
rr. Sept. 80, 1879.
Mr.. II. R. STEvENs--Dear Sir: My little daugh
ter Stella has been afflicted long time with Scrof
ula, suffering everything. 1 employed differon
physicians in East Boston, but they helped he,
none. bought some Of your POWDER FORM vEGE
TINE and my wife stepped it and gave it TO the cbt
according TO the directions, and were surprised
in fortnights time to see how the child had gained
in flesh and strength. She is now gaining ever,
day, and can cheerfully recommend your remed,
TO be the best we have ever tried.
Respectfully yours, r. J. T. WEBB.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

The first musical instru bent built on
the plan of an organ, a Ripes and
tubes, was constructed I'M
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

For sore throat, gargle with Piso's Cure
mixed with little water. Relief is instant.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

He whose soul does moi
try to sing with hinn
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25
Daughters, wives ana Mothers.

DR. mAhChlSlS will posi-
tlyeS Female Weakness, such as Falling of the
Womb, Whites Chronic Inflammation liberation Of
the Womb Incidental Hemor1hage Flooding, Painful,
Suppressed and Irregular Menshuation &C. An old and
reliable remedy. Send postal card for pamphlet, with
treatment, cures and certificates from physicians and
PATIENTS to HOWARTH BALLARD Urea, N. "
Sold by all Druggists-Sl50 per bottle. .
Hidgeyvay Vineyard and Wine Cellar.
Established in 1861. Send for price list of Wines.
GEO l.. PRATT PrOpr, RidGewny, Orleans Co, N ".
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-25

Gives Butter the giit-edged color the year round.
THOUSANDS Of DairymeR say 1T ~ PERBEcT,
lpi'na A. s Dairy m ta,r' Ask S91r drr
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-23

4 PLAN or COMPROMISE. 'e'tei 10 '"e
Alexandra Gazette from Hanover says that
ak gentlemen OF that county, after full and
free discussion agreed upon plan OF set
fling the public debt. One was Mabone-
ite Q, 1880, another Rcadiusler OF 1879,
ana The other four were last year supporters
Of the McCuiaocu BILL. The plan agreed
upon was as follows:
1. Place all the bonds on The same foot
ing.
2. Recognize the debt as ascertained II
the McCullocb bin
3. Adhere to The present rate OF taxation
4. REQUIRE rctrenchment and economy II
the administration OF government.
8. Appropriate 10 schools and govern
meDt what the Constitution and absoiui'
need reqctre. :.
6. Apply to the interest on The publi
debt all the remainder OF the revenue, 10 81
amount equal TO 6 per cent, should II I'm
surplws1 be so much. and the surplus to b.
appropriated TO back interest on peele
bonds, &c.
There Is no such good luck as that To-
revenues OF the State wilt pay per cent
The above scheme has in 1t strong a1vo
AZ the BARBOUR bill, which seems TO grow II
favor. thoughtful discussion is what
NEEDED. We may hope to reach wise con
\ cluson in the cod.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-23

The Funders aud their organs that are
now so eagerly insisting that the debt ques
ton should he settled "inside the Conser'
vatiye party" should have thought OF that
last year when they "read oBt" the Re-
adjusiers for daring n oppose the McCul
loeb brokers' bill. Wig.
But was that the facty Didn't you first
read yourselves out an Il organize new part,
outside OF the Conservative organization
Didn't you adopt a platform OF your own,
appoint committees Of yoer own, and re-
solve TO support nobody WHO disagreed
with you on the subject OF The public debt
il so, how can il be said that you were read
out by US? Suppose, then. we drop that
question, and act together hereafter. II
you read yourselves out, we will agree to
reproach you with that fact no more. II
we read you out, you can in like spirit
agree TO reproach as with this fact no more
So shall peace prevail and harmony hug US
IN her arms.