davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27
CONNIE Onplace.

A commonplace lie, we say, and we sigh;
But why should we sigh as we sayi
The commonplace sun in the commonplace
sky,
Makes up the commonplace day;
The moon and the star are commonplace
things,
And the flower that blooms, and the bird
that sings;
But dark were the world and sad our lot
II the flowers failed and the sun shone not;
And God who studies each separate soul
Out of commonplace lives makes his beau
tiful whole. --Chrfstiaa Union
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27
Example.


We scatter seeds with careless hand,
And dream we ne'er shall see them more
But for a thousand years
Their fruit appears,
In weeds that mar the land,
Or healthlul store.
The deeds we do, the words we say
into still air they seem to feet,
We count them ever past;
But they shall last
In the dread judgment they
And we shall meet
charge thee ly the years gone by
For the loves sake OF brethren dear,
Keep thou the one true way,
In work and play,
Lest in that world their cry
VI woe thou hear. John Rs6le.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

San Francisco has, within the past
few years, invested SOS, 200, 600 in mines
by the assessment process. and from
tuese mines less than $4,000, 600 have
been received as dividends.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

The carTiage-naker never tires. The
blacksmith does that for him. Boston
Transcript.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

The steady decrease in the population
of France, as indicated by the gradual
falling off in the birth rate, is again at
tracing considerable attention in that
country. In 1873 the number of births
was below the average of the four
previous years. In 1861 the average
was 2.69 per cent; in 1868 it had sunk
TO 1853, and since then further decline
took place, until in 1878 it had fallen to
2.53. The birth rate of France is, in
deed, much lower than in any other
European country. The highest rate is
that of the German empire, where, ac-
cording to the latest returns, it was O3
per cent. In Russia the rate is 90, and
in Austria 39l per cert, while in Eng
land in 1877 it was 1862 per cent. The
causes assigned for the low rate in
France are the fewer number of mar
riages and the great decline in the num-
Der of children resulting from these
marriages. The proportion of children
to each marriage is dwindling more and
more each ye.r throughout France
with the exception of Brittany anc
some of the departments in the center
and south, where the agricultural popu
| lation is under the system OF coopera
tive farming. Among thepetty trades
men and the well-to-do peasants there
is seldom more than one child per mar
riage; and in some parts of the country
the average is even less than this. IL
certain extent the decrease in popu
lation is kept in check by the decreas
in the mortality.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27
TIMELY TOPICS.

The Maine experiment OF offering re-
wards to boys for successful farm work
is to be initiated in Vermont. Two of
the trustees of the State university have
offered $3.50 in prizes to boys not over
seventeen years of age for the best crops
OF potatoes and corn on one-eighth of an
acre. The Scientific american thinks
the practice is good one, and might be
wisely adopted with benefit to our
agricultural interests as well as to the
boys.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

A well-known field officer-A kernel
of corn.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

One of the oldest and best adver tisers
in the country gives three card inal
points that all advertisers may pro 6t
by: First, if one has a good thing,
which the people really need, the more
widely he makes it known the larger
will be his rates; he will gain nothing
by economizing in this matter, provided
he advertises with good judgment.
Second, no one need expect TO do a
brisk and extended business in these
days who fails to advertise, and adver-
tise freely. Third, it costs money at
the outset to advertise, and one must
not expect to do this effectuaily tor lit
tie or nothing. But if properly done it
will pay in the erd.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

The far West seems already tolerably
well supplied with means of livelihood
for the scores of millions that will so on
dwell there, but new one has recently
been mentioned in the California Acad-
emy of Scien &c. The gum which eXudes
from the creosote plant is known TO
commerce as shellac, from which are
made sealing-wax, varnish and the
scarlet lac dye used for dyeing the
British red military coats. The plant is
as thick as sage brush, from Southern
Utah to New Mexico, and from the
Colorado desert to Western Texas, but
chiefly plenty on the Mojave and Col
orado deserts. Calcutta exports $4,000.
600 worth of shellac year, which
brings from twenty five to thirty-fivt
cents pound, and almost as much o
lac dye, selling still higher. The United
States have imported in some years
700, 900 pounds of shellac alone. Yet j
is all over the West, and can be so easil.
collected that boys could carry on tn
business of gathering it. Probably thi
product will now receive attention il
commerce.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-05-27

One of the most notable among recent
engineering projects is the railway al
ready being constructed over the Mount
Lofty range of hills, South Australia.
Nearly $4,000 900, it is stated, will be
expended on the thirty-th miles be-
tween Adelaide and Maine. Within a
trife the railway is estimated to cost
about S110, 900 per mile, and that where
the cost of the land was very slight;
in some portions the expenditures will
be fully $l5O,O00 per mile, owing to the
large extent of tunneling to be done and
the height of the viaducts and embank-
ments to be formed. The summit of
the range will be reached in about nine
teen miles from Adelaide, and at an al
titude of some 1000 feet above sea level,
and here a station, to be named after the
range, will be located. The ruling
gradient, one in forty-fve, will be be-
tween Government Farm and this point
and the descent from the summit to the
Aldgate point will be by a similar gradi-
ent.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28

chisel and pick, and these agents were
undoubtedly used to fashion the entire
cavern. The irregularity Of the lime
stone chamber is due to naturaLcaaseS'
In al probability the room was dry when
the wonderful people who designed and
built it were alive. Tbs stalsctites and
stalasmitss have formed since. ! meas
ured one Of the largest ofthe former. 1t
was FIVE feet six and ORe~half inches
from base to apex. Allowing that it
heightened at the rate OF one inch every
Fifty years, which geological friend
tells NE is very rapid growth, it weuld
have been 5,325years reaching ITS present
lesgth. Conjecture alone can fix the
date OF the last occupancy OF the cave.
1t must have been years before the sta
lactites began to iorm. examined the
mouth ofthe cave, and discovered traces
Of a stairway which once led to the sur
face of the ground. Indeed, ! iouRd
broken fragments OF rock which, five or
six thousand years ago, were uudoubted.
ly parts of d broad staircase. There
were also traces Of = stairway which
once wound around the sides OF the well,
afoTding easy entrance to the lower
cavern. The upper cave must have
been the cellar OF residence built above
ground, and used for domestic purposes
or a place OF retreat in time Of danger.
Mr. Grooms intends TO open up all
the tombs and the great DaausOleum, ar
range convenient means of entrance to
the cave, and throw it open TO the gen.
eral public, charging . small price Of
admission to reimburse him. Several
parties have visited it since the disCov-
cry of tie lower cavern, and all are inns
pressed with the wonderful character of
the discoveries. Mr.. Grooms is anxious
to have a scientist examine the cave,
and at his request a description Of the
discoveries, together with the engraved
book, have been. forwarded to the Smith
sOnlan institute 49,
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
CITY OF IRONTON.

VIZ % F. D. Fuller, Clerk,
Leaves Ironton MoG6ay, Wednesday and
Friday at z o'clock a. m Leaves Pomeroy
every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Ut
6 o'clock a. e.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
'FIRsT-CLASS PASSENGERS.

vaudalia Line is the only route ruaing
Pullman Hotel and sleeping Cars from the
East and South East via Pittsburg, Steuben-
Ville, Newark, Columbus, Urbana, Piqua,
Richmond, Ind, Cambridge City, Ind, and
IndianapOlis-tO st. Louis.
This route also furnishes special line
Sleeping Cars from Cincinnati and Louis
Vile, KY, to St. Louis, for the accommoda-
ton OF the travel between these cities.
J Six daily Express Trains between St.
|. Loais and the East and South East.
O0Miles the shortest route to St. Louis
HSand all points, West and Southwest,
via st. Louis. &C l.-
All our Trains run over the World Re-
nowned Steel Bridge, and into the New
Union Depot at St. Louis, thus making I'M
broken All-Rail Connections to the West
and South- West.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
MESTERN EMIGRANTS.

Emigraats purchasing tickets via CYAN
dalia Line are carried on our First-C Glass
Express Trains, in Comfortable and Vol
Cushioned Cars, arriving at their new homes
beyond the Mississippi and Missouri; or,
upon the Sunlit Plains of Arkansas and
Texas, one day in advance of all other routes.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
SOLO 7 o.,
JOHN 8k EUIRE, Captains

MARRY Mckay. Cterk,
Leaves Portsmouth every morning at S:Se
o'clock, and Huntington at l:3O O'Clock pm,
Sundays excepted. =,
SHE Seioto makes close connection With
tbe c. * o. Ry. trains for the East and South,
and the $. V. r. z. for the North and Vest
The Fannie Dugan connects with the S.V'
r. r. at Portsmouth, the Lizzie johnson Tor
0lllipoHs and Kanswha river the c. o.
Ry at Huntington, and the Eastern Ken
tVoky Railroad at RiyertoD. .- --.--,
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
John N. KELLY.

.F Passenger and Emigration Agent,
North East Corner Fourth and Vine Streets,
CINCINNATI, OHIO.
John Z. Simpson, General Manager, St..
Louis. K. A. Ford, General Passenger
Agent, st. Louis. H. W. Hibhard,. General
Freight Agt, st. louis, L %.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
EaITGRANTS' OUTFITS.

Household Goods, Stock, Etc, will be tax
en- at Bottom Rates, and Cars will be run
through to destination Without Transfer or
delay.
For further particulars, such as Maps,
Time Tables, Land Circulars, Rates on Pass
engers and Household Goods.
Apply in person or by l0tter,.to
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28

T E. WOOD, Plasterer, Cistern Builder,
e. and Practical Crate and Mantel Setter,
iii Third Avenue, Huntington, ", Va.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1880-01-28
" 70 THE PUBLIC.
IF You Are G&ng-to ArkdASaS3 Han.
sGS, Terds, Missouri, Nebraska,
Colorado, California, or any
49, Of the Western States
--i-' or Territories, 80 -'

Why net secure your tickets via the Van
dalia Lime and pass thrOuth st. Louis, the
largest city in the Mississippi Valley and
me Gateway to the Great Westi
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29

After DIR. Hall, OF Elmira, had given
his price for extracting tooth without
pain To caller at his Office few days
ago, the man desired to know his charge
if it was taken out With pain. The
obliging doctor replied that, in consid-
Grafton of their close relationship, both
being descendants of the man whom
Elmira Is de.ighting Z" honor, viz,
Adam, he would extract the tooth aud
throw in the pain without extra charge
in fact, the relationship being 50 close,
he was willing to make a handsome re.
duction in the price. At this offer the
visitor jumped into the chair and had
the aching molar out, but was dissatis.
fed, and desired to avoid payment, be-
cause the doctors dexterity was such
that the tooth was out before he was
fairly aware Of it and the amount Of
pain. lie says that another time he
will go to some Office where, if he bar.
gains for pain, he will get it, and moi
have his tooth pulled out 80 quick that
he don't know it. Some people are
never satisfied.
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29

while. When he woke, two or three
hours after, and his mother heard him
cry, her husband was far away on the
hunt.
"True = this story I've tOld?' added
the one-eyed hostler, as some one queI-
toned him. Every word of it!'
But your name is Rush, isn't it:'
| said.
The one eve twinkled humOrously.
my name is Rush. My uncle's
hroiher.in-law was my own father"
''And your exclaimed bystander.
a." said the one-eyed hostler, "am
the very man who warn't eaten by the
bear when l vas a babv!'
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29

An Italian correspondent of the Lancet
calls attention to an insidious and
frightiul fatal disease called "pellaSa."
OF which no less than $500 Italians
are said to be dying, 81 the present
time, the number of victims represent
ing 362 per 1000 of the whole populs
tion, and in the infected departments,
especially in Lombardy and Venice, a
higher proportion than ever occurred
during the worst cholera epidemic in
France. The disease usually runs a
slow course, like consumption. it,
cause is b. lieved to be the exclusive
consumption of maize in a deteriorated
condition and the unhealthy state If
the novels in which the rustios live.
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29
A Forged Letter.
lrrnm ,he OF CITY h.rrick I

1--WE got letter here" said Colonel
Solon yesterday. (which some one ur
nuther is tryin' to play off on me as a
reg'lar letter from Joe Kuntz," and the
Colonel laced the letter on the desk. 1t
was neatly written and JOe's name was
signed to it correctly.
"Certainly, Colonel, that's Joe's let
ter" said we.
"No, stree bob, no sir" said the Colo
mel, very positively, "that air letter is a
forgery; coz Joe shutters worse than
whisky fowin' Outen bottle, an this
ere letter reads as straight SIS mill
race"
And the Colonel wouldn't be con-
vinced that Joe didn't stutter in his
writing.
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29
The Important Young Man.
iOll CITY D.IiIsh

toH City D.riIth.l
There is another fool who talks loud
in the cars, and by the same we know
that the only time he ever left home was
when he went on cheap excursion to
Philadelphia, and carried lunch in his
pocket. He has the silver fever, and is
going To Denver. This fact he an
nOuuces as soon as the car starts by bid
ding goodbye to his friends, and telling
them in a voice like a hotel gong to
his postOfiice address will be Denver,
Colorado.
He goes at once to the newsbOy, aud
while buying five cent cigar informs
him that he presumes he cant get as
good cigars in Denver as he can here.
The newsbOy at once makes an estimate
of his foOlishness and says: Going tn
Denver, are your "Ob, yes" is the
response, as if it was an every day &C.
currence for him to 90 there. And the
newsbOy marks him for victim and
plies him with pamphlets and candies,
apples and oranges, and reckOneth up his
profits that night at ten per cent. ad-
vance over previous days.
He who is going to Denver returneth
to his seat and informs the man in his
rear that "piles of fortunes are to he
made in Colorado"
"Goirg ther.?' asks the passenger,
not for information, for that has been
given, but to test the young mans
iOOishness.
"Oh yes" he says.
He leans forward to the man in the
front seat, and says: How far yon
gOin'?'
Pittsburg. How far are you"
";'m going to Denver"
You are?'
"Oh, yes"
The conductor comes along and takes
his ticket. "Do get a train through
to Denver as soon "a changer
Yes. Going to Denver"
ooh, yes"
And the conductor winketh, and the
passengers smile at his conceit. But the
time OF rejoicing cometh when the pas
senger in tie front seat gets of and his
place is taken by man who is not at all
curious. To him sayeth the young man
for Denver, Pleasant weather"
Yes"
"Probatly it is cooler in Denver"
Probably"
"Pil ind out in few days"
No answer. The yonng man feels as
If his importance wasn't recognized and
makes another attempt:
spOse there's a pretty good chance
to make fortune in Colorsdo:"
IL don't know
"Well, I'm going there to find out"
Another silence, during which the
passengers look out of the front window
and emile. The young man draws long
breath a. d starts it again:
Not many fellows who'd go 70 FAR
from home, ard depend on themselves
for living"
The silence becomes oppressive, but
the young man is sTersevering. He leans
over, taps the man on the shoulder, and
SAYS:
You had better 20 along TO Denver
with me-"
Then the passenger wakes up and he
says, Thunder, young man; I've lived
10 Denver ten years"
AID the passengers weep not, neither
dc they wall, hut verify they feel that
their days are full of fun ard pleasure.
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29

BY WILLIAM WINTER.

Though ttill the heart Of twilight grievee;
A. evenings snn sinks low.
And I'D winds stir the fallen leaves
vim seoGs Of long ago.
No shadow grim can ever dim
he glory Of THIS hour,
" hiie thus the blazing hearth we trim
Beneath the htus flower.
oh Time may auench Illusions lis b.,
And dreams q youth depart,
But neither Time nor Truth can blight
The sunshine Of the heart
The gentle life Of pure content,
Our sober manhOOd's dover.
eweet peace and calm affection, blent
Beneath the lotus flower.
In that dust land Of m ystic dream
where dark4eiri sprung,
IL hlooined besi1e his sacred stream
While yet tpe world was young;
And every secret nature told
W golden wlsdom's $ power,
l. nestled q3A in every fold
Within the lotus flower.
Here let our weary burdens fall,
An" passions longings cease;
The gods Of life have given all
hen once they give us tcacs.
Black care shall vSnish in q lansA,
Forgot her beauty's bower,
while here the loving cup We quafi
Beneath the lotus flower
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29

A NAN and his wife were passing a
house where lot of furniture was dis
pl.y ed, apparently for sa'e. The man
said to his wife, 81 will step in and ask
the auctioneer il there is an auction
here" He soon returned and said,
"The auctioneer says there is no auction
here but there is an auction near" His
wife was quick enough for him, howev.
er. for she asked, "Vendue they sell"
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29
THE H0SILtR'S STORY.
}. T. TROwBIDG

What amused us most in the Lake
House last summer was the performance
of bea, in the backyard.
He was fastened to a pole by a c'.:ain.
which gave him a range of a dozen OF
fifteen feet. IT was not very safe for
visitors to como within that circle, un.
less they were prepared for rough
handling.
He had way CT suddenly catching
you to hi. bosom and picking your
pockets Of peanuts and candy-if you
carried any about yOu-in q manner
which took your breath away. He stood
up to his work on his hind legs in a
quite human fashion, and used To paw
and tongue with amazing skill and
vivacity. He was friendly and didn't
mean any harm, but he was a rude
playfellow.
shall never forget the ludicrous ad.
venture of dandified New Yorker,
who came out into the yard to fe' bruin
on seed cakes, and did not feed him fast
enough. Is fE
He approached trfe too near, when
all at once the bear whipped an arm
about him, took him to his embrace and
went through" his pockets in hurry.
The terrified face OF the struggling and
screaming fop, and the good.natured,
businees-like expression of the fumblipg
and munching beast, offered the funniest
sort Of contrast "a. -ls.i 400
The one eyed hostler, who was the
bears special guardian, louugcd quite
leisurely to the spot.
Keep still, aud he won't hurt ye,"
he said, turning bis quid. That's one
IF his tricks. Throw out what you've
got, and he'll leave ye."
The dandy made haste 10 help bruin
to the last OF the seed cakes, and he
escaped without injury, but in ridicu.
lous plight--his hat smashed, his neck
tie and his linen rumpled, and his
watch daDgling-but his fright was the
nOst laughable part of all.
The onereyed hostler then made a
motion TO the beast, who Immediately
climbed the poe and looked a, us from
cross.picce on the top.
"A bear" said the Onc-eyed hostler,
turning his quii again, "is the best
hea ted, knOwin'est critter that goes on
all-fours. I'm speskin' of our native
black hear, YOU understand. The brown
bear ain't half 20 respectable, and the
grizzly hear i, one of the ugliest brutes
in creation. Come down here, POmp."
Romp slipped down the pole and ad.
vanced to the one eyed hostier, walking
onhis hind legs and rattling his chain.
"Playful a. q kit' en-" said the one
eyed hust.er, f ,ndly. "I'll show ye."
lie took wooden bar from a clothes
horse near by, and made lunge with
il Al Pomp's breast.
No pugilist or fencing master could
have parfi. d blow moro neatly. Then
the, one, eyed ,hostler began to thrust
and strike with the bar as if in down.
riGht sssuest. .,.
\. Rather savage play" | remarked.
And a friend at my side, who never
misses a chance to make pun, added:
}" Yes, decided act of bar-bearity."
"Ob, he kes itl' said the one-eytd
hostler. "Y.. cant hit him."
And indeed it was 40. No matter
how or where the blow was aimed, q
uoovement uf Pomp'a nav. as ouick as
a 6ash of gh.ninr, knocked it aside,
and he stood. good.humoredly waiting
for more. Once in a WHILE" said the
ope-e cd hostler. resting from the ex.
ercise aud leaning on the bar, while
Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-05-29

"LovE, faith, patience-the three es-
sentials of happy life" says phiioso-
pher. Yes, but cheek, money ard ener-
gy are the three essentials Of q business
life.