davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
Variations in n,rd.. Ne.ts.

This year we have noticed three curious
instances OF departure from the usual
habits of birds in building their nests,
which seem worth recording. The song
thrush lines her nest with cow-dung and
clay; and II is usually considered by orni-
biologists that, as she builds very early in
the spring and frequently in exposed situa-
tions, the mud lining protects the eggs and
the young brood from the fierce March
winds. Early in March we found thrush's
nest in our garden, containing four eggs
but the nest had not vestige of the usual
mud lining. Unfortur ately we found the
nest destroyed one morning before the bird
had time TO hatch, so il was impossible To
note whether the inclement weather had
any effect on the eggs. We have at this
moment blackbird sitting upon six eggs.
four of which are her own and the other
two those of "A song-thrush When first
the nest was found II contained two of each
kind, thrush having laid in the blackbirds
nest. Although sparrows will sometimes
appropriate swallows nests 90 build in, and
though several birds will build new nest
ON an old foundation, II is, | think, very
unusual for one species-the cuckoo of
course, eXcepted-to make use of nest
built by another species. The third curlos-
ily OF nest building is the nest of chaiiinch,
placed in tho fork of an elder bush near
our house. Usually the chaillnch assim-
lates the color of her nest TO the situation
In which she places il If she builds on a
hedge she generally covers 1t with green
moss; but if she builds, as she often does,
on the bare branch of an old apple tree, she
uses the gray lischens, which are usually
near at hand, and covers her nest with
them 80 skillfully that though quite open
and exposed IL becomes hidden by it's re-
senblance to "A knob or excrcssccnce Of the
tree itself. In this case, however, though
the bird has recognized the necessity of
covering her est with something, she has
rendered 1t most conspicuous by sticking
little bits of white decayed wood all over
IT.. The wood is 80 white that the nest
looks almost like a SNOWFALL in the branches.
Possibly this bird may be color blind, or
she may be just little bit wanting in her
instructive faculties, as human beings are
occasionally in their reasoning powers.
Why notY
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03

The character Of Madisoa's wife for social
ability, warmth Of disposition, and what Is
called spirit, will probably give her prece-
dence over any mistress OF the White
House. Her husband was cold, snarllsh,
exp n, capable for public business, tractable
20 his superiors, but be made no impression
on the public. a portrait OF Mrs Madison
reveals the secret Of her strength. She was
large, with brilliant eyes, with trace of
mischief In them; her arms are bare aud
show full health; there Is an Oriental turn
20 her nose, which otherwise is rather vul-
gar; She wears lace turbau, and her hair
fans IN ringlets around her forehead. She
was native Of North Carolina and was
brought up q strict Quaker iD Philadelphia.
ohe was Christened plain Dolly Payne.
While quite young she married Mr. Todd.
a Philadelphia lawyer. He kept her rather
out Of society, but che was known before
bis death 10 be strikngly handsome. lie
died while she was almost a girl, leaving
her with one son her father was also dead.
and is Is the tradition that she and her
mother kept boarding house in Philadel-
phia, TO which came several members Of
Congress seeking board Madison was one
Of the richest. His disposition was too
cold for matrimony, and be married no
doubt, because the Widow Todd supreme
ly fascinated him. lie was at the time
fortY-three years old. Our constitution
had then been In existence about FIVE years,
and Madison was regarded az one Of the
most useful men under it AZ the time he
married, Madison already had one Of the
most distinguished regulations In the coun-
try. She stepped at once out Of a plain
| Quaker family INTO the control OF great
Virginia mansion. When the capitol was
removed 70 Washington city, which was a
mere wilderness filed with brambles and
alders, Mrs Madison at once demonstrated
her capacity 70 take hold of society and
give Il form. Her husband went regularly
TO has Office, and took very little interest m
society doings, but he gave her the fullest
freedom.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
The Grace Cup.

The origin of the grace cup, or, as il is
sometimes called, the Glowing cup" passed
round from guest to guest at state banauets
and city feasts, is thus accounted for.
''The grace cup derives ITS name and use
from an amusing little fact illustrative of
the manners and customs OF the Scotch
mobiles in the eleventh century. That royal
Christian civilizer, Margaret Atheling, the
consort Of Malcolm Kenmore, observing
that they had an irrcverent habi. Of rising
and quitting the taDle before grace could be
pronounced by her chaplain, promised TO
reward all who could be induced 20 tarry
for that ceremony with q dTaught at Libf-
tunl from large gold cup Of the choices,
wine. which was passed from hand TO hand
round the board, after the tbanksgi wing for
the meal had been duly said. The bribe
offered by the beautiful young queen was
too agreeable to be resisted by the hitherto
graceless northern magnates; each was
eager TO clam his share or the grace cup,
rs this social goblet was called; and thus
the custom instituted in the palace became
30 popular that il was observed in the
Baron's halls, and wherever festive cheer
was 10 be found throughout the land. The
fashion of the grace cup was Of course
adopted in England by all degrees who
could Afford 10 honor a custom so much
in unison with national taste. Every per
son Of consequence could boast Of a grace
cup In the Middle Ages, and even at the
period Of the Reformation they arc occa-
siOnally enumerated and described i'm in
yentOries Of plate and jewels, and be-
queathed In Wills"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
The Horoisn of washington.

a careful study OF the history of Valley
Forge cannot be too earnestly recommend
ed to all who would fully comprehend the
greatness OF the character Of Washington.
AT no other period of the war does il seem
80 purely heroic, and at no time does the
patriot cause appear 10 have been in equal
danger OF ruin. To this day Il seems a
miracle that the little army was kept to-
gether at all. He gave forty-hve years TO
the service OF his country, but In what year
OF them all did he do 30 much 20 save and
establish iti Superior 10 evil fortune.
stronger than the elements, and wiser than
all the delegated wisdom of the colonies
hardly knowing In whom he might confide
or what professed friend might prove a
virulent foe, his military genius underval-
ued and maligned by men unworthy 10 hold
his stirrup, he seems never 20 have lost
either his equanImity or his hope Contrast
Washington at Valley Forge his naked lit
tie band shiyering around him, with Napo.
leon selhshly flying from the wreck OF The
most magnificent army which yer trod the
plains Of Europe. We feel. as we
contemplate the spectacle, that Washington
was ''all In all 20 the cause.n ANY other
man might have destroyed it 10y prosump-
tuous ambition, by an overeBimate of his
own ability or on the other hand, by a
natural incapacity 10 manage the peculiar
resources confided % him. IL may be truly
said that no historical character has 10
grown In the estimation OF mankind. There
are other revolutionary personagcs who
arc still remembered freshly. In whom we
see faults and even weaknesses. From
these, Washington wac not utterly free for he
was human; but can another be found who
erred 80 seldom, who discovered aud
repmre his error 80 promptly, who
was 30 wise and yet 20 simple, who
was so utterly incapable Of sub
hitting 20 defeat while even adosperate
chance Of success remained, or who die
the work which his hands found TO do
despite innumerable Obstruct0ns auc
difficulties, 80 porsistently and 80 thorough
/ lyI
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
Bubbles Learned Cat.

Mr. Bubble was well.to do old gent.
and If he had any particular weakness il
was for training birds and animals. HIS
house and barn We're filed with them.
greatly TO the disgust of Mrs Bubble. who
hated everything OF the kind. He had a
learned pig, precoCious rooster, trick
dog, comprehending cow, marvellous
horse, an educated rat and the Lord knows
how many other things. But as yet he had
no learned cat, and his heart yearned for
/ one, lie hal tried To train two or three
different ones, but his trick dog had trick
OF worrying them out of existence, or out
OF the ueighborhood, and so Bubble was
still under a cloud. IL he only had learned
cat tie felt that his cup OF happiness would
be complete
Finally he obtained fine large specimen,
one quite large enough 10 take his own part,
so far as the dog was concerned, aud he at
| once set about educating him. Contrary to
his former experience, he found his new
delight quite tractivc, and in few weeks
he had Tommy" so we'll developed that
he would perform several tricks wonder
fully well, and one afternoon, while enter
tanning company of friends TO dinner,
Bubble had To tell them about his latest
animal wonder.
"Iou would be surprised" said he, "to
see what n genius there is IN that cat Tom
my.
Some one suggested that the wonderful
feline be summoned into the presence of the
company, and accordingly Tommy was
sent for
Now, my friends, as the preliminary
overture TO his performance, propose to
show you how nicely he can walk over this
table without disturbing the least thing, or
Offering to eat whatever may be in his
reach"
Mrs. Bubble protested, bu, he would
have his own way ana Tommy was order
ed TO leap upon the table and walk over IL
carefully
But learned cats are quite as unreliable
as any other, and Tommy didn't appear TO
be ambitious for fame on that occasion.
The first thing he did was TO turn around
and put his mind foot in the butter. Then
he started forward little and i'm trying TO
get at that buttered Instep he knocked over
the cream pitcher, the sugar bowl, and be-
coming more and more demoralized he put
one of his fore paws into IA cup OF hot tea.
Then he gave a growl of pain and made
dive TO get aawy, knocking the tea pot over
into Mrs. Bubbles lap, and receiving cuff
which started him i'm another direction. and
caused him to overset "A dish of gravy. Into
this he stepped, and then jumped upon the
head of an old fellow without any hair, and
producing stampede which tipped over
the table and produced regular hurrah.
Is bible was ell the while c. II & Come
here, Tommy, poor Tommy" Dut his calls
were disregarded by that educated cat and
Mrs. B. seized stool and sent il flying af-
ter poor Tom The stool and Tommy
went through the window together, carry
ing away the sash and all at one fell swoop
After comparative quiet had been reslor-
cd, Bubble tried TO convince the company
that the cat was little out of training, but
on account of subsequent conversation
held between him and his wife, it is safe TO
say that he will not exhibit his learned cat
again right away
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
why There ls no Rain In Peru.

In Peru, South America. rain is un-
known. The coast Of Peru is within the
region Of perpetual southwest trade winds,
and though the Peruvian shores are on the
verge Of the great southeast boiler, yet Il
never rains there. The southeast trade
winds in the Atlantic ocean first strike the
water on the coast Of Africa. Travelling
TO the northeast they blow obliGucly across
the ocean until they reach the coast Of
Brazil BY this time they are laden with
vapOr, which they continue 70 bear along
across the continent, depoaung Il as they
90, supplying with it the sources Of the Rio
dc Ia Plata and other tributaries Of tho
Amazon. Finally they reach the snow
capped Andes; here IS wrnng from them
the last particle of moisture that very
low temperature can attract. Reaching tho
summit Of that range they now tumble
down as cool and dry winds on the Pacific
slope beyond. Meeting with no evaporat-
Ing surface, and no temperature colder
than that 70 which they were subjected on
the mountain tops, they reach the ocean.
Thus we sec how the tops Of the Andes be-
came the reservoir from which arc supplied
the rivers Of Chill and Peru.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03

The favohte trap employed for wolves
In Burgundy is the traquerard. This Is
most dangerous even % Iuan, the strongest
that is made requiring two men to set IL.
II has springs on formidable power snd
delicacy, and when these arc touched the
jaws Of the trap, armed with rows Of teeth,
shut one within the other. In spite Of all
precautiOn, however, very sad occurrences
will often happen Ina these forests. Some
years ago q trap was placed near deserted
fO0tway, and the usual warning precautions
taken. The same day young man, anx-
iOus to present 70 his fUnccc SOME turtle
doves and pigeons with rosy beaks, with
whose whereabouts DE was acquainted. left
his home n little before sunset TO surprise
the birds on their nest. tie was late. The
night closed in rapidly and, with the inton
tiOn Of shortening the road he took his
way across the forest. Without Ia the
least needing the bramblcs and bushes
which caught his legs, or the bitches or
streams he wac obliged % cross, he pressed
on, and, after q continued battle with the
thorns, the stumps and roots and the long
clinging tondrils Of the wild roses, camo
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
GONE"

sceae in a Loudon railway station-depar-
ture OF emigrants for Liverpool
Ay mark ye we'll the anguish OF the parting
That cry OF Gonel"
Is wrung from hearts through which fierce
pain is dSrtiog
All hope withdrawn
The souls of women aud Of children smA ting
While life drage on.
Childless but not through heavens divine
AHiictiou,
Is helpless age
And husbandless oh sorrow beyond fict on
Words canno. gauge
Aud fatberle's where lies the benediction
That can AssuAge.
SPEAK not to them. The words OF consolation
No belp reveal.
Within that hour of awful separation
Think what they feel.
Bearing the pain with iovly resignation.
That gold might heal.
Their lips are dumb. The instincts Of impres
sion,
They know IL not
To bear the woes that fAl in quick succession
Is all their lot
They form no scheme that lea IL them towards
redression,
While tears fall hot
Then gaze with coldness on their voiceless
wailing,
Ay IL you can;
Think OF the wanderer on the ocean sailing;
Thou richer man
Could'st thou not bear his anguish without
quailing?
Then find some plan.
Such misery is not OF heavens sending,
For gold can curse;
The sorrows that are not beyond earth 3 mend
ing
Let none endure.
with you" cries One in clouds OF light as
cending.
II leave My poor"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03

illness. Previous engagements, however
important, must be Cancelled when an invi
tation to dine with the President is received.
Once during the last session member OF
Congress and his wife, who gave very ele.
giant dinners, invited most of the foreign
ministers and their wives TO dine with them
ON a certain day. All accepted, and the
dinner was in prOCess of preparation, when
10! President Grant, who had been delay
Ing his annual diplomatic dinner, thinking
the Grand Duke Alexis would come, finding
out that tina Russian scion of the Emperor did
not intend To accept hls hospitality, issued
invitations TO the diplomats TO dine with
him. Etiquette compelled them TO accept,
80 all had 10 excuse themselves from their
first engagement aud the NJ. c. and his wife
were compelled To ask other guests But
all is for the best. With the Representa-
tive and his family tho one dinner served
as "A substantial compliment to two sets OF
guests, those who ate il and those who had
the honor Of declining 10 do so. But din
ing in state is not an unmitigated pleasure
by any means. The dinners begin at p
NJ. and are protracted until ten O'Clock or
after. Then again there is no elbow room;
the guests are so crowded around the ma
hogany that it is difficult Tor those on the
same side of the table TO lift their arms at
the same moment 20 carry food to their
mouths. Hence IL is sometimes the case
that couples seated next each other agree
that each shall partake of the courses by
turns, one eating while the other keeps the
arms down. and vice versa.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03

A Sea Unicorn who recently exhibited at
San Francisco. The body s Of the size Of
a small deer and covered with scales about
an inch In diameter, with tufts Of reddieh-
brown hair grown quite plentfully between
the scales. tie legs are quite slender, and
have long hair about the hOOfs, which re-
scmble those Of deer or goat. The tail is
straight aud tuiied, like that Of a COW,
while the snout IL enlarged at the end like
that Of a swine, and the mouth shows for.
midable tusks pr1lruding on either side
From the centre Of the face projects
single horn, not more than six inches in
length and less than an inch in diameter.
which curves upward slightly. In addi-
ton, there are two long feelers, or tenta-
cles, one on each side Of the mouth The
hair upon the neck Is longer than elsewhere,
Of the same reddish color, and has the ap-
pearance Of short name. The fishermen
related that this animal was sometimes seen
upon the shore Of the island, and that hc
made a musical noise, which gave him the
name Of the singing unicorn, and some OF
the more crcdulOus islanders had taken his
notes, heard family In the distance, tor
those Of mounaids.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
= Beau's Duel

The following story is told Of fighting
Fitzgerald, n celebrated beau, gambler,
hOrscman and duelist After his return
from Ireland, an old gentleman declared
his intention Of trying to cure Fitzgerald Of
his love Of duellinR, and one day provoked
him ~ contest. Ills friends tried in vain
70 persuade him not 10 20 out 'T,eave me
alone" he said, "i'll settle him, have got
the choice Of arms Each Of M shall be
mounted, each shall choose his own wea-
pom, space shall be marked out, and
whoever FIRST crosses the boundary shall be
declared vanquishcd." Fitzgerald being
informed Of these strange proposals. did not
like 10 refuse, and confident in his admira-
blc horsomanship aud skin with ali wea-
pons, accepted lie appeared on the
ground superbly mounted on a fiery steed
and armed with pistols. To the surprise
and mirth Of ali, the old gentleman trotted
up on donkey carrying a bladder with
dried peas inside, and q scarlet cloak in his
hand. Waving the cloak and shaking the
rattle, he rode into a space; of started the
fiery cOursor, and before Fitzgerald knew
where he was, he had crossed the bOunda
~, and lost the duel The ridicule wa
too much for him, and he never "wenl
OUT again.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
NO. 43.
a Faris Rehomian.

Some days ago one Of the most seedy
and disreputable men who ever appeared
about n newspaper office, turned up i'm the
editorial rooms of the Paris Figaro. The
paper In question Is proverbially reckless in
the matter Of truth, and IA long as SEN
sation was ON hand, made no question OF
the veracity Of the man who provided IL.
In this case, however, the editor was liter
ally stricken dumb.
'Arc you the editor ?" demanded the
visitor, brushing frightful ha, with n roll
of manuscript.
81 believe 90, " responded the representa-
tive OF Nj. Nillomcsfant
Then have got something to soil you.
"What is it1"
"a murder"
''Oh Pshaw Murders are out of fash
ioa."
but this is murder with n mystery"
"We don't want any mysteries.h
But this Is not only mystery but a
scandal"
"Our scandal columns are full"
but this is a murderous mystery not
only with n scandal but with a moral to
it,"
my friend" said tho editor, rising.
1--WE doLt want any murders, mysteries.
scandals, or morals assure you we don't.
viii you not take my word for it2"
The seedy man measured him with his
glaring eye for moment Then he SAID
"No sir"
"You will notl"
mot for a moment. / demand that
this manuscript Of mine shall be printed. ="
"But why 2"
because represent the press"
"The press What press ?"
"The press OF Paris"
The editor paused. Even In his long ca
reer in Partisan journalism, he had met
with nothing like this AT last he said,
family
$50 you demand that we shall print your
artlclep"
Eyes, " was the reply.
"But assure you we don't want any.
thing but editorial articles."
There, sir, p" said the scedy man, LAYING
his hand upon his threadbare breast al
viii sacrifice my story TO the mercenary
character OF your paper. l, sir. will make
an editorial OF my story. Which desk shall
take l''
The editor stared-g -glared-and gave the
intruder seat. The editorial was written.
printed and paid for, and next day the
Figaro told the story we have given above
upon itself.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
Clothes Lines.

Come. now, what barbarty is this
leaving clothes line out after dark A
great deal Of funny comment has been made
upon thi scustom of thoughtless people, but
IL is a most serious matter, and il IS high
time the tomfoolery was abolished We
are just as ready as anybody to 500 the
funny side of thing, but we have ceased
TO observe anything amusing in being un-
expectedly sawed across the neck, or raspcd
across the face by clothes line. II is
time there was a legislative enactment TO
either hanging clothes lines sixty feet above
the earth, or make leaving them out after
night-fall state prison offence. II is a
most incomprehensible fact that a clothes
line Is always hung across the garden path
II the yard was ten miles square and a path
two feet wide crept along the fence, and
the woman had but eight feet Of line, she
would manage 10 cover the path. Whether
this IL because she Is perverse. OF cannot
help u, we do not know. We only know
that II Is 30, and that it Is an appalling
evil. No home circle Is safe where this
custom prevails. II matters not how good
natured a man rs, 10 matters not how care
fully nc has been educated, II matters not
how lofty and noble are his aspirations
the moment a clothes line catches him un-
der the chin, especially " he has pan OF
ashes in his arms, that moment he sinks
with awful velocity 10 the level Of brute,
and proceeds TO act out the con iitiOns at
once. In iis proper place a clothes line ia
valuable companion, but across path
after dark it Is simply brutalizing force.