davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30

A strange clock is said to have once be-
longed to Hndoo prince. In front OF the
CLOCKS disk was gong swung upon poles,
anu near 1t was u pile of artificial human
limbs. Tho pile was made up of the full
numper OF parts necessary to constitute
twelve perfect bodies but all heap. d to-
gethcr In apparent confusion.
When tho hands Of the clock indicated
the hour OF one, out from the pile crawled
just tho number Of parts needed to form
the frame OF one man, part coming to part,
with quick click; and when completed,
the figure sprang up, seized mallet, and
walking up to the gong, struck one blow.
This done, he returned TO tho pile, and fell
to pieces again. When two o'clock came
two men arose, and did likewise; aud at
the hour Of noon and midnight tho entire
hoap sprang up, and marching to the gong,
struck, ono after the other, his blow, max
ing twelve In all; then returning, fell to
pieces as before
Before clocks were so common, hour
glasses were much used Sometimes they
served az pocket watches. They were al
ways kept III the churches to mark tho
length OF the sermons. In England, dur
Ing Cromwell's reign, the SERMONS were
very long. An hour was seldom sufficient
for their delivery. 80 one old minister
when the sand run out In his time piece, ls
said TO have turned 1t saying: Iknow you
are all good fellows: 80 let's have another
glass" Occasionally, when the speaker
was prosy. the congregation would either
slip out or rebel. This is not to be won
dercd at, when the sp ,aking continued two
or three hours. There Is story that ono
of the Puritan preachers was just turning
his glass tho second time, when the sexton
interrupted him with the request that he
would lock up the church and put tho key
under the door when tho sermon was over,
us the few auditors left were going home 10
their dinners. Then another, 1t is said, let
his hour-glass run while tall<iug against
drinking. lie reversed it, exclailning.
Brethren, have somewhat more to say on
the nature and consequences OF drunkenness,
80 let's have another glass and them
which was regular topers phrase. s.,
for all their gravity, the Purltans did not
lack humor.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30
Putnam an u Spy.

Among the officers OF the Revolutionary
army, none, probably, possessed more
originality than General Patnam, who was
eccentric and fearless, blunt in his man
ners, the daring soldier, without the polish
Of the gentleman. He might wcll be called
the Marion of the North, though he d:slikod
diguise, probably from the fact Of his lisp
ing, which was very apt to overthrow any
trickery which he might have in vlcw..
At this time stronghold called Horse.
neck, some miles from New York, was IN
the hands OF the British. Putnam, with u
few sturdy patriots, was lurking in the
vicinity, bent ON driving them from tho
place. Tired of lurking in ambush, the
men began to be impatient, and importuned
the General with question as to when
they were going to have bout with the
foe. One morning he made speech some
thing to tho following effect, which con-
vinced thom there was something in til
wind:
"Fellows, you have been idle too long,
and 80 have l. Pm going to Bushs at
Horsencck, in ali h our, with an OK team
and bag of corn. If come back l will
let you know the particulars; If should
not, let them have it, by hockey.
lie shortly afterwards mounted his OK
cart dressed as one of tho commoncst order
Of Yankee farmers, and was at Bush's tav-
ern, which was IN possession Of the British
troops No sooner did tho officers cspY him
than they began to question him as to his
whereabouts, and finding him complete
simpleton as they thought, they began to
quiz HIM, and threatened to seize the corn
and fodder.
"How much do you ask for your whole
concern3" asked they.
"For mercy's sake, gentlemen" replied
tho mock clodhopper, with tho most de-
plorable look OF entrcaty; ''only let mo off,
and you shall have my hull team and load
for nothing, and il that won't dow, III
give you my word III return tomorrow,
and pay you heartily for your kindness and
condesconsion."
"Well," said they, "wc'll take you at
your word. Leave tho team and provend-
or with us, and we won't require bail for
your appearance"
Putnam gavo up tho team, and sauntered
about for an hour or 80, gaining all the in
formation he wished. lie then returned to
his mon and told them of tho foo, and his
plan Of attack.
The morning came, and with 1t sailed
out the gallant band. The British were
handled with rough han Is; and when they
surrendered to General Putnam, the clod-
hopper, ne sarcastically remarked:
"Gentlemen, have kept my word. I
told you would call and pay you for your
kindness and condescension.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30

Some OF the most important inventions
have been the work OF mere boys. The
Invention Of the valve motion to the steam
engine was made by boy. Watts left the
engine In very incomplete condition, from
the fact that lie had no way to open or close
the valves, except by means of levers
operated by the hand. He set up a large
engine at one Of the mines, and q boy was
hired to work these valve levers; although
this was not hard work, yet it required his
constant attention. AS he was working
these levers, he saw that parts Of the engine
moved In the right direction, and at the ex-
act time that he had to open or close the
valves. He procured strong cord and
made one end fest to the proper part of
the engine, and the other end to the valve
lever; the boy had the satisfaction of seeing
the engine OH with perfect regularity Of
motion. short time after, the foreman
came around and saw the boy playing mar
bles at the door. Looking at the engine
he soon saw the ingenuity Of the boy. and
also the advantages Of 80 great an invention,
Mr. Watts then carried out the boys inven-
tive genius In practical form, and made
the steam engine perfect automatic work
ing machine. The power-loom ls the IN
vention OF farmer boy who had never
seen or heard Of such thing. He
wnittled one out with his jack-knife, and
after he had got 1t all done, he, with great
enthusiasm, showed it to his father, who at
once kicked 1t all to pieces, saying he
he would have no boy about him that would
spend his time Oh such foolish things. The
boy gathered up the pieces and laid them
away. Soon after that his father bound
him out as an apprentice to blacksmith,
about twelve miles from homo. The boy
was delighted ut tho idea of learning trade
and he soon found that his now master
was kind and took lively interest in him.
He had made loom Of what was left Of
the one his father had broken up, which he
showed to his master. The blacksmith
saw he had no common boy as All appreu-
ticc, and that the invention was very
valuable one. lie Immediately had loom
constructed under the supervision of tho
boy; ii worked to their perfect satisfaction
and the blacksmith furnished tho means to
manufacture the looms, the boy 20 receive
one-half the profits. ~.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30
A Diver Among the Fishes.

Fishes are as playful as birds, and some
species may be tanned as readily as any
other pets. Divers in diving-bclis have
had some curious experiences with them.
"A prolonged stay in one place gave d diver
an opportunity to test this intelligence fur
ther, and to observe the trustful familiarity
Of this variety of marine life. Flo was con-
tinually surrounded at his work by school
OF gropels, averaging foot in length. An
accident having identified ono of them, he
noticed that 1t was daily visitor. After
tho fits. curiosity, the gropers apparently
settled into the belief that the novel mon
ster was harmless and clumsy, but useful
In assisting them to their food The spc.
cics fed on crustacca and marine worms,
which shelter under rocks, mosSes, and
sunken objects at tho sca-bottom. In
raising anything out of the ooze a dozen OF
these fish would thrust their heads into the
hollow for their food before the divers
hand was removed. They would follow
him about, eyoing his motions, dash
ing In advance or around in sport, and evil
IDENTIFY with liking for their new-found
friend. Pleased with such an unexpect-
ed familiarity, the man would bring them
food and feed them from his hand as one
feeds flock OF chickens. The resemblance
in their familiarity and some of their ways
to poultry was, in fact, very striking. Az
a little chick will sometimes seize u large
crumb and scurry of, followed by the
flock, so feb would sometimes snatch u
morsel and fly, followed by the school. II
he dropped 1t or stopped TO enjoy his tidbit,
his mates Hould be upon him. Sometimes
two would yet the same morsel and there
would be u Trial OF strength accompanied
with much fash and glitte: and shining
scales. But no matter how called Off, their
interest and curiosity remained with the
diver. They would relurn, pushing their
noses abJut him caressngiy IN appearance
If not Intent and bob Into the treasures OF
worni and shell FISH his labors exposed,
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30
Poetry of tue fable,

More appetiz,ng than ali patont tonics Is
perfectly arranged table sparkling with
cleal ness. SO let us be little exteavagant
In our fresh tablc-cloths, when soap, water
and little labor are all we havo to pay.
And now wo must decide, shall We have
the best china, and do with sonlo stoneware
for every day2 or shall we pay ourselves
tho respect usually reserved for company3
Clearly, we are the persons to whom 1t Is of
the most Importance. Shall we sit down to
odd plates and cracked sa,lcers six days
that we may enjoy gilded china the sew
enrh2 BY no means. We will have plain
white French china, which can always DO
matched when broken, and we will st
down to 1t every day. In the samo way we
will bring out the plated knives and silver
forks, and partakc of our food, with sense Of
our own deserts. We shall feel increased
respect for ourselves, also, with napkins
and butter plates; so those wo will have.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30

LiVluk In u LlyMt ftOnHa.

Lighthouses are strange and lonely
homes Tor men to live in. Some of them
are perched out on the ocean, with tho land
scarcely in sight, and the restless sea for
ever beating and moaning around them.
The keepers of these do not see other
human faces than their own in a quarter OF
year. Might and day they are on the
watch, gladdened awhile by sail that ap
pears for little while aud then floats out
OF sight, below the horizon. The, might
be out of the world, for all they know Of
its co.lcerns, It's losses and gains, its battles
and its Victories the changes that each day
brings forth. There are other lighthouses
situated on the coast, but 80 remote that
they are scarcely visited, and others that
arc surrounded by the civilization of fish
Ing Village, and On summer days are crowd
cd by fashionable people from tho neigh
boring watering places. But for the most
part, except i'll tho approacnes to flourish.
ing ports, they are built out on the farthcst
margin of the land, on far-reaching capcs
and peninsulas, on iron bound heatilands
on detached rocks and sandy shoals The
light ships are still worse Off, anchored az
they are in stormy waters and forever roll
ing, plunging, leaping in perpetual unrest,
clipped OF their wings, while other vessels
are passing and repassing, shortening sail
us they enter port, and spreading their can.
vas US they start out anew. Tho light
ships are manned by men alone, but in the
lighthouses the Keepers are allowed to
have their wives, and children are born
unto them and brought up with tho sea and
the sca-birds and the distant ships for COM
panions. Many pretty story or poem has
been woven about children living in this
fashion. They learn the secrets and Won
ders OF the sea, aud feel glad when it sings
softly on the calm days and sad when It's
bosom is ruttled and white In the storms.
Their little heads are tull Of strange fancies
about Nature, and do not believe they
could understand or enjoy the life that you
and lead at homo. Somehow | cannot
think OF them as real children. They seem
more nike water sprItes that have their
homo in tho blue depths among other deli
cate plants that blossoms there. But they
have lessons to learn from school books
and great many things to DO in their
fathers household. Their life, with all it's
romance, is not one of idIeness, you may
be sure,
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30
A Night With a Panther.

In the autumn Of 1862, after having
traversed great part of the Western ter
ritory, found myself III the pleasant and
healthy little Village Of Fayetteville, in
the northwestern part of Arkansas. Here
in consequence of the large quantity of
game with which the neighDorhood abound
ed, determined to devote few weeks to
recruiting my strength, which owing to
the laborious manner in which l had travelled
had become very much exhausted, and also
to enjoy the pleasure of my favorite amuse-
mcnt--hunting.
Upon one of my hunting excursions had
been singularly unsucccssful-not having
had shot during the whole day, and, as
might be supposed, felt in a not very JOY
GUS mood for upon all previous occasions
had met with great loss This Ill luck
caused me to remain in the forrest much
longer than anticipated and when first
began to think of returning, I found
that it was already beginning to get dark,
and had quite distance to travel through
the forest before reaching the village.
Weary in body and harassed In mind, in
consequence of my want of success, I
slowly retraced my steps. Soon the dark
mantle of night was spread upon the forest,
and as yet, perceived NO signs of the OPEN
ing. fastened my eteps, thinking, to reach
the clearing ere 1t became too dark for tho
travel. Faster and faster | walked, until
found myself going at brisk trot, although
at every step my clothes wer2 torn by the
brush, and my flesh considerably lacerated.
Soon, however, was compelled TO slackcn
my pace, as it had become 80 dark that
was unable to distinguish the trees, and
rather reluctantly came to the conclusion
that would have to take up my quarters
for the night where was.
Az my mind was thus employed, trying
to arrange some plan for my nights
accommodation, was startled by piercing
shrek, as OF some person In distress. /
stopped suddenly, and cndeavored TO peer
iato the darkness for an explanation. Again
l heard the sound, although apparently at
not 80 great distance from me as the first.
| stood then irresolutely. Were 1t human
being, 1t would be NY duty to render any
assistance that might be in my power, and
-. At this point of my meditations,
perceived through the underbrush, short
distance from me, two objects, close together,
resembling small balls of fire. l had now di.
vined the cause If the noise had heard It
proceeded from wild animal, and that ami
NAL, was now watching mo with It's fire. like
orbsl hastily raised my gun and fired;
but as the object was some distance from
me, and not being able to draw sight, l
must have missed 1t, for no sooner had
pulled the trigger than with two or three
bounds, 1t was before me- / now disc0v-
cred. from Its close proximity, that It was
panther-that much dreaded and savage
animal, which old hunters, even when well
equipped, are 10th to meet. drew my
hunting knife, not having time to reload
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30
BOBOLINK,

Little Bobolink. flying through the meadow,
lighting on tall grass. nodding at his shade
Popping down onto the ground,
Where bis mate u sitting
On five tiny, speokl3d eggs,-
Round her he is fitting
Here and there, and everywhere,
Catching fltes to bling her
Then he lights above her most
A sweet song TO sing her
Lovely song. 80 full and strong,
With sweetness bubbling over;
How I love TO hear him sing,
Swinging on tho Glover
Soon the little birds will hatch,
Then they'll fly together
After food to fill their mouths
Through bright aud rainy weather
Here and there, and everywhere.
Seeking food to bring them, .
Hardly stopping all day long
One sweet song to sing them.
But the birds. so tiny now,
VIII soon their wings be trying,
And through the meadows all tho day
In happy sport be f,ing.
Then Bobolink will stop to think
That summers almost over,
And 80 parting song he'll sing,
Swinging on the clover
Lively 30 full and strong,
With sweetness bubbling over,
How love to hear him sing,
Swinging on tho clover
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30
A Perpetual Skating Pond.
right.

There IL lake on the Saw Tooth Noun
talns, California, that probabaly has no equal
In the United States. 1t is about sixty five
miles from Bonanza, and at an altitude of
nearly twelve thousand feet. The lake
lies in basin among the sharp crags OF the
snowy Saw Tooth, and Is sheet of perpet-
ual Ice. 1t was discovered In August Of
last year by q party of prospectors, and
named the Ice Lake. The sun seemed to
have no effect upon 1t except in places adj
joining the shore. 1t Is SIMPLY great
bowl in the hard mountain rock brimful Of
solid ice, upon which the rays of the sun
descend with no power to penetrate.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-30

The head-ncenter--Pomade.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-04-14
EFFECTS OF THE FALL IN IRON.

1t seems to be agreed all around that
no great business calamity is to follow
the reduction of prices in the iron trade.
No mills will suspend, no employees will
be thrown out of a job, and no bank
ruptcies result in any OF the departments
of the trade.
On the contrary, the new deal is &C
cepted as a new lease OF prosperity.
The reduction has been made in good
time to avert any great disaster. Man
ufacturers and consumers both take
courage from the change in the face OF
affairs. Both were conscious that there
was no such Unsuitable demand for iron
as 10 warrant the continued and Excess
sive advance in prices. Both were I'M
easy lest a collapse should occur when
they were unprepared for it.
With reduction of prices to a healthy
basis, many industries that have either
been postponed or abandoned, will be
revived and prosecuted. When the
price OF iron nearly trebled in less than
a wear, the effect was naturally reflected
through all the industries into which
iron enters, arresting the building OF
railroads, ships, steamboats,, houses, ma
chinery and implements and forcing en-
terprise to recol on itself. We are not
livingin the wild war era when exorbi-
tant prices for everything were reck-
lessly paid without hesitation and when
they were accepted as a sign OF prosper
ity. Peoples heads are cooler now;
they calculate very closely; they ex-
pend their money with care and iudg-
ment; and il they find they can not
afford to buy desired article at GER
tain price, they wait patiently till the
price comes down. This is the trouble
with iron. 1t went up too high, and
hundred industries are waiting till 1t
shall come down to a more reasonable
price.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-04-14

Mr.. JAMES REDPATH, who is now in
Ireland, gives it as his opinion that there
will be such an emigration from that
country as will crowd the city OF New
York with more unskilled laboreTs than
can possibly find employment. In view
of such contingency, he suggests the
colonization OF Irish farmers IN Virginia
and other Southern States. Nearly all
the Irish immigrants to this country OF
the male sex are agricultural laborers,
nevertheless those of them who do not
find employment in building new rail-
roads and other public improvements
generally settle in the large cities, where
they are at a great advantage on account
of their want of familiarity with me-
chanicai industries. The reason for
their aggregation in the cities is their
attachment to their religion and their
unwillingness to go where they would
not enjoy the ministrations OF the
priests. Mr.. REDPATH thinks that the
priests ought to take hold OF the colOni-
zation business, and become pioneers
themselves, whom the Irish immigrants
would gladly follow into the Southern
or Western States.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-04-14
POLITICAL FRoJICs IN THE
murRn nISTRICT

They have fun as well as strategy In
the politics of the Third district That
little convention in Wayne county, the
other day, that had assembled with the
most harmonious and peaceful purpose
of sending up delegation in the inter
est OF Mr.. KENSA, was moving Piacidiy
forward 10 the discharge OF its mission
without jar or discordsnt note. Inc
natr;otie and devoted adherents OF the
Young Congressman had gathered from
the four corners OF the county with one
mind and one missiop, and that to do
their representative honor with dele
cation in the interest Of third term.
The gray dawn Of June morning was
never milder or more mellow in its mood
than this assemblage Of KESSA men sit
ting as convention, and moved bya
common purpose.
But alas, the best laid schemes oil
politicians in the Third district gang
aft aglee.' There was a sudden rustic
in the proceedings as OF a distant APP
proach Of some yet unseen and mys-
terious power, when ex-Speaker GIBSON
burst like bombshell upon the scene,
and with his cohorts bore down like
wolf upon the fold, capturing the whole
fort, "horse, foot and dragons" appro-
priating the spells, sacking the camp,
paroling the prisoners, and in a word
"gobbhng up the whole business. "
Messrs. KENSA and HEREFORD are re-
ported to have alighted from train
direct from Washington, shortly after
the rout, to view the scene OF battle and
possibly to reconnoiter the position OF
the enemy, ascertain his strength and
gather material for a history OF very
memorable, very decisive and very fun
nv freak in the annals Of political
plottings.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-04-14
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC ROAD.

There is an interesting cross-fire go
ing on in Congress between the friends
and rivals Of the Northern Pacific road.
There is a bill pending for extending
the time for completing the road anOth-
er ten years, and there is another bill
to take from the company the land
heretofore granted unless the same be
completed by July next.
Ii is claimed by the company that the
financial calamity of 1873 prevented any
work for several years, and there has
been no negligence on the part OF the
present company. The inspiration OF
the other measure comes from the
grand combination which controls the
great rival trunk lines. 1t is a part
Of scheme by which they, doubtless,
hope to get possession OF the road.
Having bought mp the bonds Of the
company and the stock, carrying with
them the part Of the road already CON-
pleted, they hope to have the land grant
repealed, and then have it renewed
again in their favor. In this way the
combination can obtain nearly Sc, 0O0,-
900 worth Of property at a nominal cost,
and with the aid of renewed land
grant, can 90 on and complete the
road.
The whole scheme, so far as it is d.
rected against the Northern Pacific
Railway Company, is to forcibly eject
the present owners, and have the whole
property, as well as the control OF this
additional route to the Pacific, turned
over to the present combination, which
controls the transportation from the Pa
cifS to the Atlantic.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-04-14

The New York Timss says that early
in March, WILLIAM II. NASDERBur had
registered in his name per cent. bonds
to the amount Of sSi, 10000 Since that
time there has been received from Mr..
vAxDKKBILr ior registration in his name
4 per cent. bonds TO the amount OF $40
100000, which makes him at this time
the owner Of S5l, Ooo, 900 Of that class Of
bonds. Ii is reported here that it is
Mr.. vASDERRILr's purpose to invest in
4per cent bonds the money which he
will receive in few days in final settle
ment for the New York Central railroad
stock sold 10 the syndicate. II he can
not be prevailed on TO open his bar' as
Presidential candidate, he might at
least be used by one OF the political par
ties to dictate the financial policy Of the
Government inasmuch As he will be the
principal stakeholder.