davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
A Southwestern Marriage.

Not a week later Mrs. Spriggle pre-
sented herself again at Briarley. The
black dress had suffered visibly from
contact with muddy roads on the way.
The black sun-bonnet was imper and
r1stier than ever. Their wearer
dropped into chair, and crossed her
hands dejectedly on her knees.
Reckon We done heered bout my
gal bein' married." she said, without
raising her eyes from the floor.
Eyes, was much surprised to hear
it," the mistress replied "She must
be very young"
Eyes, she is tolable young, is Sis
goin' on Is. But law, was married at
13-I vas sol"
Size looked up quickly, but. catching
an expression of disapproval on the
mistress face, she cast her eyes again
upon the floor.
The wust on it is" continued she,
she hain't got cent, nor he can't make
one, nuther!"
why did you let your daughter take
him, then?''
Well, he came dawdlin' round Sis,
an he'd allus a powder-horn a-hangin'
on to him; so inst lowed he'd a gun,
and could keep Sis in 'coons and pos
sums. She's master-hand at fresh
meat, is my gal! He scraped up So
somewhat to get the license with an
to pay the preacher; but Z don't reckon
he'll ever arm any more"
Not earn any nore!" cried the mis-
tress, incredulously. What is the mat
ter that he can't work and support your
daughter properly?"
Mrs. Spriggle pushed back her bon
net and crossed her knees before she
answered. Then she shook her head
mournfully.
IL never found out" she said, "till
they was done married as how he'd
nary gun at all-nothin' but q powder
horn. And" with gesture of disgust,
"he's the powerfullest no-account crit
ter you ever did see."
"You must feel badly to let your
daughter go away with such man."
"Oh, law, she amt gone! Did you
think he had any house to put her in?
Why, don't you know? They's alvin
to home with me-"
This amazing piece of intelligence
nearly took away the mistress breath.
Before she could reply. Mrs. Spriggle
continued:
whats dds did! faint no use
fussin', 1 reckon
"But how could you let her marry
him without knowing more about him
than you did?"
well, it's styling in the face O Provi-
dence not to take up with husband
when he comes along" She glanced
up appealingly as she spoke. Goals
can't get good husband every day
they can't SOL"
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
Italian Postal CuriOsities.

The distribution of letters is, in fact,
one of the weakest points in the Ital-
ian postal system. Except in large
towns the postoiIice does not profess to
make any house-to-house distribution
at all, except on the payment of
small fee, generally sou for each
packet delivered to the postman; and
in the large towns the delivery is done
in a very careless manner. The post
man rarely takes the trouble to climb
the stairs to the different apartments,
except just before Christmas, but con
tents himself with leaving all the let
tiers for house with a porter, who de-
ivers them whenever he happens to be
going upstairs; if the porter is not in
the way the letters go back into the
bag until the next round is made, or are
even sometimes left at a shop near.
No wonder then that letters frequently
miscarry without such willful intention
as the postman showed who was dis
covered one Christmas stuffing all his
letters into sewer grating that he
might get the sooner to his Christmas
dinner. The excuse for non
delivery is that with houses of
five or six stories the work is
too hard for the postman; but the
remedy for that is obvious. It is only
fair to say that the postoffice does not
recognize this haphazard distribution;
but complaints only remedy the evil for
time, and somehow ones letters seem
to miscarry more frequently after max
ing them. AS consequence most bust
ness houses pay small fee to the post
Office to have box of their own, into
which all of their letters are put, and
withdrawn by messenger.
The difficulties put in the way of cash
ing postoffce orders (and also, it may
be added, of obtaining registered let
ters) are most vexatious. You must
produce some one to identify you who
is known to the officials, and it is easy
to see how difficult this may often be;
otherwise a notarial certificate is re-
quired, and that is only removing the
difficulty a step further.-PaU Mall
Gazette.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
The Last Flag Under Fire.

Gen. Tom Harrison's Texas brigade,
composed of two Texas, one Tennessee
and one Arkansas regiment, was prob
ably the last brigade under fire during
the war, as it was engaged with North
ern troops between Raleigh and Sails
bury, N. c., just above Chapel hill, on
April IA, 1865, the day that the armis-
tice was declared. The flag carried
on that day by one of the Texan regi-
ments (the Eleventh Texas Volun-
teers) is now in possession of John
Halford, of Denison, who was a mem
Der of that regiment at the time, and
who concealed it and brought it home
with him in the back of his jacket.
This is probably the last Southern flag
fired at by United States troops. 1t is
a small silk Confederate flag and still
in good condition, there being only one
small tear in it, and that was done the
last day it was under fire.-Maco1s
(Ga.) Telegraph.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
PLAYING Hen.

One of the strangest stories of SOM
nambulism, from the Milwaukee Sen
tinel, which has ever been narrated /:
The parties to the wonder were two
brothers, one little boy. the other q
young man, both living in that city.
They slept together, and seem both adj
dicted to sleep walking, the older one
in particular. One night the moth
er was awakened from a sound sleep
by tremendous racket, and, rushing to
the room where the boys slept, found
them chasing each other around like
dog and cat.
what are you doing -"
Chasing the hen-after the hen,
the older one said.
The younger one gave much the same
answer when questioned.
It was some minutes before they could
be quoted. When they got up next
morning neither of them remembered
any particular of the performance. Come
to find out, however, each was impressed
with the idea that he had turned into a
hen, and was chasing round another.
Which performance any one who has
haunted a barnyard has seen great
many times.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
A Curious Story About a Bill.

Curious experiences sometimes over
take railroad conductors. The follow
ing is the substance of story in the
Springfield Republican, which is
strange enough: Many years ago, one
night while a conductor on the South
ern railroad was taking up fares, a man
without ticket offered him alarge bill,
and he, as conductors are apt to do,
took it along, saying he would soon re-
turn with the change. The purpose of
these delays is to make quiet study of
the bill in a baggage car, and see if it is
all right. When he reached the bag
gage car with the bill, Mr.. Mckinney
found what he had taken to be 500
was bill for $1,000. He returned to
the passenger and found that he had
shifted his seat. Telling him there was
a mistake-that the bill was for $1,000
he was amazed to have the fellow re-
pudiate the whole arrangement. He
knew nothing of it, and insisted-and
was supported by friends testimony
that he had ticket, and that it had
been taken up. Finally, Mr.. Mckinney
went off with the bill, which the next
day he turned over to the company with
his explanation. It was deposited in
the Phoenix Bank as special deposit,
and drew interest for several years, was
never claimed, and finally was given to
the conductor by the company. The
only explanation was that some bank
burglars were On the train; that one of
them carelessly took out the wrong bill,
and that it was decided safer to lose
$1,000 than to risk being arrested.
Probably they thought he knew OF the
burglary.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
A SERPENT in q Cider Cask.

A farmer living near Salem, Pa, pur-
chased barrel of cider from neigh
Dor, of which he and one of his sens
took drink. Shortly after both be-
came violently i'll, and exhibited I'M
doubted symptoms of having been pois-
oned. It was not known then that the
cider had been the cause of their misfor-
tune, until The farmer who had sold it to
them examined and tasted it, when he,
too. became i'll All three were confined
to their beds for several days, and in the
meantime the speculation was rife
among the other farmers of the neigh
borhood as to what had poisoned the
cider. When the sick ones recovered,
the head of the barrel, whose contents
had created so much trouble, was
knocked in and the cider run out, when
those present were Mortified to find the
body of a large black snake firmly
pressed against the bottom of the YES
col
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
How Lincoln Greeted the Soldiers At
ter Bull Run.

The day after the terrible Bull Run
scare, was in the camp of German
regiment from New York. Gen. Nc
Dowell, in a forage-cap, his boots and
clothes covered with mud, sat on his
herse listening to report from the Ad
jutant, when word was brought that the
President and Mr.. Seward were driving
up in a carriage. In a few minutes
they were there. I think Mr.. Lincoln
wore stovepipe hat, black clothes, and
black gloves, and Mr.. Seward had on a
ightAuit and broad brimmed hat. A.
ter talking some time with Gen. Nc
Dowell, the two dignitaries left the car
riage and strolled toward the men who
were drawn up by companies in double
rank. The President looked at them.
They were dirty, soiled and stained.
Without a word he took off his hat,
placed it on the ground, and advanced
to the end of the double ranks. To the
man on his left he gave his right hand,
to him on the right his left, and SO
down the entire line he passed, hand
over hand, shaking each heartily, and
saying: God bless you, God bless
you'll" Down the line he went, followed
by Mr.. Seward, who did as his leader
did. Up the next line he came, his
honest face aglow; "God bless you, God
bless you'll" at every shake; and on and
on, until the last man in The regiment
had been thanked and blessed. It was
little thing. Years later it would
have been an absurdity. But it told the
story of Abraham Lincoln's heart and
purpose better than volume of eulogy.
Joseph Ho,card, Jr., in the Spirit
of the Times.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
Pussy.

A bashful young peasant was greatly
captivated by the charms of pretty
girl in his own station in life; he was
exceedingly anxious to ask her to marry
him, and had often resolved to do so,
but so far his courage had always
failed him when the opportunity ar
rived. However, one night he resolved
to hear his fate in spite of his modesty,
so he started off to spend the evening
with her. When he arrived, to his Joy,
her parents were from home, and she
was seated knitting at the kitchen fire,
with big gray cat lying at her feet.
Jamie sat down beside her, but not 9
word could he say, till, at the end of
half an hour, he inwardly resolved to
finish this business" so, acting on a
happy thought" he placed the cat
upon his knee and stammered forth:
PUSSY, ask Lizzy will she marry me?"
Lizzy blushed and smiled, but managed
to say: PUSSY, tell jamie I'll take him."
berS' Journal.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22

EATING Snow OR IcE.-Any one who
has observed children must know that
it is a common practice among them to
eat snow and ice in winter. It is COM
mon to see boys and girls devour
SNOWFALL as though it were an apple, or
an icicle as eagerly as bit of candy.
The hard palate which forms the roof
of the mouth also forms the floor of the
nostrils, and is no thicker than paste
board. The chilling effect of snow and
ice brought freely in contact with this
thin partition, the upper covering of
which is sensitive secreting membrane,
made up almost entirely Of fine blood
vessels and nerves, produces conges-
ton, often succeeded by chronic inham-
nation. AS consequence, these snow
and ice eating boys and girls almost al
ways have "colds in the head" and lay
sure foundation for that most disa-
greeable complaint, nasal catarrh. The
habit should be corrected.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
Casualties in Battle.

The battle of Torgau, fought by
Frederick the Great in 1850, is we'll
known to have been one of the most
murderously contested actions which
has ever taken place, but until lately no
trustworthy enumeration has ever been
given of the killed, wounded and
missing on either side. In the
Militar Wochemblatt, the organ of
the German general staff, carefully
prepared tables were published of the
losses suffered by the several Prussian
regiments of cavalry and battalions of
infantry engaged, and from these it ap-
peared that the ffty-nine battalions
which took part in the action, and
which numbered altogether $4,000 Off
GERS and men. lost total of 1860 Off
GERS and men, or about 60 per cent. OF
their aggregate effective. In the thirty
nine bsttalions which fought under the
personal direction and immediate orders
of the King, the proportion of losses
was even greater, SO that, after the ac-
ton, the five battalions of grenadiers
had to be formed into one battalion, the
remnants of six battalions of two other
regiments being also temporarily or
ganized into one battalion. Of the
10000 infantry soldiers who went into
action, $3.50 were killed, 1856 were
wounded, and $3.50 were reported as
missing. AS contrast to this terrible
proportion of killed, wounded and
missing, it may BIZ mentioned that the
loss at Graveiotte was only one-eleventh
of the whole number of troops engaged
On both sides, at Worth and Marsha
Tour one.sixth, at Spicheren one-eighth,
at Koniggratz one-ffteenth only, and at
Magenta and Solferino one-eleventh.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
The late Duke of Portland we

The late Duke of Portland was
one of the greatest of English land
owners. He was of a taciturn ma
ture akin to madness, never marry
ing, and for many years was sub
ject to painful malady. He was NOR
bidly averse to society Of any kind, de-
voting his whole time, and part Of
his enormous income, estimated at
S1,500,0O0, to keeping the estate at
Welbeck in the most superb order. he
employed hundreds of men, and, al
though constantly among them giving
orders, he would allow no one to speak
to him, discharging any man who ever
touched his hat to him.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
The Eagle and Cat.

It is we'll known that eagles some
times carry off hares; they are also
said to be exceedingly partial to the
flesh of dogs, and occasionally they
pounce upon poor grimalkin. One in
the North of Scotland suddenly came
down upon cat, and bore it away to
her nest. The injuries inflicted by the
clutch of the eagle, and the unusual
mode of travelling, so confounded poor
puss that she exhibited no signs of
life, and was accordingly left for dead
by the eagle with heryoung ones. But
soon after the eagle had left the nest
the cat revived, and, having killed the
eaglets, made hearty meal of one of
them. She then made a hurried re-
treat, and effected her escape without
further injury.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
He Was Overcome.

He called himself commercial trav-
eler, 1but vulgar people style him a
drummer. He walked into a hotel Of
fee and proceeded to place his several
pieces of luggage in the keeping of a
son of Ham. Then he carelessly took
up pen and was registering his name
when a good-sized sample of the cimex
lectularius made its way slowly across
the page of the register. The drum
mer stopped suddenly, and, after taking
long look at the insect, he cried:
well, I've travelled all over the United
States, and put up at all sorts of hotels,
but Pm blessed if this isn't the first
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
The Site of Cincinnati.

Burnet says in his "Notes :" "The
original purchase by Mr.. Denman in
cluded section and fractional sec
ton, containing about 800 acres, for
which he paid shillings per acre in
Continental certificates. which were
then worth in specie 5 shillings on
the pcurd, so that the specie price per
acre was Is pence THAT is, 81 cents)."
The actual specie cost of the site of
Cincinnati was, therefore. $24O.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
But" said the mistress, it seem

But" said the mistress, " it seem
he is not good husband"
Mrs. Spriggle's face, which had
frightened slightly, took on gloomier
hue, and she pulled the black bonnet
down over it.
"That's So" size assented, tearfully.
"He's wuss than nary husband. That's
SO, I do say. But" as she rose to go,
"mebbe he can ketch rabbits, if Ire
knowed how to make trap, now! !
must be gettin' along" Southeast
EN- Sketch" I'M atlantic Monthlu.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22
OUR LITTLE FOLKS.
The Pensive Cricket.

One cold November morning,
All kind companions scornlng,
A p@nsive cricket sought
In melanch holy thought
Ills woes to slide.
- AlaSi alas - cried he
- ALI wee oh woe is me!
l really do not see
Why l should be
80 melan-melancholy.
All me!
LET'S see."
Ee thought, and thought, and thought
That cricket did.
- ii is not love, nor care
That fills Inc with despair.
Ny chirp is sharp and sweet
And nimble are my feet;
My appetite is good
And bountitul my food;
Ny coat is smooth and bright;
My wings are free and light.
Then all, and OH All me!
What can the matter bci"
Long time the cricket sighed,
And muttered low: ''Confound it!'
Then joyfully he cred:
Eurekal o, Eureka.''
BY which he meant. I've found it."
! ne learned llltle Slfleher.
= 1t iS-ah, well-a- iayl
Because my girls away,
My dimhle, Gamble Dolly,
My CHEEKY. deary Polly.
Ola, Queen of little girls!
l like her suG Y cGris:
| like nrr eyes an hair,
Her funny little stare
Her way OF jumping quick
Whenever she hears Inc click.
She's loving and she's neat.
She's spry AM true aud sweet;
And. though caper free,
She never steps OIL me.
ke-nick, hee-nick
Her tcS! ticki
And now tie thought has como
Tomorrow she'll be home!
Ny Polly, Polly-Poliy.
NY dimble. Gamble Dollyl
III dance to-pisht
IL the br ght moonlight.
tomorrow I'll see Polly!-
Ira Ia! How very jolly"
Next night the house with pleasure rang,
For Polly girl had come;
The cricket on the hearth stone sang,
And home once more was home.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22

The Austrian soldier gets only one
meal day in time of peace. This
makes him banker for war times, when
he draws two.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22

A New YORK paper complains thas
the poorer attendants at some of the
churches are without hymn-books, be-
cause of their extreme cost.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-22

houses ever struck where those things
come downstairs and find out the num-
Der of fellows ROOM"
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-11-04
Mathematical Puzzles.


Two countrymen were going along the
road, each driving sheep. Said one:
"Hi, neighbor, give me one of your
many as you will have" i
"give mo one of your sheep, and then we
How many sheep did each have3
II. 4
An old man lived in little hut by o
bridge which crossed deep river.
One day wicked water-spirit appeared
to him and said: My friend, I know y3u
aTe very PooT. Now, I viii increase
whatever money you may have two.fold,
asking only in return this email favor,
that every time you cross the bridge you
will throw twenty.fouT cents into the wa
ter, and at the same time the money you
have left shall be doubled. The poor old
man was delighted at what he thought q
generous offer Of tie water.snirit. and
faithfully fulfilled all the conditions; but,
to his sorrow and astonishment, when he
had three times thrown the tribute of
twenty.four cents to the water-spirit he
found himself penniless.
Low nu0h iiiun1y IiI no have Wh5h
ee III. n
A man had seven sons and property
Of $4,000. Now, the younger sone
were jealous because their father spent
more for the elder brother than ho did for
them, and they eHtreated him to make
his will in their favor. To satisfy their
demands he made his will, and the young
or sons were contented. Thisis the will {:
The Oldest son to have $1,000, and an
eighth of what remained; the second SON
to have $4,000, and an eighth of what re.
mained; the third $3 900, and an eighth
of what remained; the fourth $4,000,
and an eighth of what remained the
fifth $1,000, and an eighth of what re-
mained; the sixth $5, ,GG1, and an eighth
of what remained the seventh and
youngest to have oil that remained when
the sixth had taken his share.
What share Of the $4,000 did each
receive? e6 &
A good mother went to buy eggs for
her children, for the Easter season was
approaching, and. the eggs, were to be
colored red and blue. She bought from
grocer half of his entire stock and hall
an egg more. Then o second woman
cam9, ind she bought half of what the
grocer had remaining and half an egg
more. A third woman and fourth wo'
man did the same thing, and in the end
tho grocer had one egg left. "a, 4
How many had he in the beginning
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-11-04

would become the chief Of the Central
Pacific. Almost hoping 10 discourage
his tempters, he .telegraphed,
Thirteen thousand year in gold"
: At once came the answer,
Accepted"
So taken in his own trip, he had
nothing 10 do but to bid adieu 10 the city
that had served him SO we'll, and turn his
would be too long If should
be encountered from the old officers OF
the road, who had determined that they
would not be superseded, aud that the
new superintendent should never enter
upon his duties; how they, before his
arrival, set the whole press aud people of
California against him; how, supported
by the directors of the road, he queit-
:ly took control, disarmed prejadice,
conquered submission and was success
fu!.
This was nine years ago., lis still
general superintendent of the Central
Pacific, one of the most important rsil-
roads in the world. With its connectio: i
with California, this quiet man now SUI.
perintends 734 miles of railroad, and over
fifty connecting steamboats, besides die
tating the tariffs of the China, the Aus.
tralian and the Panama line of pteam-
ships. While other young men preferred
present ease and comfort to the interest
of their employers, wasted time in billiard
halls and theatres aud drinking saloons,
Albion N. Towne was at work, building
up character rs we'll as reputation, and
now fills one of tho most important posi-.
tions in California, and instead of three
hundred dollars Il year as brakeman on o
freight train, he now draws the com mforta.
BILE ssia'y of twenty thousand year in
gold.- r "a
"Lutky man." said one.
Luck" had but very little to do with
it; modest worth did it; work did it !;
faithfulncss in the performance of present
duties, however humble, did the most.
His untiring faithfulness in the hum
bier duties not only attracted the notice
and won the appreciation Of his superiors,
but fitted him for the higher positions
which, without his seeking, he was called
upon to fill.
l have loug desired to tell this story of
young mans faithfulness and consequent
success, for consider it, lesson that boys
and young men of the day can, study to
advantage.-By Alfred L. .SeweU.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-11-04

- "Here, lend me hand, somebody
cried good little Billy, struggling to climb
over the back fence TO run away to the
circus. And his kind father, who hap
pened to be near aud heard him came up
and lent him. hand about the siss Of q
sugar-cured ham. sixteen or seventeen
times., And the next time he runs away
TO the circus Billy viii try. TO get along
alone. ~ tN,ft b
- "Do you love this girl better than
you do her sister Z" was what Kansas
clergyman asked a man., who stood up
before hinNto bo made q husband. s