davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

The Cincinnati Star calls attention to the
shine much when compared with the aristo-
Gratis of old Rome. Vanderbilt, says the Star,
may be able to give his check for 81 Sc, 200, 900,
but when Cyrus returned from the conquest
of Asia he was rated at $500, 900, 900. Mrs.
Astor may give an entertainment at an ex-
pense of $25, 600 and Mrs. Mackay may give
dinner parties at cost of $50, ,000 but fes-
tival given by Pto1emy Philadelphus cost $2,
239, ,OoO; Alexander's daily meal, frugal as 1t
was, cost 81, 700; and money was of SO little
account to Claudius that he once swallowed
pearl worth $4,000. James Gordon Ben
nett has been known to give thousands of
dollars to people for whom he had acquired
a fancy. but according to Tacitus, more than
S97, GOO 900 was given away in similar
manner by Nero. Queens of fashion in New
York and San Francisco have appeared at
balls wearing jewels estimated to have cost
5000, 600, which pales into insigni6cance
when compared with the alleged fact that
Lolita Taulina wore jewels valued at 81, G62,-
500, and that when she wore these it was only
on the occasion of plain citizens supper.
Over $50 600 was spent in preparing fu-
neral for an eccentric New Yorker who left
directions how the money should be spent,
but the obsequies of Hephaestion cost ST.
500, 900. Americans have died and left
millions to their sons, who have squandered
it all in score of years, but Antony ''got
away with" $735, ZOO, 600, and Tiberius left
the snug little fortune of $11s, 900, 900, which
Caligula squandered to the last penny in less
than one year. The late lamented Sothern
is said to have spent 100000 in year in
good living, but it is said that Pegellus, the
singer, spent money at the rate of $4,000 a
week.
Senator RntIer of Soptb Carolina is re
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27
MORNING. JANUARY 27. 1881.
sgournal allo Courier.
Thursday Morning, Jan. %. 1881. I.
NOVEL READING.

NoS ELL Adm
Mr.. William D. Howells recently said that
out of twenty books taken promiscuously
from the public libraries, upon which we are
so much inclined to pride ourselves, nine
teen upon the average will be novels This
statement is probably not far from the truth.
In the Boston public library, for instance,
10 per cent. of the books bought in the last
principal place of resort, have been fiction
and juveniles. which are about the same
thing besides periodicals and papers much
sought after for like qualification The
gross amount of fiction purchased in thirteen
years past has been 10000 novels in book
form out of 1O1 ,O21 Volumes of which 40,
600 have been bought within the last five
years. The drawings of these five years
have been 100000 of volumes, of which
4,OO0,O 600 are fiction. These are from the
lower hall and the branches of this institu-
ton scattered around the city. The last re-
port gives IS per cent. of total issues to ic-
ton and juveniles. The records of other
public libraries would doubtless furnish SIM
liar figures.
CAAoIbuAdtClJ tAO VI hCIlOA Icdu
is not the worst part of the evil. Most of it
is of very poor quality, as a majority of those
who use public libraries prefer poor novels to
good ones. The novels of Dickens or Thack-
cray, Scott or Hawthorne, are not most in
demand. 1t is the works of such writer's as
Mrs. Southworth, Mrs. Mary J. Holmes, etc.,
that are the most sought after.
This is discouraging state of things, for
fiction, however good, is not commendable
as steady mental diet, and poor fiction, we
are tempted to say, is worse than no reading,
though some think that readers of poor nov
els acquire through them a taste for better
ones. Perhaps a few do, but we think the
number is not large. The reader of poor
novels is more apt to become joined to his
idols than to desert them for strange even if
better gods. In fact, it takes pretty strong
mind to stand long course of reading in in
ferior novels and come out of it with the
power to really appreciate and like anything
better.
The reading of poor novels cannot, of
course, be stopped, and it is a question
whether it can be greatly checked. The in
culcation of a higher literary taste among the
masses will be a very slow process. One
thing, however, can and ought to be done.
Vicious. and absolutely worthless novels can
and should be kept out of public libraries.
Then their borrowers would so far be re-
stricted to wholesome fiction, and authors
and publishers would be more careful as to
the quality of their productions.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

Senator Butler, of South Carolina, is re-
ported to have said in recent interview that
the condition of the South would be greatly
improved by the migration of large proper
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

Bjor Bjor, the poet, denies officially that
he is to marry Mrs. Ole Bull, but as the
press of America have announced that the
wedding will take place, it is not likely that
the word of mere foreigner win have much
weight. t.-Detr0t Free Press,
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27


ton of the negroes to other States; that the
blacks are too numerous to do well, and that
South Carolina would be more prosperous
and advancing State if half of her present
colored population should emigrate to other
sections of the Union. The Charleston Neaos
and Courier thought that instead of there
being an supply of colored laborers in
the State there was an actual scarcity, and
careful inquiry in five counties goes to show
that, SO far at least as these counties are con-
cerned, there is not an over-supply of labor
ers; that the wages have been increased !;
that the general condition of the colorsd man
has been greatly improved that the rela-
tions between the landholders and laborers
are pleasantly adjusted, and that the negro is
in every way more efficient, manageable
and trustworthy laborer than the white man
has proved himself to be under the same con-
ditions In Sumter county the supply of
colored 1aborers is SO short that recruiting
agents. have been sent to adjoining counties
to secure additional help for the farmers,
who have been unable to pick out great
deal of their cotton on account of scarcity
of labor. Each year the number of colored
people who buy land is increasing; many
''old ields'' are being reclaimed, and the area
of arabic land is greatly enlarged, and in pro-
portion as the number of colored homesteads
increases the labor supply is decreased and
deteriorated There has been an advance in
the wages of capable and industrious agricul-
tural laborers, and in some sections of the
State there is now a call for still higher
wages for the new year. In Darlington
county there has been a marked improve
ment in the price of labor. There is no Or
ganized movement in any part of the State to
supply the place of the negro with white Ia
borers, but there is a striking consensus of
opinion in favor of the negro as the most
trustworthy and in every way efficient farm
laborer the South can secure.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

President Hayes will soon March 4th from
the White House.
The water in Newburg is so bad that cor
respondent of the Journal says, ut is almost
cruel to squirt it on decent firel"
It has been decided by Brooklyn church
that playing cards isn't wicked, and two
thirds of the congregation have quit using
them Boston Post.
Mr. Dam, of the Astor House, New York,
is noted for the set of his clothes, but at the
same time it does not sound well to speak OF
him as Dam well dressed.
a baltimore clergyman recently preached
on the subject: why was Lazarus beg
gar ?'' Perhaps Laz. bought his wheat at
$1.15, same as the rest of the boys.-Cucag0
Board Of TRADE Report for 1880.
A bright little boy, out with his nurse for
an airing, met Mrs. Battles, who greeted
him cordially, and told him to give her love
to his mother. On reaching home, forget
ting the name, he delivered the message as
follows: MA, ma, [ met Mrs Fight when
was out walking, and she sent her love to
you"
''Say, boy say!" exclaimed hot-looking
man with a valise, ''what is the quickest way
to get to the cars ?" run" yelled the boy !;
and the hot-looking man was SO pleased with
the information that if he could have got
near enough to the boy he would have given
him something-something that he would
have remembered.--I0chla71d Courier.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

The severe cold weather at the South has
done less damage to the orange groves than
was feared. The proper condition of this
delicious fruit depends more on care tina n
luck. The following account is gi ven, by q
southern correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette, of the famous grove of Mr.. James
A. Harris, which is on the southeast bank of
Orange Lake:
There are of course great many failures
by inexperienced persons. Mr.. Harris
grove is part of 500 acre tract, hammock
land which sold for $2,O 600 ($4 per acre) in
1869. In 1871 Mr.. Harris bought it all for
$40 per acre. The hammock contained a
great number of sour orange trees, which,
when budded from the sweet, produce the
sweet to perfection. Mr.. Harris commenced
clearing his hammock in 1871, and at once
proceeded to budding the trees. In three
years they commenced to bear, each year in
creasing in quantity and quality. Mr.. Har-
ris sold portions of his purchase as soon as
completed to different parties, until he at
present holds but 1856 acres. Mr.. Harris has
140 acres under way, and last years crop
from 10000 trees, estimated on 70 acres,
brought him tri1e less than SIS, 300. The
firm of Maxfeld & Co., of New York city,
were the purchasers, and they picked and
took away the fruit themselves without a
cent of expense to Mr.. Harris
Mr.. Harris is constantly kept busy thin
ming out his trees. The best distance is con-
CcuSo W Uo 4TOm bWouty-nVc IccI,
making seventy to seventy-five per acre.
The wild trees were, of course, much closer.
Mr.. Harris has about twenty-five men work
ing regularly, and expects in five years to
have $4,000 bearing trees, if properly
thinned out, if not slightly more. The ex-
perience of all orange growers is, that after
trees have commenced to bear the crop in
creases yearly for an almost indefinite period.
In some parts of the State reports say trees
that have been bearing from twenty to twen-
ty-five years yielded heavier this year than
ever before. Mr.. Harris said his last crop
was light. He expects $40, 600 from it this
year, the entire crop being sold to Maxfeld
Il Co., of New York. His net profit on the
last crop, according to his books which he
showed me, was over $14, 900, being per
cent. interest on $3.50 900. Considering that
ten years ago he was not worth $4,000 and
the probability that in five years he will be
getting an income equal to per cent. on
81, 600, 600, we must come to the conclusion
that Mr.. Harris has struck bonanza. It
must not be thought though that all that is
necessary is to buy the land and set out the
trees. They require as constant and careful
attention as any other crop. Many have
failed by relying on nature to complete
the work after the trees were once set out.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

United States District Attorney Van Zile OF
Utah says regarding attempts to secure the
conviction of polygamists: Mothers and
fathers will testify that they know nothing
about the marriage of their daughters who
are living with polygamists and rearing
children; plural wives will swear they are
only mistresses; and, in fact, almost any
statement will be made to evade the law, and
they will satisfy their consciences by their
all consoling belief that they did it all for
'Christ's sake''
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27
DON QuixOte.

From st. James Gazette.l
The prophecy of Cervantes, put into the
mouth of Sampson Carrasco, that there is no
tongue into which 'tDon Quixote' will not be
translated has been amply fulfilled. 1t is the
one book of Spain which has become the
property of all mankind. in the words of
Sainte-Beuve, 'Ce ivre dapropos est devenu
un livre dhumanite; c'est entire pour jamais
dams imagination de tous." 1t has become,
in sense which the author himself could
hardly have foreseen, what he predicted-the
plaything of childhood, the study of manhood,
the idol of old age. Every literature has
it's Don Quixote'' = every language has
been enriched by its acquisition in new
words, turns of phrase and ideas. To give a
complete list of all the translations and their
various editions has been the labor, yet un-
finished, of many Cervantists and the his
tory of the original is photography in it
self. The latest enumeration puts the num-
Der of foreign translations and editions of
Don Quixote'' at something over two hun
dred inclndin.s the J! .yent ver. ons in Roma
ic and Guzerati. There Is no book in the
world, the Bible only excepted, which has SO
often been translated into SO many different
languages.
To Spaniards themselves this extreme pop
ularity abroad of Cervantes masterpiece, to
the prejudice of all other products of the
Spanish genius, is little puzzling and not
wholly grateful While proud of the hon.
age which their great countryman re-
ceives from the outside world, they
are not without misgivings that some of the
entertainment which don Quixote" affords
to foreigners is enjoyed at the expense of
Spain and Spaniards. Being not quite sure
whether laughter is a becoming tribute to the
merits of book SO purely Spanish, they are
inclined to resent this exclusive preference of
''Don Quixote'' by other nations. They have
never decided whittier for themselves they
ought laugh or be serious over his adventures,
which are neither SO romantic nor SO lulic-
rous in Spanish in any other language.
The Spaniard who gravely assured Mr. Jar
Wis that there never was such a man as Don
Quixote, and that his achievements we're
purely the invention of Miguel de Cervantes
is not without representatives even at the
present day. One resource which never
fails them is to allege that Don Quixote''
can never be translated which is true
only in the sense that its life, form and tex
ture cannot be perfectly reproduced, any
more than those of any book of true art and
highest genius. Richard Ford who had all
the wit, humor, learning, command of En-
glish, and profound knowledge of Spain and
Spaniards to qualify him for o translator. has
declared it to be mortal sin for any man to
read "Don Quixote" except in the original.
But, though thrice happy are they who are
SO gifted as to remain sinless in this respect,
we must maintain that, purely and intensely
Spanish as ''Don Quixote'' is, the very quin-
tessence of Espanolismo, there is book
which is more translatable-no book which
loses less by translation.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

Judge Edward c. Billings, who has been
nominated to succeed Judge Woods as circuit
Judge for the Fifth district, is a native of
Massachusetts, and graduate of Yale college
in the famous class of '53. When he was
appointed to the district judgeship, five or six
years ago, there was much opposition in
Louisiana and elsewhere, mainly for political
reasons. But Judge Billings, by his course
upon the bench, succeeded in disarming all
enmity, and is advanced to the circuit judge
ship with the cordial approval of the bar and
the people of Louisiana. The Louisiana bar
almost unanimously, with ex-United States
Supreme Judge Campbell at their head, asked
for his promotion. It is said that ninety-five
per cent. of Judge Billings decisions, when
appealed to the Circuit and Supreme Courts,
have been affirmed, which is a remarkable
record.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27
GEMS of THOUGHT



1 dream of beautiful time
When the world shall happy be,
When the elephants and hyenas
Shall blossom on every tree;
When tamsrinds and potatoes
Shall cease their dreadful roar;
When turnip trees shall blossom
In the garden foreYermore-
dream of a great republic
When the people shall all go West,
Sow plums and reap tomatoes
In the land they love the best;
When pig iron and molRsses
Shall bloom on every hill,
And chickens low in the barnyard
While gooseberries toll at the mill.
I'm weary of seeing the cabbage
Handle the rake and the hoe;
I'm weary of watching and waiting
For the grasshopper bush to grow;
long for the time when spinach
Shall come with bread and milk;
When hens shall lay potatoes,
And horses spin raw silk.
Oh sweet were the vanished hours
When wandered down the glen,
And wreathed my brow with tomatoes,
Or plucked the ripened hen;
When the donkey twined up the trellis,
And the cucumber chirped in the grass
And the sweet potato whistled
To its mate in the mountain pass.
But gone are the days of childhood,
And maDhocds g dreams are mine;
Yet long for the by-gone hours,
AS 1 sit meath the Turkish vine.
Oh wreathe your blossoms about me,
And soothe my aching breast;
While the gooseberry plaintively MARBLES
And lullS me into rest.
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

The people at Washington are afraid they
are not going to have money enough to carry
out their Inauguration programme in the
style contemplated. They want $4,000 and
as yet have but $4,000. They propose to
appeal to New York, Boston and other large
cities for liberal subscriptions on the ground
that the glory of the thing is national Those
appealed to for subscriptions will not be
eager to help the Washington hotels, board
ing houses and restaurants in exchange for a
little national glory
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27

A 10y has been discovered in st. Paul
Minnesota, whose left hand is a wonderfully
strong magnet. Knives pins, needles, but
tons, etc., enough to cover his hand, will
thus attach themselves SO firmly that they
cannot be shaken Off Still more, the attrac
ton is SO strong that common coal-scuttle
can be lifted by it and heavier implements
have been lifted by stronger persons taking
hold of his arm. That boy would make 8
good kleptomaniac in hardware store
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27
Tontine Liveru Stables

WE are prepared at short notice to furnish
8 N the best Carriages, either close open, for
$If-H q Balls, Weddings and Christenings-
--A-E- 1t Is our intention to have good Carriages
at the depot sud on boat landinge when needed
Grateful for the liberal patronage In the past we
hope By etict attention to the wants of patrons
to merit continuance of the of the public
BARKER b RANSOM, Proprietors.
w. sLASaDoS, Foreman. mt
Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-27
EDITORIAL NOTES,

Real estate is rising in value in all parts of
the country. Moral Hold on to your real
estate it you can't get fair price for it.
Democratic messenger., 1881-03-12
Take Warning-Have a Home.

A few days ago an old man died in the
Aims House at Scranton, Pa. His age
was 112 years. He had once been fore
banded and independent but had be-
come reduced, and finally compelled to
suhsist upon charity.
Now, it is not likely that very many
of the readers of this paper will live to
see their one hundred and twelfth
birthday. And we hope no one of them
will ever be brought to the unhappy
experience of the aged man whose death
has just taken place.
But we deem the old mans hard lot
as something worth the while of young
men to regard as a warning of the
great changes which may happen to
any one. 1t serves to enforc the
lesson we have so often Taught of the
policy and the duty of every young
man, at his very start in life, securing
to himgelf a home. No matter how
humble it may be. no matter where il
may be. only so it is in healthy 10.
cality, before you do anything ELSE,
obtain, and own it free and clear, some
sort of place that in an emergency
will answer for home.
It may not be commensurate with
your expectations, with your present
notions and pride; but human destiny
is so uncertain, and human experience
fiuctuates between such extremes, thai
it is n great thing to make sure, very
early in life, of at least some kind of q
home, where you can sit under youl
own roof secure and independent.
Young man. own home of youl
own l-Ledger.
Democratic messenger., 1881-03-12
Uncle Esek's Wisdom.

The world would be more happy, aud
the mass of people in it just as wise, If
they would whistle more and argue less
Very amiable and good natured are
those people who can have their own
woy in everything.
The everlasting longing for something
we have not, ought to satisfy MS that
there are great things in store for us.
There is no charity in helping q man
who will not help himself.
A man may learn infidelity from
books and from men, but never from
nature.
Humility is the safest foundation to
build any kind of superstructure on.
A mans heirs are sometimes his most
impatient creditors.
Faith was given man to lengthen out
mis- reason.
Most of the happiness of this life
comes from not knowing the true value
of things.
Money and fame are the two things
that men work hardest for, and after
death, one is worth to them Just about
as much as the other.
Mercy is sometimes an insult to JUS
tice.
Compliments are often nothing more
than gilt-edged falsehoods.
What the moral army needs Just now
is more rank and file and fewer briga-
der generals.
It takes two to make a quarrel and
wo to keep it going it only needs one
to end it.-Scribner'S for March.
Democratic messenger., 1881-03-12
UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
SENATE.


The Senate passed the House Post Route
bill without debate. The Legislative Appro-
priation bill appropriating S17,S75, ,29949 was
considered, but pending debate the Senate adj
journed.
The Senate has passed bill repeating the
tax on bank deposits and adopted joint reso-
luton appropriating $780, for a monument
TO mark the birthplace of Washington. Mr..
Logan failed in an effort to have the Grant
Retirement bill made special order for the
day. The Legislative Appropriation BILL with
an amendment providing for an increase in the
clerical force of the Pension Bureau, was passed
after brief tilt between Senators Logan and
Burnside
The Senate passed the bill concerning the
boundary between New York and Connecticut,
bill extending the time for filing claims for
horses and equipments lost by officers during
the war and the Fortlfcations bill.
Mr.. Beck introduced bill to authorize the is
sue of legal-tender notes to circulate as money
on the deposit OF gold. Mr. Wallace presented
a report on the election abuses in New York,
Boston and Philadelphia, and recommended
the repeal or amendment Of the Federal Elec-
ton law. The Agricultural Appropriation bill
and bill providing for the change of names
Of vessels were passed.
Mr.. Burnside spoke strongly in favor of a
resolution declaring that the United States will
insist that its consent is necessary to the con-
struction OF an Isthmian ship canal.
The Senate passed the River and Harbor
Appropriation bill, after making a number Of
changes in it, by vote of 80 to II.
HOUSE.
The House passed the Agricultural bill and
adopted several amendments to the Sundry
Civil bill. Mr. Carlisle has reported in the
House arepeal of the tax ON deposits.
During the discussion in the House of the
Sundry Civil bill Mr.. Bragg and Mr.. Black
burn engaged in q personal discussion over
the proposal to purchase the papers of Gen.
erals Polk and Bragg. OF the Confederate
army. The clause was loaded down with
amendments to purchase the papers of Gen.
Hood and of Federal officers and finally strick-
en- out. An evening session was held to con-
slider District matters, but there was no quo
rum and nothing was accomplished. Repub-
lican caucus voted to oppose any apportion-
ment bill which fixes the number Of Repre-
sentatives st less than $40. Mr.. Cox's bill
provides for 307.
In the House Thursdays session ended prac-
tically at $40 on Friday morning. Shortly
before, Mr.. Chittenden was brought to the bar
for being absent and motions TO censurc him
were made, but he was finally excused after an
apology. The disagreement on the apportion-
ment was referred to q committee of five from
each side. Pending their report the Sundry
Civil bill was taken mp and long discussion
took place on the amendment appropriating
5000, 900 for the establishment OF naval coaling
stations on the Isthmus Of Panama.
In the House the Sundry Civil Appropriation
bill was adopted in Committee of the Whole
but 1t did not come TO final vote.