davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
Ladies Chewing Snuff in Texas

In Northwestern Texas, next to the
Arkansas line, some of the ladies chew
snuff. They are not Texas girls, but
Arkansas girls over there on visit. The
real snuff-chewing girls all live in Ar
kansas and Tennessee. The swell Ar
kansas girl takes out her tin box of snuff,
dips q stick in it and chews the end OF
the stick like cigar. Occasionally she
expectorates out of the window or into
the aisle of the Pullman Car. No man
feels like kissing an Arkansas snuff
chewing girl on the mouth. If COM
PEELED TO kiss her ut all he prefers to
kiss her on the nose or ear. Between an
Arkansas girls powder on her face and
snuff on her teeth and lips the ear is the
only clean place left to kiss.
am sorry that almost every colored
girl in Texas chews snuff. The cham
bermaids all go about the halls with q
stick in their mouths, the end covered
with snuff.
When the colored chambermaid at
Waco came with towels she had q stick
in her mouth, and I thought would
ask her why she used it.
"Well, it pears like dey all use it,
she said, ''an' so uses it too.
"But it's such a nasty habit" 1 said.
'Why, you'll never get married with
your mouth full Of nasty snuff"
"Most all de girls gets married some
way, an dey all chew an de white Ia
dies, dey chews, too"
"What ! Not the white ladies in this
hotel 70
"Sartainly, sab. Dey's five ladies'
white ladies-in dis hotel dat chews.
Dey do it in dere rooms, though. 1t
pears zif what de white ladies do We
colored girls oughter do too.
[ will say here that the refined young
ladies in Texas do not use snuff. The
snuff chewers are usually the ''poor
white trash" who originally came from
Arkansas or Tennessee. You will see
beautiful and accomplished young ladies
in Waco who would not associate with
the snuff chewing crowd. - Chicago
Tribune
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
THE ARID BELT.
The Story of a Young Farmer.


When John Tallant and his young
wife were induced by the grandiloquent
circulars of the Union Pacific Railroad
Company to go West and locate on their
lands III the great arid belt, they be-
lieved they were on the high road to
happiness.
John Tallant and his wife were young,
strong, industrious, having no vices,
and religious. They were determined
to succeed in creating home for them
selves. They had household furniture,
simple, but sufficient, three strong
young horses, a wagon, and 5000 in
money. If young couple ever started
fair in life on the eastern edge of the
arid belt, the Tallants did.
During May, June, and into July,
John Tallant plowed the tough prairie
sod. His wife laboriopsly chopped the
plowed sod with an axe at intervals of
four feet on every fourth furrow, and in
the strip planted the yellow dent corn
of the West. At the end of the break
ing season in Jnly, they were pleased
to find they had broken and planted to
corn eighty acres Of ground. Nightly
they estimated the yield, using the
figures furnished by the railroad CON-
pany. According to these estimates,
they were sure TO harvest at least 2, 500
bushels of corn, worth 30 cents per
bushel. They were content. The corn
looking promising, John, after consult
ing with his wife, bought three brood
sows, intending to raise pigs. They
also bought two COWS. Mary was to
make butter for sale in the railroad
town twenty-five miles south of them.
During early July heavy rain fell
This insured the maturity of the early
planted corn. From July 10 until late
in the fall no rain fell. For no long
period did the wind steadily blow from
any quarter. Occasionally fierce wind,
a blast from the arid plains and sand
hills far to the south, where the air
boils in barren gullies, or rolls in waves
of heat over the heated earth, swept up
their valley, causing the mercury to
spring upward In the vacuum tube,
but this sirocco from the desert was
soon overcome by the cool winds sweep
ing southwark from the frozen north.
This partial drought destroyed forty
acres of their corn, and shortened the
yield of the other forty acres in direct
relation to its time of planting. When
the corn was cut, they estimated that
they had GOO bushels instead of 2,400,
confidently expected. Not disheart-
ened by the yield of sod corn in a
phenomenally dry year, John Tallant
in the fall plowed the prairie he had
broken preparatory to sowing wheat the
next spring.
One morning an icy north wind rose
with the sun, causing the frost-coated
grass in the valley to wave in sparkling
pillows. As the sun mounted higher
and higher the wind strengthened, and
by noon strong wind, cold and pierc-
ing, was sweeping across the country.
The grayish veil hanging across the
northern horizon changed color to blush
black, and slowly pushed upward.
Standing in front of their dugout, the
Tallants admired the country. The
nostrils of Mrs. Tallant quivered slight
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
1lliteracy in the United States.
FROM 90 TO % PER CENT. OF OUR VOTING
POPULATION UNABLE TO READ THEIR
BALLOTS.

The University Convocation at Albany
was largely attended by regents and
representatives from the different col
leges, academies, and high schools of
the State. The welcoming address of
Chancellor Pierson gave brief account
of what the Boards of Regents are doing
and endeavoring to do, and invited the
cooperation of the Convocation.
Prof. Gardiner of the Albany Academy
read a paper on "The Relation of the
General Government to the Education
of the People," This paper showed an
alarming amount of illiteracy in the
United States, and suggested methods
of removing it. 1t presented statistics,
showing that III 1870 the voting popu-
lation of the United States was 1923, 900,
the voting population of the Southern
States being 9, 5000. The illiterate
voters in the United States were $780,
900, aud the same class of voters in the
Southern States numbered ], 1,123, 600.
Twenty per cent. of the entire voting
population of the United States, and
45 per cent. of the voters of the Southern
States, could not read their ballots.
The total vote cast and counted at the
last general election In the whole coun"
try was 9.297, 900. Advance sheets of
census reports and careful estimates say
that from 81 to % per cent. of them
were illiterate. Ten years ago one voter
in five was llliterate. The proportion
is larger to-day. Sixteen Southern
States contain one-third of the entire
vote of the country, and three quarters
Of that vote is illiterate. There are
457, 900 illiterate votes in the Eastern,
Northern, and Western States. New
York has II, 100 illiterate votes Penn
sylvania, 6S, los; Illinois, 4,477; and
Ohio, 1870. These 457, 900 illiterate
voters of the North showed their dis
tinctive power in the riots of 1877, and
they can decide every contested cleo
ton. The rapid growth of city popu-
lation and illiteracy is an evil omen for
American democracy. In 1870 illiteracy
had grown to one-sixth of our popu-
lation, and in 1880 it was one-fifth. In
this State alone nearly SO per cent. OF
the illiterate live in cities.
An animated discussion followed the
reading of the paper. Regent Fitch
offered a resolution favorIng aid from
the General Government to the several
States in the matter of popular educa-
ton, such aid to be apportloned accord
ing to the iliteracy in the several
States, and that the resolution be trans
mitted to Congress. The resolution
was carried unanimously.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
AN IRISH WOOLNG.

'Dochthor Brady, come here come here
Did anyone see the likes of this
Four iv the boys have fought just for a kiss '
It's much we've to answer for, Eileen dear.
There was Micky, and Shawn, and Denis and
Pat
Four iv us fought for ye, think o that
Now on q stretcher each one iv them les
All but Pat (by the powers, that's me ,
All iv them brought to this pass. We see.
By that quare comether% in Eileen's eyes.
''whisht She's cryin', do declare.
How'll comfort you now, agra?
Docthor. lend me your outside car
Till take her jaunt to Drummora Fair
There's only one iv us now to the fore,
But he'll break the heads iv a dozen more.
Whoop Mavourneen, what'll do?
Their heads are broke, but my hearts in two.
There was Micky, and Shawn. and Denis and
Pat
Four iv us fought for We, think o that
Fought wild shillalies to gain the prize
or that quare comether in Eileen's eyes.
Father Pathrickl I'm certain sure
This same comether's dangerous thing,
1t ought to be chained wild weddin' ring,
For the boys are just bein' kilt by the score.
Things is got to pretty pass,
There1l only be corpses TO come to mass.
There was AIicky, and shawn, and Denis and
Pat
Divil bit OF her cared for thatD
BY the holy poker Pats won the prize
OF that quare comether in Eileen's eyes,"
LOUISA F. STORY.
Comether. Anglice, spell.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
A New Riding Habit.

The change in the riding habit worn
by the Princess of Wales has been the
subject of much talk and discussion
among ladies in England, and may be
interesting to horsewomen here. The
new riding habit is made with short
skirt gored to the knees, so that the
position of the rider is safer in the sad
die, being unincumbered with the heavy
folds and useless length of drapery hith-
erto worn. The skirt cannot be blown
about, and is thus prevented from
revealing the foot and ankle, which can
never look graceful when stretched over
the side of the horse to reach the stirrup.
The skirt worn by the Princess is not
much longer than an ordinary drawing
room costume, and light. easily raised
by the wearer without the danger of
causing a stumble, which so continually
happens with the riding habit usually
worn.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
THE COMET.

The Comet He is on his way,
And singing as he flies
The whizzing planets shrink before
The spectre 1f the skies;
All well may regal orbs ourn blue,
And satellites turn pale
Ten million cubic miles of head,
len billion leagues of tail
oh, on, by whistling spheres Of light,
He flashes and he flames
He turns not to the left nor right,
lie asks them not their names;
One spurn from his demoniac heel
Away, away they fly,
Where darkness might be bottled up
And sold for "Tyrian dye
And what would happen to the land,
And how would look the sea,
If in the bearded devils path
Our earth should chance 10 be?
Full hot and high the sea would boil.
Full red the forests CLEAN;
Methought saw and heard it all
In a dyspeptic dream!
saw tutor take his tube
The comets course to spy;
heard a screqm-the gathered rays
Had stewed the tutors eye;
saw q fort the soldiers all
Were armed with goggles green;
Pop cracked the gun whiz flew the balls
Bang went the magazine
saw poet dip scroll
Each moment in tub,
l read upon the warping back,
"The Dream Of Beelzebub;"
He could not see his verses burn.
Although his brain was fired,
And ever and anon he bent
To wet them as they dried
saw the scalding pitch roll down
The cracking. sweating pines,
And streams of smoke, like water-spouts,
Burst through the rumbling mines;
asked the firemen why they made
Such noise about tue town;
They answered not but all the while
The brakes went up and down,
l saw roasting pullet 81
Upon baking egg;
saw criprI.o soorch his hand
Extipe gushing his leg
sa." nine geese upon the wing
Toward the frozen pole,
And every mothers gosling fell
Crisped to a cracking coal.
saw the OK that browsed the grass
Writhe in the blistering rays.
The herbage in his shrinking jaws
Was all iiery blaze;
saw huge fishes boiled TO rags,
Bob through the bubbling brine
And thoughts Of supper crossed my soul
l had been rash at mine.
Strange sights strange sounds Oh fear
It's memory haunts me still [ful dream,
The steaming sea, the crimson glare,
That wreathed each wooded hill
Stranger! If through thy reeling brain
Such midnight Vi sions sweep,
Spare spare, oh, spare thine evening
And sweet shall be thy Sleep lmeal!
%. w. HOLMES.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
ADVERTTsTNG RATEs

One dollar for one inch space " i'll be charged
for the first insertion, and fifty cents for each
subsequent insertion.
A liberal discount will be made on quarterly
six months, or yearly advertisements.
Local notices will be in serted at 20 cents per
line.
Marriage and death Aotices inserted free.
Obituary notices inserted at half advertising
rates.
All advertising oils are due after the first
Insertion, unless otherwise agreed upon.
LITTLETON DENNIS. Snow Hill. Nd
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23

\ WESTERN WELL.-A well at Castle
Rock, Wis, runs down forty feet throuhg
shale, and then through forty feet of
solid rock. At the junction of the two
substances 4 stream of air pours in so
cold that ice forms, and so strong that
light things are blown out of the well.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23

SPINACH. When cooking spinach sub
stitute little piece of bacon for the salt
pork usually cooked with it to season it.
The incest way to serve it is to put bit
OF the bacon in each dish. Hard boiled
eggs, sliced when cold, are also liked
with the greens.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23

IF you want to get the reputation of
knowing q heap, do as Professor Proc
tor does. He guesses what happened
three or four million years ago and pre-.
diets what is to happen fifteen million
years hence. 1t is only a few years
since he commenced, and now he can
get credit in any grocery.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23

EDWARD b. BATES,
IL (Late of Baltimore Barr
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR-AT-LAw
Snow Hill. Nd.
Office opposite Court House, adjoining the
Post Office
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
ATLANTIC HOTEL.
LATE ESGLIsH's,)
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, VA.
WI. MATTHEWS CO. ProprietOr..

The undersigned beg leave 20 inform theii
friends and the general public that they have
lrascd and refurnished the above elegant and
comm0dious house, and are now prepared TO
accommodate permanent and transient guests
In frst-class style.
Large airy rooms. Home comforts.
Fine Sea and Bav Fishing, Cunning and
Bathing, eic. Ths table Is provided with Wild
Fowl. Terrapin, Fish, Oysters. Crabs, and all
the luxuiies Of The season.
Pleasure boats If all kinds. guides, fishing
lines. decoys. ponies, etc, always ready for
the use Of guests.
First-class Bar attached. Choice wines,
liquors, ales, beors and cigars.
Passengers for ChincoteagGe connect with
steamer for the Island az Franklin City, the
terminus Of the Worcester Railroad, morning
and evening. Connection may also be made
daily at Nashville All who visit the Atlantic
may rest sssnF. that they viii receive cour-
teoHs treatment and excellent faTs.
YoaY patronage is respectfully solicited.
". J. MATTHEW'S Il co.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
A DIAL P. BARNES,
IN ATTOPNEY-krIA LAW

Office opposite Court House, Snow Hill. Md.
Win visit Pocomoke City every Saturday.
Strict attention given to the collection Of
claims.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
CLAYTON J. PURNELL,
~ ATTORNEY-ar- LAW

Office opposite Court House, Snow Hill, Md.
Strict attention gwen to the collection OF
claims. Will visit Berlin on the second Satur-
daY OF every month
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
The Democratic Messenger.
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY
LITTLEroN DENNIS, Proprietor
AT SHOW HILL, WORCESTER co., ND.
Subscription, 81 Year i'm Advance.

Literal arrangements made with clubs
Correspondence solicited from all parts OF
the county.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
GEORGE NJ. UPSHUR,

AIIORNE1-AI-LAW.
Office, Court House Square, Snow Hill, Md.
Prompt attention given TO the collection of
claims.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23
CAMUEL H. TOWNSEND.

y ATTORNEY-AT-LAW.
Office, opposite Court House, Snow Hill, Nd.
Prompt attention given to the collection of
claims.
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-23

EDWARD d. MARTIN,
~ ATTORNEY-AT-LAW.
Oflce opposite Town Hall, Berlir, Md.
Special attention given TO the collection OF
claims.
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
Trade.

During the past ten days, owing to the
roughness of the roads, trade has been
comparatively dull and wheat receipts
light. Farmers have been both unable
and in many cases unwilling to draw in
their grain, as neither the prices, grades or
roads have suited them, and consequently
the business transactions have been re-
duced to barter trade, outside of the To-
cal village custom, which, however, has
now assumed no inconsderable proper
TONS The prospects are Frightening up
somewhat and are very favorable for a
good brisk trade as soon as there are bet
ter roads, as quite large portion of the
seasons crop is yet unmarketed. OF the
wheat in store at our elevators. but small
proportion of the whole. probably less
than twenty thousand bushels is held by
farmers. This is small amount in com
parison with previous seasons, and while
there are reasons for believing large
quantity in the graneries, yet it is true that
OF the amount marketed to date, larger
proportion than usual was sold owing to
the high prices which prevailed early in
the season. A fact also to be considered
in this connection is the higher prices paid
west of us, and it is certainly surprising,
to say the least, that after all that has been
said on this point our business men have
not been moving i'll this matter long ere
this
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
4 Pleasant Ereninn.

On Friday evening Inst large, select
and appreciative audience assembled Mt
Brisbine's hall, on which occasion the
Morris Dramatic association furnished a
pleasant evenings entertainment. pre-
scnting in very creditable and acceptable
manner two bright comediettas, IA
Pretty Piece of Business, and "Cut off
With Shilling" The plays were well
received and while we do not mean to de-
tract from the merits of the performers.
yet there is no doubt but that the new and
very pretty scenery contributed largely to
the effectiveness of the presentation. The
stage presented bright, cosy and cheerful
appearance, was well lighted, Hastily ar
ranged, and in every way creditable to the
association and the management. But
one scene of the four ordered was mounted
owing to the material not being received
but day or two previous to the entertain-
ment, however, tile one used answered all
purposes, and was a most decidedly apree-
able change from the old curtains which
have done duty from time to time since the
memory of man runneth not to the con-
trary.
The first play. "a Pretty Piece Of BUSH
ness" was very well rendered, the perform.
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
IA, I1.cipient Blaze.

A small but very promising fire started
in the Farmers Hotel on Fifth street Tues
day morning, but was luckily discovered
in season to prevent disastrous confagra
ton. DR.. Heenan, who was visiting O
patient in that neighborhood, attracted by
the smoke, rushed up stairs, and found the
bed clothes and carpet in one room on fire
fortunately only smoking and smordering
but ready to blaze up with the least draught
of air. The fire was speedily cxlinguishcd
and its origin traced back to hole in
the chimney that had been carelessly
stopped up with some rags. The rags evi
IDENTIFY caught fire from sparks, and after
smouldering while fell on the bed and
from it to the floor.
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
School Report.

Report of the Morris graded school for
the month ending December 9, 1881.
Monthly enrolment. Observation-Disclosures. 1877
Summary of attendance. ...........19 1910
Average daily attendance. ........... 102
ROLL OF HONOR.
Those who have attained an average of
80 or over:
Grace Knott. 95 Ida Stebbins. go. .9S
Grace McCoon 90 Lulu Richardson 80
Grace Phelps. 49,. 80 George Cole. -. 95
Maud Torpey.. 81
Those who have been neither absent nor
tardy:
Maud Torpey, Grace McCoon, Grace
Phelps. Lulu Richardson, Lillian McCoon,
Eta Pearce, Frank Hancock, Freddie FL
mer, Charley Burpee, Stephen Spur, EN-
ma Linsley, Edward Frisby, Frank White
ley. Hugh Spur, Burton Linsley, Seldom
Linsley, Willie Dunn, Lilly Knott, Arthur
Williams, Eddie See, Amelia Anderson,
Abbie Smith, Edward Williams; Mabel
Corliss, Harry Corliss, Frank Leavitt. F or
est Pushor and Nickoli Oleson.
We are glad to acknowledge visits from
each of the members of the school board,
the county superintendent, and from quite
number of the patrons of our school.
Thanking these for their interest in us, we
ask them to call again aud hope others
will drop i'm to see us. Visits from par
ents or others who have an Interest in
school work are encouraging to both
teachers and pupils. Respectfully,
E. w. RANDALL, Prin.
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
Hood.

AS yet our fuel supply is lamentably
meagre and no immediate prospects of an
adequate supply. There are two reasons
given for the small stock at the company's
disposal, one is that the roads in the tim
Der are very bad, and the other is that the
prices paid by the company are so small
that it is no induccment for farmers to cut
and draw it. 1t is extremely lucky for all
concerned that the weather has been COM
paratively mild of late, else there would
have been serious time in this prairie
region. We hate to be everlastingly
growing on this fuel question, as it is Ger.
tainly not good advertisement for this
county, yet the danger to which we are
exposed is so apparent to any one who will
give the subject a moments consideration
that we can do no less than endeavor to
bring the question prominently before
those most interested. 1t don't do to take
chances on the weather, yet this is being
done every day, and were it not that an
other season and the advent of the Little
Falls q Dakota railroad will solve this
problem, at least as far as this section is
concerned, there would be large sized
fuss made i'll very short order
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
Rc-Or0uliisPI.

At the anual meeting of the Morris ORA
matte and Musical society held last Tues
day evening, the principal business of i'm
portance transacted was the election of
officers for the ensuing year. 1t is the in
tentiOn to commence at once rehearsing q
play to be given after the holidays, and
an effort will be made to out strip any
thing ever attempted by our home talent
in this line. The following officers were
chosen A. S. Brisbine, president; E. W.
Leonard, Secretary and Treasurer. Exc.
cutive committee: DR.. Sutherland, chair.
man and manager; W. j. Munro and l..
Ii. Stanton.
Other business of minor Importance was
discussed, but as it as desired to give all
new members voice in the further organ.
ization, action was postponed until Mon
day after noon next at 3 o'clock, at Bris-
bines hall, when any new memb ers will
be voted for and series of bylaws
adopted. A committee consisting Of
Messrs. Weber. JuGson and Leonard,
were appointed to draft by laws and pre-.
sent them for acceptance at the next meet.
ing.
Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
Machine .Sbone

Again rumors are in circulation to the
effect that the division machine shops will
be established here and that the Breckcn.
ridge and Willmar shops are to be consol.
idated at this point. While we have not
been able to verify this report on the au.
thority of any of the officials of the com
pany, yet we are informed that the easter.
ly extension of the. st. Cloud g. Lake Tray.
erse line is likely to necessitate the erection
OF machine shops at this point, and while
Morris is likely to be the end of division,
yet it is not probable that either of the
above named shops will be removed or
consolidated as they will be required
where they are. In addition to this we
were assured that nothing definite had
been decided upon and 20 action would be
taken for sometime to come, at least not
until another spring.