davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

The FOLLY OF MANK1ND.-There is q
dreadful ambition abroad for being "genteel."
We keep up appearances too often at the ex-
pense of honesty and though we may not be
rich, yet we must seem to be respectable" !"
though only in the meanest sense-in mere
vulgar show. We have not the courage to
go patiently onward in the condition of life in
which it has pleased God to call us but
must needs live in some fashionable state, to
which we ridiculously please to call ourselves,
and all to crafty the vanity Of that unsub.
stantial, genteel world of which we form q
part. There is constant struggle and pres
sure for front seats in the .amphitheatre in
the midst of which all noble, self denying re-
solve is trodden down, and many fine natures
are inevitably crushed to death. What
waste, what misery, what bankruptcy, come
from all this ambition to dazzle others with
the glare of apparent worldly success, we
need not describe. The mischievous results
show themselves in a thousand ways-in the
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08
DO IT YOURSELVES, BOYS.

Do not ask, the teacher, or some class-mate
to solve that hard problem. Do it yourselves
You might as we'll ask them to eat your din
ner, as do your sums" for you. 1t is in
studying as in eating he that does it gets the
benefit and not he that sees it done. In
almost any school would give more for what
the teacher learns than for what the best
scholar learns, simply because the teacher
is compelled to solve all the hard problems
for them and answer the questions Of the
lazy boys. Do not ask him to parse all the
difficult words or assist you in the perfor.
nance of any of your duties. Do it your.
selves. Never mind though they look as
dark as Egypt. Don't ask even hint from
anybody. Try again. Every trial increases
your ability, and you will finally succeed by
dint of the very wisdom and strength gained
in this effort, even though at first the prob.
lem was beyond your skill. 1t is the study
and not the answer that really rewards your
pains.
Look at that boy who after six hours of
hard study, perhaps, how his large eye is lit
up with proud joy, as he marches to bis
class. He reads like conqueror and we'll
he may. Last night his lamp burned late; ;
and this morning he walked at dawn. Once
or twice he nearly gave up. He had tried
his last thought, but new thought strikes him
as he ponders the last progress He tries
once more and succeeds and now mark the
air of conscious strength with which he pro.
nounces his demonstration. His poor, weak
school mate, who gave up that same problem
after the first faint trial, now looks up to him
with something of wonder, as a superior.
That problem lies there, great gulf between
those boys who stood yesterday side by side.
They will never stand together as equals
again. The boy that did it for himself has
taken a stride upward, and what is better
still, gained strength to take other and great
or ones. The boy who waited to see others
do it, has lost both strength and courage, and
is already looking for some good excuse to
give up school and study forever.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

DEvIL.--The initiative propensities OF
Young America are quite equal to thoss Of
the monkey tribe. A friend furnishes US
with the following as the last illustration:
Johnny, three year old, was at dinner
with the rest of the family, which included an
aun. on a visit.
"Aunt Ellen" asked the hopeful Johnny,
"do you ever say devil ?"
"Why, no, Johnny, what makes you ask
such question ?" replied the lady,
Because pa says so. Pa, what made you
say devil the other day, when you was look
ing for the hammer and couldn't find it 7"
"Oh," said pa. rather cornered, "did 1 t?
Well, so as to find it easier, suppose"
Here the discussion ended, the explana-
ton being considered as good as could be
given under the circumstances, but Johnny's
retentive memory treasured it up.
A few.days afterwards, Johnny's cap, as
little caps will do, got somehow out Of its
place, and Johnny forgot where he left it.
His mother told him to look till he found it.
Of he started, up stairs and down stairs,
and soon his treble voice rang through the he
halls, crying out, "devil DEVIL DEVIL !"
"John, my son." called out his frightened
mother, "what in the world do you mean by
using that wicked word ?"
$50 as to find my cap easy !" cried John.
"Pa says devil when he can't find things,
don't he ma?
The force of example could not farther 50,
and the anxious mother had to negotiate
with Johnny's father to be more select in
bis use of words in the presence of his chill.
dren.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08
Selected gnetrg.
ALITrLE ELBOW ROOM.

A LITTLE ELBOW ROOM.
Good morning, don't crowd so very tight,
There's room enough for two;
Keep in your mind that I've right
To live as we'll as you.
You're rich and strong, poor and weak;
But think you presume,
When only this poor boon ask
A little elbow room?
IT'S such as you, the rich and strong,
If you had but the will,
Could give the weak lift along,
And help him up the hill.
But no-you jostle, crowd and drive,
You storm you fret and tune;
Are you the only man aliv7
In want of elbow room?
But thus it is on life's rough path,
Self seems the god OF all;
The strong will crush the weak TO death;
The big devOur the small.
Far better to be a rich mans hound
A valet, serf or groom,
Than struggle with the mass around,
When we've no elbow room.
Up heart, my boy, don't mind the Shocks
Up heart and pass along!
Your skin will soon grow tough with KNOCKS
Your limbs with labor strong.
And there's hand unseen to aid,
A star to light the gloom
Up heart, my boy, nor be afraid,
Strike out for elbow room.
In struggling on with might and main,
An altered, better man,
Grow wise with many by-gone pain
And many broken plan
Though bruised by many luckless fall,
And blinded by the gloom,
I'll up and soon redeem it all
But give me elbow room.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

ings too, so full of domestic enjoyment and
freside pleasures, that you will look with
wonder on the record of last years expenses
and marvel that you found time or relish fol
the costly entertainments chat seriously taxed
your pocket. If, too, like many, your out
goes threaten to exceed your incomes. be sure
and tell your wife of it. Not in tone or
manner that will lead her to think you don't
want her to buy what is really necessary for
winter, but just as if you wanted counsellor
in the day of your trouble. And if she does
not come up, heart and soul, and most sue
cessiully, to your relief put me down for no
prophet.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

WOULD Nor BE FOOLED W1TH.-We
learn, says the Milton IN. CO. Chronicle, that
the clerk of the store in Concord, in Person
county, was shot a few nights ago by his
younger brother in mistake for some one trying
to break into the store. The particulars, as
narrated to us, are: The clerk had been off
(probably courting) and had left bis little
brother in care of the store. Returning in
the night and finding the store closed and
the boy retired to bed, he thought, as we
suppose, that he would have some fun out Of
the lad by making him believe some one out
side was trying to break in. So he made
noise at the window.shutter as if trying to
open it, which aroused the boy, and then he
went to the door and pretended to be trying
to open it. The boy, in the meantime, didn't
scare worth cent, and armed with pistol,
he crept to the door, and pokjng the mouth
of the pistol at an opening at the bottom
Of the door, he fired and put ball in tho
clerks leg.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

Gum ARAB1c.-.In Morocco, about tie
middle of November, that is, after the rainy
season, which begins in July, a gummy juice
exudes spontaneously from the trunk and
branches of the acacia tree. In about fifteen
days it thickens in the furrow down which it
runs, in a vermicular Cor worm) shape, or
commonly assuming the form of oval or
round tears about the size of a pigeons egg,
of different colors, as they belong to the red
or white gum tree. About the middle of De-
cember the Moors encamp on the borders of
the forest and the harvest lasts six weeks.
The gum is packed in very large sacks Of
leather, and brought on the backs of bullocks
and camels to certain ports, where it is sold to
English and French merchants. The gum is
highly nutritious. During the whole time Of
harvest, of the journey to the ports, the Moors
of the desert live almost entirely upon it
and experience has proved that six ounces Of
gum are sufficient for the support Of man
for twenty.four hours.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08
TELL YOUR WIFE.

eyes, the only way is, to tell your wife
lust how you stand. Show her your balance
sheet. Let her look over the items. You
think it will hurt her feelings. No, it will
not any such thing. She has been taught to
believe that money was with you, just as lit
tie boys think it is with their fathers-terri,
bly, hard to be reached, yet inexhaustible
She has had her suspicious already. She
has guessed you were not 80 prosperous as
you talked. But you have so befogged your
money affairs that she, poor thing knows
nothing about them. Tell it right to her.
that you are living outside of your income
Take her into partnership, and III warrant
you'll never regret it. There may be a slight
shower at first, but that's natural.
Let her see your estimate when you come
home again she will show you that you have
put her bills too high. True she had rather
a costly bonnet last winter, but it is .just as
good as ever; a few shillings will provide i,
with new strings and re6t it little-the
shape, she says, is almost exactly as they
wear them now." And you will be surprised
to see how much less expensive she can make
your wardrobe She will surprise you with
a new vest-not exactly familiar, somehow,
looking as if another shape you had seen it
before-yet new as vest, and scarcely cost
ing a dollar where you had allowed five.
Old cravats will experience renovation
in her hands, coming out so rejuvinated, that
nobody but those who are let into the secret
would suspect that they are old friends in
new shapes. The dressing gown that you
we're going to buy-out Of what forgotten
chest she has gathered the material you can:
not imagine-but there it is comfortable and
warm, and just the thing you wanted for the
long winter evenings that are coming on as
fast as the almanac will let them.
You will find wonderful change in hel
tastes and appetite. Whereas, she always
fancied what was little out of season, OF
Just coming into market-now if beef is dear
she thinks boiled mutton is delightful-as
tender as chicken. If lambs rise, and fish
are plenty, she thinks a striped bass, or q
fried sole good occasionally.
Before you have thought much about it,
you find yourself spending most of your even
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

Soft BEDs.-There are differences of opin-
ion in regard to the best beds for refreshing
sleep, some persons advocating soft and some
hard beds. The difference between them is
that the weight of body on soft bed press"
es on a larger surface than upon hard bed,
and consequently more comfort is enjoyed.
Hard beds should never be given to little
children, and parents who suppose that such
beds contribute to health by hardening and
developing the constitution are surely in er-
ror. Eminent physicians, both here and in
England, concur in this opinion, and state
that hard beds often prove injurious to the
shape of infants Birds and animals cover
their offspring with the softest materials they
can obtain, and also make soft beds for them,
and softness of a. bed is not evidence Of its
being unwholesome. But if it is not kept
sweet and clean by daily airings and frequent
beatings, whether it is hard or SOFT it is sure
ly injurious to health.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

MARR1AGE-Some marry for love; others
wed for money; some to escape an uncom.
Portable home some to keep their carriage
some for rank and some from carelessness.
None of these are legitimate motives; none
of them likely to produce happiness. But
there is feeling which requires worth to
satisfy it, and experience of that worth to fix
it, which is irrespective of age, or time, or
even sex, which seeks for one love and spirit
for its minister, and only asks for one, which
united Jonathan to David: "For Jonathan g
soul was knit unto the soul Of David, and
Jonathan loved David as his own SOUL" At
tachment, adhesiveness or affection are the
synonymous terms which describe this feel
ing, and friendship is the result. Most men
have but few friends; many have none. Lord
Byron had but one, and that was dog. Hap
py were we all, if in choosing partner for
life, we were to take care that, although there
must be diffeences, there should be no discre-
pancies; although opinions might vary, they
should never clash that high pride should not
be united to the lowly in spirit, nor great pu-
rity to the offensive or the vicious that mean
selfshness should never chain down into per-
petual companionship the generous or the
just; nor that the deceitful and the false
should destroy the happiness Of the noble
and the true. Let not the quick unite him
self to the sulky or the Ounce. Let not the
delicate and the pure de6le itself by contact
with the vulgar and the gross; and then, if
care be taken by both, each will come to
each with an ability and a desire to comfort
one another.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08
A MILD WINTER PRED1cTED.-Thef follow.

A MILD WINTER PRED1crED.-The follow
ing forecast of the weather for the coming win
ter was prepared by Geo. d. Twiss, for the Tyn.
dali Association. He has made similar pre-
dictions for the past six years and read be-
fore this Association, and bis forecasts have
generally been verified by the facts:
The winter will be the mildest since the
winter of 1855, but the average tempera-
ture will be little below that of that winter.
The length of the winter will be from SIX
weeks to two months shorter than last year,
the severe weather commencing about Janu-
ary l, and closing early in March. The winter
will be characterized by sudden sharp changes.
The thermometer will likely touch a lower
point than at any time last winter, but the
general average of the temperature will be
much higher. A. severe cold dip may be ex-
pected between December % and January 10.
There will be little snow and sleighing.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

money he lost was just the amount have
won this night from you-that very ring upon
your finger Is his! AM HIS BROTHER YOU
ARE HIS AssAssINw
Thorn pronounced these words in firm,
clear, ringing voice, and as he concluded,
brought his hand down with blow upon the
table at which they were sitting, which was
instantly overturned, as he and his opponent
started simultaneously to their feet. They
were scarcely six PAGES apart after springing
from their chairs, aud both drew their weap-
ons as they rose.
die liar !" shouted the gambler, dis.
charging his weapon the moment he gained
his feet. The bullet ripped open Thorn's
waistcoat, and his watch flew in fragments
from the pocket, dangling by its chain. At
the same moment his arm, which was slowly
rising, became rigid as that ofa statue. The
pistol he held exploded, and the gambler
fell back corpse upon the carpet. This all
passed 80 suddenly, ere we could interfere,
that we stood as if almost paralyzed for an
instant, while the servants alarmed by the
noise, and the police, came rushing into the
apartment.
Thorn quietly surrendered himself, merely
turning to US and the the other two who were
in the room, saying, as he did so, "Gentle-
men, bear witness fred in self defense, and
that I received that villains first fire here;"
and he pointed to his shattered watch with
a smile, and turning left the room with the
officers.
He was tried and acquitted, as it was clear
ly proved that his adversary fired upon him
first. The fact of the gambler being a noto:
rious rascal, whom the community could
we'll afford to spare, might have had some
influence with the jury.
I have never met Thorn since, but the
recollection of that fearful scene is yet fresh
and vivid in my mind, though many years
L. -. -
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08
seek, and ye shall find I; knock, and it shall

seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shal
be opened unto you"
Uncle says that we cannot do one another
half the mischief with our teeth, that we car
with our tongues; and that we often tie s
knot with our tongues in minute, that We
cannot unite with our teeth in year. He
says 1 ought to repeat these three texts oI
Scripture every day of my life: "Whosc
keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth
bis soul from troubles )" (Prov. xxi, % J
Every idle word that man shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day ofjudg.
ment;" (Matt xii 36 y and, "Set watch, O
Lord, before my mouth keep the door Of my
lips )" (Psal. cxli) must try to do it too
Uncle says that a rogue robs nobody half
so much as he robs himself; he may deprive
another of watch, gold ring, or purse
of money; but he deprives himself of his
character, of his peace, of bis liberty, and,
perhaps, of his life. wish all rogues were
aware of this for some of them might be-
come honest. Honesty" after all, "is the
best policy"
Uncle says that he meets with many who
eat too much, drink too much. and sleep too
much but that he has never yet met with one
who prayed too much, read his Bible too
much, or praised God too much. feel sure
that uncle is right in this, and then ought
to remember it.
Uncle says that cheerfulness is like SER
want entering a dismal room at night with
two lighted candles and that melancholy
is like another servant coming with two ex.
tinguishers to put the candles out again.
True piety, he says, should always be cheer
full for, however bright its prospects may be
in this world, its prospects in the world that
is to come are still brighter.
Uncle says that a Bible, a Sabbath, house
of prayer, and a throne of grace, are better
than sceptre, crown throne, and king
dom and that he who possesses them, and
makes good use of them, is much richer
than an ungodly king. Uncle is good man !;
what he says is for my good; and if neglect
it, cause enough shall have to regret it.
Uncle says that when farmer sows
field, he scatters the seed freely, because he
knows it will not all come up; and, in like
manner, when he gives me advice, he gives
it me freely, because he knows that shall
forget part of it. This is acting very wise
ly. However, will remember as much of it
as I can, and tell all l can remember to my
companions Child's Companion.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

hold nothing was there. "This time," said
he, 81 was scared, indeed, till my attention
was called to shouting outside in the street,
and then found that it was an earthquake
passing under the City of Mexico that had
lifted my bed up and given me such appre-
tensions"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

rank frauds committed by men who dare to
be dishonest, but do not dare to seem poor
and in the desperate dashes at fortune, in
which the pity is not so much for those who
fail, as for the hundreds of innocent families
who are so often involved in their ruin.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

WATCH Your NE1GHBoRs.-Take care of
them. Don't let them stir without watching.
They may do something wrong if you do.
To be sure you never knew them to do any
thing very bad, but it may be on your &C.
count they have not Perhaps, if it had not
been for your kind care they might have dis
graced themselves and families a long time
ago. Therefore don't relax any effort to keep
them where they ought to be; never mind
your own business, that will take care of it.
self. There is man passing along-there he
is looking over the fence into his neighbor's 8
garden, be suspicious of him, perhaps he
contemplstes stealing something some of these
dark nights there is no knowing what queer
fancies he may have got into his head. II
you see any symptoms of any one passing
out Of the path Of rectitude, speak to some
individual about it, and tell every one else
you see, but be particular and see great
many.
1t is good way to circulate such things
and though it may not benefit yourself, OF
any one else particularly, it will be some.
thing equally important about some one else
Do keep something going-silence is dread
full thing, though it is said there was silence
in the Courts of Heaven for the space Of
half an hour, don't let any such thing occur
on earth it would be too much like Heaven
for the inhabitants of this mundane sphere,
If, after all your watchful care, you can't see
anything out of the way in any one, you may
be sure it is not because they have not done
anything bad ; perhaps in an unguarded mo-
ment, you lost 81 ght of them-throw out hints
they are no better than they should be-that
you should not wonder if people found out
what they were after while, and then they
may not carry their heads so high. Keep it
a going and some one will take the hint, and
begin to help you after while-tben there
will be music and everything will work to a
charm.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-08

WHEN SToNEwALL JACKSON WAS FRIGHT
ENED.-The following anecdote is told by
Governor Jackson of West Virginia:
II recollect asking "Stonewall," who was
my cousin, if he had ever been frightened in
war. He said yes, once he had been consider.
ably under sense of fear. 1t was in the
City of Mexico. A chest containing large
sum of money had been put in Lieutenant
Jacksons charge and to be perfectly secure
of it he ordered it to be carried to his head.
quarters, in an old abbey or convent, and laid
down there alone to sleep, sentinel walking
the corridor outside. He had been there in
bed a few minutes, when he distinctly heard
something under his bed, which lifted, it up as
if man secreted there. Jackson said he
leaped out of bed and drew his sword and ex'
amined the bed and room in vain. Jackson
then supposed he had been possibly dreaming
and resumed his bed. Just as he was think
ing it was all mistake his bed lifted again
plainly and with some force. He started
forth second time, sword in hand, and be-
, 1881-02-12
NOT HURT, BUT HOLLERINo.


6peetat D!,pateh 10 7hs Chicago Tribune.
er. LOuss, No., Feb li.-The hcnyy 1naBs Of
leo from tho Missouri hud ruin itsptf oi,t this
nsornu9. There wns still good Geui Of trush
uHd broken lee III tA0 Rtrca1l., but not enough to
Interfere With the nurlKAtE0u, i!pats Of every
description, hpwcvcr, Still hug tho shore, uni! Il
strict WATCH IL kcpt uIun tho troubled wuters.
Thp impending peril ia tho unbroke1 fluids And
gorRes fru,n tho Mississippi. At Muplu isla,l,
tho old mouth Ut tho Missouri, thur0 Ia VI. tnl-
nleElsu gorge liable to niuye ut uIy uolllctt.
Tha s"rgo anu Held nboye ara oniy
held by tho higher watcr coming out
Ut tho Missouri. 1t J.. loose ut tho si,oreH, mud
nreds but u lIttiD persuasion 10 start tn tts
do"nwurta c"ursc. 4 gentleman prominently
connected with tho .Alchor Line cnlnu down
frs'm Astun this IMorn1Dx whu huh tnkcn gttod
look Ut tho xorKc. liu suya Ity coming ls tuore tD
be fcarea than VIZ hnye i,aGi yet. Whun 1t cuu.cs
there will t,u Gloss shaving fur slcal,ers In the
bArD0r: Ths A!ss!E4!ppl ID tfstalg shuFply ali
A!olx, but th0ru ara lew signs VI Il hfGHk!nx
above Alton Ut present. Tho hxhtst pnllit
EAuHr: Tut AslchuF l.inc. lor kuw Urlcuus alll
MuMlphls, Ii getting seu1y tn i'eKiu wurk, hut ID
delayed 1T active operations BY thu tNIIlujlllr3
ite Shove Crews bute llnvA sent ~ hrlpX Up
tEo Stt1H!ers now ~ Eut1l III suON III tlo WHfl
y KISpn thut all IL clear, Tho MIs54spp. y4IIcy
IT. al,,,sy. on'y. a%ats wv thy ty .aosen,s't o. thG
}o1s WIN b. ssurted down. Tke
InpK to Chester. Fadl,cah aud tue Ohio will nlsu
Ia keady for bus!aeas ut the opcuuls. Frou th<