davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

walton away. We heard the Indians was
comm, an cleared. Miss Kent, somehow,
got missed, and was left behind. Here
we come under the constitution of tn
United State+, to send them redskins to
blazes, and get back the girl. We find
white men using other folks things,
making 'emselves at home, and not so
much rs trace of Miss Kent. Your
story's queer, to say, the least. Now we
amt to be bought, nor yet scared off.
Tell us where the girl is, or give up your
shootin' irons, and go with us to town.
That settles it."
cold man," shouted voice, con-
temptuously, "what do you take us
for?"
The women turned white; there was
an instant of breathless silence. Neither
party wanted to give up, neither cared
to open fire, and each believed his
opronent to be n villain. Suddenly n
little girl in the window gave a cry and
pointed. There was Maudy Kent run
ming toward them, her hair flying, her
whole face radiant. Near the crowd she
faltered, till she got n good view of
Captain Sands. She ran up beside his
nOISt, uUu NHuBnb ll'i bll lTltlu large,
rough hand. "Pm 80 glad to see you "
she cried, $50 glad Where's mamma ?"
The women crancd their necks. The
men edged forward or leaned over the
fence, the very mules projected their
enormous cars, and tho true situation
flashed upon every mind. Simultan-
cously m immense chorus of laughter
awokc the echoes. Tho mules brayed
emulously, md even thb ponies whinnied
little ns tho more ovcitablo riders
almost rolled from thoir backs in trans
ports Of merriment. Tho worse the scare
had been the grcatr the rcyulsion of
feeling, and Maudy laughed with the
rost.
Well, in tho language OF chivalry,
Glory laid nBido his helmet and Peace
took tho floor.
"Como and take breakfast with us,"
said the most defiant camper. owen
give you whnt'B left p Tho invitation
was accepted, and over coffee, fried ba-
con and hot biscuit the late warriors OK
changed friendly explanations. The
women questioned Maudy curiously,
and mentally criticized tho fashion Of
her carringa. All tho discomfort was
smoothcd away. The scare, it seems,
had arisen from silly youths excite
mcnt mt sight of II herd of ponies, when
| his ears were full of Indian rumors.
The troubles along tho border de-
creased with the cold weather, but Mrs
Kent beg your pardon, ! mean the
late Mrs. Kcnt--no longer keeps n stop
| ping place, though she has not lost that
kindly feeling toward the miners notice
able in most of mountain women. One
however, is all she makes provision for,
in the ordinary course of her domestic
arrangements.
Captain Sands has been heard to de-
| fend even the red-haired author of the
scare from the unmerciful jeers of his
companions, but on that subject he is
considered an unfair Judge. AS to
Mandy, 1 can only state her interrupted
wedding was never completed. She
did not want to see George again, nor
did that gentleman show any desire for
her society. The matter was dropped
by mutual consent, and before a great
while she married one of the very party
that had given her such night of terror
as she hoped never to be called on to
live overugain.-Sprin4fea Republican
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14
Power of the Plug Hat.

The plug hat is virtually a sort of q
social guarantee for the preservation of
peace and order. He who puts on one
has given a hostage to the community
for his good behavior. The woarer of a
plug hat most move with q certain Sc
dateness and propriety. He cannot run,
or jump, or romp, or get into q fight,
except at the peril of his headgear. All
the hidden influences of the bearer tend
toward responsibility. He who wears
one is obliged to keep the rest of his
body in trim, that there may be no in.
congruity between head and body. He
is apt to become thoughtful through
the necessity of watching the sky when
ever he goes out. The chances are that
he will buy an umbrella, which is an
other guarantee for good behavior, and
the care of hat and umbrella-perpetual
and exacting as it must be-adds to the
sweetness of his character. The man
who wears plug hat takes naturally to
the society of women, with all its ele-
vating tendencies. He cannot go hunt
ing or fishing without abandoning his
beloved hat, but in the modern enjoy
ment of croquet and lawn-tennis he may
sport his beaver with impunity. In
other words, the constant use of plug
hat makes a man composed in manner,
quiet and gentlemanly in conduct and
the companion of ladies. The inevitable
result is prosperity, marriage and
church membership.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14
The Captains Sweetheart,

"Only last night my ship came in,
Yet years it seemed ere | could seek
Yonr side, and say to you the words
That I so long have longed to speak.
For 1 am captain now, and thought
To-day to win you for my bride;
But would I'd nc'cr set foot on shorel
Would on the ocean had diedl'
With kindling eye and crimsoned check
His words of bitterness she heard.
Then tightly clasped her little hands,
But never spoke single word.
"Your lovely eyes were dim with tears
When last started for the sea;
You knew loved you, and dreamed
Poor trusting fool-yo cared for me.
Each night your name was in my prayeis,
Your picture ON my heart hath lain;
Once moro III press my lip 70 it,
Then You may have 1t back again"
He kissed it thrice, aud held it forth
With trembling hand She raised her head,
And in his face Gaacd steadily,
But not a single word she said
"IO think that You should wed for gold,
Sell your sweet face for sparkling gems
Loves sunshine, girl, would brighter make
Your curls than precious diadcms,
And Faith and Truth would bring you flowers
Where Pomp and Pride but weeds can SOW;
But since you've made your choice, farewell !"
And with a sigh he turned to go.
smile dawncd on her pretty mouth;
She shook her pretty golden curls.
"Stay, Ralph. Who told this tale, !" she asked
"Of gold and diamonds and pearls?"
zone who should l,now-your brother Tom
I mot him az / reached your door.
What if you've gained your ship he Knocked,
And lost your Nell for overmoro2
Old Skipper Browns been courtiug her,
Aud he has stores of gems and gold;
And wedding bells may gayly ring
Before the year is six months old"
Her smile grew brighter and at last
Into a merry laugh she burst.
" Twas wicked Ralph, of Tom; but then
Hes but boy. lis April first
"Anl-:' "No, Of course not; how could |
When You love mci" You say do.
AMI all the time I've been away?"
Tine north star has not been more true.'
"And you will wed me when the sweet
Wild roses, love, begin to blow?"
"S3 SOM" she said. "'Tis ages, DEAR
YES. then, if you will have it So"
And from this time may april first
Be ushered in with cloudless sky,
And all The April FOOLS he cried,
'Be jus; as glad and blessed as -
-UdrDeT's JTeklu
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14
A WOman's Foot Blown OF by Light
ming

A woman named Galligan, who re-
sides in Castle Grove, Iowa, was struck
by lightning while engaged in her
houshold duties about the cooking
stove. The electric fluid seems to have
struck the chimney, tearing and setting
on fire the end of the house, demolish-
ing the stove and striking Mrs. CALI
gan's foot, tore it to pieces and then
escaped through the door. The foot
was mutilated and shattered as though
blown to pieces by dynamite or some
other terrible explosive. The heel of
one of her shoes was driven half through
the floor. The most singular feature of
the affair is that Mrs. Galligan was not
stunned or shocked by the stroke, and
with great presence of mind drag
ged herself to tub of water, extin-
guished the flames, and then crawled to
the door and summoned her husband
\ doctor was sent for without delay, and
amputated the foot just above the ankle
toint.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14
The CalculatiOn Of Interest.

A well-known actuary, has devised q
very simple and easily remembered rule
for determining how long it will take
given sum of money to double itself at
certain rate of interest. Divide the
rate of interest into seventy-two and
the quotient will be the number of
years to within small fraction. Thus,
at four per cent. interest, the answer is
eighteen years, which is only one-quarter
of a year too great, the exact time being
about seventeen and three-quarter years.
For six per cent, it may be said to be
exact. This is good rule for editors and
other large capitalists to remember.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14
Mysterious Disappearance.

Come little pet, " the old birdssaid,
In most endearing term,
'You must be early out of bed
If you would catch the worm."
The smallest of the feathery herd
A puny little thing
Outsprang the tender baby-bird,
To grub for worms and sing.
And 10 she found an early worm
1t was monster, too
She chirped: sob you may wlithe and squirm
But will gobble youp
That birdlings chirp, the rest affirm,
Was never after heard,
And it's surmised it was the worm
That caught the early bird
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14
Travellers in Egypt are surprised at the

Travellers in Egypt are surprised at the
large amount of opthalmia and blind
ness prevalent among the inhabitants.
Want of cleanliness is the cause. An
Egyptian mother, under the influence
of widely prevalent superstition, does
not wash her child's eyes until eight days
after birth. By that time the organ is
frequently ruined. The teachers in the
American and British mission schools of
Cairo say that Egyptian mothers become
invariably angry when urged to wash
the eyes of their newly born infants,
and can rarely be persuaded to comply
with request Of the kind.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

l"The Arapahoes isis a-comin'.
Hundreds of 'em, saw 'em and run"
"Where? How fast2 How many ?"
were the questions hailed on the un-
responding herald, who, pitching on
horseback, was out of sight in twink
ling.
OF course it was fine chance to make
piece of border history, to die in de-
fense of the ladies, and the dinner-but
no one happened to see it in that light.
Miners, so far from loving bloodshed,
are, in their daily lives, the most order
loving people in the world. Danger
does not frighten them, but many had
no firearms, many had little ones back
East to be left HELPLESS. The house
was wooden one, ten miles from town,
unfit for lack of ammunition to stand q
siege ut all. So, to the immense relief
of the women, they resolved to ovacuate
the premises, or to use old Sands ex-
preston, determined "to get out o this
rs quick as the Lord'll let you"
Helter skelteI, not without n fierce
regret for the lost provisions, they
mounted and rode off. Mrs. Kent's
light wagon was filled. George and
Maudy were to ride behind, when the
girl suddenly requested him to wait
moment. George, white as ashes, de-
mured, but she was resolute, declaring
that she would go back alone if he did
not wait. While she ran upstairs, he
remained by the gate, shaking in every
limb as he looked at the low hills to the
east. The last of the fugitives had dis
appeared still she did not come. He
pushed back his crisp black locks i'm
patiently. "Maudy, Maudee," he called,
rather family, then turned, and, in u
veritable paroxysm Of terror, dropped
her pony's rein and hurried away to-
ward town.
In five minutes Maudy Kent came
down, dark cloak thrown over her
light dress. Nothing living was to be
seen except her pony and the chickens,
who pecked away as TRANQUILITY as if
chicken was deadly poison to the saw
ages. Tong gray clouds, coming up
from tie west, had already covered half
the sky. With feeling of bitter and
indignant disappointment she tried to
catch her pony. The sldttish beast re-
treated up steep gulch; she followed
it little di tance, then looking back,
her heart sickened as she saw coming
mp from the plain n swarm of Indian
ponies. She ran up the ravine to n lit
tie cabin put there long ago for calves,
drew out and examined the cause of her
delay, a handsome dagger she had played
with as child, and crouched in the dark
est corner of her retreat, her heart beat
ing till she was almost blind, her nerves
strung to the highest pitch of excite
ment and terror.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

There are on Long Island forty fish
culturists. Some of them breed trout
for the market, and others let fish
privileges to sportsmen in the season.
Seth Green says that an acre of good
water can be made to produce twice as
much food as an acre Of land.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

It is now time to return to the for
saken mansion. At the very momeut that
jeff Sands was addressing nm excited
crowd, Maudy Kent was shivering in
mortal dread and wondering if she
would have strength enough to strike
when the time came--a party OF white
people within were indeed testing the
soup and discussing the roast chickens
with the hearty enjoyment only possible
to n disturbed state of society.
If timid voice protested ut tho FREQ
and easy banquet, some instantly vowed
to set it all right. Hadn't they money
to pay for what they took What bust
ness had people to leave the house open
and the table set if they didn't want to
be hospitable? They had come to the
place, a large body of campers, driving
before them herd of ponies, to seek
shelter during the coming storm for n
woman will. weakly child. Finding n
deserted feast, the bolder spirits guess
ed the truth, and treating the matter MS
huge joke, coolly helped themselves,
inviting all to participate in the fun. In
spite of considerable hesitation they
did so, unable to resist the temptation
of stolen fruit. Every moment the
nervous women expected to- SEQ the
rightful owners put in an appearance,
every moment they raised fresh scru-
pies, finally starting cheerful theory
OF poison, as if they had some occult
knowledge of JEFF Sands amiablo re.
greet. This suspicion, vanished when not
indorscd by any fearful signs of informal
convulsion on the part of the revolers,
but it did not leave these Western Chs
sandras silent. When the big fires had
sank to Goals, and the men were exiled
to find promiscuous resting places in
sheds, under wagons, or where they list,
they formed in doubtful conclave.
Perhaps the people of the house were
! robbers who had enticed them all into
their power They had read of such
| things. What if they were already
| hopelessly entangled in some border
mystery? 1t was too like an enchanted
| house for these simple-minded folk to
feel quite easy in it. If its owners had
| fled from Indians was the danger not as
| great for them? Oh these men, these
men, they never would take anything
seriously. With their travel stained
garments, their weather-beaten faces
and weary eyes, these women gathered
around the dying embers. Looking
into one another's dim-seen faces they
told ghost stories till neither dare
glance behind her; told of Indians till
their hair stiffened upward and in every
corner the shadows capered through
fantastic war dances.
The sleet still fell at intervals; the
women, tired of talking, at length set.
tied into a dozy condition, throus 81
which they could hear the supernatural
squabbles of the mice and the occasional
lattling of the windows, without being
excluded from indulgence in more OF
less frightful dreams.
would like to say that the men en-
dured similar torments, but truth is
stranger than fiction, and with one o.
two cautious exceptions, they jestet
themselves into the slumbers of tn,
light-hearted, even snoring; graceles
wretches, the only comfortable sleeper
within q radius of twelve miles.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

provised counterpanes. Still more
cheerless was the dawn, breaking feebly
through omnipresent clouds, and
bringing with it extremely scanty and
undesirable article of breakfast.
1t was with dismay that their leader
perceived that his men were getting
into the fighting humor, and if he did
not soon show them Indians to fight
would probably end by fighting him
Some of the rear members of the undis-
ciplined brigade quietly deserted at con-
venient points, while the rest rode sulk-
lily over mud and stone. A Westerner,
unless absolute destitute, never walks.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

The outside fiber of the cocoanut is
now used for shoe-heels, and is said to
be good substitute for leather.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-04-14

The New York commercial expects
that when Rowell dies his legs will be
buried in Yves. minister Abbey.
Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-01-06


Nor day passes, but you, reader,
have opportunities to do good, to dc
some kind act, to relieve some one
from want, to make some one happy.
The children of want and the objects
of pity meet you wherever you go.
Weeping eyes and aching hearts are
all around you. There goes a mother
through the piercing winds, pressing to
her bosom her shivering babe. See
how thinly she is clad! How thankful
she would be for that half-worn and
cast-off garment of yours! There sits
an old man on the steps, stretching
out his skinny hand for help. He can
scarcely move his cold, stiff lips to tell
you what he wants. There is little
child begging for bread. How do you
know but its mother is starving, while
you have plenty, and to spareP Stop a
moment and listen TO its piteous plea.
''The poor" says the Savior, eye
have with you always" Seek them out;
sit by their side; watch with them;
bring them flowers; carry them some
dainty dish; speak words of comfort to
them; sing of Heaven; talk of Jesus.
See that poor inebriate as he stands
looking into that beautiful cottage
yard which was his year agoP
Is he wanting it backP No; not so
much as he wants his manhood. He
wants sympathy; he feels as though
his last friend had forsaken him, as
though no one on earth cares whether
he lives or dies. With your sympathy
to encourage him, with your strength
to lean upon, and with your counsel to
guide him, he may yet be saved. &C
to his rescue: take him by the hand;
call him brother; tell him you can trust
him; feel an interest in his welfare, and
manifest that interest both by words
and action.
Are you ChristianP If so, improve
every favorable opportunity to recon-
mend the religion of Jesus. How often
have you passed by that group of idle
boys without noticing themP Stop and
speak to them. Invite them to the Sun
day-school Take them by the hand,
and lead them. Speak to them kind
words that never die.
"Inasmuch as We have done it unto
one of the least of these My brethren
70 have done it unto Me. ."-Golden
Rule,
Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-01-06
Religious.
TIE BLESSED LAND.

BUT now they desire better country, tha
is, a Heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed
TO be called their God; for He hath prepared
for them city-Heb, 11:16.
o holy dwelling-place Of God!
0 glorious city all divinel
Thy streets, by feet Of seraphs trod,
Shall one glad day be trod by minel
In thee no temple lifts its dome,
No sun its radiant beam lets fall;
For thereof light the eternal home
God and the Lamb tllumine all!
There from exhaustless fountains flow
The living waters gushing Ger,
Which whose drinks thenceforth shall know
Earth's eVercraving thirst no more.
There fresh and fair on every hand, ,
Where one unfading summer lives,
The trees of life unwithering stand,
Whose fruit immortal VigOr gives.
All lovelier flowers than Eden bare
When God pronounced his work complete,
all matchless forms Of beauty, there
The neVer-wearied eye shall greet.
Within the FURNISHED gates abide
OF Gods redeemed the countless throng,
Who ever while the ages glide
SerVe-in seraphic ardor strong.
To them the Lamb that fills the throne
In love divine unveils His face;
While they, with bliss to earth unknown,
Adore the beauty and the grace.
No wasting sorrow there is found,
No cheek is wet with burning tears;
Whom those eternal walls surround
No foe can reach, no pang, no fears.
Land of the blest, on faiths keen eye
Faint glimpses of thy glory break;
Oh, when in earth's last sleep lie,
MID thy full splendOrs let me wakel
Ray Palmer, d. d., jrl s. s. Times.
Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-01-06
PITH AND POINT.

A PENNSYLVANIA firm is engaged il
he manufacture of glass into fabrics fOI
clothing. Those who wear glass coat
shouldn't throw stones. Boston Post.
"MY darling" he intensely whispers
vainly attempting to seize her hand
edo you know that I love you madlyP'
"Oh, yes" she says, "almost any foo
could tell that. "-Andres0s' Bazar.
ELDERLY lady with foot like dump
ling It's not so much a durable ar.
ticle that / require, Mr., Crispin. want
something dainty, you know-some'
thing coy, and at the same time just a
wee bit saucy!"-LOndoN Punch.
WELL, / have done one good deed
to-day" said Ellington. whats
thatP' asked his friend. "Ihave given
poor, deserving man an oyercoat, -
replied Ellington, turning about; chow
do you think it fitsPn-BoStOa Evening
journal.
GIRLS, if there is one thing more than
another that holds the young men of our
day back from matrimonial ventures, it
is the disheartening spectacle so often
presented them of your own dear papa
and mamma walking into church glori-
fed respectively by a $l2 ulster and q
$50 bonnet. That's what scares the
boys.-BaTdette.
A GALVESTON parent is very much
discouraged at the way the boys destroy
each others clothes. The other day he
saw that little Billy's shirt-color was
torn off, and he angrily asked how it hap
pened, "Johnny did it," was the re-
sponse. ''Well, III tan Johnny's hide,
that's what I'll dol" "Well, dad, I've
paved the way for you. cut the whole
ceiling out of his new pants. ."-GalUeS-
ton NeeOS.
In always pleases us to see a manwho
looks after the small things in life, as
every one knows that the great things
will take care of themselves. Jones is q
man of this kind His partner, Robin
son, at the close Of week of hurry and
drive, remarked, "Well, Jones, we've
had a rousing week, haven't wep--one
constant run of customers, and good
ones, too, from Monday morning to Sat-
urday night" eyes," was the reply,
''and that new door-knob's about ruin
ed" Jones never forgets the small
things. Boston Transcript.