davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1881-01-07

FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

PORTLAND, December 2S, 1880.
Legal tenders in Portland, buying, par, and
selling at par.
Silver coin in Portland banks quote at per
cent discount to par.
Coin exchange on New York, per cent. pre-
mium
Coin exchange on San Francisco, par to } per
cent. premium.
Telegraphie transfers on New York, per cent
r,xa yni,In,
, 1881-01-07

The TRANs-SAHARA RALRoAD,-On
his return to Marseilles the chief Of the
Trans, Sahara railway expedition, Col.
Flatters, reported the practiCability of a
route of about 200 kilometers south of
El Coles, 24degrees north latitude. The
expedition found reasonable amount Of
water, never having been three days
without it, and in the course Of the eX-
ploration a lake was discovered full OF
fish and surrounded by vegetation. The
general character Of the soil was hard
sandstone, though for 80 hlometers
there was an arid belt of very hard lime
stone. The whole country is much in
tested with snakes and lizards, and
among the wild animals were antelope in
great numbers The tamarisk tree grows
luxuriantly in the Sahara, acquiring
development of three and half yards
in circumference. The price of salt is
enormous, 100 kilos of this necessary ar
ticle being valued at four slaves. AS
each slave is estimated at 900 feet, the
cost of two and one-quarter pounds of
salt is about % shillings. Col. Flatters
met with friendliness on the part of the
Tovarege, and he entertains no doubt of
the feasibility of the project.
, 1881-01-07
A Hard hit.

A lawyer who was badgering q colored
witness in District of Columbia Court
by asking him if he had ever been con-
victed of larcecy, assault and arson, re-
Ceiving negative reply in every case,
finally inquired:
Have you ever been in the peniten-
tiery?'
"Yes, sah."
The attorney smiled complacently,and
resumed:
''How many times have You been in
the penitentiaryY"
''Twice, sah,"
"Whsre?" ..
'In Baltimore, sah."
"Mow long were you there the irst
timer"
DO about two hours, sah?'
"How long the second time?' the law
yer asked.
"About an hour, sab. went there to
whitewash a coll for lawyer who had
robbed his client"
The attorney sat down amid the laugh
ter of the spectators.
How often does one see two friends IN
the street interchange the sempiternal
formulas prescribed for such occasions
"How are you 9'
"Spleudidly. And how are youY
"Never better in my life. Where are
you off to?"
Going to the doctors--to see If no
can't do something for this abominabie
cough of mine. feel as if it was deyel-
oping into n galloping consumption. ,
"Oh, nonsense, you always look on the
dark side of things. If you had fatty
degeneration of the heart, as | have, ana
never knew what minute you might drop
down dead, you might feel blueg' a
, 1881-01-07

At Rockhill, N. c., last Thursday, j.
NJ. Howe, "a snake charmer," took d
rattle-snake out Of its cage and begun to
play with it. Suddenly the snake buried
it's fangs in the mans hand. In thirty
minutes Howe was dead.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

Mrs. j. d. Elliott, of Mount Yer
non has been ii. for SIX months with
a mysterious ailmcnt that the local
physicians were unable to diagnose.
The lady believes that snake, which
she alleges she swallowed while drink
ing from spring last fail, has remain
cd IN her stomach and grown TO a
great size. She SAYS she can feel II
moving about. Her physician advised
her to fast ten days, and when the
snake should get real hungry. to coax
II out by holding pan of fresh milk
before her open mouth. The absti-
hence was begun, and yesterday being
the fifth day, and Mrs. Elliott feeling
ravenous and supposing her lodgcr
equally hungry, had a pau of the best
milk obtainablc brought and fixed
herself IN an inclined position, her
heels higher than her head. her open
mouth close over the milk. but the
snake refused to be beguiled, and the
aroma Of the milk having overpower-
ed the hungry woman, threw her into
commissions, which induced such dan
gerous sinking spells that the physi-
cian brought the fast to q conclusion
and compelled the patient to cat
The failure of the experiment has
made Mrs. Elliott sicker than befo re.
She despairs OF being ever able to out
fast the snake. Her inability to starve
out the snake has produced state of
mental anguish which the doctors say
Will lead to insanity.-Alexandria
Gazette.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

Stow on THE MOUNTAINS Last
Saturday evening, the 9TH inst, gen.
tleman went from here to Salisbury
by tie National turnpike, and in cross
ing Savage mountain he found snow
alongside the road varying in depth
from two TO ten feet, according to the
extent of the drifts in winter. They
were having frost on the mountain
while he was there.-Cumberland
Times.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

n FISH GLUr-Tho IIavro de
Grace (Nd) Republican of the 9TH inst.
says The run ofiish the past week
has been something very unusual.
Not Tor the past twenty years at least
has there bcen somany herring taken.
several millions have been turned out
from the scines at the several shores
and floats IN this locality for want of
time, room and facilities to take care
OF them. Mcssrs. Osmond & Go. have,
alter bringing them ashore from their
hoats, given away 100000. The run
OF shad has also been good, aud they
arc very fine and large.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13
A CA K ID.

To all who are suffering from the or.
rors and indiscretions Of youth. nervous
weakness, early decay, loss Of manhood.
&c, i will send n recipe that will euro
you FREE OF CHARGE. This great
remedy was discovered by missionary
In South America. Send sclf.addrcss-
cd envelope 10 tho Rev. JosErm T.. In.
NAN. Station New York City.-Ap25
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

Sold o Finger.-A Cleveland, Ohio,
man sold a finger to n surgeon, to be
transferred to wealthy patients in.
complete hand The price WAS 800.
Half was paid down OH amputation.
aEd the other half has become the
subject Of q lawsuit. Tho former
owner Of tho finger demands its re-
turn, in default OF payment and the
question arises whether a Judge can or
der IT cut off the hand of the present
owner.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

A Successful Sleepcr.-The young
German who went to sleep in the
almshouse of Lehigh county, Pa, on
the 11th of last February continues
to slumber, it seems, with uniform
diligence and success. At all events
lie lept OH like top for sixty DAYS.
and now, finding it pays, has gone ut
1t again. Divers pretty experiments
arc tried upon him from time to time.
and always, it is alleged, with tie
same pleasant results. Revolvers are
tired oft close to his cars, but he does
not even wink. Hot irons are applied
dclicately to his spine, but he does
not even twitch Pins and needles
have been stuck prot'uscly through
the tcndcrest parts of his body, and
this he seems rather to enjoy. Whether
he is stood on his feet or his head it is
all one to him. But IT has not been
all one TO him, we gather, to GO with
ont his meals. These he has had three
times Il day with untailing regularity.
The food has been soft or liqnid. boil
ed eggs and beef tea being the near
est approach to solids taken By him,
but always abundant and nourisling.
lie opens his mouth and takes in thcs (,
supplies like a child when invited 10
DO so. But his cxertions arc cxcIu-
sively limited to this performance
and the doctors are utterly unable To-
account for the phenomenon.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

Gen. d. II. Strothcr, Porte Cray
on United States consul general at
the City of Mexico, is past sixty, and
IS described as being hale and CHEEKY.
Daring his soiourn in Mexico his pen
ell has not been idle, and his portfo-
Ito contains multitude Of new sketch
es.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13
BARBER SHOP.

The only combination OF Electricity
and the Absorption theory. Entirely
different from all batteries ali Pads
IT conv'iHes the good points OF both and
CURES DISEASE AS BIZ MAGIC.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

Mrs. Garfield as n Breadbaker.-
An extract from a letter written by
Mrs. Garfield to her husband ten
years Ego is quoted by the Student.
OF Hiram College, into the hands of
whose president it accidentally fell.
4 am glad Mrs. Garfield wrote. 'to
tell that, out of all the toll and disap-
polntmcnt OF the summer Just ended,
l have risen up to a victory; that the
silence OF thought since you have been
away has won for my spirit triumph.
/ read something like this the other
day: There is no healthy thought
without labor, and thought makes the
laborer happy Perhaps this is the
way have been able to climb M
higher. Itcame TO me one morning
when | WINS making bread. l said to
myself: Here am, compelled by an
inevitable necessity TO make our
bread this summer. Why not con.
slider it a pleasant occupation and
make It 50 by trying to see what per.
feet bread / can ma<e?' 1t seemed
like an inspiration and the whole Of
life grew brighter. The very sunshine
seemed flowing down through my
the white loaves, aud now
! believe my table is furnished with
better bread than ever before.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13
letter from Washington.
WAsmINoroN. Man .. lsal


Mr.. HARPER President Garfield
much to the astonishment of most peo-
PIE, eeems to think he was elected to
take care OF the Republican party
1T is mistake. The party is not
mentioned in the constitution OF the
United States or in the oath taken by
Gen. Garfield on the 4th of March
lie was made President to sec that
the laws were faithfully executed, yet
he gives his whole time TO the cxclu-
sion OF business, to petty contest
with u. 5. Senator. lie is reported
as saying the other day that he 'in-
tends to make the struggle now, and
settle Tor ell times the question Of his
supremacy. Supremacy over what :?
II any one has violated the laws his
supremacy III seeing that they are
punished is uhquestioned. If we 90
to war, his supremacy in command of
the Army and Navy is declared by
the constitution itself. He, too, can
nominate men for Office. No one
has tried TO prevent it. But to bully
and bnbe senators INTO their confir-
nation, is neither laid down as an
Official duty, nor deemed by people
generally q dignilicd or proper oXer-
else OF power. l don't care anything
about the merits Of the factional fight
III the Republican party. The Presi-
dent dishonorcd his Office when lac
became q buildozer crintriguer in the
interest of either faction. Senator
Conkling selfish, arbitrary, unreason-
able, could have asked nothing better
from the President, than what the
President has done. lie may tempo
rarily be left almost alone, the spo;ls
being used to tempt his friends away,
but the President who openly adopts
such methods cannot permanently
strengthen himself or aid his follow
ers.
There will be Republican caucus
shortly i'll the hope OF preventing q
continuance of present disagreement
in the party. But truce made on a
possible terms now that the public
have seen, the littleness Of the motives
governing the party's leaders, and the
fierce antagonism among them, would
be short rs we'll rs useless. No party
sQnabblc OF the kind has, ever been SO
open and shameless as this, and its
result, there is little doubt, wiIl be to
drive thousands Of Republicans out Of
the party, theyhavc respected so long.
Further fraud or conHivance with
fraud Is supposed To- have been found
III connection with mail contracts.
Sometime since, the Sixth Auditor OF
the Treasury, who settles the accounts
OF mail contractors, demanded OF the
President, an investigation Of his Of
flee denying that any fraud existed.
lie had not been officially charged
with any. It:s now reported that the
Office was investigated, and that the
resignation at the Auditor and his
principal assistants will be called for
at once. MEMO.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

John S. Garlic and Marshall r..
Frame,while on their way to Braxton
court, last week, stopped for dinner
at farm house. While waiting for
their 'hash,' q conversation sprang up
between the two old folks aud the
lawyers, and the following state of
facts was discovered Tie old gen.
tlclnan was 20 years of age, and his
worthy old wife was ~. They had
raised n family Of fourteen children.
all OF whom were yet living, but had
moved away. Neither of the old
folks had ever been moro than five
miles from where they then lived !;
and they had no curiosity whatever to
know anything about the ,ncw-fan-
gIcd notions, of these later days. We
are not 'out of the woods IN West
Virginia yct.-Weston Democrat.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

a Bird Turned into n Tampa
writer in an English paper says that
the stormy petrol possesses a singular
amount OF oil, and has the power of
throwing it from the mouth when ter
rifed. 1t is said that this oil, which
is very pure, is collected III St. Kilda
by catching the bird on ITS egg, where
it sits very closely, and making it dis
gorge the oil into vessel. The bird
is then released and another taken
The inhabitants of the Farce island
make curious use Of this bird when
young and very fst, by simply draw
ing a wick through the body and
it at the end which projects
from the beak. This unique lamp
will burn for n considerable time.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

AN ATTACH on THE PRESIDENT The
Washington National Republican, which
IS edited Ivy Mr.. George G. Gorham, the
Malone republican nominee for secro>
tary Of the United States Senate, in its
issue of Monday last says If President
Garfield:
This is the man who was hastily
canght up by combination Of beaten
candidates III Chicago in June last
and nominated TO the President Of the
United States, upon the pretenso that
unless the packed galleries there were
allowed to boot down Grant the coun-
try would drift into imperialism. From
the nettlc Grant we pIucllcd the low
er Garfield; the result Is before us.
The new President, intoxicated to the
verge of dclirium by the power which
is safe only III the hands of the truly
great, is engaged in n puorile effort
to dictate TO the republicans of New
York State whom they shall honor as
leader. There is no danger that the
New York delegation to the nextn
mating convention can be nodded bv
mercenarics and oiliccholder5, but tue
attempt by the President Mt this early
day to prepare the way for such re.
suit is az oifense which no parrot CRY
that Garfield ia Presidont can co,,
zeal. II IA as Gagrant an abnso Of tbo
appointing power as ever disgraced
any administration. 1t is q tyrannic-
al effort TO tear down n state or~ani
cation which cannot be used to aid in
the scheme for the succession. 1t is
n crime against the people OF the
whole country, VINO nave a right to
rec G'io'c moe i! loo,i' ana w VINO VIII not
"'Vt 9u'. -. ~ La 49, oli ;. SCI up
~ ,.'o'', ~ 49, 80 ''' i '.,o oOcu'
..,..
The Methodist conference which
met at Portland, Me, n few days ago
adopted q resolution to the effect that
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-13

There we're 40 destbs Ia Baltimore
last week.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-22
THE LATE DR.. MACKEY,
The EOiy to Arrive TO-Day-Imposing
Funeral Ceremonies in Preparation.

! The body OF the late Albert Gallatin
Mackey will arrive here by the steamer George
Leary this morning ffrom Fortress Monroe in
charge of General Frank Weber, of Kentucky, the
treasurer general of the Supreme Council
and a. Buchly, esq, undertaken of this city
1t is probable that the funeral services
will take place at 4 o'clock next Sum
day afternoon at All Souls Unitarian
Church, corner of L and Fourteenth streets st
| the church the Masonic ceremonies will consist of
the first part of the funeral services of the Scottish
Rite the Grand Lodge concluding the ceremonies
with the funeral services of the Blue Lodge CT the
grave in Glenwood Cemetery. The Scottish Rite
funeral ceremonies have been performed but once
before in the District, and then at
the funeral of John Moody Smith,
who was buried with full Masonic honors many
years ago. 1t is expected that representatives of
the Grand Lodge, the Grand Chapter, the knights
Templar, and the Lodge Chapter, Council, and
COnsiStory of the Scottish Rite in this city will
take part in the funeral ceremonies Also all those
members of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite
Missionary located at the Capital The
representatives of the Supreme Council
gna will also be present. The music
included in Masonic ceremonies at the church and
at the grave will be rendered by a full choir, I'M
der the direction OF Professor Frederic Widows
General Albert Pike informed representative of
THE REPUBLICAN last night that in q few days he
will prepare circular letter announcing the death
of Dr.. Mackey which will be transmitted 10 the ST.
preme Councils of the order throughout the world
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-22
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Two Hundred Fec: of the Shaft Com Icted
Ycsferday-New Stones on the Way.

The Washington Monument reached a
height of exactly two hundred feet yesterday, of
which about thirty feet have been added since the
commencement of work last spring, and it is ex-
pected that at least thirty feet more, or possibly
forty-fve feet, will be added before the close of
the working season. 1t will depend upon the
rapidity with which the stone is furnished, as
with the new and improved means of hoisting,
&c, the workmen can handle the stone with
much greater case than formerly. letter has been
received by the president of the Monument Asso-
citation from D. B. Sickcls, ex-consul at Bankok,
Siam, who has just been recalled, in which it is
stated that the King Of Siam sent by him a stone
from the hills of Korlt for the Washington Monu-
ment. This stone is now in New York, where Col
onel Knox is finishing the work of inscription,
and when completed Will be forwarded here The
president of the board of public lands in Nebraska
has also written that the Legislature OF that State
by act of March 5, has appropriated $1,000 for
stone-which has been prepared, and is now on its
way TO this city-for the Washington Monument
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-22
NATIONAL THEATRE,
The "Pirafcs OF Pcnzance' Last Night
Successful Performance.

The performance at the National Thea
tire last night for the benefit of the Potomac Boat
Club was in every respect complete success. The
house was filled with an exceedingly brilliant au-
dience, which was agreeable rcliefto the vacant
seats that have been III the majority upon the &C.
casion of most of the benefits" that
have recently taken place. The large
attendance was, however, expected, for
the Potomacs are exceedingly popular, and be-
sides they have wonderful amount of energy,
which they put into everything which they un-
dertake, whether it be boat race, the enlarge
ment of their boat-hOuse, or the giving of an Ell
tertai nment. The object for which the perform
ance last night was given was to aid in the pay
ment of the cost of the repairs to their boat house
and it is gratifying to know that q handsome sum
was realized The Pirates of Penzance" has
been frequently presented here by nearly the same
cast as sang last night, and lovers of music
have become perfectly familiar with the melodi-
Gus strains of this charming opera. That famili-
arity has grown from amateur Representations,
which really, when well done, have more pleas
ing and lasting effect than the efforts of
professionals. The Mabel of Miss Eva Mills has be-
come so well known and so successfully has she
sustained this role surprising even the assumption
of this character by any professional that has Wis
tied this city, that it only need be said that she
fully equaled all her former efforts. Her pure
sweet, and flexible voice was heard to excellent
advantage, while her graceful and lady-like act
ing proved that she perfectly understood the
character of General SANKEY'S lovely daughter
Liberal applause followed each vocal number and
she was the recipient Of some exquisitely beautf-
full floral tributes Mrs. E. s. Kimball gave q most
pleasing. representation of Ruth, her voice fully
meeting all the requirements of the vocal score,
and her acting being intelligent and effective.
Mr.. John Pughs Frederic was exccllentlv received.
In fact there is tenor in the District who is so
effective in operate roles as Mr.. Pugh; for to a
voice of excellent quality he adds the ability
rarely found in tenor, of being able to act well
Mr.. Frank Pearson's Police Sergeant furnished the
greatest possible amusement The quaint, stolid
dignity of the wooden headed policeman was per-
fectly presented, and he received decided encore
for his first solo. Mr.. Ed. Hay was the General
Stanley, and fully sustained the reputation
he has made in this character. The Apollo
Club made rakish looking pirates and fcrocious
guardians of the peace while their dark side of
the picture was frightened and illuminated by
the beautiful faces and brilliant attire of the young
ladies who personatcd General SANKEY'S daughters
The orchestra, which was large and effective was
under the direction of DR.. E. g. Kimball, and when
it is stated that Mr.. Thad. X. Sailer managed the
stage the smoothness of the performance is fully
anO ind FNr
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-22
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS.

The remains of Mrs Evelyn E. Curtis
wife of Mr.. D. C. Curtis who died in the county on
Sunday last, were brought to this city yesterday
and inferred in the Methodist Protestant cemetery
\ young man named Garlic" Wood
returning TO his home in this city from Cha rottes-
vile on Sunday night last, went to sleep on the
cars and did lot awake until the train had passed
here some distance. Not wishing TO be carried 10
Washington, he jumped from the train and in do
ing so was thrown violently to the ground and
quite badly bruised about the face and head.
Messrs. J. o. Manson, c. E. Fraser, II.
E. Barrett, and George s. Smith, the referees and
Mr.. ]. T. Beckham, the umpire of the shooting
match at Glymont on Wednesday of last week
have decided to submit certain rules governing
the said match to the National Rife Association
at New York, for construction. AS soon as the
association is heard from the referees will meet
again and award the prize.
Bishop Keane, after celebrating mass
in St. Mary's Church. in this city, Saturday morn
ing last, left for HarpeTs Ferry, where he viii
spend several weeks. The many friends of the
Bishop here will regret to learn that there is little
or no improvement in the condition of his ewes
the sight OF which has been failing for some time
past. He has been forbidden by his physicians 10
visit either the springs of Virginia or the sea shore
the atmosphere of these resorts being regarded as
too moist for diseased eyes.