davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08
Moonlight VS.. GasIight.

It is gratifying fact to know that our City
Councilmen are students of the almanac
whether 1.-THE Hagerstown," "vennor's' or
"Dr. Ayers" we are Lot informed; but the fact
still stands that they do study an almanac of
some kind, for they have decreed, that on GER
tain nights when the moon is duly posted and
announced by these almanac hand-bills to
give performance, or in other words shine
upon the streets of our city, the lamplighter is
instructed not to interfere with. her success by
encouragement of her rivals-the gas-lamps.
This would be all right, and meet with our en-
tire appreciation, for we are great admirers of
the "bright orbed queen of night" who, we
feel sure, would, Notwithstanding Shakespeare
calls her the ''inconstant moon," comply regu-
larly with her engagements, were it not that
the drop-curtain of darkness is frequently in
terposed by the Atmospheric condition of this
"te41estialsglobe." This being the case SO fire.
it that the council will insist that on such and
such nights the moon shall SO light up our
streets that the wayfarer, whether he be SEN
sible man or a fool, shall not err therein. The
moon is willing to comply with the decree OF
the council and diminishjthe monthly gas-bill,
if the council will only pass an ordinance for
bidding any heavy clouds or fogs or mists dur
ing the nights on which she is announced to
appear.
present one should be so changed that our
streets should be lighted up on dark nights
without reference to the phases of the moon.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08
Bear in mind that Thornburg's is the place to
get nice buggies and horses. hacks. &c. ie22-t

GREEN CHRISTMAS AND A FAT GRAVEYARD.
There is an old saying in which. IN my be-
lieve that "a green Christmas makes a fat
grave-yard"-the meaning of which is, that If
there be no snow at Christmas and the weather
be mild there will be much sickness and many
deaths. Last ChristmaSthe ground WAS cover
ed with sno " to the depth of several feet. and
it has been covered with snow ever since that
time, and the weather has been quite cold,
such as is generally supposed to be seasona1le
and healthful. and yet the mortality since then
has been greater than has ever been known.
though there is no edipemic disease prevailing.
If there had been 'green Christmas" this
remarkable mortality would, in the estimation
of many, have furnished confirmation strong
as proof of holy writ that "a green Christmas
makes fat grave yard" Many sayings that
have obtained currency and credibility. like
the many absurd signs so-called. when subject
ed to the test of observation prove to be fallaci
ous The general fault of the people is to ac-
cept common sayings oo.readily, consequent
ly to believe too much, and to reason and OBJ
serve too little. In consequence of intellectual
Incidence. even many intelligent persons en-
terrain very foolish notions"
What Paul proclaimed from Mars Hill to the
Athenians is even at this time applicable to
our peOple:-
Eye men of Athens, I perceive that in all
things We are too superstitious."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

Ifyou want nice buggy and horse hack
FLring- wagon, or anything in the livery line
90 to Thornburg's. je22-tf
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

A Cough. Cold, or Sore Throat should
be stopped. Neglect frequently results in an
Ancurable Lung Disease Consume.
ton. BROWNS BRONCHIAL TRIO.
CHES are certain to give relief in Asth.
ma. BrOnchitis, Coughs, Catarrh, Con.
sumptive and Throat Diseases. For thir-
ty years the TrOches have been recommended
by physicians, and always give perfect satisfac-
ton. They are not new or untried, but having
been tested by wide and constant use for near
ly an entire generation, they have attained
well merited rank among the few staple reme-
dies of the age Public speakers and sing
ers use them to clear the Voice. Sold at
twenty five cents box everywhere. molly
NEGRO RULES it not strange that
many men in Virginia are now dabbling
in the question of negro advancement,
while at the North the wisest and most
sensible men are satisfied that it is the
best for the negro and best for the
white people, that the white men of the
South-the property-holders and edu-
Gated Southern men-should under their
State laws absolutely control their State.
-Lynch6urg Advance.
DERBY HATS, for Men, Boys, and Ladies',
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08
Local Department..

THIS PAPER paK be found de On ss q es
Advertising Bureau 90 Spruce StA where adyertisng
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

EGGS OF SALMoN.-The Lexington Gazette
says that thirty thousand eggs of handbook
salmon have been received there and placed in
the Fish Hatchery. Col. Harry Williamson In
now in charge Of this establishment.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

HAINES'S 4 u and Black Diamond
Cigars. nov5O-u
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

Fresh Fish-if you want nice ones, go to
PEARMAN'S,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

Mackerel at 20 cts per dozen. and extra No
Mackerel at y cts. per dozen.
feb8.2t J. E. GRAHAM.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

GRoUND-HoG ,DAY.-Last Wednesday, Feb
ruary the End, was what is called by some
grounding day." as there is an old and fool
ish superstition that, on that day of the year,
the woodchuck or grounding, which has been
hybernating through the winter, comes out of
his burrow to make observations of the wealth.
er, and if he finds the sun shining sufficiently
to enable him to see his shadow, he returns to
his burrOw to remain six weeks longer as the
weather will be too cold for that length of time
to make it safe for him to ramble upon terra
frmea; but If it be too cloudy for him to see his
shadow, he remains out in the confident ex-
pectation of having six weeks of mild weather.
AS the sun shone with great brilliancy on
last Wednesday, the grOun d-hOg sign indicates
six more weeks of cold weather.
The reputation of the grounding as wealth
er-profit is of longer standing and more firmly
established than that of Tice or Vennor, and
those who believe in him will continue to do
SO whether the weather shall be as he predicts
not; for if his prediction be not verified, the
fault will not be attributed to the grounding,
but to the weather, and very properly, for the
grounding has no control over the weather.
and should not be held responsible tor its
character, particularly if it be lad.
Treat the grounding sign as literally as
other signs-count when it hits, and don't
count when it misses
COffee.-A choice article at 90 cents per ID.
Try it. febS-2t ]. E. GRAHAM.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

WARNING.-We give timely warning to those
who disregard the law and shoot and trap par
tridges for food at this season. These birds are
| starved to such an extent that they are COM
PEELED to feed upon poisonous berries and leaves
until they become thoroughly permeated with
| the poison. The birds have been starved for
weeks. and are now feeding upon such berries
| and buds as make their flesh poisonous. The
deep SHOWS in the country prevent the birds
| from receiving their usual sustenance from
seed and the sand or small gravel which assists
| in digesting and assimilating the same,
consequently they are driven to those modes
| of sustaining life which, while they may be use
full to themselves for the time being. render
their flesh highly injurious to human beings as
an article of food, the eating of which will pro-
duce either death or disease The Washington
Republican cites an instance which occurred
in that city in 1857 at the Inauguration of Pres
ident Buchanan. That winter, like this, was
severe and the ground covered with snow until
late in the spring. 1t will be recollected that
all the guests of a prominent hotel were poison
ed. The proprietor, 1t is stated, feasted his
guests on cartridges procured from the sur
rounding country.
PROPER CARE OF SHEEP-A number of the
members of the Wool growers Association OF
this equity held meeting, on last Tuesday, in
the office of w. E. Craig, ESQ.,, of this city, for
the purpose of comforting with each other in
| reference to the disease which has lately caused
the death of number OF sheep in this county,
| the symptoms being stiffness of the limbs,
holding the head on one side, and blind.staggers.
The conclusion seemed to be that the disease
was the result of Indigestion, explained by
Dr. Hogsett, superinduced by feeding improper
food and in improper quantities, and the want
| Of water and sufficient exercise. They should
be fed in such manner that some may not get
! too much whilst others do not get enough
They should be protected from Indictment
weather. fed and watered, and sailed regularly
The sick should be separated from the FLOCK as
soon they are discovered to be unwell
DR.. Hogsett thinks pine tops or turpentine is d
good remedy, but that teaspoonful of salts ii
much better. Capt. c. Benton Koiner said thai
those with lamb, and especially those sucking
lambs, require water; and Mr.. Green said tina
it is more essential that they should have wa
ter in the Winter than in the Summer.
| Fresh F1sh-the best of the season, at
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

Fish and Oysters daily at PEARMAN's.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

DERBY HATS, for Men, Boys, and Ladies',
CHEAP, at Z. L. WELLER'S
Boot and Shoe Store.
Ladies' Embroidered and Kid Slip
pers for the HOLIDAYS, at
G, L. WELLER'S
Boot and Shoe Store.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

E AINESS a u and Black Diamond
Cigars. nOv30-tf
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

Fresh F1sh-the best of the season, at
PEARMAN'S.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08
THE DEAF AND DUMB AND THE BLIND.

Our thanks are due to Mr.. G. D. Euritt for
advan ce sheets of the annual report of 7. 8.
Doyle, Principal of the Institution for the Edu-
cation of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind at
Staunton.
THE OFFICERS
of the Institution are as follows:
Principal.-Thomas s. Doyle.
TEACHERS IN THE DEAF-MUTE DEPARTMENT
academic C0urse.-G Clifford d. Euritt Henry
A. Bear, William M. Berkeley, E. l.. Turner,
M D., William G. Geiger, Thomas J. Williams.
Draining and Neutrality-suspicious. B. Colman.
Teacher of articulation Miss Sally Veitch.
TEACHERS IN THE BLIND DEPARTMENT:
Academic Cburse.-Leonidas POyntz, A. B..
Miss M. M. Kerr, ]. w. Kinney.
M,ksic,-PrOf A. ]. Turner, Miss L. T. Berke-
ley, John G. Ryan.
Govey-ness.-Miss M. M. Kerr.
Monitors.-John W. Keyser, James W. Kin
ney.
Mo,,itress-Kiss Victoria E. Burton
Attending Physiciam.-Dr. B. NJ. Atkinson.
Sseacard-A. N. Breckenridge. -
Matron.-Mrs. Frances B.Johnson.
. Assistant Matron.-Mrs. Lucy r. Woodward.
FOREMEN OF SHOPS.
Printing Office and Book Binder.-W. @. Gel
ger and H. Bear.
"Goodson" Printing Ofice.-Wm. M. Berke-
ley.
Engineer.-A. A. Long,
Paint. Cabinet, and Carpenters Shop.-E. R.
Moon. set.s1sS
Tailor Shop.-RsB. Graves.
Shoe Shop.-Amos Holler.
Mattress Shop.r Robert Mullen.
Broom, Mat and Cane Shop-Wm. Ellinger.
BOARD OF VISITORS. smT
Meade F. White. Presidet. Staunton
James d .......Staunton
Thomas d. Ransom .Staunton
Thomas Mooret... Fairfax
Thomas N. Page......... ...............R Richmond
H. L. D. Lewis. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Clarke
James IL. Patterson Secretary
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08

Fresh Fish daily at PEARMAN'S,
No. l15 Augusta street.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-08
DEATHS.

D0ttutlrfey are charged FOR az U1pert5sigsg RACES,
NOkices nf 6eOihs pllblisheC3 1rnLaaisoMaZ;l.
American citizen., 1881-04-02

If Southern planters and farmers
wish to become more prosperous, SAYS
an exchange, they should at once
abandon the pernicious credit system.
In the cotton States, particularly, it is a
weighty drawback. As the system is
practiced the planter or farmer gives
the merchant a lien on his crops to be
grown, and the merchant, being fully
secured, furnishes the necessary sup
plies and fixes his own prices. The
planter or farmer is thus wholly at the
mercy of the merchant, and has no re-
dress against exorbitant rates. A de-
cision has just been rendered by the
Supreme Court of Mississippi which will
afford the farmers of that State some
relief. A merchant who held mort
gage on the crops of a farmer foreclosed
it. The lower court allowed his bill
against the farmer, although it was
shown that the prices charged were at
least double the cash rate. The Su-
preme Court, on appeal, reversed the
decision, and affirmed that the pur-
chaser was not in a position to decline
the purchase on account of the prices
charged, and that he acquiesccd in the
prices from an overruling necessity.
His extorted assent to the prices fixed
was without consideration, and was
therefore void.
American citizen., 1881-04-02
USEFUL AND SUGGESTIVE.

Fried Bread.-Slices of toasted
bread dipped in milk and fried in honey
are excellent. Then instead of calling
them fried bread" they are torcjas,
an excellent Spanish delicacy. Melt
the honey into Il pan, and when 1t Is
very hot put i'll the bread, which Is
served hot, also, after becoming nicely
Drowned.
delicious croquettcs of rice are
made thus: Take one quart of boiled
rico (if possible boil the rice the day be-
fore you wish to make the croquettcS),
three eggs and a little salt. If the rice
is very moist put III rolled crackers; add
Il very little sugar. Put some Hour on
the kneadmg board. and drop spoon
full of the rice on the board. roll it IN a
long roll and drop into hot lard and fry
In fried cakes.
Apple Float.-Six large apples.
two spoonfuls white sugar, juice of one
lemon, whites of three eggs. Stew the
apples very soft and lay them on a
sieve to drain and cool. Remove the
skins and cores before cooking. When
cool put them on flat dish, add the
sugar. lemon and egg, and beat with an
cgg-beatcr to Il stiff froth. Fill your
bowl or custard- cups with soft custartl
and pile the froth on it Us high as it win
stand.
1t is safe to have n rule for making
the simple things in cooking, and so be
sure of satisfactory and uniform re-
suits Here is an excellent rule for
preparing mustard for the table: Take
two tablespoonfuls of mustard. one ta-
blcspoonful of flour, mix them well
while dry, then take half II cupful OF
strong vinegar. fill the cup with water,
stir the mustard and flour with this, cook
it as you would boiled custard; when
it is thick enough take from the fire and
ala ono tcasnnnnfnl of sugar
Where the soil is natu,,~ny deep
and mellow unusually deep plowing is
not necessary for onions or any other
crop. Deep plowIng is required for tn 2
purpose of making Il deep soil, and
when this exists naturally there is no
necessity for the plowing. The longer
onions are grown on the same soil the
better they succeed, adequate manur-
ing of course being given; and good
method of culture is to plow the soil
deeply as soon as the crop is gathered
in the fall or late summer, and then 10
plow it again in the spring not SO deep
ly: this in time produces a deep rich
soil and a very productive one, but it
requires the same management to keep
it in good condition.
Corn Starch Pudding, with Eggs
One pint of rich milk; two tablespoons
full of corn starch; one scant half cupfu
Of sugar; three or four eggs-the
whites; little salt and flavoring. Beat
the eggs to stiff froth; dissolve in q
little of the milk; stir the sugar into the
remainder, which place on the fire.
When it begins to boil, add the dis
solved corn starch. Stir constantly for
few minutes; now stir in the beaten
whites. and let it remain only n moment
or two longer. Flavor with vanilla,
CRATE half of a cocoanut, or with
chopped pine apple, Strawberries. I
dried cherries swollen in water, or dis
solve one half a bar OF chocolate in
little milk and mix it with onc-third OF
the pudding and put into the mold in
layers, first white, then brown. then
white. Serve with boiled custard sauce
or whipped cream.
American citizen., 1881-04-02

pale. Jasper was the first to recover
himself; he exclaimed: Miss Edliile,
your conduct has been unwomanly!
You encouraged me"
"Why did l encourage youP' she
asked, quietly intcrrupting him. For
your own good, to teach you a lesson.
MIR. Surridye, your conduct has been
most uninanly! You jilted Miss Lottie
solely for my money; you would have
married me with Il lie On your lips! All,
you both look surprised; you wonder
who revealed your secretP MIR.
Clabaurh WAS my informant"
Il was not" Mr.. Clabaugh re-
tortcd.
"Yes, YOU were. l was an unnoticed
listener TO part of your conversation ut
the Pcquot House, and your dilatori-
ness, Mr.. Surridge, gave me the one
days start needed to come home and
instruct my mother and Hubert as TO
my plan. Perhaps you remember that
the walters ut that hotel were all young
ladies'; several of. us school-teachcrs
needed both money and change of air,
so we .'hircd out" during vacation as
walters at the Pequot, and gained some
money, plenty of exercise. mountain
air, and little fun. "-Gociey's Ladys
| JoDL.
American citizen., 1881-04-02
The Habit OF ThOrougiiucss.

A capital motto to be hung over the
kitchen door is this: Thou desirest
truth in the inward parts;'' and the
woman who, when she expected COM
pany to tea, always went the first thing
and washed the cellar stairs had ten
denotes in the right direction; she did it.
she said, to ''settle her mind" and
there is no doubt whatever that it was
n source of deep and heartfelt sat'sfac-
tion to her. as she sat i'll the parlor and
entertained her guests with sprightlv
conversation, or presided with ease and
dignity at her daintily dressed table. to
virtues symbolized by clean cellar stairs
were here also. A habit of thorough
ness is something which most people
need to cultivate with assiduity, and in
no profession is it more needed or does
it count for more than in ours, dear
housekeepers, who read this. There is
an unmstakable air about n perfectly
neat house which is felt by all those
who come into it; there is no use in try
ing to make it appear that neatness and
order are characteristics of your home
unless they are. There is reason to
think that some women are in this mat
ter content to seem without caring to
be, but it Is a very transparent deceit.
" Ii there is TO De any dirt IN the
house." said the best housekeeper l ever
knew, "lct it be where can see it; let
it lie on the parlor tables and chairs
rather than be allowed to remain under
the beds, and in corners where it will
become rich soil for the development
and growth of germs of disease" There
is great difference between disorder
ly housekeeper and an untidy one; there
are often cogent reasons why n woman
cannot possibly always have her house
in the order she loves; it may be the
one severe trial of her life that she can
not carry out her ideas in this respect,
andShe may be deserving of credit for
accepting the situation with equanimi-
ty. especially if. as is frequently the
case, she may also be obliged TO endure
the injustice of being rated a failure as
4 housekccper, when in reality she is
irreproachable so far us neatness is con-
cerned. This is certainly of paramount
Importance; it is n truth sadly forced
home sometimes that life and death
wait upon the discharge Of what appear
to be simple and even unimportant
matter.-Cor. N. y. {ost.
American citizen., 1881-04-02

Mark Twain mourns over the dimin-
i,hed length of the Mississippi in this
strain: Therefore, the Mississippi, be-
tween Cairo and New Orleans,
was 1,215 miles long 176 years
ago. 1t was 1,1S0 after the
cutoff of 1922. 1t was l,Oi0 after
the American bend cutoff, some years
ago. 1t has lost 67 miles since. Con-
sequcntly. its length is only 973 miles
at present. Now. if 1 wanted to be
one of those ponderous scientific peo-
pie, and to prove what had occurred in
the long past by what had occurred in a
given time in the recent past, or what
will occur in the far future by what has
occurred in late years, what an oppor-
tunity is here! Geology never had such
chance, nor such exact data to argue
from! Nor development OF species,
either. Glacial cpochs are great things.
but they are vague-vague. Please OBJ
serve In the space of 176 years the
lower Mississippi has shortened itself
2i2 mlies. That is an average of q
trife over one mile and Il third per
year. Therefore, any calm person,
who is not blind or idiotic, can see in
the old Oolitic Silurian period, just
100000 years ago, next November.
the lower Mississippi River was upward
OF l 800, 900 miles long, and stuck out over
the Gulf of Mexico like fishing rod.
And, by the same token, any person.
can see that 7l2 years from now the
Mississippi will be only mile and n
quarter long, and Cairo and New Or
leans will have joined their streets to-
gether. and be plodding comfortably
along under a single Mayor and n mu-
tual Board of Aldermen. There is
something fascinating about science
One gets such wholesale returns of con
lecture out Of such u triiling investment
OF fact.