davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23
The Niserieortlia.
A letter from Home, dxted October Is

A letter from Rome, dxted October Is
says The press has commented consid-
erabIy on the attilliation of the Prince
Amadeo Of Savoy to the pious congrega-
tion OF q Mlsericordia, which took place
at the time OF his last visit to Florence
with King Humber.. The Italian anti
Catholic press, re-echoed by the CONT
mental ones, have joked great deal ON
this event The MisericordA vi Flor
ence Is sort of benevolent volunteer
body, always ready to run to the assist.
ance Of the wounded. It has rendcd im-
mense services to the country during the
old times of plague or modern cholera
morbus, carrying sick people in litter
70 the hospital aud the dead to the grave
When AL accident takes place q bell
rings (the bell of Giotto's tower, next to
the cathedral), and all the men belong
ing to the association run, as many years
ago the fireman III New York ran. As it
takes physical strength and endurance,
and some daring to brave dangers lsmall-
pox, cholera, fire.. the best youths of
the city solicit the honor of belonging
to the association. and all tile rulers of
Tuscany were always on the list 1t is
reserved only to monarchs or to disin-
gulshed foreigners to be called honorary
head guard (capo di gaurdia) while the
actual capo di guardia Is an officer who
has won his rank by frequent services.
The capo di guardla leads the company
III the excursions, has full charge OF the
sick, and assumes full responsibility
Many European King is q capo di
guardla, and all catholic ambassadors
or iIluEtrious visitors of the city solicit
and obtain the honor. To be such Is
considered in Florence to rank with the
aristocracy. King Humbert was already
member of the Misericordla, The
Brothers go to the benevolent errands
| always in disguise. The vesta is sort
OF black domino, with black hood hav.
ing two eye-holes, which give the fra
telli all the appearance of the brother
hood that accompanied the victims OF
the inquisition. They carry at night
torches too funeral, and the CHASTITY light
gives them such a fearful appearance
that many stranger shudders with hor
ror when meeting them in the solitar,
lanes OF Florence late in the night. Th,
founder of this brotherhood was poo
porter or errand boy, who while waiting
some job next to the Florentine. woolel
stores OF the olden time, Mortified by .h
fearful curslng Of his fellow porters, pro
posed that any man cursing should pu
a small fine III a box. and that out G
that money a big basket hitter should b
bought to help poor people stricken b.
| sickness IN the streets. He fully succeed
ed in improving his fellow-porters y
. the way Of this charitable work. Th
, frequency of plaques gave full opportu
nifty to the Brothers to show their yea
Thgr bravery and charity made III
institution the richest and most populf
III Florence, in Tuscany, where il SEQ
spread, and all oser Italy. The head
, quarters yet remain ia Florence. I'll
:, Miserlcordia owns millions, is very lii
: eral to the poor, and is one OF the NO.
liberal mutual help association
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23
I "Ah, but it viii be claimed by the

"Ah, but it wiz be claimed by the
owner. -.'7
"Do you think q counterieiter will
dare to come for the tools that would
convict hims--tos say nothing OF highway
robbery - s..-
'I didn't think of that"
That evening Henderson sent John
over to young Masters with message
to call round and see him, TO which
Harry responded instantly.
"Mr. Masters" said the farmer as
he came into the large oId-fashioned sit
ting room ''you remember what you
asked of me this afternoon:'' :
Eyes, sir"
"Well, 1 give my consent. Maude
has just furnished her own marriage
portion. lake her, my boy, and be
happy.
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23
Pocket Burroughs" In the British Parlia- =
Hnenf.

Pocket burroughs derive their quaint
appellation from the fact that the lntiivid-
ual commanding their votes carries them,
as 1t were IN his pocket. Not all the
pocket borou2hs, however, arc under
patrician control; the pulse OF Plutus hold
ing influence over g goodly number OF
them. 1t is weIl-known fact that there
are scores OF the purchasable as auy o her
commodity Of the market can be bought
up. lock, stock and barrel and are 50
| bought. The late commlsslon Of inquiry
| into contested elections gave ample evi-
| dence Of this, having brought to light the
astounding revelation that the voters OF
| several such burroughs-not small ones.
| either-were bribed almost 10 a mau.
| Many of them even boasted Of the large
sums they had received, after stipua,ing
for, and cnaffcring over them. without
thought Of shame OF qualm OF conscience.
One would naturally expect tnas can
didate for Parliamentary honors would be
reauiaed TO give some proof OF his fitness
for Parliamentary duties Bi. in bor-
rouzhs like these no such qualification ls
needed. With them, political capacity and
knowledge Of s.atesmanship-or, indeed,
other knowledge Of any useful kind-are
the least and las; Thugs thought Of. Money
Will make them take the wall, and well
the man II money knows it-fee.s as Ger
/ tain Of entering Parliament. i! he only
paws the price. as be would Of an opera
box by purchasing ticket /: Is simply
oucs.isn u how much he is disposed tc
, pa,: aud that ue Arranges With the eject
ioneerlns agent, who IL turn makes Il
s,uale with tie e,a.ors. There are al
ways CONSTITUENCIES open 10 representative.
| of this kluk. Aad wh3 czre fos no other
. and would 40. bare any othe,- AR doea
/ the candidate need 70 be rtident anon,
: item Or evc5 have previous ac3csintAno'
| With them. He may be total ssrangc
! Of unknown an,ecendenss, brrnghs froc
some d,s,an, par: of the coun:,y-L,ndol
. or elsewhere his ;irss introduction - al,
constituency tbs. Is 70 be, given him b
the leca. lawyer who scss as Lis elecsso
neerins agent often only few days &c
fore the election. Be-; Tie lawyer him
: sell has been previously msce scqaA'niet
. with his legislative capabilities By hAvin.
|, heard the jingle u his gold. This eoa.
J, / uuu,cated 10 the coue.ous coosti;nenc
I has a marves,az- aims. nagscAl, eEcc.
4 and ,l,es.o. The unknown P.u,o, who uaa
= lie Ice rer.es; adyeo,urcr. becomes one Ii
--ea, E.s.lsa Empire, ID whEc2i the 81
never se.s.
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23
WATCHING.

Out OF the darkness flashed her face,
And ! was hers forevermore,
| checked my awift impatient pace,
And followed humb!y 70 her oor.
@ fragrant morn. your dying stars
Ana g.eAining dews were al forgot'
The uut!t behrld ner easement bars
Tha, N her 70 her simple cot.
woke In INV heart a rapture sweet.
And N nv sou .o..ging dep,
rGlld not -flr my rene! feet
.t8o1 aud gael; could no. weep
%or could laugh mY brow WAS se'
Ny face was hot; my LIMBS were LuHi
Lose. wound me III hi. faia' net -
And vas -till, abashed and dumb.
ON. bII; - hold her 10 my breast.
With ciasie and reverent kissfo thTil4
Her dear surrendered lips. and, best
or All, 20 see her great ewes MI
Win mat dcliciou- glO" that tei.s
Di iDve triumphant and sublime
on. buito hear the wedding bells
salute our union with their chime.
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23

The neseoroaoKlcal report iroia the
Toyon.o Observatory for the month OF
September says that tbs storm IN which
the unfortunate steamer AAsA went
down travelled 900 miles IN s hours.
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23

BLAcKHEADs may be remover by
washing the face st night with hot va
,ar. ,he2 dryiag briskIy with crash
towel and applying mixture Of ons
ounce OF Liquor OF po.assa aud two oun-
ccs Of cologne.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
The Brain.

DIR. Fl. w. Mitchell of New York, in q
lecture on the ''Brain and its Wonders" /"
said that the cerebellum of the brain
presided over the orr an of motion, and
that it could be removed from animals
without taking away their intelligence.
The effect, however, would be that they
could not move. The same symptoms,
he said, could be observed in man under
the influence OF alcohol. If the latter
takes too much of the stimulant his
cerebellum and the little cells of which
it is composed refuse to do their work
and the man staggers. He claimed that
person learning to play on the piano
and woman threading a needle we're
regulated by their cerebe]lum, and with
out its assistance could do nothing. He
said that the medulla oblongata was the
most vital part of the whole system,
and if run through with knife life
would be destroyed in an instant. Ad-
vantage has been taken of this in the
process of hanging people, and the gar
rote had been introduced on the same
principle. He claimed that the brain
could no. get along without nerves and
that it hal twelve pairs of them. The
first three nerves were of special sense
olfactory, optic and auditory. The
olfactory nerve was not very we'll defined
in man, as it was not necessary, but it
reached its very highest development in
dogs, cats and rats. It was more per-
ceptible in the rat than any other
animal, and the bloodhound came next
in order. After describing the optic
nerve the lecturer said that the sense Of
hearing was less developed in man than
in the animal. He contended that if
either of the three nerves mentioned
were cut there would be no sense OF
pain and that the only result would be
the destruction of the sense of smell,
sight or hearing. The fifth nerve, he
said. confers sensibly on the face, and
when irritated gives rise to intense pain.
He insisted that the pneumo-gastric
nerve was the great vital nerve of The
whole body, and said that if it we're
divided our respiration would cease at
once. He then explained the working
of the spinal cord and its connection
with the brain, and concluded by recit-
ing the effects of alcohol. chloroform,
opium and strychnine on that organ Of
the body.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
VOL. II.---NO. 3.
Among the Flowers.


The woodbine climbs the arbor Ger
Its tendrils clinging to the walls,
And forming fairy garden halls;
The roses richly bloom once more,
And mid the white ones gain see
A face, and hear my heart is Free"
Her slender hand had plucked the rose,
And bade me trust the tale it toll
But when the pansi did unfold,
They seemed to wondrously disclose
That in our lives a thought had grown,
''Thls must be love that comes unknown.
How shall e'er forget that hour,
When o'er us arched the smiling skies !
Forget that blush, those downcast eyes;
Forget the pink-O queenly flower =
The pink that breathed, in tend'rest tone,
''My love for you thus will own."
The heliotrope and ivy, too
Lastyear first spake their mystic tongue,
And I their numbers softly sung,
Till jonquils famed the flame anew,
Now phlox we love in our boquets,
While swiftly glide the summer days.
Beneath the touch of winters hand
The blossoms rosy lips were sealed;
Yet each sweet thought they had revealed
Wove round our hearts golden band,
That through the fleeting years will shine
AS both our pathways intertwine.
--Ware,ly Magazine.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
VARIETIES.

We have great sympathy for the bach
elor, who, when dying, left all his pro-
perty to three ladies who had refused
all his offers of marriage. Nobody
can tell" he whispered, how much those
ladies have contributed to my happi-
ness"
"But you know, pa" said the far
mer's daughter, when he spoke to her
about the addresses of neighbor's son.
60 that ma wants me to marry man of
culture" $50 do !, my dear, so do ],
and there is no better culture in the
country than agriculture"
The youngest bride ever heard of in
the United States is Miss Catoe, who,
though only eleven years and seven
months of age, was married to Thomas
Payne by regularly ordained minister
| in South Carolina. Her husband is
bowed under the weight Of only twenty
years.
Japan is promised a constitutional
form of government at the end of eight
years. By way of preparation for that
| event, the Japanese Minister at Berlin
has been instructed to make careful
study of the Prussian system OF govern
ment, which is likely to be toe one
chosen as model.
"Murder? Your honor, it wasn't
a murder, it was suicide. You see he
wanted to kill himself, and hadn't the
courage to, SO he asked me, and l sui
cided him." "But, why did you then
take his watch and pocket book'
"Why? Because he had no further use
for them-that's why !"
"Ma, haven't I been real good boy
since I've been going to Sunday
school?" eyes, my lamb" answered
the maternal parent, fondly. "And
you trust me now, don't you, mar
eyes, darling, yes" "Then,' spoke
up the little innocent, "what makes
you keep the preserves locked up in the
pantry the same as ever ?"
Miss Moire's Hit: Miss Brown, who
is no longer young, was chiding Miss
Moire for her foolishness in carrying q
parasol, which Miss Brown said was
useless, aud piece of affectation, I
never carry parasol,' she said. mo, ,
replied Miss Moire; "people on the
shady side of life have no use for
them."
A pretentious person said to the lead
ing man of country village: "How
would lecture by me on Mount Vesu-
vius suit the Inhabitants of your vii :
lage?" "Very we'll, sir very we'll. in
Decd" he answered; " q lecture by you
on Mount Vesuvius would suit them a
great deal better than lecture by you
in this village, sir"
Charley Lyon arrived at his home in
Iowa, few days ago, satisfied by a
months experience at West Point that
he did not wish to remain cadet. He
says that the rules of the military acad-
envy were too rigid and severe to bear ;
that hazing was practised; that he was
compelled to eat tsllow candles and
chew tarred rope, and that, unable to
stand it longer, he ran away.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
Southern News.

The statue and monument to John @. CAL
houn, soon to be erected in Charleston, 8. G.,
s fastening to completion. Harnisch, the
sculptor, is busy on it in his Roman studio,
aud it is his ambition to make it a work Of art
on which his fame may be founded.
Charleston, s. G., is to be lighted by electric
light on and after September 15 1t is claimed
that it will have the most complete and exten-
sive electric light works in the South. 1t is
proposed TO put the price of the light so low
as to insure its Introduction into business
ouses and private residences.
The cotton factories of the Lawrence and
Woodlawn Manufacturing Companies, at Low
ell, N. c., have been closed. The companies
have made an assignment for $780, 900. Both
! factories are new and are fitted with the most
| imnroved machinery.
The Rev. Noah Parks, colored, was caught
stealing corn at Winchester, Miss. mob
hanged him, but went awey before he was
dead, and his wife eaved his life by cutting
him down.
The Meriden mail stage was robbed by twt
masked men near Clark bayu, fifteen miles
from Shreveport La. They cut the m
pouch, securing thirteen registered package
Four passengers and the driver were relieve
of money and jewelry. The robbers escaped,
rarrying off the nuts OF two of the wheels of
the coach.
B. Frank Bigelow. the former receiving tel
Ter of the National Bank of the Republic in
this city, was arrested at Port Huron, Mich.
He absconded June 23, and is alleged to be
short in his accounts $25,OOO. A reward of
81, 1000 had been offered for his capture.
The Indianapolis and st. Louis Railroad
was sold to the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincin-
natl and Indianapolis Railroad Company for
sl,396,000. Notice was given by the holders
of the second mortgage bonds of their inten-
don to contest the sale.
An Indian Territory dispatch reports that
the struggle between B. +. Smallwood (Anti-
Railroad candidate), and Governor Overton
Railroad canddate) for election as principal
chief of the Choctaw nation is go intense that
bloodshed before the election is feared.
dispatch from the city of Mexico says:
SIT being positively known that the American
government has refused assent to the PROPOSE
tion of President Barrios, marked satisfaction
is expressed in all the journals and friendship
tor the United States is strengthened"
fight occurred recently in Atlanta, Ga,
between Mr.. julius L. Brown, son of Senator
Brown, and Mr.. G. L. Norman, architect in
| which the former used pistol and the latter
cane. Both escaped without injury. The
quarrel grew out of dispute about plans for
| q building furnished by the Architect.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
The Light Of Hope.

The course of the weariest river
Ends in the great gray sea.
The acorn, forever and ever,
Strives upward to the tree.
The rainbow, the sky adorning,
Shines promise through the storm;
The glimmer of coming morning
Through midnight gloom will form
By time all knots are riven, -
Complex although they be,
And peace will at last be given,
Dear, both to you and to me.
Then, though the path may be dreary,
Look onward to the goal;
Though the heart and the head be weary,
Let faith inspire the soul;
Seek the right though the wrong be tempting
Speak the truth at any cost;
Vain islall weak exempting
When once the gem is lost
Let strong hand and keen eye be ready
For plain and ambushed foes;
Though earnest and fancy steady
Bear blest unto the close.
the heavy clouds may be raining,
But with evening comes the light
Though the low winds are complaining,
Yet the sunrise gilds the height:
And love has its hidden treasure
For the patient and the pure;
And time gives his fullest measure
To the workers who endure;
Andthe Word that no law hath shaken
Has the future pledge supplied;
For we know that when we awaken"
We shall be Satisfied"
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
Sunday School intelligence.

(Which is the first and most impor-
tant sacrement?". asked an Austin Sun
day school teacher of little girl in his
class.
Marriage" was the prompt response.
30, no; baptism is the first and most
Important sacrament" replied the
teacher.
"It may be in some families, but
marriage always comes first in our
family. We are respectable people, we
are."-[Siftings.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
One day Tom received letter from
his brother Oscar.

his brother Oscar.
"DEAR OLD Toni expect l shall
havslto leave college Things are going
wro at home. I don't suppose any
one has told you. They seem to think
you have all you can do to Ike care Of
yourself, and so you have, I suppose.
Charley has been an awful weight upon
father, and this year the crops have all
failed, and father is disabled by rheu-
matism. I don't care much about
myself. I only studied medicine to
please father, and should rather be
almost anything else. l think could
write for the newspapers. Can't you
get me place in some store? could
write evenings, and live with you
Think it over, for I am sure father is
going to lose all his property. Charley
plays billiards, and, am afraid, cards.
Write me as soon as you can what can
be done for me-
Tom wrote in less than week. His
employer wanted an under salesman.
Then he set himself to look into his
fathers affairs. Everything was going
to ruin. The farm was to be sold; his
father and mother were nearly heart
broken, and no one for a moment
thought of looking to him. But never
theless he laid his plans. To pay the
mortgage was quite impossible, but he
hired some comfortable rooms in the old
house where he stayed, sold what could
be sold from the stock of the farm, had
the necessary furniture broueh to town
and installed his father and mother in
comfortable home. The old folks
learned to depend on him, and his sister
found situation as book keeper.
One day gentleman called upon Tom
and was invited into his room.
"You have been at work fifteen years
on this machine, you say?" remarked
the gentleman when he had exam ined it
The speaker was a business man.
whose favor was almost equal to a
fortune.
eyes, sir" said Tom, quietly; II was
always plodder."
"Well, you have plodded to some
purpose" was the answer. II am sure
there is money enough in it to make
you rich man."
Tom grew very red, and the room
seemed to go round for moment.
"Thank you,' he made reply. 81
should like to be rich for the sake ol
Others"
And SO, eventually, plodding Tom
won the race and became the practical,
efficient, prosperous man OF the family.
Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-05
FLOODING TOM.

"Tom Dunn, do you know your les.
son yet ?" The question, uttered in an
irritated tone, came from young man
who had been reading a newspaper,
waiting for the tardy boy Of his class.
"No-no, sir. don't believe I do.
quite.'was the hesitating reply.
''Are you aware what time it is ?"
"Oae O'clock, SIR
Tom knew that well enough. Had
not his eyes fingered on the hands of
the old moon-faced clock, and thence
gone rowing out the windows to where
the fields were sleeping in the MONDAY
haze? And then he was SO hungry.
"Tom, come here. I cant under
stand what makes you SO stupid" said
the master; and taking the book he
hastily proceeded to review the lesson
point after point.
"Do you understand this ?'' he asked,
"and that, and that? p
TOMS brow lightened. He was
pleased with himself when things looked
clearer. and all doubts vanished ,and his
hearty ''Oh, thank you, sir" made the
the teacher smile.
"You are very slow, Dunn, very
slow I do not think I ever saw fellow
just like you; but I think what you
learn you learn.
That was just about it. What Tom
Dunn knew he knew thoroughly.
swell, if there isn't Tom, just as din.
ner is done r. cried his sister Annie.
sand every bit Of the pudding gone,
said Oscar, the next eldest brother. 81
made sure you'd stay all.day."
"Poor boyl' sighed his mother; che
is salways behind in everything. Ever
since he was baby he has been slow"
Tom sat down, however, and ate the
scraps contentedly. 1t had always been
his lot to eat scraps. Nobody seemed
to think that Tom would care what he
ato.
II don't know what we shall do with
that boy" Dr.. Dunn often said, when
talking over the prospects of their chill
dren. "Charley inclines to the law,
and Oscar will be a doctor, but what
ability has Tom for anything? He is
so slow and plodding; SO little ambi
Z tious, that I am discouraged when
think of his futura -
Poor Tom Y said Mrs. Dunn, be-
tween q sigh and laugh che is th.
black sheep Of the family. When he
was little fellow used to be startled
by the owl-like wisdom of his face.
never thought then that it was dullnsss
He can't help it. His motions are slow
his mind is slow, but hope he vii
make his way in the world"
Tom was the butt of the family, but i
did not seem to anger him at all. Il
knew he was slow. Charley could pla,
brilliantly, sing song with excellen
effect, play any game we'll.
Oscar, his younger brother, was fam
GUS for his compositions and his powe
of elocution. All the rest outstrippe,
him, and yet he plodded on wit
patience.
"Going to the theatre tonight
asked well-dress ed young man of Ton
as they left store together. This wa
four years later, and Tom was cler
in Tolman & Tolman's great establish
ment, and SO slow and undemonstrativ
that the clerks were always chatting hin
He thought for moment, and finall
said,-
"No."
"Have you been?"
"No,'