davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-11-09
Pooling General sherman.

About six miles out Of Savannah,
| came across a farmer who accepted
a plug of tobacco and was ready to
sit down on a log and answer al!
questions. When I asked him about
Sherman's approach, he burst INFO II
loud laugh and slapped his leg, and
was so tickled that he did not calm
down for two minutes.
Excuse me stranger" he finally
said, "but whenever think Of how
| fooled General Sherman it ticLles
me all over"
"Did you fool him2"
oval, l rather reckon"
"How?"
oval, you see, that's my place
up thar on the rise. When the war
broke out was the most eantaker-
Gus rebel you ever saw | swore I'd
fight and fout and fit till We licked
the Yanks, if it took a hundred
wears. | reckon General Sherman
heard of it.
Probably he did"
"And after he took Atlanta he
made up his mind to gobble me. He
knew I'd swore to die before I'd sur
render, and he came along down from
Atlanta with over 5000 to surround
me. Mighty cute old man, that
General Sherman"
eyes"
oval, they got here about 10
o'clock. l reckon that nigh unto
80, 900 of them surrounded my house
up thar and called for me to come
out and surrender and end the
war"
"And of course you did,"
"And of course didn't That's
whar the fun came in. / wasn't
home at all but was down in Virgin
nv with Lee. They entered the
house and sarched and sarched and
went to the barn and called and
called, and when the old women final
w told 'em | wasn't home they was
the maddest set you ever sot eyes on.
They had hoofed it all the way from
Atlanta to get their paws on me, and
had their long tramp for nothin! !
expect Sherman was ready to burst
with madness, and reckon he won't
never quite forgive me. 1t tickles
the old woman wqss than it tickles
nae, and you'd better come up to the
house and hear her tell what them
Yankees said when they got here and
found me gone.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-11-09
A a.orr OF the rebellion.

Near the beginning of the late
civil war, Lieutenant Graham was
stationed with few men to guard a
gap in the Virginia mountains. The
blockade Of the whole South at that
time was very vigorous, and supplies
of any kind were rarely struggled
through the Union lines.
One morning, as the Lieutenant
sat smoking in the door Of his tent,
one of his outlying pickets presented
himself, red and blown with running.
I've got 'em, sir! It's some Of
thin rebels-hookin' it across the
lines. 1 brought 'em to with round
turn"
''Where?" exclaimed the Lieuten-
ant, as he jumped to his feet. He
was young and Jealous, and had not
vet had a chance to prove his zeal
''Rebels breaking the lines, eh? Well
done, Wright"
Carrying provisions, sirl'
mo doubt-no doubt. Arms and
ammunition, too, of course. Where
are they? Were they taken prison
ers?"
The man looked sheepish.
They're back in the woods, sir
jest fetched it along"
1T? What on earth
The Lieutenant followed Wright,
who ran to the woods, dashed behind
a eopse, and hauled out a little girl
about ten years of age, carrying a
basket. A donkey stood beside her.
"There they be, leftenant. She
was footin' it past the pickets, singin'
Dixie to herself as aisy as yer
please
Take your hands off the child
l thought you had captured dozen
men, you braggartl Who are you,
ehild?"
0T'm Dora Nettley. sir"
Dora was a chubby, freckled child,
with honest brown eyes, which re
minded the Lieutenant of his little
sister away out in Michigan. Still
important information, maps and dis
patches had often been carried by
women and children since the wal
began, and this might be bearer o.
information, child though she was.
"Where did you come from, Dora?
"From Martinsburg, sir.
"And what have you in that bas
kst?'
The child's face grew red, she shut
her lips tight and remained silent.
Search it, Wright"
"Here's tea, sir, and a little pack
age Of sugar, and here's a bottle o
quinine pills"
"Where are you going with thesC
things, Dora?'
She looked wildly from side to side
her chin quiyered, and then she burs
into passionate sobs.
"Oh, LEI me go, sir. It's my me
Their! She is down on the plantation
an alone. The negroes have all fol
lowed your army, and my mother
alone and sick. just thought II
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-11-09

can YOU do?" 81 do not want to
talk to gentlemen who asks such
question:" was the indignant reply.
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-11-09

"Patsy told me. Patsy's the
coachman. He followed the soldiers
up to Martinsburg.' He said there
was nobody to take care Of her"
"And you rode from Martinsburg
here on this Donkey"
eyes, sir"
"And meant to pass the lines?"
Dora nodded and her eyes spar
kled. This kind-hearted lad was not
so terrible foe after all.
81 was just going down the gap
road. l have ridden it on old Spot
a hundred times before"
Wright's face was eagerly turned
to the officer.
ooh, lit the child go, leftenant.
What harrum kin she do with her
bit of ia for her sick mither? | wish
I'd been in better business when |
teched you, sissy"
81 wish you had" said Dora, sim
ply.
GLOW does it happen that your
mother is alone?" asked the Lieuten-
ant. "Where is your father"
Dora's cheeks glowed a fiery red.
She looked at the ground uncertain
ly. She was a quick-witted child,
and had seen the pity and sympathy
in the officers eyes. If she could
hide the fact that her family were
actively concerned with the Confed-
crates, there was chance that she
would be allowed to pass. But-to
lie.
"Where is your father, Dora?" he
repeated.
Gin the army" she faltered.
Fighting for the UniOn?" said
Graham, quickly.
There was long pause.
"He is with Lee" she said at last.
UAnd vOur brothers2"
"They are with Dick Ashby."
The young officer turned away i'm
patiently. He had hoped to find a
pretext for being of service to the
child.
"Walk down the field a bit, Lieu
tenant, an keep yer back this way,
whispered Wright. "Pll give her
the wink to be off; and what harms
done?"
No. am sorry, Dora, but |
cannot let you pass through the gap.
1t is against orders"
She did not make any noise, but
dropped on the grass, and buried her
face in her hands.
81 want mother!' she sObbed.-
ooh, l want motherl"
eye see, child, explained Wright,
ono support Or comfort kin be car.
ried to the inimy."
''She's not an enemyl" cried Dora,
angrily. "She's mother"
Come with me, Dora" said the
Lieutenant. He lifted her on the
donkey and led her to the farmhouse
where the wife of General R-had
her quarters. She was a gentle, mo-
therly woman, and he told her the
story.
81 am going to the commanding
officer TO telegraph for a permit tol
her to pass the lines. You can dis
cover whether she has anything con
traband about her. But l would
stake my life on the honesty of the
child"
"Yeu will have a ride of twenty
miles in the hot sun, Lieutenant,
said Mrs. R. "Do you know
the chiId?"
"No; but 1 cannot help thinking,
what if that poor woman yondel
were my mother, and this child LITTLE
Alice?"
Mrs. R took the girl up to
little chamber, which she told he
should be her own until the Lieuten
ant returned, kissed her and left
She felt impatient with the dreadful
turmoil and sorrows of the war
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-11-09

A gentleman visiting an intelliv
gence officer for help, had Bridget
pointed out to him. He said, "what
The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1882-11-09

tain, in a solitary house, her F--se
worn face, while she too spake to the
same Friend, who had been her
friend in whom she had trusted all
her life.
Down the valley gallOped the Lieu
tenants stranger to them both
prompted, he thought, by casual
likeness of the child to his sister,
Yet was there not some One who
heard their prayers, and this man
the agent to answer them? The One
who could and would, in His own
good time, set all this turmoil and all
Others right?
At the end of the day Lieutenant
Graham opened the gate Of the farm
house. Mrs. R, with Dora, hur-
ried to meet him.
81 know by your face you have
succeeded" she said.
eyes; the General is the most in
exorable of foes as far as men are
concerned, but be has a wife and
children of his own. Here is a per-
nit and an order for a guard to take
the child through the pass"
The officer himself rode with the
guard into the gap.
Goodbye, my little prisoner
You will soon be with your mother,
and hope you will find that she will
not need the medicine you are carry
ing her." he said, as they parted.
Dora's eyes were full of tears.
"You have been so good to me, " she
said, dropping Spots reins and hold
ing out both hands. II wish | could
do something for YOU"
ooh, be good to the first Yankee
who falls into your hands, you little
rebel" he replied, laughing.
There is a sequel to our little story
Mrs. Nettley, with her daughter, re-
moved for safety to her brothers
plantation in the eastern part Of the
State, where they remained during
the war.
After skirmish which took place
in the neighborhood, Major Nettley's
house, being spacious, was taken as
a temporary hospital to which the
wounded of both sides were carried.
Dora and her mother were busy
among them, doing what they could
to alleviate the sufferings until the
surgeons had dressed the wounds.
There was one young man Of about
twenty, who was wounded in the leg.
Dora, as she raised his head to give
him a drink of water, met his eyes.
They had a strangely familiar look.
"What is your name?" she said, as
she took the cup from his mouth.
'Felix Graham"
"What regiment"
Ensign. Fourth Michigan.
Dora ran to her mother, fairly
stammering in her excitement.
"He is so like the Lieutenant at
the gap, mamma! And the same
name! And l promised; | prom
ised!"
Mrs. Nettley, in her turn, grew In
terested and excited. She went to
the commandment when the time came
for sending the Union officers away.
"There is young man among
them" she said, "whose wound will
probably prove fatal if he is moved
l owe debt Of gratitude, as [ be
flieve, to one eff his family-or al
least to one Of his name. If you
will leave him, 1 will nurse him as
faithfully and well as l can"
Mrs. Nettley was woman whose
requests were usually granted. Felix
Graham remained at her house two
months.
Four years after the war our old
friend, Colonel Graham, formerly
Lieutenant came home to Michigan
from San Francisco, where he had
engaged in business after his dis
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17

also proposal of marriage. The youth
was referred to her father. mo-" said
that stern individual, "you can't have
my daughter" "But 1 love her and
she loves me-" pleaded the young man.
"Can't have her." said the father. 81
am we'll to do and can support her."
explained the applicant. "Can't have
her." persisted the old man. MAY /
ask" meekly inquired the sutton, "if
you have heard anything against my
characterp" "No," Numbered the OBJ
stinate parent, by this time aroused; 81
haven't heard anything against you j
think you are promising young man.
aud that's why you can't have her.
She's got very bad temper, and you
wouldn't be happy with her." The lover
amazed, said, "Why, Mr.. Edwards l
thought Emily was a Christian. She is
Christian, isn't she?" Certainly she
u.s." growled the conscientious parent,
"but, young man, when you grow older
you'll be able to understand that there's
some folks that the grace of God can
live with that you can't. Post and
Tribune.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
Romance Of the Golden LEDGE

A story about which there is a great
fascination which it is impossible 10
resist when you hear men tell it is that
of the "Home of Gold" Somewhere in
Southwestern New Mexico, in the Sierra
Madre, it is said, there is a wonderful
valley. Small, inclosed in high rocky
walls and accessible only by secret
passage, which is known to but few, is
this extraordinary place. 1t is about
ten acres in extent, has running through
it stream, which waters it thoroughly
and makes it perfect paradise, with
its exquisite flowers and beautiful trees.
In it are thousands of birds of the most
beautiful plumage. Running across it
is ledge OF pure gold about thirty feet
wide, which glistens in the sunlight ike
a great golden belt. The stream crosses
this ledge and, as it runs. murmurs
around blocks of yellow metal as other
streams do around pebbles. The ledge
of gold is supposed to be solid gold and
to run down into the centre of the
earth. The legend is of Indian origin
and around it clusters a number of In
dian stories, in which the name of the
Inflated Montezuma occurs frequently.
The descendants of the Aztecs believe
firmly that the day will come when
MonteZuma will return and free them
from the dominion of the descendants
of the Conquestedores. They believe
that the money necessary for this work
will be taken from the Madre d'Oro.
The secret of the entrance into the val
ley is carefully guarded by tribe of
Indians living near it, and among them
it is only communicated to The oldest
men, amid the solemn ceremonies of the
medicine lodge. Having such story
to work upon there is littl. wonder that
the vivid Imagination of the Mexicans
should have built upon it tales of men
who have found this wonderful place.
One is that certain Jose Alvaraz,
while wandering through the noun.
tains in search of game, saw the valley
from the top of the wall. Finding that
he could not hope to enter by climbing
down, he took up his abode with the
Indians who guard the canyon leading
into it. The daughter of the chief fell
in love with him and betrayed the secret
10 him. Exactly how she found it out
they do not tell. Having been shown
the entrance, Jose went In, and would
possibly have gotten away with some
of the gold had he not weighed himself
down to such an extent that he could
not get up the declivity at the lower
end of the passage. He was discovered,
and the Indians sacrificed him on the
golden ledge with all the terrible cere-
monies of the old Aztec religion. She,
in despair at losing him, threw herself
from the high walls into the valley be-
low. Hundreds of prospectors have
spent months of toll trying to find the
Madre, d'Oro, but it is scarcely neces-
sary to say without result-Las Cruces
Republican.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
The N ew Era.

/ have spoken of the intense and ex-
tensive sympathy there was in connec-
ton with the sickness and death Of
President Garfield. That sympathy
made him the conspicuous figure In the
opening of new chapter, perhaps 1
may say new era, in the history of our
race. There was never anything like
it. There never could have been. Up
to that time that quick and diffusive
element in nature which symbolizes
human sympathy had not so lost itself
to man that such sympathy had been
impossible. For ages the gambols of
electricity in the clouds had awakened
the thunder, its bolts had smitten the
earth, it had streamed up in long lines
in the aurora, but it had waited for a
Franklin. a Henry, Morse, Field so
to tame 1t and bring it under the yoke
of service to man that its slightest
whisper should outleap the thunder,
and that the long wires for its instan-
taneous transit should become bands
of steel to bind and hold fast in amity
nations whom oceans have separated.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17

On the plantation each negro has a
little patch of land, which is his to cul-
tivate and sell the products as long as
he remains there. This gives the labor
ers a little interest in their work, pro-
notes competition and zeal. and retains
them on the plantation. 1t is negro
nature to shift about from place to
place. These laborers at Belle Grove
are the genuine plantation negroes, bav-
ing been born and reared here. They
are happy-go-easy-take-n
for the-morrOw" race. Jeff" is case
lie is about ten years of age, very black
and very bright. His feet reflect the
suns rays and are always seen before
his head. His Office is to feed the chick
ems. turkeys, dogs and cats, brush soiled
linen, black boots, pink boutonniers,
run errands, and at dinner or breakfast
to take long palm leaf branch and
slowly fan away the flies. "Mary" has
just "taken 'ligion." She says the
minister "gives her prayers" and that
saves her from ode debbil." Here is a
portion of her daily prayer: Member
the landlord of the plantation in a
most particular manner. Hold him
in the palm of thy right hand |;
make him such man as he orter
be; rough-shod his feet with the pep
peration of divine grace; hang his
tongue on the gospel hinges. And now,
Lor', when thou done 'mhemin' him
and all roun' de world, member poor
ungrashus me and hear my unworthy
grOans." If space would allow we
might mention other appeals equally as
forcible which dropped spontaneously
from the mouths of "Christses chillun.'
Suffice it to say that such expressions
as "Ise gettin' hot, "'Hold me, Brudder
Washington" SISTER Davis, hold me
down." were many and emphatic, and
accompanied by a lively clapping of
hands and frantic gestures which in
creased in tone and measure as they
grew "hotter." During my sojourn at
Belle Grove saw nearly every charac-
teristic of darEey life, even to one of
their most fashionable "breakdowns."
"Sway your lovely partner" Hug her
tight" Else used to when Ise boy"
promenade, take your time" "Get up
dere, you GAL" leave your lovely
partners in de fo'," etc., were the words
which reaches us as we stood looking
on. 1t was a novel sight and one i
shall not soon forget.-Ne,0 Orleans
PicdyIf1e.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
Charity Begins at Home.

"Your Honor, you've thirteen men
on that jury" suggested by-stander
to justice of the peace in a neighbor-
ing town day or two ago, where an
unfortunate hombre was on trial fOr
vagrancy. BLESS my soul, that's true,
said the venerable squire, adjusting
his specs and castinga benignant look
upon the thirteen good men and true
"Mr. Foreman, please excuse one of the
jurymen." "All right, Your Honor
responded the foreman promptly, as
he reached for his hat and started out
amidst an audible smile from the lobby
IL excuse myself."-San Jose (Cal.)
Mercury.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
Some Statistics.

Our breadstuff exports for the past
fiscal year amounted to Size. 977 .496 in
value, against $685.. 56l .09l the previous
year, a decrease of $88, 523, sos. OF
this decrease SOS, 449, 1862 was in wheat
and -four. During the past eight
months our exports of provisions and
tallow have fallen off $50. 794 sos as
compared with the year before. During
the past fiscal year we exported in
wheat and -four. reduced to wheat. 49,
656.649 bushels against l86.32l 354
bushels in 1901, 10000, 180 bushels
in 1879 80, l47, 687, $50 bushels in 1873 8.
and 80, l67 1853 bushels in 1878. In
these Ave years we sent abroad 1913, l37,-
1872 bushels of wheat, flour included.
In the five years 1877 81 we produced
s Ill, 622, 1854 bushels of wheat, the
average amount retained at home an
nually being about &c. DOC, 900 bushels.
During the past FIVE years we have sent
abroad 404 1884, 290 bushels of corn.
Our export of corn last year was only
43, las. 888 bushels, or less than half
what it was in each of the two proceed
ing years, and barely half what it was
in either 1878 or 1879. This year
we are pretty certain of great wheat
crop and of good markets for it. The
prospects in Ireland are extremely un-
favorable, and they are not good in Eng
land. In Bohemia storms have just in
fiicted vast damage. The lightness of
the corn is going to keep meat high.
probably, and this will curtail the
amount of our expectations of provis-
ions in all forms.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
A Veteran Billiard Players knowledge
of Law.

On the day of Guiteau's execution
Michael Geary was standing behind his
bar. There entered from the Cedar
street side, breathless and seemingly
excited, man in seedy black. He ad-
vanced to the counter and dealt it a
blow that made it tremble.
"Se they've hanged Charley Guiteaup'
he exclaimed. at was shame (give
me little whisky. If had been back
in time to defend him sugar please)
they never should have perpetrated
that outrage" and he drained his glass
and set 1t down so hard as to send its
fragments dying over Michael. Geary's
brow began to blacken, and his voice
sounded ominous as he remarked in
quiringly, "Nop"
"No. sir, if that chucklehead Charley
Reed had read his Blackstone and Chit
ty, or even his Peterbaugh, he never
(some more whisky, please). say he
would never-Q'd like some more whis-
ky, if you pleased would never have
permitted that case to even 60 to the
jury. Amt you going to set out that
whisky?"
Michael had quietly come out from
behind the counter and confronted the
lawyer. He touched him on the shout
der and remarked slowly and impress
sively: "My friend, you owe me fifteen
cents for whisky and twenty-five cents
for the glass. would like forty cents,
if you please"
The man of genius made weak and
abortive search through his vest pock-
cts and said, "Yes, yes, that'll be all
right; just get behind your counter,
please, and set me out some more whis-
ky, and l will discharge the whole obli-
cation at once"
Said Michael in deepest tones: "Are
you lawyerY
The fellow said be was.
slave you read Blackstone and Chit
ty-likewise Peterborough, of whom you
spoke but noww
The lawyer said, oh, yes, he knew
EN- by heart.
There Is one law work with which
you are not cOnversant," said Michael,
solemnly, as his fingers began to twitch.
"What is that p asked the lawyer.
"Geary on Ejectments" Numbered
Michael, and did the bounce act with a
vim that landed him in the middle OF
the street.-BiLLidrd Mirror.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
Rescued From Death.

William j. Coughlin OF Somerville, Mas e.
says: "In the fall OF 1873 was taken with
BLEEDING OF THE LUNGS, followed by a severe
cough. lost my appetite and heeh, and was
coDfned TO my bed In 1877 was admitted TO
the hospital. The doctor said had a hole in
cy lung az big as bali dollar. At one time a
report went around that was dead. 1 gave
up hope, but a friend told me of DR.. WILLIAM
HALLS BALSAM FOR THE LUNGS. got
a bottle. when to my surprise, commenced to
feel better, and 10 day feel better tnan for
three years past
I write this hoping every one afflicted with
diseased lungs will take DIR. WILLIAM
HALLS BALSA1, and be convinced that
CONSUMPTION CAN BE CURED. / Can
positively say ii has done more good than all
the other medicines have taken since my sick
ness
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
Jonathan Edwards Frankness.

One of Jonathhn Edwards cotempo-
raries, the Rev. DR.. b.. in an adjoining
town, discarded the severest of the CAL
vanistic dogmas. A notorious scamp
in the town, much affected in revival,
went to the doclor and said to him, in
the religious parlance of the time, II
realize that / am the chief of sinners"
"Glad to hear it," replied the dominic,
your neighbors have long realized it,"
II feel" persisted the whining peni-
tent, "That L am willing to be damned
for the glory of God" "Well," replied
the hard-hearted preacher, II don't
know anybody around here that would
have the slightest objecti )n."
One of Jonathan Edwards daughters,
who had some spirit Of her own, had
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17
A Cheerful Send-Of.

At recent Sabbath evening service
in this city the pastor, who was going
to Europe for the summer, took very
affecting leave of his congregation, and
at the close requested that all should
join with him in repeating the LoId's
Prayer, "after which" the choir would
"sing a hymn" AS soon AS the prayer
was finished the basso struck up "rock-
ed in the cradle of the Deep" and the
organist favored the audience with a
mock thunderstorm, with bowling
winds, etc, between the versesl And
then the Observation-Disclosures and
Drama, Chicago Letter.
Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-08-17

A native assistant surgeon serving
with the British troops in Afghanistan
and northwestern India has found will.
low leaves valuable substitute for
Quinine in the treatment of intermit-
tent fever. The juice of fresh willow
leaves is given. largely diluted with
water.
We hand folks over to Gods mercy
but show none ourselves.