davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
A Drunken Headsman,

All Denmark, says the Copenhagen
correspondent Of the ST. Janacs'S Gazette,
was thrilled by general feeling of hor-
ror when the papers brought the details
OF the execution of q criminal in pro-
vincial place the previous day-details
which painfully remind one of the dis
grace full manner in which Sofia Petrows-
kaya was executed last year at ST. Peters
burg. According to the Danish law
criminals condemned to death suffer the
last penalty of the law by dccnpitation
by means of an nx, the block being
placed ut some conspicuous place rs near
rs possible to the place where the murder
was committed. A man condemned to
death was to be executed one morning
lately, and, rs usual, large crowd
OF people from the surrounding districts
had assembled round tho spot only enc
constable being present to keep order.
When the usual formalities were gone
through, the criminal laid his head on
the block; but the eye and tho hand of
the eXecuGoncr, who had been drinking
heavily on the previous day, were I'M
certain, and tho stroke fell over both
shoulders, the criminal uttering smoth-
cred cry Of pain. The exccuti0ner
wrcnchcd the AK out of the wound,
welded it again, and struck the criminal
high up on the back of tho head; again
he wrcnched the ax out Of the wound
and succeeded at last i'll cutting the head
Oft. The crowd rushed to the hcadless
trunk, some to try to catch some drops
of blood, which the peasants think has
some kind Of magical effect to cure Ger
tain diseases; others to satisfy their NOR
bid curiosity. In fact, n horrible and
disgusting scene took place, several men
and women fainting. Every one agrees
that such q disgracoful spectacle must
never more take place in Denmark, and
the Minister Of Justice has already, with
praiseworth speed, declared his intcn-
ton to bring in short bill providing for
execution by means of tho guillotinc and
within the precincts of n prison.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
A TERRIBLE RESPONSIBILITY,
The RIRu Who Carried tho Money for
Uncle sam.

Very few people know the inside his
tory of Bristow's fight with the express
companies when he was Secretary Of the
Treasury, says Washington letter. The
express companies made what Mr.. Bris-
tow thought were exorbitant charges for
carrying currency to the great distribut-
ing point of tho New York Sub-Treasury.
be told the companies that u lower rate
must be conceded or he would take the
business away from them. The COM
panies were defiant.
This is the way the express companies
were circumvented. The Secretary Sc
lectcd trusty special agent Of the
Treasury, who simply put tho currency
III valise and went over to New York as
nm ordinary passenger on tho night train.
Thomas Cavanaugh, the Deputy Ser
gcant-at-Arms under the gallant Colonel
Hooker in the House, was the special
agent selected for this work. He is q
tall, broad-shouldercd, decp-chestcd,
manly-looking specimen of humanity
His square, resolute, sun-browned face
is accentuatcd by crisp, curling NOUS
tache, completely hiding his mouth.
His straight nose, clear blue eyes, and
square jaws stand out in face remnrka-
ble for its combination Of good nature
and iron resolution. Mr.. Cavanaugh
used to set out from the Office of the
Secretary of tho Treasury after night
with vnlise simply stuffed with govern
mcnt currency.
One night he had in his bag $3.50, 900
i'll greenbacks. Every dollar ever en-
trusted to him was safely carried. Not
penny was ever lost. His pay from the
Treasury was his regular one, $8 per day
~, In f,,n,- n1, L
bonds for this work, rs the law recog-
nlzed no such way of carrying such
funds.
The Secretary had absolutely no pro-
lection beyond Cavanaugh's Individual
honor. If he had run away with an odd
million Mt any time, he could not have
been prosecuted for more than n breach
of trust. Iii the carrying of this money
Cavanaugh carried more than his life in
! his hands. If it were even suspected
that he was carrying such sums over in
section of q New York sleeper, rs an Or
binary passenger, he would certainly
havo been attacked. If he had been
robbed, nothing but his death in defend
ing his trust could have saved him from
the scandal of being classed by many rs
a guilty participant in the robbery. To
ward the last Cavanaugh became very
nervous. Ho used to start out with his
money in one hand and revolver in an
other, hidden in the pocket of his great
coat.
A close coupe took him down the ave-
nue.. In the sleeping car, toward the
last, he slept but little. Some one was
always reaching across his gashed throat
for the money placed in his trust. It
was great relief when this dreadful re-
sponslbility came to an end and he was
able to go back to his ordinary duties.
To-day Cnvanaugh is again carrying
Government money. he is the official
who takes from the Treasury the money
needed i'll the business Office of the Ser
geant-atArms' Office, where the mem
bers are paid.
Bank cashiers and men in high trust
could find much to learn in the rugged,
unassuming integrity Of Thomas Cava-
naugh.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
In Prison.

EX-Warden Haynes, in his "Pictnres
of Prison Life" gives the following Incl
dent III connection with the work on tho
enlargement of the old Massachusetts
Penitcntiary. 1t affords strange ex-
ample of the way tho tender and the
terrible arc sometimes associated in q
criminals personal history.
1t was necessary to employ some q
the prisoners outside the walls, and Sc
lected a man for that purpose who had
always behaved well, and who had but a
short time to remain. Very much to my
surprise, he objected to going outside to
work.
This was so unusual that Iinquircd the
| cause. He hcSitatcd moment, but IL
nally told me. He had wife and two
children, who were ignorant Of his being
III prison. In the small yellow house, he
sad, directly opposite his cell window
and near where he would have to work.
should he go outside, they were then
living.
He had watched his children all through
the summer, playing i'll n vacant lot of
land belonging to the prison, directly
under his window, and 80 near him that
he could hear the voices; and he could
see his wife passing in and out of the
house, or sitting ut her window, little
dreaming that he had been so near them
for almost two years.
This mans crime was theft. He had
left his family in Boston and gone to the
western part of the State to obtain work,
but failing in that, and without money
TO return, he took watch whose owner
mad left 1T hanging in his Office, into
which this convict had stepped for
moment to make inquiries.
In the meantime, his wife, not hear
ing from him, had come to Chnrlcstown
70 I'VE, and taking this tenement in plain
sight, and within a few rods Of his cell,
His feelings were regarded, and he
was allowed to serve ont his scntonce
without being discovered.
Ihl" story of mortified affection ia
simply told, but its situations and sug.
geatlQns OF suppressed feeling might
tempt dramatic writer. A man choincd
in his own disgrace and continually tan.
talIzed with the sight of his better dnya
is subject worthy of Greek tragedy.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
GEMS WITH A HISTORY,
The ReuniOn Of Twin Diamonds that Once
belonged to Warren Hastings.

"There are the 100000 twins
brought together by chance, after more
than quarter of a century OF separation,
and never to leave this country, now
we've got them"
The speaker was n German gentleman,
the head Of wholesale diamond import
ing house in Maiden Lane. AS he spoke
he took packet Of silken tissue paper
from big safe behind him and dropped
1T upon counter covered with green
balze, at which the reporter seated him.
self. A wire gate slammed to and locked
the prisoner i'll without seeming to have
imprisoned him, and the German gentle
man began to open the tissue paper
packet Two lustrous gems, which
blazed with n pure bluish-white fire
cleaned side by side. Each was about
as big around as three-cent piece, but
what was moro striking than their size
was their identity of appearance and
beauty. They are cut alike, weigh alike
(clght aud one-half carats each), and are
Vel1tablo mineral twins
81 could create q sensation and make
a fortune with them in Paris" said the
diamond merchant "They are old In
dian mine diamonds, and have history
that puts them in the catalogue of tho
famous gems of the world. have proofs
that establish their identity. They must
have been in the possession of Warren
Hastings when he was Govelnor-G Gen
eral OF India. Previously they had been
the Jewels of rajah, and after they left
Hastlngss jewel casket they were Sc
cured by Russian nobleman during n
mutny Ill India. He took them to Am
Stcrdam, where skilled Dutch lapidary
rccut them, thereby greatly enhancing
their beauty while only slightly dccreas.
ing their weight. The nobleman lost
possession of one Of them Mt the celc-
brated gaming table of M. Blanc, at Mon
AGO. At least, it is supposed he lost it
gaming, for it was only recovered at the
auction sale of the effects of Mime Blanc.
the widow of the famous gambler in
Paris, year ago. secured it through
an agent at the sale.
"lts mate" continued the iewcler.
''had no less eventful career. 1t found
its way to French jeweler, who sold it
to the Duke of Brunswick, who, with
eccentric prodigality, lavished money on
precious stones, which he left to the CITY
of Geneva. The history of the first blue
diamond was published in Paris when I
DouBnI II, Dut search made aftcrward fO1
the mate, which the Duke of Brunswicl,
had bought, revealed the fact that it had
disappeared.
owe found it two months ago-and
how, do you think? Why, my partner
saw it sparkling in the shirt front of q
Chicago merchant. He could hardly be.
licvc it. But by Il stratagem he secured
the means of comparing the gems, and
proved their identity to his satisfaction.
The merchant said he had bought the
stone i'll England from Jewish diamond
merchant of London. He was induced
TO part with it at handsome figure.
"Thus they came together" said the
owner, as he rewrapped the sparks OF
mineral fire with tender care, "nnd thus
they stay. They'll never be separated
again if we can help it,"
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
A VERITABLE LEPER.
Victim of the Terrible Disease Now I.lvs
Ing in MussuchuSctts.


Salem, Mass, is in constcrnation over
a case of leprosy. Tho victim is Charles
Derby, who contracted the disease in
the Hawaiian islands Excluded from
the country. he went to San Francisco,
and finally to Salem. His first knowl-
edge of the fact that he was leper came
with the discovery of n blotch of perhaps
the size of a ten cent piece on his left
temple. Slowly, but surely, has his
case grown worse, until now there is a
large scale on either side of the nose,
which organ is much enlarged by the
disease, while The ears are swollen, one
foot il badly infected about the toes, and
one hand has been attacked. Small
tubcrclcs appear on different parts Of
the face. In rubbing his hands to-
gcthcr as one would do i'll washing Il per-
feet shower of white particles falls to the
floor. His voice IS hOarse and his throat
sore. One eye is in n frightful cOndi-
ton, and the other, from which the Wis
ion has not entirely fed, is fast following
the course of its companion. And yet
he suffers no pain. The numbncss char
nctcristic of leprosy holds perfectly III
his case rs in every other Thrust pin,
q needle or sharp knife into his hands,
feet or face aud he feels it not. Even his
eyes cause him no Inconvenience, save
the horrible thought constantly III his
mind That the light Of day will to him
very soon be shut out forever. He eats
all kinds of food with relish, sleeps
somdly and well, moves about with COM
parativcly little Inconvenience, hathcs
and to some extent takes care OF his dis
eased limbs without ousidc help. Great
care is used by his attendant to see that
none of the utensils or clothing used by
the lcper are handled by other persons,
as inoculntion might occur, i'll which
case the party or parties SO inOculatcd
would inevitably become victims Of the
frightful disease. Aside from methods
such as these, there is thought by all-
thOrities on the subject to be no danger
of n communication of tho disease from
one person to another. In fact, ut Hon
olulu, where the sentences Of Danish
ment are so surely and SO impartially
carried ont there seems to be 10 heSita-
ton on the part of any one to converse
with lcpcr, as long rs care is taken not
to come III contact with the person fthc
unfortunate. Punishment becomes nee
cssary from the fact that whatever the
lcpcr uses or handles is liable 20 convey
the contagion through an abrasion Of the
skin or otherwise to the next party hand
ling the article. Consequently, if it is
lecided to keep this Salem lcper in that
city, a person will be engaged for the
special purpose of taking care of Derby
and of everything that he uses. Perhaps
an effort will be mado, however, to Sc
cure his admission to a colony Of lcpers
in New Brunswick, where he could re-
reivo better attention than almost any
where else.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
Indian Visitors in London.

Londoners have been rmwittingly out
raging the susceptibilities of the heroes
of tho Indian Contingent who were
brought over on visit to tho British
capital. For example, many of them
whose religion forbids them to look Mt
picture were taken to the National Gal
lery. The amount of hand shaking they
had to endure was another drawback,
Tor this method of salutation is quite
contrary to their customs. They were
also frequently embarrassed by being
confronted with ladies in whose society
they were always i'll at ease In their
own country they arc accustomed to
shut their women up, as everybody
knows, and they could never nccommo-
date themselves to Christian magnanim-
lty in this respect. Whom they went to
the tower some ladies sat down Mt tho
same table with them to luncheon, upon
which several of the Indians gravcly
rose and seated themselves at n side
table.
Another awkward cOntrGtcmpS oc-
cured ut Henglcr's Circus when n per-
forming pig made its appearance in the
ring A pig is an abomination in the
eyes OF the Indians, and many of them
would, under ordinary circumstances,
have felt constrained to turn aside at
such loathsome spectacle, on spit upon
the ground. The gentleman in charge
of the party, fearing that the introduce
ton of the innocent pig might be regarded
MS an insult, and wishing to avert any un-
pleasantncss, whispered Significantly
that the animal was a French dog. This
explanation was gravcly accepted by the
Indians, whose politcncss enabled them
to restrain their feelings. and to sit out
the performance, without any outward
manifestation of disgust. Nothing
really interested them except Woolwich
Arsenal, which made more impressions
upon them than all the rest of tneir ex-
periences put together Old Anglo-In-
dians consider that i, was great mis-
take to take the mcn to see ballet ut
the Alhambra, fo. such n spectacle was
calculated to lower their high respect
for white women.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
AMERICAN FABLES,

4. = FOX who was gamboliug about had
She , lll-l1ck to fall over cliff, and as he
lay on the ground, unable to rise and
Su1Grin8 great pain, along came Hare.
80, wen, said the Fox as he looked up.
the tables are turned. am your bit.
ter enemy and have often pursued Won
with intent to murder, but now 7 am
helpless and you can take your revenge" "
DO you expect me to kill you ?"'
NATURALLY L do; and ask the favor
that you kill me with club instead of
slowly torturing me to death by singing:
only Pansy Blossom"
But the Hare determined to heap Goals
OF fire on his head and prove her own
forgiving spirit. She therefore brought
him water and food, and nurscd him
until he was quite able to take care of
himself. The very next day after they
separated the Hare was crossing field
when she found herself pursued by q Fox.
After running long distance she was
overtaken, and rs she was knocked over
she recognized i'll her assailant the very
Fox whose life she had saved.
"Why, you arc tho Fox whom l
nursed !" she cried.
"Is that SOP"
"Of course it is i! How could you fail
to recognize me |"
"Wcll, fools look so much alike that
it is hard to tell who from who. For
fear of making mistake l shall eat you
and let the next one CO."
THE LION AND THE JACKALs.
Ono day two Jacbnls were having n hot
dispute rs to the origin of man, and wero
about to como to blows, when along
came tho Lion, and asked
"My friends, what seems to DO the
rumpus here?"
81 claim that man originated from the
ape" exclaimed one.
"And l contend that he descended
from the fish," added the Other.
"Have either of you any documents
or afiidavits ?"
"Nonc."
''Then | shall claim that man is de-
sccnded from the giraffe, and being able
| to roar louder than both of you together,
| shall carry my point. BE off with you,
| and remember that arguments on theories
| test the wind more or us much as they
| appeal to the head. "-DCtrON Irce
Press,
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
'Presidcnt MncOln'S Hcight.''

leonard w. Volk replies, ns follows, in
the january Century to Il denial of hia
statement in regard to LincOln's height
have read the communication in IHe
Century for October, and can only rcitcr-
ate that Abraham Lincoln was Just six
tect ono inch when / measured him in
April, 1860. AS before stated, ] placed
him back against the studio wall, and
made q mark over his head, ns I had
dJne i'll the case of Senator Douglas, two
years before. [ measured from the floor
up to the mark several times, in order to
be sure [ was right, desiring to know the
exact difference III the heights of these
two men, which was just twelve inches.
I thought Mr. Lincoln fairly erect when
marked on the wall. Possibly he might
have stretched up an inch or two higher,
but at That date it is hardly possible he
could have expanded three inches in
length / am now reminded Of n story
told me while Mt Springfield, q few wears
since, of Mr.. Lincoln's faculty for stretch
ing himself ont i'll length. I did not
know OF this, however, at the time I
measured him, or / should have re-
>ghcsted him to give his fullest height.
The following is the story:
wager was made one day in Sprinp
Held between some friends of Mr.. Lin
coin and of 0. M. Hatch, late secretary
OF the State of Illinois (also tall, slender
mani, as to their relative height Mr..
Hatch was first placed against the wall,
so mark could be made over his head,
Mr. Llncoln rcmarking, OF tho time,
"Now, Hatch, stand fair" When the
mark was duly made, Mr.. Lincoln was
duly placed beside it, and Mt first Mr..
Hatch's friends declared that they had
won the wager. "Wnit," said Mr.. Lin
coin. '"Thc mark is not yet made for
me-" Then he began to stretch himself
out like India rubber, and went nearly
two inches above Mr.. Hatch'B mark, oar
rying off the stakes amidst the shouts
and laughter Of the bystandcrs
In the model Of the statue [ made of
him in 1873, I represent him six feet
three and half inches high, which is
over his real lifc-sizo.
Mr.. Lincoln looked taller than he
really was, owing to his thin, bony, lank
form.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
An American Lord.

Mr.. William i. Winans, who was de-
fcatcd the other day in London in his
great lawsuit against his landlord, Mac
kcnzic, is n member Of the Baltimore
family of that name, but he has long
lived Ill The British capital and will prob
ably spend the remainder of his life
there, rs he has a horror Of crossing tho
ocean, and has been heard to say that
he would not do so again for a million
dollars. He has rented dccr-humting
range sixty miles long, extending clear
across Scotland. 1t was to compel ono
of tho owners to cvict all other tenants
of the property that he brought the suit
which he has just lost. Mr.. Winans's
enormous wealth is principally investc 4
III London real estate, and he lives 81 one
of the finest private houses in that CITY.
One of his great passions is to attend
the circus. 1t is related that once @
certain circus manager tried to play
upon this fondness by charging Mr..
Winnns and his companion oxtortionate
prices for seats. The millionaire indig-
nantly asked if the other wanted him TO
pay for every seat in the tent "That's
just what do want you to do, replied
the knight of the sawdust. every well,
said Mr.. Winans, "I'Il take every seat.
hut nobody except myself and friend [
am going to bring shall enter, and you
are to give us everything on the bill. I
have bought the whole performance, and
Imcau to have it," True to his word,
on the appointed night Mr.. Winans and
solitary friend appeared and Rad the
whole circus to themselves, Mr. Winana
carefully studying up the hand-bills to
see that nothing was left out.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
Protecting his Character.

Entering the shop of his tailor tho
other day, he said:
"Sir, 1 owe You sixty dollars"
eyes, sir, you do"
"And I have owed it for year"
"You have"
"And this is the fifth postal card you
have sont me regarding tho debt?"
"I think it is the fifth"
"Now, sir, while cannot pay the debt
for perhaps another year, / propose to
protect my character as far as possible.
Here are twelve two-ccnt stamps. You
can use them in sending mo twelve
monthly statements of account, and can
thus save your postal cards and my feel
mgS Mt the Same tine
1t is said that the tailor has credited
tho twenty-four cents on account, and
feels that he has secured more of the
debt than he had any reason to hope for.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03
CAPT. HoLsTEIN, Of the Danish army.

CAPT. HohsrEIN. of the Danish army,
hns invented, for the use of infantry SOL
diers, shield, which, though weighing
only seven pounds, is bullet proof and
handy. 1t is Of steel, twenty inches long
by eighteen broad. Two spikes at the
bottom enable the soldier to fix it firmly
in the ground, and hollow at the top
can be used as rest for bis rife The
experiments that were made with tho
shield at Copenhagen short time ago
were deemed highly satisfactory, but
will be repeated on larger scale before
the Danish Government decides as to its
adoption for the army.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03

A GENERAL SwINDLE-Thc entire
staff of the Larinna Company, which
owns the fine steamers that run on Lake
Como, have for years past been
systematically robbing their employers.
Every employee of the company, from
the Captains to the cabin boys, is inn
plicatcd They had formed themselves
into fraternity; tickets wcro forged,
bo ooks falsifcd, and the members Of tho
association met every month to verify
their accounts and divide the spoil. The
company remained in Ignorance of these
dcpredationa until they were informed
by dismissed steward, whose silence
his confcdeTatcs had refused to purchase
by continuing to allow him a share of tho
plmder. Nearly all tho employees are
in custody.
The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-05-03

LIQUOR SELLERS in Maine are putHo
strange devices in order to conceal their
contraband wares. On recent police
raid in that state, in one house tho
bottles were found in tho well, tightly
corked and with strings round their
recks for convenience in raising. In
another the bottles were under the cook.
ing range in the ashpit. One liquor
seller, woman, had two flat bottles
hooked to q belt which she wore under
her overskirt, and another dealer con-
coaled his under q trap, door beneath n
pile of hay in cock loft.