davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
Wetting Lead Pencils.

The act of putting lead pencil to
the tongue to wet it just before writ
ing. which we notice in so many
people, is one of the oddities for
which it is hard to give any reason,
unless it began in the days when
pencils were poorer than they are
now, and was continued by example
to the next generation.
A lead pencil should never be wet.
1t hardens the lead and ruins the
pencil. This fact is know to news
paper men and stenographers. But
nearly every one else does wet pen
Gil before using it. This fact was
definitely settled by newspaper
clerk down east.
Being of mathematical turn of
mind, he ascertained by actual
count that of fifty persons that came
into his office to write an advertise
ment or church notice, forty-nine
wet a pencil in their mouths before
using it. Now this clerk always
uses the best pencils, cherishing a
good one with something of the pride
soldier feels in his gun or sword
and it hurts his feelings to have his
pencils spoiled. But politeness and
business considerations requires him
to lend his pencils scores Of times a
day. And often after it bad been
wet till 1t was hard and brittle and
refused to mark. his feelings would
overpower him.
Finally he got some cheap pen
ellis and sharpened them, and kept
them to lend. The first person who
took up stock pencil was dray-
man, whose breath smelt of onions
and whisky. He held the point in
his mouth and soaked it for several
minutes, while he was torturing
himself in the effort to write an ad-
vertisement for missing bulldog.
Then a sweet looking young lady
came into the office, with kid gloves
that buttoned half the length of her
arms. She picked up the same old
pencil and placed it TO her dainty
lips preparatory to writing an adver-
tisement for lost bracelet. The
clerk would have stayed her hand,
even at the risk of a box of the best
Fabre pencils, but he was too late.
And thus that pencil passed from
mouth to mouth for week. 1t was
sucked by people of all ranks and
stations, and all degrees of cleanli-
ness and uncleanliness. But we for
bear. Surely the one who reads this
will never again wet lead pencil in
his mouth.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
The Reporters Primer.

Who is that Angry looking Man? =?
That, my Son, is Reporter
DO Reporters always look Mad ?
Not always
What Ails that one"
He has been to a Church Sup,
per-
Wasn't he Inyited?'
%, yes. Five of the prettiest
Girls in the parish Urged him to go.
I should Think he would have
liked That
He did. And each of those girls
wanted him to give my Table a
special mention
Did He get any Supper?"
OF course he did. He bought q
five cent Sandwich for a Quarter
and ate it after the Rest got through.
Where is he Going now?'
He is going to the Office to write
that the parish Church supper last
Night was a most agreeable success
The lovley Faces of the fair Maiden;
in attendance on the Table were
Only rivalled by the Charming lib.
erality with which they Dispensed
the finest Niands.'
Are Reporter ever Sarcastic ?"
No, my Son, never"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
The Chiid-Dyke.

Holland is a beautiful country
full of green fields, with cattle and
sheep grazing in the pastures but
tn re are few trees and no hills to be
seen.
The ground is so fiat and low that
two or three times the sea has rush
ed in over it, and destroyed whole
towns. In one of these floods about
two hundred years ago, more than
twenty thousand people were drown
ed. In some of the towns that were
/ flooded not creature survived.
A large part of the water that
came in at the time of that flood
still remains. 1t is known as the
"Maas," and in one part Of it there
is little green island, a part Of an
old dyke or dam, which is called the
Kinder dyke" or child dyke, and
it got its name in this way:
The water came rushing oyer one
OF the little Friesland villages, and
no one had any warning. In one of
the houses there lay child asleep
in its cradle, an old fashioned cradle,
made tight and strong, of good, stout
wood.
By the side of the cradle lay the
old cat, baby's friend, probably pur-
ring away as comfortably as posi-
bic.
In came the waters with a fearful
roar. The old cat in her fright,
Jumped into the cradle with the
baby, who slept through all the tur-
MOL as quietly as ever. The house
was torn from its foundation and
broken to pieces. But the cradle
floated out on the angry sea in that
dark night, bearing safely its prec-
ious burden.
When morning came there was
nothing to be seen of the village and
green meadows. All was water.
Hundreds of people were out in
boats trying to save as many lives
as possible, and on this little bit of
an island what do you think they
! found ? Why, the same old cradle,
with the baby asleep in it, and the
old cat curled up at her feet, all safe
and sound.
Where the village voyagers came
from, and to whom they belonged,
no one could tell. But in memory
of them, this little island was called
kinder dyke-child dyke-and it
goes by that name to this day ; and
this story is told to thousands Of lit
tie people all over Holland as a re-
markable instance of Gods provi-
dence.
What became of this little child
when it grew up we do not know. 1t
would be interesting, no doubt, to
our young readers to know for what
it was thus preserved by Gods care,
but we have no record. But this
story may surely teach us all the
important and comforting lesson
that God cares for the least as well
as for the greatest. The prophet
foretold of the Good Shepherd that
he would carry the lambs in His
arms and nourish them in his bo-
COpl
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
Three Distinguished Females.

Two young ladies of Terre Haute
were returning from California. The
parlor car was crowded with passen.
gers. At small station a woman
in snowy attire entered and demand
ed hole section. 1t was not to be
had, and the conductor, brakeman,
porter and cook, who seemed to be
impressed with the new passenger s
Importance, were painfully exercised
to know where to put her. The
cause of all this commotion was
very blonde, very large, very richly
clothed and very swell. When il
seemed impossible TO get her whole
section, or even half one, she turn.
ed to the young ladies and said:
"Will you consent to take the up
per berth Of your section and let me
have the lower ?'
Sorry we can't oblige you," re-
piled one of the pink checked fairies
but really we prefer to keep the
lower berth ourselves"
Then the big blonde straighten-
ed herself up threw inefiable con-
tempt and importance into her pale
eyes, and said Perhaps you don't
know who | am ?"
No, we don't"
81 will tell you," said the woman
of silks and jewels, Il am Mrs. Col.
Dunlevy Wickersham." (Mr. W.
was known as very rich man
"Are you indeed ?" replied the
Hoosier maiden. Perhaps you
don't know who l am ?"
Madame Bonanzas' face said that
she didn't, and, also, that she had
some curiosity.
well, | am Mrs. Grant"
And H. said her companion, who
had hitherto kept silent, "am Queen
Victoria. ''-hdianapOlts ReUietg.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
The Four Truths.

There was once an old monk who
was walking through forest with a
scholar by his side. The old man
suddenly stopped and pointed to the
four plants close at hand. The first
was Just beginning to peep above the
ground the second had rooted itself
pretty well into the earth the third
was a small shrub whilst the fourth
and last was full-sized tree.-Then
the monk said to his young compan-
ion:
"Pull up the first"
The boy easily pulled it up with
his fingers.
Now put up the second"
The youth obeyed but not as cas-
lily.
"And the third"
But the boy had to put forth all
his strength and use both arms be-
fore he succeeded in uprooting it.
And now," said the master, "try
your hand npon the fourth"
But 10 = the trunk of the tall tree
(grasped in the arms of the youth
scarcely shook its leaves; and the
little fellow foundit impossible to
tear its roots from the earth. Then
the wise old monk explained to his
scholar the meaning of.the four tri-
ais.
"This my son, is lust what hap
pens with our passions. When they
are very young and weak, one may,
by little watchfulness over self and
the help of a little self-denial, easily
tear them up; but if we let them
cast their roots deep down into our
souls, then no human power can
uproot them, the Almighty hand of
the Creator alone can pluck them out.
For this reason, my child, watch
well over the first movements Of
your soul. and study by acts of virtue
to keey your passions in check"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

tip of cigar when he feels the need
of stimulus of tobacco doubtless
grew out of a habit which he had
for many years. The tables, win
dow sills, and the edges of book
shelves in his law office in Utica
used to be decorated with cigars
strangely mutilated. He would put
a cigar in his mouth wrong end to
carry it till in his abstraction he
happened to remove it, and, when
he missed it would take another
from his vest pocket and proceed to
enjoy it in the same manner. 1t
used to be said in his office that no
one had ever seen him light cigar
there or take cigar in his mouth
except by the wrong end.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

A gentleman from Orwell, Pa,
called my attention to Ely's Cream
Balm as a remedy for Catarrh, Hay
Fever. &c. He was so earnest in as
serting it to be positive cure (him-
self having been cured by it, that /
purchased stock. The Balm has
already effected a number of cures.
p. +. HYATT. NJ. d. Bordentown, n.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
THE BLEssEDNEss Or GIVING

There was neyera golden sunbeam
That fell on 4 desolate place.
But felt some trace OIL presence
That time could never efface.
Not a song OF ineifable sweetness
That ravished the listening ear
Then slumbered in silence forgotten
For many and many year.
But a word or a tone might awaken
Iis magical power anew,
Long amer the sweet.voiced singer
Had faded from earthly view.
Nor heart that was ever weary,
Or tainted with sin and despair,
But a word OF tender compassion
Might md an abiding there.
Yet countless thousands are yearning
For sympathy, kindness and love.
Aud souls are cropping in darkness
Without one CLEAN from aboYe
There was never a sunbeam wasted,
Nor a song that was sung in vain.
And souls that seem lost in the shadows
A Savior's love may reclaim.
Then scatter the sunbesms of kindness,
Though your deeds may never be known.
The harvest will ripen in glory
1.-THE seed be faithfully sown;
And life will close with blessing,
And fade into endless day,
Loke the golden hues Of the sunbeam
That fade In the twilight gray.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
Children Dying from the Heat

BALTIMORE, July 9.-Two nun
dred children under ten years of age
died in Baltimore last week from
summer complaint and the extreme
heat. The malady has greatly abat.
ed since the cold wave of last night
and to-day.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

had severe attaks of gravel and
kidney trouble; was unable to get a
medicine or doctor to cure me until
l used Hop Bitters, and they cured
me in short time.-A DISTINGUISH
ED LAWYER OF WAYNE Co., n. Y.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25
Chf11s md Fover.

AS a Blood Puri-
hor-this medicine
is highly recon-
mended for all
manner Of chronic
or q standing
complaints, Erup-
tiens Of the skin,
such as Pimples,
II BlOte h c s and
K a s 4 e s, Ring
Worms. I etter,
Sal Rheum. Scald
Head, SerOiula or
* ing Evil.
X h e II m ism,
Pain in the Bones,
side and Head.
and all diseases
arising frOi.e i'm
purity of the
blood. With this
rare medicine in
your house y Ou
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

Flattery is called "taffy" because it
makes man feel awfully stuck
up"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

Chicago eats $1,000 worth of ice
cream daily.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

can do without salts, Castor OH, Citrate Of Mag.
nesia SIENNA ~ Mamma. and soon the Whple oi
them, and what Is better, IL may he taken with
safety and comfort by the most delicate woman.
as well as hy the robust nan. II is very pleasant
to the taste therefore easily administered TO emil
dren IL is the only vegetable remedy existing
which will answer in place of calomei, regulating
the action Of the liver without making you lite
long victim 10 the use Of mercury or blue pills.
II will open The bowels in proper and Wholesome
manner
There is nothing Ike Fahrneys Blood Clean
or for the cure Of all disorders of the Stomach,
Liver Rowels, Kidneys and Bladder; for nervous
diseases Headache. Costiveness. indigestion,
Bilious Fever. and all arrangements OF the In
ternal vicera. As n female regulator II has no
eouai In he world
AN ounce of prevention is worth more than n
bound of cure" The PANACEA viii not only cure
ald standing and malisDant complaints. but is one
OF the best preyentatives OF such disorders ever
offered 10 the world. You can avoid severe at
taeks OF acute diseases, such as Cholera, small
pox, Typhoid. Bilious, Spotted and Intermittent
Fevers by keeping your blood purified The
different degrees OF al such diseases depend al
together upon the condition Of the blood.
f,e sure 70 ask for FAHRNEY- BLOOD tLEANs-
Ep or PkNscEA as there are several other prep
arations in the market, the names Of which are
FzFr ffar
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

The corner stone of the first Jew
ish synagogue in Memphis was laid
last week.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-07-25

Mr.. Spurgeon surprised his con-
gregation a few Sundays ago. He
began his sermon as usual, and got
through his firstly pretty well.
Then, feeling very warm himself,
and seeing his congregation growing
listless. he interrupted himself with
the remark: THAT is the end of the
firstly and it's so warm to-day
that | think the secondly and third
ly will very well keep for a cooler
Sunday" So the congregation went
its way, and Mr.. Spurgeon went
his way.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31
Schools.

The City Academy at Charlotte. and
the Donaldson Academy at Fayetteville
were burned last week. The latter fire
d~Islodged the graded school, but another
edihce will be obtained. Rev DIR Bern
helm has resigned from the presidency
Of IN. {. College" utheran) at Mt.
fTcasant. and the institution has suspen-
ded. Prof. Sylvester Hassell has also
suspended his seminary at Wilson, part
y ON account of the small pox scare and
p9rtly TO finish some private literary
WORK. We fear the year will be severe
everywhere in North Carolina, on schools,
save and except those OF the larger class,
which are well equipped, and have the
advantage Of advertising freely, and at
tracing pupils from the wealthiest fami-
les who DO not feel the stringe1cy of the
money crop. Nevertheless, we should
advise all our academic and classical in
to make an hopeful effort. The
State was never SO wide awake to the
need Of Education /: and every hour the
harvest of public sentiment ripens for
the educating sickle. -"arepts are
invited to note the new carl of Colds
boro Institute for Young Ladies. DIR.
and Mrs Chapman are assisted by Mrs.
Grant and Miss Robinson in the music.
and fine art departments As has been
said of this institution, it is ''emphati-
cally a Select, Home School, in which
the morals and the associations Of pupils
are sedulously guarded; and no school in
the State offers better educational ad
vantages. As regards government, dis
fare. &c the pupils are simply
at home-each one assisting alternately.
in all the details of housekeeping.
the School-Year begins 18th Septem-
Der, ends 18th June, and is divided into
two terms. 1t is desirable that pupils
should enter at the beginning of the
school-year 10Th September) but they
will at any time be received and charged
for one term from date of entrance"
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31

TRIPLE MURDER IN MAD1sox.-On
FRIDAY night before Christmas, on Little
Greek, a tributary to Big Laurel. in
Madison county, a difficulty occurred be-
tween Ezekiel Briggs, Of Tennessee. and
two of the Metcalf boys Of Buncombe.
and Others, at the residence of Nick
Norton, the party being Intoxicated at
the time. During the difficulty Briggs
fell MORALLY wounded, dying of his
wounds on the 18th inst. Warrants
were issued and Mac Boon was arrested.
the Mctcalfs having fed the State. Nc
Boon had a hearing before Souires Jer-
Wis and Jervis, Of Mars Hill, and has
just been discharged by them.
On Monday night of this week, at a
grocery store on Little Creek Ia the same
locality Of the first disturbance. Henry
and Cling Metcalf got into an angry re-.
ctontre; Henry drew his pistol and Cling
his knife, Cling fell, shot through the
left arm, the ball ranging near the
heart, dying in a few minutes. Henry
was stabbed to the hollow, and there
are little hopes OF his recovery. The
cause of the latter affair is said to have
beer liquor, both parties being under it's
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31
Business Breaks

Owing to Congressional tinkering,
there are few tobacco breaks now-a-
days, but there is no lack of breaking
business houses. Almost every one of
our exchanges last week announced the
failure of some firm, the majority be-
ing small affairs, in the dry goods, and
general merchandise line. Goldsboro had
no new break last week, but a couple of
men took all they could lay hands on,
and ''broke" for the bushes! Oliver
Stallings. white, sequestrated $275, and
silently skedaddled H~alifaxward. He
was pursued by telegraph, and captured
at Weldon. W. B. Hill mysteriously
disappeared together with some $500,
belonging to the Masonic Lodge, of
which he Was treasurer.
From Greensboro comes the failure Of
+. Starr & Co. From Salisbury, the
failure of J. F. Ross & Co., for $22,
900. Letter to Charlotte Journal saws:
-"Thirty-three cents on the dollar is
all the firm will be able to paw. An
assignment was made to X. V. Lanier.
J. A. Biting and NJ. l.. Homes. Cot
ton futures and corn options are said to
the probable causes
We regret to notice from the Oxford
Iorcht,ght the assignment O. J.. r.
Young & Co., of Henderson, caused nc
doubt by the damages from the recent
fire. Mr.. j. d. Cooper is trustee.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31

Alas! for a true-heart gone a gal
liant son Of Carolina now no more I!
Bro. j. w. Harper. editor of Newbern
Journal, died at the Tucker Hotel, Raj
eigh, Monday night, Of bilious fever.
We made his acquaintance only a few
days ago, but took his hand as if meet
inc an old friend !; for we had long read
with admiration, his frank and fearless
utterances on all topics appertaining to
our State and the South. 1t is very diff
ficult for a Southern editor to do his du-
ty impartially, in these days. The
masses of our people being uneducated
and untravelled-(nine in ten Of them
leaving the county in which they
were born, )--are more or less subject to
local influences, personal preferences,
and an unconscious submission to the
manipulations of ambitious leaders (of
various grades, from township constable
up to the L. 5 Senator) and as a on
sequence thereof, the editor must either
trim his sails to float with the current,
or else encounter all the opposition, the
drawbacks. and the discouragements Of
one who struggles against the current.
Hence many editors, after some brief
effort TO be independent, and speak the
Truth, without tear or favor, are apt to
gradually become first, more prl-
dent , then, %shrewdly cautious -
then "a trimmer" and Ion the fence
n all controversies wherein the public
is agitated finally, a bootlick for the
leading Leaders Of Public Opinion, -
meaning those who are shrewd and un-
scrupulous enough to alwa, s keep them
popular
Capt. Harper had the sense of edito-
rial manhood and responsibility in high
degree though he remarked last week
he often blamed himself for silence
to matters wherein, as an edi-
tor, he ought to speak plainly. His
death is a shock to us. He seemed
cheerful on Friday, but was evidently
unwell and inquire ed for a physician.
We named DR.. Hines, DR.. Burke Hay-
wood. DR.. Knox, ct a., and he said he
should call upon one Of tne'n. 1t was
late. Ere we knew he had taken 20
bed, he was dead. Rest well, Brother 4!
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31
For the Farmer and Mechanic.


NADESDORO, y. e., JAM. 20, 80.
| arise to second the nomination ofmy
townsman, Capt. John L. Patrick, as
one of the managers of the Boston Ex-
position.
In the recent letters in the News and
Observer, a writer signing himself pee
Dee gave utterance to truthful words.
when he recommended Captain 2. for
that post, and a Northern man, long a
resident of this place, L have no hest
tancv in saying that there is no nan as
far as my acquaintance extends, who can
accomplish SO much for the State, al. he
can.
/ also favor the appointment of Col
Polk, and believe he would prove the
right man in the right place.
If the people of North Carolina want
the State to make the best possible
display at Boston, then by all means let
these gentlemen be appointed to repre-
sent them. Respectfully,
ID. L. s.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31
SWEET AS PEACHES.-My

SWEET AS PEACHES. My space
forbids an extended account, though
the performance in every particular
was SO thoroughly perfect that de-
served compliment might we'll be made 10
each singer, yet | am constrained to mem
ton our lilly" fairer than any JERSEY
can boast of, Miss Nal Haywood, whose
clear soprano completely captured the
audience in her rendition of MY Angel
Bird (White). The blithsome notes of
a merry jay on a quiet eventide ne'er
fell more swectly on the ear. Her voice
is full of sweetness and power; her notes
as pure and natural as the trill of a bird
in its native wood. She might we'll be
called the North Carolina thrush" The
audience encored in vain.
Round after round of deserved ap-
plause greeted the singing of Balfe's
difficult solo for contralto, THE Day is
Done" The liquid notes of the beauti-
full singer, coupled with her magnificent
stage presence and perfect grace, en-
Unused the audience to an extent that
only high cultivation and exquisite rem
dition ever commands. To the sad dis
appointment of the audience Miss Flor
ence Tucker did not respond to their
many encores.-P o., in Portsmouth,
Neacs.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-31

LOOKS REAsoNABLE.-A convention
OF members Of the State Guard was
held in Raleigh last week to seek Legis-
lative aid. 1t was a jolly collection OF
we'll known young gentlemen; weakened,
we thought, by the admission of a num-
Der of negro 'OHic RS, "-and too much
speechifying by politicians, (recalling the
Prohibition Pow Wow" in fuckers Hall
wien Bro" Jarvis aud Bro" Price
shook hands across the bloody chasm,
amid admiring applause): but perhaps a
little policy and p~alaver is necessary 10
these days.
The requests of the Convention-spok-
en- through a Memorial to the Legisla-
seen to Us not unreasonable They
are briefly 1st, An allowance of $3.50
per company. for not above 35 companies,
TO pay for an armory, and similar ex-
pense. 1t is argued that the men, usually
clerks, must expend a good deal of money
IL any event, and if the cost of rent, fuel,
I%anitur, etc, be imposed on each COM
pany the expense is too heavy for or
binary endurance. Result; company af-
ter company has disbanded. End, The
Law need improvement in order to in
crease Discipline and efficiency of the
troops. Sd The salary Of the Adjutant
General is too small. tits ($6OO,) by
two thirds, less than in almost any other
State; and not sufficient to support a
competent officer, if he give to it his
! whole time and attention. Give him
81. 900 at least.