davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

able wiped his streaming eyes, the bles-
sings Of pure hearts were poured out
upon him.
By the time the meal was ready all
had gained their composure; and while
they eat the host told his simple story
tod it without referring to the old life
further than to speak of the one and
only time In the past when they had
met previously.
At that time he had been but five-
and-twenty years cf age; he had never
known his parents. His mother had
died when he was an infant, and his
father-a soldier-was killed not long
afterwards in battle. He had been
taken by the authorities of the town
where his mother had died. "and under
their fostering care,n he said, 81 had
been reared, one might almost say,
until you met me; for the influence Of
the teachings l received in childhood
made me what L was.
"However, after l felt the angel Of
that old chapel, 1 made my way to this
forest. and here let myself out to the
farmer who owned this place; and with
him lived while he livad. When he
had died-that was eighteen years ago,
and little more-I had packed up 10
leave, when his daughter, Jean, to whom
the whole property had been left, took
my hand, and with tears in her eyes,
begged me to stay.
Sand then, Able, had to tell my
story; for had come to love that dear
girl, and l would not deceive her. Sc
when could muster the strength and
nerve told the whole from beginning
to end; and the end was my love for her,
which was bidding me in honor to co.
She heard me through, asked me few
Questions, and then threw her arms
around my neck and kissed me. 'Jeani
she cried, 'if you will he my husband,
and be as true to me as you have beer
to my father, will be your wife, and
share with you all my worldly goods
"And so, Abbe, you have the story.
You can look around you for the sequel
These are my children. Augustine ST.
Almond is the oldest. He will be sew
enteen on New Years day. Hal Does
the name strike you familiar2 If il
does, you ought to know why gave il
to hilnl Joan, the next; was fifteen last
month; and these others are growing
up, 1 sometimes think almost too fast
But l am happy, Abbe; and not the least
of my happiness henceforth shall be tht
blessed privilege Of this hour.
"And now, good father, let us unite
with you in prayer of thanksgiving tC
the Giver of all Good"
The able prayed with a fervor suct
as he had never even approached be
fore, and the AMENs that followed II
response were from the depths of thank
full hearts.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

David Van Arsdale died in New York
on the 14th of November. He belong
ed to an old Dutch family, and raised
the flag on the Battery on Evacuation
Day.
The Van Arsdale family traces its
genealogy back to Jan Van Arsdale, a
Knight OF Holland, who hourished in
1911. The family was notable one,
and there is quaint old fortress In tue
Netherlands to which 1t has given a
name. Symon Jansen Van Arsdaen, a
descendant OF the knight, emigrated to
the New Netherlands in 1868, and set
tied at Flatlands, becoming the progen-
itor OF a numerous race, which inter-
married with all the leading families OF
Long Island. His great-great. grandson,
John Van Arsdale, was the famous
holster of the flag. He was born in
1855, and with his father and four
brothers he took the field under Wash
ington and fought with bravery through
the war for Independence. He was
wounded at Fort Montgomery, and was
held prisoner of war fer nine months
in New York, obtaining his release
through an exchange of prisoners III
1779. After this he was employed
against the Indians in the northern part
OF the State, and it is related that he
was once again made prisoner by the
savages, and with two companions es .
capped from torture and death only
through the drunkenness Of his cap
tors.
John Van Arsdale remained in the
service until 1882, when he left with the
rank of sergeant. On June 16, 1888,
he married Mary Crawford, the daugh-
ter OF Scotch Presbyterian settler on
Long Island. On November 20. follow.
ing he raised the flag while the British
hosts retreated to their ships. The de.
feated soldiery, before leaving the city,
had gratIied their spleen by a last Iu-
suit to the Americans. They had cut
the flag halllards attached to the tall
staff on tie Bait ry, they had detached
all the cleals from the pole, and lest
any agile fellow might succeed IN cimb-
ing 1t, they had covlred the surface
with sludge to render it slippery. Van
Arsdafe, who had been sailor boy be-
fore he entered The Revolutionary army,
went with hundreds OF other citizens to
the Battery to see the flag raised after
the evacuation. When the difficulties
of the situation were realized he at
tempted to climb the poe, but after
two or three attempts was forced to give
up the endeavor. According to the
common story, wood and a saw were
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08
The Land of the Sky.

The Washington Star has a letter
from Asheville, N. c., giving an ac-
count Of the impetus that section has
received by the opening of railway COM
munications. The writer says:
The Western North Carolina rail-
road, which ten years ago successfully
crossed the unDroken range of the Blue
Ridge, is at last completed. The hard,
natural difficulties it encountered in its
pathway across sixty miles of an almost
impenetrable mountain country, led to
many discouraging delays, and even
endangered at one time its further pro-
gress. The work is now, however, III
good running order, and is bright
addition to the engineering triumph of
the age, and monument to the skill
and determination of its engineers.
To this lovely mountain country and to
Asheville it has been a God-send.
Though it Is now eighteen months
since the shrill neigh of the iron horse
first echoed among herhills, the activity
of her trade and industries, and the
large influx Of strangers in that time,
have been such as to surprise even her
most devoted prophets.
Ine "DOom" Is big one. The most
superficial observer cannot help but
notice it, and venture to say it is un-
rivaled by that of other towns which
have risen to Importance on the
approach of railroads.
Nor is it to be wondered at. We
have here climate whose health-giving
properties must ultimately become as
celebrated as that of Aiken or Minnes-
ota. Although acknowledged to be
equal to the Minnesota climate in dry
ness, it is superior to it in equabillty
and mildness of temperature, while ITS
greater elevation, dryness, and cooler
summer weather make it better for in
valids than Aiken. l met many here
this summer both from the North and
South who were afflicted with lung and
throat troubles. L was glad to hear
them tell that in coming here they
acted upon the advice of their physi-
clans, for it went to prove the speedy
recognition of this climate by medical
men as good health restorer.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08
Night Air,

An extraordinary fallacy is the dread
of night air. What air can We breathe
at night but night air. The choice is be-
tween pure night air without, and fou
air from within. Most people prefer
the latter. An unaccountabe choice.
What viii they say if it is proved to be
true that fully one-half of all the d.
seases we suffer from are occasioned by
people sleeping with their windows
shuur An open window, most nights
IN the year, can never hurt any one, In
gre ut cities night air is often the best
and purest to be had In twenty-fours.
| could understand shutting the wln-
dows IN town during the day than dur
ing the night, for the sake of the sick.
The absense of smoke, the quiet, ali
tend to make the night the best time
Tor airing the patient. One of oul
highest medical authorities on consump
tion and climate, has told me that the
air in London is never so good as after
ten o'clock at night. Always air your
room from the outside air, if possible.
Windows are made to open, doors are
made to shut--a truth which seems ex-
tremely difficult of apprehension. Every
room must be aired from without-eyery
passage from within. But the fewer
passages there are in a hospital the
better.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08
Wagon Wheel Gap.

This Gap in Colorado has an interest.
ing history. Its name is odd and there
is nothing in the physical formation OF
the place to suggest so odd a name.
Only circumstance, an incident, gay G
this funny name. 1t was in 1851, dur
ing the Baker expedition to the San
Juan. He had created great excite
ment by the report Of the discovery OF
rich placer mines in the Juan county,
then the home of the Ute IDdians. Ii
was terrible experience for the hun
dreds of poor fellows who followed Mr..
Baker over the mountains of Colorado
to make their fortunes. Those who did
not starve to death, or die Of exposure,
returned to their homes, in the East,
swearing vengeance on Baker, who kept
out of the way. The rich gold mines
now owned by Senator Bowen, in the
Summit district, is the region discov.
cred by Baker, and to which he tried TO
lead these men. 1t was here he lost his
way, his provisions gave out, and his
m. n, many of them, took sick and died
from exposure, and so this expedition,
which had started out with such bright
hopes, had a sad ending. In picking
their way up the narrow passage between
the shores of the Rio Grande river and
the bluffs of granite rising to height
Of l, 300 feet, on reaching the end of the
canon they found a number of broken
wagon-wheels, broken axles, and other
parts of wrecked wagons. They knew
not how this debris came here, but sup
posed the Indians had murdered some
emigrants OF pioneers and DESTROYED
their conveyance. But this incident
was sufficient to name the spot Wagon
wheel Gap" There was much specula-
tion as to where this agon debris came
from. 1t was afterwards learned that
these wheels, etc., were the remnants of
the Fremont expedition of 1S49. FIRE.
mont was on his way to the Pacific
through the canon Of the Rio Grande,
and took an outlet by this narrow Gap
The hardships and suffering which he
and his men endured in hunti & for this
route were beyond conception. Winter
set in, and the snow lay on the ground
very deep. Realizing the folly of NOV
ing on Fremont decided 10 go into
winter quarters he selected wooded
spot few miles from the gap, but the
cold and snow during this terrible
winter was more than even these hardy
men could endure !; many of them died
from exposure the cattle also died.
At last the pathfinder found it necessary
TO march with all speed to point south
Of Santa Fe, recruit his band and secure
horses and cattle. 1t is no wonder that
his wagons tumbled from the rough
trail and were broker on the rocks be-
low. 1t has been said, "there is nothing
in a name." There seems to have been
something in this one.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

AS we wander through the houses ol
Pompeu-where the paintings are yet
bright on the walls, and we may wall
around the gardens and see the dried
up iountains-one seems to hear all the
book of Revelation sounding in ones
ears, ana a voice saying: behold /
make ali things newl'
In the deserted streets life suddenly
stopped l,8O0 years ago. 1t - true
that the destruction was not instan-
taneous, and great many of the in.
hapitants saved their lives, and even
took away a good deal of tn If treasure.
But enough was left to show us every
detail OF Roman life. The old world
ls set before us, with all its and ira evils,
Its glorles and it's soames. We know
what manner of men and women they
must have been, and what their daily
lives were like, almost as well as if we
had actually dwelt among them.
Those old Pompeiians were very
modern. There Is nothing new under
the sun. They had folding doors ana
hot water urhs; they put gratings to
their windows and made rockeries IN
their gardens; their steel-yards are ex-
actiy like those your cheesemonger uses
to weigh his Cheddars and Glosters.
fhelr children had toys like ours
bears, hons, pigs, cats, dogs, made OF
clay, and sometimes serving as jugs
aso. Poor childrenl Poor mothersI
How did they Iare IN those days OF
darkness and dlsmay?
People wIote on walls and cut their
names on seats, Just the same as we do
uow. They kept birds in cages. In
Naples to.uay. as walk along the Chials,
you may find yourself in the midst OF 1.
nerd OF goats, with bells around their
necks, exactly like those in the Museum.
lhey give tokens at the doors of their
places of Itertalnment-thep people in
The gallery had pigeons made OF a sort
OF terra Gotta. Iney put lamps inside
the hollow eyes OF the masks that
adorned their fountains. They even
made erottos Of shels-vulgarity itself
ls ancient.
They ate sausages and hung up
strings of onions. They had stands for
public vehicles, and the schoolmaster
used birch to the ounces. They put
stepping-stones across the roads, that
the dainty young patrician gentlemen
and p'usy old senators might not soil
their gilded sandals. 1t was never cold
enough tor the pipes to burst, but they
turned their waller on and off with taps,
and their cook-shops had marble count
ers. They clapped their offenders into
the stocks--two gladiators kept there
lor 1,8O0 years.
When the crockery broke they rivited
it. AT Herculsneum there is q huge
wine-jar buried In the earth. 1t has
been badly broken, but is so neatly
invited, with many rivits, that it no
doubt held the wine as well as ever;
those rivIts have lasted 1900 yearsl 1t
Ii strange thing to think about, What
would the housewife have said if some
one had told her that her cracked pot
would out last the Roman Empirep
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

writer from arls sald i saw the
Princess Dolgorouki, the morganatic
widow Of the late Czsr Alexander, driv-
ing In the Bois de Boulogue. The car
riage just ahead of hers was that OF my
tailor, and as long-expected check has
not yet arrived and as there is still small
balance due 10 the individual whom |
honor with my pantaleon patronage of
course raised my hat to Mrs. Goose and
the little goslings. l was a little slow IN
doing so, and had, therefore, just got my
elbow to the right crook and my hat TO
the proper distance IN front OF the tip OF
my nose when my carriage passed that of
the Emperor's widow. The good lady
thought was somebody salutlng her, and
not 10 be outdone In politeness bowed
most graciously in the direction of my
left ear. Since then | have taken won
derful interest in the Princess, and learn
that she has settled permanently in Paris;
hence l may have another opportunity.
Now that Alexander has been gathered 10
HE fathers, the handsome lady who used
to take the place OF the Czarlna ia his I'M =
perial arms is of far less Importance IN
this world of trouble than she was when
her magnificent protector reigned over all
the Russias. When Alexander Nicholaso-
witch was assassinsted, the Princess Dol.
gorouki, whom he married alter the death
of bis Empress. came to Paris; this name
is the one which the Emperor conferred
on her; her real title IS that OF Princess
Youriewsksya. The word Youriewskaya
means the female descendent OF YOUR.
and TINS particular Youri from whom this
Princess descends through her mother was
the founder of the sacred city of Moscow.
The widow is tall, slender, and straight,
with a thick head of fair hair, and
which, when l saw her yesterday, wat
half concealed by hat almost covered by
mass OF black lace. should judge AeI
to have all the seductive graces of the
Slavonic race, Her large eyes are of 6
pearly gray and have that fsr-away ex-
preston peculiar to persons who prefer
the memories of the past or the dreams Of
the future to the things Of the present
Her two little daughters, Olga and Cathe
rlne. aged four and six years respectively,
are in the carriage with madame the prin
cess. She has another child, son of ten
year Of age. named Your, who is already
quite an artist. have seen him making
sketches from nature In the Tuillerie,
Garden, and he often goes 10 the Louvre
and Luxenbourge TO study the paintings
The widow is great reader, and her book
seller has orders to keep her supplied with
all the latest works as fast as they appear
Formerly music and water-co,or painting
were her chief enjoymenCs, but since tn,
death OF the imperial gentleman who en-
crossed all her affections she has no
played a note nor touched brush.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

procured, cleats We're made, and the
young soldier-sallor made his ascent,
mailing on The steps one by one and then
climbing on hem until he reached the
top. His granddaughter says the ira
dition in the family is that her grand
father saw, a ladder near by, fetched il
to tre foot of the pole and ascended to
the top of it, carrying the flag halliards
fastened to his walst. Whatever dispute
there may be as to the minor circum-
stances, tht re ls no manner OF doubt as
to the broad fact that John Van Arsdale
reeved the new gear, aud ran up in
flag on the morning of the first Evacua-
ton Day. He lived for many years
after, making his livelihood by sailing
packet boats in the waters about New
York. He died in 1886, and ON many
anniversaries he repeated his actions OF
November 25, 1888, in the presence OF
applauding crowds.
David Van Arsdale, who died on the
14th, was the third son of the old Reyo-
lntionary hero. He was born Septem-
Der /, 1796, in country house ON II
grassy knoll situated where ScammeI
street now runs. Early in life he fol
lowed his father into seafaring life, aud
for many years he found an occupation
n the coasting and inland trade. In the
War of 1872 be proved that he was ros
unworthy of his father.
In 1924 he married Mary McGary,
and it may be mentioned M character.
lstic that from that time to the day
MS death he lived in only two houses
1t appears that Miss McGary's father
hlo built himself q country house OIL
the site which in later days became No.
262 RIyington street, near Oolumhia
street, 1t had brick front and sid
and rear walls of frame construction,
after the style OF the day, and 1T was
surrounded with beautiful shade trees.
Young Van Arsdale before his marriage
lived where Ludlow and Broome street,
intersect, and it is told that his sweet
heart was very much exercised rs to his
safety whenever be came to see her, su
wild and 80 frequented by roughs were
the rocKs and woods that lay between
their dwellings. The old man often
told his daughter that he had carried
home ''cord OF wood" he was sure,
i'll sticks gwen him as weapons of de.
tense by his betrothed as he left aftel
an evenings visit. One night she hao
nothing but an old spade handle, which
she insisted on his taking for want OF b
better weapon. He resisted, but the
lady carried her point. 1t was fortu
hate she did, for that night, indeed. the
young man was beset near his home BY
Two or three highwaymen, whom ht
with difficulty routed.
Alter nus Wedding David Van Arsdal,
went to live at the Rlvlngton street
house. He stayed there for forty years,
and then moved to No. 442 East 12ls,
street, where his body now lies. Ful
The past forTy-seven years Mr.. Van AIRS.
dale had been an employe OF the Barge
Office, having been appointed undel
Martin Van Buren. HIS wife dIeo
twenty-three years ago, but he is sur
vived by two sisters, respectively eighty.
six and eighty-two years old. Hi:
laughter and his grandchildren have
always lived with him. He was very
religious man, being member OF th,
TRINITY Methodist Episcopal Cnurch
ormerly the Second Avenue Church.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08
A Dog Show,

A writer from London says; dropped
in at the Duke of Wellington's riding
school last evening to see the st. Bern
ard Dog Show. The Dukes carriages
had been pushed aside in corner and
covered with brown Holland cloths and
some temporary barriers had been
erected, at which pay-takers mounted
guard. never spent shilling more
to my satisfaction than In the contem-
plation OF the three hundred noble ami
mails which are here shown. L am
thoroughly of mind with Madame de
Sevigne, who said that the more she
saw OF men the more she liked dogs.
What grand, self-respecting creatures
these st. Bernards arel Surely there
must he something more behind those
wonderful eyes and good, wise fore
heads than meIe brute's brain. One
of the immense fellows here exhibited
has saved forty lives on the Alpine
heights, Most of the dogs are English
born and rare adjunct to well-regu-
lated country home is friend of this
sort, a detective who quietly stands by,
with every faculty for defense or attack
on the alert until the true character of
every guest is amply disclosed. A dog
as big as a lion, who will not harm a
baby and yet will fight dozen burg
lars, with unquenohable ferocity, is i'll
deed, friend in need. Would that
new intelligence for detecting evil i'll
tentions might be developed in Saint
Bernard's, that dynamite murderers
might be frustrated before they could
wreak their cruelty on innocent heads
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

THE victory was won. but General
Wolfe lay dying on the Heights of Alb
raham. Hearing the shouts of the
soldiers. "They fyl they fyp the
General stood on his elbow and anx-
iously asked, "Who fly ?" "Hoss.fiy II
replied sergeant near by, and Wolfe.
recognizing the forerunner OF the Amer
ioan paragrapher, was glad to lie down
and die before the batch of 1888 came
along.
--Brooklyn's champion mean man
has come to the surface. He is in Gus
tody for robbing school children of their
books and playthings.
Anger wishes that mankind only had
one neck; love, that it had only one
heart; grief, two tear. glands; pride,
two bent knees.
OF great riches there Is no real use
except it be In the distribution.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

Statisticians have pronounced the
United states to be not only potentially,
but actually, richer than the Uuited
Kingdom. Counting the houses, furni.
ture, manufactures, railways, shipping,
bullion, lands, cattle, crops, invest,
ments and roads, it is estimated that
there is a grand total in the United
states of $49, 10000, 900. Great Bri-
tain Is credited with something Ii IS than
S4O, O,0O0, ,0OO, ,0U0, or nearly $4,000, ,0U0,-
less than the United States. The
wealth per inhabltant In Great Britain
is estimated at 81, 100, and in the United
States 1896. With regard to the re-
muneration of labor, assuming the
produce of labor to be 100, in Great
Britain 81 narts go to the laborer, 21 to
capital and % to Government. France,
Al parts go to labor, 81 to capital and
% to Government. In the United States
u parts go to labor, rs to capital, and 8
to Government.
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08
A FANCY.

Sweet Summer went forth TO the fields
With roses entwined In her hair;
Her footsteps as light
As her glances were bright,
And all that she looked upon fair
Grave Autumn, beholding the maid,
Grew cheery in chanting her charms;
They met, but alasi
All her strength seemed TO pass,
And she languished to death In his arms
Now sombre grew Autumn and scar,
AS he clung TO the maid In his woes;
Then Winter passed by,
And, with tear-stricken eye,
Hid them both meath mantle of snow
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

ELECTRICITY or all the known Eleetro-Gal-
Yanie Appiiaates at the present day II Is now COM
eeded ~ the Medical fraternity and Electrician
generally that the American Galyanlc Co.'S How
ARD SHIELDS are the best, possessing intrinsic Eec-
uical merits, as one shield or appliance can be ht
ted TO 1ny part Of tina body, which is not true Of
any other. See advertisement Ia another coluJns
OF this paper.-Elsctrie Gaxsttse. II II n r n ri
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

BEFORE using new earUnenware, place
in a boiler OF cold water, and heat grad
ually till it boils then let it remain
until the water is cold. 1t will not be
likely to crack If treated thus
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

"YEs," said Miss Penn, II rejected
Mr.. Hcgg- Nice fellow, but couldn't
have the announcement of my marriage
appear in the papers under the head
hns Heg8- Pom"
The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-08

Cowardice asks Is it safe Expedi.
eney asks Is 1t pohtiop Vanity asks
Is it popular But conscience asks L.
1t rightP