davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-07-26

illustrated Book of Cage Birds mailed
for 3 cent stamp. BIRD FOOD Co., 237
South Sth ST.. Philadelphia.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-07-26

Ice Cold Beer always on hand
Ct E. Peyser's. !.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-07-26
PERSONAL

PERSONAL
Pref. Brewer, of Murfreesboro, spent
several days in town this week
Messrs. Sherod and Grimes, Of Hamil-
ton, have been IN town this week.
Miss Florence Smith, of Petersburg, is
visiting Miss Eva kitchin.
Mr.. j. B. Hilton. of plymouth, has been
spending some days in town visiting his
father.
We were glad to see in town last Sun
day llessrs. Hodges and Lawrence from
Tarboro.
DR.. n. P. Boddie, of Palmyra, attended
services at the Baptist Church here last
Sunday.
Dr.. J. D. Hu. ham spent Friday and
>aturday in the country and baptized at
sandy Run while gone.
Mr.. z. U. Hill. who graduated a few
weeks ago at the University. lett last
| Tuesday for Rockingham county. where
| ne takes charge of hourishing school.
| coming from the University as he does.
and having good stock of energy to COM
bine with his scholarly attalnments, we
! predict for him much success i'll his new
! field.
Mr.. Jas. E. Hancock, Jr., left last Mon
day morning for Franklin, Va, where he
will spend few days visiting friends, and
will then go on to Baltimore to take his
first course of lectures in Dentistry. Mr.
Hancock has heen for nearly year under
the instruction of DR.. R. M. Johnson, OF
this town, and from the success that other
Young men prepared for college by DR.
Johnson have had, we predict for oul
young friend much success in his studies
while awav. We certainly wish him al
the success possible and hope he may pre-
pare himself to be as popular and as eff
cient in his profession as his instructor
here.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-07-26
NOTICE.

BRANsON' N. G, DIRECTORY, 17tl
year Of Publication. 9Th Edition, vii
soon be issued. The only reliable Di
rectory of the State ever published. Pric,
$500. Order of
L. BRANSON, Raleigh, N. C.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

is due principally to the faulty observation of
the spectators. Detailsare confused in their
minds because they have not learned to use
their eyes properly. 1t is true that some
persons have great natural gifts of Observa-
ton. while others seem unable to fix matters
upon their memories in their true relation
to each other. Thus, for example, almost
any one, passing Il group of animals in a
field, can distinguish three, four or five
without counting them. Even when whir-
ed past in a railroad car most persons can
glance ut very small number OF objects
and be instinctively able to tell just how
many there are. But as the number IN
creases the attention must be more and more
fixed and the mind strained to "take in"
the exact number at a glance, until, beyond
certain point, few observers can be accu-
rate in their appreciation of the objects they
have merely flashed their eyes over. Yet
this accuracy is of great value to people in
all the affairs of life, and often matters of
the gravest import depend wholly upon the
impressions. that have been left on casual
spectators by a series of events. Its mani
fest that mind trained to note all that the
eye mechanically sees has great advantage
over one which gathers only vague pic
ture, in which, even when all the features
are present, cause and effect are ineXtrica-
bly, confused.
It is an old story that Robert IiOudin used
to cultivate his powers of observation while
walking rapidly along the boulevarts of
Paris by selecting shop window and not
ing in his mind the objects displayed there
in. Constant practice enabled him to re-
member every object in the most varied dis
plays after one rapid glance as he passed on
the run. Probably it is not every one who
can become Robert Houdin, but any one
can cultivate the powers of observation far
beyond their original capacity.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08
CHAPTER II.

The new teachers were theme of general
discussion at the academy.
The students thought Miss Percy $50 cute
and nice"
Miss Stone was held in great respect and
fear.
The boys thought that with Miss Percy
was rare chance to shirk work.
Miss Percy never would call them to ac-
count, they were sure, and an early encOun-
ter with her authority ensued.
Will Jeffreys liked his new teacher very
much. Every day he put bouquet of fresh
flowers on her desk. He thought she would
certainly overlook any deficiency on his
part and as the composition to be handed
in on the following day was his special aver
sion, he thought there would be good
chance to try her. She had said very deci-
dedly that any failure to prepare the compo-
sition would be visited with the usual pun
ishmcnt of three days confinement in the
dormitOry, during recreation hour, during
which time the paper should be prepared.
On the morning of the eventful day, WilPs
bouquet was unusually large and very tasti-
ly arranged and Grace Percy's heart warmed
toward the boy for his kind wish to give her
pleasure. Andas she inhaled their fragrance
and pinned one of the roses at her throat,
she laughingly said: ''Will, appoint you
Sir Knight of the Roses" and he felt dOubly
secure.
When the papers were handed in, and
Will's was missing, Grace looked up to ask
| for it, to find every eye in the room fastened
on her. She knew something was up, and
when, in response to her inquiry, Will an
Miss Percy" and glanced round the room
with a look of triumph, she knew what 1t
was, too. And when she quietly, but in a
tone not to be mistaken, returned: "Nery
well, you will retire to the dormitOry at re-
creation hours, and will hand in your paper
on-let me see, this is TuesGay-on Thurs
day"
The look Of triumph changed to one of as
tonishment and chagrin, and the half-sup-
pressed giggle was wholly suppressed.
Miss Percy lost friendship which had
been very sweet, but she established her au-
thority, and the boys re-echoed Miss Stones
remark:
''rhere's more to her than you'd suppose y
Fairview boasted of quite social element
Grace did not find herself entirely outside
the charmed circle, for, although Miss Stone
was, of course, much superior in intellect
and was greatly respected, and looked up tC
for her learning, yet Grace'S sweet dlspOsl,
ton won hera place in many a heart, but
usually in those hearts that Miss Stone would
not st0op to conquer. And Bayard Gilbert
who was handsome in face and figure, and
one of the lions of Fairview, soon declared
1 himself devoted admircr Of Miss Percy
Grace's life had been a quiet one. The onlN y
sweetheart she had ever had was John Strat
tom They had grown up together. He die
not remember the time he had not loved
Grace, and she had supposed she loved hin
until Bayard Gilbert began making love tt
her. Then she cOntrasted Johns calm, mat
ter-of-fact prosiness, his taking-it-tor--gran
edness, with Bayard Gilbert's words an(
looks; and, oh! dear, how John did lose by
the contrast; and lately, whenever Bayar1
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08
Selected gaetrg*
TIMES CHANGE.

TIMES CHANGE.
The songs we sang in other days,
They greet us now no more;
The loves that reused our hopes and fears
Are vanished now and DER.
The friends we loved are scattered wide,
Familiar scenes are changed;
And hearts that once were true and tried,
Are lifeless or estranged.
The lips the sweetest smile that wore:
The cheeks that bloomed most fair
The voice that charmed us long before,
With music rich and rare;
The eyes whose slightest glance could still,
Our hearts with love enthrall;
Whose smile could bless, whose frown could XIII
Are changed or vanished all.
The way was bright before rs then,
The coming day seemed fair:
We mingle with our fellow-men-
With hearts to do and dare.
The hopes Of youth are faded now,
Its fevered dreams are past;
And time upon our furrowed brow
His silvery shade has cast.
We, too, are changed, but not in heart!
Old Time may do his worst
He cannot from remembrance part
The things weloved at first.
The eye may dim, the cheek grow pale,
The SHOWS of age may fall,
Yet shall our memory never fail
To heed affections call.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08
CHAPTER III,

The time for the much-talked-of party at
Mrs. Willard's finally arrived, and Grace
was lovely in whiee Swiss dress, white
satin sash and slippers, her really beautiful
hair hanging in natural curls below her
waist, and her only ornaments pink gera-
MUM blossoms and their green leaves. She
looked what she was, a natural lovely girl
When she reached the parlors she looked
around for Bayard Gilbert, but he was not
there. And as she wondered at his absence,
10 and behold! he entered, Miss Stone,
resplendent in cardinal satin, on his arm,
both laughing and talking loudly and SEEM
ING in the merrieSt of humOrS. Everybody
looked at them and there were many nudges
and looks of pity cast on poor Grace, who
lust rose from her seat and looked at them,
as they careesSly spoke to her in passing,
with an amazed expression, and, tOrgetful
of the crowd, turned her head and followed
them with her gaze, and it was not until
Mrs. Willard approached and said: "Did
you ever see anybody so completely in love
as Mr.. Gilbert is with Miss Stone ?" that
she realized it all, and, without thinking of
or caring for what might be said, she flew
to her room, and to her own amaZement,
her tears were of anger and modification
only. She understood it all now. Miss
Stone was false; Bayard Gilbert weak,
tickle, and she, oh what could she say OF
: own miserable, weak, silly self. how
sic despised herself. She felt she would
give up, almost life, to undo the past year.
As for that despicable little man, him she
did not blame, he had only acted out his Ia:
turc. And Miss Stone-after all, she had
been the means of saving her Il life OF sor-
row.-shc ought not to feel hard towards
her.
But John Stratton! Oh! then she realized
what she had done. Now, then, her tears
were not of anger or of modification, hut
only of unutterable woe.
She only prayed she might be spared the
shame of ever meeting him. Now, indeed
would life be to her that of "a whitening
rose on stcm." And when Miss STONE
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

nished with close-ftting helmets, from
which heavy weights were suspended.
They were given conspicuous place in the
public square, appropriately labelled and
placed in stocks, with heavy weights at
tached to their arms and feet, and there
they sat the livelong day, subjected to the
jeers and ridicule of the town. Scolding
wives were put in cages, with gags in their
mouths, and exposed in the public square.
You are shown all kinds of beheading blocks
and gallows upon which noted villains have
gone to their reward, while the walls are
covered from top to bottom with pictures of
the practical operations of the various in
struments that filled the room.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

WASHINGTON IN 1S43-WashingtO was
in 1913 the greatest slave mart in the United
States. Within sight of the Capitol, and
not far from the lower gate, and near, If not
upon, the land where the Public Garden
now is, was building with large yard
around it, inclosed with a high fence. Thith-
er slaves were brought from all the slave
holding regions, like cattle to the Chicago
stock yards, and locked up until sold. There
were regular auction days for those not
disposed Of at private sale. The Chicago
fire DESTROYED a hard cracker which had
preserved as specimen by which the pur-
chasers tested the age of slaves. And to
this day, if there is anything the average
Southern negro does not know, it is his
own age. The slaves were placed upon a
block, and when question arose as to his
age, the auctiOneer requested them to bite
from cracker which all auctioneers kept
for such occasions. The theory was that
while a slave could masticate well he could
work. Nearly all the labor at Washington
was performed by slaves, many of whom
were hired from the neighbOring States.
The slaves were expected to collect their
wages monthly and take them home on
some Saturday night. One morning miss
ed my boots, and when went for the boot
black he was missing also. After few
days l saw procession of captured slaves,
who had sought their liberty in a Potomac
schooner, chained two and two, conducted
toward the savepen; and there / noticed
my bootblack trudding along in my boots.
/ had made successful canvass for Con-
gress in those boots, but they failed the
Slave in his canvass for freedom.-John
ITentlr0rth's "Reminiscences"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

ANCIENT INSTRUMENTS OF TORTURE
In Il tower in Nuremberg, writes a traveller
in Germany, is room where are preserved
a number of very curious instruments OF
torture used in Nuremberg hundreds OF
years ago, before the days of jails and penl-
tentiaries. There are thumbscrews OF the
most approved patterns, and helmets FOR
gossiping men and women. A slngularly
cheerful piece of furniture is large, heavy
wheel. on one side of which stands out a
large, sharp piece Of iron. In the glorious
DAYS of old an offender who had to be pun
isled with the wheel was stripped naked
and firmly bound to plank, face downward.
The piece of iron on the wheel was rolled
up and down and across the victims back
till Justice was satisfied or the victim was
dead. Inasmuch as the spike was long
enough to get half way through the man ;
BODY, and was always heated red hot, the
victim generally died, and justice was en-
tirely satisfied. 1T was not as expeditions
as the guilotine, but it was just as certain.
The only man who ever survived 1t was ad-
Judged a magician because he survived 1t,
and was promptly beheaded for beinga ma
gician. That settled him. He didn't both
er Nuremberg any more. There are also
Displayed switches made of fine threads of
steel, which were laid on the bare back with
great effect. A little of these things goes a
great way, but on being told that in the adj
joining tower is the ''steel maiden'' you get
over your qualmishness. Your party is
taken in charge by guide, who shows you
large assortment Of horrors before you
come to the chief one, as a sort of prepara-
tions. There are stocks Of all kinds, gags
for tattlers, handouts, anklets and cradle,
the bed of which is filled with spikes, in
which old-time offenders were faithfully
rocked to sleep-a sleep from which there
was no awakening. There are long tables
with a screw at top and bottom, to which
men were strapped by the hands and feet,
the screws then turned till the unfortunate
mar was torn apart. In those cheerful days,
when merchant, baker or butcher was
found selling his goods by false weight or
measure, he was placed in cage and carried
all throug ugh the city, with his name and
trade fastened very conspicuously in front.
After making the grand tour, he was taken,
cage and all, to the river, and ducked again
and again, till it was thought that his lesson
was sufficient to prevent repetition. Per-
haps some such form might be advantageous
in these days. Wife beaters in those times
were severely punished. They were fur
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONs.-H
must be admitted that with the growth of
this country and with its advancement in
civilization, crime should have decreased.
1t cannot truthfully be said that this is the
case. Without seeking other causes, it can
be asserted, without fear of contradiction,
that one reason for this is the criminal hab-
it of carrying concealed weapons. We Use
the word 'criminal' advisedly, for whatever
is contrary to law is criminal. We do not
consider it the mark Of a brave man to car
ry concealed weapons, but rather the con-
trary. OF course there are circumstances
in which carrying them is justifiable, but
for a man to put on his pistol in the morn
ing as regularly as he puts on his coat does
no credit to him as citizen nor as a man.
Especially is this a dangerous habit in the
young. Many Of them think that it is
manly. Poor fools. True manhood con-
sists of courage of soul, in daring to do
right, in abhorring bullying, braggadocia,
and rowdyism. Let a thin-|,.4nned youth
of violent temper and great .dea of his own
importance and honor-heaven save the
mark-stick pistol habitually in his pock-
ct, and he is making of himself a dam
gerous element in a community.-1fobae
HS0iaer,
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

How TO USE TIE EYEs.-There is no 9TH
cr sense to which people trust so much as to
sight, yet there are few who have ever taken
any special pains to improve the faculty of
observation. In all cases of eXcitingevents,
witnessed by many persons, it is astonish-
ing to note the wide variations in the stories
of the incidents told by those present. This
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08

LUXURIOUS SOUTHERN HOMEs.-But in
the opposite rich Louisiana lowlands, were
those Opulent plantations fronting on the
river and the lakes of its old beds, which
when the levees were broken or cut would
be submerged, except on certain wide ridges
of the Lake Providence banks, upon which
ran the only road that was practicable.
Here Southern houses and gardens were
situated, and a succession Ofsuch lovely resi-
dences as rendered it one of the garden spots
in America. These rich estates had long
been the homes of cultivated people, or
ever since the French colonization of Louis
lana at the beginning of the last century.
"The houses were as handsome as Southern
ones could be made, built in villa style, with
wide porticoes or galleries and large halls
running through them. Windows glazed to
the floor and opening on shady porches,
overlooked beautiful gardens in which were
roses such as srivalled those ofCashmere. The
green roofs of lighthouses glinted in the sum
Shine. Mirrors lined spaces on the walls
not occupied with rare paintings, and great
chandeliers swung from their pendents in the
lofty ceilings" Brocatelles and velvets
covered the soft cushioned lounges and
graceful fauteuils, and satin and lace cur
tains flowed round the tall windows.
These were the luxurious homes of the
wealthy planters, whose sons ana daugnters
had inherited the taste and culture of France.
Every means Of elegant leisure, amuse-
ment, luxury, and convenience were assem-
bled under their roofs. Books for the studi-
Gus, horses and equipage for the gay, row.
boats for the lake. Forests at the back of
the plantations were full of game; cellars
were filled with rare wines, and the owners
were famed far and wide for dispensing a
lavish hospitality. Family trees had rami-
fications that extended over half of Louisi-
ana and Mississippi.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-08
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE IN MEXICO.

Within the last two or three years the at
tentiOn of Americans has been turned, as 1t
never was before, to the trade possibilities
of Mexico. A large number 6f our country
men have been induced to interest them
selves in American enterprises. Railroads
have been built, factories have been opened,
oil wells and refneries constructed, silver
and gold mines purchased. Except the Eng
lish company which owns the Vera Cruz
road, nearly all the railroad concessions are
in the hands of American capitalists. The
road to El SaltO was bought by the Palmer
Sullivan Company. The road from Celaya
to Irapuato was bought by the Boston peo-
pie.
That these new Mexican railroads are
looked upon as almost purely American en-
terprises is shown by the fact that their week
ly earnings are regularly reported in the
Commercial and Financial Chronicle, side by
side, with the earnings of our own roads:
Until recent years Mexico has been so dis
turbed by internal cOnvulsiOns and external
complications, that it has failed to makethe
progress Of which its situation and natural
resources give promise. Awakened to de-
sire for commercial and industrial activity,
she found herself without lines of cOmmu-
nicatiOn and without any organization OF
her labor forces. TO promote her own adj
vancement she has opened her doors to the
enterprise of others, invited capital IN to
arouse her labor forces to activity and give
fair guarantees of profit to the undertakings
which are to develop herindustrial energies.
American capital finds ready employment
in developing Mexican resources. Ex-Gov-
ernor R. G. Mccormick, of Arizona, has in
vested heavily in coffee estates. DR.. Wise,
of Virginia, and others are engaged in col
onizing the rich Pacific coast of Chiapas.
Ex-Governor Shepherd and others are de-
veloping the mining interests of the North
ern States of the Republic. The most re-
cent enterprise, however, is real estate and
building operation in the capital itself. A
company is about to be organized to buy and
improve tract of land in the City of Mex
leo, lying on both sides of the PaseO de la
Reforma which extends virtually from the
centre of the city to the Castle of Chapulte.
pee. The tract comprises more than 5000
ordinary city lots. a portion of the price
5OO,OOO-was recently paid in the City OF
Mexico, and the balance is to be in this city
in few days, on the arrival of Senor Saliva
do Malo, the former owner of the land. 1t
is the purpose of the new owners to i'm
prove the property by building houses rang
ing from S1O,0 600 to 900 along the Paseo,
and also a large American hotel.
The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-10
HARRIS TO CONTEST.

Ii appears that the rumors that have
been circulated for some weeks past
that Harris would contest the election of
Howey to Congress from this District had
basis of truth The Warren Democrat,
at Phillipsburg, of the 4th inst, says
''0n Thursday last Congressman Harris
served notice on Congressman-elect
Howey that be would contest his right to
a seat in the next Congress, aud claiming
that he (Harris) was legally elected
Eight grounds are set forth in the notice,
but the gist of them are that money was
used in Howey's interest te bride voters
that men who would have voted for Har-
ris were intimidated into voting for How
ey; that many votes were cast Tor Harris
that were not counted and canvassed for
him ; that large sums of money were used
for Howey that had been assessed and
collected of United States officials, ccu-
trary to law; that persons who would
have voted for Harris were, by threats
and otherwise, intimidated from voting
at all, and that many who meant and sup
posed they were voting for Harris, by the
use Of deceptive tickets voted for Howey.
The notice is dated Dec. %, 1882.
The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-10

in every home We trust our friend will
meet with great success, which tue book
certainly deserves, among our people.
Now Jacob we shall certainly expect
to hear of You following the example of
friend Thomas and engaging in the sweet
bliss Of matrimony, before many weeks
pass by.
Owing to the storm of last Friday eve
ming, the Total Abstinence Society of this
place did not hold any meeting as preyi-
ously announced. The speakers were at
hand, but an audience was wanting. The
meeting was postponed till the last Friday
| evening of this month.
Several days ago, G. LARSON Dilts, o.
our village, while driving toward Lam
bertville and when near the residence o
John @. Holcombe, a mile this side o
Mt. Airy, his horse suddenly Tell to Thu
ground and Immediately died. This hors'
was valuable one to him fer farming
purposes. POP.