davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
Characters of Notorious and
Picturesque IkaScnIidy.

From the verv ump the scandal
.mongers have run the campaign
against A A Taylor They have been
prolific in falsehood and ISLANDERS to
defame and blacken his name He
has deem bounded and bagered by as
virulent and wicked a persecution as
ever assailed any man. Had he at
any time i'll his life appropriated the
proceeds of the sale of a borrowed
horse; had he at any time in his life
committed perjury after perjury to
promote his own selfish ends and to
avoid the payment of just debts had
he at any time of his life been so no.
toriously low in the estimation of
hundreds of men that they would have
sworn that they wouldn't believe him
OH oath had he at any time in his
life been an employee in public Of
fee i'll which there was an uncxplain-
ed deficit of hundreds of dollars; had
he at any time in his life received
| thousands OF dollars for i accrtain spec
fled purpose and then fail and refuS-
ed to account for its distribution when
called upon; had he :at any time in
his life been without credit, hanging
an tho extreme edge Of ragged poverty
and with grave suspicious of unrclia-
bility and dishonesty lowering over
him as dark as midnight's starlcss robe,
and thep S,Sye bounded into showy
and ost eusly displayed afliuence
without visible means of acquiring
this sudden wealth, we repeat, with all
these imputations upon his character,
no stronger, more persistent and re-
entless efforts could have been made
to pillory Hon. A. A. Taylor in etern-
al infamy and shame than have dis
graced this canvass. The men. who
have made these onslaughts and those
who have inspired them behind the
ambuscade OF the cowardly slanderer
land assassin, are characters OF notori-
Gus and picturesque rascality depend
| ing upon cunning, fraud, SANDER and
falsehood to win the struggle. Taylor
is now upon the stump, and with the
incontroyertable testimony of decent
honest, and truthful men is fastening
these wicked lies and calumnies npon
the guilty ors.-TenneSSee Pilot.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
ALI In tho Man.

In the corridor of one Of the princi-
pal hotels in Washington a short time
4 Fish Commissioner Blackford, of
t..ss city, was telling a friend of the
extraordinary size ola pompano which
he had seen and which weighed TWEEN
ty-two pounds.
"And what might your name be?'
inquired tall stranger, who had
been listening to the conversation.
Eugene G. Blackfork, Of New York
city," answered the somewhat surprised
Commissioner.
"Ah! thank you" replied the stran-
ger; u only wanted to know. Nc
doubt it is perfectly safe for you to tell
the story, but if were to repeat it my
friends would call me anlinfernal liar
Good evening"
"Who is that?" inquired Mr.
Blackford when the stranger was
gone,
"Why, don't you know2 Why, thai
mans from Texas, and his name il
Colonel Thomas Ochiltree."
"That settles itW calculated tn,
Commissioner.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
i. I.MKennedy i'm Literary Life.

A small number OF friends some
years ago gave one evening each week
to the reading and study of living
American author, and in the course of
time reached DR.. J. G. Holland Be-
cause of some peculiar fondness for
our theme, or unusual condition for
the extraction of good from the mat
ter in hand, the occasion was replote
with instruction, and crowned with
rare enjoyment. This so presented it.
self to one of the number that he gave
way to an impulse of the moment and
wrote full and perhaps efrusive let
ter to the gentleman whose works had
been the basis OF the evenings talk.
In few days there came the follow
ing answer from DR.. Hollond's own
pen
Editorial Rooms Scribner's Magazine,
December /, 1879,
Ny DEAR SIR 1T seems to me that
| should be very poor sort OF a man
If | were insensible to the praise cen
veyed in such a letter as yours. To
be recognized as a good power in the
life of any considerable number of per
sons who are earnestly striving to find
out the meaning of life, and to make
themselves equal to its duties and re-
quirements, is better than money or
fame. Nay, it is fame at its best--a
treasure to be courted and to be CRATE
ful for. The story of your "evening"
is very pleasant one to me, and the
opening of your hearts is like the
opening OF a delightful gift.
I shall probably never write many
more books. 1t is quite possible that ]
shall never write another The great,
best book-the great, only book worth
writing-which / intended all the 9TH
er books as studies and preparations
for, will probably not be written; but
it is great satisfaction that others
find food and inspiration in what !
have written already.
With thanks for your courtesy, and
u thousand good wishes for you and
your friends, | am, yours truly,
J. G. HOLLAND.
The possessor of this characteristic
letter Treasures it as one of the most
valuable cpistles ever written by DR.,
Holland.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
HsettibOne WAS Drunk.

RoGEsvILLE, Tenn, Sept. l, 1884.
Editor Tennessee PILOT:
The irepressible Pettibone was here
on.the 29th to fill his appointment.
He was drunk, There were about one
hundred to hear him speak. He was
introduced to the stand by James Ro-
gan, Jr., one of the bitterest and most
uncompromising Democrats in Hawk
ms county His style is usually vain
and egotistic, but this time his speech
was lnoreso than ever expected to
hear from any man and for the first
time in life, he c0urted the friendship
'conicdcrates, and took pains to pay a
tribute to their bravery. His speech
was short and incoherent. His drunk.
en- condition excluded his boast kora-
tory, and he fell to the lowest vulgari-
tt,sand profanity, His only reference
to the primary election, was that he
could not have promised to not make
the race for Congress this timl, as the
people could still have made him theil
candidate if they chose to do SO. His
supporters here do not deny that he
was drunk, and many of them have
declared to your correspondent that
they viii support him no further.
T. c. s.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
Queer Names.

On one of the new railroads in
Florida, the stations have peculiar
names, and Bloomington man who
passed several months last winter
down there, had strange experience.
He had seated himself in one of the
luxurious narrow-gauge coaches, and
was trying to keep off the mosquitoes
and 60 to sleep at the same time,
when a brakeman poked his head III
the door and shouted
"Look-out! Lookout Everybody
on the car lodged, expecting to sec a
stone crash through the windows or a
pine-tree fall on the coach, but the
train gradually slowed up to the sta
ton and lady asked if that was
Lookout and was helped off. About
ten miles further on, the brakeman
cried again;
"Rattlesnake! Rattlesnakew and all
the women climbed up on the seats
and screamed, and the men looked
scared. They thought they were get
ting accustomed to the strange names,
but when strange, hard-looking
brakeman came in about twenty miles
further on and shouted with a sinister
smile:
"Hands-up! Hands-up!" the women
begged for their lives, and half the
men shelled out their valuables, while
the other half crept under the seats
and tried to conceal themselves. 1t
was an exciting moment, and the SIN
lister looking brakeman had all he
could do to quiet their fears and keep
them from taking to the woods when
the train finally drew up at The STA.
ton. The Bloomington man says the
next time he rides on that road, he
will have some fun, but that it was
very exciting the first time he came
over it.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
A Child Swallows Hts Doll.

A two-year-old child of Woodland
had been ailing for some time, and, as
the local physicians could not discover
the cause, the parents took the suffer
er to San Francisco, where it was ex-
amined by leading physicians, who
were equally unsuccessful in their
search for the trouble. Itseemed that
the infant must slowly die, and the
parents resigned all hopes ofsaving its
life. While the little one was receiv-
ing the customary bath a short time
since, a knot about the size of an egg
was. discovered ir its side, which had
formed very suddenly and seemed to
contain some hard substance. Apply
sician was called, and decided to cut
open the knot, Upon doing SO it was
found to contain a china doll about
two inches long, which the child hat
swallowed about a year since The
little one rapidly improved after thC
operation, and is now as well and live
| IN MS ever.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
1'HAe Unequal Fight.

1t is q most unequal struggle. Tay-
lor is manfully making his fight with
out tmoney or mercenary influences ;
against the Democratic party ; against
the Democratic newspapers of the dis
trict, aided by the Knoxville Tribune ;
against Pettibone, and his money and
all the vile methods he employs
against the slop-pots Of the Revenue
Brigade. and the potwollapers of the
Postal service; against the Rebel-Dem-
ocratic United States Marshal Tom
Reeves, whose political infamios are
thrillingly unique and seandalous, who
is on the stump lying for Pettibone ;
against rebel-lousy Bill Gillenwaters,
drunken, disgraced and fallen Meth
odist preacher, who is now without a
home, friends or responsibility, living
upon charity and the miserable pit
tances doled out to him by the stingy
Pettibone for his lying speeches on the
stump when he is not too drunk to fill
his appointments; against Brownlow,
a monster of political turpitude whose
capacity for all manner of consum-
mate wickedness and scoundrelism is
second in resource only to the Devil
imself.-TenneSSee Pilot.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
The Blaine Trial.

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 6.-Another
step was taken in the Federal Court
to-day in the Blaine-Sentinel matter,
by the fling of the following: "The
defendants move the court for a rule
against the plaintiff herein to answer
intcrrogations under oath as recited
and filed without answer of defendants
and that court shall make such rule
returnable at such time as may be de.
termined by the court to be reasonable
for the purpose of said action, as by
statute provided and required" The
argument couldn't be heard on the
motion to-day, and inasmuch as Judge
Woods goes to Fort Wayne to hold
court Monday, the matter will proba
bly, not be ruled on for several days
TheVplaintifl's counsel have refused tt
answer the interrogatories.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

An editor deserves credit for attempt
ing to keep up the moral tone of his
paper. A man enters newspaper of.
flee and hands to the editor a cemmu,
ication. The editor after reading it
says:
II can't print this"
"Why|
1t's vulgar. A paper that would
publish such stuff is not fit for the
household We are publishing fam
lily paper"
"Well, Pm sorry, as l wanted to sec
this in print. l will sign my name to
it."
"That makes no difference, for the
reading matter would be just as oh
scene."
"Say, put it in and / will pay yor
for it,"
in that event il can go. Lots see
Cost you about ten dollars. ."--Aakan
SAW Traveller,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
A Deserved Reward.

A party of tired travellers sat around
tho door Of a country hotel in Arkan-
saw. The proprietor, a gruff old fol
low, sat on a cracker-box.
"What is this community mainly
noted for?" some one asked of the pro-
prietor.
"Ugly women" he replied.
"What" exclaimed q man who had
taken no part in the conversation
"You don't mean it, do your"
Reckon l do, podner. This com
munity has got the ugliest wimmin il
the state" .a ,r..l.
"Here, old man, take this ten dollar
bill. l have travelled all over the statt
and this Is the first neighborhood I'y'
seen that WAS not noted for its hand
some women, am q prohibitionist
but take this money and get drunk OF
it. A truthful man should be re
warded. ."-Arkansdw Traveller.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
Fashion Notes.

Travelling wraps, rain and dust
cloaks are made of checked and plaid
ed tweed, or Of brown pongee with
velvet ribbon trimming.
Instead of velvet, the ladies at New
port wear two yards of narrow ribbon
tied about their necks, and it is mat
ter of taste what color is selected.
Shoulder-knots OF white satin rib
bon fastened by a rose or delicate
spray of flowers take the place or
evening bodies OF the floral epaulets
SO long popular.
The dainty little flowcrpouches
now in vogue are seen upon every
evening and garden-party toilet where
natural or artificial flowers are used
as garniture.
All childrn's suits are in two colors.
Skirts are light and waists dark. For
girls between twelve and sixteen years
of age skirts are made gradually long
er, and puflins with small bustles are
used.
Straight fullness is fashionable for
the back breaths OF dress skirts. Two
or four large box-pleats are formed OF
three silk breadths stiffly lined, and
these fall from the waist to the foot,
without other drapery.
Paris advices report that the long
popular jersey is far from being out Of
style, and that these comfortable and
stylish bodices are to linger with us in
definitely. They are worn at our own
fashionable resorts this season with
the most elegant toilets of silk, lace
satin and cashmere, are charming in
pink mauve, pale-blue, cream OF
chamois-colored silk, the last being
the most fashionable. Many of these
are richly trimmed with lace or mara
bout fringe, which borders the edges
and ornaments the front.
Hoops outlived the ridicule lavished
upon them; pyramidal, bell-shaped
cylindrical, they neither lessened MOI
collapsed, but held their own in street
and state when the men wore soit
laces at the throat and wrists instead
of stiffly starched linen. Severa
decades ago small hoops reappeared
and had their day, and now the daily
increasing toumure points decidedly
toward restoration Of the farthingale
The half circle beneath the basque il
surely widening and the draperies be
coming gradually more bouffant, as
introduced fist by the brush o
Valasquez.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
RmlIer's Confusion.

General Butler, IN an interview at
Minneapolis, virtually confessed that
he was in the field to help defeat the
democratic candidate. He said that il
Cleveland could get twenty thousand
independent votes in Massachusetts,
he would carry that State, but that he
could not get them and that Blaine
would win, because Butler would get
more OF the democratic vote than
Cleveland. If, therefore, Butler was
not in the field and Cleveland got all
the democratic vote in Massachusetts,,
and the independent vote, whatever it
may be, he would carry that State,
Butler runs mainly to prevent that
n. Y. Herald.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
HDidn't Feel Natural.

The other day, for the first time in
his life, old Sandy came to town.
While in saloon, his sympathies
were elected by a free lunch.
"How much will yer charge me ter
eat some O. datf" he asked.
"Take glass Of beer and you won't
have to pay anything" replied the bar
tender.
"Gimme dc beer"
cater drinking the beer and eating
heartily of the lunch, he turned to the
bartender, and said:
"I'se 'bleegod ter yer, sah. hSs
allus heard dat town folks was stuck
up, but l fms 'em ter be de
commodatenes' people / eber seed"
"Here, give me nickel"
"Whut furi
"For the beer"
"Doan' owe yer one. l wanted de
lunch an yer said dat ef I'd take de
beer wouldn' hab ter pay nothin'.
Thought yer wanted it drunk up ter
git it outen de way"
"Get out OF here or I'll kick you into
the street"
"In cose, sab in cose. Yerse'f's de
'culiaest white pusson neber seed.
Makes er man drink his beer an den
fretens ter kick him. Good day. Come
down in dc swamp some time an I'll
show yer how ter kick. Pse gwine ter
git outen dis town case | amt felt
nachul sense come heah. ."-Arkan-
SdW 7'rdpeler.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
Correspondent in Herald & Tribune

Brownlow's unearthing of Taylor's
checkerel political career is producing
much animation in Republican con-
yersation. If the 'little giant" is actu-
ally guilty OF having acted Benedict
to the party which he now asks to ele-
vato him to responsible and honora-
ble position, then all members of the
party thus trnitorously used should
scorn the proilered services of their
bttraySr. This is honest politics II
the kilyer-tongued orator Of East Ten
nessee guilty.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
Taylor 'askr Men Charged With Lying

If'lies, SANDER, abuse and denuncia-
ton, could destroy the character and
influence Of men, Pettibone, Reeves
and others would have been showed
under in 1878. But instead of this
they still live and have the confidence
and respect Of all men whoknow them
personally,-WaH BrownIow in Herald
&, Tribune.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

She had just returned from Vassar,
and papa was stroking her hair fondly.
81 hope, my dear" said the old man,
"that you haven't acquired any OF that
vulgar slang which so many Vassar
young ladies are said to use"
"You bet | haven't, papa" she re
pied brightly. "When anybody
catches me talking slang he is cordial
~ invited to slug me in the seventh
rib"
"That is right, my daughter; never
indulge in slang. 1t gives young
lady dead away "-Neeo York SUn
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

"Ma," said a Somerville girl, with a
weary air, as she listlessly moved her
needles. 81 don't think l will knit any
more on this stocking at present. / am
tired"
"You just knit away, Katie" replied
her mother, with severe air, "You
knit as fast as you can. This is a
democratic household, this is, I want
you to understand, and the unit rule
prevails here. .'-Sumewille Journal.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

Pettibone has had ample time to
exhibit his ability in the lower House
OF Congress, With an arrogance and
egotism that is disgusting, he claims
that he has manifested the most brill
last qualities OF leader and that he is
equal to Reed, Hiscock, Kelly or Kas-
som THE siR9cords are against the
MAJOR, however, and show that voting
when his time came was the only
thing he attempted to do, with the ex-
ception ntmaknlg q few windy and
poinuess speeches which invariably
causs III thea House .atoe lozenoff into
drealhland. Pettibone is not a lead
er and never can be. He. does not
measure up to the standard of Con
gressional mediocrity. lie is simply a
disogreeable compound Of egotism and
arrogance, bereft of brains and breed
ing.--Mountaineer.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
Charged with Lying /.

The Morristown "Pilot" says II
knows Of but ONE Federal soldier
that Brownlow or Pettibone appointed
to position in the Government De.
partments. If the "Pilot" editor is
honest in his statement then we have
only to say that his ignorance, in this
instance, is only equalled by his lying
in other instances,-Herald < Trib-
une.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

Have you any nice books for girl
of my age?' asked pert little brunette
of the librarian in a public library.
eyes, / think So" replied the polite
young fellow, trying to think of some
thing "just her size' "Have you read
sixteen Summers?" ooh, bless you.
mop exclaimed the Mortified maiden,
turning as red as boiled lobster Pm
only fifteen summers old2"-Yonkers
Statesman.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

Twas midnight in the Quaker City.
A silvery sheen of moonshine bathed
the yernal beauties Of Fairmount Park
in flood of pale and ghostly light /;
the tall steeples threw long shadows
athwart the adjoining buildings-when
all Ola sudden, as il by magic, the
Keely motor continued to refuse to
ote,-Norristown Herald.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

"Deliver me from the society OF a
literary woman exclaimed n gentle.
man. II like well-iniormed women
but remove me please whei a literary
woman appears" al am sorry to hear
you speak so,' replied an acquaint-
anco, 'for am going to marry liter
ary woman" "Ah, a similar cause
induced me TO speak thus l married
one. "-Arkansaw Traveller.
Nab Joyner was elected sheriff Of
Rooster county He had worked hard
for the position, and had promised the
people that ii elected, he would faith
fully discharge his duty. Shortly af-
ter he was installed, his son was SEN
fenced to be hanged. Every one sup
posed that he would ""beg off," but
when the time Of execution arrived, he
marched the criminal on the scaffold.
Seeing that he was stared at in aston
isEment, he bowed to the audiance,
and said: "Fellow-citizons, | see that
you didn't know how to take me. You
thought that | would thsow this job
on some body else, but | am not Of the
shrinkin' kind. When my son was
boy, ] told him that'he was going to
be hung, an ] want him to feel that |
told the truth. Look out below" -
Arkansaw Traveller.
A Parisian dame recently gave II
ball to her female iriends, and asked
each to bring living animal. AllNx-
cept three brought their husbands.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
viii not Surrender His Nomination.

MIR. Taylor wants it distinctly under
stood that lie did not come here to
surrender INSTRUMENTATION, for if ever
man was legally and fairly nomina-
ted for Congress, he was, SO help him
God. And then goes on to say that
he viii meyer give this up, and yet adj
nliis that had. he gone into q regular
convention, Pettibone would have
been nominated. His excuses are
ridiculed and laughed at. Some say
he was not,at himself Correspondent
in Herald <. Tribua6.S ~ CsJAA-51
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
viii Won DO il?

Ifyou wish to vote for a man who
has been false to every pledge and
promise, and who is now engaged in
an, effort to foist himself upon an
unwilling people, vote for Pettibono.--
Mountaineer.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13
A Deserved Compliment.

"And now, gentlemen" continued
the valedictorian of the graduating
class, as with a fearful huskiness in
his voice he turned and faced the sol
emn group of Professors, abe assured
that we appreciate the heartfelt en-
deavor that each and all of you have
made to comply with tho rules and
regulations which we have made for
your guidance-for the cheerful alac-
rity with which you huve obeyed or
ders that at the time you were perhaps
unable fully to understand. These
traits Of character, gentlemen, do
equa! credit to your heads and hearts,
and show what manner of stuff you
are made Of. Continue, gentlemen,
in this course, and no matter what OBJ
staclcs may intervene to discourage
your efforts, take my word for it, you
will be credit to your parents and to
the class which has labored so faithful
" for your improvement. The ties
which bind a college student to his
alma mater and to the faculty over
which he has ruled undisputed for
four years are-are too thick for ut
terance. Gentlemen, farewell and god
speed.-Judge.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

Some Of the dime novel writer's arc
in hurry to get their pay, otherwise
they would revise their work. and not
allow such startling statements as the
following to appear in type:
"I grew up to manhood without ev.
er knowing what the love of parent
really was, for my mother died when
my eldest brother was born" Texas
Siftings.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

"Pa," asked a little Austin boy,
"wnat do you call those long hairs on
the cats MOUTH"
II believe they are called feelers."
II suppose they are called feolers
because the cat feels it so much when
you pull them out."-Texas Siftings.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-13

He is usingmoney and whisker free
ly. He seems to think that his only
chance of success is to buy his way
through Correspondent in Tennessee
Pilot