davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08

was once very much amused at an auec-
cote 40 old preacher told OF himself. 1t
occurred some sixty or seventy years ago.
lie had been raised In the backwood and
knew but little of the Ways of the world.
Having been admitted to conference, he
was sent to circuit, and upon certain
occasion was invited to dine with wealthy
man.
Carpets we're not nearly so common then
as now. Most people had their floors
secured very clean, and nice, white sand
sprinkled over them. Sometimes an extra
touch was given the floor by spriDklind
black SAND about in streak. and figures ov-
er the white.
This wealthy man, with whom tie young
preacher was TO dine, however, had a car
pet. but it was not large enough 10 cover
tie floor, so there was a naked place all
around the room about the width OF a
chair.
II was the first carpet the prescher had
ever seen, aud he thought it would not dc
to step on it, so he took a seat near the
wall and drew his feet around on either
side of his chair, so as not to touch ii.
After while a servant came 10, ard
spreading down piece OF linen 10 the mid
die of the room. placed the dining table on
it and began to set it. The preacher WAS
greatly troubled; he did not know how be
was to get from The NAKED place where he
sat to the piece OF linen Oh which the table
stood. He knew he could easily jump if he
had fair chance hut how was he to man.
age with the chair between his feet he did
not know. But then the thing must be
done some way; so, when dinner was an
bounced, he rose from his chair and sum-
moning all his energies, he made desper-
ate leap, and to his great joy, made the trip
iu safety.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08

Italian and Swiss papers continue to re-
late some of the most striking of the many
incidents to which the recent avalanches
have given rise. A man OF the name OF
Rapelli an ex-marshal of csrbiueers, lived
with his wife aud his children in the village
of Groscavello. The wife was an invalid,
and while per husband and their little girl
were in her bed room an avalanche fell on
the village aud crushed the house. Rapel
Ii was killed, aud the child, one OF whose
feet was caught between two josts, was
thrown head downward, without any pos
sibility OF extricating herself. The moth
er, though saved from destruction by a
beam, had one of her arms wedged nuder
it so that she could only just touch the
chld's head with the tips of her fingers
After hanging in the position described for
thirty hours, continually crying to her
mother for help, she died in convultions.
M Idame Rapelli would probably have per-
ished of hunger and cold if hen had not
come within reach of her free hand. She
seized and strangled it, plucked it with her
teeth and placed the feathers under her
n ok, which was in contact with the snow.
Then she deyoured the fowl jus ST as it was.
Remaining thus in prisoped nearly sixty
hours she was Got At by rescuing party
and carried into u stable near by where
short time ago she still Jay in a Condition
bordering on iticcy. The cause of these
disasters is we'll known, There is netting
like forests for stopping or breaking the
force of an avalanche, and the slopes Of
the Italian sides OF he Alps have been al
mo completely denuded OF their timber.
The Swiss owe their comparative immuni-
~ from the catastrophes which have
wrought SO much havoc among heir neigh
bors to the care they bestow on the prese-
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
Why Doctors DON'T Catch Diseose

Some men, remarked Captain Horton,
can move In the MIDST OF pestilebce sud
miasmatl, ard never seem any the w
'How, for instance, do you doctors defend
your fortressF
4 am glad you asked the question. We
defend the fortress by using ordinary pre-
cautions. We will not, If possible, breathe
more Injected air than we can help. We
will not be stupidity 'ssh. Depend upon it
my friend, that when DIR. AberDetby kicked
foot through the pane Of glass In bis pa
TENTS room, because he couldn't get him
to his window down, the excellent physi-
clan was thinking a. much about his own
safety rs hat Of his patient Secondly,
physicians know that thew must live by
rule when attending cases durugs pesti-
lence The body must be kept up 10 the
healthy standard. In times of epidemic
ell every one see TO hirn-elf attend to every
rule of health, live regularly, and keep the
stomach most carefully in orier, and be ah
stnent. There is no other way Of drfene-
ing the Fortress of Life against invisible
foes.
This living according to rule said my
friend musiugly, SIS terribly hard thing
to have To add. At least, | am sure most
people find 1t So
Few People, l replied, think Of doing
anything Of the sort, until actual danger 20
life stares them in the faca. Some Que else.
/ believe, has made q remark similar to III 5
before now, but it is worthy of being re-
peated.,
And it is true added Horton. Il have
been thinking a good deal lately
Most people who are laid low do think,
l said.
Il have been thinking said my friend,
that most of US err BY eating more than is
necessary.
How gerry true that is, Hor on! Why,
In careful regulation of diet-a diet that
should incline to the abstemions-we have
one of the best defences against invisible
foes of all kinds. This is one Of our
posts, and should be held at all risks, if We
care for life at al-and not for life only,
but comfort while we do exist. 1t is a
fret which all should bear in mind, that
overeating not only corrupts the blood. but
DESTROYS nervous energy. CdsselFs Fdmi-
Magazine.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08

Judge P.tman has habit of slipping his
watch under the pillow when he goes TO
bed. One night somehow it slipped down,
and as the Judge was restless 1t worked its
way down 10 the foot Of the bed. After a
bit, while he WAS lying awake, his foot
touched it; it felt very cold; he was sur
prsed, scared, and jumping from the bed,
he said
"My gracious, Maria, there's a toad or
something under The covers. l touched it
with my foot"
Mrs. Ptman gave a loud scream, and
was on the floor in an Instant
''Ncw don't go to hollering and wake up
the neighbors, said the judge. you get
a broom or something, and we'll fix the
thing mighty quick"
Mrs. Pitman got the broom and gave 1t
to the judge with the remark that she felt
as though snakes were creeping up and
down her legs and back.
"Oh, nonsense, Maria, Now turn down
the covers slowly while | hold the broom
and bang it. Put bucket of water along
side of the bed so that VIC can shove it in
and drown it,"
Mrs. Pitman fixed the bucket and gently
removed the covers. The judge held the
broom uplfted, and AS the black ribbon OF
the silver watch was revealed, be cracked
away at it three or four times with the
broom, then he pushed the thing off into
the bucket. Then they took the light to
investigate The matter. When the judge
saw what 1t was, he said:
81 might have known; its just like you
women to go to screeching and fussins
about notGing. It's Utterly ruined"
at was you that made the fuss, not me,
said Mrs. Pi,man.
"You needn't try to put the blame or
me-"
Then the judge turned in and growled a
Maria until he fell asleep.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
Grim Inhd Jitdnts at the Baton of
the ocean

The writer of an article in the London
Globe on The Sea Bottom has a striking.
~ weird suggestion with regard to the
bodies of those dying at sea aud committed
to the water Having remarked that the
Hmalayas above the sea level probably
have their spending hollows in the
sea bed, he says: "How uften may these
hideous depths-dark, silent, barren and
lifeless-be strangely peopled by the sheet.
ed dead, dropped down into The waters
18th weights st their feet, gradually de
,cending into region where the atmos-
pherc pressure of this upper world. about
thirty-two pounds TO the square inch, be
comes gradually exchanged Tor hydrostatic
pressure of probably SIX or seven tons;
The organic changes which speedily take
place in the air cannot be the same down
there, in medium capable of reducing
timber Ia the density of the deepest metal.
AT the bottom Of the deepest recrsses of
the sea these grim visitants would be en-
empt from the attacks of marine animals,
aud would probably be undesturbed also by
any motion of the water. Stark, silent
aud erect, each poised on its own cannon
oall, thousands of the dead may people
some of the dreary wastes of the sea bot
tom, who shall say how long"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
On the Rollers.

man by The name Of Brown lef. vii.
Iage 10 this State about two years ago,
says the Bangor Commercial. Lat week
HI returned, and Just a. he wes s'roiine
down the street Of his native village he
met farmer by the name Of Smith, who
"as not very prosperous when he left. and
lived just outside the village. Brown Vas
surprised to see the stranger attired in a
<re-s suit, with silk bat. and big dia-
mopd pin blazing on bis shirt front, and be
inquired
Beeu to funeral today?
Why, bless you, no.
nor | see you have got on your best
Clothes; are you farming yet!
FarmiDgi Well, should say not. am
running roller skating riuk down here.
Where Is your son jim!
oh hes running rink
And yonr daughter Lie?
She is -katiDs under the management Of
Tim Jones In the Maine rink.
Aud your wifef
She skipped out with Professor Meechin
an Instructor which hired when frs,
opensd the rink.
Is Elder Longsermon preaching here
still:
No; be resigned from the ministry, and
Is now rink inst ructor
Who's preaching 10 the place,
Nobody.
Nobody, Whats the matter?
Church turned into a skating rink.
You don't say so?
Yes; true as preaching.
Where's Bill Beck, the grocery man?
He went out Of business year ago. H.
keeps the ice cream stand down 10 nv rink.
Pshsw. Where's Aunt Sally Backon and
Deacon Schultzer?
Why, dang it all, they're travelling
around visiting Kinks, doing the old man
and wor.an act on skates. / tell you
they're Immense.
Say, Dan. what became Of your old shep-
herd dog, Cairo?
Darned If the dog didn't get the fever,
and one day he sneakcd in behind the place
where kept skates to hire, put Oh a pair
and rolled Oh the floor just as nice as any
human being, when all Of sudden his
hind pair Of skates got mixed up with bis
tail, which slipped him up, aud he fell
backwards and broke his neck
Poor dog,
Gosh, l can't help crying when think
OF ais sad and tragic end
Is there anybody lett in this town who
does not skate:
Yes.
Who are they:
Up in the cemetery on the hill.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
Misused Christian Names.
BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.

Frank" is a very pretty, pleasant sound
ing name, and it is not strange that many
persons use 1t in common conversation all
their days when speakinr of a friend.
Were they really christened by that name,
any of these numerous Franks? Perhaps
they were, and if so there is nothing to be
said. But if not, was he baptismal name
Francis or franklin? The mind Is apt to
fasten in very perverse and unpleasant
way upou this question, which too often
there is No possible way of settling. One
might hope. If he outived the bearer Of
the speculation, to get at the fact; but
since even gravestones have learned 10 use
the names belonging to childhood aud iu-
fancy In their solemn record, the genera
ton which docks its Christian names in
such an un-Chrstian way will bequeath
whole churchyards full of riddles to pos
terity. How it will puzzle and dis tress the
historians and sntiquarians Of coming
penetration to settle what was the real name
of Dan and Bert ana Billy" which last is
legible on a white marble slab, raised in
memory of a grown person. In a certain
battle-ground in town in Essex County I!
April Atlantic
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
Dairy CrOckett's Gun.

A Little Rock reporter has had the pleas
ure Of handling Colonel Dayy Crockett's
old gun. 1t was in the Arkansas State
treasurer's office where it had been left by
Colonel Bob" Davy's grandson, COW in
the ARKANSAS Senate. The gun is long
barreiled, silver-mounted affair, and along
the top Of the barrel, in gold letters, reads
the inscription; Presented by the young
men OF Philadelphia to the Hon David
Crockett of Tennessee" Near the muzzle,
just back of the bead. was the coloUel's
motto, Go Ahead" Many of the letters
were 80 worn as to be almost indistinguish-
able, aud some of them were gone COM
pletey. The gun has come down from
sire to son in the Crockett family ever since
il was presented in 1884. TO the reporter,
Colonel Boo" who now Owls the gun,
said There is not gun in Arkansas to-
day which will shoot deer truer. | killed
hundreds Of deer with il, and think more
OF it than | can tell. My grandfather left
it ut home when he went TO Texas, taking
with him his old tint-.ock. 1t is rare Old
gun and great curiosity | have been re-
que> Ell 10 send it to the exposition AT New
Orleans, and shall do so in a short time"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
"And what did you do with the decsyed

"And what did you do with the decsyed
piecesf'
II threw them all out at once a. refuse"
"Wejl, at last see my way clear, and /
am going To try n am Is good hand at
my work as you are At cOmppie."
The following day King Perico appeared
with his nose swelled like Il tomato, and
going among hir subjects separated the
few sound ones from The many corrupt
ones and made with III. syund a most ex-
c-lient compete u Ministers, Generals,
Secretaries and Judges, etc. and threH
out the others a. refuse.
beg all the leading papers 10 reprint
this story at every ministerial crisis, and
above all would request our mighty rul-
ers to take the greatest care in making the
compete and be sure and not put the rotten
bi 10 The compete nor thro. out as refuse
the sound pieces
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
A Case of True P0theness.

They sat together in the smoking COM
partment of the sleepin gear after break
fast, and were very quiet for long time.
AT last the lat map remarked:
st Is curious how travelling affects some
people. For ins;anc-, my feet are so
swollen that can on keep my b iois on
with positive agony"
And how odd that an affected Just the
opposite way replied be other. my
feet shrink 50 that l could almost get both
feet iuto one boot.
There was another long interval Of 81
.ence, during which eacn sole cautious
chances al the other.
''In such ease" said the third man,
who sat opposite, II should advise you to
Il ade boots"
"Wlllingly," was the response in chorus.
As they were making the exchange the
porter came up with the remark:
II dun reckon | got dem ar, butts mixed
~ tween you two gem'len, an each of you
has got on de wrong par"
Il knew it all the time, sail the fat
man.
80 did ~ added the nther.
But III be hanged if | let any Wscon-
stu man Guido me in politeness."
"Aud Wisconsin don't take 40 back seat
for Missouri ."-Detroit Free Press.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
One of LtncOtn's Stories.
TOLD IL THE DARKEST HOUR or THE RE-
BELLiON.

Just before the battle OF Fredricksburgh,
knowing that large number OF Pennsylva-
MIA troops we're with Burnside and that
general engagement between the two ar
mics was imminent, | vent to Washington
and asked for transportation to the front.
tug was placed at my disposal, and /
reached the army 10 time to witness the
battle. The terrible slaughter OF our
troops on that day We all know.
"When our defeat was beyond question,
! boarded the tug a1d h3stened to Wash
ing or, hoping, as railroad Communication
was impossible, to forestall the exaggerat-
ed rurnprs that might be expected and to
alleviate even in only slight degree the
shock OF unwclcome tidinks It was con-
slderabiy past midnight when I reached
Washington. but proceeded directly to
the White House. II was no surprise to
l. arm that 80" President had not retired.
! was INN lately ushered into his pres
ence. As hr accosted me and read in my
face the character of the news / had to
communicate, he sank into a chair with a
sigh OF distress"
What new q Jyernor;1 said he.
Bad. very bad"
"Tel me all" He rested his hea on his
hands while gave the gu line and the re-
suit Of the battle. He heayed a heavy
sigh and looked at Id with an expression
Of intense suffering, and remarked
II heartily wish | ght be welcome
messenger of COOL ress instead, that
could tell you how 10 conquer or get rid Of
these rebelipns States"
Looking up quickly with a marked
change of expression Lincoln said
"Thst reminds me Of two boys 10 HI
n9is Wbo took short cut across an or
chard and did upt become aware of the
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08

The seven large cities of the West show
total of 1921 54 hogs packed during the
Winter. The average gross weight is
265.47 pounds; average yield of lard, 1862
pounds per hog. Last year during the
same time 1864 hogs were packed,
with an average weight OF $50 6S, and of
lard 1885, At the IN eror points the pack
ing is 1899 lS6 hog, making n total pack
ing in the West of $3.50, 240 hogs. The
figures show au Increase in weight OF l4.79
pounds at the Sc zen cities, 1888 pounds at
interior points an 1907 pounds at all
points. The average Winter packing in
the West for eight years is 6,45O,O0O hogs,
or about the same as last season, while the
population of the country Is now fully ten
per cent. larger than the average Of this
period.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
Three Reasons

Why every one needs, and should take
Hoods Sarsaplrila in the spring.
LIST: Because the system is now i'll its
greatest need. Hoods Sarsaparilla gives
strength.
I'd Because the blood is sluggish ana
impure. Hoods Sirsaparilla purid-s.
Sd Because, from the above facts,
Hoods Sarsaparila will do a greater
amount of COOL now than at any other
Time Take IL now.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
A Great Discovery.

Mr.. VIM. Thomas, of Newton, Ia, says
my wife has been seriously affected with
Il cough for twenty-five years, and this
spring more severely than ever before.
She had used many remedies without re-
lief and helm. urged to try DR.. Kings New
Discovery, did so, with most gratifying re
suits. The first bottle relieved her very
much, and the second bottle has absolutely
cured her. She has not had SO COOL health
for thirty years"
Trial Bottles Free at, Horatio w. Cush-
iug's, Drug Store. Large size 80 cts. and
81.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08
Buckleu's Arnica Salve.

THE BEST sALvE in the world for Cuts
Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever
Sores, letter, Chapped Hands, Chilblans.
Corns, and all Skin Eruptions, and positive
ly cures Piles, or no pay required. |; is
guaranteed TO give perfect satisfaction or
money refunded. Price Is cents per box.
For sale by Horatio w. Cushing.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-04-08

Fe,leIOn = Prayer.
BY VIRGINIA Is. HARRISON.

- Lord tax thoi my heart.
cannot Civ. A ,.iee:"
'rIs bound 50 fast by earthly ties
cannot wrest II free.
So close loves clInginz tendril- twine,
How eau 1t be entirely hinei
And when ta gu takest II,
Keep II, q LOrIi for I
Ctn n aver keep /, for the" while
Ia tbs tempting vo'ce. cry:
"C0me bac to "a, dear he ,rt." Bat, ol
Ny Father, do not let IL gol
A. save me. Lord, Ia spite
OF my own SELL" For when
Sonnet INES | long fn better ;hinss;
Tue wisb taxes iliGht sgaiu.
s., plying Lord, only pray,
Cast no, 40 poor heart away.
Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-10-08
EDWARD PAYsON HALL.
For the Sentinel.

him to cut his cloth after your own
fashion of verbal tailoring, and you
have ruined whatever of real talent or
genius he possesses for life Here is
what makes SO much talk about the
lack of originality. In truth folks
won't let folks be original they must
come down to the musty rules of
Goold Brown and Hugh Blair-they
must be critics anyhow, even at the
sacrifice of style, life, beauty, useful
ness, everything. THE WESTERN SEN
TINEL has exhibited more common
sense and literary enterprise in encour-
aging everybody that can, to write,
than any newspaper in North Carroll
ma. Aye, there is more educational
charity, more and deeper in sight into
the wants and capacities Of poor hu-
man nature and more of the elements
Of true success in our friend Oldham s
little finger than there is in the whole
body of many big magazine editor
and in the entire corporation of many
proud and richly endowed Institution
of learning. Don't tell me this is fiat
terry! l spit upon the bare insinua-
tion that | would toady to any man,
and spurn your little soul from me as
l would blood-sucking musquitoe ii
you dare such an accusation
It is high time the truth should be
told plainly on this subject. We live
in new day. A New South is dawn.
ing upon us. Shall we cramp genius
as in the past? Shall we be such dolts
as to act over again tho old literary
farce Of telling Thomas Campbell,
when he sends us his "Hohenlinden,' %
that he sis young and inexperienced,
must post up ON the rules and try it
again ;" Lord Byron, when We read
his "Hours of Idleness "that" it is the
young lords first venture and it will
be his last" Thomas Carlyle, when
we stumble upon the amazing gram
matical and rhetorical monstrosity OF
his "Sartor Resartus," that he "uses
the very worst grammar we ever heard
OFF,
Was it conformity to Goold Brown
and Hugh Blair that made delightful
authors of Joseph Addison, Benjamin
Franklin, VIM. Cullen Bryant. John
q. SAKE, Banoraft, aye, and Shakes.
peare himself? Were they college
bred? Were they critits? No, by
all that's sensible, it was the music o.
their souls and good ear that made
them! PoetG nascitur, non fit. Hugh
Blair did and could criticize Addison
But the music of Addison's "Specta
! tor" beside of Blair's Sermons" is N
the sen, of the nightingale to per
fornnr on a musical Instrument
the OF g all life and nature, the othel
all conventional, cerenonious, cut-and
dried Calliopeanism.
Now, reader, whoever you m ~ be
read iii. best writer's, hear the bes
Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-10-08
AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
Judge BIeares Declares Law Uncon'
stitutfonaI.
From, the WlIntnoton Recie,c.

8C1LuG1OudIs
From, the Wilmington Rerie,0.
In the case of the State VS. w. r.
Kenan a verdict of not guilty was
given by the court, and the defendant
was discharged. This case was one of
nine which were brought against sew
eral of the merchandise brokers doing
business in the city who were charged
with drumming without the necessary
license. The case did not 60 to the
Jury but was decided by the court. In
the opinion of the court the law upon
which the action was based is uncon-
stitutional, inasmuch as it discri mi
mates between drummers from other
States doing business here and those
who are residents here. p drummer
from another State is required by the
law to pay State tax. A resident
drummers' tax is also required, but
section %, of chapter 175, Of the laws
of 1885, gives rebate to the resident
drummer of the amount Of his pur-
chase tax forsthe same time, which is
discriminative against the non-resi-
dent drummer and makes the law un-
constitutional. The Supreme Court
of the United States has decided that
no State cansimpose tax upon nom
resident drummer which it does net
impose upon the drummers of its own
State. In consequence of this decision,
which affects the entire State, mol
pros with leave was entered in all the
other cases of similar character.