davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL.

The process of drying lumber by sur
rounding it with common salt is just
now attracting attention. The peculiar
power of salt for extracting moisture is
we'll known.
Teeth are appcndages of the skin, not
of the skeleton, and like other superb
cial organs ore especially liable to be
modiiedin accordance with the habits of
the creature.
A species of ant observedin the Island
of St. Thomas has been described in the
French Academy of Science. A large
fire having been kindled at q certain dis
lance from the ant hill, the ants were
seen to p~recipitate themselves into it by
thousands, until it was completely ex-
tinguished.
A German test for watered milk con
sists in dipping a we'll polished knitting
needle into a deep vessel of milk and then
Immediately withdrawing it in an upright
position. If the milk is pure a drop of
the fluid willhang to the needle; but the
addition OF even a small proportion Of
water will prevent the adhesion of the
drop.
Two Frenchmen, the brothers FORE,
have invented a new kind Of harp, made
entirely of wood. Instead of strings,
the inventors use strips of American tir.
The sound is produced, as in the ordi'
nary harp, by the contact of the fingers,
but the player wears leather gloves
covered with resin. The tone of the in
strument is said to be of remarkable pur-
ity.
Experiments made for the purpose of
testing the influence of pulps and other
articially prepared foods on cows milk
by NM. Andouard and Y. Dezaunay dur
ing the years 1888 aud 1884, tended to
show that the prepared food acted injur-
iously on the milk, but had the effect of
increasing the quantity of butter, with
out any appreciable bad result on its
quality.
Im~pregnation of the atmosphere of a
sick-chamber, when the patient is ill of
diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever or OF
any allied disease, with the odor of q
mixture of equal parts of turpentine and
carbolic acid is recommended by DR..
Vilandt as q good disinfectant. Half a
t%caspoonful of the mixture will be
enough at q time, if it is put into a ket-
tie of water kept near the boiling point.
The odor generally gives some relief to
the sufferer and tends to prevent the
spread of the malady.
Recent researches have shown that
rapid motion has a remarkable effect in
destroying the organic impurities in
water. This leads Mr.. Mattieu Will
liams to remark that the steamboats, on
the Thames, of which complaints have
been made because they disturb the bot
tom, are really very valuable agents from
a sanitary point Of view, for the violent
agitation they produce must greatly les
sen the rivers foulness. The steam tugs
which agitate otherwise stagnant canals
must also be regarded as great benefac-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
DisappOintincnt

"Here's a good piece of advice" Cap
tain Quibley, putting aside Il newspaper
and turning to his wife. "a paragraph
here says that man should never smoke
a pipe while going down stairs. In case
he should fall, hs would be likely to
drive the stem through the roof of his
mouth and out at the top Of his head"
81 never heard of such a thing" re-
piled Mrs. Quiblcy.
''It's not by any means improbable, ,
rcjoincd the captain. There's our old
friend George Gaines. He is a great
smoker, you know"
"Yes," with interest.
"Wcll, the other day. forgotto men
ton it, by the wayne was coming
down stairs and his foot slipped, and
down he went. He always smoked Il
long stem pipe you know"
"Great goodness, captain"
"Yes, he had a passion for long stem
pipes. One day while We were out hunt
ing he found a cane root about five feet
long. lie took it home with him and
had it bored out. Beats any"
"But when he fell did he drive it
through his hcad'
con, n O You see he had to stop
smoking on account of his health, but
was going to say for example"
"Quibley, you are the biggest fool
ever saw. Go on now and split up some
wood. You ought to be ashamed of
yourself to disappoint any one in that
way."-.1rkunsaw Trare'er.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
Piling I'D the Argument.

Dust destroys rs much property every
year rs any natural agency except fire. In
Denver this is especially true, as there
dust sof a~pcculiarly penetrating quality
1t can get into houses through c~rcviscs
that would bar out even those angels,
q hundred thousand of whom can stand
on a point o.. a pin. Dust is an expen.
sivc luxury, which in these hard times
we cannot afford to indulge in.
1t soils the windows.
It Injuries the furniture.
In ruins the books and the pictures.
1t doubles the cost of keeping the
home tidy.
1t wears out clothing.
It doubles the wash-bill.
1t destroys shoe leather.
1t increases the expense and trouble of
keeping the person tidy.
1t damages all kinds of goods.
1t spells the groceries.
1t is deleterious to drygOods.
1t is hurtful to cigars and tobacco.
1t plays the mischief with drugs.
1t devastates jewelry and watches.
1t is hard on hardware.
1t is the bane of the furniture dealer.
1t spoils the temper of the bank teller,
1t takes away the appetite and SO
leeces the restaurant.
1t represents all the aesthetic aspira'
tions, and blights the life of the ar
dealer.
1t drives all music from the soul, anc
thus fosters treason's strategies and hand
organs.
1t confuses the doctor, mixes up the
lawyer, and lays a terrific burden on the
picty of the minister.
1t corrodes the temper of all.
1t is bad, balcful, malign, dire, de.
structive, deadly. 1t is lcthiferous and
aZotic.-Uenrer Tribune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
The JOurney Of a Million.

Statistics as carefully studied by DR..
Farr tells us that of a million children
ushered into life nearly $50, 900 pass
away by the end of the first year. Twelve
months later SO, 900 more will have fol-
lowed: At the end of the third year the
number living will be diminished by2s,-
900 more. Each year of the decade tol.
lowing will make its ,nroads upon the
ranks, but less serious in amount. till the
thirteenth year will call for less than
1000. Those remaining will fall out by
twos and threes till the end of the forty
fifth year, when it will be found that in
the intervening period about 800, 900
have succumbed to the hardships OF the
way. At the end of sixty years $40, 600
gray haired veterans would still be keep
ing step with the duties of the passing
days. Eighty years would see $1,000
remaining, with strength impaired and
steps growing feeble. At the end of
n~inety-five years but 223 would linger in
the ~darkening path, and these would be
rapidly thinned till in the n hundred
and eighth year the last survivor Of the
million would disappear, and join the
ranks Of his predecessors in the great
host of the majority.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
BY ri

Sodden and dreary the day on the upland
and void.
Faded the leaves OF the trees from their Grim
son and gold.
Dark are the shadows and harsh blows the
wind DER the hill
Chilled in their nests are the birds, their
sweet voices are still.
Fiercely and swiftly the rain falls from day
dawn till eve,
Sombre and sad are the thoughts that the
rain murmurs leave.
Darkly the clouds hover nearer and shut out
the light,
Cherries and cold come the unbidden dusk
and the night
Draw closer the curtains, shut out the dark
ness and gloom,
Pile up the logs till the freight steals
through the room.
Watch the long shadows that dance in quaint
glee upon the walls,
And the brightness that gladdens each face
where the freight falls.
Away with sad murmurs, away with dull
ness and care,
Safe by the hearthstone the whole world
looks pleasant an | fair.
'Twere a happy fate for earth if wanderer;
tonight,
Could be sure of a home, and a hearth and a
freight.
Providence Journal.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
Some New

Of what is the surface of the earth
composed?
Of corner lots, mighty poor roads,
railroad tracks. baseball grounds, cricket
fields, and skatirg-rinks.
What portion of the globe is water2
About thrce-fourths. Sometimes they
add a little gin and nutmeg to it.
What is q town!
a town is a considerable collection of
houses and inhabitants, with four or five
men who "run the party and loan
money at fifteen per cent. interest.
What is a city?
A city is an incorporated town, with a
mayor who believes the whole world
shakes when he happens to fall flat on a
crosswalk.
What is commerce?
Borrowing five dollars for q day or
two and lodging the lender for a year
or two.
Name the different races.
Horsc-race, boat-race, bicycle-race, and
racing around to find a mar to indorse
your note.
Into how many classes is mankind d.
vided?
Scvcn-Enlightened, civilized, half
civilized, savage, too utter, not worth a
cent, aud Indian agents.
What nations are called enlightened?
Those which have the most wars, and
the worst laws, and produce the worst
criminals.
How many motions has the earth?
That's according to how you mix
your drinks and which way you go
home.
What is the earth's axis?
The lines passing between New York
and San Francisco.
What causes day and night?
Day is caused by night getting tired
out. Night is caused by everybody
taking the strect-cars and going home to
supper.
What is q map2
A man is a drawing to show the jury
where Smith stood when Jones gave him
a lift under the eye.
What is a mariners compass?
4 lug holding four gallons.-San
Francisco Neos-Letter.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
Two Cnntinns W0man.

Gail women are alike in their fear Of
the cars" said an Illinois Central con
ductor. "Thev carry their caution to
absurd extremes. That reminds me of a
little story Down in the Southern part
of the State we have up at road crossings
some of the old fashioned signs. Look
out for the cars when the bell rings At
one of the crossings the other day two
women came up, driving an old horse
hitched to a buggy. They looked all
about and couldn't see any cars, but hap
pcncd to read the sign. Stop said
one,' I hear a bell They both listened,
and sure enough. they heard Il bell tink-
ling. One of the women got out, and
amid considerable excitement took hold
of the horses bride. The other one
frightened her grip on the lines, sat her
jaws, and prepared for the worst. They
looked anxiously up the track for the
train, but still couldn't sec it, though
they could hear the bell a little palmer
than before. They waited and waited.
Five minutes passed, then ten, and still
no train. The old horse went to sleep,
while the women's nerve from long
straining threatened to throw them into
mysteries. Nearer and nearer came the
bell against which the sign warned them
and so they stood still. In about a quar-
ter of an hour an old brindle COW came
walking down the pasture by the side OF
the track, chewing her cud and monoto'
nously jingling her bell. One of the
women cried from nervousness, and the
other one got mad at the railroad com
pany, and said they were nothing but
mean old monopolies any way Mic'q'
| Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
A Very Particular Warming.

Miss Austen, in n of her letters re-
Gently published, tells this story about
Admiral Sir Francis Austen: Gle was
exceedingly precise, and spoke always
with due deliberation, let the occasion
be what it might, never having been
known to hurry himself in his speech
for any conceivable reason. 1t so fell
out then, that while in some foreign
seas where sharks and other similar un-
pleasant creatures abound, a friend or
sub-officer of his was bathing from the
ship. Presently Sir Francis called out
to him in his usual tone and manner:
Mr.. Packenham, you are in danger of a
shark-a shark Of the blue species! You
had better return to the ship ooh! Sir
Francis, you are joking, are you notr
Mr.. Pakenham, I am not given to Jok-
ing. If you do not return soon the shark
will eat YOU Whereupon Pakenham,
becoming alive to his danger acted upon,
the advice thus deliberately given, and,
says the story, saved himself by the
skin of his teeth from the shark.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
WISE

Our bravest lessons are not learned
through success, but misadventure.
Conversation enriches the understand
ing, but solitude is the school of genius.
If men had only temptations to great
sins, they would always be good but the
daily fight with little ones accustoms
them to defeat.
The first mistake in the education of
girls, and the one fraught with the sad
dest results, is made when they are al
lowed to leave childhood too soon.
The every. day cares and duties, which
men call drudgery, are the weights and
counterpoiscs OF the clock of time, CIV
ing its pendulum q true vibration audit
hands a regular motion.
Self distrust is the cause of most of our
failures. In the assurance of strength
there is strength, and they are the weak
est, however strong, who have no faith
in themselves or their
Why, Oh man! do you vituperate the
world? The world is most beautiful,
framed by the best and most perfect
reason; though to you lndeed IL may DC
unclean and evil, because you are I'M
clean and evil in a good world.
The joys of parents are q secret, and
so are their griefs and fears; they cannot
utter the one, nor will they utter the
other. Children sweeten labors, but
they make fortunes more bitter; increase
the cares of life, but they mitigate the re.
membrancc of death.
1t is only when our path leads down
into some dark gorge of trial where no
sunbeams fall that we learn the worth
of the lamps of heavenly promise. Their
beams shone dimly as we walked in the
sunshine of human joy and strong earth
ly hope; but now in darkness, they flash
out in brilliancy, and change night into
day.
The best general test to which we can
submit the question of accepting or de-
clining the proffered help of others will
be to discover whether or not it will
strengthen our energies to help our
selves. If it will, we will do well to
take it; if it wcakens them and fosters a
dependent feeling, we will do we'll to
decline,
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
The Cultivation Of Ramie.

The cultivation of the ramic has been
commenced in New Jersey, suys an ex-
change. That weaving fiber plant, the
ramie, like the great majority of cult
waited plants, has its home in the Orient,
and appears destined to make a similar
conquering march round the world as its
predecessors, flax. hemp and cotton, made
in their time. The name of this plant,
which belong to the singing urtica or
nettle, is now we'll known to every IN.
telligent person. 1t is indigenous to the
far East Indies, China, Japan, Bengal,
Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, the
Molucca Islands, and all other islands
in the Indian Archipelago, and has grad.
ually found its way TO all parts of Europe,
and now to America, too.
Owing to the great progress made in
chemistry and in valuable mechanical
inventions, it is now possible to lay the
glossy fine fbers of the ramic completely
bare and to prepare them for dyeing in
the most brilliant shades as for bleach
ing. There are at present German, Eng
lish and French ramie manufacturers,
such az silver and noils, natural, bleached
and dyed yarns, cambrics, diapers, vel
vet, chenille, cords, curtains, single or
double, with half silk or wool stuffs,
fringes, ETC., that are not only striking
evidence of the qualities of this fiber OF
the future but also of the creative genius
of man.
1t is announced that hundreds of acres
are now devoted in France, Spain and
Portugal to the cultivation OF the ramie
plant and serve as so many nursery gar
dens. A number of plantations have
also been made within the last five or
ten years in Egypt, Algiers, Spain,
France, Mexico and Ceylon, which cover
over some half million acres in all proba-
bility, and of which every acre, accord:
ing to received accounts, gives an aver
age clear profit of 500.
1t is not surprising that such a hardy
and profitable plant should excite some
enthusiasts 80 far as to cause them
to recommend its cultivation to
regions further north than New Jer-
sey, while science and experience alike
show that it cannot be grown protitably
higher than forty-one degrees latitude.
Still it may be possible in time to ac-
climate i. in more northern ATTITUDES, but
for the present the practical agriculturist
is recommended to abstain from any
such attempt on an extensive scale. In
the suitable ATTITUDES and soil the Urtica
and a~sclepias, with their $40 to $50 profit
per acre, can be all the more warmly
recommended, as the flax grown in the
east of the State docs not return more
than from SEQ to S25 per acre.
Felix Fremersy, a German who has
given long attention to ramie and its
uses, now resides in Newark, n. j.,
where it is said he is hard at work by
word, pen, and, what is more, by action,
to gain America for the ramie fiber, and
has made a beginning to that effect in
the swamps of New Jersey, which are
peculiarly adapted for this plant.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
True POlitencSS,

An old gentleman was walking some
what gingcrly along the icy sidewalk
that extends west from the postotficc,
There is an excellent slide at this point,
and the old gentleman was proceeding
with caution when a wild boy came
along the slide with o whoop and
knocked the undcrpinning from below
the pedestrian. They both fell, "Fit7
James above, the Gael below" The old
man, who was somewhat heavy, might
have hurt himself were it not for the
boy beneath. AS the upper person
slowly rose he looked at the flattened
boy and calmly said: Zone of US should
apologize, and As you are rather out Of
breath, I guess I'll do it. I'm very sorry,
my son, that this unseemly incident
occurred"
The boy gasped out:
"Betcher life -old-chap--ye AIM
half's sorry's-I am"
And thus by mutual regrets, magnani'
mously expressed, all chance of future
trouble over the affair was happily avert
ed.-Detr0it Free Press.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
N OF H DAY.

A trade scenter-The drummer.
An advance agent-The pawnbroker's
clerk.
Woman's sphere-An apple dumping.
Judge.
An extension table-the multiplication
table .-Sytings.
Clouds come high, but we must have
them. Merchant Trareer.
Song of the deaf mute-"Man Wants
but Little Hear Below. -Hatchet.
A land slide is the most significant
movement in real estate.-Pnayune.
Motto of the cornet player-An high
for OIL high and o foot for a toot.-
Hatchet.
Raisins are sometimes like prophets
for instance, when they are stoned
LoveN Courier.
"Man is mans greatest study, and
how to get ahead of him his most persis-
tent. "-Boston Globe.
"Another cut down." remarked the
barber, as he shaved the upper lip of u
youthful customer Boston Transcript.
"My Mother-in-L Law" is the name of a
new novel. We have not read it. We
hate war and gore stories. Philadelphia
Call.
Irishmen are proverbial for their in
tense admiration of the fair sex. This IS
probably because so many of the ladies
are home rulers. blizzard.
The king of Portugal buttons up his
coat with diamond buttons, and we still
use the same old safety pins to button
ours with.-St. Paul Herald.
The ancients thought the world was
square. The nineteenth century, how
ever, knows there is very little square
about il. -Pitts6urg Telegraph.
Reflection of auinebriate: cts curious,
isn't it2 When I'm drunk, everybody
knows it; but when I'm thirsty, nobody
pays any attention to the fact"
Life is real, and girls are earnest,
If they can't get what they like
Taffy, cream and kindred goodies
They will organize strike:
Chicago Sun.
An exchange says Ground waists are
still in fashion," We should hope so.
What would become of US if it gets to
t]hree-cornered or pentagonal waists1-
Boston Post.
"Have you corns?" blandly asked the
corn plaster peddler at the busy mans
elbow. eyes; I am supplied" an
swered the busy man, without looking
up.-Boston transcript.
A. Walnut Hills girl is mad with a
downtown drug clerk because when she
asked him for something to bang her
hair with he told her they didn't keep
c~urry-combs. Merchant T1uueler.
The latest craze in Boston is to teach
the children to play the fiddle. The
great number of people seen daily regis
tered at the hotels from Boston is now
accounted for.-St. Paul Herald.
"You want to aim very low when you
are hunting the bison," said the old
hunter. "How lowe" asked the tender
foot. "Buffalo," replied the old hun
ter, without a struggle Ha~1eye.
81 like good, solid substantial food"
remarked Mrs. Jarphly at the breakfast
table. "Is that why you bake such
solid bread, NAH" inquired Johnnie,
and he held close communion with his
mothers slipper.-Pitts6ury Chronicle.
There was q young girl in Jamaica,
Ran off with the p~astry-cook baker;
But the ague he caught,
And nv nature was taught
That the best thing he could do was to shake
bar -Sifju0e
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
Very Discouraging.

Young Poorfellow Crying to make
himself agreeable to his adored ones
father)-''Ah, yes, the instinct of the
larger animals, such as the horse or ele-
plant, is very remarkable, almost
amounting to reason, in fact, but among
insects it is even more strongly devel-
oped."
Old Mr.. Fatpurse-"Indeed have
not had much time in my busy life to
look into such matters"
Young Poorfellow-"Yes, there is a
certain insect, l forget its name now,
which shows marvellous foresight in pro-
viding for its young. It is, Of course,
necessary that they should have food as
soon as Matched, and to insure this the in
sect lays its eggs in the body of a grub
a living grub, I mean, and when the
eggs hatch the young one begin to feed
on this grub, avoiding all vital parts, so
that the grub remains alive until it is al
most entirely consumed. Is any such
foresight shown among human beings, /
would like to knowW
Old Fatpurse-"Well, it seems to me
that a young man shows q good deal Of
such foresight when he tries to marry
into q rich family 50 that he and his chill
dren can live off the old folks. "-Phia-
ae[DbiG Call.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-01-14
THE DESCENT OF WINTER.

With one strong foot upon the prone, dumb
land.
Sowing the snowaakes out his great, rough
hand,
Loud-voiced, in tcmpests poured beneath the
sky
In whirling storm-gusts, doth he stand and
cry:
"Lo, lam comc--king Winter
Frozen becomes the bleak moor's shallow
edge:
The lank crane shivers in the frosty Sedge;
The little sparrows fit with trembling wings
Over the dank reeds, and the plover sings;
"Ah, he is come-king Winter..'
The frowsy pipe-wecds on the gary marsh
Stand frozen, battling 'gainst the cold winds
harsh:
The homeless snowfakes, sinking, yet un
dumb,
Down-dropping in the black-pools, sigh: ''We
come,
The ensigns of King Winter"
Bent are the brakes beneath the whclmine
SHOWS:
The timid rabbit through the marsh-grass
goes:
Wet-wingd the robin pipes beyond the fen,
At mournful twilight answered by the wren
"~Night--night. have pity, Winter.
Still mute and PROSTATE the grim Landscape
lies;
Still fall the flakes down from the pitiless
skies
In swarms thro' the wide dusk, ON everything
Sown from the Northland by the liant King
Ruler of Rivers, Winter.
Rudy the lamps within yon cottage glow,
And childhoods voice comes waited to me
low.
In merry laughter and inceSsant mirth,
When the thawed roof-snow slips into the
earth
Under the steps of Winter.
Shut fast thy door, my Soul, and bide with
in.
Heart-warmth hast thou, and Love TO house
thee in;
AoI Vic SllO"S lall, Slul Sllall Oui ilSu@ ~
mirth,
Quiet, with laughter by the fireside hearth;
Pour down thy SHOWS, oh, Winter
Still, when without I hear the piteous call
OF His lost robins in the gray nightfall,
/ wish, while screams the wind with bitter
cold,
All things Of His housed warm within His
fold:
His birdS,-have mercy, Winter.
Where are His dewdrops now: His tender
leaves.
His social cricketS 'mony the monday
sheaveS!
Hath Earth no answer: Hark. 'Tis the
heron gray
Calling, across the moor's edge far away,
"Cold are thy feet, oh. Winter!!'
-CharlesJ. O.Maley, IN the Current.