davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
TOrturing the Sick.

A living scorpion is dropped into a
wide-necked glass bottle which contains
few drops of olive oil of the finest
quality, says the London Society in an
article on amateur medical treatment in
Italy. More oil is poured on instantly
until the bottle is filled and the scorpion
dead. In its struggles to free itself it
elects all its poison into the oil, and this
poisoned oil forms q sovereign remedy
for the sting of scorpion. There is no
doubt as to its efficacy, and it is proba~
bly, remedy which hompopathists
would indorse on very rational grounds.
1t is doubtful, however, whether they
or any other men would approve of the
"application of the ccmb' as practiced
in Iombardy and the Venetian prov
inces. This remedy is highly unique,
and reflects honor upon the originality
of the brain which first conceived it. 1t
is applied for chronic dyspepsia and
acute internal Inflammation of all kinds;
the readers imagination may fill the
blank and need hesitate at none of the
evils common to man or woman. The
sufferer is lad upon bed and firmly
held by the assistants-ten of whom
have sometimes been required in
the clse of a strong man the
comb is then prepared and applied. 1t
must be very old comb and very dirty
one-the dirtier the bctter-and it is
wrapped in tow which has been well
soaked in alcohol So prepared it is
placed upon the bare stomach of the VIC
tim, is set alight, blazes for moment,
and is then covered by bowl or solp-
plate (slightly raised on one side, under
which it is allowed to smolder until the
tow is reduced to ashes. Chloroform
and ether bcing either unknown to or
mrtally dreaded by the italian peasants,
the agony endured by the wretchcd be-
ings to whom the "comb" is applied may
better be imagined than described. 1t
is said that the scr ans of persons sub
iected to this torture are audible
sometimes at q distance of two miles.
BIT sound travels far on these
vast, tranquil plains. The comb is also
applied in the Tuscan provinces, but
quite differently, and with different OBJ
ject. Should a nursing mother catch
cold she is rubbed with Olive oil, and a
new white ivory fine-t tooth comb is placed
on her bosom. She wears 1t day and
night until relieved, and it is asserted by
the peasants that she is always relieved
very speedily. 1t is said that the comb,
when so applied, is sometimes wrapped
with raw silk, but OF this | am not
| nuite srre.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Mexican Vanity.

A Washington letter to the Boston
lrooeller says: The Mcxicans are an is-
norant, bloodthirsty lot, who are never
so happy as when in the midst OF pillages,
robbery and bloodshed. They arc vain,
conceded people. and have the most en-.
largcd ideas of their own prowcss and
valor. Tic illustrate this will tell you
of a certain incident which happeaed
only o month or two ago. A young
Mexican from the City of Mexico, who
is connected with the government, came
to Washington, after tour of nearly al.
the prominent cities of the country.
asked him what his impressions were Of
our people. He said he was astonishcd
at the strides which the United States
had made in the civilization and the arts.
He spoke particularly of music, oI
which he is very fond, and said tha
he had the good fortune to be present al
the concerts given by the famous Nlexi'
can band in New York and Boston. Th
audiences were evidently cultivated and
apprcciative, but he was particularly
struck with the fact that they applaudeG
in the right places. This he considered
to be most remarkable fact, because, h'
said, Mexico was two centuries in ad
vance of this country. Now that mar
was perfectly serious. He meant every
word he said. You cannot get Mexi
can to believe that his country is not the
greatest, the graadest and the most in
vincible nation upon the face OF tn,
globe.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
him, the moments despair was too strong
for his endurance

him, the moments despair was too strong
for his endurance"
"'Greater love hath no man than this,
that man lay down his life for his
friend,'" murmurs Belle Stuart, present.
ly, with little sob. "He died with his
friend, because he could not die for him
and those are Gods words"
A little latter she is waiting alone FOR
Captain Lawrence, who, not little re-
morscful for having saddened her, has
gone to bring her glass Of water.
There are tears in her eyes still, half of
pity for the story she has just heard half
of joy for the story which she knows she
sool will hear. There is lustle of soft
draperics, and from behind some tall
plants comes the beautiful woman who
had been Rose Chester. She comes close
to Miss Stuart, with look in her lovely,
miserable eyes that the girl will never
forg,t.
"You wept just now for them" she
utters, passionately. "It was all my
fault, all of it; but, oh, girl! pity me!
pity me-"
Then in a moment she is gone, and
through the silence throbs ana thrills a
"Waldteufel" waltz, with all its love and
longing and despair.-Nellie Aackubin,
in Harper's Weekly.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
A Detective Oh "Crooks."

"a big thief is never deserted by his
friends. When he is in the hole he can
always raise money, and the amount is
no object. Thousands of dollars would
be forthcoming in half an hours notice
to get Johnny Beaucleigh away from
Clayton. Apecaliar thing about crooks
is that they are MIST often given away
by the womca they associate with, the
betrayal generally arising from jealousy.
Many of them have nice wives and fami-
lies, and no. seldom they live in neigh
borhoods ultra respectable, and their dis
covery startlcs those who associated with
them. Within the LIST ten years-there
have been only one or two good jobs
done in the city. A big sneak was made
on the Office of the St. Louis Ore and
Smelling Company when they were pre-
pairing to pay their hands. The men
,neaked out box containing 81, TOO in
cash and got away. Quite clever
sneak, netting about So, 900, was worked
some years ago on the Biddlc Market
Bank, and the men were not captured.
We know pretty we'll who did the job.
but we couldn't make case. They were
the last jobs OF importance. Since then
the kids have ben doing all the crooked.
work in tho town. They are not very
Ay, but if they were allowed to run they
would tear the town wide open in very
short order. The only thing that keeps
them down is keeping after them con-
stantly. They arc being constantly shown
up to the police, and their haunts are all
reported and watched. They are run in
on every possible chance, end they don't
have much time between their stays in
prison to do much work. They are finally
driven out of town or sent to the peni-
tentiary. "-Gl0be- Democrat.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
In q Raftlesnake Country.

We clip the following from Fort
Keogh (hontana) letter to the Salt Lake
City Tribune: In traversing the distance
between the two dges; accompanied by
Dir. Man. Who Strikes His Enemy, etc.,
a most remarkable adventure beiell me.
As We were ,wading through the tall
grass of the canon, penetrating deeper
aud deeper into its rocky rccesses, all
at once my companion gave me violent
pu'h which sent me spinning some eight
Or ten yards to ono ;side.-r I.qu:ckly re-
gained my balan and cast an anxious
eye at the redskiu, at the same time
cooking my Winchester. Now my dark
skinned friend meant the gentle push
simply as an act OF kindness; for almost
Immediately I'heard the ominous, rattle,
and then learned that had come pretty
oear stepping upon an eight-foot rattle
snake buried in the grass. The Indian
drew deer Thong riding: whip from his
girdle, and with couple of cuts laid
the reptile hors du combat. While we
were watching the ugly thing wriggling
md sqnirming about in the grass Sec
ond rattle was heard close by, and in 9
moment the mate Of the dying serpent
came gliding into view. The Absaraks
brave despatched this one also, which,
measured six feet six inches in the clear.
After this littl diversion we proceed
I'd on our journey toward the tepee2 If
Two Bears. When within 100 yards of
this great chiefs wigwam, or lodge, and
in sort of clearing, where the grass was
short and croppy, for the third time we
heard the unmistakable sound of rattle,
snake, and looked around Just in time to
see monster one disappear in its hole.
The Indian made sign for me to sit on
the ground and keep perfectly quiet. He
threw himself fat on his face, fitted an
arrow to his bow, and waited for the
snake to appear. He had not long to
wait, for the RATHER pokcd his nose
about two inches out of the ground and
followed it up the Lext moment with his
whole head. The Indian looked at me
and looked at him. Twang! went the
bow, and the arrow pierced the snake
through the neck and imbedded itself in Q
rotton stump just the other side. It.
was neatly and clcverly done. TIC rat
tlesnakc was prisoner, the arrow i'm;
paling him just above the ground 30 that
he could move neither way. lie finally
managed to ar himself loose, upon
which he thrashad about snd ratified
furiously. Mya original friend killed
him also and made me present of the
tail, which con sisted of no less than six
teen rattlcs and button. We then pro.
cceded to the tcpec of Two Bears, which
we reached without meeting any mora
rattlesnakes.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Astonishing a Bobby.

Unjust conclude this account of the peo-
ole on board the Pennland with an ANUS
ing story told me by DR.. Eddy, of o.
wego. about Booth, the famous oysterman
of Baltimore. Booth was born in Eng
land, but cameto America when small
boy. He has a great fascination for the
life in England which Dickens painted
with such skill He visits country fairs
and makes the acquaintance of the show
men, and at times runs their side shows
for them. He will go into a London
''cook shop" and call for "weal an
ammer" like one born within the sound
of Bow Bells.
Not long since Mr.. Booth went to AS
cott races and was suddenly attracted BY
two sights. One was typical English
policeman standing with helmet firm on
head erect, chest extended, hands close
by side. From this grand spectacle,
symbolical of the mighty majesty of
British law and order, the oysterman's
eye fell upon sixpenny squirt, which an
old woman was selling.
An idea struck him. Perhaps should
say an irresistible desire.
"What would it COST" said he to o
friend near by, "to fill that squirt with
water and send it in that bobby's eyes9"
About a tcn-pound note," was the
laconic reply. .
In a moment the squirt was bought and
filed with water. and in less time than
it has taken to tell it the policeman had
it fnll in the eye. Had the heavens fallen
the policeman could not have been more
astounded. He was completely broken
up. MIR. Booth expressed his willingness
to pay any fine and was taken before a
Magistrate and ass ,ssed G5, which he paid
with great pleasure.
"What po sessed you to do such a
thing2" said the Magistrate.
81 don't know, sir. Twas seized with
an irresistible desire to do it," replied
Mr.. Booth.
rs there any hereditary insanity in
ysur family?' asked the Magistrate.
"None," said Mr.. th.-Phil1del-
phia Press.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
A Surprising Case.

Dickens has been much criticised for
his apparent acceptance of the fact Of
human spontaneous combustion, but Sir
w. Gull lately testified to surprising
case before the Committee of the House
of Lords on IntempeTancc. A large,
bloated man, who was suffering from
difficulty of breathing and great disten-
sion of the venous system, died at Guys
Hospital. AT the post mortem on the
following day there was no sign of de-
composition, and the body was believed
to be distended with gas. "When
punctures were made into the skin, "
said Sir William, land lighted match
applied, the gas which escaped burned
with the ordinary flame of carburetted
hydrogen. As many as dozen of these
small flames were burning at the same
time"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
His Righteous Indignation.

A pretty fair story is told at the ex.
pense of one of the dealers in ready-made
clothing in this city, being an actual oc.
currence few days ago. A gentleman,
in conversation with the proprietor, was
asked ii he knew certain well-known
young man of the town. He said he
did.
II tells you vot he deet nit me. He
comes here and buys dc best suit Of
clothes in de house and he forgets to pay
for him..
The visitor expressed disapproval al
such neglect of duty and financial loose
ness, wien a new idea seemed to strike
the dealer in hand -me-down clothing.
" II was hear Something's bretty bat ot
him." he cried. 'tVot you dink? He
went oop to schneider's and bought {
suit---and p.a-i-t for 'em"
Here his Indignation was so great that
he said no more, but shook his head
ominously as he inward'y contemplated
the wickedness of this world.-Indian'
zpolis Journal.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Two Views

An Estelline man called on another
one morning this week and said:
'Good morning, Colonel, dOe morn
ing"
''Good morning.
'That's fine hoss of yourn-that
black you got the other day"
eyes, it is very fair horse
sYou bet it is-the best hoss in this
town. I've hcerd number say he come
of very fine stock"
is that So"
ssYes, and understand he trots in con-
siderable Il IS than three minutes" :"
eyes, believe myself it's something
Of trotter."
"Oh, yer right there, Colonel, no
doubt of it. You're mighty good judge
of hoss."
"Well, perhaps"
"Say, Colonel, wouldn't mind lending
me that horse this forenoon while drive
out to the Lake I s'posc going to drive
Slow
"No, have decided not to lend it,"
You havc2 Won't lend him to me
for Jest little drives"
mo, couldn't do it."
"Well, that's blame pretty way ter
refuse man! l low it's all right though
as was goin' ter take the children long
and the blasted critter might run away
and kill some of EN-. Then if he'd balk
like he did with you yeste'day we couldn't
get home till morning. heerd the other
day that you was goin' ter lend him to
some fellrr Jest fore he had one of them
sick spells, then if he died on his hands
you'd make him pay for him. Don't
b'lievc I want to take no chances on q
hoss that's jest the same as dead. Good
morning, Bill. "--Estelline (Dak.) Bell.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
He Mesmcrized Her.

''Do you believe in mesmerism9" shyly
asked sweet young maid, who vii!
graduate from the Somerville High
School next summer, of q young Hnr.
ward Sophomore whom she had met at
MI. Desert.
See. tainly, I do," replied the young
man promptly. II can mesmcrize peo'
pie myself"
''Oh, don't believe it," said the shy
girl, incrcdulously. ''iou couldn't mes
merizc me, now, could you7"
"Well, could try" said the young
man, confidently, leaning toward her in
the moonlight.
= And she acknowledged to her dearest
friend the next day that she did expe.
rience sort of queer tingling sensation
about her lips something like a mesmeric
shock.-Somer0il!e Jv1rnal.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Dragged Into the Air by the Teeth.

At the Pare Leopold, Brussels, recent
iy, Leona Dare actually performed the
feat of holding on by her teeth to sling
suspended from the car OF balloon as It
rose in the air. The balloon, of 81, 316
cubic feet capacity, carrying in its car
the impresario. Spelterini, and the French
aeronaut, Lachambre, rose at quarter past
six: and it was only when Lcona Dare
could no longer be distinguished except
with the aid of glasses, that she drew
herself up to the trapeze and entered the
car by trap-door in the bottom. The
balloon desccnted safely on the estate OF
The Comte dc Beaufort, at Lindea.-Lon.
Ion Era.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01

''He!lo, Fred, you here?"
"Why, Harry, how are you, old man9
Haven't seen you for an age"
"Where you bound2 Mt. Desert?'"
"No; Campobello, with my wife"
"Oh, yes; you are married now. 1
forgot"
eyes; I have deserted the glorious
brotherhood"
$50 that Emmett girl at Mt. Desert
didn't catch you after all. She made a
gallant struggle for you, though, old
man. Let's see, 7 heard you married
some one else, but 'pou my honor for.
get the name"
Emmett"
" "What, er--"
Eyes; the same"
"Oh."-LJe.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Bricks OF Solid Gold.

The Empcror's throne at san-hai is to
have its foundation and pedestal made
of gold bricks, and consequently the
sub .prefect of Sochow has sent to Picking
5000 pieces of gold bricks for the pur'
pose, under the escort of wei-yuen. The
taotai of Tung-chow is now in charge OF
them, and the wei-yuen has informed the
boa,d of works of their safe arrival. A
deputy will soon be appointed by the
board to examine. 1t is said that these
bricks are of the ordinary size and that
they are of solid gold.-7he Shun Ric
China.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01

On the Dcvonshire coast in England a
sea grass is boiled, chopped, mixed with
a small proportion of oat meal, and made
into bread, which keeps from four to
eight days, and is much used by the poor
Welsh people, most of it being sent to
Swansea. -
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01

There are above 10000 feet in altitude
6 points in Alaska, 13 in Arizona, 43 III
California, 246 in Colorado, 3 in Idaho,
10 in Montana, 81 in Nevada, 80 IN New
Mexico, &C in Utah, 4 in Washington
Territory, and 46 in Wyoming.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
BEYOND D.
Around the bend


With id'e oar and Tapping sheet float
And, hopeful, DER the shining vista gloat,
As current. t.borne creeps slowly on my boat
Around the bend.
The waters surface will he smoother there,
The arching bows will frame wide views more
fair.
Ny white-bleached sail will bathe in purel'
air,
Around the bend.
No rudder will l need my skiff to guide,
No tempests DER my sky VIII wildly ride,
No rival keel will gra2e my vessels side,
Around the bend
Down Times broad stream l feel my life
bark swing
The future will but carefree laughter bring,
And all my ways with songs o. praise will
ring.
Around the heai.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01

A wart on the nose, which a quach
called serious, drove Shasta (Cal.) mai
to suicide.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Highest Attitudes in the United States.

Thc New York Times publishes the
following table showing the height OF
some of the highest peaks in the United
states:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
Around the bend

Ny boat goes on with tarrings much the same,
Here beat the storms that up the river came,
The view is changed in nausht except in
name,
Around the bend
Ny life is still the same unrest for me,
Ny course is not more bright, nor quick, nor
free,
The Joy fondly hoped cannot see,
Around the bend.
Charles Hoream Horger, in The Current
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01
BUDGET OF FUN.
HUMOROUS SKETCHES FROM
VARIOUS SOURCES.

A Conversation Overheard-He Mes
merized Her-His Righteous
IndignatiOn-Asto
ing a Bobby-Etc.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-01

that we had some trouble to get our
horses across. Just as we reached the
shore anoise behind made us look around.
Brooke had followed us, after all; his
horse had managed somehow to throw
him in the water. and now, riderless, was
swimming toward us.
"'My Cod heard Fairfax mutter;
and the next instant he had dismounted,
and was pulling off his boots and coat.
"'Let him alone cried, eagerly; he
can take care of himself
';'He cannot swim,' he answered,
shortly, and sprang into the liver.
give minutes after, while he was
swimming about where Brooke had gone
down, he uttered kind of cry and sank.
Of course half dozen of us were in the
water at once, but the current was
stronger than we, stout swimmers though
we were, and it was not until late that
night that the detachment sent back by
the General found the bodies, washed
ashore almost side bv side ut bend in
the rivers bank. There was bruise on
Brooke's temple, where his horse had
kicked him as they struggled in the
water. He must have died instantly
before Fairfax was out of his saddle.
There was nothing about Fairfax to show
what had caused so good swimmer to
sink so suddenly, but l. Are you one
of those Christians. Miss Stuart, who
think that God forbids the Joy of
heaven to those for whose patience the
misery of ealth has been too great''
"What do you mean?' Belle Stuart
asks, rather brcathlessly.
II mean, that though no one else has
ever suspected it, l have conviction
that Fairfax could have saved himself II
he would, but that wh:u he realized that
Brooke was dead, and had died in the
effort to win word OF kindness from
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-26
POINTS ON PEOPLE.

Movements of Citizens and the Coming and
Going Of Strangers.
Mr.. Dan Mcvey, of Chicago, is visiting
friends here.
Mr. Ed Gutman is home from school to
spend the holidays.
Mr.. Bert Hazlett is home from college to
spend the holidays.
Mr.. Will Kelley is home from college TO
spend the holidays.
George A. Barth, Of Wellsburg, was in
the city yesterday.
DR.. McMasters returned the past week
from visit to New York.
Mr.. and Mrs. wm. ElIingham are spend
ing Christmas in Pittsburgh.
Mr.. Clyde Ford has arrived at his home
in Benwood for the holidays.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jos. Wells, Of Peru, III.
are visiting friends on the Island.
J. Brooks and II. A. Spies, Of Mounds.
vile, were at the Mcclure yesterday.
Miss Lee Monroe, of Philadelphia, is Wis
iting friends on the South Side for the hol.
idays.
Mr.. Ed BodleY is home from medical
college at Philadelphia, to pass the hol-
idays.
DR.. John Fl. Mcclure is home from hi:
studies at Philadelphia, to spend the hoii'
days.
Miss Katie Crew is lying i'll with ty
phoid fever at her home on Thirteenth
street.
J.L. McCulleeh and family are spending