davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
Tree Superstitions.

The ash has always been associated
with superstition, more Of divinatory
character than anything else.
Among the ancients it was generally
believed that lightning would not touch
the bay tree.
In classic times the laurel, one of our
most beautiful evergreens, was famous
for its many virtues.
One of the most sacred trees in the
east is the peepul, which is venerated
alike by the Buddhist and the Hindoo.
The whitening of the bay tree was
considered an omen of the most dan
gerous character, and a sure presage OF
death.
To belief that the whitethorn form
ed Christ's crown of thorns is due a
French superstition that this tree utters
groans and cries on Good Friday.
The old superstition, which refuses
to give up the ghost, is that if the oak
gets into leaf before the ash, we may
expect fine and productive year.
There is evidence that some virtue or
Significance was once associated with
the box tree, by the discovery of twigs
of this tree in some of the old British
barrows in Essex.
The pine tree is one of the most use
full and luXuriant of Our forest trees,
and in ancient days it received an
amount of veneration amongst the
Greeks and Romans, similar to the oak
tree amongst the Druids.
1t is believed that a twig of the hazel
placed over the door of dwelling
house is an infallib.e charm against
lightning; and various other supernat-
ural powers are attributed to this mys-
tic tree.
From Mexico there comes q peculiar
tree known as the "tree of little
hands, 1t is thus called owing to the
fact that its five peculiarly curved an
theirs bear some slight resemblance to
the fingers of child.
The holly tree has become an object
of worship, like the mistletoe, and at
one time new born children were
sprinkled with water impregnated
with holly to ward off evil spirits.
The Brahmins believe that to dream
of q mango tree is indicative OF the
coming of q friend; that if the mango
tree be in bloom he will come with
good news; if in fruit, with some rich
presents.
The Juice of the hemlock, which is
deadly in it's effect, was abstracted by
the Greeks; and, in cases of capital Of
fenses, the criminal was given dose
if his crime had not been particularly
heinous.
Arabia has curious tree, the seeds
of which, it is said, if pulverized and
taken in small doses, will excite even
the most sedate persons to perform all
the contortions, facial and bodily, OF a
circus clown, for about the space of one
hour.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
Three Little Chicks.

Three little chicks
Got intonf fix,
Would you like to know what about?
Well, listen a minute,
There's something In it,
1t Is we'll for you all TO find out.
Hear the old hen say,
In an old hens way,
That each little chick understood,
30 dear! o deari
dreadfully fear
You Gre all very naughty and rude!"
But they stretched up their necks,
And continued their peIks,
AS they wiclledly fought with each other,
And then The hen saw beside her
A hairy, fat spider,
And then she knew what was the bother.
1t hung by thread
From the rnfter o'erhead,
And Whitley and Speck lie and Grey
Each wanted the bite,
And you see how the fight
Began In the usual way.
Whitley crowded off Speck,
And gave Grey peck,
And said, "Go away; 1t is mine!"
But Speckle and Grey
Said, emphaticaily, Nay!
/ am bound on that Spider to diner
And now would you see
. Just which Of the three
Secured the prize he was after?
While they were fighting,
And scratching anu biting,
The spider went home to the raiter,
And each little sinner
Had lost good dinner,
And the spider might chuckle and say,
"Ha, ha, my fine chicks,
That Is one Of my tricks,
And gain and you lose in that way!"
The old mother hen
Turned soberly then,
And said to her children three,
"You may see, II you choose,
How you always will lose,
BY acting so selflshly.
"You 60 hungry to bed,
With each sore head,
While the spider sits up on the rafter
To enjoy your defeat
In taking his meat,
And is shaking all over with laughter"
From this little fable p
am sure you are able
To learn what you all ought to know
That selfish contention,
AS hardly need mention,
VIII never good thing bestow.
Methodist Recorder.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
Simple Willingness.

"a simple willingness to serve the
Master.n It was d petition in. q good
mans prayer, which, falling on the
ear of the writer, has long dwelt in her
memory. .'..... ....
In this busy, hurrying age, when 80
many are working at fever heat, IN the
church as well as out Of it-when our
books and papers, the sermons we
hear, even our intercourse with
friends, all seem to stimulate to yet
greater activity; that prayer for sim
pie willingness falls like a soothing
balm upon the overweight.
There are some of us-just few
whose hands are not idle, but who
chafe and fret against the bounds Of
our appointed place, and look longing
ly toward what we deem nobler,
larger work. The words mission"
vocation" "a higher sphere of activi-
ty,n so much on the lips nowadays, too
often steal between US and q simple
willingness.
We are too prone, "The daily task
forgetting" to look too eagerly beyond
to some great work we should love to
perform for the Master; while We
count as common" the work he him.
self has laid upon our hands. We
pant to serve him in the throng, when
he calls us to desert place.
"Do not pray for strength to bear
the tortures of the Inquisition." says
Spurgeon, "when what you need may
be grace to darn the family hose un-
complainingly."
We may fondly think how well we
might serve the Master 'in such and
such place." "If I were free from
such heavy homely cares" sighs one:
eff had only my once firm health,"
means another.
But what we may need for service
anywhere is the simple willingness to
'do the next thing" whatever that
may be.
How would the church-aye, the
world-grow in grace, if the servants
of Christ more frequently and sincere.
ly lifted and practiced this beautiful
petition !-Se2ecie0.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
The True Gentleman.

It would be difficult to point out I;
word in the English language that is
more frequently misapplied than the
appellation, gentleman. In common
parlance, it is used to designate any
man whose coat, hat, boots and linen
are in good condition., and who Is
neither charitably cared for in an aims
house nor forcibly detained in a Jail.
TO tell the truth, there are some who
have been in Jail, and q still greater
number who ought to be, who are daily
spoken of by that title.
A cunning sharper, without educa
ton, principle, or sense OF gratitude,
whose life-plan, formed in early youth,
has been to hoodwinll, overreach and
swindle all with whom he has come in
business contact, and who lives IN
splendor on the proceeds OF moral telo-
nies so dexterously managed as to have
escaped the penalties OF the law, IS,
nevertheless, by modern conventional,
ism. styled gentleman. We need
not. 90 far to lay our fingers upon such
gentlemen. We rub shoulders with
them upon the sidewalks, and see hats
touched to them as they spass. They
dash in elegant carriages through our
thoroughfares, driven by honester men
than themselves. Such individuals,
when they die full Of years, and rich
in the compound interest Of iniquity,
are "regrctted" us "eminent citizens" "
and the most fulsome obituary puffs
are Offered to their names.
But, after all, there is a class of socl-
ETY. that recognizes gentlemen in the
abstract, and dcspises the bogus ware
that passes current for the genuine ar
ticle. Probity, independence, unset
fishness, tender regard for the feelings
of Others, and hearty hatred fol-
whatever is mean, tricky, vulgar, OF
profane-thcse arc among the qualities
that distinguish the true gentleman.
Satnanlc1ViLic NeaUs.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25

The example of Chist and his apos-
ties affords q practical proof of the pa
cific efficacy of the gospel, and of the
universal love it breathes to the hui.
man family. Christian virtue can no
more be bent from its firm and upright
position, to suit the petty views of the
cunning and malicious, or even the
specious views of political expediency,
than the main pillar Of q temple can
be bent from its perpendicular, with
out endangering the ruin of the whole
edifice. The elements of peace are In
their nature supremely virtuous the
elements of war highly vicious.
There is nothing of seeming contempt
which can rob the first of its excel
lence, nor of gorgeous display can hide
the deformity of the last and confer
upon it real glory.
Thomas Hancock.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
Simple Faith.

A story is told of q street boy In
London who had both legs brokers by
Il dray passing over them. He was
laid away in one of the bees Of the hos
pital to die, and another little creature
Of the same class was laid near~b by.
picked up sick with famine fever.
The latter was allowed to lie down by
the side of the little crushed boy. He
crept up to him, and said:
Bobby did you ever hear about Je-
sus" .9IsIS5.
mo, l never heard of HIM.
'Bobby, went to the mission school
once and they told us that Jesus would
take you to Heaven when you die, and
you'dnever have hunger any more,
and no pain, if. you axed Him.
II couldn't ask such a great big gem
tleman as He to do anything. for me.
He wouldn't stop to speak to boy
like me.n ~.
"But He'll do all that if you ak,
Him." .' .E..t-
"How can I ak him if I don't know
where He lives ;and how could get
there when both my legs is broke ?n
"Bobby they told me at the mission
school as how Jesus passes by. Teach
er says he goes around. How do you
know but what He might come around
to this hospital this very night.
You'd konw him if you was to. see,
Him"
"But I can't keep my eyes open.
My legs fell SO awful bad. Doctor says
I'll die" 4s Z
Bobby hold up your hand, and
He'll know what you want when He.
passes by"
They got the hand mp. 1t dropped.
Tried again. 1t slowly fell back.
Three times he got up the little hand
only to let it fall. Bursting into tears,
he said, "I'll give it up"
"Bobby, lend me yer hand put yer.
elbow on my piller; I can do with
out it,"
So one hand was propped up. And
when they came in the morning the
boy lay dead, his hand still held up
for Jesus. You may search the world,
and you cannot find q grander Illus;
tration of simple trust than that of
thelittle boy who had been to mission
school but once.
The Christian Guardian. (
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
The State Of South Carolina,
County of Abbeville.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

Francis f. Ellis, Esse r. Callahan, Mary VI.
Adams, Martha f. Clinkscales, NJ. Annie
Bryant, c. Della Williams, Plaintiffs
against
Christopher Ellis, Lemuel n. Tribble and
James Jones, Clayton Jones, Malta Fut-
rell, Margaret f. Jones, Laura Tribble
Jones, Dixia Ann Jones, Leona a. Jones,
Samuel V. Jones, Earl Jones and Marsh
Jones, children of Margaret +. Jones
deceased, Defendants.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25

After being supplied with these
thing, we will take pleasure ir
showing you our beautiful line o1
durable, perfect fitting
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25

Judge no one by his relations, what
ever criticisms you pass upon his com
panions. Relations, like features, are
thrust upon us; companions, like
clothes, are more or less our own selec'
ton.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25

""The bleakest landscape in the world
brightens into something like beauty
when the sun shines upon it. So love,
the richer, sweeter light of the soul,
makes any face beautiful"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
COPY SUMMONS. FOR RELIEF
Complaint not SerUed)

To the Defendants Christopher Ellis, Lemucl
n. TrIbbe and James Jones, Clayton
Jones, Malta Futrell, Margaret E. Jones,
Laura Tribble Jones, Dixie Ann Jones,
Leona a. JONES' Samuel V. Jones, Earl
Jones and Marsh Jones. children Of Mar
garet f. Jones, deceased.
on ARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND
required to answer the complaint in this ac-
ton, which is filed in the office of the Clerk
OF Common Pleas for the said County, and
to serve a copy of your answer to the said
complaint on the subscribers at their
office at Abbeville Court House. South Car
olina, within twenty days after the service
hereof, exclusive Of the day Of such service;
and II you fail to answer the complaint with
in the time aforesaid, the plaintiffs in this
action will apply to the Court for the relief
demanded in the complaint.
Dated Abbeville, December 9th, 1889.
PARKER & MCGOWAN,
Plaintiffs Attorneys.
To the absent Defendants, Lemuel A. Tribble,
James Jones, Clayton Jones, Malta Fut-
rell, Margaret E. Jones, Laura T. Jones,
Dlxia A. Jones, I.eona A. Jones, Samuel
V. Jones, Earl Jones and Marsh Jones,
children of Margaret +. Jones, deceased.
TAKE NoTICE-That the summons OF
which above is copy, with Complaint, has
been filed in the Office Of Clerk of Court at
Abbeville, being for the Partition Of certain
Real Estate in which Esse Ellis, deceased, had
q lie Estate.
PARKER & MCGOWAN,
Attorneys.
December llth, 1889.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25

There is slight difference between
q lottery and u mustard plaster-the
latter always draws something.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-25
EMERSON SHOES.

1--WE have forgotten about our love,
|Iy line of CRAVATS, but viii
"get there all the same" Anc
now for our suggestions fol-
CHRISTMAS Presents. For the
Boys nothing can be nicer than a
a complete outfit, consisting Of a
suit of Clothes, an Overcoat, a
Crush Hat, a pair Of nice Shoes
and a Cravat. Also a Par|or
Rifle, a Shot Gun, or a Pocket
Knife.
For smaller boys, we have
Rubber Balls, Toy Pistols, Dumb
Watches and Chains, Wheel
barows, Wagons and Drums.
For general Christmas pre-
sents we have an elegant line Of
Glass Lemonade Sets, Guest
Cups and Saucers, Vases, Triple
Plated SiIverware, beautiful Silk
Handkerchiefs, Cuff Buttons,
Scarf Pins, Ladies Lace Pins, In
fant's Lace Pins, Watch Chains,
ChiIdren's Tea Sets, Doll Cani-
ages, Doll Cribs, Doll Chairs and
other eIagant things too numer-
Gus to mention. DON'T FOR
|GET OUR
SMYRNA A RUGS!
They make splendid Christmas
present. Everybody appreciates
them. Our Stock Of
Groceries
will also be complete with the
choicest goods for the CHRIST
MAS HOLIDAYS. Don't forget
us. You can't afford it.
P. ROSENBERG & co.
AbbeviIIe, S. c., II Dec, 1880
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09

Ed. Grochman, = professional
swOrd-swdlOwer, came to grief last
evening in a very peculiar manner
He enteredsa saloon ON the Potrar0,
and, bOastiHg of his pnowess, offered
to swallow axwOrd for the small SUN
Of one beer. One of the men in the
saloon, who AVA evidently a logician,
argued hat if friedman could swallow
a sword he ought also to he able to
swallow a poker. He therefore pro-
posed this to tAe sword-swAllower,
who. ON the proaise OF sundry beers,
readily agreed. Alarge-sized poker was
procured and TrOeAnlan swallowed it.
When he pulled it ont again he COM
planned of severe pains in the region
OF his heart. He complained to Officer
Eastman, and at last became so i'll
that it was found necessary to take
him to the receiving hospital for
treatment. Trochman says he won't
swallow any more pokers.-San Fran
cisco Alta,
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09
due Ibibooaux 5entind
FEE. 9, 1889,
4 Prize St1H.

A,Western paper recently offered a
prize for. the hest story to be written
by a pupil of a public se4ool. Here
are a few passages from the contribu-
itions:
"Cora Brown was fortunately the
PossessOr Of a birthday, for she was
4Ae daughter of rich friends"
"But all. this timea cloud was gather
ing over Mrs. Delaney, which grew
large as years went by, and that cloud
was full of grasshoppers."
"My father desired me to marry a
bank president, Il reckless man, fond
of nought save the gaming table,"
"'Vat l dell you? vat ! dell youg
shouted the Irishman."
"As she entered the il cold,
damp smell met her sight"
"The Jews celebrate Christmas in
the summer"
":She forgot the Lord and all His
blessings and after that she went and
got Observation-Disclosures Herald.
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09
4 Blind Boys Power.

There is a totally blind young man
in Pine Grove, Esmeralda county, who
has acquired powers that in a measure
compensate him for his misfortune.
Pine Grove is situated in a deep and
narrow canyon, surrounded by high
mountains and there is not Il land
mark within a radius of ten miles, that,
if required to do so, this young man
could not walk up to-. He works in
the mines as pick-boy and general
rOustabOut and at times runs II car.
In that section every one is more or
less familiar with the workings Of the
mines and knows that there are many
crosscuts. inclines, etc. in every mine.
The blind boy, if ordered to any por-
ton of the mines to secure any tool.
will accomplish the errand in as salts
factory a II as would any of his
fellow-workers with IA lighted candle
and good sight to aid them. From
the centre Of the town to the house
where most of the men lodge it is quite
a long distance, and on dark nights
this young man, deprived by a SEEM
ingly hard providence of so great il
blessing as sight, is depended upon to
guide the men safely home, which he
does, Notwithstanding that on each
side of the narrow trail there are many
prospect holes and old cellars.
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09
A Common Cold

Il often the beginsing ef serious adec-
lions OF the Throat, Bronchial Tubes,
and Lungs. Therefore, the importance Of
early and effective treatment cannet be
ovcrestimated. Ayers Cherry Pectoral
may alwaysbc relied upon for the speedy
cure Of . Cold or Cough.
Last January 1 was attacked with a
severe Cold, which. by neglect and fire.
quent exposures, became worse, finally
settling on my lungs. A terrible cough
Boon followed, accompanied by pains in
the chest, from which l suffered intensely.
After trying various remedies, without
obtaining relief, / commenced taking
Ayers Cherry Peetoral, aud was
Speedily Cured.
/ AN satisfied that this remedy saved my
life.-Jno. Webster, Pawtucket, Il. L.
! contracted n severe cold, which sud-
denly developed into Pneumonia, present.
ing dangerous and obstinate symphonic.
Ny physician Mt once ordered the use of
Ayers Cherry PectOral. His instructions
were followed, and the result was a rapid
and permanent cure. III. Z. Simpson,
Rogers Prairie, Texas.
Two wears ago I suffered from q severe
Cold which settled Oh my Lungs. / con-
builcu various pDySiclan1, ana look the
medicines they prescribed, but received
only temporary relief. A friend induced
me to try Ayers Cherry Pectoral. After
taking two bottles Of this medicine l was
cured. Since then 1 have given tho Pee
toral to my children, aud consider it
The Best Remedy
for Colds, Coughs, and all Throat and
Lung diseases, ever used in my family
Robert Vallderp0ol, Meadvillc, Pa.
Some time ago I took a slight Cold,
which, being neglected, grew worse. and
settled OH my lungs. l had a hacking
cough, and was very weak. Those who
knew me best considered my life to be
in great danger. l continued to suffer
until l commenced using Ayers Cherry
PectOral. Less than one bottle Of this val-
liable medicine cured Int, and ! feel that
| owe the preservation of my life to its
curative powcrs.-E 5. Ann Lockwood,
Akron, New York.
Ayers Cherry Electoral is considered,
here. the one great remedy for all diseases
Of the throat and lungs, and il more
III demand than any other medicine of its
class. Sd. T. Roberts, Magnolia, Ark.
Ayers Cherry PectoraI,
Prepared By DR.. J. c.. Aver & Co., Lowell, Mass.
Sold BY Druggists. Price 81; six bottles, ta.
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09

1t was getting late when the girl
said shyly:
"lou look worried about m
thing, Mr.. HarkintOn."
Il am" he replied. ~ have in my
pocket $4,000 package of govern
ment bonds which 1 foolishly forgot
to deposit to-day, and-and aside from
that love you so devotedly, Miss
Schermerhorn, l am afraid to learn
my fate"
"As for the bonds, Mr.. Harkinton,"
replied the girl, with a busines IS air,
"papa has a safe in the house and
regarding the-the other matter, why
why, think SO many of us are apt
to borrow trouble, Mr.. Harkinton.n
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09

The construction of watches with
0ut hands has lately attracted some
attention. the usual hands being
replaced by figures denoting the hour
and minute, which appear at openings
in the dial plate; the mechanism is
simple, and only : few more parts are
required than in an ordinary watch.
W wheels are used to denote the
mlnute-One, which moves forward
once III a minute, being geared to a
second one, marked with the ten min
ute fignres, and every ten minutes a
tooth Oh the first wheel engages with
the teeth on the second, moving it for
ward one figure. Thus every minute
OF the hour is shown on the face of the
watch. ut its completion, both minute
wheels show two ciphers and are ready
to begin the round again; the hour
Is shown Oh a separate wheel, and an
ordinary hand indicates the seconds.
vi the advantages of this kind of
watch, it is remarked that few people
read the time Of an ordinary watch
accurately, and if the experience is
tired OF glancing at the face in the
usual manner, and then naming the
time, it will be found that an error
of from half i minute to three minutes
will be generally made. With the
watch, it is claimed, no error can
possibly occur, and there is the added
advantage that. at the end of every
minute, an audible click is sounded as !
number changes, by which one
measure short intervals of time.
V in the night.-HouschoM Monthlu.
The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-02-09

Perry Belmont, our new Minister to
Spain, year in and year out v
changes his style Of neckwear. Des-
pite the changes in style and the fact
that he has sometimes been accused
of being a dude, he still sticks to Il
black satin scarf and a handsome pearl
pin, and no remembers ever see
ing him with anything else. Mr.. Bel
mont will be accompanied to Madrid
by his mother, the wife of August
Belmont, the New York representative
OF the Rothschilds. Years ago Mr..
Belmont, ST., was the American minis
ter at the Hague, and Mrs. Belmont
presided over the legation with such
grace that she was one Of the most
popular society women at that capital.
Mrs. Belmont is now somewhat ad-
vanced in years, but she might easily
be taken for her own daughter. She
has the appearance, air and figure Of a
we'll preserved woman not
yet of middle age, and, as she is a
brilliant conversationalist and a fine
llngulst, the American Legation at
Madrid will reflect credit on the conn
try.