davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Praying in Half a Room.

In a large and respectable school
near Boston, two boys-from different
States, and strangers to each other
were compelled by circumstances to
room together. 1t was the beginning
of the term, and the two students spent
the first day in arranging their rooms
and getting acquainted. When night
came the younger of the boys asked
the other if he did not think it would
he good idea to close the day with a
short reading from the Bible and a
PRAYER. The request was modestly
made. without whining or cant OF
anv kind. The other boy however,
bluntly refused to listen to the propo-
sal. -
"Then you will have no objection if
1 pray by myself, suppose ?" said the
Younger. ut has been my custom,
and | wish to keep it up"
II don't want any praying IN tnis
room, and won't have it !" retorted his
companion.
The younger boy rose slowly, walked
to the middle of the room, and stand
ing upon a seam in the carpet which
divided the room nearly equally, said
quietly:
Half of this room is mine. l pay
for it. You may choose which hall
you will have. will take the other,
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Show Your Love "NOW."

"I have little story to tell YOU
boys" our old neighbor said to the
young people the other evening. lone
day-a long, hot day it had been, too
I met my father on the road to town.
"'I wish you would take this pack
age to the village for me, Jim, he said,
hesitating.
"Now, I was o boy of twelve, not
fond of work, and just out OF the hay
field, where had been at work since
daybreak. I was tired, dusty, and
hungry. 1t was two miles into town.
l wanted to get my supper, and to
dress for singing-class.
"My first impulse was to refuse, and
to do it harshly; for I was vexed that
he should ask me after my long days
work. If I did refuse, he would 60
himself. He was gentle, patient old
man. But something stopped me
one of Gods good angels. L think.
"'Of course, father, I'll take it, L
said. heartily, giving my scythe to one
of the men. He gave me the package.
Thank you, Jim,' he said. Il was
going myself, but some how l don't
feel very strong to-day
He walked with me to the road
that turned off to the town, and as he
left he put his hand on my arm, say
ing again, Thank you, my son.
You've always been a good boy to ME,
JIM
81 hurried into town and back again.
When I came near the house l saw a
crowd of the farm-hands at the door.
One of them came to me, the tears roll
ing down his face. :,
"'Your fathern he said. He fell
dead lust as he reached the house.
The last words he spoke were to you ,
l am an old man now, but l have
thanked God over and over again, in
all the years that have passed since
that hour and, those last words were,
"You've always been good boy to
me-"
No human being ever yet was sorry
or love or kindness shown to Others.
Put there is no paug of remorse so
keen as the bitterness with which we
remember neglect or coldness which
we have shown to loved ones who are
dead.-Our Sunday afternoon.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
..0nt of the Months Of Babes"

Two sermons from the little ones
come together on the EDITORS desk,
and are passed on to the older brothers
and sisters. The first is prayer offer-
ed by the little son of a missionary III
China:
20 Lord, thou knowest we are very
kind and loving to each other on
birthdays and Christmas day; please,
Lord, make us kind and loving on all
the common days too" ;,
The other is all incident related by
a correspondent of all exchange: :.
"'How is the baby?' I asked, dreari-
ly, standing at the foot of the stair
case leading up to chamber where
the little one lay i'll. I was tired and
unhopeful; my mood came out III my
tone.
"'Peak like you do when you
laueh.' called the weak little voice up
stairs; and if 1 ever felt rebuked Dy
an angel, that was the moment.
1T has come up to me hun9reo
times since; 1 hope l am the brighter
and cheerier for it. Speak like you
laugh That means sparkle and glad
ness and goodwill. Those fretful lines
at the mouth-corn don't come from
laughing. The weary ones around the
ewes have another origin. But the
pIainest outward sign of dependency
is that in the tone. The sick feel II
that is why visitors are forbidden.
Little children are infallible weather.
prophets; they will not take to- you.
And you and |, neither sick nor young,
but busy, and often tired, we love-
YES, that is the word we love- the
bright, loving, laughing, happy voice;
Speak like you do when you laugh. :"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
The Secret of the Lord.
G.. II. ". in Watchmdn

The secret of mathematics is with
the mathematician. A child OF a 10"
wears of age sees columns of figures
and number of rules, and gets small
idea that there is such thing as the
science of mathematics, but it IS q
dark mystery to the child. 1t Will re-
main profound mystery to him un,
til he becomes q mathematician and
even then he may know but very little
of the secret, as compared with what
NAV be known. The secret of mathe'
mathematics with the mathematician Is
in proportion to his knowledge Of the
science of mathematics and his skill
in working out the difficult problems
of the science. He may possess the Sc.
cret of ordinary arithmetic, and yet
may not possess the secret OF algebra,
And he may understand the secret OF
algebra after a while, and yet not un'
derstand the secret of geometry during
all his life. And yet it may be truly
said that he possesses the secret o.
mathematics. Now, "The secret Of
the Lord is," as the psalmist says
"with those who fear him." Is there
any thing strange or unreasonable In
this assertion? No; it is one of the
most reasonable things in the world
It is the legitimate and logical out
come of SOULS living and loving rela'
tion to his Lord. He who has expert
enced a real change of heart knows
something of Christ which all uncon'
verted person cannot know SO long as
he remains unreconciled to God. Nc
one can understand the love of Chrisl
until he has felt the power of thai
love throbbing in his soul, and prompt
ing him to respond to Chrlst,s love pS
grateful alteration and a glad willing
ness to obey his bidding. But the
Christian does not understand the
whole secret of his Lord, and never
will In this world. And yet what lit
tie he does know of it makes him anx'
ious to learn more, and his efforts are
rewarded even in this life.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Pensions, and So Forth.

Thoughtful men OF all partles concur
in the conviction that there are certain
tendencies of the times in the dlrec'
ton of the evils that plunder and bur-
den and irritate the masses in Europe
Our pension-list, already enormous be-
yond precedent in all the worlds his
tory, is not heavy enough to suit tne
designs of many who propose by one
pretext or another to swell IL lndeh'
nitely. It is not the brave men Whe
fought, but the schemers who piundel
the treasury in the name OF phllan'
thropy or patriotism, who are press,
ing this business beyond the limits OF
reason and conscience. In keeping
with this tendency is the proposltion
to pension the ex-Presidents OF the
United States, which would be the en-
tering wedge for further folly OF the
same sort. Our two living ex-Hresl'
dents do not need eleemosynary ala'
Mr.. Hayes is a thrifty agriculturlst l1 .
Ohio, with plenty of broad acres anu
q comfortable bank account: MT
Cleveland is an able-bodied lawyer,
who earned his own living before ne
was made President, and who is both
able and willing to do so now. II
their number was not ot.s so 10 Large nsnsion IT
might pay, in some sense, 10 pension
off a certain class of scheming ,polltl'
clans, if they would give bond with with
good security that they would keeI
their mouths shut and let the national
treasury alone. This being impractl, ..e IL,
cable. let Congress and the people turn
a deaf ear to them and keep a ylgllan'
watch upon them and their pluud1er' 81
ing schemes. The Judges OF the Su,
preme Court and retired army and
navy officers now on the list may per-
haps be properly allowed to remain, H.
but there should be no further advance
on that line. In a free republic, where
every man has chance in life, and
where every man is supposed to pe
politically the peer of every other sns the the
fewer there are of these pensioners the
more it will accord with the genius OF
our republican form of government
1ashville Ch. I'D.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Baking Cake.

If sponge cake is soft and "meaty,"
it is probably because bread flour has
been used instead of pastry flour. Or
it may have been beaten too much.
Always be careful not to slam the
oven door or set things down heavily
on the stove when cake is baking, as it
may be at just that point when the jar
will cause the cake to fall flat.
Always turn cake out on cloth,
as it will stick to a board or plate.
Pieces of old tablecloths, hemmed,
make good cake cloths.
Angel cake is not difficult to make
it should be handled about like sponge
cake, and baked in a moderate oven.
The baking is the hardest part.
An even teaspoonful of baking pow
der to q cup of flour is a good proper
ton. .,
In beating for long time with the
spoon, turn it over and use the spoon
backward and it will be found much
easier.
In making anything with sour milk
add the soda last, or put it into the
-four or meal and sift it in last, 80 as to
save all the effervescence.
In preparing tin. paper the end
first, then lay in a strip to cover bot
tom and Sides To attempt to paper
the whole tin with one sheet of paper
makes too many folds in the corners
and too many wrinkles in the cake.
If you have any frosting left after
decorating the cake, use it for sWeeten-
ing something else, or seal up tight in
a glass jar and keep it for days if you
wish, for plain frosting. If it seems
stiff add bit of lemon juice and beat
hard.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Fortunes in Small Things.

The New Jersey man who hit upon
the idea Of attacking q rubber-eraslng
tip to the end of lead pencils is worth
S2OO, 900. The miner who invented a
metal rivet or eyelet at each end of the
mouth of coat and trousers pockets, 10
resist the strain caused by the carriage
of pieces of ore and heavy tools, has
made more money from his letters.
patent than he would have made had
he "struck" a good vein of gold-bear-
ing quartz. Every one has seen the
metal plates that are used to protect
the heels and soles of rough shoes, but
every one doesn't know that within
ten years the man who hit upon the
idea has made S250,OO0. AS large a
sum as was ever obtained for any in
vention was enjoyed by the Yankee
who invented the inverted glass bell to
hang over gas Jets to protect ceilings
from being blackened by smoke. "A
simple thing? Yes, very. frequent
ly time and circumstances are wanted
before all invention is appreciated, but
patience is frequently rewarded, anu
richly rewarded, too, for the inventor
of the roller-skate has made 81 100000,
Notwithstanding the fact that his pat
enI had nearly expired before the value
of it was ascertained in the craze for
roller-skating that spread over the
country several years ago. The gim-
let-pointed screw has produced more
wealth than most silver mines, and
the Connecticut man who first thought
of putting copper tips on the. toes o.!
children's shoes is as we'll Oft as II ne
had inherited 81 100000, for that's the
amount his idea has realized for him
in cold, clammy coin.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
On Guard.

It is q great mistake to think that
with safety to yourselves you can read
improper books or listen to impure talk
or counteuance unseemly jests or asso'
ciate with people of doubtful oehavior'
You often hear people say-young peo'
ple, perhaps, more especlaily-'
yes! I read so-and-so for the beauty OF
the verse or the power of the story, or
the elegance of the style: I enjoy all
that, and what is wrong in it does not
hurt me.n They are mistaken, and, II
NAV be, fatally mistaken. Wicked
and impure thoughts, words, stories.
songs, are so many unbarred lanes
along which your great enemy comes to
tempt you. -, -. -
There is a painful story told of a
man who, having been once a great
sinner, was saved by the power of God
and brought to lead Christian life. He
truly repented OF his sins ana strove
to bring forth the fruits of repentance,
but it was a thorny path. When ne
sought to pray or to mediate, instantly
his mind was flooded with impious
and irreverent and unclean pictures
and phrases from the experience OF his
former ungodly years. The purity
that he would, he could not secure, and
the evil that he despised---that was
constantly present with him. Be
warned by this sad experience; turn
resolutely frem all things in your dal,
ly life that are not pure and lovely and
of good report, remembering that
character, like cloth when white, can
easily be dyed black, but when once
blackened can never be made perfectly
white again.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Marriage is q Failure.

When either of the parties marry for
money.
When the lord of creation pays more
for cigars than his better half does for
hosiery, boots and bonnets.
When one of the parties engages in
a business which is not approved by
the OF e.
When both parties persist in arguing
over a subject upon which they never
have thought and never can think
alike.
When neither husband nor wife
takes vacation.
When the vacations are taken by
one side of the house only.
When man attemps to tell his wife
what style of bonnet she must wear.
When Il mans Christmas presents
to his wife consist of bootjacks, shirts
and gloves for himself.
When the watchword is: "Each Tor
himself.'
When dinner is not ready at dinner
time.
When "he" snores loudest while
"she" kindles the fire.
When father takes half of the pie
and leaves the other half for the one
that made it and her eight children.
When the children are given the
neck and back of the chicken.
When children are obliged to clam
or for their rights.
When the money that should go for
books goes for only what one side OF
the house knows anything about.
When there is too much latchkey.
When politeness, fine and kindly at
tentions are reserved for company OF
visits abroad.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
Why Charley Lost His Place.

Charley was whistling merry tune
us he came down the road, with his
hands in his pockets, his cap pushed
back on his head, and general air OF
good-fellowship with the world.
He was on his way to apply for po-
sition in stationer's store that he was
very anxious to obtain, and in his
pocket was the best of references con-
cerning his character for Willingness
and honesty. He felt sure that there
would not be much doubt of his OBJ
tanning the place when he presented
these credentials.
A few drops of rain fell, as the bright
skv was overcast with clouds, and he
began to wish that he had brought an
umbrella. From house just little
way before him two little children
were starting out for school, and the
mother stood in the door smiling ap-
proval as the boy raised the umbrella
and took the little sister under the shell
ter in manly fashion. -,
Charley was a great tease. and, like
most bows who indulge in teasing or
rough practical jokes, he always took
care to select for his victim some one
weaker or younger than himself.
"I'll have some fun with these chill
dren,n he said to himself; and before
they had gone very far down the road
he crept up behind them and snatched
the umbrella out of the boys hand.
In vain the little fellow pleaded with
him to return it. Charley took ma
licious delight in pretending that he
was going to break it or throw it over
the fence and as the rain had stopped,
he amused himself in this way for
some distance, making the children
run after him and plead with him tear
fully for their umbrella.
Tired of this sport at last, he relin-
quished the umbrella as carriage ap-
preached, and leaving the children to
dry their tears, went on toward the
store.
Mr.. Mercer was not in, so Charley
sat down on the steps to wait Tor MN.
An old gray cat was basklng IN the
sun, and Charley amused himself by
pinching the poor animals tail till she
mewed pitifully and struggled to es-
cape.
While he was enjoying this sport,
Mr.. Mercer drove up in his Garage,
and passed Charley on his way into
the Store. The boy released the cat,
and, following the gentleman in res
pectfully presented his references:
"These do very WE'LL" Mr.. Mercer
said, returning the papers to Charley.
"If I had not seen some of your other
references, I might have engaged you"
"Other references? What do you
mean, sir?n asked Charley in aston
iShment.
II drove past you this morning
when you We're on your way here, and
saw you diverting yourself by teasing
two little children. A little later dog
passed you, and you cut him with the
switch you had in your hand. You
SHE'D stone at bird, and just now
YOU were delighting yourself in tor
menting another defenseless animal.
These are the references that have de-
cided me to have nothing to do with
you. l don't want q cruel boy about
me.n
AS Charley turned away, crestfallen
over his disappointment, he determin-
ed that wanton cruelty, even though IT
seemed to him to be only "fun,"
should not cost him another good
place.-llinnie e. Kenney, IN Sun
ddy-SchoOI Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
mained, and a worldly, selfish spirit

NAMED, and worldly, selfish spirit
held sway.
We have seen others who, while
they prayed, remembered the sick and
poor in their prayers; called the af-
ficted of their own congregation by
name; spoke in their daily converse
ton of the need of this sister or broth
er; suggested acts of kindness which
the members of the church might do
those about them; led the way and set
the example in what they suggested
spoke kindly of brother when others
censured; commended the woman
who sat up with her neighdor's sick
child; the brother who paid the poor
family's rent; the example OF the
mother who ruled in model house
hold; and thus, by throwing the light
of Christian teaching upon all the
common affairs Of life and seeking to
develop Christian faithfulness in them,
lifted up the whole church and light
ened and blessed the whole communl-
ty.
Which, think you, is the better way ?
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
The Military Unduly Prominent al
the Constitutional Centennial
in New York.

Prof. Felix Adler of the Society for
Ethical Culture spoke to large audi
ence in Chickering Hall, April Z, on
the Washington centennial celebrat
ton. He criticised the programme of
the day as published in the papers.
He objected in part to the military
parade, saying: "Our nation is q
peaceful one and we do not seek repu-
tation by the valor of our arms. The
absence of the military spirit is our
greatest blessing. The military parade
will not express, therefore, the charac-
teristic spirit of our institutions, but
pomp Is attractive, and the parade
may be admitted for that reason. The
industrial exhibition is proper enough,
but I am baffled when 1 try to under
stand the connection between dancing
and the Constitution. Dancing on
State occasions is remnant of Europe
an court customs, and is out of place
with practical, ommon-sense people
and out of place here. We should
have literary exercises in greater num-
ber. The oration delivered on the
steps of the Treasury is not sufficient.
The intellectual forces of the COM
munity should assert themselves and
give the celebration the intellectual
stamp which it lacks. 1t is not yet too
late.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-29
The Grace Of Cheerfulness.

Of all Christian graces this is per-
haps the most potent, and yet IL is
probably the most underValued. A
long face is not, to he sure, so common
ly considered on evidence of sanctifi-
cation as it may have been two ,centu-
ries ago, but there are few CHRISTIANS
who realize the harm they do by being
"of q sorrowful countenance." Moth.
ing 30 recommends the religion OF
Christ, especially to the young, as evil
dence that it makes people truly hap
Nv. To see a Christian who, though
sorrowfully by reason of heavy trials,
is yet always rejoicing, is one OF the
strongest possible arguments Tor the
truth of Christianity.
Young people long for happiness,
and it is too much to expect that at
their age they should be able to appre-
ciate the highest joys of self-denial, OF
self-sacrifice, even of suffering. These
must be learned through those happll-
ness is the primary lesson, joy the ad-
vanced grade. A man whose pre-eml-
nent success in mission work Is doubt
less chiefly attributable to his wonder
full symyathy with human nature,
Rev. r. w, McAll, of Paris. said in,
one of his yearly reports, Above all,
let US endeavor to manifest continual
ly, especially before those who do not
understand the gospel, that divine "a.
dance which shines in the face OF
Christ. Let us never hide from others
the joy, the comfort, the strength
which we ourselves possess through
our knowledge of our Lord"
So it is not enough that the Chris
tan should be glad at heart, resigned
to sorrow, if he lets others see him
sombre and even cast down. An
aged saint, whose deep soicitude for
the spiritual welfare of her grandchll'
dren is sometimes almost more than
her frail body can support, lately
pointed this out. ave feel the So
iemnity of religion" she wrote, "but
we must be careful that they shall not
mistake it for gloom" Between So
lemnity and gloom there should be all
the difference between the saved and
the lost. 1t is a solemn thing to be o
creature saved by the sufferings and
death of Christ, and appointed to be a
revelation of his love to others. but
how is it possible that there should be
any gloom in the heart of such one
Let us remember Dayid's admonition,
and not only "be glad in the Lord and
reioice'' in our own hearts, but also
"shout for Joy" that all the world
may know how glorious and how sat-
isfying thing is the service OF Goo.