davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
SALEM'S SNAKE WOMAN.
Leading Hcrmit's Life with Fathers a5
Her Only Companions

Martha Ann Tillsor. the singular
character who died at Salem, Ind, re-
Gently, was known as the SNAKE Wom-
an" Many were the stories afoat
about her during her lifetime, as she
would associate with no one. She lived
in little cabin at tho foot of Twelve
O'clock Knob, and led hermit's life,
having no one to share her abode except
snakes. By the few who were ever al
lowed to see the interior Of her cabin it
is said to have literally swarmed with
her strange companions, with which she
ate and slept, and which were to be
seen lying in her bosom and coiled
about her neck, body and limbs when
ever she was caught sight of.
Her extraordinary prediction for
these unpleasant creatures is supposed
to have arisen from morbid feeling
that she was, like them, hated of men;
for, naturally deformcd, she received in
addition an injury to the spine while an
infant, and, though perfectly sound of
mind, was of so sensitive nature as TO
render her miserable and uneasy in the
presence Of any but her parents, as she
imagined herself an object Of loathing
and hatred to them. This she seemed
to feel while still little child, for her
peculiar friendship began then.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
MADE RICH BY OIL.
A Congregations Struggles Ended and a
New Doxolo.T Eorn.

A Congregations Struggles Ended and a
New Dozolosy Eorn
The Forest Grove Presbyterian con-
gregation is in luck, ard all its men,
bcrs promise to become rich through a
strike in oil made on L few acres of
ground surrounding tho rickety old
chapel called church, says Pitts
burgh dispatch to tho San Francisco
Chronicle. Tho site is located about
eleven miles from Pittsburgh, and is
right in tho center of tho new Grove
oil fields.
For years Deacon Beacon has been
pastor of the congregation, and it took
the combined receipts from q few acres
of farming land, the district school and
the offerings of the small congregation
to keep tho good man alive; but by good
fortune this is all changed.
Three good oil producers have been
struck during the past week, with an
average output of about 1000 barrels a
day This gives the church people a
daily income of S125 from royalties, in
addition to cash bonus.
Two new wells arc being sunk, which
will increase tho church income to
$500 month. Ono of the new wells
has been dubbed "Old Hundred" be-
cause of the following revised version Of
the familiar hymn which one Of the
drillers has tackled upon the derrick.
Praise God, from whom oil blessings flow,
Praise him for putting oil below,
Praise him, ye dcillcrs, give hearty thanks,
Praise him for the overlooking tanks
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
HElNRlCH'S CLINCHER.
An Argument That Completely Nnocilc'
Out Il Connection.

An Argument That Completely Knocked
Out Il Competitor.
a Philadelphia manufacturer OF shoe
uppers, much annoyed By competitor,
resolved to call on him and compare
prices, says the Shoe and Leather Re-
porter. They agreed to figure on tho
various parts OF Congress gaitcr. Ev-
cry thing proceeded satisfactorily until
the cost OF fitting was preached, which
tho manufactures placed at forty cents
per pair.
ooh. no." said the German, my wife
does dot"
well, isn't your wifc's labor worth as
much as strangcr's?"
"Oh. but she does dot ven she has
nuding else to do
"When is that?'
"Oh! when dcre is no mcnding, no
cooking and no svecpings.'
Finding it impossible to make him
conccdd that lis wifc's labor should be
counted, the manufacturers, as clinchcr,
said: "S;ee here, Heinrich, if your wife
should die, what would you do thcn?"
'.yy, den | would get anudder Tife.'
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
and procured a reduction Of the suspen'


and procured reduction Of the suspen.
sion to two weeks.
Young Harry Long never tires OF tell
Ing what kindly man Senator Farwell
is. The Senator entertained the boy at
his elegant homo in Chicago during the
Republican National convention in 1883
and opened tho eyes OF tho youthful
Pennsylvania TO the glories OF the
Western metropolis, and procured for
him seat in the convention to boot
"Why," said the boy, all aglow with
gratitude, Tho not only invited me to
his house, but he paid all my expenses"
Senator Vance is voted the jolliest OF
all the Senators, and Senator Reagan
has gained the eternal friendship of the
boys by making paper caps and giving
them around.
Senator Cockroll is moro dreaded than
any other member of the body. "He is
always wanting something, said one Of
the lads.
Eyes; and it's always something out
side OF tho chamber" said another.
"I've worn a path running to the docu-
ment room for him. )"
"You bet, when Senator Cockrell claps
his hands," said third, 'we all try to
find something else to do. lie ought to
havo page all to himself"
Senator Jones, OF Arkansas. is an.
other ono who needs a great deal OF
waiting on.
Hes good enough man." said one
little fellow, "but he's awful On US.
What kind OF man is Senator In
galls?' asked.
"Oh! he novor notices US" answered
one.
NO" pipcd wee chap, "he amt So
cable"
Senator Hiscocls Is not very popular
among the pages They say he seems
sort O. tired OF every thing and every
body"
Some timo ago tho pages formed a
senate of their own. For some reason
they excluded Masters Moody, Long and
Harris, whereupon these three organized
themselves into reportorial corps and
broke into SO many secret sessions that
the judiciary officer of the body con-
Guided it was time to adjourn sine die;
SO he decamped with the twenty five
cents in the treasury and six sheets OF
paper belonging to the organization.
The pages senate then collapsed.
These boys get SIS month in salary
and numerous small sums from generous
Senators. They also have trick OF
picking up all the printed speeches OF
certain senators, and, AFTER having them.
a1ceiy bound. sell the volume to the
as9atpyG .a-..
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

low with bright, twinkling eyes, who Is
called Pie because when he was being
initiated to the secrets Of page etiquette
he was informed, and no believed, that
it was his conventional duty to buy a
round OF pie at tho Senate restaurant
for all of the other pages He bought,
along with this experience, tho name
which will not leave him, at least until
he quits tho atmosphere OF the Senate.
To interview" Senator who has
nothing to say has been adjudged by
newspaper mon pretty difficult thing
to do. But compared with interviewing
fourteen Senate pages who have every
thing to say and are eager to say it all
at once it is rs easy as rolling of tho
traditional log met the boys alto
rcther few moments before tho Son
alto was called to order. Whom they
learned that 1 wanted their opinions
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

it?" answered, in true Yankee fashion,
with an assertion and a question.
Judge for yourselfl This latest ac-
QUESTION to our plumber is stcnograph-
or and typewriter in Lawyer Butler's
Office"
looked down the table at the very
pretty young lady sitting there, and
thought to myself thatsho might prove
n very charming companion. Miss
Cathcart-thirty years old and attircd
like a girl of eighteen-loolicd faded
and old in comparison.
That evening, in the boarding-houso
parlor, was introduced to Miss Rachel
Stone, the now boardcr," and in half
an hour we were on very friendly terms.
l had touched upon the subject Of short
hand carly in the conversation, saying
that, az lawyer, | had often thought
would like TO take my own notes in the
courtroom, and a most enthusiastic adj
vocatc of stenography found. She up
set ali mY theories about shorthand, de-
clar.ng it was not hard to acquire, and
that it was most delightful and fascin-
atinr study.
.Wbv NOT oiye mo some lessons?"
said Iancbinl,ly
Miss Stone tool, me IN at once. Not
,b MS. sIo yonld entertain = proposition
~ rivc tbo rornIar lessons. but she
assured me ii | would get the proper
LonIfs conld nnrsue. tho study withon,
= tnacnor .Jn nvlieicultv she said,
81 should ho ycrv clad to render you
ossis,,nco -
- - - -, .,., t.o,o.+ fo,1 in ,ovo
win ,bc NOV. Lo.r,ier in that very first
ho"r and A. natnral consequence, I
'''''Nf 49,
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
oldest Twins in America.

At Fort Madison, Iowa, reside proba-
bly, the Oldest twins in the United States
Mrs. Elizabeth G.escom Campton and
Mrs. Sophia b. liildebrandt. They were
born in Baltimore. January, 1906, and
they are consequently over eighty-four
years OF age. They are very spry old
ladies, and Sill very skillful atfne nee
die work: Their grandmother, Mrs.
Betty Rose, made the first American
Gag.
Sweet soventecn-"No, don't want
to marry tho baron; why, he has red
hair!' Stern Parent-"Yes, but he
won't have it longl Haven't you noticed
that it is beginning to drop of%-Flie'
esnde Blattcrr.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
4 Pen Picture Of raArmel,.

Charles Stewart Parnell uS nally wears
loosely-ftting cutaway coa.:. he gets
all the wear out OF a coat That there is
in it. lie wears it untilit IS ahiny, then
he wears it until iaSs shabby, then he
keeps on wearing It's MASncla has grown
very old-looking in W&bas5 lew years.
The bald spot on his hena has Increased
perceptibly in size, and the gray hairs
in his beard are growing more and more
numerous. He feels the responsibility
of bis position kcenly, ANA his health
has become impaired uYler its weight.
There is constantly trpublcd express
sion upon his face, and h? seldom smiles
or INDUCES in light con1ersation After
he becomes worn out wi{h work he dls-
appears, sometimes for yeeks, and nc
one knows where TO loolk for hiM. lie
drops as completely pf the wori! as
r he had dropped into HIS grave.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
"Does anybody but tho Senator'S buy
nnsn ,nenchns2p [ asked.

these ipeochesY | asked.
"Oh no; only tho Senator who has
made the speeches" was the innocent
answer.
Ono littlo fcllow-Iarry Long-told
me no had made SIS in the last year by
selling speeches to tho Senator'S who
made them.
'What would you do II you were
SENATOR" asked ono of tho small boys.
] was rather sot back by his answer
I'D call up tho Blair education bill
and have 1t passed., he said.
Eyes, sirccp chimed in half dozen
moro; Two all wanted that bill to pass.
learned afterwards, however, that
they did not care liS for tho merits OF
tho bill. They had seen Senator Blair's
carnostncss in tho matter and his ro-
peatcd disappo.ntmcnts over its failure,
and thoy were sincerely sorry for him.
Whom asked whether they would
rather be pages or Senators, all but one
agreed that generally they would pro-
for to be pages, "bccauso We pages have
heap moro fun than the Senators do"
Little naxen-haircd, blue-eyed Warner
Moody, however, looked up and spoke
with y quaint dignity and thoughtful
doiihcration:
IL would rather DO Senator, OF
course"
Page etiquette demands that each lad
shall be permitted to walt on his own
patron Senator-that is, the Senator
who procured his place for him; and 1t
is nexcusablo rudcness for ono page to
respond to tho call o! anothcr's Senator
unless tho other is Sc engaged that he
can not attend TO it.
The pages are ostensibly Republicans,
but they DO not mind saying that there
arc = good many things about tho Dem
ocratic side that are attractive to them,
prominent among which Is the fact that
most OF tho motions to adjourn como
from tho Democratic side; and since
tho boys report for duty 1T o'clock in
the morning ard remain until adjourn
ment, this is no unimportant matter TO
them.
Tic Democratic side OF the chamber,
however, is what TIE boys call 1.-The
pcnitcatary." since whenever one of
them IS refractory Captain Basscti rele-
gates ham to duty on that side. This
is an Outline custom, and pages soon
learn that ii is in the nature OF reward
OF mcri, To be permitted to serve on tho
majority side OF the chamber. There
are seven bows for each side, but those
on tho majority side always feel little
more favored.
Il got TO larkins the other day" said
Master Long. land Captain Bassctt sent
me over on the Democratic side"
As turned to leave the group one
little fellow followed nc, saying:
Don. forget to put in something
about Nctdy Eoa!n (Master George
Mann, OF Michigan) and Rev DR.. Ell.
ward Bailey, Of Georgia, tho boy who
says ':o'teen and decd did, and tote
for caecy.ail doa'i forget Iladj. Ilassein
Ghooly KAaa Master VIII Aulick, o.
Ilinois) ard Ike Eassoti, .Ir., the grand
son Of CAPTAIN nassett, tho boz that ate
the shoc-bacl,iAg when be was told 1t
was PIT. ID aras."
"Arl say," ne added, YOU amt
coia' to interview the House pages, are
you?"
WIZ not"
Wei. they sin't in our class, you
lro,s.
Tacre Is as much distinction among
bcvs IT, We? . Senatc page and
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

None Of your Back talk round
here" shouted Mr.. Kelly; lyon take
and lug them laths out into the shed,
and the&ncxt time you want any exer-
else don't you ask mo TO help you out
with none of your blanc fooishness,
and as his wife meelly gathered up the
remains of their encounter, he jumped
into his boots and went out doors to rub
his swollen ear.
What women seem to banker after is
exercise.-W. o. Fuller, Jr., in Texas
SiftinrS
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

South Dakota, and is peculiarly inter
csting, not to say charming, little fell
low. He is quaint, fair-haired child,
whose delicate physique and sweet,
gentle manners bring Oliver Twist con-
stantly to mind. His appearance is that
of BOY had almost said 4 girl-of
seven or eight years, but his precision
Of speech and his quiet old-faShioned
ways together with his precocious judg-
ment make him seem more than a
child lie is the sort Of lad that moth
ers can not meet without having an ir-
resistible impulse to snatch him up and
kiss him. With rs much solemnity as
any Senator in the chamber ho &C
knowledgcs the fitness of the sobriquct
which tho older PAGES have fastened to
him-the Little Lady from D&kota-and
without trace OF ofcnse accerts the
title as his own.
FEED Kappeler is also dimlnutive
lad Of thirteen, but is more rugged,
bcyish chap. He acknowledges Robert
Porter, the superintendent of census,
as his patron saint. Fred was born in
Switzerland, but in tho seven years OF
his residence in America all traces Of
his mother tongue have been obliter-
ated from his English speech. He Is
we'll aware that it would take an amend
ment of the constitution to make him
eligible to the Presidency, but he very
contentedly asserts that there is moth
ing to hinder him from becoming SEN
ator, and so far as his observation goes
Senator is more to be envied than a
President for all Senator has to do is
to "spat his hands and the pages do
all the worl, for him" Fred answers to
the name OF Swipes and says he is sure
it will never offend his dignity, not
even when he becomes Senator, to be
known by that pseudonym.
In the bestowal of nicknames the
pages seem to delight in contrariety.
For example, Mckee Cochrane, who is
of an extreme blonde type. is called
Ethiope, and Albert Mackey, whose ex-
ceeding generosity has made him the
favorite of the group, is called Shylock-
Events in the careers of tho boys also do
termine their nicknames, as in the cgse
OF Loaan Hsrris. o handsams Little tea
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

use to be IN IDIOT" retorted her hus-
band, with considerable asperity; II
mean the art of sword playing. Here
let me read you: fencing is now re-
garded as fully introduced into fashion
able circles for amusementol the ladies.
1t is wholesome, fascinating exercise,
admirably adapted to women. Married
ladies are even moro benefited than tho
unmawied'- lots more to the same
effect" said Mr.. Kelly. How dye
s'posc you'd like it?"
We'll, don't know" saiaShis wife,
doubtfully. How is it done?"
ooh, they generally use small swords
-foils. they call EN-, but you might be-
gin with stick, and I'll show You how,
if you want me to-"
You say its fashionable?" Mrs.
Kelly hesitatingly asked.
Says so right here" exclaimed her
husband. What dye say" he went on,
enthusiastically, shall we begin now?
You need exercise, Martha, and I've
noticed for some time that you was be-
coming sedentary-that's what the paper
says right here in this piece. Shall we
begin.r
Mrs. Kelly reluctantly consented, and
her husband, inspired with the idea,
dashed out into the shed, and presently
returned with two lathS which in his
exuberance he had recklessly wrenched
Off the hen-coop.
Now, them he exclaimed, pulling
of his coat while his wife moved tho
table and chairs out Of the way, this Is
the way il is DONE" and he instructed
his wife how to hold tho representative
foil. while he made preliminary passes
in the air to demonstrate tho method OF
exchanging blows. NOW, 10 make Ii
more real and pleasant" he continued
well call il the fencing scene in Ham
let let.
"oh, thai will be ever so nice" Mrs
Kelly exclaimed; and III be Mr.. Ham
let"
"oh, yes, sneered Nr. Kelly, coldly
50 healthy Hamlet you'd be. Who ever
saw ualmet with red hair and molt
on his chin? III be Hamlet myself"
His wife graciously yielded the point
TO save dispute and conteuted herself
with acting as Mr.. Laertes, the other
character in the play.
Come on, now" said Mr.. Kelly, as
suming jaunty position, with his latl
in the air and his left hand behind his
back for protection.
His wife grabbed her lath with boil
hands, threw 1t theoretically aloft and
knocked q globe OF the chandelier.
"Oh, that's the way" growled Mr.
Kelly, as she stopped to pick up tbc
debris. Hamlet would have done jusr
that way
Il didn't know I was right under tho
burner, protested his vile, as She threw
tho broken glass in the stove and re
sumed her lath.
Now, be more careful this time,
said Mr. Kelly, as She again took q po
si;ion. '.No-don,t hold Your foil like
that-you amt going to beat 10 carpets
Therc-that's more like it-now, then.
Iaths ratified against each other
few times, and Ms. Kelly received ;
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
ME-. WILLY cArcm.s IT on TIE EAR.
dispirited sort of way, and crossed NJ
Knllr'S foil.

dispirited sort Of way, and crossed Mr..
Kelly's foil.
Look out, now" he said, excitedly;
''I'm coming for you with tho death
blow, and you want to look out for E}e."
This bit of information had the effect
OF stimulating his wife to extraordinary
efforts, and the foils struck fire at every
blow, while Mrs. Eelly's lath performed
q variety OF gyrations simply marvellous
in their ecccntricitE.
Here Gomez shouted the excited
Mr. Kelly, and he lowered his foil for
the finishing stroke. At that instant
his wife's lath was describing a most as
founding evolution in the air, and in the
confusion of tho moment that worthy
woman brought it down with a degree of
spirit totally unlocked for in one of
sltah sedcntary habits, catching her hus-
band neatly across the car, and knocking
him with precipitati over a chair.
what dye do that for?" he yelled,
rs he struggled to his feet and hung on
to his aching head.
VI didn't 90 to-" pleaded his wife,
abashed and awed by the unlucky ter
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
WE CAN AND DO

Guarantee DR.. Acker's Blood Elixir,
for it has been fully demonstrated to
the people of this country that it is SUI
perior to all other preparations for
blood Diseases. 1t is positive cure
for syphilitic poisoning, Ulcers, Erup-
tions and PiDples. 1t purities the
whole system and thoroughly builds
up the constitution. Sold by Bud
we'll Christian s. Barbee.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
AN ODD PROPOSAL.
My Lady Love Rescued by e Bit
Of Shorthand.

UR new board
or" said Miss
Cathca r t, W h o
sat next mo at
tho table; then
in a lower tone,
II doH't see what
Mrs. Matthews
can be thinking
OF. | was told
this was 4 very
select place"
40 2. = :'l
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
Duty TO YOURSELF.

1t is surprising that people will use
common, ordinary pill when they
can secure a valuable English one
for the same money. DIR. Acker's
English pills are positive cure for
sick headache and all liver troubles.
They are small, sweet, easily taken,
and do not grippe.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

Adolf Lalloz, carriage manufac-
tlrer, 119 Carroll street, Buffalo, n.
T., states: | was troubled with
nausea O. the stomach, sick headache
and general debility. Burdock Blood
t5itterS cured me,
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
.EyGAGED. CAPPED MES. MATTHEWS.

other topics, and in these exchanges Of
confidence | learned good deal about
Rachcls home, in small New England
town. and OF her only brother, college
student of whom she was very proud.
! found it was to help this brother
through college that she had sought
position in the city
Every day fell more deeply in love,
until reached point where there
were no moro depths to sound.
hardly know why did not make
formal proposal-perhaps because nc
very good opportunity presented itself,
perhaps because | was in doubt as TO
her answer. Sometimes | would fancy
her color deepcncd little when | en-
tered the room; but there was a frank
ness about her treatment OF me, and
business-liko way Of making, shorthand
the chief topic of our conversation, that
did not tend to encourage me.
One afternoon | went homo earlier
than usual with two opera tickets in
my pocket, and in my heart determin-
alton to know my fate that night.
Surely could manage a proposal dur
ing the walk home.
As stopped in the hall to leave my
hat l heard Mrs. Matthews voice
through the paror door. 1t was pitched
high as though the speaker was angry
or excited II must have your room,"
she was saying. "Some of my best
boarders will no. remain under the cir
cumstances unless you leave the
house."
Under what circumstances? do not
understand you, Mrs. Matthews. 1t
was Rachels voice, and it sounded as
though the poor girl might break down
and cry the next instant. considered
myself wholly justified now in playing
the part of an eayesdroppcr.
"Your goings on with Mr.. Hamilton
under cover of that shorthand study.
You could not spend more timo in his
company if you were engaged to him"
Ali If my darling had been engaged
to me how quickly could step to her
side and defend her from these cruel in
suits. The little phrase: love you'
flashed into my mind, and it was like an
inspiration. As it happened, l held in
nv hand book--a compilation of stem
ographic phrases had just purchased
and with the white paper wrapped
about it and the lead pencil in my vest
pocket, every thing necessary to carry
out my plan was at hand.
In bold, black characters, swiftly
wrote on the book the words: II love
YOU. Be my WIFE" in shorthand. The
next instant stepped into the room.
excuse me, Miss Stone" said, "if
you are engaged. Hearing your voice
as passed through the hall thong hit
l would hand you the book l spoke
to You about. hope it is all right
As ! handed her the package saw
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

terrific clip on
the hand that re-
moved the skin
fro u TIL re e
n1Ici- 81 = and
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27
EXPECTATION.

Under tho trees my Heart and together
Await the step that neverinoro will comes
Await tho greeting word forever dumb
know not how-whcthcr We dreamed, oS
whether
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

Needy Musician-l am going to have
benefit. How many tickets will you
take? They are dollar each.
Luckless Friend-I suppose III have
to take g couple. Rather pressed Tor
funds, though.
Needy Musician-Well, il you'd rath-
err lend me dollar, won't have BEN
eft and we'll call it sQuare.-Drakc's
MAGAZINE.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-08-27

Ny Heart and l, seeing the new-blown heather.
Took hope from It's full glory; or the sum
or earth's wide Joy. moving our pulses numb,
Drew us abroad into the sweet warm weather.