davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
WHAT A SIGHT WAS THERE !

clock struck five Mrs. Blake was quite
surprised, and she went out in hurry
to begin her preparations for supper.
The house was an old-fashioned one,
with the side door opening directly
into the kitchen, and the only means of
access to the cellar by trap-door in
the kitchen floor, and the steepest pos
sible stairs. r...
Mrs. Blake started cracking wood
fire, opened the outer door for orcoolness,
and swung back the door of the trap,
which was of such generous proper
tions that the corner of the tea-table
was on the verge, and the doorway in
close proximity; but Mrs. Blake was
used to her house, and she made up
her biscuits and ran up and down the
break-neck stairs, without even sigh
for modern conveniences.
She was justly proud of her table
when it was ready. The cloth had
been brought by her husband from
what the neighbors called foreign
parts, and the china had been her
mothers. The egg-shell cups and deli
cate plates were very pretty, and how
nice the thin slices of ham looked, and
the great dish of red and white cur
rants. The fruit-cake was as dark and
rich and indigestible as need be, and
the und-cake!-nobody but Mrs.
Blake knew the secret of that. She
went back into the parlor for FIVE min
utes while the biscuits got their last
touch of brown and the tea one more
simmer, leaving the trap-door open to
remind her that the cream and the but
ter were yot in the cool depths of the
cellar.
Meanwhile it had been long after
noon to Miss Betty. She could catch
the sound of voices from across the
way occasionally. and the desire to
know what they were so merry over
grew stronger every minute, till at lasi
brilliant idea came into her head
There was that yeast that she, yes
really needed; she would go now and
borrow it, She would go in at the side
door, and if Mrs. Blake had company
how should she know it when she was
not invited?
So she put on her bonnet and mitts
took her green silk parasol, for the SUI
was still high, and carrying cup fo
the yeast, crossed the street valiantly
Mrs. Randall had left the gate open, s,
she entered without any click of an
nouncement, and, as it happened, al
the ladies were looking at some pic
lures and did not see Miss Betty at all
She glanced in at the open side door
but the kitchen was, dark, and locking
in from the outside she could see moth
ing She stepped on the door sill an
, struggled with her parasol which dc
: clined toshut. Setting her cup down sh
I pushed harder, but still it did not yield
/ To bring her muscles into better play sh
5 stepped back pace or two-and wen
Z down the open trap! In falling sh
clutched wildly at the nearest objec
: which happened to be the corner of til
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
A FAMOUS STONE WALL.


How 1t Was Built with Peaceful Intent,
and How IL Figured in n Great Battle
Rev. Benjamin L. Agnew, pastor OF
the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church,
corner Broad and Diamond streets, re-
Gently mentioned fact which may be
known to few, and will be of interest
to many. Tl3 iI FI }E
Fifty years before the war;" he
said, my father, Smith Agnew, lived
with his stepfather. Rev. DIR. Dobbins,
in the stone house on the Baltimore
pike, short distance below Gettys-
burg. 1At that time he was lad of
seventeen years. He took entire charge
of the farm, which in some sections was
very stony. One day the thought struck
him that these stones could be utilized
by gathering them and building with
them a stone wall. He enlisted the
services of negro who resided in the
vicinity, and together they hauled the
stone to the place selected and built the
celebrated stone wall whose name will
exist while history lasts"
Young Agnew built his wall with
great care, using large fat stones as
binders and filling in with smaller ones,
llbJle uTedIulub dO bhdb Lllno WHdJ an
important place that wall would oc-
cupy in the greatest battle of modern
times. 1t was here that Gen. Pickett's
division, headed by his valiant Vir-
ginians, made its memorable charge,
and although it was thrown into con-
fusion by the flanking fire of Stannard's
Vermonters and Doubleday's division,
still pressed forward and at last sue
ceeded in planting a confederate flag
on this wall; only, however, to be driv-
en- back with the loss of nearly three
quarters of its number by the Sixty
ninth, Seventy-first and Seventy-second
Pennsylvania volunteers under Gen.
Hancock. ..'.
After peace had been proclaimed,
Mr. Agnew visited the old homestead
and found the old stone wall standing
in almost as good condition as when it
had been built. t.-Philadelphia Press.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
A TRIUMPH OF HIGH ART.
How a Poster Helped Man to Win Money
on n Horse Race.

"My only experience in betting on the
Derby resulted in great victory for
art" remarked a staid, downtown
ing man and take little interest in
horses or horse races but few years
ago some friends of mine from down
east visited me during race week and
went to the races with them. They
bantered me to wager a little money
and / finally braced up and told them
wasn't afraid to back my convictions
and that l flattered myself that knew
a little about horsefesh. 1t was bluff
pure and simple-made solely in self
defense. | didn't know even the names
of the starters, but looked over the
list on my card with an air of great
wisdom. The name Hopeful struck
my eye, and as thought that word had
q soothing and cheerful sound was
favorably impressed with it and had
almost decided to place my money OH
Hopeful when CHANGED to see large
colored lithograph - regular race
course poster-showing three or four
horses in the home stretch. One of
them, although not in the lead, struck
me as better specimen of horsefesh
than the others The artist had shown
rather poor judgment, in my humble
opinion, in placing the best drawn fig
ure on the lot in the background. And
under that figure was the name Hope
full That settled it. bet on the
strength of that artists work. My
money went on Hopeful, and Hopeful
went under the wire winner with
plenty of room to spare. 1 won a
handful of money. 1t was the first and
last time 1 ever wagered cent or won
a cent. But it was glorious triumph
for high art, wasn't it?"-Chicago Mail.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
THE EARLIEST cHlLD's BOOK.
Old Works Which Were Used in the
Schools of Ancient Times.

Olu WORKS hniCn wore OSeu IN inc
Schools of Ancient Times.
AS might be supposed, the earliest
book that is assigned to the child is the
Latin grammar. Boys Latin gram
mars for several centuries were mere
text books compiled from the larger
works of Donatus and PrisciGn, and
they were commonly known by the
name of Donates or Donets, term
which occurs in Piers Plowman. The
word grammar, on the contrary, was
used more in connection with Latin
studies generally; and science, as well
as even magical power, was some
times spoken of as grammarye. A
very commonly used school book in
monasteries seems to have been the
"Consolation of Philosophy lin the
original, of course), by Boethius, of
which at least a fragment would
most probably be found even in the
most meager convent library" The
earliest book in existence written ex-
pressly for boys is here stated to be
Aldhelm's "De Septenario de Metris,
Enigmatibus, ac Pendum Regulis,"
which probably appeared about the
end of the seventh century. A great
part of it consists of dialogues be-
tween teacher and pupil, in the style
which was still popular in the first
half of the present century and may
be found in such works as Mrs. Mark
hams history. The Venerable Bede is
also claimed as a writer for the young.
A lesson book for children is at
tributed to Alcuin, and it contains
~,
to be found even in some current
school books. Here is a specimen of
them: AN old man met a child.
Good day, my son, says he; may you
live as long as you have lived, and as
much more, and thrice as much as all
this; and if God give you one year in
addition to the others, you will be
just century old What was the
lads ageP" The first book given to
his people in English by Alfred the
Great was the already-mentioned
'Consolations of Philosophy" to which
he added "The Universal History of
Orosius," a very favorite book in
monastery schools. In the tenth
wrote "Colloquy," intended as a
reading book 10 help boys TO speak
Latin. 1t consists of conversation
about everyday life. In one place
boy is made to say that he is too
young to eat meat; but he was not too
young to drink beer, as he says that
he drinks ale IF he can get it." In the
same century appeared a book on
astronomy for children, as well as a
map, now preserved in the British
museum, "less incorrect and having
fewer fabulous countries than some
made later Saturday Review.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
WAITS FOR OLD WARRIORS.

THERE are eighty-two national ceme-
teries in the United States, aud they
have 327, ,179 graves, about one-haf of
which are marked unknown"
A. NJ. HENRY owns farm upon
which the first battle of Bull Run was
fought, and owned it at the time of the
fight. He was away from home at the
time, but his mother was killed in her
bed by n shell from federal battery.
GEN. ISAAC BURRELL, who served in
the civil war as a member of the For
ty-second Massachusetts, regiment, was
forced to yield his sword to the confed-
crates at Galveston. Tex, in 1862. He
has recently received word from a
southerner that present possessor of the
sword would like to return it to him.
CHARLES ID. ROBERTSON, the seaman
who saved many lives by throwing
kissing confederate shell overheard from
the gun-deck of the Hartford in April,
1862, now lives in Baltimore. For this
act of bravery Admiral Farragut made
special mention of him in his report and
congress voted him medal The med
al is the size of $40 gold piece and Mr..
Robertson is proud of it.
Gov. SIMON BOLIVAR BUcKNER, of
Kentucky, is well preserved specimen
of the southern general, is tall and
straight. and carries his sixty-eight
years lightly He was the command
| ing officer who surrendered Fort Donel-
son to Gen. Grant in February, 1862,
his superiors, Floyd and Pillow, max
ing their escape before their capitula-
ton. 1t was to Gen. BuclSner that Gen.
| ~, 4. I E.. :. 4.l,, 81
ing for the unconditional surrender OF
the big fort.
GEN. BUrLER's wife was with him
most of the time during the war, and he
says: ''Thus l had the advantage over
most of my brother commanding gen
erals in the field in having an advisor,
faithful and true, clear headed, consci'
entious and conservative, whose conclu'
sions could always be trusted In the
mere military movements, although
she took full note, she never interfered
by suggestion, for in regard to them
relied upon the opinions of my valued,
accomplished and efficient staff.
/ GEN. LoNesTEET says that on one of
the long night marches in Virginia the
only way he could get rest was to lie
down on the ground while the columr
was passing and sleep for an hour or
So He woke up just as the stragglers
We're coming along the rear, and an
old Georgia cracker was soliloquizing
about the situation. II love my coun-
try and I'll fight for it, and I'll die for
it, and I'll go naked and barefooted for
her, but when this war is over III 5e
cursed II will ever love another coun'
try"
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25

trees; bvt Mss Betty's window was so
far in the eagle that she could see the
front walk and door and one of the par
lor windows.
Dalton hours were early, and before
three o'clock the first guest came in
sight "Miss Cap'n SWAIN" announced
Miss Betty, half aloud. straight as
ramrod, as usual believe she's
grown an inch or two taller since
Cap'n Swain left off whaling and be-
gan to go foreign voyages; but lawl
what have we poor, perishing crea-
lures to be proud of? / wonder if
that's new dress, now" She uncon-
sciously leaned so far forward in the
attempt to settle this important point
that Mrs. Swain saw her and bowed,
which caused Miss Perkins to retire in
great confusion; but she came to the
front again in time to scrutinize the
next arrivals.
"Dr. Kennedy's wife" said she, "and
smiling, of course. 1 never saw her
sober, even at funeral. For my part,
think it makes folks look simple to
be always laughing. Who's that
with her? / never saw her before. Now
1 shouldn't wonder if 1t was Mis- Ken
nedy's sister, the missionary woman.
heard she was coming. How sin'gler
it's that women want to go gadding
about in that way"
There was such long interval be-
fore any other guest appeared that
Miss Betty had just made up her mind
that the party numbered three, when
Mrs Randall the minister's wife hur-
ried i'll at the opposite gate. Miss Bet
ty's hard face softened a little at the
sight of her, and for once she had no
sharp or unSind word to say. Little
Mrs. Randall was hardly ever quite in
time; she was apt to come in flushed
and breathless, but so sorry for her
hardness, and so sweet and lovable
withal, that every one made excuses
for her.
Mrs. Blake's parlor was full of pleas
ant talk that bright summer afternoon.
81 saw Miss Perkins at her window, as
/ came in, said Mrs. Swain.
81 don't doubt it." answered her
hostess. Poor soul! 1t seems hard
not to ask her, too; but thought you
might not care to tell how your
dresses cost, VOW much DIR. Kenne-
dy's fees amounted to last month,
and what the minister is going tc
preach to us about next Sunday"
The ladies laughed, and the conversa-
ton turned on Miss Plummer's work
and adventures. She had been in Mex
leo and in the northwest, and had sc
much 10 tell that when the great hal
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
INSPIRATION OF SONG.

It's Cheering Eject Upon Tired Soldiers
During "A Wearisome March.
A veteran of the civil war, in speak
ing of the effect of war songs, recently
said:
II have been with the column, march
ing along roads which were muddy,
when the men looked like any thing
but human beings, as they crawled
along, splashed from head to foot with
dirt, their clothing disarranged, their
pantaloons tucked in their stockings,
and their heavy brogans laden with
mud. Some strong-lunged fellow way
up at the head of the column would
strike up n war song. 1t might be
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp or it might be
John Browns Body In an instant he
would be joined by others, and soon,
away down the long road as far as the
column stretched, a mighty chorus
would be going up, while the men
would brace up, their eyes brighten
and their footsteps lose the weary
movement as they kept step to the
music. Twenty-Five thousand or thirty
thousand men stretched out over long
distance in marching, and you can i'm
agine the effect of such chorus of
parallel road, mile or two away, an
other column would be advancing, and
this, too, would take up the refrain,
and the effect be heightened twofold.
Those were the days when war songs
meant something to the men who sang
them. Chicago Herald.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
puNeEIir PARAeRAPHs.

I'm Urgent Need.-Bartley lin HE
tory Exam )-"They say that history
repeats itself. Ahl If it would but re-
peat itself to mer-HArvard Lampoon.
-Barnyard Exploits. Mooly proud
ly)-"I gave fourteen quarts of milk to-
night" Crumple-"Thats nothing. /
kicked the hired man over two fences"
DE Beere-"Your painting has one
quality at least, that of innocence"
De eSmeere-"Innocence" De Beere-
Yes. It Is so art-less-N. Y. Tele-.
gram.
-"What is the first step, Mr.. Soake,
in learning to paint the town." "a
course of drawing, sir" Correct, and
what do we draw?" "CorlSs sir:'--
Truth.
lis it considered an honor to be
sent out as a missionary" ''Yes.
Why?" 81 was only wondering" said
Mrs. Vealy. my husbands congrega-
ton are unanimously desirous that he
shall go."-Epoch.
Out of the Reach of Annoyance
Summer Boarder-"You told me last
spring that you were never annoyed by
mosquitoes here" Mr.. Haicede-"Wal,
we hain't We're used to 'em. In
dianapolis Journal.
Not Worth Consideration.-Sa
"Miss Clara, do me a favor. Tell me
honestly just what you think of me-"
Clara Candid-'I would, Mr.. Sappy, but
the fact is 1 really never think of you
at all L"-Saturday Evening Herald.
What moving again! Why don't
you own your own home and stop pay
ing rent?" 81 don't see how that
would help me. 1 haven't paid any
rent for over three months. IN. Y.
Recorder.
Where to go this summer is not
nearly so important as how to find a
S10-a-week boarding-house near enough
to S5-a-day hotel to enable you to
utilize its note-paper and envelopes =
Philadelphia Times.
What has become of Jones?" "He
is living quietly in the suburbs" MAR
ried" Eyes, and has a baby" "a
baby? Then / doubt his living quietly.
That word quietly is being over
worked these days, I'm afraid."-N. Y.
World.
Not the Same by Any Means
Clergyman docking at the contribution
boxes )-"Judging from the niclSels and
pennies, you must have thought when
asked you to remember the poor that
recollection would do just as well as
collection. Detroit Free Press.
His Duty Well Done.-Mr. Stalate
$50 your sister keeps you well sup
piled with pocket money, does she?"
Tommy-"Yes. Stalate-"I presume
you have to render some little equiva-
lent" Tommy (yawning)-"O, yes
have to come in and yawn when visitors
are staying too late. Yankee Blade.
Papa Attended To.-"But have you
thought of my father" she inquired, as
George was making arrangements for
their future happiness. Eyes, it's all
right about him. am giving him tips
on the races; and it won't be month
before he is eternally grateful to me or
else no longer able to crush me with his
wealth. ."-Washington Post.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
IDENTIFYING HANDWRITING.
An Experts Remarkable Discovery of =
ForEer.

When the experts in handwriting
meet on the witness stand and swear
hard against one another, the jury has
a difficult task. Nevertheless, there
have been remarkable cases of identif-
cation of handwriting.
An English gentleman offered large
sum OF money for the discovery of a
marriage register, the production of
which was necessary in an important
lawsuit. An officer in a country church
wrote him that the missing register had
turned up in the vestry box of his own
parish. A lawyer and an expert in
handwriting were sent to examine the
document.
The man showed them the marriage
register, and after a careful eXaminA-
ton, they went to lunch.
At the table, the expert expressed an
opinion unfavorable to the genuineness
of the register. 1t was modern hand
writing and did not, therefore, possess
the antiquity claimed for it.
"1hen how in the world did it gel
thereP" asked the church officer
''Why, you forged it yourself" quiet
ly replied the expert who had studied
the handwriting in the note sent the
gentleman.
The nan, being threatened with pros
ec,ition, fed the country, and thus con
fessed his crime. e.-Farmers' Advance.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
Keeplnp MILK IyItbout Ice.

Housekeepers who cannot afford ice
during the summer meet their greatest
difficulty in trying to keep milk. That
they can easily overcome by canning it
as they do fruits. These should first
be thoroughly washed, then boiled or
baked in the oven for half an hour
longer This should be done before the
milk arrives. AS soon as it comes put
it into the jars and tightly screw down
the lids. Place them in steamer over
cold water, which should be heated
gradually. Keep the jars steaming for
not less than an hour, then screw the
lids down and make them air tight. II
this process is rightly conducted the
milk in the jars ought to keep un-
changed for at least a week. 1t is also
freed from all disease germs, as car
rier of which it is notorious.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25

think anybody with mite of sense
this way. You might as well try to see
through the side of the houser-which
was an exaggeration, but some allow
ance must be made for Miss Betty's
mental state.
She had by nature an inquiring mind,
and took, at all times, kind and
friendly interest in her neighbors' do
-ings: but on this particular morning
her opposite neighbor, Mrs Blake, had
had her parlor windows open at very
early hour, and had been plainly visi-
BILE shaking rugs in the back yard be-
fore breakfast. When Miss Betty
shook the crumbs from her tablecloth
she had seen black silk duster way
ing vigorously from one of the same
parlor windows, and now, in the mid
die of warm July morning, smoke
was coming from Mrs. Blake's kitchen
chimney. Truly, Miss Betty might say
with the Mikado,: "Here's a state of
things!n
'You needn't tell me-" said Miss
Betty, apostrophizing her sitting-room
lamp as she examined its wick, that
Melissy Blake's dishes amt washed at
this time of day, and that's what the
fires for. No, it's comp'ny, that's what
it is; and / wonder who they be. l
was in there yesterday afternoon and
she never breathed breath about it;
but then Melissy alters was close
mouthed If 'tisn't own folks, and l
believe hers all live up Worcester way,
it's pretty funny 1 wasn't asked, near
neighbor as l be. Well, folks is queer" "
Her first plan was to go over to Miss
Blakc's and find out what she could
about the expected guests. She could
at least see what preparations were in
progress for their entertainment, which
would be something. I'm most out
of yeast and could borrow cupful, +"
she thought, searching her mind for an
errand. But on reflection this course
hardly seemed advisable, for Mrs.
Blake was noted for her skill in keep
ing her affairs to herself. "Likely's not
/ shouldn't know bit more when !
come home than do now," was Miss
Perkins second thought mo, won't
go. I'll have an early dinner and see
who comes"
Accordingly, at half-past eleven she
brought out her tiny teapot and sliced
her potatoes for frying, and two hours
later, dressed in her second-b best black
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-25
A MUSICAL FABLE.

In gay and sunny barn-yard
Grew timid rooster once,
So retiring, all the chickens
Stunned him as tedious Ounce;
Till their scorn at length aroused him,
And he swore an oath: 'Tll show
What n fund OF wit is in me,
will leura a comic crown
And he practiccd and he practiced
Till he learned his comic crow.
Then, beholdi he found his music
Won him straightway great renown.
sAfter ALL" observed the chickens,
"Merrier birds are few in town"
And they daily fiocked to hear him,
Followed wheresoeer he'd go,
Made a very lion Of him
Curious lion with crow
Cried, enraptured; "Was there ever
Such truly comic crown
But before he'd coursed year out
Fashion in the barn-yard changed,
And the chickens said: "This rooster
Manifestly Is deranged.
He can do one thing and does IL
Till we're bored to death, you know"
So they cut him, and the outcast
Wheezed alone his comic crow,
Spirits, lungs and feathers falling,
Died ut last with one faint crow.
Yes, and that's the way to doit,
Human wag or chanticleer;
II porohance you have future
Which you don't at all hold dear,
Or would lose your friends, and perish
After everything's gone wrong,
Profit by ROSTERS story,
Learn single comic song.
Two in time would serve the purpose,
Better learn one comic song.
M. A. de Wolfe Howe, Jun, in Harper
Weekly.