davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
GA Written Excuse"

I once taught a country school in
the backwoods, and, as was the Gus
tom then, required = written excuse
when q pupil was absent for one or
more days. Some of those excuses l
have kept, and they afford me deal
of amusement after all the years that
have come and gone since then.
Here is an excuse brought one day
by tall, red-headed boy of seventeen, !:
I"Dear Cir-Pleze to eggcuse Hen
nv tor absents yesterday. We made
sour-krout, and he had to tromp it
down. Also he had to Help bucher
"Respeckful yeurs, ;,
"HIs PAP"
"Did your father write this excuse
himself?" I asked. :.
mo, sir" replied Henry, II writ it
for him, cause he can't spell very
good"
I am glad to add that Henry's spell
ing improved while I had him in
charge. Another boy brought Inc this
excuse:
"Kind Teacher: Alb could not come
yesterday on account of tearing his
pants very bad just before starting, 80
it took me most all day to mend them
up" -,
A boy of ABOUT ten years, who had
been absent about two weeks, brought
me the following:
"John Henry had a soar tow, also q
throte and soar finger. Please egg
cuse."
A girl of about fourteen, whose
mother affected degree of culture
and great mental superiority over her
neighbors, brought me the following
note:
"Dear Sir: I trust you will pardon
Alcione's wholly unavoidable absence
Yesterday. Circumstances are not al
WAYS controllable by our finite minds,
as you are no doubt aware. Weare all
subject to immutable laws, and are
constantly doing what we would not
alas! Therefore Alcione's unavoida-
BILE failure to attend yesterdays ses-
sion. I trust may not soon have to
indite a similar unexpected clrcum-
stance. Believe me to be
Yours truly and respectfully,
ANASTASIA &. H."
Simpler and more directly to the
point was the excuse brought me by a
tow-headed little girl of about eight
years, whose mother wrote:
"Phebe could not be there or she
would of went. I think she ct too
much sossage for breakfast. She
sha'n't do it agen. Pleese excuse
her."
A boy of sixteen, who camevery ir-
regularly, always brought this excuse
from his father:
"EXcooze Bill"
That was all there was of it; but as
I knew it came from his father, al
ways "excoozed BilP' accordingly.-J.
l.. Harbour, in Wide Awake.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
A Loving Mother.

If mothers sometimes feel that they
are living rather narrow lives in con-
fining themselves to routine of home
duties while others are busy in the
worlds affairs, let them take heart of
hope from testimony like the follow
ing, given in little book called Let
tiers to Elder Daughters :" 1--WE were
very, very poor" said now wealthy
business man, talking of his early life
"but it never seemed to us children
that we were poor, because our mother
always seemed happy with US. She
was constantly planning some little
pleasure for us that was all our own,
and we thought we had the incest
time at home Of any children we
knew. 1t was making for us little
rabbits or birds out of bread dough, or
turnover pies in fruit season, or some
little thing to give us pleasure, and
show how She thought of US continual
ly. Then she was always encouraging
us to hope for better days, and always
hopeful herself for the great things
her children were going to d0 for her
when they grew up to be good and use
full men. We went to school barefoot
ed. and carried with us our dinners,
often very humble fare, but it was al
ways wrapped up in clean white bit
of cloth, SO that it might look attrac-
tive; and one Of the most touching re-
collections of my childhood is of see
ing my dear mother patiently wash
inc and ironing those bits OF white
cloth for our school luncheons. And
when that mother in after years was
suddenly stricken with fatal sickness
Il special train took two of those stall
wart sons with I'LL the dispatch that
money and influence could buy to that
mothers bedside to receive the parting
words of love and blessing, and wit
ness her dying smile. Such 4 place in
the hearts of her children is worth
any mothers toll and care and wearl-
ness to win.'-EX.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

How TO TAKE CARE OF A CAR
R1AGE.-CompGatively few persons
underitand how to treat carriage.
A finely varnished carriage requires as
much or even more care for its preser-
vation than a piece of fine furniture
in the house. 1t should never be put
away to stand in dirty condition.
In cleaning a carriage avoid rubbing,
but wash off the dirt by a stream
thrown from a hose or syringe wher-
ever it is practicable. Where mud
has dried on saturate sponge and
squeeze it over the spots until it has
softened and run off. On the wheels
and running gear soft mop may be
used, but always avoid the use of any
thing that will cause the grit in the
mud to act like sand paper on the var
nish. 1 think there is nothing IN
which the effects Of neglect or care
lessness will show sooner than in the
care that is taken of nice carriage.
In washing ca arriage keep it out of
the sun, and do ut allow the water to
dry off itself and leave stains on the
varnish, but carefully absorb it with
some soft substance. An old silk
handkerchief is excellent for the nice
ly polished work. Nuts and bolts
should he frequently examined and
not be allowed to work loose, and all
the bearings should be sufficiently
but not profusely fabricated.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

REJOICE ALWAYs.-A doctor VINO
was strol!ing through the woods near
Florida, came upon Il
negro who was sitting upon the fence
singing. 3,
"N'ou seem to be ha!ir,", did man, -
said he.
"Well, sab, I amt got nothin' TO
plain erbout." . :.
"Do you know that yellow fever Is
raging al around yOu?"
"Oughtcr know it, sab, when ! uuh
buried my wife yestidy." ~
"rhrn how Cali sou sit around mere
and sing": ..u,
"Dis yere is Gods worl' amt 1t ="
81 suppose So" ,,,,
"An'I i b'longs ter God, doan' L"
EYES"
"Well, if de Lawd puts it into my
heart to sing, doan' see why ought
cr keep my mouf SHUT
care you not afraid to take the le-
vcr:" ,,s
"What de usc'n bein' erfrala? ri
dc Lawd wants he ter take 1t, VIII
an ef he dOan', | amt, dat's all an
sides dat, amt gwiuc ter take II no
quicker eli | sings. I say CT .yo &c,
round dat town now, you'll fin mos
O. dc folks whut's got de feeber didn't
sing er tall"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Our Prayers.

A mans life may be told in his pray
ers at least as truly as in his actions.
Indeed, we never know people Alright
unless we know whether they pray
and what things they pray for; 1t is
rightly said that factions speak louder
thpn words" but even actions are de-
ceptive. We often do the things we
would not, and find not how to do the
things we would ; but who can under
stand our faults or virtues, our failures
or our victories, unless they know how
we deplore tire evil and disclaim the
merit of the good before the great
heart-searcher? Mems actions are Of
ten ambiguous, often inconsistent with
each other, and often at variance with
their most cherished purposes /; but
their prayers honestly told reveal the
essential qualities of their spirits.
One whose soul is full of music, of
generous feelings and poetic thought,
may be compelled to spend mis- days IN
menial drudgery but if we could
overhear his secret prayers We might
catch the organ tones of a now mute,
inglorious Milton" Another may be
driven to spend his strength in battle
fields, although his heart is set on
peace. II we only knew the story of
David actions we might be inclined
to describe him as passionate soldier
with soldiers vices; but, reading his
PRAYERS, we are convinced that his
heart was not in camps, and that his
great crimes were the bitter fruits of
declension from himself as man of
God. He would rather build temple
than scatter armies; and after his
great transgression not merely cried
for mercy when punishment was de-
nounced, but moaned and sighed for
purity as sick men yearn for health.
The prayers of David lay bare that in-
visible arena whereon his true fight
was fought, and reveal those aspira-
tions after holiness and divine COM
munion which neither an outlaws
troubles nor royal cares could quench.
Good Words.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Bringing Up.

mo device has ever been invented
tha: will take the place of being
brought up"
So pithily said one of our promi-
nent city divines in recent sermon.
And the saying is worthy to be fram-
ed and hung up where every day it
may come under the eye of the moth
er. Bringing up is matter of day by
day, week by week, year by year. 1t
is a matter of social and moral atmos-
phere it is matter of example far
more than of precept. Right habits
must be formed, vicious tendencies
checked, high principles implanted,
noble impulses fostered, healthy appe-
tites gratlfied and encouraged. Who
is sufficient for these things?
We do not expect fountain to rise
higher than its source, and ought we
to expect children to surpass their pa
rents in essential nobility and worth T.?
They may in consequence of better ad-
vantages than their parents enjoyed
surpass their parents in some things,
move farther on along the lines that
reach upward and forward.
The parent who would bring up his
child Alright must begin with himself,
must be, so far rs it is in his power,
what he wants his child to be, must so
lay lhe tracts along which he wishes
his child to move, and adjust the
grades he is to climb, so that the ten
der feet may easily advance along the
chosen way, holding the parental
hand, cheered by the parental voice,
strengthened by the parental example
and eompanionship.
Those parents who make compan-
ions of their children, who enter into
their sports, their enthusiasms, their
ambitions, their hopes, their enterprise
es, are most successful in giving their
children a good bringing up.
May we not congratulate mothers OF
the middle classes that they are COM
PEELED to bring up their own children
instead of trusting them to the ten
der mercies of hired nurse? A lady
who spends part of every fine day in
Central Park says she can tell by the
face of a child before she glances at its
attendant whether the latter is its
mother or not. The mothered child
has serene and happy look, wanting
IN tQe lace Ol tue uuTSe-dttcauCu ShAAi'
In it's tenderest and most plastic years
it is nodded and formed by the unhir-
ed hand of maternal love and devo-
ton.
"My mother has made life easy for
me by the habits she formed in me in
my childhood" said an old lady yes
terday. "She taught me never to put
any thing out of my hand without
putting it in place. She taught me
that the right way is the best way
and the easiest way She abhorred
deceit, lying in every shape, company
manners, dishonesty, debt, dirt, bad
grammar. backbiting, ,idleness, extrav-
agance, meddling. She loved knowl-
edge, virtue, honor, integrity, honest
toll, humanity, the church, the cause
of Christ. Her ways were ways OF
peace"
A good bringing up is better in
vestment for child than any amount
of money in bank, and the best thing
about it is that parents who can put
no money in bank can give their chill,
dren this priceless endowment, and
send them out into the world to make
their own way, with no capital be-
yond a good bringing up.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
How TO Make a Good Wife Unhappy

See your wife as seldom rs possible.
If she is warm-hearted and cheerful IN
temper, or if, after days or weeks
absence, she meets you with smiling
face and in an affectionate manner,
he sure to look coldly upon her, and
answer her with monosyllables. If
she forces back her tears, and is resolv-
ed to look cheerful, sit down and cape
in her presence, till she is fully con-
vinced of your Indifference. Never
think you have anything to do to
make her happy, but that her happi-
ness is to flow from gratifying your ca
prices and when she has done all a
woman can do, be sure you do not ap-
pear gratified. Never take an inter-
est in any of her pursuits and if she
asks your advice, make her feel that
she is troublesome and impertinent.
If she attempts to rally you good hu-
moredly on any of your peculiaritles,
never join in the laugh, but frown her
into silence. If she has faults (Which,
without doubt, she will have, and per-
haps may he ignorant of, never at
tempt with kindness to correct them,
but continually obtrude' upon her ears:
"What good wife Mr.. Smith has ~
"How happy Mr.. Smith is with his
wife," ANY man would be happy
with such wife ~ In company, new
er seem to know you have q wife /;
treat all herremarks with indifference,
and be very affable and complaisant
to every other lady. If you follow
these directions, you may be certain
of an obedient and heart t-broken wife.
N. Y. Ledger.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Little Servants.

Come, children gather close around
me, for want to tell you something
about little brown-eyed boy saw
the other day holding on to the hand
of q great, tall, white-haired gentle
man. That was all
Nothing very strange in that" says
little Sam, "I hold on to my papa's
hand lots o. times" and "Iw and II
too" cry loving Bob and sturdy Sam
and pretty Sue.
Yes, but children, I was going on to
say that was all noticed at first, but
as the wee boy and the tall gentleman
came along L saw that the big hand
seemed to be holding on to the little
one, and the little boy, instead of
skipping and bouncing about as boys
usually do when they try to walk,
come walking beside the tall man care
fully watching every step, and when
they came to the steps of the grocery
and fruit market the little boy said !:
"Step up, father" in a voice 80 full
of sweet tender care that it sounded
Just like the dear mothers voice.
They walked around among the
fresh vegetables and fruits, the little
boy pointing out and telling the tall
man about them, and when they had
come to where the red and gold apples
nestled together in the barrels, the lit
tie boy laid the tall mans hand upon
them and his fingers futtered over
them and then on to where the frosty
purple grapes lay 80 sweet and juicy in
the white birch basket.
"These are very nice indeed, father,
I think you will like them," said the
little child as he lifted his beautiful
eyes to his fathers face, who did not
return the look, but smiled down up
OH him, which seemed to be just what
the little boy expected. He took up
the hand again and gently turned his
father around where stood a waiting
clerk, and while be was making his
purchases I spoke to the precious little
guide, and the gentleman hearing my
voice, turned quickly toward where L
stood and reaching out and feeling for
the brown head, said:
"Ah yes, this child is all the eyes
I have; he is my only light: his little
feet guide my footsteps wherever [ 60.
I do not know what should do with
out him, and he is so patient, too /;
never have I heard him murmur to be
taken from his play to serve me-"
The little fellows eyes shone with
love as his blind father praised his
faithfulness.
Just to think, little children, a wee
boy of seven so necessary to q great
strong man, and so ready aud patient
to serve the dear father, who was made
happy and contented by such sweet
service.-The kindergarten.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Josiah ", Leeds.

LEGAL KILLING.-The infiicti6n Of,
the death penalty is a barbarism
which has a pernicious moral effect,
and has no warrant in Scripture. tits
auIhentically known to have been vis-
tied upon persons guiltless of the
brimes charged. Ithas not been prov
en- to be more deterrent than is the inn
position of the penalty of imprison-
ment for life, and that the penalty, II
made unalterable, except upon proof Of
innocence subsequently, established
(as I believe is now the law in the
State of Maine), would be more accor-
dant with our civilization and profess
ion of christianity than is the law Of
life for life which now obtains. 8
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
The Cham Of Good Manner 8.

No one wh, has any appreciation Of
grace and beauty in nature or in art
can fail to reog nize the charm of fine
manners in al individual. We rejoice
in them as W. do in a lovely sunset
view, or beautiful piece of architect
ure, or a fascinating poem for their
own sake and for what they express !;
but even beyond this they have anoth-
er attraction 10 the magnetic power
they exert up4n all beholders in set
ting them at dase, in sweeping away
shyness. awk hrdness and restraint,
and in stimuli Ting them to the ex-
pressson of whatever is best worth
cherishing, vi ihin them. 1t is un.
doubtedly tru &that the presence Of
fine manners, Thether it be in the
home or social frcle, in the workshop
or the countinI room, in the visit of
charity or the Ills of legislation, has
an immediateI ffect in reproducing
itself, in diffudBg happiness, in devel-
oping the faculties, aud in electing the
the best that i5h everybody.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
following {

EARNEsTNEss.-Th following en-
tract from one of the best stories ever
written contains valuable suggestion
for everybody, and especially is it
golden advice to every advertiser. BE
earnest. Have faith in your work.
Attend to it. BE honest:
! lave been very fortunate i'll world.
ly matters many men have worked
much harder and not succeeded half
so well, but ] never could have done
what | have done without the habits
of punctuality, order and diligence,
without the determination to concen-
trate myself on one object at 4 time,
no matter how quickly its successor
should come upon its heels, which |
then formed. Whatever | have tried
to do in life I have tried with all my
heart to do well whatever | have de-
voted myself to l have devoted myself
to completely. In great aims and III
small / have always been thoroughly
in earnest. There is no substitute tol
thorough-going, ardent and sincere
earnestness. Never to put one hahd
to anything on which | could throw
my whole self, and never to affect dc
probation of my work, whatever II
was, find now to have been my gold
ZEN rules.-David Coppertield.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Drifting Apart.

In manyfamilies one member, often
the most intelligent and lovable,
stands alone, separate from the others,
az tho, an invisible wall of ice rose be-
tween him and them.
Usually. this division Is caused, not
by lack Of love or goodwill, but by
some difference of manner or taste.
In a word, they cannot keep step with
the prevailing habit of thought OF
their compspions.
II knew before I married." said a
Young wife, "that Ben made e'his living
by raising cattle. But I did not sup
bose that he look any special interest
In them as cattle. When he talks ev-
cry day of Alderneys and Holsteins,
of marks and pedigrees, be bores me
unspeakably, and tell him 30.
This lack Of sympathy, and indiffer-
ence to what makrs an essential part
of her husbands life-in other words,
the failure tsfall in step with her hus-
band-will probably ensure to this
wife and herhusband an unhappy do
mestic future.
Young people are often unwilling to
fall in step. 1T is not easy for them to
perceive that they and the friend who
differs from them can both be right.
Besides, some minds are apt to feel
that there isa certain distinction in
belonging to the minority.
Either as wife, sister, husband or
brother, if you would have happy
family life, remember two rules:
In mattersof principle, stand like q
rock.
In mattersof taste, swim with the
current.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
' Taking Aim.
MARY g. LADD.

~
There were four little boys
Who started togo
From the very same spot,
To make tracks In the snow.
Who made his paths straightest,
They laid In their plan,
or all the contestants
Should be the best man.
Now, this little four
We're Philip aud John,
And merry faced Harry,
And sober eyed Don;
The best friends in the world,
And full OF invention
In play. but they seldom
Were found In contention,
Well, they started together,
And travelled along;
But John, Don, and Harry
In some way went wrong;
But Phil made his path
Nearly straight, and they wondered,
When all tried alike,
Why they three had blundered.
Then Philip replied
"The reason you see;
Though not harder tried
TO succeed than you three,
I pushed for that oak,
Going forward quite ready,
While you struggled on
Withou: aim, and unsteady
Now you see, myldear boys,
What such lessons teach
II there is point
That you wish TO reach,
A position in life
At all worth the naming,
II you gain 1t, twill greatly
Depend on your aiming.
Christian Union.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
"\Vhat hast thou that thor

"\yhat hast thou that thor y
not receive ?" At the best, al Il
are living on the gifts th,,. ha
made to Us. Yet how. ,many
there are who pride themselves
inc self-mate men, or on,not l.
had help from anybody inotheir,
rcss in life Did any man max
own physical organization? d.
create, or even choose, his n
qualities, or his powers of persist
Did he bestow on others, with
he has had to do, those better tra'
theirs which have prompted the
be his helpers instead of his hinde,
What experience in any mans lif" Ii
been one where he was dependert ft
success on neither God nor his f. low
man? The man who says he owe
nothing to any one else for what he
or has, is us ungrateful as the proud
spirited respectable" beggar who a
ways prefaces his request br fresh ali
with the remark, Remember hat
can only take this as loal. [ coul
never receive charity from any
body"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

DON'T JUDGE HARsHLY.-Iti is not
we'll to make up your Judgment OF
persons and their doings too quickly.
The reason for certain actions is not
always apparent, and we should not
condemn without good reason. The
truthfulness of this little incident Is
duly vouched for:
At an auction sale in Atlanta when
some trinkets were being disposed OF,
the auctioneer held aloft pretty pair
of crutches. In the crowd was poor
crippled boy, and the crutches were
Just the right length for him: he was
the first to bid on the crutches. An
elderly well-dressed man bid against
him. There were cries OF shame!
"Shame w in the crowd. The boy
made another bid and once more ne
was overbid by the same old gentle
man. The boy id all be was able,
and turned awal with tears III his
ewes. The cruz es were Knocked
down to the eldeie man, and to the
great surprise Of, he took them TO
the poor little :ae1 and made him a
present of thenE There probably
never was an old man who was more
abused and praised in such a short
space of time as Mas the purchaser OF
the crutches. But be heard none
of it, and disappeared even before the
grateful boy could thank him.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08

The boy who leaves ut the end OF a
common school course with Il love Tor
reading good books is better prepared
for Il life of honor and influence than
one who has passed through a high
school without that love and he who
has an ordinary school education with
a taste for good reading is better equip
ped for the duties of life than the grad
uate of the best college or university
in the country without that taste.
A guilty man is the author Of his
own ruin but even an innocent man
may bc eflectually ruined by false ac-
cuScrS.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-08
Clerical ConscriptS in France.

The Herdid Of Peace says: 'Ihe
new law to compel seminarists to serve
for year in the French army, rs com
mon soldiers, has come into force. 1t
seems to us this is only right and pro-
per. The church upholding conscrip-
ton should be conscripted. 1t is very
different with non-comhatant CHRIS
tianS.