davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
TruMe Farming.

It is announced Oh the authority OF
Official figures that the value of the truf-
fles rooted up last year by pig and dog
in France were assessed at So, 900, 600,
although, of course, this does not iu-
clude the large quantity of which no ac.
count was rendered by poachers and
other unrecognized collectors. At first
hand 81 pound is the price at which
the trlffles were valued, while the ran
som they fetched in towns was fully twice
as much. What they are worth IN Lon
don It IS not possible for gourments to
learn; but even in Italy-a truffie coun-
try-the black species is often sold for
$3.50. It is clear that trufle farming is
profitable, nearly half the French export
namely, 205, 900 pounds-goes to
England. There was time when truf-
fle gathering was a common trade on the
Sussex and Wiltshire downs in England
Yet it is now a lost art.-New York
Recorder.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
An Odd Faculty.

There is no individuality in diamond
Take it from the setting with which you
have grown familiar, place it among
number of other stones of the same size
and the chances are a hundred to one
that YOU will not be able to pick it out
again. Despite this fact, there are some
men, long accustomed to the handling o.
precious stones, who can remember and
recall one of them as though it were a
human face.
A cur,ous instance, illustrating this
odd faculty transpired in the office OF
Maiden lane jeweler last Thursday.
Years ago a now famous American
comedian went to Australia and played
lengthy and successful engagement in
that country. Just before he sailed
honeward Dan Mcguire, a manager well
known in Melbourne in those days, pre-.
sented him with a handsome diamond
shirtstud as souvenir of the numerou:
pleasant hours that they had passed to-
cether during his visit. The comedian
wore the jewel for time after mis- ar-
rival here and finally gave it to boy,
one of his distant relatives, for Christ
mas gift after it had been reset as a
ring.
Las Thursday the boy, now grown to
be strappiug young man, took the ring
to the Maiden lane Hweler to have it re-
paired, and handed it over to desic.
Gated aud gray haired little Englishman
who stood behind the showcase.
He locked long and steadily at the
stone, and reminiscent smile curved his
colorless lips.
"Young man." he said, "when you
were rather smaller by very long odds
than you are now, I sold that diamond
to Dan Mcguire in Melbourne, Australia.
and be gave it to some Yankee actor. "
The owner of the gem. knowing its
history, was astounded. When asked to
explain how he remembered it, the
Englishman could not, and laid his abil-
ity to do so to some mysterious instinct.
"I'vc been jeweler all my life," he
remarked, "and have owned my own
store three times. think that, without
boasting, I can recognize every diamond
of every size that l have ever handled
during that period, though how l man.
age to do it is as much mystery to me
as it is to anybody else. l have met with
other jewellers who have the same fac
ulty, but, like me, they can't explain 1t. J."
New York Commercial Advertiser.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
HOOK-SWINGING.
PROPITIATING A FEEOCIOUS
HINDOO GODDESS.
The Human Victim Swings High In
Air by Hooks Attached to
Pole and Buried in
His Flesh.

The Hindoos of the lower caste are
barbarous in many customs and ideas,
and they have goddess called Miramal,
who, according to her worshipers, must
be most ferooious deity. When plaques
af1ict the people, this amiable per-
sonage is supposed to be angry, and she
must needs be propitiated by what is
called shook.swinging." This practi-
cally amounts to human sacrifice, and
the method of Precipitation is described
as something terrible. This form of
sacrifice was once very common in India,
but was stopped through the efforts of
an'American missionary, and only lately
has it been revived. There is numer-
Gus caste in southern India called the
"Kullen," or thief caste, who appear to
be no better than savages as far as pos
sessing the higher emotions or senti-
ments. The country near Madura was
suffering not long ago from a severe
drought, and they came to the conclu-
sion that Miramal was indu'ging in fit
of temper, and that only hook-swinging
would appease ner.
From four villages we're selected eight
men, among whom lots were cast, and a
young Kullen, a strong, we'll built fell
low of twenty-five, was selected as
victim. He was taken to the temple,
and there, it is conjectured, was drugged
to render him insensible to pain. When
the day of sacrifice arrived, the young
man was brought before vast multi
tude that had congregated to see the ex.
hibitlon of suffering. A pole about
fifty feet IN length was fastened midway
on pivot that rested upon car. Iron
hooks had been fastened in the muscles
of the victims back, and the pole was
lowered while the hooks were bound to
one end. Then tie other end of the
pole was pulled down, and the man
swung thirty feet in the air, suspended
by the hooks buried in his flesh. A cir
Gle of the pole was made, the victim
swinging with it, and then for one hour
and quarter, while the carwa dragged
along for nearly mile, the young
man remained suspended. He was
thrown to and fro with the jolting Of
the car, but the hooks remained fast.
During this awful exhibition, the viclim
waved his hands to the people below,
and hauling up flowers by rope, he
scattered them among the crowd. When
o certain circuit had been made, it was
thought that Miramal had been satisfied,
and the young man was released from his
position, but he still kept the hooks for
several hours longer. In this condition
he went about among the people collect
ing money, and dilater on was taken to the
temple, where the hooks were removed.
This is the first time in many years
that the ceremonyhas been gone through;
but counting upon another outburst from
their goddess, it has been declared that
the custom will now be celebrated an
nually. The representatives of her I'm
perial Majesty had been duly warned that
the ordeal would take place; an answer
was given that they could not interfere
"as the suffering was voluntary" And
yet they stopped the Juggernaut practices
notso many years ago.-Harpers Weekly
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
A Portable TeleDhOne.

One of the members of the Glasgow
(scotland) Fire Department has con-
ceived the idea of employing the tele-
phone in communicating with head
quarters concerning the progress of fire,
and consequently each hose-cart is sup
piled with a portable telephone. The
instrument comprises complete re-
celver, transmitter and call.bell, requir-
ing no battery, the communication with
the headquarters being made by connect
ing the wire with any of the street fire.
alarms. The advantage of such sys.
tenn is that the headquarters can at all
times be apprised of the progress OF the
fire, and should fire break out i'll another
section of the city it is possible to COM
municate with the engines at the first
fire without the uncertainty and loss OF
time of employing a messenger.-Phi-a-
delphia Record.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

there were thousands of dollars on the
race. The men in the boats work with
vengeance, too, for not only to the vic.
tor belongs the spoils, but to the con-
ouered belongs the hootings. The race
is more to compare muscle than to win
the 'spuds." One race is sure to bring
on an argument that ends in another, and
so on until every "mess" has had q
round, and the championship of the
crew is settled on some one boats crew,
which championship is held until the
next holiday, when they will have to
work manfully to retain it.
The evenings are closed by all hands
assembling fo'd under the fo'c's'l and
singing the songs so pleasing to sailors
ears. But for song to be properly ap-
preciated it must have long, soul-stir-
ring chorus, in which all hands can Join
-one that has harmonious blending of
all the parts, and then it is entered into
with a vim that makes the welkin ring.
As the songs grow tiresome the yarns
spring up-yarns that to a lubber would
seem ridiculous, but to sailor sacredly
true. Such as the forsaking of ship by
rats, the heedlessness of the crew that
stay hy her, regardless of the forewarn-
ing by the rats; the ship sails and is
never heard of again. Try to talk them
out of it, that the rats, leaving had moth
ing to do with the loss of the vessel, land
you would be laughed at.
When a vessel is southtound to cross
the equator those aboard who have never
crossed the line, see and go through a
nautical festivity Of the Oldest standing.
The custom is carried out to the fullest
exsreme aboard a man-of.war. 1t is
about as follows:
One of the oldest salts aboard is
secretly chosen as Neptune, and on the
evening before the line is to be crossed,
he conceals himself away for'rd under
the bowsprit and halls the vessel as
though from the deep:
"Ship ahoy!"
"Hello" from the officer of the deck.
"What ship is that2"
HThe U. 3. D.
"Back your main hard and heave to,
am going to board you"
Whereupon he comes on deck with
his wife and clerk, all dripping with
water, as though just from the bottom CT
the hriny deep.
The clerk carries a mailbag which
contains the certificates of membership
of the Royal Sons Of Neptune" which
are given to every one aboard who has
crossed the line before. Every one who
does not receive one of these certificates
has to be initiated on the following day
into membership of the Royal Sons.
Those who do receive them are given
some station for the exercises
to act as policemen, guards
men, pilots, lookout and barber.
On the following morning Nep.
tune takes complete control of the ship,
puts his lookout at the masthead and the
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

cline OH" "Where awaya" GA
ships length ahead, sir" "Cut it. :"
cay, ay, SIR"
Some one runs up to the bow, and,
with sheath knife, sewers the imaginary
line, and the ship glides over the equator.
The policemen are ordered to bring every
one who has not certificate before the
throne, and though they know the cere-
mony is rough still the uninitiated have
to come. To conceal themselves is i'm.
possible; if in the hold they are dragged
out and beaten before the judge supreme
with stuffed clubs. If aloft even to the
truce he is hauled down without eere-
mony, though sometimes he gives the
coppers lively chase through the rig
ging. The "greenies" are marched in
line before the judge, and the ceremony
begins.
Neptune-"My son, have you ever be.
fore entered my sacred domaine"
First Victim-"No, sir. "for if he lies
about it he is caught.)
Neptune-"Do you desire to become q
member of my royal familyq"
First Victim-"You do me too much
honor"
Neptune-"My sons, take him; make
him as yourselves"
He is seized, placed in the BARRIERS
chair AID prepared for shave. The
lather is made of molasses, tar, -four and
grease which is bountifully applied, and
the barber welding great tin razor
about two feet long gracefully scrapes
him and turns him over to the assis-
tants, who turn him over to the seadogs,
waiting just behind, by hosting his feet
ard giving shove. Into the pool he
goes head first and the dogs keep him in
the salt water with constant ducking un-
til he is proper salt. He is taken out,
given the right hand of fellowship and
joins in the initiation of the other un-
fortunates. Every one las it to endure,
even to the officers, unless they pay their
footing by bountiful treat to the revel-
ers.
This ceremony sometimes occupies a
half day, according to the number OF
men aboard, who never crossed before.
If there is band aboard they pay their
footing by furnishing music during the
entire time, and at close all hands are
called to muster, and the newly initiated
brothers are given their certificates as
safeguard against the future.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
ENDYMIoN.
BY ARTHUR E. SMITH.

The winds are hushed; the night is still,
And the chaste moon shines DER the hu.
Her silvery rays light up the wales
Where chant the happy nightinSales!
Twas once upon night like TINS
That Cynthia awoke Endymion with kiss
Her glowing face, in Heaven above,
Is overrun with smiles OF love;
While on the lakelets calm breast We
Her silver bow reflected see.
Her heart is passionate now, as when
Endymion she caught slumb ring in the glen
In Dian's forest-vale-'tis said
Endymion once laid on bed
OF flow RS to rest while tending sheep.
When there no fell in deep sleep;
Then CYNTHIA stole to where he lay
And flooded the dark WOOD with moonbeams gay
She turned. then from Endyrnion fed.
And hid behind a cloud, tits said;
But he from his deep sleep awoke
In time to catch her last sweet look.
It was enough; her love had won;
He arose, then followed her unto the moonI
Love comes to human hearts without
A bidding or a previous thought,
And fixes its impassioned gaze
Upon the peaceful upturned face
OF him who quiet slunlb'ring lies,
Then kisses lovingly his closed eyes.
Oh, weary heart! Oh, heart opprest
By cares of life. for you there's restl
For you there is al age OF bliss,
When love prints on your brow q k1ssl
No heart SO weary, faint, or sad,
But what again love can make it thrice gladI
Love kisses us we know not when,
And flies away, but comes again.
Is there heart SO steeled by hate
But what unguarded, leaves some gate
That Love may enter in, and food
The heart with light, as Cynthia Dian 8 wood?
CHICAGO, Ill
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

course is laid to the coming of the pilot.
All of his subjects array themselves in
long white robes made of canvass or
anything else convenient, march around
the father of the waters, and pay him
homage. A pool is arranged near the
feet of Neptune and by tucking up the
corners of large sail and filling the bag
part of the sheet with water person Of
medium height would be covered to the
breast when in the water. Several of the
members act as seadogs, and aounce
around with delight in this improvised
pool. Directly by the pool is placed
the barber chair, constructed so that the
seat of it is little higher than the pool
sail. When everything is in readiness
the masthead lookout sings out:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
A Pretty Big Stone.

An enormous boulder, said to be the
largest ever moved in railroad construc.
ton, was excavatcd recently on the line
of the Mexican Southern Railway. It
was 120 feet in height and measured
1000 cubic metres. The laborers cleared
as much earth from under and around it
as possible, and then six dynamite cart
ridges were placed under it and exploded
in succession. The sixth explosion
tumbled the boulder to one side, Clipped
it some, and mozed it out OF the way.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
An Historic Old H0use.

A little italian grocery and lodging
house stands at the corner of Jamaica
avenue and Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y.
1t was in that building, with its
quaint old Dutch architecture, then
known as the Hunters Home, that
Washington laid his plans for the battle
of Long Island.
The house was built by Jacob Bergen,
for whom one of Brooklyn's longest
streets is named. 1t has passed through
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

side and the prize at the out board end.
The first to venture know that they are
sure to 20 overheard, still they go.
They brace up, like man trying to con-
vince his wife he can walk seam, make
brave start and in twinkliug are
founcing in the water to the great de.
light of the spectators. The second and
third suffer alike and sometimes as many
as twenty will take swim before the
greece is worn off two.thirds of the way
to the prize. The. winner gets the
greatest applause and he is lucky if he
misses riding spar (raiD.
The greasy pole to climb is another
sport, but repetition of the same thing
with no ducking in it.
But catching the greasy pig takes the
cake.
The little fellow is shaved perfectly
smooth and creased so thoroughly that
fly would slip and break his neck if he
lighted on him. A competitor is chosen
from each "mess" to join in the chase.
Each competitor put on his Oldest
clothes, fills his pockets with sand, to
enable him to grapple with the victim,
and takes his stand in the row. At a
signal the pig is turned out, frightened
until he runs like the wind, and the
chase commences. Round they 60, over
and under obstacle, clawing and scratch
ing with sandy hands at the little rascal
as he dodges under this and behind that.
The scramble is worse than game of
football, and between the shrieks of
laughter, cheers of encouragement and
the melodlous notes of the swinette there
is noise sufficient to wake the dead.
The race continues until pursuer and
pursued are exhausted, and the pig is
given to the one who is man enough to
take it from the others. The mess gets
the benefit.
The most exciting games are the boat
races. One "mess" will race with another
for sack of -four or potatoes, or any
thing else edible, as stake. The race
is conducted with as much pomp as
though the championship of the world
depended upon it, and the .,lookers-on
are cheering and urging them on like
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

THOUGH your friends tell you that
their latch-string is always out, we
have noticed that if you call on them
Unexpectedly, you will get little else
for your dinner but apologies.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

The railway to Jerusalem will prob
ably be open by April next. The works
were somewhat delayed by torrential
rains. but now advance rapidly.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

For the first time woman was natural
lied in Philadelphia, Penn, recently.
She is Miss Louise Kelner. of the Hahne-
man College, and German by birth.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

The Moscow (Russie) missionary
society numbers IL, 900 members and re-
ceives $3.50, 900 annually.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

The South Dakota wheat crop will
average at present prices 100000 to
each county.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

The leading jewellers say that the most
fashionable finger ring for men is the
diamond.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
, By E. M. DAvY.
CHAPTER XIV.
urIc Ut 1ELn

L s e g m e q q 3
though I were un-
: der the influence
of. a spell, and
that my wife, by
speaking to me,
broke it.
Il beg your par.
don, Doctor, said
I; then glanced
swiftly round the
table to see if my
abstraction b a d
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

a number of widely divergent ex.
periences. The present owner bears the
popular name Sarsoparillo, and it is said
some seventy Italians sleep there nightly.
New York Mail and Express.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17
JACKS JOLLITY.
HOW HOLIDAYS ARE SPENT ON
THE WATER.
Antics of the Jolly Sailors on a
Man-ofWar-Catch the
Greasy Pig-A Visit
From Neptune.

MONG the many
6 sntics cut on legal
holidays aboard
ship these, ac-
cording to George
W. Crusselle, in
the Atlanta Con-
stitution, are the
most prominent.
Walking a greasy
boom rugged out
from the ship 8
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-17

been remarked, and decided
that it lad not.
Il was only calling your at.
, tention to the appalling fact
that we have "a chiel among
us taking notes, " laughed
Gascoigne. Your London
friend, Mr.. Hawks, is desirous
Morning journal and courier., 1892-11-17
FAIR HAVEN NEWS.

Expect to Clear 1000 at Their Fair Hound over for BurSlary-Improv-
 Ing Cemetery Lot-Reunfon of the Denver Party-ChrIstfan Endeayor Unton-An Interesting Address by
 Mrs. "h1ttemore, the Founder of
 Door of Hope Mission, New York.
 The members of the St. Ignatius T. A. and B. society who opened their annual fair last evening are expecting to make at least $1 ,000, which will be applied to the building fund.
 John D. Clark, the sneak thief, who stole clothing from Officer Doody's boarding house on Monday, was bound over in the sum of $500 in the city court yesterday. He went to jail.
 The fifty-fourth meeting of the Chris tian Endeavor union of New Haven was held last evening in the Second Congrega- tional church. The meeting began with an interesting song service, in which nearly all present participated. This was followed with scripture reading and prayer by Rev. ID. M. James, pastor of the church. The address of the evening was given by Mrs. E: M. Whittemore. founder of the Door ot Hope mission, New York city, who related some very interesting incidents in the progress of that great work. The address was listened to with earnest attention throughout. The consecration service which closed the meet ing was conducted by Rev. Mir. Davis of the Yale divinity school. The local vice presidents of the union are: Second Con gregational church, M. A. Farren; Grand avenue Congregational church, George J. Gutbrod; Grand avenue Baptist church. Charles Sherman; Ferry street Copprepa tional church, Fred L, Edson; East Side M. E. church, L. c. Porter; East Haven Congregational church, s. R. Chidsey.
 The Blatchley lot in the Fair Haven cemetery is being improved and fouuda- tlon will soon be put in for a granite sar cophagus.
 The Fair Haven members of the Knight Templars' party which made the trip to Denver will unite with their brethren of that interesting pilgrimage in reunion in Masonic hall this evening. A number of views obtained on that occasion will be shown by the aid of the stereopticon.
 Mrs. Hobart B. Ives is visiting in North Adams 'A-
 Next Tuesday evening Bigelow council. Q. U. A: M., will hold an open meeting in Central hall.
 Last evening at 8 o'clock William H. Dorman, son of John Dorman of 152 Ex- change street, and Miss Mary Burns, whose home is at the corner of Chapel and James street, were married at the parsonage of the East Pearl street M. E.. church by Rev J. II. Hand. MT. and Mrs. Dorman will reside at 152 Exchange street.
Morning journal and courier., 1892-11-17
THE RAILROADS,

Annual Meeting of the Nausatuck Railroad Company Judge A.
 Heaton Robertson One of the Di. rectOrs Chosen.
 BRIDGEPORT, Nov. 16.-The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Nauga- tuck Railroad company was held here to- day. It was called to order by Presiaen, w. D. Bishop. In the absence of Secretary Horace Nichols, who was confined at his home by a bronchial trouble, W. D. Bishop, jr., acted as secretary pro tenn The following gentlemen were elected d. rectors: Messrs. w. D. Bishop of this city, s. 8. Dennis of Newark, N. J., Joel A. Sperry of New Haven, David w. Plumb of Birmingham. Royal M. Bas- sett of Shelton, w. D. Bishop, jr, of this city, F. J. Kinsbury of Waterbury, Charles F. Brooker of Torrington and A. Heaton Robertson of New Haven. The latter was elected to fill the place vacated by the death of his father, Dr.. J. B. Rob- ertson.
 The directors chose the following off cers: President, w. D. Bishop; treasurer, w. L. Squire of New Haven; secretary Horace Nichols of this city
 The declaring of dividend is not with in the scope of the company, as that is left solely to the Consolidated road, which on leasing the road promised to pay an annual dividend of 10 per cent. on all stock. No other business was transacted at the meeting.