davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
The Grace Of Accepting.

We hear great deal about a gracious,
wise and notable way Of giving, but
people rarely speak of ways Of accept
ing, be it gift or favor And yet hero
also wisdom, affability and generosity,
or their opposite qualities, may be very
conspicuously displayed. If but few OF
those who have a liberal spirit are
lowered with that ''talent" for giving
which cheers the recipient like sun!
beam, there are still fewer who UNDER
stand how to accept with grace and
dignity. Where great sacrifices are
offered the person for whom they are
made is so overwhelmed by gratitude
that all ceremony vauishes, and the ex-'
preston of thanks pours unstrained from
the heart. But in the thousands of little,
everyday favors one cannot help noticing!
how few persons possess the faculty Of,
accepting graciously. So at this time OF
general interchange of gifts, the majority
trivial, but all, let US hope. possessing
the genuine value of being the expression
of kindly feeling, perhaps little lectureI
on the art OF acceptance may Dc Ilmeiy.
Which of us cannot recall some occa-'
sion in the past when the curt refusal Of
some trifing gift or favor, whose offer
was prompted by the kindliest impulses.
has cut deep and fingered in the memory
for many day, though, doubtless, the
blunt rejection was due merely to brusque,
ness of manner, with no thought Of
inAicting pain2
Even when no hurt is folt, how stiff
and wooded, how awkward the majority:
of people are in accepting any little at
tention or present. Either they pour
forth torrent of thanks so utterly dis.
proportioned to the matter in question
that the giver is uncomfortably embar-
rassed, ,or they receive 1t with display Of
the most formal courtesy.-Washington
Post.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS.

God has sent scme angels into the world
whose Office Is to refresh the sorrows Of the
poor. and to tighten the eyes Of the discoDso-
late. And what greater pleasure can we have
than that Of bringing joy to our brother;
that the tongue should be tuned with
heavenly accents, and make the weary soul
listen for light and ease: and when he per-
ceiyes that there is such a thing in the world,
and in the order of things, as comfort and
Joy, to begin to break out from the prison OF
his sorrows, at the door of sighs and tears,
and BY little and little begin to melt into
showers and refreshment-this is glory to
thy voice and employment tit for the bright
est angel.
So have seen the sun kiss the frozen earth,
which was bound up with the images of
death, and the colder breath of the north ;
and the waters bre.i from their enclosures,
and melt with joy and run in useful cham
nes and the flies to rise from little graves
in the walls, and dance little while In the
air, to tell that joy is within, and that the
great mother of creatures will open the stock
Of her dew refreshment, become useful to
mankind, and sing praises to her RedGemer
So in the heart Of q sorrowrul man under the
discourse of wise comfort; he breaks from
the despair of the grave, and the fetters and
chains of sorrow; he blesses God, and he
blesses thee, and he feels his life returning.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
ONE OF THE MENNoNITEs.

erected in America in 170S. One OF
the Oldest settlements of Mennonltes IN
this country is at Lancaster, Penn, and
there are said to be 10000 of them in
the United States. with sou meeting
houses. These represent nearly all the
secrs into which the Mennonites are
divided, but they all adhere to the con
fession of faith adopted at bort in 1877.
At Milford Square. Penn, andElkhart,
Ind, they have publishing Offices, and
seminary at Wadsworth, Ohio.
Although not founded by Memo
Symons, the Mennonities were reorgan-
lied by him and called after him. They
we're originally called Anabaptists. The
first church was organized at Zurich IN
1925 by two young scholars, Conrad
Grebel and Felix MANI, with George
Blaurock, a former monk. They re-
iected infant baptism, baptized aduls
persons only on profession OF faith,
and they practiced, non-resistance aud
abstinence from oaths. For this reason
Mennonities do not like to hold public
office which would compel them to take
oaths and administer punishments, and
in the United States they baptize chill
dren as a rule at about the age of
eighteen years.
The history of the Mennonites is one
of successive migrations. They have
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
ego WORK TODAY"

List thee, Christian! The voice of the
master is not drowned by the din Of BUSH
ness. The claims Of religion are not abated
by your hurry and stress OF occupation. The
still, small voice that bids you 10 be at work
today for God, is peremptory. What though
you are pressed with care. Religious duty is
cares great cure. What though the care Of
business drugs heavily, it Is by prayer and
by heavenly hope that the wheels are to be
kept in motion.
Go work today in the vineyard. God has
serves he will have done with you. He will
not accept the service OF your leisure hours.
Religions great aim and triumph arc real
lied in the subjection Of the change to the
closet, of the bank to the Bible, of the street
to the sanctuary. What Is religion worth
that can flourish only as weeds do in q Desc
late and untitled field? What is that princi-
pie worth that cannot withstand the least
pressure of worldly solicitation?
Go work today. Now, when labor will be
n cross; now, when your example will be
valuable; now, when the world should know
your principles; now, when the mass are
trying to serve God and Mammon, 20 work
for God, and you can do something worthy
of your vows. What does the cause of
Christ need more than examples Of that
religion which makes place for the
prayer meeting and the lecture in every
weeks calendar, and which shuts the door
of the closet on the world until God is
worshipped? The greatest attainment
Of life is truly to use this world without
abusing ito attend manfu!ly to
every claim of business, to breast
with heroism every storm of commercial
embar rrassment-to do ones best in whatever
circumstances may develop, and at the same
time, to live out the Christian, by course
of daily usefulness. To be at the same time
d good business man and warn,-hearted
disciple-to care for every interest Of reli-
gion amidst all secular cares-to lay stone
on Zion's walls with every accession OF
worldly fortune this is true Christianity.
Nor will any principles Of living ensure men
from the snares of covetousness, and the
deep pit of commercial dishonesty. except
those simple rules of living which the gospel
prescribes for all times.
Go work today. Seek out some humble
labor oflove. It may save you from falling.
Invite some interruption Of your excessive
worldliness. Call in some umpire, who shall
put down the false and ruinous claims of
Mammon.
Have religion which can live and be hon.
ored abroad us well as a: home; in busy sea-
sons as in dull times on rainy Sundays as
on fair ones; in the afternoon as in the
morning; when prosperity fans rs when
adversely battles your progress. Seek cure
for your religious dlstempers. by going to
work today for God IN. Y Observer
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
SONG.

II the day be cloudy and depression,
which all your resolution cannot shake of,
creeps into your haert, sing. Though you
may not feel in the least like singing, yet
persevere. Choose some sweet and comfort
ing hymn. and sing it through to the end;
then another, then another, and If, at the
end of the third, sunshine does not return
to your heart and face, your malady is in
deed obstinate. Sing to your little children:
Your voice may be unframed. but it will
sound sweet to them, and in after years they
will recall with tender recollection the songs
you sang as you rocked them to sleep. or as
they leaned upon mothers knee in the twi-
light hour.
Sing in the Lords house as an act Of wor-
ship If your voice be strong and sweet, re-
joice in this good gift from your Heavenly
Father, and sing aloud in his praise. II 1t be
weak and perhaps broken with age. still let
it mingle softly with the others. When the
voice begins to break and quaver, pride will
counsel silence, but if the counsel be obeyed,
the power to sing is lost altogether, and
elderly people thus lose the means of solace
in many q lonely, quiet hour. Never give
up singing.-[Congregationalist.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
A PATTERN.


So Paul called himself in his conversion to
Christ. But how pattern?
OF how great sinner may be saved by
grace. Was he not a blasphemer and perse-
cutor? Did he not breathe out threatenings
and slaughter against the disciples? Did he
not aid in the murder of Stephen? Did he
not drag helpless women to prison and
judgment? Did he not imbue bis hands in
the blood of many martyrs? Did he not
cherish the most intense malice against
Jesus Christ himself? But he obtained
mercy. Who then need despair! When to
the name Of Manasseh, and the Magdalen,
and the sinners Of Jerusalem, was added
that Of Saul Of Tarsus as saved by grace. was
there not demonstration that no child OF
Adam need perish.
OF how great saint such saved sinner
may become. Was there ever an instance Of
loftier or purer devotion! Do q annals Of
the world furnish character of superior eX-
cellence! Was there not almost an utter
abnegation of self and conservation to Christ?
Did not his moral course indeed resemble
the morning light, which sbineth more and
more unto the perfect dnyf What untiring
activity. What quenchless zeal. What sub
lime heroism. What seraphic love. And
yet this man was once the chief Of sim
ners!
Yes-a pattern, one aspect OF which for
bids sinful despair; the other aspect Of
which aIlures and impels to holy hope and
e1ertion
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23

New York World, they did not Look
like Russians, and among themselves
spoke in German. The men we're big
stalwart fellows, with light hair and
boards, powerful limbs and great bresdth
of chest. Great coats of sheepskin and
Astrakhau wool protected them from the
chilly wind which made some OF the
Italians shiver. The Mennonltes had
worn these coats on their Russian farms,
and appeared to be we'll satisfied that
they had brought them to America. On
their heads were heavy caps of wool, and
they wore thick boots and warm gloves.
They were otherwise simply attired.
Men and women were devoid OF orna-
ment, for the Mennonite faith resembles
the Quakers in respect to simplicity OF
dress. This, indeed, was carried so far
among the Mennonites that large num-
Der of them at one time refused to wear
buttons on their clothes and fastened
them with hooks. A bitter war was
waged among the Mennonites on this
subject, and they became divided into
Buttonites and Hookers. The new ar
rivals were Buttonite Mennonites, for
they had big horn buttons on their
coats.
Out in Nebraska, where they are going
to till the soil and raise sheep, they will
meet old friends who preceded them to
America. The reason they were speak
Ing German instead of Russian was be-
cause their forefathers moved from Hesse
Cassel to Russia, where they hoped to
enjoy religious liberty. That was more
than one hundred years ago. During
all that time they have clung to their
ancient language and customs surround
ed by the Russian peasantry, with whom
thew have lived on peaceful terms. This
kind of clannishness is encouraged by
the Mennonite faith, an. some of the
sects have even refused to join with other
Christians in prayer. They believe,
however, in honesty, industry and thrift,
aud in this regard make excellent
citizens.
They also practice non-resistancc, and
this is said to be the reason why the
Mennonites who passed through New
York yesterday have come to the United
States. In 1888 when the Mennonites
began to settle on the banks of the
Dnieper aud around the Sea of Azov the
Emperor of Russia, by special decree,
exempted them from military duty, as
they did not believe in wars. In 1871,
however, the privilege was abolished and
they had either to become soldiers or to
emigrate. Thousands of Mennonltes
then came to the United States rather
than sacrifice principle by joining the
army of the Car. They settled in Min
nesota and Kansas.
The emigration of Mennonites was
continued until the Car was afraid he
would lose all of these thrifty subjects
and he finally modified the decree rela'
tive to military conscription. This ar
rested the tide ofimmigration, of but those
who came here were so well pleased with
their new surroundings that they IN
duced others to follow.
Mennonites were among the hrst
Dutch settlers of New York. Their arst
church in this country was organized IN
16S3,at Germantown, Penn, ,and the nrst
meeting house, which still stands, was
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
A Fable About Scandal.

The pIous Philip Neri was once visited
by lady who accused herself of slander.
BE bade her 90 to the market, buy q
chicken just killed and still covered with
feathers, and walk certain distance,
plucking the bird as she went. The
woman did as she was directed, and re-
turned, ANXIOUS to know the meaning of
the injunction.
"Retrace your steps," said Philip,
"and gather up, one by one, all the
feathers you have scattered"
.'I cast the feathers carelessly away"
said the woman, 'and the wind carried
them in all directions.
swell, my child, /" replied Philip, ''so
it is with slander. Like the feathers
which the wind has scattered, they have
been waited in many directions. Call
hem back now, if you can. "-Argonsut.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
A Crafty Indian Chief.

Few Indian chiefs are better known in
the West than Moses of the Okonagans
or Columbia River Indians. Yet few
know how to estimate the red man at his
worth. Lots of things can be said in his
favor and as many things against him.
His career is therefore interesting.
Chief Moses is an aborigine whose
herculean size, splendid poise and daunt-
less manner challenge attention at once.
Beside this, he is born diplomat and a
talented and graceful orator. Every In
dian Commission he has ever had any
thing to do with he has whipped around
his fingers as easily as boy would a
skein of packthread.
Moses was born in the Big Bend coun-
try about fifty years ago. As he grew to
manhood and civilization crowded to-
ward him he dickered off his reserva-
tions one by one until be had none.
Then the Government removed him and
his tribe to the Okanogan reservation,
belonging to the Okanogau Indians.
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perces, whose
record in war is we'll known, was also
removed there.
The two chieftains had not long been
there till they formed league of friend
ship for revenue, and their manner of
attaining the latter has excited the ad-
miration of many less able financiers
than themselves. Although neither of
them, nor their followers, have any right
ito the reservation and were only there by
suffrance, the Government forgot this
after few years. A new commission,
one of the jaunting kind, came along,
and Moses, who was the orator of the
combination, represented to the commis-
sioners that he and Joseph, who had
long been friends of the white man,
were in need of money. He told that
they had many times prevented their
young men (meaning all the Ozsuogan
IndianS from going on the warparh.
Game was getting scarce, and they
humbly desired to be pens. oned.
1t was so skillfully done that the In
disn Commission recommended $1,000
year each as regular stipend. This
they have been receiving for several
years. A short time ago a new Indian
Commission came out to treat for 3,000,-
600 acres of the reservation. Moses
stood up and dictated the terms of the
treaty and will come in for share; in
fact, he aud Joseph are to be given $4,000
each as bonus, in addition to big
share of the proceeds, if the treaty goes
through.
There is much kicking among the
rightful Indians of the okanogan reser-
vatlon, but Moses and Joseph are too
firmly seated to be shaken off. Both are
now quite wealthy. They own large
bands of horses. Moses makes Fourth
of-July speech in some OF the border
towns almost every year and help end the
days proceedings by riding in horse.
race. He has put bullets through several
white men in his time. Francisco
Examiner
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
CURIOUS FACTS.
OF Waterloo vererans France has eight

vi w aCeFlOO VclcEduS AouSo Aa@' SASNe
left.
A Missouri man has carried the same
knife for slxty-nine years.
There are now living in Germany no
fewer than 529, ,9S7 Mullers.
Western New York has skunk farm
where black skunks are bred and raised
for their pelts.
Portland, Me-, in recent entire week
had but two arrests cut of population
of 40, 900 persons.
Old postage stamps are highly priced
in China, and hundred cancelled
stamps will buy "a baby.
The new German tent is devisible into
two portions, each of which can be con-
yerted into an overcoat in case of rain.
st. Tammany Parish, La, boasts of
spring which pours forth clear pure Wa
ter during the day, but goes dry when
the sun sets.
An S00-pound cinnamon bear was
captured recently in Lassen County, CAL
ifornia. 1t Is believed to be one Of the
largest ever taken in trap.
In New Hampshire graveyard there
is large marble shaft oa which the fol-
lowing words are inscribed. "Sacred to
the memory of three twins"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
4 Sea Product.

The sea yield many preci Gus things
coral, amber and pearls-but it is not
generally known that in certain parts
of the Mediterranean species of mussel
is found of which the shells contain one
of the most beautiful textile materials
known. These shells are about seven
iuches long and three inches broad, and
each of them contain piece of the fibre
weighing half dram. from which spun
and woven goods are made.-Chicago
Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
ALCOHOL sArs THE 1TRENGTH.

Without doubt, men who drink no spirits
hold out better and do their work better
than those who drink. Armies made Of men
OF the former class march better, hold up
longer under fatigue, enjoy better health,
can bear exposure better. and consequently
are free from drunkenness, suffer little from
disease and crime. 1t lessons the power of
resistance in exposure to great cold, and it
becomes dangerous to use it. 1t may excite
for time, but is always followed by great
depression. This has been clearly demon
strated in arctic explorations. In exposure
to great heat the evidence is equally as con-
elusive against its use. The array Of testi-
mony is indisputable. Medical Brief.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
RELIGIOUS READING.
THE TWO PATHS.

THE TWO FAITHS.
Two paths before each soul we see;
Two ways our feet may tread;
Both lead us TO eternity,
And of these paths our Lord hath said
"Straight is the gate, narrow the way"
That leads to realms of endless day;
While "broad the way, and " ide the gate. J"
To the abode where love and hate,
And death forever rci.--H.
Choose we'll the path thy feet shall tread,
And make the choice today;
In childhood's hour give God thy heart,
And lie will shield thee from each dart,
And gently guide thee all life's way:
Walk in his sootsteps who has trod
For US the way; and follow on
Till Iifes last hour; and trust i'll God,
Then walk with him for aye.
-(Mrs. NJ. L. J. Hadley.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
A New Breed Of Domestic Animals.

Professor Halkness, of the San Fran
cisco Academy OF Science, is conducting
an experiment with the object of adding
new and valuable breed of domestic
animals to the wealth of the world by
crossing American bison with neat cattle.
It is said that the cross breed gives a
fecund animal, and Professor Harkness
hopes to procure freed that will per.
.petuate some of the valuable character
listics of the rapidly disappearing bison-
'-Picayune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23

yorable conditions distances of seventy
feet and upwards have been cleared at
one bound. The "ski" are formed of
wood, about eight feet in length by three
to four inches in width, turned up at
toes, and are attached to the foot by
bands of withes or leather straps. Thus
shod it is possible tor the runner to move
at considerable speed over the softest
snow, while the pace attained on gliding
down slope is practically Unlimited
Frank Leslie's.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
Return Of the Throstle.

Everybody who has read the poetry OF
novels of Sir Walter Scott has seen the
throstle or mavis frequently mentioned
in them. A number of these birds were
imported to Portland, Oregon, from
Germany. Last year they made nests
and reared young in the large trees at
Main and Ninth streets, and in the fall
migrated to the South. They have just
returned to Portland and are merrily
whistllng about their haunts of a year
aeo.-Chicago Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23

DRESSES nave so much to do with
Ssoks that if the homeliest girl in town
were well dressed she would pass for
good-looking. The old saw about
beauty unadorned adorned the most
is a very pretty one, but there is
nothing in it. 1t Is favorite saying
with old folks when they want the
young people to spend less on their
clothes
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
"Ski" in Norway.

Our picture gives good idea Of the
snow-shoe sport known as "sk1," In
which the Norwegians are such experts.
The sport consists in gliding down the
slopes of snow-clad heights and making
flying leaps in the descent. Under TO-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23

try iuculcated by their religion have gen.
orally been noted for substantial com.
fort above that of the farmers among
whom they live. Their principle of
non-resistance is said to be carried 80
far that they never 60 to law.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-23
THE MENN0NlTES.
PICTURESQUE TILLERs OF THE
SOIL FROM RUSSIA.
A Colony Coos "est-How the Race
Has Been Persecuted-Its His
tory and Some of the DOC
trines Inculcated.

EVEN families of
Mennonites passed
through New York
recently on their
way to the West,
where they are
going to become
farmers on the
plains of Nebraska.
The Mennonit e g,
W b O n u m b e ere d
ifty-one, including
men, women and
children, arrived on
the steamship Rus
sia.
Although they
came from Sarofs-
ky, Russia, says the