Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-07-21
ANEcDoTAL LITERATURE.
Gathered and Compiled by W. G.

Partridge was celebrated alma
nae maker of the last century. On
one occasion while travelling on horse.
back through the country, he stop
ped for his dinner at an inn. When
leaving the hostler said to him: ''If
you will take my advice, sir, you
will stay where you are for the night
as you will surely be overtaken by a
storm of rain" Nonsense, nom
sense exclaimed the almanac MAX
er, with this he gave the fellow six
pence and started eff. But sure
enough he was overlaken by the
storm and thoroughly drenched to
the skin. Partridge was struck by
the mans prediction, and being al
ways intent on the interest OF his al
manac, he rode back on the instant,
and was met by the hostler with a
broad grin, who said: "Well, sir,
you see was right, afle ALL" "Yes,
my lad, replied Partridge, and here
is a crown for you on condition that
you tell me how you knew of this
rain" To be sure, SIR" replied
the hostler; why the truth is we
have an almanac at our house called
Partridge's Almanac and the fell
low is such notorious liar, that
whenever he promises us fine day,
we always know it will be the direct
contrary. Now, that almanac pre-.
dicted this to be fair day, settled
weather, no rain, and therefore
knew it would rain, and thus was
enabled to put you on your guard"
Xxx
A plain American farmer, looking
over his almanac observed the words
Barnstable Thunder opposite a GER
tain day of the month. Having great
confidence in the almanac makers
predictions of the weather, and be-
ing withal somewhat reverential, he
was solemly Impressed with the be-
lief that on the day specified there
would be thunder Of the most extra
ordinary character, and hence re-
solved to keep the day sacred. He
dressed himself in his best clothes
and waited in great suspense for the
wonderful phenomenon. But hear
ing one of his neighbors threshing,
he gave him call at his barn, and
said, "Why, how do you dare to
work on such a day ?" WE'LL"
answered his neighbor, you talk
strangely, but what should hinder
my working, l pray ?" Why, my
dear sir, didn't you know this was
the time set for Barmstable Thun-
der p No, | have heard nothing
about it" Well, it's in the alma
nae, you may be sure" The thresh-
er laid his fail down, and upon care
fully examining the almanac, it was
found that the word Barnstable was
in Roman letters, and was not to be
read with the following word Mun-
der in italics, but with the words
Court sits, in the same type below"
*,s*
When Thomas was preparing bis
almanac, he was asked by the com
positor what he should say about the
weather opposite certain week in
July. Thomas happened to be in a
bad humor, and exclaimed in bis ir-
ritation, "Thunder, hail and SNOW"
1t was SO put up and printed. Cur
iously enough it did thunder. hail
and snow at the very time The
fortunate prediction raised the Al.
manac maker in the estimation of
the people, and made his almanac
the most popular in America.
TX
The Russian alphabet has no II.
and wherever this letter occurs they
use either X or G hard. A renown-
ed Russian general. ycleped Hanni-
bal from his smi'aei 10 the Car
thagenian in milit ~ proves lies
buried at the Churc.. of st. Alexan-
der, Nevsk i, at st. Petersburg.
When Kohl, the traveller, visited
that spot, his guide proudly pointed
to the monument of the general and
said, There lies a Cannibal,' GER
tainly not . very fattering misnom-
er to the d ceased warrior.
TX
The Sandwich Island alphabet has
IL letters; the Burmes, 10; tho
Bengalese, 81 italian, 90; Hebrew.
Syriac, Chaldes, Samaritan, Latin,
% each; French, %; Greek "a:
German and Dutch, 26 each Span
ish and Slavonic, 81 each Arabic,
%; Persian and Coptic, 80 each /;
Georgian IS; American, So: Rus
sian, Al; Muscovile, 43; Sanserit
and japanese, SO each; Ethiopia and
Tartarian 202 each. How many has
the English language
~
One OF the earlier French Princes
being too indolent or overly stupid
to learn his alphabet BY the ordinary
process, twenty-three servants we're
placed in attendance upon him, each
with huge letter painted upon his
stomach. As he knew not their
names, he was obliged t, call them
by their letter, and thus be acquired
the knowledge and use of letters.
~
1t is said of Julius Caesar thai
while writing despatch, he could
at the same time dictate four others
to his secretaries. The same thing
is also asserted OF the Emperor Ma
poleon.