davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
Agriculture is the principal pursuit

Agriculture is the principal pursuit
of the Malagasy people, but the hand
lcrafts are by no means neglected.
All the tools necessary for their work,
while not elegant in finish, are made
by natives and answer every purpose.
It costs very little to live in NADIA
gascar. A good ten to twelve room
house in the best part OF the city can
be rented for $8 month. Servants
can be had for $3.50 month, and as
for provisions, they cost almost moth
ing. Porterhouse steak is two cents
pound, chickens are three cents
apiece, geese, sixteen cents; eggs
three cents a dozen; potatoes, ten
cents bushel.
The average wages paid native
teacher or pastor is from S. to $40 a
month, and an ordinary servant gets
usually $3.50 to So per month, and his
"vary" or rice, amounting to two
cents worth per day. We seldom
hear of want of food.
A stranger travelling through the
land will be astonished to find himself
the recipient of fowls eggs, rice and
potatoes at every village where he
halts. These gifts from the natives
are 8 token of welcome. In addition
to this the best house in the village is
always given up for the "vazah' or
foreigner.
On the whole the Malagasy are in
teresting and thrifty, deserving OF the
sympathy of all civilized Nations in
their struggle for the preservation Of
their fatherland and their independ.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
CHAPTER ~,

One night l was awakened from my
slumbers by violent knocking at my
door. Who's there?" demanded, not
too amiably. What's the natter"
open! Open, in the name Of the
Grand Duchess" commanded O deep
bass voice.
Good heavens. What can the row be
uow?" l wondered.
aOpen, or we break in the door, cried
the voice.
You must really give me time to put
something on, l protested, and hurried
ly wrapped myself in some clothes.
Then I opened the doo-.
A magniticently uniforr ed young Of
ficer stepped quickly into the room, fol-
lowed by three gendarmes with drawn
sabers.
The officer inclined his head slightly
toward me, and said, Herr Veinricht,
ich glaube?"
His was not the voice that I had
heard through the door; itwas much
softer voice, and much more high in
pitch. Somehow it did not seem al
together the voice Of stranger to me;
and yet the face Of a stranger his face
emphatically was. 1t was very forid
face, surmounted by a, growth Of short
red hair, and decorated by bristling
red mustache. His eyes were overhung
by bushy red eyebrows, and, in the un-
certain candle light, I could not make
out their color.
4Yes, am Herr yeinricht, admit
ted, accepting this German version Of
my name.
"English?" he questioned shortly.
"No, not English. American, if you
please"
"Macht NIGHTS! I arrest you, in the
name OF the Granu l. ucness.
Arrest me! Will you be good enough
to inform me upon what charger"
Upon the charge Of consorting with
dangerous characters, and being al
enemy to the tranquility Of the state.
You will please to dress as quickly as
possible. A carriage awaits you below.'
Good Lord, they have somehow con-
nected me with that Infamous fiddler,
Sebastian Roch," I groaned inwardly,
and I began to put certain finishing
touches to my toilet. !.
NO, mol" cried the officer. 1You must
put on your dress suit. Are you 80 ig.
norant of criminal etiquette as not to
know that state prisoners are required
to wear their dress suits?"
1T seems very absurd regulation, !"
said I, but I will put on my dress suit. !"
I'VE will await you outside, your door,
but let me warn you, should you at
tempt tc escape through your window
you will be shot in hundred places, !"
said the officer, as he retired with his
minions.
l donned my dress suit and opened
the door.
The officer looked me over somewhat
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
Teaching the BagpipeS.

A Highlander, having to teach a
chum in his regiment to play the bag
pipes, began to instruct him in read
ing the music in the following way:
'tYou see that chap with q white,
round, open face?" pointing to a
semibreve between the lines; "well'
he moves slowly from that line to this
while you beat one and take long
blow. Now, if you put leg on him
you make two Of him, and ne moves
twice as fast. Ifyou black his face ne
runs four times as fast as the white
faced one; then, if you bend his knees,
or tie his legs, he will hop eight times
faster than the white faced one.
"Now, when you blow the pipes, re.
member that the tighter those chaps
legs are tied the faster they run end =,
the quicker they are sure to dance. -
Glasgow Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20

well to this, as among those whose
scalp hangs at the Premier's belt is
that of the renowned NJ: LIE Myre de
Villiars of Siam fame. Twice has he
met defeat at the Court of Imerina.
As the Prime Minister IS the hus'
band of the Queen as we'll as Premier.
be has every thing pretty much his
own way. he owes his position and
power to the fact that he is OF the
head of the army as its Commander
in.Chief.
Ransvalona Ill.,, the Queen of the
Hovas, is q woman now in her thirty.
ninth year. She has reigned wisely
and successfully since 1883. OF
medium height, graceful in form and
carriage, rather sharp featured, COM
plexion dark brown, hair long and
straight, she is what may be Justly
said q fairly pretty woman. Her court
is kept up in great splendor. She
dresses in Partisan style, except on
occasions of the National feast, called
"Fandrona," when the Queen and
members of the Royal family and
nobility appear in their red 'lambs. "
A lamba is similar to the Roman toga.
She is proud and independent, but not
vain, as some writer's have it. Fol-
lowing her example, many of the high
classes, and particularly those who are
under influences of the missionaries,
have adopted the Christian form OF
marriage, but the masses, cannot in
spite of missionary efforts, be turned
from their own form. According to
their idea man and woman become
one by mutual consent. And the
only ceremony is feast, to which the
respective families and friends attend.
A separation is seldom heard OF.
It would be difficult to find more
domestic happiness anywhere in the
world than in Madagascar. The wo'
men are always devoted and true.
A yearly tax of twenty-five cents is
levied upon every man who has wife
and should he desire to separate from
hera feetof SIS is exacted. Polygamy
is no longer practiced. Women do
very little housework, however, as
nearly every one, even among the
poorer classes, owns slaves.
The Hova women are especially
clever in fine needle work. Since the
establishment of the medical college
and the numerous hospitals many OF
the women are learning to be trained
nurses. This work is under the su-
pervision of European instructors.
The increase of all the churches has
been remarkable. The Malagasy arc
devoted to the Methodist Church, and
give it generous support.
At the capital the Hovas have a tne
college erected for them by the Lon
don Missionary Society, and in con-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
TEMPERANCE.
The DzuyKARp's ny7poeprcr

IhE DaUShAHD b REIROSPECTs 10 III
IT'S dark and still, and all is peace;
These passive hours are meant for rest. s.
And home and toll now finds repose 3
Within the ample folds of sleep.
IT'S nemory:s lease from sharp regrets,
And lifes retreat till day begins. 81
But who can know the drunkard's pain "a
The stiffness voices back to him?
These silent sounds; this frightful trance, ss
In fear he tries to break the spell.
But o'er and o'er he hears their tones, ~
And this is what the voices tell:
Gas you have sown, so shall you reap
He hears the noiseless conscience say ~
While retrospect rears its grim form
And with its finger points bis way.
"You knew your duty long ago, = =
When youth and strength were In youcJ
path, g
Bnt you have made fool OF both, K. " ~ !.
And then he hears mocking laugh. TO
nYou're drifting on waste Of sea-. ~
Your barque Is sinking In the swell'-F ss
The voices chant in concert now y y --s
The drunkard makes his bed In he'll. - - =.
He can not tell this waking dream,
Yet calls for help in abject dread, i.
While silence chants the lost soul dtrg3
And phantoms gather round his bed. 3 y.
Oh, mystic spell that binds the soul
In drinks embrace against the will, s4s3
And leads its victim slcD by step
Until his feet are shared in hell! II q
u. Lewis Smith in Lebanon (Penn.) Repotts
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
MADAGASCAR.
CUSTOMS AND QUALITIES OF
IT'S INHABITANTS.
The People Of the Big Island are
Enlightened and Kind-Liv-
ing Is Cheap-Woman's
Position. 81

X n unpreiudiced study of the
n people of Madagascar will
NJ show that they have many
superior qualities and have
made great progress in a short time.
They have not enjoyed the influences
of civilization around them as have
the Japanese nor have there been any
efforts worth mentioning to develop
the resources of the country. In fact
many parts of the great island conti-
nent have yet to be explored. That
part already explored has convinced
the best authorities that Madagascar,
in addition to being the third largest
island in the world, takes first rank
for the variety and magnitude of its
resources.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
A TOUCHING LETTER.

MYDEAR SoN: What would you think OF
yourself II you should come to our bedside
every night. and. waking US, tell us that yots
would not allow US to sleep any more2 That
is just what you are doing, and that ts why
am up here q little after midnight writing
to YOU. Your mother is nearly worn out and
dying because you won't let her sleep-that
mother who nursed you In your infancy.s
toiled for you In your childhood, and lookedt
upon you with pride and Joy when you were
growing up to manhood, as she counted on
the comfort and support you would give her
declining years. 2, -;.s.4s8 y
We read OF most baroarous manner IN
which one of the Oriental Nations Furnishes
some of It's criminals. 1t Is by cutting the;
flesh from the limbs. beginning with the
fingers and toes, one joint at time, TIL the
wretched victim dies. That fs just what you
are doing: you are killing your mother .bys
inches. You have planted many of fne
white hairs now appearing sothickly on her,
head before the time. Your cruel hand 49,
drawing the lines Of sorrow on her face, max
ing her look prematurely old. You might as
we'll stick your knife into her body every
time you come near her. for your conduct IS.
stabbing her to the heart. You might as well
bring her coffin and force herinto i, for you
are pressing her toward it with very rapid
steps. Would you tread on her body IL pros.
trated on the hoor2 And yet with ungrate-
full foot you are treading ON her heart and
crushing out Its life and joy-no, I needn't
say ''joy," for that is a word we have long
ceased to use, because you have taken IL
from us. Oicourse we have to meet our
friends with smiles. but they little know or:
the bitterness within. :; g SS5
You have taken all the roses out OF your
sisters pathway, and scattered thorns in-
stead, and from the pain they inffct scalding
tears are often seen coursing down her.
cheeks. Thus you are bltghting her life as
well as ours. And what can you promise
yourself for the futuref Look at the miser-,
able. bloated, ragged wretches that yon see.
every day on the streets, and behold 10 them
an :'exact picture" Of what you are fast
coming to, and will be in a few years hence.
Then In the end a drunkard's grave and a.
drunkard's doom. For the Bible says that
no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom OF
God. Where, then. will you be II not In the
kingdom of God2 Will not these considera-
tions induce you to reform at once2 And
God help you in the effort! Your affection
ate but sorrow stricken father. .sS
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20

critically, and at last remarked, Yes,
that will do. Follow me-"
The whole population Of the hotel
were in the corridors through which we
passed, and crowded after US to the
street. A closed carriage was waiting
there, with four horses attached, each
horse bearing position. Three other
horses, saddled, were tied to posts about
the hotel entrance. These the gen.
darmes mounted.
will you be good enough to enter the
carriage?" said the officer.
But my spirit rose in arms.
Il insist upon knowing what am ar
ted for. I want to understand the
ite charge against me-"
Il am not magistrate, .'ir. Will you
kindly enter the carriagei"
oh, this is a downright outrage I
declared, and entered the carriage.
The officer leaped in after me; the
door was slammed to: the positions
yelled at their horses; of we drove,
followed by the rhythmical clank-clank
of the gendarmes.
Il should really like to get at the
meaning Of all this, you know" in
formed my captor.
Il must caution you that whatever you
say will be remembered. and, if incrim-
mating, used against you, he replied.
1T is a breach OF international COM
ity, said I.
.Oh, we are the best Of friends with
England, said he.
But am an American" said I.
'Macht nichts!" said he
vt
you think so? I shall bring the case
to the notice of the Minister Of the
United States. and you shall see"
How! And precipitate war between
two friendly nations? Unfeeling mon.
ster!"
You laugh! But who laughs last
laughs best, and I promise You the
Grand Duchy OF u shall be made tc
pay for this pleasantly with a ven
geance."
This is not the first time that yor
have been arrested while in these DO
minions," he said sternly. And must
remind you that lese majeste is hang
ing matter.
"Lese lnajeste!" 1 repeated, half i1
b ecorn, half in terror.
ia wohl, mein Herr" he answered
But after all, am but obeying orders,
he added, with IN infection almost apol'
ogetic..
Where had heard that curious, sof
voice before? 4 voice SO soft that his
German sounded almost like Italian.
Meanwhile we had driven straigh
across the town, past the walls, ant
into the open country. The night air
putting III through the open carriage
window, was sweet with the oIors 0
dcw-ladcn grass and vibrant with th'
humm;ng Of million insects.
You are perhaps conducting me t
the frontier, 1 suggested, deriving some
relief from :hc fancy.
Oh. hardly so far as that, let u:
hope" ne reioincd. with what struck me
Us Il suppressed chuckle.
Far l cried. Can sou use the WORD
in speaking oi Il pockct-handkerchief:
1t is small, but it is picturesque; it is
paintablc, said he; and, what is more
by ever syllable you utter against it
you weave IL strand into your halter and
drive a nail into your coffin.
The night was intensely dark, and
could see no further into it than the fcN
yards Of roadway Illuminated by GU
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
TEMPERANCE NEWS AND NOTES.

Some babies are hrouSi. up on the bottle,
and O good many men are brought down
by it.
The poverty Of parish can be estimated
by the number OF rumshops the people in it
support.
Jane Caiiebread. IN Engiishwoman, has
lust been punished for the 2S9th time for dis
orderly conduct while in 4 state OF intoxica-
tion. .a
Miss Willard reports that teetotalism is
very much in vogue in England. IN her cy-
cling tours she frequently noticed hotels Ia
fcled with signs which read milk fer bicy-
ciistS on Stl''"T.
SrrnS may come and spring may 90, but
the accursed saloon will not. by the grace Of
God. go on forever.
The reason some men can't make both
ends meet is because they arc too busily
making one end drink.
An old lady was asked what she would do
with all the corn if it could not be made into
whisky. She repiied II would make it
into starch to stifren the backbone OF the
temperance people"
The Female Seminary 10 Rome, Italy. mas
n Y. ". c. T. U. organized by Mrs. Leavitt.
Though dificultto to obtain pledged members
on account OF the custom OF drinking hgnt
wines SO prevalent in that country,a few girls
rally around the two teachers. Miss EIckery
and Miss. Marcy from Indiana, who by pre-
cept ahdssample mold aD tho benefits OF to-
tai assti.Isice.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
Books Out of Pumpkins.

There will hn an auction sale oi pumpkins
n BnlyrIere. Penn. the proceeds of which
will he u,rL to buv a new library for the
NetnoGs. Church a: that place. Last sn'n-
mcr each member OF the rhlrca waS supplied
with five pumpkin seeds for planting. Ga
The day set for this work the members held
a prayer meeting and invoked the divine
blessings on the secl. the soil and the plan
tprs. The harvest amounted to upward OF
1000 pumpkins, ana it is these that will be
nuctioDed OF.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20

ner face that annoyed me with q sense
of familiarity, q sense Of having seen it
before, though I was sure never had.
In the course of fortnight, however, I
did see her-caught flying glimpse Of
her as she drove through the Markt-
strasse in her victoria, attended by all
manner of pomp and circumstance. She
lay back upon her cushions, looking
pale and interesting, but sadly bored;
and again I experienced that eNasper-
ating sensation of having seen her some-
where-where? when? how?-before.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20

While the women are not given Il
voice in the affairs Of State, excepting,
of course, the Queen, yet they are ex'
tremely patriotic and loyal in their
support of their fatherland. When
the last war with France came upon
them and they has to buy arms, one
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
4 Walking Encyclopedia.

Lord Bacon was walking encyclo.
nplio He was master of all the
knowledge of his time and remem-
bered it to the minutest detail. He
rarely made a note Of anything, trust
ing to his memory all the particulars
of the complicated legal cases brought
before him, and seldom was it found
in fault.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20

a piece of ice exactly the shape OF the
inner wall will slide out without trou.
BILE. Another round cylinder is pro-
vided for the quick cooling of any
fluid. The cost of the production,
says the Illustrite Zeitung, is very
small, as the salt may be used over
and over again, losing but little of its
ouo1itv
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
New Hurricane Flags.

The new hurricane flags issued by
the United States Government, on an
order signed by Willis L. Moore, chief
of.the Weather Bureau, have been re-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
ceived by the Weather Bureaus sta-

CEI7eu Uy IHe HeaVuet DI e"0 Dt"
toned throughout the country.
The flags are six feet square. O red
field with q black square Of two feet
in the center. They are to be used to
indicate the approach of severe storms
on the coast and southerly tropical
storms moving northward. Two OF
these flags are to be displayed-one
above the other-to warn mariners.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
IN BEHALF OF TEMPERANCE.

The following extract, says the Sacred
Heart Review, Is taken from the recently
issued bulletin of the Rev. James ID. Cleary,
who, 1t will be seen, congratulates the union.
Of which he is the worthy head, on its late.
successful National convention, and urges,
all total abstatners to agitate for the fur
therauce Of the cause: y. ~
"All honest men, and designing politicians
as we'll, have come to recognize In union g
force that can not be ignored in pubic lie
in America. While We are hot politicians,
ana are unskilled In political manal lemenf,
we deal with men who have votes to cast;
and who are fearless in their hostility to
saloon domination. The American people
well know. in the light Of the practical,
noble work it has done In moulding the
character of our Christian citizenship, that,
our great union is not simply passing
fancy of which enthusiasts soon may weary.
We have passed the great milestone OF our
silver jubilee, more energetic, more earnest
and better skilled that ever to combat the
demon vice OF intemperance. We have
awakened great expectations, for great
things have been done, and the public is
convinced that we have mighty activities IN
reserve. The public is right. The Q. y. a..
q. of A., although it has commemorated It's
silver jubilee. is only just we'll equipped for
the mlRnty reIorm III Wulcn ~ - oue9SHTs
We have noble record to guide US. we
have with us the confidence OF honest and
upright men to inspire us. Always present
before US are the evidences Of the blessings
which total abstinence from strong drink
insures to the people. A great RESPONSE
bility, then. is ours, and we must prepare to
prove 70 all men that we ara fully conscious
of its meaning. ;;
Agitation is the mighty weapon OF our
warfare. TIE drink business cannot pros
per when fully exposed to the glaring light
which intelligent agitation flashes upon its
foul work. The temperance cause needs
only to be known to be loved and fostered by;
all honest men. The drink plague needs,
only to be thoroughly known to be detested
and feared by sincere and candid men. Let
Is, therefore, agitate, agitate; persuade and
lead the timid from the delusiye and fassi.
mating charms Of drink. ts
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20

nection Herewith is theological m !
medical department..
The Malagasy have reputation for
honesty. With the example set them
by the foreigners now in their country
it is hard to say how soon this will be
lc6t.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-20
n,ar.srs PRODUCED BY ALCOHOL,

Scarcely any chronic disease can be pamed
that is moi sometimes produced by the use OF
alcoholic stimulants. because It the aicohoD
circulates as free agent IN the blood, thus
irritating every tissue OF the body. BUT its
stomach. liver. tuberculosis of the right
lung. fatty degeneration Of the heart, disease
of the arteries and kidneys, and chronic in
aammation ofthe brain with thickening Of it5
entire substance from the effusion OF lymph.
With ultimate whitening and atrophy. OF
course this means early death. Its habitual
use has no justification whatever. The old
plea that 1t is heat-producing food has
been utterly overthrown by the great chem-S
isr Bunge. who has shown eonclusiyely that
the hear that it produces Is much less tnan
that contained in the food substances from
which it is made.-American Agriculturist.