davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
French Canadian Jour de Ian.

A child PROSTATE before its father ask
ing for his blessing on a New Years
morning. This is a typical custom
among the French Canadians Of the
province of Quebec, and undoubtedly
retained by French Canadians now resi-
dent in New England and other parts Of
this republic. The head of the family
rises early New Years morning, renews
the fire on the hearth and in the stoves,
and, seating himself in an armchair
within the shadows of the Yule log,
watches the embers and awaits the first
of his offspring to ask for the paternal
blessing on the glorious "jour de Pan. I"
Boston Globe.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Quinine In Excess.

A case of total blindness from s.n ex-
cesslve dose of quinine is reported by
DR.. Claiborne. The patient, ss ap-
pears from tha report Of the case, pour
ed the palm of his hand nearly full of
twograin quinine pills, which he took
q short time before retiring to bed, and
he remembered nothing after going to
sleep until he awoke, a few days later,
perfectly blind the optic disks were
pearl white, and the vessels much
smaller than in health, though not
so small as they subsequently became,
and he complained of seeing many
colored figures that changed their hues,
the sensation of red predominating !;
the pupils were fixed and moderately
dilated. Eight days after taking the
quinine he had absolutely no light per-
ception about two years later the pa
tient with the right eye could see the
hand six feet distant, while the left
could only perceive light. The evil
dence thus afforded is therefore, that
quinine in toxic doses may produce
blindness, that the toxic dose is
distinctly indeterminate, and the dura-
tion of the sightlessness varies greatly !;
there is color blindness at first, and
the color perception is ultimately re-
stored within the central field.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Old Christmss Customs.

One custom that has come to us from
across the sea Is that Of hanging up stock
ings on Christmas eve. Little children are
taught that st. Nicholas brings in gifts to
them through closed windows, and 1t Is
supposed this custom started from tradi-
tion that st. Nicholas used to throw purses
of money in through the windows Of poor
maidens, so that they might have marriage
portions.
Howison, in his sketches Of upper Can
ada, says that he met once at midnight on
a beautiful moonlight Christmas eve an
Indian, who was softly creeping along on
the ground. Upon being questioned, the
Indian motioned to him to be silent, and
said: "We watch to see the deer kneel.
This Is Christmas night, and all the deer
fall upon their knees to the Great Spirit
and look up." ."-Seleoted.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Debts Settled on New Years.

On New Years eve in Japan handfuls
Of beans are thrown about the rooms and
over the threshold to exercise evil spirits
who may be about.
Before the new year the merchants
endeavor to get in all the money that is
owed to them and to pay or settle their
own debts. AS a consequence many
things can be bought very cheaply at the
end of the year, for ready money is the
great desideratum. Men carrying trays
Of something looking like white worms
go through the streets crying, "Soba,
soba |" the japanese form Of macaroni,
which, eaten with soy sauce, is a ia
vorite delicacy with the coolies and
jinriksha men. For their little customers
these men make all sorts of figures Of
devils, gods and animals from this
paste. Exchange.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
what Happy New Year Means.

A happy New Yearl What does it
mean? Are not these words often thrown
out as greeting without thought or
depth of meaning? Is it a year in which
to ourselves come wealth and health,
prosperity and friendship; one spent in
the pursuit of feeting pleasure and
filed with self centered interest? Mol
Rather let the wish be to each and all,
as the new year dawns with all it's op-
portunities, that the days of 1896 may
be we'll spent-flled with thought and
sympathy for those around; that in self
forgetting and kindly deeds the happi-
ness of others may be ever sought, and
then most truly will each act rebound
again in joy and blessing to the heart
from which it springs. Maud Booth.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
New Years wassail Bowl

No English holiday was Of much ac-
count that was not observed with flow
ing bowl On New Years eve the was
sail bowl was filed with spiced ale and
drunk in families, and poorer folk tied
a bowl with ribbons and begged for
money for ale to fill and refill the bowl,
singing:
Wsssar, wassai all over the town;
Our toast it Is white; our ale 1t Is brown;
Our bowl it Is made Of maplin tree;
We be good fellows all; drink to thee.
In some parts Of England the old year
is "swept out" by men and boys with
blackened faces, dressed to represent
sweeps; in others it is ''burued out"
with bonfres. Sometimes it is rung ont
with muffled bells that are unmufled
and rung clear after 10 O'Clock. -Inde-
pendent. -
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
PYLES' PARAGRAPHS.
GIrIx-Personals.

Troy, 8. G., Dec. 23, 1895.
Mr.. H. Sloan Morrow OF this vicinity is In
town today receiving the hearty congratula-
lions OF bis many friends. Yesterday with
out the knowledge OF his friends here he went
to Greenwood, where he was happily married
TO Miss Minnie B. Moore. OF New Market
The groom is prosperous farmer OF this
place, and the bride Is an amiable and accom-
plIshed young lady. She is the second daugh-
Ter Of Mr.. John r. Moore.
Mr.. William Miller and his bride will move
into ther new dwelling In Verdery next week
Mr.. James N. Seal and daughter. Miss Essie.
are In town visiting Mr.. and Mrs. ]. V. Scott
and family.
Messrs. Riser. Purdy and Henderson, three
OF Verdery's popular young men, have just
returned from trip 10 the Allan Ia Ex POSI-
tion.
Mr.. Robert Muse. OF Mississippi, who has
been Bpenng some time with his son. Rev. J 4.
B. Muse, will leave for home tomorrow.
Mr.. R. II. Devlin IL having new black
smith shop erected.
Mrs. w. l.. Tobert, OF Edgefleld, Is here Wis.
itipg her daughter, Mrs. w. A. Lomax. Jr.
N. D Pyles.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
New Year Mean. Progress.

A new year, not simply another year.
Many people may be said to live the
same old year over and over again. Each
succeeding year is the same unit added
once more to the sum Of life There is
the same task performed in the same
spirit with the same motive; the same
imperfections Of character, the same
failures of conduct. The times may
change and progress hasten, but if we
stand still, we live only the old year
once again. A new year never comes to
the contented OK; he simply grows old.
1t is rot the lapse Of time or the prog
ress of civilization, but our progress,
which makes possible to us new year.
Josiah Strong.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Read the Bible New Years Morning.

In many Welsh household the first
thing that is done by each member Of
the family on rising on New Years
morning is to consult the family Bible
with a view to learning from it what
the coming year has in store for the per-
son seeking the information. This is
done by reading the first verse upon
which the eye falls. and the verse in
question is believed to foretell in some
way the good or i'll fortune, the happi-
ness or unhappiness, during the just be-
gun new year of the person. making the
trial aL-Exchange
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
slAMESE NEW YEAR.
Evil Spirits Supposed to Infest tho d.
parting Year-A Night Of Terror.

Evil Spirits Supposed to Infest tho D.
parting Year-A Night Of Terror.
The Siameso "Choola Sakarat, ORE
ligious New Year, generally falls on the
day after the first full moon in the
month of March. The Brahmin astrolo-
ger, whose sole duty it is to point out
the aspect Of the sun, moon and stars,
heralds the approaching full moon by
setting in motion all the multitudinous
gongs and temple bells in the city far
and near. The people, who are always
ready, waiting, for this signal, have
generally finished their business for the
year. Debts have been paid off, accounts
closed, merchandise disposed Of and all
traffic of buying and selling suspended
three days previous to the expected
event.
The announcement made by the many
tongued instruments is received by the
vast population that inhabits the valley
watered by the beautiful Menam river
with fear and trembling, for they firm
ly believe that this is the witching hour
when the very atmosphere'of of the world
is alive with gods, demons, genii and
hobgoblins, and forthwith the anxious.
superstitious people hasten to frustrate
their evil designs. They bind unspun
cotton thread, consecrated by the priest,
round their doors and windows, as the
sacred thread is supposed to prove an
effectual barrier in keeping ont the ma
icious spirits. This done they place by
the doors Of their houses and huts a
platter containing a pigs head and a
bottle Of arrack, as conciliatory repast
for the wandering ghosts that may de-
sire to regale themselves during the
night, after which the whole city, like
the-snai], draws in its horns and no con-
sideration will tempt a mortal soul to
venture out of it until sunrise the next
morning.
At sunset every family offers to its
own household genii an oblation Of can
dies, perfumed tapers and roasted rice.
As for the royal palace, 1000 balls OF
unspun cotton, of seven fbers, conse-
Grated by ~ priests, are reeled round
and round the walls, and from sunset
until dawn terrific and continuous
cannonading is heard from all the forts
of the city to rout the evil spirits that
infest the departing year.
But once this dreadful night is passed,
the terror sticken inhabitants, with a
long drawn sigh of relief, prepare to
welcome the new year. Dressed in many
colored silks, they repair first to the
temples to offer praise and Thanksgiving
for their deliverance and to make hand
some gifts to the priests, and not until
they have propitiated Buddha and Bud
dha's earthly representatives do they
think Of their own me1ymaking. -Ex-
change.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
I.aurel and Ground Pine,

Next to the mistletoe and holly the lau-
rel and ground pine are most favored, the
formers glossy leaves and green berries
suggestive Of good cheer and always form
ing an effective background when gay ber-
ries or moses are used in addition. The
ground pine coils easily and gracefully
into wreaths and Is invaluable for twlning
about staircases or pillars or for using In
decoration on large scale when boug ghs
Of spruce, heInlock and cedar are also
much In vogue.-St. Louis Republic.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
WATCHING THE OLD YEAR OUT.
Tho Custom Once Common In New Eng
land has Nearly Passed Away.

The Custom Once Common In New Eng
land Has Nearly Passed Away.
An old fashioned "watch night" in
New England or the middle states was
until recently one of the institutions of
this country. The keen, frosty air of the
early evening bore upon its crystalline
and twinkling depths the sound of nu-
merous strings of sleighbells converging
at the church. The we'll loaded cutters
and the crowded sleighs hissed through
the creaking snow, that stamped off
with loud emphasis at the porch door,
announced the arrival of each load. The
interior of the church, heated to almost
a point of discomfort by big stoves, still
retains the decorations put up when the
Christmas tree did service before it's re-
moval The usual chatter and gossip
soon subside. A solemn hush falls over
the assembly, and when the first hymn
is given out it is sung with more hearty
uplift of tone than usual. The prayer is
more feryent than usual, and the an
them that follows it is more like dirge.
The young elder, who is present,
breaches all address, the tones of which
fall on all hearts with sadness that be-
gets repentance. No such theme as this
finds expression at any other portion OF
the year, "We all do fade as leaf, &"
and then he closes with Longfellow'
mournful words:
Howl, howl, and from the forest
Strip the red leaves away.
Would the sins that thou abhorest,
o soul, could thus decay
And be swept awayl
Kyrie eleison! Christie eleison!
More singing, more prayers, all instinct
with earnestness, and then a shrill
voiced girl recites Prentice's dying
Year."
'Tis midnight's holy hour. etc.
Another Tennyson' "Old Year," then
comes breathless waiting, and the bell
strikes, when joyous "Amenl' is fol-
lowed by burst of song that every one
joins Chicago Tribune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Birth Of the Year.

How like human birth the waking hour
OF the child yearl The weak and querulous
gale
Mid tears Of rain doth lift kindred wall.
Blankly the suns eye stsres; the air doth
lower
Dense ss Q listless ear. Beneath shower
OF snow fresh fallen those branches, white and
frail
AS newborn limbs, lie prone, with only power
Given to endure what wind soe'er prevail.
The baby lips that pout their hungerinR
Do not more wisttully the nurse invite
Than every spiral leaf bud yearns for spring.
And as the young blue eyes wax deep and
bright
While the soul Rreatens, SO the glowing Light
Widens by morn and eve its azure ring.
-Philadelphia Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Tho Magic Bell.

The old year Is dead, and hoary haired time
High in the belfry is tolling his knell
From the phantom rim Of magic bell,
And the world is swsyed by its mystic chime.
For earth Is the ponderous tongue that swings
In the tower Of time. The cathedral dim
Is the universe, and the bells huge rim
Is the ether blue as 1t rings and rings.
The chimes are the passions that sway mems
souls
That tempt and inspire them. The thought,
the deed,
On this New Years eve from the earth dross
freed,
In one mighty vibration upward rolls,
And hushed are the voices around tbs throne,
As the Great Creator receives his own.
Detroit Free Press.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
HOW TO KEEP CHRISTMAS.
Lessons From the English Poets on thu
Holidays Observance.

Lessons From the English Poets on the
Holidays Observance.
To learn how to keep Christmas In Its
true spirit, one cannot do better than to
turn to the English poets, old and new.
England was my England when
Old Christmas brought Its sports again,
says Sir Walter Scott, and, instead Of CIV
Ing one little day to this festival, our moth
erland devoted 10 days to Its commemora-
tion. ,.-.... "
So now has come our ioyfulest feast;
Let every man be jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves be drest
And every post with holly.
Without the door let sorrow lie,
And II for cold 1t hap to die,
Well bury 1t in Christmas pie
And evermore be merry,
writes George Wither, q poet of the seven.
teenth century. .. =.
On every Christmas eve the bells OF old
Cambridge ring out this ancient carol:
God bless you, merry gentlemen;
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born this happy day.
Az the song runs on, its burden Is that
the holy eide Of Christmas must efface all
evil memories and unite men In the bonds
of love and brotherhood. ...
Taackeray thus conveys the lesson OF
Christmas:
Come wealth or want, come good or Ill,
Let young and old accept their part,
And bow before the awful will,
And bear it with an honest heart.
Who misses or who wins the prize
Go, lose or conquer as you can,
But II you fall or II you rise
Be each, pray God, gentleman.
My song save this is little worth,
I lay the weary pen aside
And wish you health and love and mirth
As fits the solemn Christmastide,
As fits the holy Christmas birth.
Be this, good friends, our carol still
Be peace on earth, be peace on earth,
To men Of gentle will.
Charles Maokay's "Under the Holly
Bough" bteathes the true Christmas spir-
1t by saying to all who have scorned or in
jured one another: &;
Let sinned against and SHINING
Forget their strife's beginning ~
And join in friendship now.
Be links no longer broken,
Be sweet forgiveness spoken
Under the holly bough.
Tennyson sums up the teachings OF
scores Of Christmas poets when in verses
addressed to the bells he sings:
Ring out old shapes Of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust Of gold,
Ring out the thousand wars Of old,
Ring in the thousand years Of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand,
Ring out the darkness Of the land,
Ring In the Christ that is to be.
Selected.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25

After the first of January you can find the
w. E. Bell Cash Co. at the old stand OF r. M.
Hill. just below DR.. Penneys. with a full
stock. w. E. Bell Cash Co.
Finest vases, German and French china tea
aud dinner sets, tea plates and salad bowls at
r. G. Bernau, the jeweler.
Gold speciacles and eye glasses at very low
prices. at r. c. Bernau, the jeweler. Fit guar
anteed.
Ladies passes with sterling silver mountingR.
silver novelties and gold thlmbles at r. G.
Bernau, the jeweler.
After the first of January you can find the
w. E. Bell Cash Co. at the old stand OF r. NJ.
Hill, just below DR.. Penneys. with a full
stock. w. +. Bell Cash Co.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
MARRIED..

In the Methodist church at Coronaca, on
Nov. 9Th, 1895, by Rev. w. B. Wharton, Mr.
John Coleman to Miss Pauline Yates, ali OF
Abbeviile county.
On Nov. l4th. 1895, by Rev. w. B. Wharton
Mr.. Williams Miller, Of Ninety-SiX, s. c., 10
Miss Eva Scott, OF Verdery, S. G.
BY Rev. w. B. Wharton on Nov. Goth, 1895,
Mr.. j. r. Ellis TO Miss Alice Hinton, all OF
Abbeville county, s. C.
BY Rev. w. b. Wharton on Nov. 9th. 1895,
Mr.. Joseph Major to Miss Maggie Nixon all of
'Abbeville county. s. T..
By Rev. w. B. Wharton on Dec. 10. 1885, Mr..
Vach Hinton TO Mics Sailie McCombs, all OF
Abbeville County.
BY Rev. w. b. Wharton on Dec. II. 1895, Mr..
Joe Eddy OF Newberry, and Miss Lena Davis,
OF Abbeville.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Howells' Happiest Christmas.

The merriest Christmas have ever
known in my life Is the, first one that I
can remember. The question of who ex-
periences the greater happiness and sense
OF triumph, the child who has received
new and much coveted toy on Christmas
morning or the military hero who has cap-
tured Il great city, has been often discussed,
but never satisfactorily decided.-W. d.
Howells in New York World.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Death.

William Cobb, son OF the late Jas. II Cobb,
died at his home in this city, yesterday morn
ing after lingering illness. He married
Miss Scott some fifteen years ago, and to
Them were born several children. lie and his
family had the sym pathy OF Christian people.
many or whom contributed to their relief.
While Mr.. Cobb did not prosper in this
worlds goods, he preserved the heritage OF an
honest name. He was a we'll meaning man
who was. in a measure, helpless and harm
less. His father was once Sheriff of Able
VILE county, from whom he inherited kind
qualities or heart
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
pari. Cbr,stmas Connections.

Partisan confectioners and florists deco
rate their shops with some effort at symbol
ism on the fete days Of the year. Last
Christmas b1nbonnieres Of donkeys, with
panels of infant dolls, were displayed. The
favorite cake Of this holiday Is almond,
thinly made and covered with figures.
Plum cake is seen in the north Of France
during the holidays. Another cake,
"renfant Jesus" cut out in the form OF
child, is very popular with the Children
ExnhanQa
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1895.
The Horse and Mule Auction.

At Messrs. A. NJ. Hill l. Sons stable last
Saturday, large crowds witnessed The sales,
and good bargains in good horse flesh were
given by each. The Missouri trader sold four
Sio6. They seemed to be splendid animals,
worth in this market anywhere from $40 10
$40. An assortment OF nice horses, mostly
young animals, were sold at from SIS 10 sos.
These sales seem TO be favorable occas Ions
for making purchases OF good stock, and the
more our people learn of this plan Of buying,
the more they will buy this way. All stock
sold in this way is sold for cash.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
A Few Suggestions to Christmas
Present Buyers.

A watch is always an acceptable christmas
present. A large line gold and filled watches
at very low prices at r. G. Bernau, the jew
eler.
Gold pens, jewel caskets, manicure sets and
other small trinkets suitable for presents at
r. c. Bernau, the jeweler.
A sterling silver lock bracelet. all the 60,
will be the thing for q ceristmas present.
Prices from Sl.5O 10 $3.50 at r. C. Bernau, the
jeweler.
Sterling and silver plated goods of every
description may be found at H. C. Bernau, the
jeweler.
Finest steel cutlery, as razors. scissors and
pocket knives. large variety Is shown at II. c.
Bernau, the jeWeler.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
For tho Ensuing Year.

May the new year, just opening to
Us, be signaled in public and in private
life by the growth of noble ideas-of
ideas that shall make men freer, truer,
better; that shall more and more reflect
the incompatible teachings Of the Holy
Child whose nativity we have just cele-
brated, and whose spirit. initiated and
obeyed, can redeem the time and crown
mankind with blessedness. Christian
Work,
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
New Year Bells,

Of all sounds, of all bells most SOL
emn and touching is the peal which
rings out the old year. never hear it
without gathering up of my mind to
a concentration of all the images that
have been diffused over the past twelve
month. I begin to know the worth Of
that regretted time, as when person
dies.-Charles Lamb.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Notice Of Settlement and Appli-
cation for Final Discharge.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 2lst day OF Jan.
Il uary, 1895, will render final account of
The Estate OF w. w. Lawson, deceased, in the
office of Judge OF Probate for Abbeville Coun-
ty at 10 o'clock a. m, and on the same day
will apply for final discharge from my trust
as such.
All persons having demands against said
estate will present them for payment on or
before that day, proven and authenticated or
be forever barred. J. M. LAWSON,
Dec. 81, 1895, II Administrator.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25

Equal parts of lime water and sweet
oil we'll mixed will form kind of soap
which is very etficscious in taking out
or removing Inflammation. as we'll as
for healing wounds caused by burns or
scalds.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
Our streets for q long time hs

Our streets for q long time have crowded
every day with eager buyers, and the mer-
chants and their clerks have been very busy
y Collections were never better. BusiGess' In
all lines has been most satisfactory.
After the first OF January you can find the
w. E. Bell Cash Co. at the old stand of r. M
Hill, just below DR.. Penneys, with full
stock. W. E. Bell Cash Co.
MRS. ,KETcHUM, with son and daughter, of
Brighton, Oulario, are visiting their relatives,
Mrs. Link and Mrs. Wilson.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25

It will not pay to feed the products
of the farm to ungrowthy and unprofi-
table stock, and it will pay much less
to purchase feed for such stock. Cen
orally it will be best to get rid of such
stock at the first opportunity.