davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
PARTIES OF SHOPPERS.

Is there any season of the year
when women don't "shop?"
I suppose there must be, but I de-
clare whenever I visit one of the NAM
moth emporiums, it is filled with the
fair ones, as busy as bees.
They generally hunt in couples, or
even in threes or fours, and the shop
men and women rather resent this.
For, if Miss Jones is alone, she has
only one mind to make up. But a
quartet means four times the work, or
so the employees have often assured
me.
For instance.
"Ob, that's just lovely! I've been
looking for that all day. Can you let
me have fourteen yards?"
"Yes'm."
The shopman unrolls the silk and
takes out his scissors.
"Wait a moment. Jennie, do you
like that for me"
Jennie likes it very much and again
the scissors fash in the air.
"What do you think of it, Emma?"
Emma has her doubts, and Susie is
quite sure it won't be becoming.
"Oh, then wait! You needn't cut
that off. III look at something else. !"
The shopman pockets his scissors,
and brings out a sigh instead, for the
bevy in time float away, aud that sale
is dished.- Times Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
COLOR COMBINATIONS.

Color combinations are even more
bizarre and startling than heretofore,
and for those who like bright color
there is plenty of it. Yet the truth
full chronicler of the modes must rec
ord the fact that the most successful
gowns are in quiet tones with bright
color used very sparingly. Itrequires
master hand to manipulate such
combinations as dark blue, green, and
heliotrope, and pale blue, with.purple,
in a pleasing way, and the novice is
warned against attempting it.
While there are plenty of new fa-
brics, there are no decided novelties
except the chiffon crepons, which have
been mentioned before. The beauty
of these is greatly enhanced by the
taste exercised in the choice of the
silk lining; for example, o black
and gray is given silvery sheen
by q lining of pearl-white taffeta;
one of white and blue has the
delicate blue ground beautifully
brought out by lining of ciel blue;
and gray and heliotrope is made over
heliotrope. -Demorest's Magazine.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
Medical SuperstitiOns.

That belief the Chinese have in the
remedial qualities of substances form.
ing part OF the human body seems to
be i1radicable. Thinking that Euro
peans still entertained the same silly
ideas, led as much as anything else to
the Tien-Tsin massacres of twenty-five
years ago. Prehistoric man drank
from a human skull, believing that
the uncanny goblet had certain po-
tency. Not so long ago, the skull of
a suicide was used in Caithness as
drinking cup for the cure of epilepsy.
Even cases have been cited when su
perstitious people, within the last
thirty years, have dug up bodies so as
to possess themselves of skulls for the
same purpose. As late as 1878, in the
official pharmacopoeia of the London
College of Physicians, mention IS
made "of the skull of man who had
died violent death. For centuries
in the past, for the manufacture of
certain quack nostrnms, notably an
ointment, ground skulls were used.
The medical books of Nuremberg of
200 years ago always cite mummia--
or the embalmed flesh Of mummies-
as sovereign cure for certain dis
eases. The Egyptian mummy was
specific for one malady, the Tenerife
mummy for another. Excluding all
other strange substances employed in
early medicine, there is trace OF can
nibalism in the use of those mummied
substances. 1t has been shown that
cannibalism does not arise in all cases
from hunger, but that to eat human
flesh is a religious rite, and favored
by the gods. In some remote manner,
it has something to do with sacrifice.
Describing superstitions, the fact is
cited that to-day Irish peasants use
skulls to hold water in, under the be-
lief that the water thus becomes cura-
tive.-New York Press.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
One of the 600 an International Rogue.

In the Rogues' Gallery of the Secret
Service Bureau of the Treasury De-
partment is the card photograph OF q
once famous counterfeiter who was ar
rested by the Treasury agents and
made to serve long term in the PEN
itentiary. The face Is that OF rather
plain-looklng man of about forty-fve,
with the sort of face that impresses
because of look of fearlessness un-
mingled with boldness.
The photograph is that of German
who served in the British Army as a
private and passed through one of the
most exciting events of the Crimean
War. He was q member OF the fa-
nous Light Dragons. the immortal
600 that rode into the valley OF death
in their charge on the Russian posi-.
ton, and one of the few that survived
that terrible engagement. He was
distinguished by the British Govern
ment, but went to the bad, and even
after his experience in the United
States committed q similar crime in
Germany and was again sentenced to
long term of Imprisonment. Wash
ington Post.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
A DIG AT THE MEN.

In an article entitled, "Why Should
Not Men Be Beautiful?" Miss Frances
E. Willard takes the ground that men
have set high standard of beauty and
morality for women, and they have
had 80 much power to insist on this
standard that women are pre-eminent
in these respects. ITO my mind, she
says, "the key and core of the woman
question consists in this: That when,
without taking away mems power,
women are in possession of the same
power over them that men have over
women (which is what I should like to
see, no more and no less), then with
the growth of the centuries women
will set such standard for men that
they will become as beautiful as
women, and SIS pure, to the incalcula-
BILE increase of mans happiness and
well-being and of woman's Joy and
peace. Atlanta Constitution.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
JananCSe Shops.

The japanese shop is like big and
highly ornamental box, with one side
knocked out-the side toward the
street. Especially valuable goods are
not exposed in the shops. but kept in
godowns or safe deposit vaults, to be
brought ont when wanted, but in
most shops the whole stock can be
seen from the street If the purchaser
is in hurry he simply sits down on
tie edge Of the floor, which projects
over the street-there is 40 sidewalk
and calls for what he wants. For
purchases OF greater moment he enters
the shop, squats crosS-legged, and IS
treated to tea by the salesman.
Not only can one see whatever goes
on in a Japanese shop. but even in q
home there is no privacy. If it is
night, and the sliding shutters Of OILED
paper arc drawn, the lump light
throws strong shadows OF the people
within on the Opaque shades, and
shows precisely what MI are doing.
Some say that this lack Of privacy Ell.
courages in the japanese their polite
ways. They are always on their good
behavior. New York Recorder.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
Blondin and His Rope.

The baggage of Blondin, the famous
French tight rope walker, when on
tour consists of the following: A main
rope of 800 feet; circumference 6!
inches; weight, 500 pounds; twenty
eight straining ropes, fifty guide ropes.
eighty tying bars-the average weight,
not including poles, being five and
half tons. The freight of his fixings
including, we suppose, huge travel
ing tent, which can encompass IA, 600
people-amounted to $4,000 between
Southampton and Melbourne. About
three days are consumed in making
his preparations, with the aid of a
dozen assistants. The due adjustment
of his rope is his principal care, and
he superintends every detail.
In a fragment of autobiography
written some years ago, Blondin tells
us that the rope he generally used was
formed with a flexible cole of steel
wire covered with the best Manila
hemp, about an inch or three-quarters
of an inch in diameter, several hun
dred yards in length, and costing
about $500. A large windlass at either
end of the rope served to make it taut,
while it was supported by two high
poles. His balancing poles, of ash
wood, vary in length, and are in three
sections, and weigh from thirty-seven
to forty-seven pounds. He is indif-
ferent as to the height at which he is
to perform. Blondin has never con-
fessed to any nervousness on the rope,
and while walking he generally looks
eighteen or twenty feet ahead and
whistles or huns some snatch of
song. The time kept by musical
band has frequently aided him in pre-
serving his balance. Blondin is some
thing of both carpenter and black
smith, and is able to make his own
models and fit mp his own apparatus.
---Chambers's Journal.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
The Spanish Bull.

The bulls used for fighting purposes
are specially selected, specially cared
for class. They are all pedigree AMI
mails. Andalusia is, above all, the
district of the bull. Here, at the age
of one year, the young bulls are sep.
arated from the heifers, branded with
the owners name and turned out loose
on the rlains to Craze with others of
their own age.
When year older the young bulls
are gathered together, in order that
their mettle and fighting qualities
may be tested. One Of them is separ-
ated from the herd and chased by a
man on horseback, who, by the skill.
full use of a blunted lance overthrows
the escaping bull, whereupon another
rider comes in front of the animal
with sharper lance to Withstand the
expected attack.
If the bull on regaining his feet at
tacks the rider twice he is passed as a
fighting animal, but if he turns tail
and runs off he is set aside to be killed
or to be used in agricultural work.
And go with each animal until the
whole herd of the two-year-olds have
been tested.
Each bull that has stood the test
successfully is then entered in the
herd book, with a description of his
appearance, and receives a name
such as Espartero, flamenco and the
like. This process of careful selection
goes on from year to year until the bull
is five years old, when, should his met
tie prove true, he is ready for the
arena, and flaming posters appear on
the walls OF Madrid or Seville, an
nouncing that Esparto Tor whatever
his name is) will on such and such q
date make his first and final appear
ance.
A good "warrantable" fve-year-old
bull for the fighting ring costs from
$3.50 to $400.-Buffalo Times.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
Aiter.Uilner N4pS.

There is quite difference Of opinion
among recognized authorities as to the
usefulness OF the after-dinner nap.
Some of these people claim that the
merest dropping off to sleep is much
better than the heavy, undisturbed re-
pose in which some temperaments
seem inclined to indulge.
In this matter, as in almost every
thing else in the world, difference in
constitution, condition and circum-
stances is lost sight of. As a general
rule, it may be said that whoever falls
asleep and sleeps long and heavily
does so because the system has need
of that sort of rest. Sleep is a COM
modify that does not come by will,
but on the most imperative demand of
nature. People who work hard, either
mentally or physically, who are in any
way overtaxed or exhausted by effort
of any kind, must in some way restore
the nervous balance, and in no way is
this so readily and satisfactorily done
as by long continued and undisturbed
sleep, if the individual can indulge
in it.
There are few things more coveted
than the ability to sleep quietly and
naturally, and it is very rare indeed
that one gets too much of this kind Of
repose.
TO be sure, there are persons OF
sluggish habit and people who are
given to over indulgence at the table
which is productive of inaction and an
almost continuous sleepy condition,
but these are exceptions rather than
the rule. The masses of people sleep
too little, and it is scarcely worth
while, save in exceptional cases, to
curtail the hours that nature demands
for this most efficient means Of restoras
ton. Above all things should chill
dren and young persons, those under
twenty especially, be given all the op-
portunity consistent with their occu-
patton and education for untronbled
sleep. The fact that nature demands
a thing is most excellent reason for
granting it. "Forty winks" may do
very we'll for some temperaments, but
it is by no means to be rec commended
to persons who are in any degree weary
or overworked.-New York Ledger.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
ABSOLUTELY PURE
Marvellous Story About Clif.Dwellers

A marvellous story is that which
comes from Arizona, where q few
months ago some prospectors in the
Bradshaw Mountains came npon q
,liff-dwe!l ers' village in one of the
most mace essible csnons of that range
the largest village of the kind ever
yet discovered. several of the houses
we're explored and large quantities of
pottery and some instruments, evil
iently used for cultivsting the soil,
were found. In one the skeleton OF a
man, not over four feet eight inches
in height, was discovered. The canon
at this place is half mile wide and
shows evidence of having been culti-
vated. If this theory proves to be
true it will throw more light on the
habits of this little known people. So
far as known no other evidence has
ever been disc overed Of cliff.dwellers
having cultivated the soil.-Atlanta
Constitution.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
THE PAGODA CUFF.

Last year perforated cloth, cut in
patterns resembling guipure, was en-
ployed for mantles. Now this same
cloth, but with the pattern en-
broidered in silk, is one of the newest
introductions for bodices made up
over colored silk. Never was 30 much
material wanted in dresses. Sleeves
are beginning to take almost as much
rs the sheath-like skirts of a year ago.
The pagoda cuff worn in the sixties is
coming back to us. 1t is gathered
over the wrist. and the cuff turns to-
wards the hand full and wide on the
outside of the arm, narrowing inside
the wrist. It is one of those uncom.
Portable shapes which will dip into
everything. A new form is a gigot
with joint on the outside of the arm
from the shoulder to the wrist. st.
Louis Star-Sayings.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
WOMEN ON AMERICAN FARMS.

The very nature of farm life entails
certain conditions that are inevitable.
and their tendency is to shut in and
enfetter woman's life, until soul-life,
like her outward life, becomes narrow,
distorted, and unfruitful, writes Mary
R. Woodward in the Woman's Journal.
These conditions act upon our farm
women intellectually and socially, as
the iron bars of prison would upon
their physical powers. The compare
tive isolation of farm life, combined
with the routine drudgery of every
day land Sunday, too often) is q
strong bar against social and intelIec-
tual enjoyment. Woman, 70 less than
man, is "a social animal" and needs
frequent intercourse with her fellow
beings, for that mental stimulus with
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26

out which there can be no true prog.
ress. She needs time for the cultiva-
ton of the higher powers of her mind,
that she may be enabled to fight life's
baStles more bravely, bear its burdens
more easily, and enjoy ife's pleasures
more fully. For there are pleasures
to enjoy on farm.
It is the mission of the Grange to
break down some of the iron bars that
imprison the lives of go many women
on Our farms-to do away with the
isolation that shuts in 30 much latent
nobility, hidden talent and true wom-
anhood. The social side OF Grange
life is blessed boon to many far
mer's wife and daughters, who through
it's influence have been drawn into
more frequent intercourse with 9TH
ers, finding warm friends, and even
nearer and dearer ties among those
who but for the Grange, would have
remained entire strangers. While
thus creating warmer social atmos'
phere, which has a strong and hu-
manizing effect, there is another
Grange influence reaching out into
our farm homes, developing intellec-
tual strength and freedom. In men
tai capacity there are no women IN the
world who surpass the women OF our
farms, but intellectual life, like plant
life, requires favorable opportunities
for growth and progressive develop.
ment. These opportunities the
Grange affords, and through the edu-
cational influence of the Order, we
are developing on our farms intellec-
tual ability of q high order.
Grange influence has been an impor-
tant factor in removing popular pref
udlce against woman suffrage. The
rural conservatism that recoils from
radical changes has been gradually
overcome by the subtle forces that
work through our Order. In woman's
admission to the Grange upon equal
terms with her brothers, in sharing
equally in the duties, the privileges,
the honors and the responsibilities, we
have grown accustomed to think of
her in her relation to matters outside
of the domestic circle. Her interest
in public affairs is stimulated by the
discussions of questions of the day, in
which she is expected to take active
part, and her unquestioned ability,
given an opportunity to express itself,
often opens to her wider field OF USE
fulness.
have only written of one phase of
Grange work-the breaking down Of
the barriers that prevent the fullest
development. of the truest womanly
nature on our American farms. The
Order Is also building up, from the
foundation of American agriculture, a
broader and higher type of manhood
and womanhood. Opinion.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
STILL ROOM FOR RESEARCH.

"What is this new substance that l
hear SO much about?" asked the emi-
nent scientists wife.
"What new substance, my dear?"
t'The element in the air that has
Just been detected. !"
''Oh, that, my DEAR" he answered,
beaming over his spectacles with the
good nature of superior wisdom, sis
known as Argon."
"Oh,"
eyes. It's discovery is one of the
most remarkable triumphs of the age.
It has revolutionized some of the old
theories; or at least it will revolution
ze them before 1t gets through"
"What is it9"
"It's--er-a-did you say what is
it?'
81 said that"
"Well-ahem-you see, we haven't
as yet discovered much about 1t ex-
cept its name. Washington Star.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
THE SovFL1sT's REFUGE.

81 can't bring my fagged-out fancy
up to the point of portraying the cul-
minat1ng love scene between the hero
and heroine of this story" solilo-
quized the gifted novelist, ''and I'll
just say 'the interview between Roder-
ick and Penelope, those true hearts so
sorely tried, now SO happily reunited
at last, may be safely left to the read
er's imagination" This may be lit
tie disappointing to the reader, but it
hatters him and saves lots of work.
There's cheating in all trades but
ours" continued the gifted novelist,
making a row of stars across the page.
adding a quotation from Byron and
writing the words: "The end. Chi
cago Tribune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
The Watchdog Exchange.

An Englishman and German in
Chicago are partners in a new busi-
ness which they advertise as Watch
dog Exchange. They will be p1 epared
soon to sell dogs trained for watching,
or the dogs may be engaged by the
month, week or night. The German
partner has the experience, having
been employed as keeper in q siml-
lar business in Berlin, where there are
several of these exchanges doing a
good business. New York Sun.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
CHANGING STYLES OF HAIR DRESSING.

Some of those people who lead our
fashions, whether we will or no, are
beginning to wear the hair low in the
neck again IN loose sort of coil. This
is to be deplored if the style should
become general. The ''bun" is tidy,
easily arranged and 'stays put" A
coil in the nape of the neck is IN
variably wild after very short time
and requires more attention than, to
speak plainly, it usually gets. 1t soils
ones collars, too, and rubs against
them in such way as to break the
hair badly. In fact, almost the only
thing in favor of such manner OF
hairdressing is that the wearer OF 1t
looks much younger than with her
hair worn higher on her head.-NeW
Orleans Picayune.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
WOMAN'S WORLD.
PLEASANT LITERATURE FOR
FEMININE READERS.
MRS. LEASE TO PRACTICE LAW.

It is reported that Mrs. Mary u.
Lease and Miss Mary Morrill,, both
of Wichita, will shortly form law
partnership and open Offices in Topeka
and Kansas City, Kan. Mrs: Lease
practiced law in Wichita before she
went into politics. Miss Morrill, has
been stenographer at the Topeka In
sane Asylum for several months. She
is a graduate OF the law department OF
the University at Ann rbor.-Chlcago
Times-Herald.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-26
WHY HE WAS SAD.

Spike McGaffney-"Say, Pete,
when I look inter house like dat an ;
see oil der people happy rn' der pres
ents all spread out ON der table, it jist
brings tears to me eyes"
Second Story Pete-"Brinas tears
to yer eyes! What fer?"
Spike McGaffney-"Cause dey keep
two bloodhounds, an dey's got double
burglar alarms on der windy. -
Puck.