davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
A Story Of Bad Luck.

Here is story, told by the Chicago
Herald, showing how to account for
bad luck.
A man was shaking dice in a cigar
store. He lost.
No WONDER" said bystander.
wearing an opal. You never will
have any luck"
This set the man to thinking
Four days later he slipped in getting
off street car, and sprained his an
kle.
This decided him. He gave the
pin to friend who was on the
Board of Trade, an who was too
hard headed to entertain sany fool
notions about the number 13, black
cats, or cross-eyed girls with red hair.
Nevertheless, when this Board of
Trade man lost over ten thousand
dollars on wheat, he began to worry.
He didn't care much for the pin
anyway, and so one day when young
man in his Office admired the " fire''
in the stone, he said, Take it along
if you like it,"
The young man overwhelmed him
with thanks. Then he waited, with
guilty knowledge, to see what would
happen to the young man. He did
not have to wait long. The very
next week the employee was taken
ill, and he missed four days at the
Office.
The Board of Trade man was
troubled in conscience, 80 he told
his young friend about the Opal pin
and the superstition attaching to it.,
and the employee, after deliberation,
decided that he would give the pin
to his girl.
The opal did very rapid and effect.
i've work after it became the prop
erty of the young woman. On the
second day after she began to wear
it she ignited a curtain in attempting
to light the gas. The curtain was
destroyed, and the young woman
burned both OF her hands in attempt
ing to extinguish the blaze.
The young man who had given
the stone to her felt called upon to
apologize.
Perhaps it was that opal 1 gave
you," said he. "You know an opal
Is supposed to carry bad luck with
it. | didn't tell you, because I'm
not superstitious."
"I'll not wear the dreadful thing
day longer" said she.
So she didn't. She gave it to her
brother, who scoffed at the sugges-
tion that n sparkling, CLASSY little
stone could WELD any influence, good
or bad. Nevertheless, when he
started to Cincinnati and the train
ran off the track, and he was tossed
half the length of the car, he became
converted.
"pll not give it to anybody else
to be JONAH" he said. "I'll sell il
to jeweler."
So he went to the jeweler and said,
What will you give me for this
opalP"
The jeweler looked at it and said
"That isn't an opal that's a cats
eye"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
POETRY.
"THEM OLD CHEEKY WORDS. ,
BY JAMES wHITCoMB RILEY.

Pap he alluS uSt to say,
CnrlS mus comes but onC't n wear '
Liked TO hear him hathaway.
,, In his old Split-bottomed cheer
ny the fireplace here at night
WOOD all in, and room all bright,
warm and snug, and folks all here:
NhrlS mus comes but Onc't year :"
Me and Lie, and Warm and Jess
! And Eldory home fer two
Weeks vacation and, guess.
@ Old folks tlckled through and throug
same as we was" Home Onc't more
Fer another Chris 'mus-shore ~
Zap u d say, and tilt his cheer,
"ChrlS mus comes but Onc't a year ~
Mostly pap was ap' to be
| Ser Ous in his "daily walk"
AS he called it giner'lv
Was no hand to joke er talk.
Fac is, pap had never ben
Rugged.like at all-and then
Three years in the army had
Hepped to break him purity bad.
Never liinched, out frost and snow
Hurt his wound in winter. But
\ on bet mother know d it, though
watched his feet, and made him put
On his ilannen ; and his knee,
Where it never healed mp, he
Clalmed was we'll uOw-mighty near
Chris mus comes but ono t wear ~
Chrls mus comes but OnC't Il year."
zap I'd say, and snap his ewes.
Row o apples sputter N here
Round the hearth and me and Lie
Crackln hicker nuts and Warm
And EIdOry parchin' corn;
ana whole raft o young folks here.
"Chrls mus comes but onc't year ~
Mother TUX most comfert IN
Jes a-heppiE' pap. She'd fill
His pipe fer him, or his tin
o. hard cider or set still
And read fer him out the pile
., newspapers put on file
Whilse he was with Sherman. (Shc
knowed the whole war history y
Sometimes he'd git het up some,
BOYS, he'd say, land you girls, too
Christmas is about to come;
SO, as YOU We right to do,
Celebrate it. Lots has died,
Same as Him they crucined,
Ihat you might he happy here.
Chris mus comes but onc't year! -
Missed his voice last Chris s'mus--missed
Them old CHEEKY words, you know.
Mother helt up tel she'd kissed
All of us-then had to go
And break down! An laughs Here
Chris mus comes but onc'ta year = "
Them s his very words" sobhed she,
When he asked to marry me-"
"Chris'muS comes but one t "A ayear,n
"Chrls mus comes but onc't year =
Over, over, still heal,
"ChriS'muS comes but onc't wear -
Iit, like him, IN gOin' to smile
And keep cheerful all the while;
A Illus Chris mus there-and here
"Chris mus comes but onc't year ~
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
The Skating Lesson.
HOW THORNLEY, FULFILLED HIS
RASH CHRISTMAS PROMISE.

| RASH NitklSTMAS PROMISE.
She was Il beautiful girl, aud Thorn.
ley was the happiest man along the
Hudson river because she was pay.
ing his sister Emily a two weeks
visit. There was stretch of CLASSY
ice below the house, and when
Thornley, jokingly asked her what
he should give her for Christmas she
smiled sweetly and replied:
Give me few lessons i'm skat-
ing. have never learned, and the
ambition Of my life is to glide over
the smooth surface of the frozen
river"
81 shall be delighted to instruct
you, Hiss Lakeside" Thornley, said.
eagerly. And he meant what he
said. He little dreamed then that
she weighed $50 pounds--little cared
perhaps, for love is reckless and I'M
reasoning. Thornley, himself, when
equipped with an overcoat, pair Of
rubbers and his everyday clothing,
tipped the scales at about l20 pounds.
I" DO you think you can support
me, Mr.. Thornley,? ?" she asked
coyly.
"Support you ?" repeated the gal
liant, but rash Thornley,, as he rose
from his knees and grasped her
hands to begin the lesson. "Sup.
port you? Why, l could support
you for-for life, Miss Lakeside"
"Oh, Mr.. Thornley, !" she cried,
blushing like rose. Her eyes fell,
and moment later she and Thorn
ley followed them. Grasping her
by the arms, Thornley, tugged until
the veins stood out like whipcords
on his brow and finally raised her to
her feet again. She made four des-
perate strokes with her wabbling
skates, quite unintentionally kicked
ThOrnley's feet out from under him,
and then sat down again with a ve-
hemence that called forth crack
ling protest from the astosished ice.
Thornley, picked her up once more.
They struck out second time
History repeated itself, and the habit
soon became chronic. Thornley's
brow was beaded with perspiration.
1t began to dawn on him that she
must weigh at least $50 pounds
w hSh iC IlSheu ileI up lOT TIC sew
enth time and attempted to guide
her wandering and irresponsible feet,
he changed his mind.
eff she weighs an ounce, she
weighs three hundred - he thought,
with gasp for breath. "This is
positively dangerous. The ice is
only about six inches thick, and
there isn't a life preserver within six
miles of us -
He paused for a moment to rest
the right arm that had been holding
her up for half an hour and to get
the numerous painful kinks out of
his back.
You are tired, Mr.. Thornley, ?"
she murmured.
"That's-that's right" he painted.
Are-are you still sure you could
support me for life ?" she asked mis-
chievOusly.
"Support you for life ?" he gasped.
&C or course could, If / only had a
derrick ~
And that night 1SO pounds of love-
illness started for home
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
The Famed Blue Laws.

The blue laws ofConnecticut were so
called because they were printed on
blue-tinged paper. These are some
of them:
No one shall be free man or have
a vote unless he is converted and a
member of one of the churches
allowed in the dominion.
No dissenter from the essential
worship of this dominion shall be
allowed to give a vote for electing
magistrates or any other officer.
No food or shelter shall be offered
to hereto.
No one shall cross the river on the
Sabbath but an authorized clergy.
No one shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep house, cut hair or
shave on the Sabbath day.
No one shall kiss his or her chill
dren on the Sabbath or fasting day.
Whoever wears clothing trimmed
with gold, silver or bone lace above
one shilling yard shall be presented
by the grand jurors and the selectmen
shall tax the estate Boob.
The Sabbath day shall begin at sun
set Saturday.
Whoever brings cards or dice into
the dominion shall be fined 5lb.
No one shall eat mince pies, dance,
play cards. or play any instruments
of music except the drum, trumpet or
jewsharp.
No one shall court maid i'm person
or by letter, without obtaining the
consent of her parents.
5ib penalty for the first offense, lob
for the second and for the third i'm d.
prisonnlent during the pleasure of the
court.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

Princess Lilith.

Now, when Jesus was born in Beth
lehem of JudHa, in the days of HeroC
the king, behold, there came wise mel
| from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is borr
King of the Jews? For we have seer
his star in the east and are come t
worship him.
When Herod the king heard thes,
things he was troubled, and all Jeru
salem with him.
And when he had gathered all tn,
chief priests and scribes of the peopl,
together, he demanded of them wher,
Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethle
hem of Judaa.
Then Herod, when he had privil,
called the wise men, inquired OF then
diligently what time the star appeared
And he sent them to Bethlehem ant
said, Go and search diligently for th'
young child. and, when We have fount
him, bring me word again, that | ma,
come and worship him also.
Being warned of God in dream
that they should not return to HerOd
they departed into their own countr.
another way.
Then HerOd, when he saw that h,
was Knocked of the wise men, was ex
ceeding wrOth.-Matthew Ii, 1-l6.
The Princess Lilith, daughter o.
King Herod, mused as she recllneC
upon a bed of purple, and the ne
gress Noun waved fan of feathers
over her forehead, and the ca
AstarOth nestled at her feet.
Princess Lilith was fifteen years o
age. Her eyes were as deep as the
water of cistern, and her mouth
was like a cyclamen flower.
She unused Of her mother, Queer
Miriam, who died when Lilith wa:
little more than Il baby. She die
not know that her father had killeC
her in fit Of jealousy, hut she knew
that he kept her body In the depths
of secret chamber, embalmed il
honey and spices, and that he still
wept for her.
She unused upon her father, Kinl
Herod, taciturn and always ILL.,
Sometimes he shut himself up in hi
chamber, and there no one coult
hear him scream aloud. 1t was be
cause he thought he saw those whom
he caused TO die-his stepbrother
Kostobar; his wife, Miriam; hi
sons, AristObulus and Alexander
Lilith's brothers; his stepmother
Alexandra her son, Antipater; TIT
doctor of law, Bababen Bouta, ant
many Others. Although Lilith knew
nothing of all this, her father Away
inspired her with great terror.
She unused upon the Messiah
looked for by the Jews and OF Whon
she had heard so much from he
nurse, Egla, now dead. And, al
though the Messiah would be kim
in Hercd's place, she said to hersel
that she would like very much I
see him.
Lastly she mused upon little He
zael, the son of her foster-sistel
Zebonda, who lived in Bethlehem
Hozael was a year old. He laughe
merrily and was beginning to tall
Lilith loved him tenderly, and a
most every day she ordered ne
mules to be harnessed into her cedf
chariot and went with the negre:
Noup to visit he little HoZael.
Lilith mused upon all these thing
and then il seemed to her that sh
was very much alone In the worl
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
POETRY.
A CHRISTMAS HARBINGER.

There's Christmas indication,
Known to every married male;
There s Christmas intimation
That is never known to fail.
1t is not the blizzard blowing
From Dakota east to Maine.
Or the fierce or fitful showing,
Or the slush-prOducing rain.
1t is not the turkeys hanging
In the market and the store,
Or the CHEEKY, tuneful changing
Of the Christmas bells galore.
None Of these will tell the story
OF the daily dying year,
None of these that Christmas hOary
And the holidays are here.
But his peace of mind is ended,
And he knows just where he s at,
When the hosiery's g dlstended
And the pOcketbOok is flat
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

THE following curious alphabet
ical ad" appeared in an issue of the
London Times away back in 1912:
I" To Widowers and Single Gentle
Wanted, by lady, situation
to superintend the household and
preside at table. She is agreeable,
becoming, careful, desirable, English,
facetious, generous, honest, industri-
Gus, judicious, keen, lively, modest,
nervy, obedient, philosophic, quiet,
osy-faced, sociable, tasteful, useful,
vivacious, womanish, Xantippish,
youthful, jealous, &C.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

MRS. DAsH-What did you get
baby for birthnay present?
Mrs. DASH took ten dollars out
of the little darling's bank, and
bought him this lovely dining-table
lamp.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

"IT is tough, hut true" said the
Cumminsville sage, "that man gen.
orally does not get any foresight un-
til he Is too old to have anything to
look forward tor
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

AS ships meet at sea, a moment
together, and then words of greet
ing must he spoken, and then away
into the deep. so men meet in this
world /; and l think we should cross
no mans path without hailing him,
and, if he needs, giving him sup
plies. Beecher.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

FRENCH PoLITENEss.--" What
age is she ?" said republican "she
looks still so young" Citizen,"
responded the person addressed, Z" in
a little while she will be twenty-for
the fourth time"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

81 HAVE been informed that your
first attempt at long distance ride
on your wheel turned out to he a
highly dramatic affair" Very.
| had to walk back,''
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
NUMBER 81.

THEY BOTH GOT MAD.-He was
a typical mountaineer from his bro
gan shoes to his wool hat, and he
had walked to neighboring town to
visit relatives. 1t was his first visit
away from his home. The second
day after he arrived he went to the
postofiice to get letter from his
girl. He was sure it would be there,
+ as she had tearfully told him she
would write him while he was away.
Air thar any mail fer me?" he
inquired of the postmaster.
WHAT'S your namc?" was the
inquiry.
Louder"
81 say, what's your name?"
asked the postmaster in little more
positive manner.
Louder"
"l say, what's your name?"
yelled the postmaster, sticking his
head through the window into the
face of the young man.
why, dad drat your ugly time,
pve told you three times my name
was Louder" yelled the mountain
eer. ct. j. Louder, and if yer did
not belong ter the gov'ment I'd
crawl over thar and pick your years.
Soon es man gifts or gov'ment job
round here he begins to put on airs,
and Pm not one to put up with it,"
The postmaster fished out a letter
from a dusty hole and gave ii to
him, although he was mad himself.
UNTOLD LIES.-The art of telling
lie by telling the ruth, but less than
the whole Of it, is cultivated by some
people and when their trick of con-
cealment is by some chance; and
they are never quite believed after
ward.
a person of this type was once re-
lating certain circumstances to an
acquaintance, who appeared perhaps
a trifle incredulous.
What !" exclaimed the narrator
" do you suspect what | tell you ?n
ooh no." "answered the other :" but
| suspect what you don't tell meW
The remark was an apt one, and
ought to have been a warning to the
speaker. But inasmuch as this per-
son was grown to years of discretion,
and still kept back part of the truth,
it is doubtful if any experience could
teach him to be really truthful.
There is a great deal of untruthful-
ness latent somewhere in human
nature, and unless one Is brought
to tell the TRUTH" and taught in
in childhood to abhor a lie in any
shape, there is very little hope that
such person will become outspoken
and candid.
AN Irishman, whose chief occu-
patton in life has been rock blasting,
obtained a position on a farm, and
was one day seated outside vigo-
rously churning butter with an old
fashioned churn. Two former com
panions passing by, caught sight of
him, and after stopping to contem-
plate the situation a moment one of
them suddenly exclaimed: "'Pon
me conshinse, Terrence, but there's
Nc cManus, and he's gone crazy, sure
enough! He's sittin' dhere wild
wooden dhrill, preparin' to put a
blasht in a bucket"
----9>.S~<s-
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

"PooR fellow" said the philan-
thropic passer-by as he looked over
the fence at the wild haired man
who was galloping ground the yard
astride a broOmstick, which he
caused to prance and pitch till it fin
ally buckeG him off on his head
" So you lost your wager ?"
"YOu fool !" shrieked the man
addressed as he picked himself up,
"p" not paying an election bet
Pm craZy.n
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

Pat-Good morning, landlord 7"
Landlord-Good morning, Pat
Pat-I was dreaming of you
last night.
LandlOrd-Were you ?"
Pat-Yes, 1 dreampt you offered
me pint of beer and a glass Of
Whiskey.
Landlord-Oh, indeed! But you
know, Pat, dreams always go the re-
verse way.
Pat-Very well, sir, I'll have a
pint of whiskey and glass of beer"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

IN southwest Georgia book agent
was treed" for six hours by an In
furiated bull. The farmers in that
section may be lacking. in some
things, but they know how to train
nattla
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

THIRD DISTRICTS OFFICIAL
VOTE.-Following is the official vote
cast on the 3rd day Of November,
1896, for Representative in Congress
from this, the Third district:
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
West Nirginia's Official Vote.

We give below the official vote of
the State cast for President of the
United States on the Bird of Novem-
ber:
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

THE question is frequently asked /:
'9Has money appreciated ?" 1t is
immaterial whether IL has or not, IL
never was more appreciated than at
present.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

CAN civil engineer be said to be
working like horse" when he Is
drawing lots?
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

ZONE soweth and another reap.
eth" is verify which applies to
evil as we'll as to good.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

SHOW may easily be purchased
but happiness Is a home article.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

Then Herod, when he had privily
called the wise men, inquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared
And he sent them to Bethlehem and
said, Go and search diligently for the
young child. and, when ye have found
him, bring me word again, that | may
come and worship him also.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

Being warned of God in Il dream
that they should not return to Herod
they departed into their own country
another way.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

But are you sure that he is the
Messiah ?" demanded Lilith.
Yes" said Zabulon, "because
he was born in Bethlehem at the
time appointed by the prophets and
the wise men have seen his star.n
lie must be very beautiful, al
though he is so small. Don't you
think so, Zabulon ?"
cit is written that he shall be the
most beautiful among the children
of men,
4 shall go to see him." said Lii
ith.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24

Then Herod, when he saw that h'
was Knocked of the wise men, was ex
ceeding wrOth.-Matthew II, 1-l6.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-05
Fldnn mel De p't.

Our 15c White and All Wool Red Elan
mel reduced to lie per yard.
our 2Oc White and All Wool Red Elan
mel, reduced to lac per yard.
Our 25c White and All Wool Red Flan-
mel, reduced to lSc a yard.
our Soc White and All Wool Red Flan-
ne reduced to 25c IA yard
Our SCc White and All Wool Red Elan
mel. reduced to pc yard
Our ipc White Flannel, reduced to 33c n
yard.
our sec White Flannel, reduced to SOC a
yard.
Our 6Oc White Flannel, reduced to i5c a
yard.
Our s5c silk Warp White Flannel, re-
duced to Doc a yard.
Our S6-inch silk Warp White Flannel, re
duced to Toe, sold at Sl.25 yard.
10 Pieces Irish Frieze Flannel, sold al
lSc, now 12c yard.
Pieces Irish Frieze Flannel, sold at<.2c
now lie yard.
Pieces Gray Wool Flannel, sold at sc
now 22c yard.
Pieces Gray Wool Flannel, sold ut Sc
now 25c a yard
Pieces Gray Wool Flannel sold at 4oc
now SOC a yard.
Pieces All Wool Navy Blue Twillet
Flannel, marked pc. now 19c yard.
Pieces All Wool Navy Blue Twilet
Flannel, marked soc, now 22c a yard.
Pieces Navy Blue Twilled Flannel
marked 39c. now 29c a yard.
Pieces Navy Blue Twilled Flannel
marked 45c now 35c n yard
80 PIECES COTTON CRErON FOR
EVENING DRESSES. SOLD AT 12ilc
SPECIAL DURING THIS SALE Sc \
| YARD.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-05
Staple Dept.

CHOICE OF OUR FALL AND WIN
TER DRESS G1NGHAMS that sold at
S l-3c and 10c during this sale DC yard.
Choice of our 30-inch Sateen, dark pat
terms. sold at 1Oc Clearing Sale Price DC
yard.
10000 YARDS LONSDALE AND FRUIT
OF THE LOOM BLEACHING, yard wide,
now selling everywhere at &c yard, dur
ing this sale &c a yard
5000 YARDS PEPPEREL BLEACHED
SHEETING, selling at PC, during TINS
sale 15c per yard. None will be sold to
dealers in large quantities and only lin
tied amounts will be given to each GUS
toner, as we have only the number OF
Yards mentioned left at the prices before
the advance in these goods took place
and we wish TO give all our customers
the benefit of this bargain.
The remainder of our 36-inch Double
Fold Cotton Suiting, sold at FEC to close
Sc a yard.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-05
LADIES, VESTS.

LADIE S' V JSIS.
LADIES RIBBED VESTS. GRO
CHETrE NECK, FULL REGULAR
LENGTH, EXTRA GOOD WEIGHT. a
2Oc VEST SPECIAL DURING THIS
SALE. ANY SIZE at l0c.
2s dozen Swiss Ribbed ladies' vests
md pants, silk Crochette Neck, Satin
front, with three pearl buttons soid al
4Oc, special during this sale &c each
Ladies' Alerino Swiss Ribbed vests, III
White an Natural Gray. sold at $.Oo' re-
duced to 69c.
Ladies' White and Natural Gray Wool
Vests. full fashioned. sold at sl.25, re-
duced to soc,
Ladies' White Wool Vests, sold at si5o
reduced to Sl,00.
Ladies silk and Wool Mixed Vests, sold
at $3.50 now si75.
Ladies' Pure Silk Vests, heavy weight,
sold at S2.5D now S175.
Ladies Pure SILK Vests, high neck, shor,
sleeves, extra length. sold at 2.70, now
sl.9S