davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08

years ago, Jack Patton and Jim Miller
were hunting squirrels round his field.
they came across a terrapin, threw It
into Dickson's cornield, pushed down
Two or three stalks of corn, tore up a.
roasting ear, pulled down the fence
and went off and told they had found
Dickson trying to drive a terrapin ont
OF his field. Dickson laughed at the
attempted joke and said thew would
have showed more wit II they had got
Asa Mitchell to have told It. Asa was
a half witted fellow and would
have been more likely to have been be-
lieved.
will mention one case of wonderful
memory In connection with the terra.
pin matter. Uncle Tommy Christo-
pher came to this country the same
time the Dioksons did, Just eighty
years ago. He was In his eleventh wear.
He came from North Carolina. It was
said OF him for more than three OMAR
ters OF a century, that II he died sud-
denly he would die telling or trying In
tel! joke. 1t came near being re.l-
lied. Uncle Tommy was afflicted With
heart trouble. He never lay down for
seven weeks before his death. When
some OF his friends were around him
and he recovered from one of his faint
Ing spells, he amused them by telling
them OF the terrapin incident. inst
eighty years ago. The only mistake
that he made in relating it was that
Tiger Jim Anderson was the man tha,
tried to drive the animal from the
field. Uncle Tommy was a strict mem
Der OF the Methodist church. If Tyse,
jim had found a dozen terrapins in hi
held3 haze encouraged Sthsn
kaldl a@ In what E said te b
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08
OUR BEST

Is your rest. II we can't do better by
you-clothipgly speaking-than 9TH
ers can, then our efforts have been
iruftless. For that is the point we
have sought to obtain. Maybe it's
conceit on our part, hut we honestly
believe that eur Ready Tailored
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08
EIGHTY YEARS AGO.
The Dickson Family. Terrapins and
Their Great Age.

By Major william Hoy.
Mr.. EDIToR.-The last addition the
Scotch-Irish commupitys.o sNagaI eth
had from tha k(nk1 Swas
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08

The house of him in whom they pride
~ Brave old Tom with the empty sleeve.
In addition to his work ON the Mes
senger DR.. Bagby war, during the war.
the Richmond correspondent of every
southern paper that could secure his
services. He made friends wherever he
went. To know him was to love and
esteem him. In 1859 he was appointed
Assistant Secretary of State and
Custodian OF the State Library
A public lecturer he was we'll and
very favorably known. He died in
1888. Bis wife edited and collected his
writings, the freshness, variety, and
novelty of which make them interest-
log and instructive re ding.
THE Old Virginia Gentlemen, ora
Bacon and Greens" were prenared
originally for the lecture platform. All
his work is truly Anne erlcan--American
subjects, American wit, American bn-
NOR, by thoroughly American author
Wewould like to give several ex-
tracts from DR.. Bagby's writings. but
lack OF space forblds and we will close
this article by quoting Mozis's Essav on
" "Fiize" which is not unworthy the
great and good Josh Billings2, Saws
Mozis: III hate a fill. A fiji has got no
manners. He aint no gentleman. He's
an introoder, don't send in no card, nor
ak a introduction, nor don't mock at
the frunt door, and nuver, nuver thinks
Of takin' off his hat. Fust thing Won
kno he's In bed with you and mn
your nose-tho what he wants up thar
is mistry-and he invites hims,lf to
breakfast, and sits down in the butter
without brushing his pants. He helps
himself to sugar, and meat, and molas-
ses, and bread, and preserves. and ey-
erythipg-don wait for nc Invitation.
He's got good appetite and just as
soon eat one thing as another. .Taipt
no use to challenge him for taking lib-
critics, he keeps up hostile correspon-
dence with you, whether or not and
shoots hisself at you like bullet, and
he nuver misses-nuvsr. He'll kiss your
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08
Suits - OVerCOatS

are the best productions in the Of clothes
tf Because We have aimed tn make them 90; We have
personally devoSed time money experience to
make them all claim 70 be- Read the price, II
helps to confirm argument.
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08


troops that assembled a. Manassas
Being unfit, physcsllv, for the hard.
rough lifeot a soldier, he we detailed
for clerical work at haadonarte-s
Even this was too mpch for bin and
bis he a!th gave way. on which account
he was giveI fiaal discharge.
H. at once re turned to jouroalism and
the advocacy tf Southern Indepen-
depce. In the next few Y MS manv pa-
triotic sougs and poems flowe d from bis
pen to cheer the bpsrts of his countrv.
men who were bear ny the brunt of the
battle at the csnnon's mouth. One OF
these became especially popular and ia
worth quoting here. 1t is called
THE EMPTY SLEEVE.
Tom, old fellow, I grieve to see
The sleeve hanging loose at your side:
T. o arm you lost was worth to me
Every Yankee that ever died.
But you don't mind it as all,
You swear you've y beautiful stump.
And laugh &C that detestable ball;
Tom, knew you were always a trump.
A good right arm, merry hand,
"A wrist as strong a. q sapling oak,
SBurfed deep In tho Malvern sand
To laugh at that II q sorry Joke,
Never again your iron grip
Shall feel in my shrinking palm
Tom, Tom, see your trembling lip,
How on earth can be calm.
Well. the arm II zone, It is true;
But the one that r. nearest the heart
Is left-and that's a. good as two;
Tom, old.fellow, what makes you start2
Why man, she thinks that empty sleeve
badge OF honor SO dol,
And all OF us-I do believe -
The fellow II going 20 cry.
"she deserves perfect man" you say;
you're not worth her in your prime ?"
Tom the arm that has turned to clay,
Your whole body1has made sublime.
For Yen have placed It in the Malvern earth
The proof ana pledge OF a noble life
And the rest, hencsforward OF higher worth
win be dsarsr than all to your wife.
Isee the peopls in the street
Look At your eleeve with kindling eyes;
.SSA4dsypu know, Tom, there's naught so swee,
L Homage shown minute surmise,
~ xsly your arzn In little strove,
|iffss3. Tor sake, you gaveit;
~ psrished~ NJ . nations love
1hroud REM ente win save II.
y1<k< n = -, - o. ss.,f
The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1896-1898, 1896-01-08

: Isee one-almef hrrisd man;
A little woman wiu5 miles and tears
Is helping as harfbas she can
To put on his coat "A up his sleeve.
Tie his cravat and cut his food:
Aud say, as these fancies weave.
"That Is Tom and the woman he wooed ,,
The years roll OIL, and then I see
wedding picture bright and fair;
look closer and it's plain to me
That Is Tom with the silver hair,
He gives away the lovely bride,
And the guests linger, 10th to leave
The house OF him in whom they pride
Brave old Tom with the emptv slave
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

Believe her innocent. then, for she
is So" said Hollis EiYefton, with sol
emn earnestness.
'tOh, my dear father. Is this really
true? Is my poor Eudora innocent!
oh, prove that her soul is guiltless of
this great crime. and l shall not break
my heart-no-not even if she dies for
it, cried Alma, starting up, selling
his hand, and gazing eagerly into his
face.
1t was the first time their hands had
met: and Hollis Elverton, shuddering-
Iy, shook off her grasp, as lie an
swered:
Yes; il is true"
Are you sur Of it,"
"As sure of it as I can be of any
thing on earth"
How do you know IL? What do you
know Of itT'
II know Eudora is innocent, and l
know who is guilty"
ooh, lay father! can you prove this:
Will you prove thisE"
"Ah. Alma, moral certainty is not
legal evidenced / repeat, l know Eu-
dora LeatOn is innocent, and | know
who is guilty; but / have no IS
yet to prove the guilt of II or the in
nocence of the other. But, Alma, you
are the well-wiSher Of the accused
girl?"
"Oh, yes; oh, yes
"And you will take my word for her
in%nocence?"
"Oh, yes! it is easy to have faith in
what we wish to believe"
Then you must become my agent in
dnfnr oil fhnt pnnp no Innn for this in
nocent. injured and unhappy girl
Willingly, my father"
Listen, then: Although Eudora Lea
ton is heiress Il one of the largest es-
tates in this country. yet, being a
minor, and a ward in chancery. | doubt
she is without ready money to procure
proper counsel for her defense; and
her only friend. her affianced husband,
Mr.. Malcolm Montrose, is, l fear, as
poor as herself, having nothing but n
small income from his Highland place.
And it is highly desirable that she
should have the very best counsel To
be procured for money; for ii is said
that the attorney general himself will
come from London to conduct this
very important case. Therefore, Al
ma, as | have a vital interest in the
acquittal of this innocent girl, and the
conviction, If possible, of the guilty
person, l must intrust you with this
money. Take it, and find means 10
place it either in the hands Of Malcolm
Montrose or in those of Eudora Lea
ton: and say to either with whom you
leave it, that it is furnished by n
friend who believes i'm her innocence,
and that it is intended to be devoted
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

tell me--this separation was not your
fault either?" she cried. clasping her
hands and gazing with imploring eyes
into his face.
"No. nor my fault either. Alma: !
swear il To you, by al my hopes
OF heaven. We loved eaci other
i'm this world" replied Elyerton,
in a hollow voice: I'VE severed. and
until the Judgment day it may V
be known why
You loved each other so devotedly;
you married publicly. with the bless
ings of all your friends; you came NTH
er 10 your beautiful home. and in n
month, in the very perfection of your
happiness, your union was shattered
as If by a thunderbolt from heaven.
You parted; oh. my father, was that
well?'
1T was well.' he answered, solemn
ly.
She looked into the stern sorrow of
his face, and read there that, in the
simple words of his reply he had ut
tered some awful truth. Again her
heart yearned towards her father with
ineXtinguishable love. She extended
her arms and advanced towards him
with imploring looks. But he waved
her off, saying, in plying tones:
Come no nearer, unhappy girl. Be-
tween you and me there is a great gulf
fixed, Hark! Some one approaches!
l must leave you now! Goodnight
nay, stop n moment! | must see
you again at this hour tomorrow. Ia
the meantime, drop no hint OF my
presence in England"
None; l will keep your secret, my
father" replied Alma. as Hollis Elver-
ton, waving adieu, disappeared il the
coYerts of the wood.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

10 her Defense said Hollis EiyertOn.
placing bank notes for a large amount
in Allna's hands.
IL will take it to Miss Leaton her
self, dear father: i en- do it very well,
as no N ever inquiries how i spend
my days"
Poor girl! so much greater the need
that you should learn to govern your
self, since there is none Il govern you.
But do my errand to Eudora Leaton.
Tell her to keep up her spirits. hope
for the best and trust in God! Tell
her that she has her OWL conscious
ness of innocence to support her, one
unknown friend working for her. and
Il just Providence watching oyer herr"
II will faithfully deliver your mes
sage my father"
But not as coming from me. Re-
member, girl, you are never TO breathe
my name, Or hint my existence TO any
one, whomsocveri All the world but
you believe me dead; leave them in
that Illusion"
Dear father, pardon ne. but the il
fusion Is yours. The world does not
believe you dead. There was n report
Of your death and an anonymous let
ter reached us from st. Petersburg N
nouncing the supposed fact; but after
the most careful investigation. my
mother came to the conclusion that it
was someone else Of the same or n
similar name. and
"She was happier for the hope that
it might be true. however, as I intend
ell that she should be-" said Hollis Ell
yerton, gravely.
Alma did not reply to this strange
observation. She could not bear To
acknowledge that her mother had been
happier for this hope.
But the ruse did not fully
succeed, since it did not con
vince her OF my decease: since the
death OF H.. Elverton, the American
stranger, who died at st. Petersburg,
did not pass quite current with her for
mine. Nevertheless. she is the better
for the hope that, after all, 1t may be
mine. Leave her to the enjoyment Of
that saving hope. which must strength
en- every year until Ii becomes a Ger.
tainty!"
"Oh, my father said Alma, bowling
ler burning face upon her hands, while
the tears stole through her fingers.
these cruel words pierce my heart like
daggers. You say hat you loved each
other as man and woman seldom love.
and that you severed without n fault
on either side. Oh, why. then. even if
you must be parted, why should you
wish her to believe you dead-and why
should she be happier in that belief?
Would YOU be happier if she were
/ dead!"
Il should, for it would he well,
/ Alma"
And If /. also were dead?r
1T would be better, still, Alma.'
And IL you were?'
Pest of ALL"
"Oh, this is fearful. / remember. too.
.~overhearing it said that. when in child
hood. | was i'll, and in great hanger.
my mothers mournful face was lighted
up as by a wild hope: but that when |
recovered N got well, il sank back 10
its habitual look of despair, Oh, this
is dreadful. Why Is Ii that the life of
each of us is a curse TO the othera. or
that the death Of either would be n
blessing to the restg' cried Alma,
wildly.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

I tree shaken by the wind. but he avert
~ his face and threw his hand toward
her with r repelling gesture.
She dropped her arms with a look of
shame. sorrow and wonder, murmur-
ing:
Never since l lived have 1 been
pressed to my mothers bosom, or re-
ceived n mothers kiss. or known a
mothers love. And the father for
whose presence my heart has longed
through all the years Of my lonely
youth-the father whom my love has
followed through all the years Of his
long exile-now, in the first moments
or u meeting. repulses his child and
turns away! OH, father!" she exclaim-
ed In passionate earnestness, what
have l done that both my parents
should hate met'
You have done nothing wrong. nor
do we hate you. poor girlv' replied FL
yerton in an agitated voice.
What am L, then, that those who
gave me life should turn shudderingly
away from me as from a Monster ac-
cursedg e
Child. child, cease your wild ques-
tionings! There are mysteries in this
world that may never be revealed I'M
til that last dread day of doom. when
all that is hidden shall be- made clear"
After this there was silence between
them for q few minutes, during which
they gazed upon each others faces
with m%ournful, questioning interest.
Then Hollis Elyerton, in a gentle voice,
inquired:
What name have they given you,
chiIdl"
My mother called me by no name,
but the good doctor gave me that OF
Alma"
Then you did not receive the rites
of Christian baptism?"
Not In infancy-not until | was old
enough to act for myself in that re-
spect; then / presented myself at the
altar and received ut the same time the
sacraments of baptism and conirma-
ton"
And your mother?"
'She made no objection, but gave me
no encouragement. She was neutral in
the matter; but, father, did l not do
riglit?'
Hollis Wverton groaned. but made no
reply. And again silence fell between
them. while they studied each other
with the same painful interest. At
length she broke h spell by asking in
"A fearful voice:
Father. will you not accompany me
to the house and see my mother?"
"Never!" exclaimed Hollis Eiverton,
while a spasm Of unutterable anguish
covered his tine face.
Alas. sir. If not to see her, what mo-
tive has brought you back to Eng.and?'
Two of the strongest that can gov
ern human action-the love of one /
love. the hate of one L hate, l come to
watch ove and saw au angel girl from
utter ruin. and to hunt a demon WON
an to her DOOM"
Your words are strange and alarm.
ing. my father
And 1 can give you no explanation
of them now; / am even here in secret.
1 must see you only In secret, and you
must give me your word of honor never
To mention this meeting. or even men
ton the fact Of my return to England"
Not even to my mother
Not even to her; least of all to her.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05
RadIy Posted,

buoiy
h a meeting Of the
bciation the discus
and its treatn
led by DR.. Sayadge
Ids: "What Is
IRE was once a pre-
asked what he XXI
} subject, replied: :
| even lectured on II
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

For nc had better WALL
plowshares than tread M &
stones of those halls" eyeIs, N
yerton, tiercely. $
Then, after a few minuto,.
he inquired: "
What have you heard ii
since!" Wl
Nothing. my father, excen, a..
nlficant fact. that, within 'asl
night after his fatal visit 0Ie
brown hair turned as whife .aAs
mo doubt, no doubt. bn, q
scarlet sin ever be SO wb;,sa|
time, or sorrow. or repentanaa,
that?' muttered Elyerton NV
rather to himself than to his sl pa /
alma did not at once ren,ra
ing of deep humiliation Eant Sa1
Fer a while, and then a sense ;,
ious duty urged her mt last 10 !.
II know not of what sin voa
my father; but this | have ~ Il
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

NUN, husn. no Noru OF tnat sort
ALAS. alas. my father, do you hate
her 500"
Hate her?-hate your mother-hate
Athenie-hate-Oh, heaven, Alma!-no,
l do not hate her: IN the contrary"
Here his voice broke down, and rails.
ing his cloak he yelled his agitated
face in its folds.
Alas. alas. my father! what horror
was it that so suddenly burst asunder
all ties OF affection between you?
Father-father. answer me!-tell me
that IT was not her fault, not my motl-
er's fault"
He dropped the fold Of the cloak
from his face, and looking for the first
time angrily upon his daughter, de-
manded sternly:
why should you dare to ask IL your
mother was in fault?"
Alas, | know not. I beg your par
don and hers. My short life has been
made Il desert by this mystery, father,
and yet for myself / have eve nee
complained; but when L know that her
life is one prolonged agony, and now
see the agony stamped upon your brow,
| become half crazy, and think i know
not what"
II will answer your question, unhap.
py girl: and assure you, i'm the presence
OF high heaven, that our violent part
ing was o caused by your mothers
fault. A purer, swecter. nobler woman
than your mother never lived said
Hollis Elverton. earnestly.
"Oh. God, i thank thee-I thank thee
II thank thee for that cried Alma, In
a thrilling voice that betrayed how
heavy had been the burden of doubt
that rested on her mind. and how in
eifahlc was the sense of relief now that
it was lifted on"
You are satisfied inquired Elver-
ton.
"For her, oh, yes; but oh, my father,
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

mother in the library for ar hour. nj
the end of which he came out. and
without taking any refreshment-"
"Ha n morsei swallowed in that
mouse must have choked him. inter-
rupted Elyerton.
or even looking at his poor LITTLE
granddaughter"
The sight of her must have blasted
MN, as mat of the Medusa's head was
said to blast those who dared 10 look
npon H. again burst forth Elyerton,
"fte FASTENED from the house. which
he mas never entered since"
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05
The Outside al

! wealthy young Ia
Is and two nights
B at the end of tina
which side he wa
K Of champagne-Pl
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

Almost 600 families are sta.eu a
the verge OF starvation w Beilas'
sequence OF q shipping d''p"Ss.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

Hannah" said the
. girl, you can I;
be dress Of mine
|k."
|ies'm," said Hanna
pawnbroker !
Fss.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

evening as the s
|res OF the common cl,
|e to face, while the
(n.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05

remains Camphor &c
and only genuine.
Cold Sores, &C. T. q.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-03-05
II the Baby Is Cut
Mtnunders

and use that old and We
SLOWS SOOTHING SYRUP for
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-12-18
Ho,foik's Cool Trade.

=
A few days ago we had OCCASION
to call attention to tho widespread
distribution to the worlds markets
OF general exports from this port, as
shown by opr marine report publish.
ed the previous day, aud today we
desire TO say few words relative to
the growth OF Norfolk's GOAL trade.
Our marine report showed yesterday
that the coal which reaches OH, bar
Dor from Southwes. Virginia, West
Virginia aud Kentucky, is becoming
az popular in foreign countries as it
is known to be to our naval authors.
ties, the merchant marine and tho in.
dustrial establishments of New Eng.
land aud the Middle States. There
were four clearances of coal yester
day to foreign ports. The frat of
these WAS to Rio Janeiro, Brazil, the
ship Parthenppe, carrying 2,l75 tons
OF Kentucky camel coal to that dis,
tant port; the second was schooner
with Poeahentas coal for Santiago
do Cuba; the third wa j, alao a schoon
er with the same kind OF coal for
England's great fortified base Of
operation opposite our ooast-Ber.
muda--and the fovrth was schoon.
er likewise loaded with Pocahontas
coal for st. Lucia, Great Brittaiu's
strongly fortified port in the West
Iudies.
This is but one days operations in
the foreign coal trade OF our port,
but these clearances show that the
frame of the coal which reaches our
haroor by way Of the Norfolk and
Wostern railrsad is spreading
throughout the world, and that it
is being sought in constantly in.
creasing quantities in all objections.
Within ten years the business has
grown from comparatively nothing
to five million dollars per yenr, and
at the present ratio of increase il is
only n question NJ timo when itH
volume will be doubled. Norroll;
Ledger.
Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-12-18
SPRINGVILLE.
SPRINGVILLE VA Dsc

SPRINGVILLE, VA, Dec. II.
Mr. w. w. Wallace il better.
Mr.. Henry Carters child has dip
liberia.
Mrs. Jno. White died last Satur
urday and was buried Sunday.
Miss Manda Givens died at r.. G
Wells home, where she has beer liv
ing for several years. She had pneu
monia fever aud only lived few
days alter taking sick. She leaves
many friends Oh Bluestone and Cleal
Fork to mourn her loss.
Mr.. A d. Hambr1ck has moved &c
Russell county, where lie will take
charge Of the Smith farm.
Rev. j. H. Gillespie preached a,
Springville last Sunday morning and
night on the subj set Church and Its
Progress"
The Lynn and Witten's Mills bows
could not wait until Xmas to play
their match game of ball, but came
down lost Saturday and played will
the Springville boys, who beat the
former several runs. They viii play
again Xmas.
Some worthless rogue went into
Bluestone school house and also
Wrightsball school house the same
night and carried away all the books
of any account Hope the books
will teach him better.
Mr.. e. e. Francisco has been suf
fering with lame back.