davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
An Old Orkney Custom.

In Deerness. in Orkney, it used to be
the custom for a large company OF the
poorer people to go about from one
to another and at each one TO
aing long song appropriate to the sea-
son, At each house good supper was
provided for them, and it is said that
amy farmer Would feel deeply hurt if he
were not visited. The gnisers also used
TO go about in certain places in Scotland
ON New Years eve to play crude sort
Of drama at each house and TO receive
some slight reward for their efforts.
The guisers were about the same as the
Christmas mummers, and their play
was about the same as that more COM
monty given at Christmas, which usu-
ally concerned st. George and various
enemies whom he successfully overcame.
the most entertaining naturally being
the dragon. Exchange.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
FROM NEW IBERIA.

NEW IBERIA. La Dec. IA 1896
- Through Mr. john wedderburn OF
Washington, ID. G. DR.. T Leroy Jeffer-
son made an application for patent
on music turner he invented. The
invention is semi-automatic, and can
be adjusted to almost any size book.
We are pleased TO say that DIR. Jeffer-
son has invented an invention that
would be of great assistance to musi-
clans.
We met Mr.. 3 e Lee, of Beaumont,
Texas. Saturday evening. Mr. Lee rs
the business manager OF the Afro
American" six column aud patent
back paper, published in Beaumont,
Texas Saturday evening he tried To
organize stock company at DIR. JEFF
fersOn's drug store for the purpose TO
establish a department in the afro
American" for the interest of our peo-
pie here, but he did not succeed
Sunday he was securing subscribers
for the Afro American" aud we were
doing the same job for the Pr met
which is one of the best race papers
published in the United States
In few days from now we will
have vacation for while. and we will
have the time to use our forts to ex-
tend the circulation of the PLANET
among our reading people in this city
Miss Mary Nethers is our youngest
subscriber on our list. She is interest
ed to read the PLANET and to pay fo1
it.
II every youth of our race who car
read would be interested in our news
papers as she is, we would soon have a
few hundreds of them as reliable sub
scribers to the PLANET when we would
have the necessary time to make ouI
rounds more extensively on thu Teche
RoUNDER.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

General Horace Porter, in his Cam
paigning with Grant" in Century. re-
lates an anecdote telling how General
Grant aided drover in turning his vat-
tie. General Porter adds: he knew, of
course. that the man did not recognize
him. If he had supposed the man was
lacking ia proper military respect, he
would perhaps have administered to him
the same lesson which ne once taught a
soldier in the Twenty first Illinois. when
he commanded that regiment. An officer
who had served under him at the time
told me that Colonel Grant. as he came
out of his tent one morning, found a
strapping big fellow posted as sentinel,
who nodded his head good naturedly.
smiled blandly and said, "Howdy, colo
nelP' His commander cried, Hand
me your piece.'' and upon taking it
faced the soldier and came to q present
arms" Then handing back the musket
he remarked ''That is the way TO say
How do you do to your colonel -
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
BOUNDING THE PARISH.
A Curious Old Time New Years Custorn
of Great Britain

A Curious Old Time New Years CustouA
of Great Britain.
Down to the present century custom
prevailed in many parts OF Great Brit
ain of bounding the parishes. or
beating the bounds" ON New Years
day. The custom was designed to keep
in memory the parochial limits, and as
maps had not come into use and surveys
of Great Britain had not been made this
primitive method of preserving parish
boundaries was high in popular favor.
A procession was formed, headed by the
leading dignitaries of the parish, in-
Guiding the vestrymen and sometimes
the parson- Liberal rotations were in
dulged in, and a procession was formed
composed of all who wanted to 60 and
including a number Of boys who did not
want to go, but were taken per force.
The procession then marched completely
around the parish, and at certain spe-
cifc points halt was made, and q boy
was whipped to make him remember
the place.
Other curious scenes often occurred
during the bound beating" In one
parish. near London, the line ran
SuIOuBu q man hAbCucLs anu buC W0OiS
procession every year came IN at the
door and went out by the window. On
one occasion in London a hackney coach
stood directly in the line of the process
sion, and the entire body of men and
boys went in at one door and out at the
other, volunteers holding the horse
while this novel performance went ON
and hooking at the wrath of the IN
lucky driver, who beheld his coach al
most ruined by the tread of hundreds Of
muddy feet. Exchange.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
NEW YEARS DAY.

Customs and superstitions OF Various
COuntries-Notsble Events.
In Athens a new statue, either to a
god or hero. was erected and conse-
Grated on the first day of every year.
On Jan. /, 1915, Louis XII of France
died. On the same day died Helvetius,
In 1772; Selvio Pellico. 1854
In Silesia a peculiar kind Of wins
made from grapes and seasoned with
honey and spices is used on New Years
day.
In the south of France it is customary
for families Of means to give their serv-
ants new suits on New Years day.
The celebrated march Of General Monk
to London for the purpose of seating
Charles III on the throne of England be-
gan Jan. /, 1860
In Norway there is . superstition
that the kind Of fish caught ON New
Years day indicates the character Of
the fishing during the year.
The custom of watching out the old
year and waiting for the new to begin
prevails in many countries, il not in
most OF the civilized world.
Suetonius and Tacitus allude to the
custom common in their time among
the Romans of sending and receiving
presents on New Years day.
A special feature of New Years day
in ancient Babylon was the procession
In honor Of Baal- The king himself
marched in this procession.
The first day Of January was made
the beginning Of the new year in Hol-
land, the Protestant districts Of Ger
many and Russia. in the year 1900,
In Coventry. England. God cakes are
made for New Years day. They are
triangular in shape, made of paste, in
closing q portion Of minoe meat.-Ex.
change
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
eEEcHER,s ARoLITIoNIsM.

1t Aroused Threats Against His Life and
Against His Church,
Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher. in graph
ic, reminiscent article entitled ''When
Mr.. Beecher Sold Slaves In Plymouth
Pulpit in The Ladies' Home Journal,
tells Of the peril in which the famous
preacher placed his life by his fearless
advocacy of the abolition OF slavery. ''In
l947 Mr.. Beecher became the pastor Of
Plymouth church. Brooklyn, and in his
inaugural sermon, she says, che frank
ly stated the position that he intended
to hold IN opposition TO human slavery.
The majority of the church members
agreed with him. bat the majority of
the people of New York and Brooklyn
were southern sympathizers. OF the re-
alities of slavery they knew nothing
They regarded it sentimentally as pa
triarchal Institution that had come dewn
from Biblical times and that gave the
southern people ample leisure TO develop
into charming ladies and eloquent poll.
ticane.
''Mr. Beecher came to open the eyes
and arouse the consciences OF these SEN
OA1neu tdllhbe, anu ne encountered us DlO-
ter an opposition as that which he had
faced in Cincinnati. He was abused as
a negro worshiper, he was threatened
with personal violence, mob was
formed in New York TO tear down the
church in which he preached. l have
known him, in response to my entreat.
les to be careful, to walk in the middle
Of the streets of Brooklyn, with his
hand on the revolver in his pocket, lest
he should be suddenly attacked. Letters
announcing the dispatch Of infernal ma.
chimes to our house were often received
=-in fact. they averaged one or two pei
week.
II remember that one day an immense
box came by express after the receipt o.
such letter. was afraid TO open is and
equally afraid that MIR. Beecher. who
never knew fear, would open it az sooI
as he returned. 30 sent for a policeman
and, after being thoroughly soaked, thu
boz was found to contain life size ne
ryrodnll -
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

esponse was most happy one and he
ansed them most heartily for the
honor done him while in our city. Mr..
James Smith takes the lead as the fun
ny man
Each Clan or Stag made FOR home to
sleepand dream over the joys and
pleasures OF the past. But, Oh. how
wa laughed in our sleeve at 'Magno"
as we devoured the good things of
earth and Thought over how we had
again invaded his territory and was
safe in one of his strong holds.
On our way home on west Broad
street, we heard the distressing voice
OF woman calling for police. We
nastened to Henry street where we saw
a white woman who said some men
was after her. The police came quick
ly but found no one on the premises.
AJAX.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
A Brilliant Wedding.

A very pretty wedding took place
Wednesday evening, Nov. 25th at the
First Baptist Church, Centralia, Va,
Che bride was Miss Mamie E. White.
who was united in holy wedlock to M =
Charlie Q Fisher. The wedding oc-
CURED at o'clock and before that
hour the church Was filled with a
LhrOng of guests numbering $50. There
we're four brides maids and four ush-
ers. Miss Sadie Briggs, who walked
with Mr. Daniel Glenn. She wore pink
satin Miss Estelle Gregory. white
silk. with Mr.. Willie Goode; Miss Mol
lie West, pink silk and ribbons, with
Mr.. Willie Pryor; then came the
groom leaning upon the arm OF his sis
ter, Miss Missouri Fisher, who wore
white silk and ribbons The bride fol-
lowed on the arm of the best man. Mr.
Edmund Hewlett She carried hand
some bouquet Her costume was a
white satin and ribbons, and she had a
large ribbon bow on her shoulder and
was fastened with a large buckle With
80 rhyme STONES. a tulle veil draped
her figure and was fastened over her
brow with a pearl brooch. The rich
veil and handkerchief of exquisite lace
which she carried were both gifts of
her aunt, Mrs Kate Gregory.
The bride received large number of
handsome presents the principal one
being handsome BRUSSELS carpet and
parlor suit, the gift of the brides
parents; and a silver card basket
from Mr.. and Mrs. Isiah Elliott RI
Boston, Mass.
The ceremony was performed by
Rev. Il II. Johnson, pastor of the
bride, and Rev W H. White cousin of
the bride, and Rev. j. /. Scott A de
licious supper was given the guesp,
numbering $50. Among those present
from Richmond were Misses Fannie
Dixon, e06 st James street, Minnie
White, 2 Hill street and Mrs Susan
Clark, 728 north lst street, she wore a
black silk with pointed lace. Mrs.
Kate Gregory, the aunt OF the bride
from Atlantic City, wore a black gilt
ed lasce over black satin, Miss Jen-
pie Johnson. the daughter of Rev.
Johnson. of New Kent. wore pink silk
Miss Annie Johnson OF Church Hill
wore pink crepe with lace and ribbon
The father and mother of the bride
marched in first; then came the sister
of the bride, and her husband with
their thre children, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph Briggs.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
FROM BERKELEY.

BERKELEY. VA, Dec. 10, 1896.
There was grand time at the Trini-
tYA. NJ e Church last Monday night.
and those who IA led TO attend missed
a treat There was a literary enter
tainment under the auspices of the
A.. NJ. K. Ministers Association of Tide
water Rev. Z H. Bolden, Presiding
Elder of the district, was master OF
ceremonies. Prayer by Rev. A. l..
Gains of Emanuel A M. e. Church ;
Mrs L. NJ. Johnson read splendid
paper, subject: Interest and Persever
snce - Madam j. Churchwell OF Ports
Va, sang a solo: then Rev. Seaton. d.
D., pastor of st Johns A. M. + Church
of Norfolk was INTRODUCED and he de-
Ijvered an instructive lecture, subject :
''Is the Negro failure or a success
The Doctor proved by facts and figures
that the Negro is not a failure. but is
succeeding wonderfully under the cir
cumstances under which he has to
move. He urged unity and co-opera-
ton in all business enterprises
Rev J. M. Powell preached a ser
mon to the children, Sunday at IL
O'Clock m subject obedience to
Parents ;" text, Eph. 9Th chapter, LIST
and 2nd verses; Children obey your
parents in the Lord. for this is right"
IT is said that the Reverend made "a
deep impression. All we're well pleas
ed. The Reverend seems to be doing
. good work and is drawing his people
60 him He has organized q literary
. union among the young people 1t is
a promising success. The Union meets
at 3 O'Clock every Sunday aft srnoon
Ny. Elijah Bowen, president, H. Rod
gers. Secretary.
Miss Carrie r. Walker read a splen-
did paper, subject, How shall a young
man attain success in life.
We regret that space will not allow
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
SONG OF THE BURDEN BEARER.

Over the narrow footpath
That led from my lowly door
vent with q thought of the Master.
AZ oft had walked before
Ny heart was heavily laden,
And with tears my eyes were dim,
Bit knew should lose the burden
Gould ] set glimpse of him,
Over She trodden pathway,
70 the fields all shorn and bare,
Invent with step that faltered
And q face that told of care.
HAD lost the Light OF the morning,
With tts simmer OF san and dew,
But n gracious look Of the Master
Would the strength Of morn renew.
Yhilo yet my courage wavered
And the aky before me blurred
1heard n voice behind me
Saying a tender word,
And ] turned 20 see the brightness
OF heaven upon the road
And suddenly lost the pressure
Npf she WeAFy, eFushirs load.
Nothing that hour was altered
had still the weight Of care
But bore - now with nladnees
Nhich comes Of answered prayer,
Not n grief the soul can fettsr
Nor cloud it's vision whom
TIE dear Lord gives the spirit
To breathe 20 his win amen,
IN. =. 6angster IN witness
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

Everybody knows how easy it is to
make good resolutions on the LIST Of
January and how easy 1t Is to break
them on the I'd, provided they last till
then, Making resolutions which are
only to be broken is bad custom. 1t is
better that none should be made. But
people Of oldcn time used at the mid
night between the two years to unbar the
doors of their houses to let the old year
out and the new year in. And so, with
out the undertaking Of vows too easily
broken, a bar might here or there be
taken down for the passing away Of
some old evil habit or purpose or thought
Selected.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
THE eREooRIAN CALENDAR.
Why Csesar's System Was Corrected By
Pope Gregory XIII.

Why Csesars System Was Corrected BY
Pope Gregory XIII.
The present time measurement that
is now used by nearly all nations is the
remodeled system adopted by Julius
Caesar in the year 46 B. @. There were
354, $50 and S65 days in the Greek year
at different times. Under Numa the
Roman year had 800 days, and there
was so much variance between the civil
and the astronomical year that the au-
tumn feasts were celebrated in the
spring, and those of harvest in midwin-
ter. Every second year an extra month,
called Mercedonius. was added This
month had no certain length, but was
arranged by the pontiffs as they saw
fit, which naturally gave rise to corrup-
ton and fraud, interfering with the du-
ration of Office and the collection Of
debts. In order to restore the seasons to
their proper months it was necessary
for Caesar to make thesyear in which he
inaugurated the change contain 445
days. On the hypothesis that the as.
Economical year consisted Of 1851 days,
he had each fourth year contain $3.50
days and the others S65. The extra day
was added to the oath Of February,
which was called Sexto- calendas, being
the sixth before the calendo. or LIST Of
March, celebrated in honor OF the ex-
pulsion Of the kings. The additional
day was placed next to this feast aud
known as Observation-Disclosures.
But this year Of Caesar was too long
by IL minutes and 1895 seconds, or
about three days in 400 years, SO that
by A d. 1882 the error amounted 10
ten days at least To correct this mis-
calculation, Pope Gregory XIII ordered
that Oct. 8, 1852, should be known a.
Dot. 10. 1882, and to prevent recur-
renee Of the error it was arranged thai
three intercalary days should be omitted
10 four centnriea-that is, one IN each
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
A Oentsnarian Burned to Death

Washington, d. O.. December Is
Alice Thomas, a colored woman, who
Is known to be over 102 years old, was
fstaly burned at the home of her
granddaughter, at 20l3 Eighth street,
northwest, about noon yesterday. She
had been left alone in her accustomed
seat near the fire, and in some way
slipped and fell against the stove She
was unable to call for assistance, and
even had she called, there was no one
in the house to 60 to her rescue She
was as helpless to aid herself as she
was to summon assistance, and must
have died horrible death
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

In Scotland first footing was for
merly universal 1t was the Scottish
name for New Years calling. At lit
tie before IL o'clock young fellows
would start out from home to''tirst
foot" their sweethearts. and to be the
first caller on New Years day was
deemed q good sign of success in court
ship. selected.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
A PIcturn or Innnarr-

In the old missals the month of jan
uary was pictorially represented by .
white haired man clad in furs, bent
with the cold and blowing ON his fin
gers to warm them. He is standing al
most knee deep in the snow, and billet
OF WOOD and sometimes an ak, is by hia
side. Exchange.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
Up to Date.

The latest designs OF Chairs and
Backgrounds have just arrived. You
do not get the same old acce Hsories in
your pictures this season at The jeff
erson, 523 Broad street. Queen and
Diamond Photographs, only 81 per
dozen. Cabinets, $3.50
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
FOR SALE.

The PLANET for sale every Saturday
at Mrs @. ii Jones' store, 23d street,
under Diggs' Hall, Newport News, Va,
This paper reaches the above rlace
very Friday evening. Get your paper
hereit is already for you.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
old School POlltenes..

"Uncle Simon. what is old fashioned
politeness?'
lit Is a way people used to have Of
asking a man about his health and then
listening until he got through reply
Ing. Chicago Record.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
L eft Him a Fortune.

SPRINGFIR o., Nov 80 Chief of
Police Van Tassell has received a let
ter sta ting that James v esley Dorsey,
an old colored man, has fallen heir to d
fortune left him by Peter Shaffer, OF
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

Stylish positions. artistic lighting,
and Finely finished Photographs; new
chairs and backgrounds OF the latest
designs, can be had at the Jefferso I, ,
No. 523 east Broad ST.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

Ne 70 make an accurate report of the
literary entertainment at Trinity A.
NJ. +. Church
IL you want TO know the Jews. read
the PLANET.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26
o. 80. Christmas Holiday Rates.

Between all station of Chesapeake
and Ohio railway the rate will be One
and One-Third Fare for the Round
Trip.
These tickets will be on sale Decem-
Der 22d, 28d. oath, 25th, 30th, 3lst, and
January LIST, with final limit OF Janu-
ary4. 1897. To college students pre-
senting certificates of principal or SUI
perintendent of their institute the tick
cts may be sold December 18th to 2Ist,
in addition to above dates, between sta
tons located in Virginia and District
of Columbia.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

Subscribe to the PLANET only $50
per year.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-12-26

If you are DESTROYS of securing any kind
OF work in the Job Printing Line such as
TSITING, INVITATION, AND BUSHES
The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1896-08-15
"p "p,w. rtrrsr MOVEMENTS
wa rrr--I ILr Iaa-try So T'sr
sussF

'rF fasF Ngs u Hae IS Hefta
..F.asf -a,teg tp p sspvv sentative = '-r
a.- .-47aas fas rs,1las BE sge''a
.aa as,ia. stFan - htz arriass aH -
Ht'san 7qpsts t4srtsr Sc sst3
Meow ns that st waull be lrfaf'f
..tHH- ' more lp'p%,rtsas shss 81 'A"'t
" r .arrr,' form the tHirsans $40
".. raa1 b. than that Tire deliver s'@f~'
..-'fa fHe 'rW thousands pba ~srs Ffe'
u ts alwava unfortunate 'haa
'"rfSrf is compelled "a rad sas'"h
"r' tr -HfH instances thoaGht st bet 80
'. r.sE Pine arvors which always Fest ''
.' fh" frpart ~ an pSteugef ta.'.''
Nr hr7aH iIr0I A. tho Winis"T 7'.'A
|n' afterwards yunstnusi the roofef
.r sffh faaso members ~ tho naij'7al
Fr'niffrs Who are in The city upa ih''s
'H' Was lsrIIesl upon At ths r''s''nA
''' that TlrEan will travel the r"10'f'
'''r addressing the crowds from 'A'
."'r ~ . railroad ear
Nn announcement so this rnsf
prepared hT The chairman ~ the n'i'''-
al Committee Senator Jones q 's
follows
n has hNer decided that nryan ""
enter a lively interest In tho rampA- ~
about September I. and continue if Hn''
Tho election In orller to obtain M" !
"''l"l rsst ami to prepare the better OF
7Vianr" before his spaec h making -
gins 10 viii spend the neSt two weos'
some quiet place not yet decided "p W.
Who visit tn hath. Maine. will hT I"'r
r"0el until the latter part Of sept'n''-'
when bryan viii make numh'T
sr'er hos In New England
VIZ 81 John stated he ala not Know
"h'n Mr. Hryan would leave the ~.
Nfa Hryan returned to the e. John r''-
H'n'n after tho dinner az the Winda''.
AMI remained IN spciuslon the rrma'n'''
" the evening Mr. bryan returned p"
m" hons" for the night shortly bef''e
midnight
The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1896-08-15

Faulkner Says Bryan'S speech VIII
Circulate Itself

Washington, Aug. &-Chairmau FaIss-
ner, Of The democratic national symlnl--
tee. returned today from New York
where he took part in the Bryan meetlng
last night.
1t was the most remarkable ogtpo4rtlS
1 have ever seen said ne. The peoI l-
were not drawn BY fireworks or any OF
the accessories which usually at-rasa a
crowd. They came to hear Bryan nj
his speech. Il was noticeable that WI n
the candidate LAID asII, his nanIserlpt
and addressed the op-u-a.r meeting. ra.r-
was a wave Of that same =a-Au<. "a N
shown a Chicago. The speech Of accept
ance is an able and scholarly treatment
OF the subject. and il will prove one OK
the most valuaoIe Of camp IN do UNI 4 &c
1t is a document which yireula,-s -r--Ir
and does not need frank OF the press Of
the entire country that prints 1t, TIE l--
manl for the Bryan Chtn4So speech IS
unprecedented l received a telegram ---
quest from san Francisco Coz 5000 aUn-
les, and It is Impossible 10 supply -l m
So sent a revised copy Of the speech.
and notified them to print the aoooo IN
san Francisco I anticipate AS great a
demand for last nights speech
The Rev. sam Small the -Naaz-Is-
was one Of Mr.. FauIkneg.s callers today.
and ne offered his services for Bry4a
speeches durlAE the month Of oego5-r.
Mr. Small recently passed through Kan
sas. Nebraska and Illinois. auI declare,
there is a veritabls silver tidal wave
in those sections. On The 18th inst MT
Small Will have a join. debate Win Hen
William T. Mason OF Chicago