davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31
Heavy Artillery.

Lieutenant Derby of the U. S.
Army tells this good story:
One of our Western forts was in
command of major of artillery
who was constantly lamenting that
his favorite arm could not be more
frequently used against the Indians.
Finally one day he took one of the
small howitzers which defended the
fort, and had it securely strapped to
the back of an army mule, with the
muzZie projecting over the animals
tail. With this novel gun carriage
he proceeded with the captain and a
sergeant to bluff on the bank of
the Missouri, near which was band
or friendly Indians. The gun was
duly loaded and primed, the fuse in
serted, and the mule backed to the
edge of the bluff. The major re-
marking something about the moral
effect the exhibition was likely to
produce upon our Indian allies, step.
ped forward and applied match to
to the fuse.
The curiosity of the mule was
aroused. He jerked his head around
to see what was fizZing on his back,
and the next second his feet were
punched together and he was max
ing forty revolutions minute, while
the gun was threatening everything
within radius of half mile. The
captain Skinned up the only available
tree. The sergeant threw himself
fiat on the ground and tried to dig q
hole with his bayonet to crawl into,
while the fat major rolled over and
over, alternately invoking the pro.
lection of Providence and cursing
the mule. Finally the explosion
came, the ball went through the root
of the fort, and the recoil of the
gun and the wild leap of the terrified
mule carried both over the bluff to q
safe anchorage in the river. The
discomfited party returned sadly to
the fort.
Shortly after, the chief appeared
and announced, briefly, "Injun &C
home."
Questioned as to why, he thus ex
planned: "Injun ver' brave; helI
white man. Injun use gun, use bow
arrow, use knife; but when white
man fire off whole jackass, Injun M
| undarSfand -
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31
POETRY.
THROUGH FIELDS OF CORN.

IN solemn hush of dewy morn,
what glory crowns the fields of corn
"A JOY and gladness in the land
Ihe 1.-THE, green ranks of beauty stand
Droad-acred wales from hill to hill
Inc lltted plumes and tassels fill.
WhlIe birds Sing in the cool, sweet morn
Through fields of corn.
Like palms that shade hidden sprinp
me n ne reeded columns sway and sing
Ihe breathing censers swing aIway.
Inc leafy cym6als clash and play.
ana when the breezy voices call.
Inc Sea-grOwn billOws rise and fall.
And music swells and Joy is born
Through fields of corn.
10 fields Of corn the summer brings
Inc ruStling blades, the blackbird s
wing,
The sharded locust s strident tune,
And idle raven s mocking rune,
The bobolink's eXultant STRAIN,
And cuckoo prophesying rain
In low, sweet whistle in the morn
Through fields of corn.
In hammered fields of corn unfurled
(Iod grows the mama of the world:
lie waits to bring the yellow CLEAN,
Inc harvest song, the reaper's dream
And still as through the Syrian gold
Of Galilee, in days Of old,
tie leads again this Sabbath morn
Through fields of corn.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31
A Cheerful Prospect.

"A nervous young minister was fill
ing the pulpit for country charge
that was without a regular PASTOR
A part of his experience is touch
ingly related by the local paper.
The very pious old lady at whose
house he stayed, in showing him his
room, said:
1t amt everybody I'd put in this
room. This here room is full of sa-
cred associations to me-" she went
on. /" My first husband died i'm that
bed, with his head on three pillows,
and poor Mr.. jerks died sittin' i'm
that corner. Sometimes when /
come into the room in the dark |
think ] see him sittin' there STILL
My own father died lynn right on
that lounge right under the window
there. Poor pa, he was a spiritual
ist, and he allus said he'd appear in
this room after he died, and some
times | am foolish enough to look
for him. IF you should see any,
thing of him tonight, you'd better
not tell me. It'd be a sign to me
that there was somethin' in spirit
ualism, and I'd hate to think that.
My son by my first man fell dead of
heart disease right where you stand
He was doctor, and there's two
whole skeletons in that closet there
belongin' to him, and half a dozen
skulls in that lower drawer. If you
are up early and want somethin' to
amuse yourselfbefore breakfast, just
open that cupboard there, and you
will find "A lot of dead mems bones.
My poor boy thought lot of them.
Well, goodnight and pleasant
dreamSv
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31
POETRY.
FAREWELL, OLD YEAR.

Farewell, Old Year. Old Year, fare
well
Though dear thou art unto my heart,
Stern fate has tOlled thy passing bell,
And we foreyermOre must part.
Thy time has come! Thy voice is dumb!
And flowers that once bedecked thy
brow,
Leafless and scentleSs cold and numb.
Are lying meath the snowdrifts now.
The friends that owned thee in thy youth
The best of all that yet has been,
Now wish thee gone, and long, in sOoth.
70 bring that new successor in.
SO since it's fated thou must go
With dark obliYion's s train to dwell,
Oh, crowned with juniper and snow,
Farewell, Old Year Old Year, fare.
well
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

"THIs here piece in the paper
makes use o. the word superfiuity'
several times" remarked the man
who was sitting on the empty soap
box. NOW, what do you take su-
perhuity to be 2" 81 dunno's can
exactly tell it," answered the man
with twine suspenders. "But I
sense it all right enough" Kin
ye illustrate it?" mp, yes, I
reckon l kin. Superfluity is good
deal the same thing ez feller
wearin' necktie when he's got a
full beard"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

PAPA, don't fishes have legs ?"
They do not" answered papa
" Why don't they, papa ?'' Be-
cause fishes swim and don't require
legs" The small boy was silent for
few minutes and papa forgot about
his question. Then he said: Papa,
ducks have legs, don't they ?"-
- Yes" "Then why don't fishes
have legs if ducks do? Or, why
don't ducks not have legs if fishes
dOn't?" Papa gave it up.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

"TM so worried about my daugh-
ter" said the woman in the new fur
cloak. She goes about so solemn,
so depressed. I'd give the world,
doctor, to see her smile again."
"That's easy enough" answered
the doctor, briskly. "Get her into
q chuIch choir.n
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

DADDY-You must go to school
regular, or you won't learn muffin.
Cuffie-Did you go regular?
Daddy--Yes, indeed. I never
missed but one day.
Cuffie-I wonder ef you'd have
known emmy more than you do eff
you had gone that day?
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

WHAT HE MEANT" wish to
see the man in charge of the sport
ing department." he said, as he came
into the office.
When the proper person was
pointed out to him, he approached
the sporting desk and said:
Would you please tell me if the
returns are all in?"
You will find the political editor
OF the desk yonder," replied the ed
itor of sporting news, with wave
of his hand.
cit is not information regarding
politics which l seek"
"Oh, 1 beg your pardon. 1 un-
derstood you to ask if the returns
were all in."
II did. meant the returns of
the killed and wounded at the
Thanksgiving Day football games"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

WIFE--On Christmas Day you
came around with o nice sealskin
sacque, and now you come around
on New Years with nothing but a
measly little pin-cushion.
Husband (gloomily)-And to. NOR
row l shall probably come around
with q sheriff.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

"WHY do you take squash pie,
George? You told me you much
preferred pumpkin"
81 do, but l don't know just how
to pronounce it i'm fashionable no.
tel like this, and with as little money
in my pocket as I've got. But squash
ia dead easy.n
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

"WHAT do you mean by saying
that there are all the conveniences in
that block of houses ?"
"There is saloon at one end and
a Kelley institute at the other.n
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

WISDOM is the olive that springeth
from the heart, bIoometh on the
tongue and beareth fruit in the ac-
tiOns,
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

FIRST TRAMP-W Why not walk on
the railroad track?
Second Tramp-Do you think I
want the farmers to take us for actors.
Nix.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

THE battles in which a man
achieves the noblest of his life VIC
tories are fought In solitude.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

LAWYERS and doctors get paid for
their advice. Other people give 1t
away with generosity that is sub
lime,
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

THERE is only one perfect speci-
men of baby in existence, and ev-
cry mother is the happy possessor Of
10
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31
From Various Countries.

The MeNicans celebrated New
Years day with human sacrifices.
Jan. lst was made the beginning
Of the legal year in England in
1852.
Sweden did not adopt January l3t
as New YEARS. day until the year
1853.
The Legislative union of Great
Britain and Ireland took place on
Jan. 1st, 1901.
Jan. 1st was made New Years
day in France by royal edict in the
year 1864.
On New Years day in ancient
Egypt there were professions in eV-
cry temple.
The month of January is said to
have been named by Numa Pompil.
ious in 672 b. G.
The emancipation proclamation of
Abraham Lincoln was issued Jan.
lst, 1868.
The New Year i'm Sparta was cele-
brated by the conservation of youths
to military service.
The American Indians had a sort
of New Years festival, celebrated
with teasting and dancing.
In Siberia the state prisoners Of the
cZar are allowed a rest and holiday
on New YEARS. day.
In the sixteenth century the com.
mon New Years gift of tenant to
his landlord was fat capon.
The present system of beginning
the new year with Januery lst, was
adopted in Scotland A. d. 1900.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

A YOUNG lady makes Shakespeare
say, "AD eye like mas to threaten
and command"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

DISCUSSING politics at the village
store is mighty poor farming.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31
NUMBER 80.


"You are farmer, | take it ?n
queried the sharp-nosed man, as he
sat down beside the man with his
trousers tucked into his boots.
Waal, yaas, l farm" was the re-
ply.
Then I want to talk to you. I've
got patent hay-fork which Pm go
ing to travel with this summer, and
should like a few pointers from
you to start on"
"P'irters, eh? Waal, what sort 2"
How shall l approach the aver
age farmer ?"
Waal, you'll ginerally find him
in the field"
YES"
Just tell him what you've got,"
" Yes"
"He'll ask you to the barn to talk"
"I see."
6" But don't you go. Instead of
that, make bee-line fur your buggy,
climb in, and scoot as fast as you can
go for the next six miles.
But why ?"
"Oh nothin' much. / only killed
six myself last week; but, you know,
it rained purity steady for two days,
and travel was light"
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

SPOILED CHILDREN.-Wha diff
ference there is among our little ones
in time Of sickness The spoiled,
wayward child becomes more self
wllled when i'll, and uneasy at the
thought of doctor, or the very sug-
gestion of a remedy or medicine
throws it into passion. / am not
exaggerating at all when l say that
many children's lives have been sac
rificed because they were not obedi-
ent. This is specially noticed in
throat cases, such as diphtheria, and
scarlet fever, when applications to
tonsils are imperative. / have seen
cases where spoiled child was so
frightened, and fought so with his
nurses, that the exhaustion conse-
quent on the application and struggle
did really as much harm as the
omission Of the treatment. 1t is an
excellent plan to accustom young
children, more especially those who
are delicate, to open their mouths
and have the throat examined in
health, so that when i'll the child
will not be alarmed if required to do
so by the doctor.
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

EVERY dog has his day, every wo-
man has her way. ...
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

HE GOT JUDGMENT.-A Wash.
ington attorney is rather noted for
the facility with which he forgets f.
nancial obligations. He has owed a
certain grocer SS for year or two.
The other day the merchant con-
cluded to try new course with him.
Meeting him in his store, he said:
"Judge, I haye a customer who
owes me a small bill, and has owed
it for long time. He makes plenty
of money but won't pay. What
would you do?
"I'd sue him." said the lawyer,
emphatically.
Well, I'll put the account in
your hands," and the merchant pre-
sented the statement of the account
against himself.
I" All right. / will attend to it"
said the disciple of Blackstone,
A few days later the merchant re-
ceived the following note from the
lawyer:
/" In the case of - against i
took judgment for full amount of
your claim. Execution was issued
and returned no property found
My fee for obtaining judgment Is
$40, for which amount please send
check. Will be glad to serve you in
any other matters i'm which you may
need an attorney"
THE Bishops NARCoTIC.--The
late DIR. Thomson, when bishop of
Gloucester, resorted to narcotics to
relieve the tOotheache. One morn.
ing, after night of great suffering,
as he left the house to consult doc.
tor, Mrs. Thomson begged him not
to allow the physician to prescribe q
narcotic, as it affected his brain fol
several hours. On his way the
bishop met the postman, who handed
him large official envelope. He
opened 1T in the street, and read his
appointment to the see Of York
Instead of visiting the doctor, hi
FASTENED back to communicate tn,
surprising news to his wife.
Zoe! Zoe !" he exclaimed
"What do you think has happened
/ am Archbishop of York."
"There, there !" rejoined the wife
What did 1 tell you? You've beer
taking that horrid narcotic again
and you are quite out Of your head. :
Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

A KISS is nothing, divided by two,
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05
THE IRON TRADE.

lTOH Age.
 "The developments in the Connellsville coke trade have supplied the principal topic of discussion during the past week. Another advance in wages has been granted, coupled with the usual an- nouncement of a rise in price. These official prices in the coke trade are of about as much value as the farcical cir cular' prices in the anthracite coal trade They have been above actual selling prices for years, and have ceased to be regarded as serious long since. In this particular case the leading outside inter- est in the Connellsville coke trade is widely quoted as being utterly opposed to any advance in coke, on the ground that the condition of the iron industry does not warrant it. An interesting re- port has been current that the largest western steel concern has purchased 500,0 900 tons of coke for 1896 delivery from a region which is the principal rival of the Connellsville.
 Nothing new has developed in the ore situation, but the conviction Is gaining ground that the miners who missed it in 1895 will not be able to boast of much better opportunities in the season of 1S96- 1S97 The position of Bessemer pig in the central west has not undergone any inn provement. Those who are usually buy CTS are still endeavoring to adjust con- tracts and in number of instances there have been cancellations where hy- percritical examination of quality af- forjed the opportunity. It is reported that this has swept some tonnage from the order books of southern companies on basic iron.
 Tt is quite evident that consumption Is unable to cope with the current produc- ton, and that the prospects of the next few months do not encourage the piiing
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05

of iron. In some districts costs are sus- ceptible of some reduction by cutting in wages, but that does not cut much of figure with those concerns that do not mine their own coal and ore. The argu- ment was not sincerely used for advanc- ing prices in the summer, and return to old wages cannot compare in lesSening of cost with the tremendous drop in prices. There must be sharp reduction in the output of pig iron. and the sooner the weaker concerns blow out the better for them.
 Tn the soft steel trade some low prices have been made, and $15.50 has been done outside of the Pittsburg district. In this department however, the feeling Is gain- ing ground that the worst is over, and that there is no serious danger in cov- ering requirements for the near future. The steel mills can adapt themselves much more quickly to changed circum- stances than the blast furnaces, with which continuous operation is so much more imperative. Comparatively little work has come out for the finishing mills, many of which will be idle for a while. Buyers all along the line are cautious. The only branch in which greater activ ity has been displayed is in the barbed wire trade, in which war prices have in- duced quite liberal buying"
 The above demonstrates the folly of last summers and this falls "boom" in steel and iron, in place of a conserva- tive, legitimate increase in production and price, and which is largely due to the speculative tendencies of our north- ern competitors but which, it will be ob- served, also affects unfavorably some southern iron.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05
NEwNEs WANTS THE CUP.
But Will Wait Till Public Feeling Sub
 sides Before Challenging.

But Will Wait Till Public Feeling Sub
 sides Before Challenging.
 Sir George Newnes, in reply to the re- quest of the New York World correspond ent for his precise intentions touching q challenge for the America's s cup, wrote out the following statement:
 Ut Is not truo that have sent chal- lenge for the America's cup, nor is 1t my intention to do so at present. There is a general consensus of opinion that it would feeling subsidies.
 1T have consulted an expert with a view to building yacht to race tor the cup at some future time, providing such chal- lenge from mo meets tho approval of rep resentative yaohtsmen hero. As the race is of an international character I don't think any private individual ought on his own responsibility to issue such a chal- lenge, especially ono who, Ike myself, Is not in any sense Q representative yachts man.
 1T should of course ask that such ar rangements and terms be made as would give us fair race. am sure the New York Yacht club would also desire this.
 "I have f-d some dealings with Ameri- cans in another worry different kind of sport-namoly, chess. Iarranged Q match between New York and London, and ev- erything passed off in the most amicable manner. I am Ut present arranging an international chess match between the United States and Great Britain to take place in January by cable.
 of evor do race for the America cup, hopo the negotiations about it will be carried on as pleasantly as over the chess matches"
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05
PERSONAL.

Mr. John Warren went to Huntsville yesterday on a short visit.
 MT Marion Mason has returned from a visit to his parents in Opelika.
 MT. c. W. Nichols will spend Sunday with his friends in Montgomery.
 Mrs. Walden of Atlanta is visiting Mrs. Goulding at 2423 Fourth avenue.
 Commissioner w. w Burney of Liv- ingston is visiting his parents in this city.
 Misses Lucille and Wilerdeen Frazer are visiting their sister, Mrs. J. J. Banks, on West Twentieth street.
 Miss Ethelwyn Huey of East Lake has returned to her studies at the Judson in stitute, Marion, after spending the holi- days at home.
 Herr Bruno Oetteking, a master artist of the violin, of the Hamburg and Wies- baden conservatories and late of the Buff falo Conservatory of Music and Sympho- ny orchestra, will join Professor Boyce at the College of Music in few days.
 MT. James Stewart, an iron moulder in the Howard-Harrison Iron companys works in BesseAer, died suddenly Friday. Heart trouble is the attributed cause. He was prominent member of the iron moulders and Knights of Pythias lodges, and had a large circle of friends. The funeral takes place this morning at 10 o'clock from Castle Hall, Knights of Pythias.
 Hon. John H. Bankhead arrived yes- terday on his way from his home in Fay ette to Washington Captain Bankhead will leave for the national capital this af ternoon via the Southern railroad. He says he found an abundance of good hog meat and lived high while he was at home. The weather was ideal for cur ing meat and politics was out of sight
 Twenty-Five per cent off for spot cash only on all shoes in my store, except on Canister shoes, for thirty days. I buy shoes 25 to 50 per cent cheaper than our am the only house in the city who takes periodical tickets and who takes Tennes- see Coal, Iron and Railroad checks at 90 cents on the dollar for shoes. T. c. King.
 Florence Hotel Arriva1s-W. c. Dou- glass, St. Louis; w. s. Greer, w. J. Worthing, Detroit; w. j.. Morton, New York; W. H. Daniel, R. P. Crockett, Nashville; E. E. Tansil, Tennessee; l.. c. Bradley, city; Miss Hudson, Miss Tedwell, Jackson, Tenn; l.. c. Bradley, city; o. M. Royster, Philadelphia; T. R. Shipp, Nashville; R. B. Dickerson, city; J. B. Ward, Montgomery; c. A. Beasley, Nashville; J. w. Grayson, Gurleys; J. A. Daugherty, Nashville; H. G. Barnwell, Chattanooga; M. A. Rains, New York; w. B. Dowell, Cincinnati; John G. Evans, Knoxville; w. S. Center Cincinnati; N. G. Emmet, Albertsville; H. E. Fouk, Chicago; L. A. Mims, Louisville; T. P. Caspenig. Richmond, Va.; Miss E. Pent- cast, Greenville, Miss; c. E. Castlebery. Atlanta; Nathan Johns, Buffalo; J. B. Baine, city; l.. E. Meallans. Lisbon, La. A. l., Wait New York
Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-05
Ladies should buy "Model" hats, which will be sold at soc on the dollar at the Surprise Store on Monday.
UNITED MINE WORKERS
Hold Their State Convention The Commis- sary System Condemned, Also Work
 ing Convicts in Mines.

A convention of the United Mine Work was held in hall on Twentieth street, between First and Second avenues, yes- terday. About fifty representatives from different parts of the state were present and participated in the meeting.
 John Lamont presided over the meet ing.
 A resolution was adopted indorsing the Business and Laboring Mems league. re- gently organized in this city; also not to patronize stores that do not employ union clerks.
 The scale of wages to be adopted the 1st of July, at the expiration of the pres ent contract was discussed at length and a committee of five appointed to take the matter in charge.
 A resolution condemning the working of convict labor in the mines was adopted. The miners claim that the em- ployment of labor, by which term is meant help or unskilled miners, is an injustice, as the skilled miner profits off of his work. The convention didn't think this was doing justice to all con cerned, and condemned the practice.
 The commissary system was con- demned.
 Officers for the ensuing year were elected, but the names of those elected would not be given out for publicat ation.
 John Lamont of Brookside was in- dorsed by the convention as the miners candidate for the legislature. A State Herald reporter was told by some of the delegates to the convention that Lamont would make the race independent of all parties, and would not seek indorsement from any convention other than of min CTS or laboring men.
 Other business of secret nature was transacted, at the conclusion of which the convention adjourned