davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
POSTAL REPORT
Or Fourth Assistant POstmastor
General BristOM. Items or In.
terest TO West VirginlanS.

The report of Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow, iist
issued. contains some statistics
relating TO the postal service in
West Virginia that are of interest.
ln this State 26 appointments Of
Presidential pos,m ,sters were made
during Tie fifth year, fifteen To fill
vacancies caused by removal. The
ma IN Der of fourth cl ,ss appoin.-
ment in the State was 667.of which
56 were to fill vacancies
caused by removals. There are
now .825 fourth cl 80 p~ostuflces
IN West Virginia, OF which PIP are
money order offices. There are 33
Presiden ial pO~stoinces, making u
grand total Of 1858 Of all classes
The average yearly compensation Of
Il West Virginia fourth class post
master is $I08.74 The gross re-
ceipts for the year of all West VIr-
GINA p~Ostofices was sG03. 522 90 or
GA cents per capita of the States
population. West Virginia ranks
thIrty.ninth among the States Of
the URion IN the matter Of the ex.
penditure for postal service /; ff.
teenth IN number Of fourth class
postmastors; forty-third in the
size OF their average compensation,
and thirty second in the number
Of Presidential post-ofices. There
are now 1870 post offices in the
United States.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
LpNGrEiLowS FIRST POEM.

The following has long been nc
cept'd as u true account of how
L'ugfellow's precociouS poetic
ability was discovered. When The
great poet was nine Years ola aud
attended school his teacher one
day asked hum TO write II compost
ton. Henry like most boys,
shr'nk from the Undertaking
Ills teacher asked 4: you can
write words. Gu YOU aot?"
yes" was the reply.
"Thcn you can put words to-
gerhcr?"
Yes. sir"
Then" said the master, "you
m ~ take yonr sll:e and gn ont o:
doors aud there o can find some
thing To write about. and then YOU
can tell win II 1t is fbr. aud what is
To be done with it, and that will be
u compositlon.'
Henry took his slate and wont
out. lie went behind Mr.. Finncy's
barn. which CHANGED Ia stand near.
aud seeing n fre turnip growing
up, he thought he knew what il
was for aud what would be done
with it.
A half hour had been allowed
Henry for his first undertaking in
writing ~ composition. In a half
hour he carried IN his work all &C
complished neatly, AMI his teacher
is said to have been affected almost
to tears when he saw what the boy
had done in so short 4 time. The
composition had been written in
poetic form and AS follows
Mr.. Finney had a [ irnip,
And IL grew, and 50 gre Y,
And It grew behind the barn,
And the turnip did no harm.
And IL greS, aud il grew.
Till It could grow no taller;
Then MIR. Finney ook It up
And put IL I'm the Gel ar.
There II lay. there e lay,
Till VI began to rot
When lis daughter Susie washed It
And put II in the pot.
Then she boiled It. and boiled It,
As long as she was able:
Then his daughter Lizzie took 1t
And put Il on the table.
Mr.. Finney an his wife,
Both sat down 20 sup;
An they ate. and they ate.
Till they ate tho turnip up.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
DEATH OF REV. B. j.. MERCER

Prom the FaIrmont Index.
The sad intelligence has been re
ceiycd here Of the death of Rev.
Bertram L. Mercer. which occurred
at the home Of his wIfe's parents,
at Green Springs, Hampshire
county, this State, on Friday. De-
cember 2. Mr.. Mercer was a son
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Mercer,
who formerly resided in West Fair
mont, bat removed to Preston
county a few months ago, and a
brother Of +. T. Mercer. lie grad.
uated from The Fairmont Normal
School m 1894. and Jter yard
studied FOR the ministry. lie was or
dalned "a deac % boo 1897 aud gwen
charge o. the ". T.. Church M
Iiallrck az which place be remained
until last Juiy, when he was COM
PEELED 10 give Up HE chsFge or O.
count OF Hl health. Mr.. and Mrs.
Mercer then removed to llamp.
SHIRE county. 80 which place his
death occurred. The funeral took
place Sdufday ct the above named
place. Much sympathy IS extended
60 The boretved wife and other rola.
tivc5 Of the decreased.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
500 Reward SiOO.

The readers Of this paper will be
ple1set 10 earn that there is al least
dreaded disease that scieoce has
been able to cure iu ali its %stives. and
that is Catarrh. HalI'e Catarrh Cure ia
the only positive cure known 10 The
medical fraternity. Catarrh being "a
constitutional disease, requires "A con.
stitutional treatment. HALLS Cafarrh
Cure is taken internally. acting directly
upon the blood and mucous surface Of
the system. thcrebv DESTROYING the
foundation Of the disc $50. and giving
the patient strength by buildtnO M
the constitution and assisting nature
ia doing It's work. The proprietors
have 40 much faith iu It's curative nov.
ers hat they offer One HUNDRED Dol
lars fer any case that 10 fails to cure
Send for list oi testimonial.
Address, r. J. CHENEY e. co.
Toledo. O.
Sold bv Druggists, s5c.
Halls Family lli,s are the best.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
COMING BAR ASSOCIATION MEET
iNG

Prof William T.. Wiley. secro-
tary Of lbe West Virginia Bar As
socItfion, announces that Judge
Henry Stock bridge bas accepted
an invitation to deliver The annual
address before the assooi ,,ion Ut ia
annual meeting IN Charleston.
JanuIry II and 10. Other ad.
dresses Oh as. g1ed topics will be
made 10y g Wood Daily. of Elkins.
Judge T.. p. Jacobs, IF New Mar
%tinsville; George j. Price, Of
Charleston; ~ y. Post, Of Wheel
ing and O.. j. Herndou. Of WEIGH.
7 g association will At the tiue Of
us meeting present several mea-
sUres 10 the Legislature, which Wi.
then be in session at Charleston,
looking 10 changes in present
stalUles,
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
FIKSr THANkSatvtNG PRUCLa.
NATION.

The first proclamation ofThanks
giving Day that is u be found IN
pointed form Is the one issued by
Frances Bernard. clptain general
and governor IN chief in aud over
his M sty's PROVING Of the
NJ 'ssachusselts bay in New Fog
lind. AMI wee Il lmiral of the same.
In 1867. 1t is br"ded
ga PROoLNMATION FIR \ PUBLIC
THANKSGIVING.
"'As the b IsinrsS OF the vear il
now driving ,ovard II conclusions.
we arc remln ted. ncGordIng to the
lIua ,hlc Us ,ge Of the Province. to
'n together ga u grateful IckuOwl
cdgemeht of the manifold mercirs
of the Divine Providence coat, rrrd
upon Us in the passing Year /:
Wherefore, | have thought fit to
appoint, and do, with the advice
OF his Majesty's Council, appoint
Thsrsiay the Third Day OF De-
cenber next 10 be IA dry of public
Thanksgiving, that W. m ~ there
upon with one Heart and Voice re
turn most Humble Thinks to
Almighty God for the gracious
D%ispessation Of His Providence
since the last religious Anniversary
of this kind, and especially for
that he has been pleased To preserve
AMI DliRtain our most gracious
Sovereign. King George. in Health
anu Wealth. in Peace and Honor,
and to extend the Bile 'sings Of his
Glvcrnmsnt TO the remotest parC
of his Dominions /; that He hath
been pleased to bless and preserve
our grlcIous Queen Charlotte,
their Royal Highnesses the Prince
of Wales, the Princess Dowager of
Wales, aud all the Royal family,
and by the frequent increase of the
Royal issue - assure US the Con-
thu ,tion of the Blessings which
we derive from the iliustrious
House that he hath been pleased
TO prosper the whole British En-
pre- by the Preservation of Peace.
the Increase of Trade and the
opening Of new Sources of National
Wealth and now p,rticularly that
He hath been pleased 10 favor the
people of this Province with
healthy and kindly Seasons. and to
bless the Labour OF their Kinds
with a SufhciencS of the Produce
OF the EIrth aud Of the Sea.
'Anl do exhort all Ministers
of the Gospel with their several
Congregations, within this
Province, that they assemble on
the said Day in Il Solemn manne
to return their most humble thanks
to Almighty God for these and all
other OF His Mercics vsuchs fed
unto us,and beseech Him notwith-
standing our Unworth;ness. to
continue his gracious Providence
over us. And command and en-
join all Magistrates and Civil on
GERS to see that the SAID DAy be
observed as a Day set apart for re-
IIgious worship, and that no s~e-vile
L1bour be performed thereon.
Given at the Council Chamber
~ Boston the Fourth Day Of No.
vember. l7d7. in the Eighth Year
OF the Reign Of our Sovereign Lord
George the Third. by the Grace Of
God. OF Great Britain, France and
ireland. King, Defender of the
Faith, sc.
FRA. BERNARD.
"'By His REcelleucy's Command.
"A. OLIVER, Sec'ry.
God Save Tire X ing"
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

After January J.. The STAN ped
envelopes issued by the postonice
dopartmrn' will bear = red stamp,
Of exactly the same shade 10 the
cumine two center. This is in &C
c%ordsnce with an article in the in
ternational postal agreement which
requires al issues Of The same de-
nomlnation Of a stamp TO be uni
form 30 color. The department
will this month begin substituting
the red stamp on envelopes for ihe
sfcea'
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
A MEDAL FOR MISS GOULD.

WASHINGTON, ID. g. Dec. 81
General Wheeler, Of Alabams, to-
day introduced IN tho House
through Representative Stnllmgs. a
resolution providing that in cree
ignition OF the patriotic devotion
aud OOuuteOus bcucyoleuce OF 81 rs
Helen Miller Gould To- the soldiers
of the army Of the United States
during the war with SPUN, the
thanks Of Congress are rendered
her, and Congress hereby au hor
lies and directs that q gold medal
with appropriate designs be pre-
pared by the director Of the mint
aud that said medal be presented
TO her by the President Of the
United States at such time aud ia
such manbor rs be may
determine.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

The Indignation which every
woman shows when she sees q widow
aud q wldowcr making up TO otch
other j. generally INTENDED as a
Wsrning TO hrr husband.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
THE DOwAGER EMPRESS OF
CHINA.

March .. 1889. when the young
Emperor WIS form lily placed upon
the throne. She was offered
various temptations to continue i'm
power. but like a good godmoihrr
selected n wife for her ward and
removed u u handsome residence
cilled Ehn Park, about ten miles
from the Forbidden City. There.
surrounded by ~ nur Of her own.
she has lived IN what the Chinese
consider great splcndor. The
II Emperor has visited her regularly
at brief intervals, aud all tn.
officials Of the court have s~triyeu
to out do each other in Offering
alteration and gifts of value. She
resembles another famous sovereign
OF her sex in her love Of money
and il became known throughout
China long ago that gifts in cash
were more acceptable than any
other. According to the Chinese
standard her private character is
spotless aud she is wise, benevolent.
and just, Everyone must concede
her ability. as for forty years she
has been the central and most
conspicuous figure in the empire,
and will appear in history as one of
the greatest of the long line of
rulers OF China, which runs back
to the days of Moses. 1t was in
tended TO commemorate her six
tieth birthday on November 81,
1894, by ceremonies of %unprecented
mrgnificence, and ten million dol
lirs we're appropriated for that
purpose, but the war with Japan
interfered with the programme,
and by command of the Empress
the money was devoted to military
purposes.
Isl An has always received the
same reverence that is paid to the
Emperor, and everybody who APP
proaches her, even the Son
of Heaven himself, kneels and
knocks his head nine times upon
the floor. While she was in power
she conversed with her ministers
and conducted her interviews from
behind q screen, but since she has
passed the age of sixty etiquette
allows her to expose her face.
Prince Henry of Germany and his
suite are the only foreigners who
have ever seen her, and his visit
created a commotIon throughout
the whole empire.
From the Chinese standpoint
Isl An is liberal aud progressive,
but she is so ignorant aud secluded
that it is difficult for any foreign
ideas to reach her. When she
sees something good she wants it,
but she has no conception of China
compared with that of other coun-
tries, and OF course, cannot apply
the remedies that are needed. If
she could understand the needs Of
the people, il she could realize the
a advantages OF modern ideas and
improvements, she would promptly
adopt them. She does not lack
Intelligence, but knowledge, and
has surrounded herself with adj
visers who have never been outside
Of China and even more un-
enhghted as TO modern affairs.
Contrary to the popular i'm IMPRESSION,
III Hung Chang has mol been re.
stored to power. lie doubtless re.
tains the friendly relations no has
always enjoyed with the Empress
Dowsger since he suppressed the
TAPPING rebellion, but his name
does not appear on the list Of the
new ministry and be is not n mem
Der Of The grand council nor Of the
Tsung II Yamen.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

A Womaa's idea Of y hopeless fool
- Is % who praises some other
woman.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

1--WE can't keep thePhilippines,"
said the worried looking man
quoted by the Washington Star.
1--WE ought to get rid Of Porto
Rico, and even Hawaii. II we go
on at this rate, what reason ia there
to prevent II gradually acquiring
Asia, Africa, aud ultimately the
whole of Europe ?" 81 never
thought Of that" answered his
good natured friend, with u sudden
look Of gloom, "aud yet by the
same sort Of argument I'm con
WINGED that W. cant give en- up.
III admit that territory may be an
embarrassment, but il We 90 get
ting rid Of it by starting in with
these islands. well be tempted to
turn California adrift aud then cut
Iosss from Florida, aud the frat
thing pOstorIty knows we'll have
contracted u responsibilities so
that We won't have anything 80 sIl
u worry over except the District Of
COlumbit."
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
"nOTTIME In THE OLD TOWN"

Here is the way the Wetzcl
Democrat writes up n local per
formanco to be given in the Opera
House in New Martinsyille IIoll.
day week /:
The "Old Bach" show to DO
given at the opera house during
the HOLIDAYS will open With a black
face minstrel ONO The interlo-
cutter will be an old mad ia male
attire. Five dollars reward to the
person in the audience who guesses
who she is, one.half to go to the IN
former. The following ate some
of The new and fresh topical songs
OF the day aud nIght which will be
rendered by the vocahsts {:
WY gals a high born rooster''.. .... .... Bones 1
Melt IN my arms oh dainty ball OF snow' Banjo
Darling, III mash you in the me old
style" Tamb
You're my zIzzling. red hot CT okllug" ones 2
III chawyou up andnever spit you out" Guitar
Your bosom, dear, Is like a feather
oh. sweet Rosalind. whata salad you
"rany, let me pull you"
I'm n buck from Santiago" $50. .... Mando'in in.
Meet me VA the cow lot when the
sun goes Town '.....""...... zee. Piccolo
This ought to scoop all tho re-
served seats. Part second will be
comic opera in half dress. On the
dead run from start to finish.
Lightning changes in view of the
audience. Everything taken off
and nothing put on. Front row
reserved for bald headed Old maids.
Switches, false curls and store
teeth removed when the curtain
goes up.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

,er oyos tll next week. as IL VIII
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

We know Of no review polished. IN t1is
country or in Esr.ps, whi-h corr res So e.--9-e-
tuiy as the AMcefctN MouI4ty the sf-rress.
tiH, ana cr3rgy of lclfr-i-u with tre
kn2W eis9. aT1 W.. chosen E1slsh Cftao purely
literary periodical '-I te Clk55f.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

INC opinions which the readers Of
the AMERICAN MONTHLY
have seen fit to express. These
are thinking Business men, clergy
mso, editors, lawysts, professors,
sognssrs, the wids-awate women
Of America. They write that TIE
AMERICAN MONTHLY ais
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15

80 npon ~ u-0a,aa...- :. -
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-13
HOSK|NS THROWN OUT
Sedgwick County to Have Only
One Official Doctor.
CAVE Is SUSTAINED
New Member Hangs Out and
Votes No.

| DR.. Hoskins, who has been laboring I'M
stefan, was thrown out at the window
yesterday. The new commissioner, how
ever, hung to the retreating mans coat
tail and voted no. This case has been 60
ing on for a month.
When the new commissioner took his
seat he Immediately proceeded to hire a
county physician who would heel in his
ward for the Leedy police commission
methods. This was done, too, in the face
of the fact that Cave had been unani-
mously appointed by the board last Sep
TENDER for one year term. Sealock had
forgotten and retracted when shown the
minutes and advised by Amidon that the
contract with Hoskins was illegal and
could not be enforced. The new member,
however, stuck and insisted that Hoskins
was the proper man.
For four weeks Sedgwick county indulg-
ed the luxury of two county physicians,
by vote of Sealock and the new member
Now the question is will Hoskins and
Cave both draw salaries, and if not, how
will Hoskins and the new member help
themselves?
The case would have been settled
week ago but County Attorney Amidon
was in Sumner county and his opinion
had not been delivered in the matter He
came home and made a statement of the
case and a vote was taken at the boards
meeting yesterday, which vote sustained
Cave. Now it is in order for Hoskins and
the new member to rise and inquire again
"Where are we at?''
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-13

furnished by Prof BIume's full orchestra
which is unsurpassed in the state. The
manager Of the Crawford Grand Opera
house has promised a first class show ev-
cry night during the week.
All railroads in the state will sell tick
cts at one fare for the round trip begin
ming February 49, good until and includ-
ing the 9th
The coming session of the Grand lodge
promises to be one of unusual interest
Among the subjects of especial concern to
the order are the proposed change in the
plan of assessments, and proposition to
merge the Degree of Honor into the pres
ent order, thus admitting women to mem
bership in the A. o. L. w, and doing
away with the organization of the Degree
of Honor.
Further announcements will be made of
nalpsanda etaoin etaoinnhrdluinunununu
plans and arrangements for the great
meeting
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-13
LECTURE ON HAWAII
DIR. COrwin at congregational Church
Tonight

Rev. DR.. Eli Corwin, who breaches for
Pluck and Prosperity in the morning
and at 7:3O Sunday evenind delivers his
lecture on Hawaii; Its Wonderful His
tory and Manifest Destiny" was for ten
years the popular pastor of the American
English speaking church at Honolulu. For
months past he has three or four nights
week been lecturing to crowded houses
in Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska and
Iowa The present month he is devoting
to campaign of education with reference
to Hawaii. the gibraltar and paradise of
the Pacific. DR.. Corwin was for ten years
the pastor and for a considerable tine
the college president of such men as Pres
ident Dole, Chief Justice Judd and Attor-
ney General Smith, and indeed of nearly
all the noble men now Connected with the
government of the republic of Hawaii.
From Christian non-partisan missionary
standpoint he will speak earnestly of the
fitness of the Hawaiian people, natives as
well as white people, to become citizens
of the United States. First, because there
is no illiteracy among the natives, no pau
perism and the least percentage of crime
to be found anywhere upon this earth.
The lecture has been delivered to packed
houses in Topeka, Emporia, Sterling We'll
lington, Clay Center and other important
cities in Kansas. He will speak tonight
at the Plymouth Congregational church in
this city. All parties will give to the
speaker a hearty western welcome.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-13
WILL MEET MONDAY
FOrty-SeCond Session of the
Grand Lodge of Kansas.
WILL ARRIVE TODAY
Hotels and Railroads Have
Made Special Rates.

The Masonic Grand Lodge of Kansas
VIII convene in this city tomorrow, it be-
ing the forty-second annual communica-
lion. It is expected that there will be
between 200 and 1900 Masons here to par
ucipate in the meeting. The members
will assemble in the Auditorium on the
porner of Fourth and First streets at 9
O'Clock on Wednesday morning. The
Grand Chapter will meet On Monday after
noon at o'clock and the Grand Council
Will assemble at 9 o'clock Monday morn
fng. In the evening Wichita Council No
Y, r. e. S. NJ. Will confer the Council de-
grees.
The headquarters Of the grand lodge will
be at the Carey hotel, special apartments
having been reserved. The lodge will pay
the mileage to the representatives who
are entitled to receive it. All of the roads
have made a one fare for tn round trip
which viii insure large attendance.
The committee on revision of laws ap-
pointed at the last annual communication
has finished its lahore and will submit
a full report during this meeting. The
program which has been arranged is as
follows:
On Tuesday evening-the evening before
the opening Of the Grand Lodge-Siloam
Lodge No. 225, of Topeka, by special re-
quest Of the Grand Master, will confer the
third degree.
On Wednesday evening the grand OIL
GERS will confer the third degree before
the Grand Lodge.
The committee on reception will be COM
posed of all the members of the various
Masonic lodges of the city, especially
those who will wear blue badges. The
committee on general arrangements is
composed of the following well known
gentlemen: Davis Smyth, chairman; W.
Z. Stanley, W. A. Reed, c. NJ. Jones, ].
c. Dunn, T. II. Ttuckey, G. Gehring and
NJ. w. Cave.
All of the hotels have made special
rates for the occasion.
\ peculiar coincdent surrounding the
presiding officers who will have the work
in charge here this week is the fact that
all of them were born in the state of New
York.
1t is expected that several hundred of
the out Of town Masons will arrive in the
city today and tonight. A committee will
meet all trains and escort the visitors to
the hotels.