davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
Moral Responsibility Of the Joker.

Fred Nye III the Saturday Evening
Post writes very senslbly of the moral
responsibility CT the joker, and closes
with the following strong paragraphs
There are, however, at least two ut
the stock subjects Of the American
humorlst wl,icl should haye been con-
ffscated long ago, namely, liquor intcx-
;catioa and the insecurity of The mar
rlage tie. Few funny publications are
considered complete which do not pic
ture man reellng home from the
"club' with maudlin excuse to his
waiting wife, Or welded pair COM
:nen.ing fippsntly upon The passing OF
love CT tbs felicity and facility OF
divorce.
The effect of this sort of literature
cannot be otherwise than perniclous
1t turns Into Il joke, in the case OF tie
drunkard, tie insult which he has o.
fered to the woman which he has
sworn to love and cherish, and raises a
laugh over an experience which to her
has much the aspect OF tragedy. In
the other instance, that obi, CATION
which is the most serious one in life is
flung upon the bargain counter, and
the failure of love, wIiiel, even among
the least civilized! OF us, is d natter OF
sorrcw, is paraIed for the nierriment OF
the unth'nking. Tho effect of this
quality O! hnmcr upon TIE Old and ex-
pcrieuccd is anything but uplifting
upon the young, whose opinions re
gardlng tie relative values OF things
are all uniformed, it is bound to be dis.
:,strCEs.
The youngster who is inclined to
blame himself severely for his first step
In dissipation turns to the humorist
and is informed that what he has done
Is not sin, but a Joke; why should he
worry over something ahont which tie
world is laughing? The young couple
having their first tlffs are grieyOusly
worried until they chance upon the
sarcastic philosophy o! the funny man !;
then they laugh bitterly at each other.
aid ask Why So absurd thing as loye
sho1lI be TAKEN seriously. Their
efforts at selt-oontrol and sel!-abnega-
ton diminish it is useless, they con
clude, for them to struggle to maintain
ar ideal relationship in a society which
finds opportunity for mirts in pro-
ccetings Tor diverse.
In such subjects as these there car
be no real hunor, and the man who
tries TO joke about t!Ie;n Is guilty OF a
moral !ess-inajesto which should not
go unpunished. The censor who has
been employed at Manila to pre:ent
the escape o! news from the Philip
pines, night add icore to the happi-
ness AMI rectitude of humanity II he
were placed III charge oi the wits Of the
United States.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
"The Philosophy Of Crusts."
National Magazine.

National Magazine
"Chlldren are taught that the crusts
of bread will mako little girls pretty
and little boys stroag." THIS direct
appeal to the particular ambition CT
each sex, rarely fails to produce the de-
sired results-the childrea eat the
crusts prompted by vanity. and III so
doing grow both strong and pretty
through the indirect means Of good
health. Just SO 1t is with grown chill
dren-we must eat the cr!sts OF life in
the form OF hardshlps, pain and sorrow
ii we would grow healthy in the eyes
of cur Maker strong and attractive in
our own eyes.
Moral health is as fascinating AS q
booming girl who attracts unconscious
Iy by her Vitality and natural graces,
MT because she poses as a model OF
perfection. True morality spea' s
without being spoken 10.
The hard crusts OF experience make
good blood, which, circulating through
the velrs CT character, strengthens the
nerves OF morality and stifens mans
backbone.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
RHEUMATISM CURED.

Ms wis. has used Cham mberlain's 8 Pain
Balm !.,r rheumatism with great reile!.
and can recommend it as splendid
linlnesl: far rheumatism and other
household Use for which we have found
it valuape-W. !. Cuyler, Red Creex
N. Y.
MIR. Cuyler Is one Of the leading mer-
chants of this village and one Of the
most prominent men in this vicinity
w. G. Phippin. Editor Red Creek
Herald. For sale by Ell. Whitehead
g. Co.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
4 PhRILDR'S CONCLUSION
He Quit Drinking Land.
THEY WERE INDEED VIE.

Southern Farm Magazine.
A farmer interviewed by the Green
vile 6. c. News explained his SUCCESS
By stating that he read the newspapers
that he watched every thin, CLOSELY,
finding that he could do sora ethlng on
his sixty acres Of land every hour OF the
year, and by watching leaks. One state
ment OF his was of unusual significance.
He said:
Il like whiskey, but l am laid han
CRY want more land h figured out
years ago that with very moderate
drinking I'd drink an acre of good land
every year. So quit. At the end Of
year tell myself I'm jass al ac.e
ahead at $25 an acre by not drinking.
I find when put i. to my neighbors
that way it makes them think. You
tell farmers to think about land every
time they start to buy whiskey, ard
calculate how NJ uch real estate they
are drinking Or giving away
A farmer WHO is about thirty years
old, with wife and four children, is
thus described by the News:
"He looked like that kind OF man,
well fed and we'll Kept. His clothes
| were strong and warm and fitted him
well. He was in well.made wagon,
which ran smoothly and easily and had
been taken good care of. He droYe Il
can 60 as much work as any animal in
the country-a lat, sleek, dark bay, with
evidences OF coed feeding, currycomb,
brush and rubbing on every inch Of
his shining skin. The harness WAS
good originally, it fitted like tailor
made gown aad every buckle was in
place. There was not piece OF string
OF grass rope or hickory wythe any
where about the outfit. It is safe to
bet that The man did net have a pin
anywhere doing a buttons duty, either.
He looked as il he had left a wife at
home who is the same kind cf woman
he is a man, and who watches her has
band and children ard house just as
he watches his barn and stables, 1--we
stock, tools and running gear. He
has horse thirty years old ard appar-
entity good for five years work yet. and
many a man loses lis horse at twelve
Or fifteen years and must Iuy another
a; a cost o! SjOO Or more; simply from
failure to take good care of him."
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
SPIDER STOPS ! CLOCK.

A spider that had woven web
around the pendulum, after infinite
trouble and many failures that would
have discouraged one less persevering,
succeeded at last in stopping an old
reliable clock at Nantucket.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
snuncsrt.,n Disssse.

There is 70 disease more uncertain II It's
nature than dyspepsia. Physicians say that
tie symptoms ef no two cases agree. 1t IS
therefore most difficult to make 9 CORE.
diagnosis. No matter how severe, or r.A-e:
Whit ,Iis-.; dyspepsia attacks you, Browns
Ir,,, Bittcrs win cure it. Invaluable j. all
diseases of the stomach, hlco.l a:l.l nerves.
Browns Iron Bitters = cold by all dealers.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

]. Sheer, Sedalia, Mo, conductor On
electric street car line, writes that his
l,,lIe daughter was very low with Group,
ans, her l:ie saved after all physicians
had failed, only BY using One MlnH:e
f.oneh Curc.--E. T. Whitehead & Go.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

If you have cough, throat irrita-
tion, weak lungs. pain in the cnest,
difficult breathing, Group Or .hoarse-
ness, let us suggest One Minute Cough
#Cn.e. Always reli;lbie and safc--E. =.
Whitehead 6s Go.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

Not one child dies where zen former
~ died from Group. People have learn
e.i tie value of One Minute tough
Cure ard use it for severe lung and
throat troubles. t ilE.nedia.el, stops
coughing. It never islls-E. I.
Whitehead & Co.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

one hunaredth anniversary should be
publicly commoratea.
Georgetown University, (WashiDg-
ten. D. CO. writes: "Our faculty had
some time ago decided that we should
do what we could to commemorate the
centennial anniversary OF Washington
death, and has therefore arranged to
haye ali the speeches delivered at our
commencement by our graduates OF
this wear treat of Washington as sub
ject. The individual subjects will be
"Wash ipgton as a Citizen" /" washing
ton as & General" and 'ANashington as
President"
Fisk Uni, ersity. Nashville, Tenn.
.';Ye shall make the 14,h OF next De-
eembar a holiday witt! appropriate Gem
memoratiya exercises"
University of Denyer, University
Park, Col: "We have decided to oi-
serve the one hundraiith anniversary in
some suitable way throughout the uni
verslty"
University Of Wooster, Wooster, 0.
at Is in every way both appropriate
and important. Ii there is any nation
IN the world which has noble an.ece-
dents worth cherishing, it is ours, and
there is special need, considering our
conglomerate elements, for looking to
the hole of the pit whence we were
dug and the rock whence we were
hewn.
Shaw University, Raleigh, n. c.:
eve are heartily in sympathy with the
movement to have Dacem Der Il next
SGT apart throughout the country as
George Washington memorial day. Our
faculty will unanimously agree to OBJ
serve the day and use its influence in
this direction ("
University OF Michigan, Arn Arbor
Mich: s'Tha idea OF suggesting specia!
celebrations in honor OF thu memory cE
Washington is very happy one. Sure
" we cannot too frequently nor too
emphatically commend to our people
the lessons to be drawn from his
iife."
Ogden College, Bowling Green, KY. ::
We shall cheerfully do what we can
to help in making this Washington
year. Our American youth can have
no grander study Or lo!tier ideal than
George Washington"
Union Theological Seminary, New
YORK: eve are in sympathy With the
proposition, and teIieve that 4 careful
and reyeleiit study OF go great a sub
iect must make for ethical advance
and higher iie,l. q! citizenship and
patrotism.'
West Vlrgini;. University, Morgan
| town, W. Va We shall do what we
can this year t.: call the attention OF
cur students 70 The iic aild work OF
Washington, !"
Coe College. Cedar Rapids, "a "Our
faculty has briefly discussed the wis
dom OF special observance OF Deem
Ter IA, and we are conf lent that not
there will he an observance OF the
day and suspension Of ordinary busi-
ness.'
|
These encouraging details are more
! ly partial echoes OF what is going Oh
for when public opinion approves Il
plan it progresses hy leaps and by
| bounds and waits for ID hand to record
| It, The stfengi., OF this movement Is
| that i. Is b lsed upon sentiment W!:s Il
sentiment and dreams ana Visions shall
fade out OF national life, it Will be D sal
lday for us. These three are tijey that
ca!:sc discomfort with mere Lying, aad
make us lay hold on the past and
| forestali the future as means of thrill
| ling cur hearts with ennobiing ideas
Of national u,pose, progress and des-
tiny.
~
What are you, irdl, ldualiy, doing to
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06


Rear Admiral SIMPSONS srcri, de-
clded upon by the special committee
appointed to select design, is TO cost
50 600. There are doubtless varying
opinions a',ont said expenditure. Some e
think that it is all right to use public
money thus lavlst|y on sword, while
others think some little economy mi gft
BE- practlced In the matter. For the
benefit OF both classes we give the de
scrlptlon of the sword as follows: The
design represents on the head OF the
,ommel the coat of arms OF the State c!
New Jersey, while on the collar OF the
pornmeI will be led letters and c;i-
ameIed flags crossed, being the en-
blems Of the rank of Captain and Of
Rear Admiral, slsnifylng the fact that
at the beginning of the war Sampso,
vas a Captain ana Rear Admiral AT
| its close. The grip Will be made OF
| sharks skin wrapped with gold wire
| with fcrty eight stars. each star being
s5t with IA diamond. The guard, tor
and bottom Will terminate with dol
phins' heads with ruby eyes, the ruby
being the natal stone OF the Rear Ad
miral. The sleeves Of the scabbard arr
to be of gold and the rings are munich
nal .asces held to the sleeve by ship,
lcables. The monogram will be mad
of diamonds. The belt Will be efcheo
showing the position of the America
fleet In front Of Santiago.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

What are you, individually, doing to
create public opinion In this matter?
Public opinion is the play OF the word,
thought and deed of neigLbor upon
neigibor. It is neither faraway thing
nor mysterious Tr, your own power
in creating enthusiasm about Wash
ington and thus honor the honored
dead.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
TAYLOR
THE GROCER.

HEEPS TIE QUALITY OF GOODS
Il desired by the people who want
SOME ETHIhG GOOD;
Complete line Of Heavy and Fancy
GROCERIES,, FRUITS.
VEGETABLES, CROCKERY,
STONE and TlNWARE.
Also LEST HAY,
Rice-Meal, Oats,
Cotton-seed Meal. Hulls, n
General Feed Supplies
Clover sud Grass seeds.
'Pnone Call No. 4.
56tf.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
VOL. XIV. New SerieS--- Vel. 8.
TIE EDITORS LEISURE HOURS.
Points and Paragraphs Of Things
Present, Fast and Future.

Hard times" has been Il cry "time
.,hereof the memory OF man runEeth
.ot to the contrary; but there is one
feature about business during hard
times that is not properly regarded by
many. When times get tight and
money is scarce some people hold on
to what little money thev can gel and
will not turn it loose, no matter how
.unch others may need it. They Will
not even pay their just accounts ana
accumulated bills not wthstanding they
now creditors are depending on them
For money with which to discharge
heir own Obligations.
This is all wrong. The harder the
times and the scarcer money the more
prompt ought every one be in paying
MS accounts. if po5s; BILE for by this
means every other man would be ena-
oed TO pay his accounts also.
We suppose that som Dixon's re-
sisnation O: the Peoples Church in
New York might be classed amongst
passing events," and hence mention
it as suitable for this column. With
his resignation as its paator the organ
ization ceased to exist. Mr.. Dixon
SAYS lie will preach no more for five
years, may never preach in New York
again, but will retain his residence
there.
We wrestled with Tom over kuotty
questions OF various kinds in college
life and haye always felt great interest
in him. We have admired his genius
AMI generally acknowledged ability,
and while some have denounced him
we have simply regarded him as Sc
riously errstlc in some things. Tom
will yet find proper eqaipoise for one
of the country's greatest and most use
full men.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

Perhaps no industry in North Caro-.
lima has suffered more in any one ss:;-
son of late years than has the fish in
siustry this season. The extremely
cold weather, the continued rains and
high water in the rivers have been very
disastrous The Washington Gazette
says:
We asked one of our fishermen
would the fishing business be proEt:-
b!e this season? He replied, "Unless
tie unexpected happens, this season
vii. be tie most disastrous one in our
history. Commencing with the cold
spell, in which thousands OF dollars
worth of nets were lost, and lost at Il
time when it Was too late to replace
them. coupled with the fact that the
run Of shad and herring has been less
than IN years, all go to make this sea-
son disastrous to the fishermen. So
true is this, I do not believe there is q
man engaged in the business that has
made money but has lost money. 1t
Is true the season IS yet two months
longer, ard 1t will take large run oi
Fl b to make us come up even.'
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06

Some details regarding the attitude
of the colleges will give further idea OF
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-06
PRESENT. DAY THOUGHTS
The Washington Memorial Day.
PLANS ARE MATER1AL1Z1NG.
by G. GRosvENoR DAVE.

Write for The Commonwealth.
A Washington Menorial.-A few
words ara now timely as TO the prog
r,ss of the idea for making next De-
CEN ber II (the hundredth anniversary
Of his death) Washington mem orial
day throughout the country.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
George Browns DelusiOn.

George Brown, and you all know
George, his red fringed face is as ia
miliar to our people as The COMET col
%lector, but he's a great deal more popu-
lar. Well, George runs q restaurant
and usually meets the passenger train
that passes here at $50 q. M, in search
of business. A few days ago, George
had occasion to take q nap in the after
noon and did not wake until after dark
He dressed ~hurriedly and started to
catch the morning train. AS he went
to town several friends said "good eve
ning," but George thought they we're
crazy, said ''good-morning," and hur-
ried on. When he got to the restau-
rant he ordered breakfast and acted SO
strangely his children began to feel un-
easy about him. Finally Miss Kitty
managed to tell him that it was moi
morning, but only late in the evening,
George gave them to understand ht
knew a thing or two and demanded
breakfast. He began to notice a great
many people out early, as he thought,
that were not in the habit Of getting
around so soon and he began to smell
mouse, but it was not till Ross Smith
train went up that he found out hi
mistake and then he sneaked bacl
home and went to bed to get a fresl
| start.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19

In his latest letter from Cuba, En-
bree Hoss, ir., relates an incident Of
pure pathos:
"Have yon ever Witnessed a sight
which seemed to do you good all over?
If not, you should come to Cuba and
watch the men of the Fourth Tennes-
see regiment when the mail from home
arrives. II has only come in twice, but
there has been a regular stampede both
times. Our postmaster, after having
lost both arms in the struggle, has re.
signed. Yesterday when the MaARas
being distributed and every mendt
camp was present at tha-EMF6.A a,
tent, expecting a letter. End atgH1b at
been given out, Sb6X RhsG& perhAp
not more than 16Y4kafs old, and hat
Just come out of thahospital after hay
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
Building Secured.

1t has been previously announced in
THE COMET that Hawkins Bros. large
North Carolina capitalists, would To-
cate in Johnson City, but at that time
we were not permitted to state what
building was to be occupied. Last
week a contract was closed with Mr.,
Geo. A. Reeves for the Eagle building,
n of the argesta and finest store build
ings in the city. The storeroom will
be vacated by S. B, White by the first
of March and some necessary changes
will be made at once SO that the new
firm can open their store March Is.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
Rev. j. K. Cunningham. Dies.

After a 'protracted illness Rev. John
R. Cunningham died last Sunday morn
ing about 4 o'clock. The deceased was
a member of the Holston Conference,
NJ. E. Church, South, but for many
years prior to his death was not in ac-
tive work, on account of his health. He
was apreacher far above the ordinary
and has delivered many interesting
sermons to Johnson City congrega-
tions. He was a polished gentleman
and a pleasant talker and made friends
of all whom he met. The funeral SER
vices were conducted at the late resi-
dence Sunday afternoon, by Rev. T. j.
Eskridge and the remains taken to Col
by, Sullivan county, early Monday
morning for interment.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
New Millinery Store,

If Competition is the life of trade"
then the millinery business is to be the
Invest business branch in the mercan-
tile line in johnson City this year.
The COMET takes pleasure in an
nouncing that a millinery firm repre-
senting a large, up-to-date, New York
house have decided to locate in John
son City and will open here for the
Spring trade. The stock carried will
be as complete as money and good taste
can buy, and there will be in charge of
the establishment q carefully selected
New York artist as trimmer. We are
assured that Johnson City will have
reason to congratulate itself upon Sc
curing such a firm and under such a
splendid management. The COMET
will give more particulars in a short
time.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
PROGRAM.

10 q. m.-Music.
Inyocation-Presiden J. T. Cooter.
INSTRUMENTATION.
10:2O-Good Order; What isl it; How
sscuredG - E. E. Shipley, leader;
Glenmore Garret, Miss Hassie Ores
ham, J. b. Droke, Miss Daisy Bor-
ing, E. j. Hunt.
Music.
11:10-Are the Public Schools meeting
the expectations Of the public? - E.
L. Anderson, leader; Julia Oloyd; j,
@. Hartman, W. s. Squibb, D. A.
Vines, G. s. MAIDEN.
Music. Noon.
Music.
1880 p. m.-Address-Education from a
National Standpoint. s. ", Sher-
rill, A. M.
Music.
2-Teacher's Self Improvement-C. B.
Waller, leader; j. ". Stone, W. s,
Ferguson.
2:9O-Spelling, Now versus Long Ago.
W. B. Gale, J. NJ. Gresham, Jr.
Friday evening-Special entertainment
by College.
SATURDAY.
o a. M. = Devotional Exercises - Rev
Denison.
9:t5-School Punishment &C. B. Ar
mentrout, leader; E. s, Depew; j. F
Vines, ]. L. Hilbert. Music.
1O-Address = Relation of the Publ
School to the College. President
I,tGEGsr.
dAS6aEH Influence does the Teacl
over the Future Life of hi
II Pupils?-S. A. Estes and A. E. Neat
|, u-How to Create a Better Interest
II School Work?J. r. Carson and T
: L. Tenn.
awr M
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
The HART Comedy uOmpany.

The Murray artt Comedy Company
opened at the Opera House Monday
evening for a weeks engagement. They
presented "My Uncle from Japan" as.
the opening bill to a crowded House.
1t was a rollicking, roaring comedy
and captivated the house upon the ar
rival of "My Uncle and kept the au-
dience in a continued uproar until the
curtain went down upon the last act.
Mr.. Murray represents the "Uncle"
and to say he is a comedian entitled to
rank with John 7. Raymond and Ro-
land Reed is putting it mild. He is a
success and is ably supported by Miss
Hartt, as "Kate." She is a talented
and accomplished artist and her work
throughout the repertoire shows that
she is as versatile as she is gifted, and
and the large audiences have been de-
lighted.
The minor parts are we'll taken, but
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-01-19
DON'T BE BACKWARD ABOUT COMING.
PRICE CUTS ARE SURE ENOUGH ONES.
HART and SMITH.

ing gone through a serious case of the
fever, broke down and cried like a
child, saying he wanted a letter from
mother so bad. No one laughed or
jeered at him. He had the heartfelt
sympathy of every mar present. Soon
a big East Tennessee mountaineer put
his arm around this boy and told him
he had received a letter from his moth
er and sweetheart both, and should go
to his tent and help him read them.
They walked off together, one strong
and healthy, the other weak and sick,
but both ssemedhappy enough, and the
crowd which had gathered around them
seemed very much moved over what
had happened"