davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
READING THE BIBLE.
Some Facts That Occur to Few Per-.
sons in These DAYS.

| SOlS IN IHeSe GdySs
"Did you ever figure out how long 1t
would take you to read the Bible?"
asked an observant man. well, you
would be surprised to know in what
a short space of time you could finish
the last chapter of the Holy Book.
Of course there are different ways of
reading. There are men and women
who read without knowing anything
about what they read. They are the
class of persons who never get lasting
impressions from the book. They may
pick out one or two chapters, but
when it comes to the various phases
of the story they do not remember.
This is due largely to sort of uncon-
scious bias which the reader shows
fer one character or another, or to an
abnormal sympathy for some of the 81
lent actors in the plot. But there are
persons On the other hand who read
critically and who can talk about the
book they have read when they come
to lay it aside. Readers Of this latter
kind will be considered in the calcula-
ton which follows:
There are in the Old and New Tes-
taments combined total Of &C books,
containing 1889 chapters, 31,173 verses
and total of 1852 words, approx
mately. The Old Testament contains
80 books, 929 chapters, 23,214 verses
and approximately 592,239 words, while
in the New Testament there are q
books, 2G0 chapters, 1859 verses and
1928 words approximately. Adding
these together we get the total given.
How long will it take person to read
the Old Testament, with its 5q2 go
words, or the 1928 words of the New
Testament? And how long to read the
1862 words of both? A man can read
undelstandingly 100 words every min
ute. BY hurrying man can read 16O
words, or probably more. l will as
sumo that man can read critically,
that is, carefully and understandingly,
at least GO words minute. That is
slow reading, being only 5000 words
an hour. Suppose man should de-
vote an hour a day to the Bible
"At this rate he would read 100000
words in 80 days, or a months time.
At this rate he would read the Old
Testament in less than six months,
and he could finish the New Testament
in less than two months. The whole
Bible could be read in less than eight
months by devoting simply one hour
to it each day. Yet there are few per-
sons outside of students who claim to
have read the Bible from lid to lid.
Which argues that the age is strangely
perverse. New Orleans Time-Demo-
Graf
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
ct finn Down to Level of People.

Thomas B. Reed, Philadelphia
LAWYER says, made a political address
in a small Pennsylvania town some
years ago. The town hall was small
and badly lighted, and the speakers
desk was set exceedingly close TO The
edge of the platform.
Mr. Reed, as his speech progressed
became excited. He forgot his sur
ronndings, he forgot how near he was
to the platforms edge, and inadver-
tentiy he leaned upon his lectern too
heavily, with the result that it and he
fell to the floor together.
The desk alighted first, with consld.
erable noise, and the speaker followed
IN a cloud of dust. He Immediately
rose to his feet again, nore the worse
bur the laughter of the townsreople
would lot allow him to proceed. he
stood this loud and coarse laughter
fer some moments. Then he held up
his hand.
"Don't laugh at me-" he said. Don I
laugh. I was merely getting down to
the level Of my audience. Now forR
Tribute.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

e3Ss ESdf fasfe
ico{ 3bonona This
hiclI aSaroo1 in honor of
led
dnVpH1
the scenes and eVenIS2

nations life are carefully depicted.
From them tho physical characteristics
and domestic habits may be correctly
ascertained. The dimensions Of tue
palace" are great. Its length is 23S
feet, and breadth $50 feet, and 1t is cl-
eYated on q mound 80 feet long, 200
feet wide and forty feet high. The ma
terial used was stone, many blocks Of
prodgious size being used, and all
Joined together with mortar. AS great
architectural ability was displayed by
the builders of the editices at Palenke
as was shown by the architects who
erected those of the Nile. How it was
possible for a primitive people to fash
ion, convey and sculpture such i'm
mense stones rs were employed is the
wonder Of modern archaeologists. 1t
would seem that the same people were
the builders of these structures found
at Militia, Mayapan, Tuia, rs we'll rs at
Palenke race which covered Yucatan
and the Southern States OF Mexico
with mighty temples.
A French scientist with lively im-
aglnation and unusual powers of OBJ
servation credits the 'TOltecs" with
building these ancient temples, and
fixes the seventh century as the period
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
BENJAMIN Fraaxln's Visit to Ger

mary.
In Doctors thesis by an American
we find mention Of Franklin in Ger
many. THE Relation of G5rman Pub
licists to the American War OF lnde-
pendence, 1775-17S3. Inaugural Dissen-
tation for the Eoctor's Degree OF the
Philosophic Faculty OF the University
of Leipsic submitted by Herbert z. Gal
lingar, Amherst, Massachusetts,, Lcip-
sic, 1900, is a pamphle: II German CT
serenty-seven pages, with an addition
al page giving the details of Dr.. Cal
linger's life. On p. 8, etc., he says:
Franklin visited Germany in 11GG, and
in Gottingen, where he me't AchenwaIl
and Schlozer, awakened interest Tor
the colonies" In foot-note he adds:
"Achenwall published in the Hanover
ian Magazine, beginning OF 1767, p. 2oS'
ETC.. Some Observations on North
America and the British Colonies from
verbal information furnished by MI.
B. Franklin" At the close, the strug-
gle between the mother country and
the colonies is described entirely from
the American point Of view. 1t is clear
that Achenwall was convinced by
Franklin. In closing he says: Il doubt
| not that other men Of learning in this
country have used their acquaintance
with this honored man (Franklin) as
we'll as I. Could they be persuaded to
~ ,>,,,,l;o +bo;r potoU.orthV cOD-
versation with him, it woIld be do
ing the public great benefit" :" These
observations were reprinted twice.
in 1869 at Frankfurt and Stuttgart, and
in 1777 at Helmstedt. They appear to
be the only account of the dispute over
the constitutional questions at issue in
America in the German language pub
lished before 177G.-J. G. Roscngarten
in Lippincott's Magazine.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
Smart Dog Saves Trouble.

The following incident occurred
while the writer was 4 student Il: thu
Philadelphia Normal School. Tht
teacher Of drawing there was extreme
ly anxious that the girls should d,
imaginative work. s..r este
She requested them to make draw
ing to illustrate story in which a dos
and a tree were the principal factors
One bright young lady finished .hel
work :ind inen sat vc.'y complacentlI
waiting for her criticism. Presently
Miss Campbell appeared. and rs sh
looked upon a beautifully finished
drawing Of n tree she said: "Ver!
good, but where is the dog?" "Th
dog" exclaimed the young lady. "Oh
he's behind the tree. "-Philadelphp
Ledger.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
a NEW BANANA.
- i-1-.|'- ~..=4 49, -
A Strange, But. Interesting ProSuct Of
the East.

a new banana has recently been de-
scribcd by Mr.. Fletcher, Of the Botanic
Gardens, at Eongkong.' The seeds OF
this plant, which is known as the
Elephants Head" were obtained by
n Mr.. Wilson in Yunnan In 1899. The
seeds were planted in the Hongkong
gardens in 1899 and three plants grew,
two of which still lie. and thrive. 1t
Is cultivated by the natives for the In
ncr portion of the trunk, Which is
used as food The plants are from
tea to twelve feet high, with about u
dozen leaves each. 1t is Il highly orna-
mental species, with-broad,; arching
leaves, ten or twelve feet long, The
trunk IS conical. The fruit Is club
shaped, Of golden yellow color, and
about four inches long. They contain
OH an average twenty seeds imbedded
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
Tile Ancient Ruins Of
Pa!enke.
~ ~ISCe
BY Enos Brown.

u TRAVELLER who recently
A visited tie e famous ruins at
~ apaIenke, State Of chiapas,
Mexico, laments the changes
which time and the clements are grad
ually making in their appearance and
condition. Nothing has ever been done
by the Federal Government 10 preserve
these impressive monuments OF the
highly cultured race who constructed
them, and Of whose history and origin
but little is known. The climate of the
region In which the ruins are situated
Is the direct opposite Of that Of Egypt,
inasmuch as the rainfall at Palenke
has been known to amount to 200
inches q year. The air is humid and
encourages decay, and at the same
line stimulates the rapid growth of
he vines and creeping plants. which
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

fisherman kncels or sits astride the
broad end and used Il thin paddle.
These boats, which can be launched
through very rough surf, were prob,
ably used by the Indians many years
before the Spanish conquest In the
accompanying photograph we see them
being dried, a most necessary process
after they have been made use OF for
fishing purposcs.-Thc Wide World
Mn apaZiuc
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
s As Good as a Girl.
By LOUISE ROWLAND

: "There!" said Miss Ann Eliza Som
ers,. setting the rolling Pin on the end,
and deftly scraping off the dough,
that had accumulated on its sides. IF
do say it, there amt bin a hand
somer batch of doughnuts than that set
on any pantry. shelf in Bolton this fall;
leastwise, none that we've seen.'
Gimme one O. then," said a small
voice, as dirty little hand was thrust
in at the kitchen window, and grimy
finger pointed at the colander piled
high, with the brown circles, braids
and diamonds, that Miss Ann Eliza
was contemplating with so much salts
fiction.
':Land sallcs alive!" she cried, and
theirolling-pin fell to;t,ie floor with a
bang. who be you? Git right down
from there. I shouldn't wonder if you
was a steppin' right on my jacminot
rosebusn.'
The hand was Withdrawn SO quickly,
andit had bsen such small hand, that
Miss Somers, from some feeling Of
conjunction, or possibly to gain time,
added, you kin go round back
Now Miss Eliza, all through the
morning, as she lifted from the boiling
fat each doughnut as it attained the
required shade of brown, had seen vi
sions of her self offering her friends,
who might drop in during the day,
few of her doughnuts on one OF her
best china plates, and she could almost
hear them say, These are the best |
ever did eat; they just melt in your
mouth5;s' and she could sec herself with
proud generosity complying to their
requests, for the receipt.
She knew there would be 10 such ap-
probation from a boy-boys had no
place in Miss Elias catalogue of use
fulAthings- nevertheless she selected
the last doughnut that had been fried,
made from odds and ends OF dough
which had the merit of being much
larger, il. also much inferior in quality
toathe others, and after depositing the
colander in the pantry, stepped to the
back door. ses---.-
."Well, 1 never did," she cried, rest
ing both hands on her hips and regard
ing the owner of the hand that had
saLudely disturbed her eQuanimity.
boy might RaFe.sreea affy|IigFe ff6,.
seven to ten years old. He was yer,
small, but his face might have seen F;
score OF years, SO dsep were it's lines
1t was framed in the rim of a brown
derby hat that had, probably, once
sheltered more fortunate member OF
society.
The few articles of clothing, al
though in tatters, were evidently his
own, as regarded origin as well as
possession; while his feet were protect-
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

able to walk without assistance and /.
takes daily stroll about bis house,,
He has not been more than two blocks
away from 1t in thirty years. He can
see but little, but he hears fairly we'll.
He speaks English brokenly, but un-
derstands it we'll. He never was much
interested in the big events Of the
world. He says he has never used
liquor nor tobacco. Furthermore he
declares that he never has wet his feet
nor been. cut in frost, apparently
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
illinois Girl Declared a spcndthrift.

Illinois Girl Declared Spcnothrlft.
A rather novel case from Normal at
tracted much attention in the county
court, Miss Hattie Watt, an extremely
pretty girl of 10, being the defendant.
She was recently left fortune of $l0,-
600 and her relatives filed complaint
that she had become a sp2ndthrift and
was dissipating her bank account so
rapidly that unless immediate steps
we're taken to prevent it she would be
penniless. A gcodly portion of her
wealth had been spent in travelling
over the country and in buying finery.
The case was heard by a jury and a
verdict was found against the girl. Ac-
cordingly the court appointed a con-
servator, who will have sole charge ol
her fortune until size becomes OF legal
age.-St. Louis Globe-Damocrat.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

OF their erection, but these confident
assertions arc doubted. Others place
the era in which they were built as
ehr!y as the date Of the pyramids OF
Egypt. However, it seems to be proved
-beyond q doubt that many centuries
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

ere disintegrating the walls and pave
ments and will eventually level them
to background So dense is the foliage
surrounding the ruins that light from
the sun is almost totally obscured. The
photographer who was employed by
the Mexican Government to take pic
lures lof the ruins could accomplish
his object in some instances only by
means Of flash light. The ruins Of
Palenke are about 200 miles from the.
port OF Frontera, and are reached by
steamer UP the Tabasco River to San
Juan iBautista and thence by trail.
The group all lie within q radius of
1000 feet, and consist of nine distinct
structTgesi ofFwhich the palace" is
the ID and most: central. The
ruineG &dings consist of temples.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
MANUEL DEL VALE, AGED l57.
Park, Cal. He mas reached the age

Park, Cal. He mas reached the age
of 157 years.
He has legal proof Of his age. In
many cases Of persons living beyond
the hundred mark who have attracted
public attention there has been gr;. e
doubt as to the year of their birth.
Belief in their age is based upon theit
own stories Or on hearsay.
Manuel del Talle's proof Is docu-
mentary.. He has in his possession the
certificate of his birth. signed by the
jefe politico, orrseshefsE8ssssgsisst fgsef
Zacatecas. AfexfGo ceIs iAcags.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

looking after the truck farm that sup
ports the family.
Manuel del Vale looks his great age.
Hc is a little, dried-up, frail man,
scarcely five feet tall and weighing not
more than ninety pounds. Ho is still
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

holding these things to be equally
abominablc He never eats solid food
his only nourishment being bean BROTH
and all day long he sits in the sunshine,
in front of his adobe home.-New York
World - y
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

1t is not likely that English ocean
steamers will soon be built longer than
the latest specimens. No ship of more
than $50 feet can work in the Liver
pool docks, and in the London docks
100 feet is the limit.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

Remarkable Fishing Boats.
This photo was taken at f;rcdisnayo,
on the coast Of Peru, and shows some.
remarkable fishing-boats constructed.
entirely of bundles Of reeds tied rough,
1u-t<,<.sAl, l,o,.- .,.,-..s,x>xl h..- tla
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
Tomb of President Arthur.
erer, Musa Wilsoni.

The monument at the grave of Ches.
Ter {. Arthur, in Rural Cemetery, AL.
bany, New York, is in the form Of an
angel placing a palm leaf on a sarco-
phagus. 1t is beautiful piece of
sculpture. At the base there appears
only the simple inscription, "Arthur."
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25
The Oldest Man in
the World
157---and He Has Documents
to Prove It.

Undoubtedly the oldest man in the
world, and probably the oldest human
being, is Manuel del Vale, Of Menlc
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

Somehow or other girl with her
first diamond ring loses oil interest in
gloves.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

All the world loves.a lover excels
the fellow who has been cut out,
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-03-25

but many a grub had Mugsy to thank
that night for undisturbed dreams for
Mis- Eliza,~ could not forget the figure
as it looked, asleep by the cistern; and
when Mugsy appeared at the door with
the sitter, holding a generous supply
of rescued bits Of coal, she handed him
a thick slice of bread spread with mo-
lasses, saying
81 s'pose you're hungry again by
this time"
81 alters is;;" and looking up at Miss
Eliza with his mouth full, he said, kin
1 stay here? amt got no place"
"You mean you amt got no folks;
whera'd you sleep last night?"
Down de road, under some boards;
twuz freezin'."
Miss Eliza went back to the kitchen,
and left Mugsy sitting On the steps.
She drew the table to the center of
the room, spread the red. cloth, and
pat two plates in place, the last quite
forcibly, as she said aloud
well, tenny rate. he shan't sleep out
doors tonight, laying up rheumatism
enough to last his natural life. You-er-
-Mu-Mugsy (setch an onchristian name
never heord), come in here"
Mugsy came just over the threshold
and stood staring about while the lamp
was lighted and the curtains drawn.
Standing in the lamp light Miss Som
ers could see where the buttons were
gone from the thread-bare coat; that
it was all that sheltered Mugsy from
the cold.
"Ain't you got any flannels?" said
Miss Eliza
"Flannens!" said Mugsy, blanlly,
"dats me coat"
do you see that sofy?" said Miss
Eliza, pointing to venerable specimen
that stood in the corner of the kitchen.
We'll, l am going to give you O. COM
forter and you can sleep there tonight,
and in the morning we'll see. If you
were a girl, now, should know better
what to do with you; but boy!"
"Yes-em."
"You sit down there" said Miss
Eliza, pointing to the chair opposite
hsr own, 'and drink this bowl of tea;
then you might as well go to bed
Mugsy sat down and net only drank
but also ate some bread and
one Observation-Disclosures,
then obediently lay down on the sofa,
as Miss Eliza tucked in the comforter
ne turned on lis side and said drow
silly
Me warm, and amt hungry"
MISS Eliza took off her glasses an6
wiped them, they BLUR ed suddenly.
- How that kettle does steam," she
said.
= By the time the few dishes were
XaShed- -Sha -cnrld toll b,r th.h.--~-
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-09-15

gagged in conversation that although he
drew up a chair near them, they paid
no heed to him further than to recog-
nize his appearance with a lifting Of
their eyes.
They were talking of social affairs in
Atlanta and people whose names We're
unfamili to Alan. He rose and stood
before the fireplace, but they did not
notice his change of position. Truly 1t
was maddening. He told himself that
Adele's pretty face and far too easy
manner had attracted Miller's attention
temporarily, and the fellow was daring
to enter one Of his flirtations right be-
fore his eyes. Alan would give him a
piece of his mind at the first opportuni-
ty, even If he was under obligations to
him. Indeed. Miller had greatly disap-
pointed him, and so had Adele. He had
always thought she. like Dolly Barclay.
was different from other girls; but no,
she was like them all. Miller's atten-
ton had simply turned her head. Well.
as soon as he had chance he would
tell her few things about Miller and
his views Of women. That would put
her on her guard, but it would not
draw out the poisoned sting left by
Miller's presumption or indelicacy or
whatever it was. Alan rose and stood
at the fire unnoticed for several min
utes, and then he showed that he was
It least good chaperon, for he reached
out and drew the old fashioned bell
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-09-15

pull in the chimney corner. The porter
appeared, and Alan asked. "Is my sis
ter's room ready?"
"Yes. it's good and warm now, sub"
said the negro. 81 started the fire an
hour ago."
Miller and Adele had paused to listen.
"Oh, you are going to hurry me off to
bed" the girl said, with an audible
sigh.
You must be tired after that ride"
said Alan coldly.
That's fact, you must be-" echoed
Miller. well, If you have to go you
can finish telling me in the morning.
You know Pm going to spend the night
here, where have a regular room, and
I'll see you at breakfast"
"Oh, I'm so gladw said Adele. "Yes,
I can finish telling you in the morning.
Then she seemed to notice her brothers
long face. and she laughed out teasing
ly. I'll bet he and Dolly are no nearer
together than ever"
You are right" Miller joined in her
mood. "the colonel still has his dogs
ready for Alan. but they'll make it up
some day, hope. Dolly Is next to the
smartest girl know
"Oh, you are a fatterer," laughed
Adele, and she gave Miller her hand.
Don't forget to be up for early break
fast. We must start soon in the morn
ing. I'm dying to see the home folks"
Alan was glad that Miller had a
room of his own. for he was not in a
mood to converse with him. and when
Adele had retired he refused Miller's
proffered cigar and went to his own
room.
Miller grunted as Alan turned away.
| Hes had bad news of some Sort" he
! thought "and it's about Dolly Barclay.
| wonder. after all, if she would stick
to poor man. begin to think some
women would. Adele is of that stripe
yes, she is, and isn't she stunning look
ing? She's gem Of the first water,
straight as die, full of pluck. and
she's all risht-all right"
| He went out Oh the veranda to smoke
and enjoy repeating these things over
to himself The bonfres in the street
were dying down to red embers, around
which stood a few stragglers, but there
was blaze of new light over the
young mans head. Along his horizon
had dawned glorious reason for his
existence. reason that discounted ev-
cry reason he had ever entertained.
"Adele. Adele" he said to himself, and
then his cigar went out. Perhaps, his
thoughts ran on in their mad race with
happiness-perhaps, with her fair head
on her pillow. she was thinking Of him
rs he was Of her.
Around the corner came q crowd Of
young men singing negro songs. They
passed under the .veranda, and Miller
recognized Frank Hillhouses voice.
'That you, Frank?" Miller called out,
leaning over the railing.