davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
Communicated
EDUCATION.

Some few years ago this writer had
occasion to compare the school system
of the State of Virginia with that of
North Carolina, and starting out. with
astrong prediction for our institutions
of learning and a real desire to prove
that we had better schools and more of
them in the Old Dominion, he was sur
prised and mortified to find out from
statistics that North Carolina had
more colleges and more professors in
them, had more public schools and n
greater number of pupils in them, than
we who had been boasting Of the good
schools and the many colleges and uni
versities of our good old State.
And yet we are apt TO be thinking of
North Carolina as a way-back state,
with a very large proportion of the pop
ulatlon ignorant and benighted.
How to remedy this state of affairs
how to bring our Virginia schools up to
higher standard, how to get the at
tempted education of the masses on a
better footing and to give our young
people better advantages is a problem.
Every one complains of taxation, and in
deedwe are a people who seem in the main
to grumble at paying anything that We
donot see coming straight back in divi-
dends of some sort; and we complain of
poverty, possibly justly enough. Yet
no one who knew the condition of this
section of Virginia fifty years ago and
knows it now will presume to deny that
the condition of the middle classes in
Tidewater Virginia is vastly better
financially than it was half century or
less ago. Certainly the poorer classes
are comparatively rich as contrasted
with the period just prior to the Civil
War. We are in better condition to
pay taxes, and certainly in a better
condition to pay for the education of
our children than at any time within the
recollection Of the writer, and that's a
good long way back. One feature of
our educational system that handicaps
the white population, however, is the
burden-one that we cannot shake off
II we even wished to do so-the edu-
cation of the negroes. 1t is not gener-
ally known, but the fact that the whites
of the State of Virginia pay ten-elev-
enths of the costs of our negro schools.
is startling one, and is really a serious
difficulty in the way of our having bet
ter white schools. That the negroes
only pay one-eleventh Of the cost of
the public schools for their own people
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
IRVINGTON, VIRGINIA. FRIDAY, JANUARY 1o 1908.

Is fact TO be seriously considered.
But Notwithstanding these difficulties
and hindrances there are opportunities
for better schools in Tidewater Virginia
II Tidewater Virginians will make
proper efforts for that purpose.
And first, as to the public school
buildings. 1t was the fortune of this
writer, in the company of a distinguish
ed educator from neighboring State
tnat OF PenEsylvania-to be passing the
public school building of the town of
Irvington. That he was ashamed to
have the attention of this eminent edu-
Gator called to the small and shabby
building used for the purpose of public
school teaching need not be stated. If
irvmgton has thing in it that looks
more niggardly and evidences a more
stingy and mean policy he has not seen
1t. But this need not be amplified upon.
The laws of the State allow money to
be borrowed from the Educational Fund
OF the State for the purpose of purchas-
ing and constructing public school
houses, at an annual interest of four
per cent, the borrowed money to be
paid back in ten annual installments.
We have in Irvington- and it's more to
the shame of Irvington that it is So
an empty Academy building. Large,
well situated, we'll adapted, with a
slight change, to public school uses.
This building, used for years for educa-
tional purposes, and of eminent useful
ness was this Academy educating
many of our children-is now occupied
temporarily as private school. 1t is
for sale, and can be purchased for
sum very low indeed compared with its
original cost. There is also an Opera
House here, with capacious quarters
below, that could also be procured. If
we rightly understand the situation
the town of Irvington has already
available for the purchase of a
school building the sum of one thousand
dollars. This can be obtained at any
time. The balance might be gotten
from the Educational Fund. But even
did the town not borrow from that
Fund the cash wherewith to purchase,
could easily be borrowed at six per cent,
and as to the repayment of this bor-
rowed cash, it might be left for future
generations. There's always plenty of
money to be had at reasonable rates.
Certainly the annual interest is not
frightful for town where, if we are
correctly informed, thousand dollars
worth of oysters are sometimes shipped
in one day to market.
Pro Bono PUBMCo.
(To be continued.)
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10

advantage of every man, woman or
child in the state. If private parties or
corporations undertake to make these
researches, they usually take the pre-
caution to take out leases on all the
contiguous land so that should they dis
cover anything of value they them
selves may get all the benefit. To re-
move any jealousy of any county the
idea of one well in each county suggests
itself to me. And further sugges-
tion would be to bore the we'll as near
the center of the county as convenient.
And should any township wish the well
bored in their territory let it be under
stood that the township making the
largest subscription to assist in defray-
ing the expenses should have the we'll
located with them. Oil men who have al
ready developed territory will doubtless
try to throw damper over this plan so
that they can hold on to their monopoly.
They may hire some geologist with a
long string of titles attached to tell you
that there is no possibility of such things
Delng found In our section But l say
seek and we shall find.
AS to the cost of boring such wells,
practical well borers tell me that wells
can be bored 1000 feet at cost of one
dollar per foot; three thousand feet
for $l.35 per foot. Added to this would
be an amount varying according to the
necessities of each case, the expenses
of casing to keep out surface
water. In some places this may amount
to very little, in others it might be con-
siderable, but l am satisfied it would be
returned thousand fold into the cof-
fers of the state, in increased value of
property or lessening the rate of taxa
| tion in future years. Therefore | say,
| wake up dear old Virginial Be meni
and the Lord will bless you.
1 AN OLD VIRGINIAN.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
AFRO AMERICAN NOTES.

Stand-together Tabernacle, No. l88.
recently assembled at the Hartsville
Baptist church, Corrotoman, with the
expectation of having the annual SER
mon preached by Rev. w. p. Todd, but
on account of the steamer going aground
he was unable to be on hand. However.
speeches were made by T. V. Williams,
of Urbanna, and others. Also good
music by the ladies. $22. 6S was raised.
Dinner was served on theground, after
which all returned to their homes, ex-
pressing themselvesas being highly en-
tertained.
Mrs. Rosa Waddy and Ernest King, of
Eastern Branch, are very sick at this
writing.
Miss jamie Jones, of Duntons Mill,
after long illness died at her mother
home, and was buried at old st Johns
cemetery.
Mrs. Laura Granson Dorsey and hus-
band, of Philadelphia, are here to spenG
two weeks with her sister, Mrs. Sally
Schey, of Tombs.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nathan Taylor, neal
Tombs, and Mr.. and Mrs. Richard
Holmes visited friends at Avalon las
week.
Miss Mary l.. Taylor, who is attend
ing the high school at Ivondale, spen
Christmas at Avalon.
Mrs. Abram Carter, OF White Stone
who has been extremely i'll for the pas
three weeks, is still very sick.
Samuel Jones, of Tombs, after 81,
weeks illness died December 23rd at hi
home. He leaves mother and severa
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10

procession was formed and entered as
follows: The groom-elect with d.
Smith, of upper Lancaster, and brother
of the groom, as best man; followed by
the bridesmaids, Misses Eliza j. Hob
day. of Gloucester county, Va, and
Mabel S. Creel1mur, of Portsmouth,
both graduates of Hampton Institute
and classmates of the bride; then the
bride-elect, leaning on the arm of her
father. They were met by Rev. pat
terson, pastor of the First Baptist
church, of Hampton, who performed
the cermony. The brides maids were
dressed in cream silk with gloves and
shoes to match. The bride was attired
in a gown of point de spriete, trimmed
In white satin ribbon over white silk,
and white tulle veil caught with a
wreath of lilies of the valley and car
ried boquets of the same. The groom
wore black, and the best man blue serge.
After the ceremony a reception was
served, after which the bridal party
changed their costumes for travelling.
They spent few days in Baltimore,
where they were given several recep-
tions. Upon reaching their home they
were given another reception by rela-
tlveS of the groom. Many handsome
presents were received.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
Communicated
TO BORE EACH COUNTY.
40 THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

To THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA:
! have been travelling for several
years up and down the Ohio river with
in so miles of Wheeling w. Va. Ihave
frequently thought of the many advan-
tages that this country possesses
over my native state, dear old Virginia,
and have often wondered if proper eff
forts were put forth we might not find
hidden beneath our soil much mineral
wealth, which if properly developed
would raise to an equal, if not greater
state of prosperity than that with which
this section has been blessed.
To enumerate some of the advanta-
ges | would mention coal, oil, gas, pot
ter's clay. The epresence of these things
have caused innumerable manufacture
ing plants to be erected, cities to be
built, enormous increase of wealth and
population, together with a thousand
and one comforts and conveniences to
which we of old Virginia are almost to-
tai strangers. When l see the num-
berless manufacturing plants run by
natural gas, which is piped all over the
country and is used by almost every
householder for light, heating and cook
ing purposes. and compare it with our
wood fires, l have felt envious of these
blessings which are enjoyed here and
which we have not. have frequently
entered my room on the close of a cold
winter day, taken off my overcoat and
with one match lit my light, my gas
fire and cigar and sat down to read
my paper. In few minutes my room
would be perfectly comfortable. Of
ten have wondered if proper search
were made we might not find that our
kind Heavenly Father had given us a
share of the same blessings.
To the end that some effort may be
put forth to solve this problem, / wish
to make a suggestion. 1 propose that
the legislature of the state make ar
appropriation of money to bore a vel
in each county of the state and find out
what is beneath us. Some may argue
that this is business that belongs t.
individuals or corporations; / thinl
otherwise; think that it is a duty o.
the state to develop these things. L
coal, oil, gas, potter's clay, copper, sill
yer, gold or any other mineral or me
talic substance be found it would re
ldound in a greater or less degree to tn
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
BACKMARD-f0RHARD.

81 stand upon the threshold of two years.
And backward look, and forward strain
my eyes:
Upon the blotted record fall my tears.
While. brushing them aside, a sweet
surprise
Breaks like day dawn on my p-turned
face
As l remember all Thy daily grace.
''Thou hast been good to me; the bur-
dened past
Thou hast borne with me, and the
future days
Are in Thy hands; tremble not, but cast
My care upon Thee, and in prayer and
praise
Prepare to make the coming year the
best,
Because of nobler work and sweeter
rest"
Selected.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
CHRISTMAS JOY.

Christmas has once more passed. The
time when hearts are warmed by the
shining of the wonderful Star. and
drawn one to another by the strong
magnet of Christian love. From deep
to deep is heard the triumphant cry.
Salvation for the world!" Although
nearly two thousand years have passed
since the angels were seen by the
shepherds, who listened to their song
Peace on Earth, Good will to mani"
Still these words have been sung down
through the ages by millions of hearts
echoing and re-echoing through the
corridors of Time-so they vibrate in
our hearts today until, if it were possi-
ble for one to hear on Christmas day,
those words OF Peace and Good viii
simultaneously spoken in the churches
and at the hearth stones through the
world, it would make a sound SO vast
and grand our hearts would thrill as did
the hearts of the shepherds on that
quiet night long ago. 1t is the time
when hard hearts soften, and soft hearts
grow yet more soft. There is scarcely
a man grown so hard or fallen so low
that conscience does not speak more
plainly to his heart at this time than
any other, calling him to the life of jov
and purity-to Christ, the Ideal man.
the spirit of God on earth sent to teach
them the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The ignorant skeptic, the worldly phil
osopher, the brilliant society lion, or
the stoical business man may feign en-
tire Indifference while they are striving
to put God entirely away from them; but
they can not shut out altogether the
Christmas Spirit. Does not the memory
come from away back-it seems in the
long ago-of tears falling on a tiny
face, loving hands resting on a child's
head-the word Christmas" on
mothers lips? We ask of such, if they
will not receive the joy of life the Joy
of Christmas for themselves, that they
do not throw gloom over the Joy of
others by their indifference-but that
they try to be interested just as they
may be in other holidays. See for once
what is going on; don't be an outsiderl
If you think our happiness idiotic, it will
be interesting to learn how happy an
idiot can bel And don't you think it
would be interesting also to try how it
feels to make some outsider happy?
And thus. you may find the Joy of
Christmasl
Good Will To Manu. We want every
man to stand in the radience of those
words-So peace on Earthi'-wiu be
sung for joy through all Timel-
And light shall spread, and universal good
BE each mans rule: and universal peace
Lie like shaft of light across tho world,
And like lane of beams athwart the sea-
Through all the cycle OF the golden year"
BEULAH l.. RIDGELY INGRAM.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10

sisters and brothers. He was buried
in the family burying ground.
Mrs. Rosa Thomas, Mr.. and Mrs.
Beale and son and Clara Parker, all of
Tombs, visited friends in Essex during
the holidays.
George and Clarence Yerby, Tom
Banks and Miss Maria Yerby, of Tombs,
visited at Heathville recently.
Nathan Taylor, of Tombs, had the
misfortune to lose one of his horses last
week.
The Christmas tree and entertain
ment at Sharon was decided success.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse c. Parks enter
tanned guests from White Stone and
other places during Christmas.
Miss Mary j. Jones, of Baltimore, is
on visit to her mother, Mrs. Lettie
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
THE PRICELESS LESSON.
I've learned as days have passed me,
Erettinp never. lifts tho load

I've learned as days have passed me,
Fretting never lifts the load,
And that worry, much or little,
Never smooths an irksome road;
For you know that, somehow, always.
Doors are opened. ways are made,
When we work and live in patience
Under all the crosses laid.
He who waters meadow-hlies
With dew from out the sky,
He who feeds the fluttering soarrows
When in need of food they cry,
Never fails to aid hiOchildran
In their stress, though great or small
For his ears are always open
To their faintest far-off call.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10

Many a boy is called dull and stupid,
when the whole trouble is due to lazy
liver. We firmly believe your own doc
tor will tell you that an occasional dose
OF Ayers Pills will do such boys great
deal of good. They keep the liver active.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10

In the harp whose chords he smites.
Once again we see him, crouching
On devastated strand;
Silent as the Sphinx of Egypt
Beloved in its surging sand;
For the lash of persecution,
Needless of all human right,
Fell upon him, watching, waiting,
Till he sank beneath its might;
And he lies there, bruised and bleeding
But brave old hero still,
Hoping for his destined future,
When his Fate has wrought its will.
Nations, DO you know this Sentry,
Keeping guard for ages long,
Over learning, arts, religion,
Through all cruelty and wrong?
Patient under dire oppression,
While the iron pierced his soul;
With no armer for protection;
With no weapon but Scroll
His one treasure; hear him crying
Though i die, let this be true"
Is not this the voice of Jacob?
/ CS IL iS--iI lS-Iuc jew.
Say you that his crime demanded
Punishment from God and men?
May. With God alone be vengeance;
He is merciful. But when
Man metes out his ruthless judgments
With mad presumption blind,
He wreaks cruelties of demons
\ ~ L. L..
1t is not for his detection
That the Jew has met the sword
Christians slay their fellow Christians
In the name of their own Lord.
Has he sinned-this Jew immortal?
Aye, but he is not alone;
Christ is crucified forever
In the House He calls his own,
Multitudes bow down before him
And profess to own His sway,
While their hearts are filled with idols,
And they, Judas-like, betray
Him who comes as their Messiah,
And their fealty would claim;
But they pierce His soul with sorrows
Shouting praises to His name.
Sinned the Jew? Well; he has suffered.
When he saw his judgment come
He bowed meekly to his sentence;
Like the shorn lamb, he was dumb;
Bearing shame, contempt. revilings,
Grief and anguish, pain and death,
Only saying, "God is holy:
He is One," with latest breath.
Like to Christ, in his submission,
He has met martyrs fate.
But his resurrection cometh:
Though it tarry, he can wait.
Yea! Already we perceive him,
Rising up on every hand;
Gliding into power and station.
With the worlds wealth at command,
In the forum, in the senate,
Lo! he wins immortal fame;
Halls of learning, marts of commerce,
Ring with echoes of his name;
On each plane of high endeavor
He is foremost in the strife,
Culling everlasting laurels
From the battlefelds of life.
So Gods ancient chosen people
AS His Sentinel still stands,
With the standard of Jehovah
In his strong uplifted hands;
With his jeweled breastplate cleaning
On his proudly heaving chest;
And lamp, forever burning,
On his helmets lofty crest;
While he welcomes the down-trodden
To his hospitable shores,
And in streams of richest bounty
Blessings on his brethren pours.
Standing thus, as great Exemplar
To the world, the Jew appears;
Bringing hope, as we'll as warning,
To Humanity's late years;
Showing how, as King, God ruleth,
When mankind would test His sway
Yet is tender as father
When, as children, they obey.
Prophet, statesman, warrior, scholar,
Israel's glories shall increase,
When he claims his royal birthright;
! Brother to the Prince of Peace.
Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10

Thursday afternoon, De-
cember 26, at 2:S0 o'clock
many friends witnessed
the wedding at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
S. Elicit, Hampton, Va. |,
when Miss Emma Ann
Elicit became the bride
of Henry Caleb Roan, of
Lancaster county, Va.
The bride is the only
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Epett and a graduate of
Hampton Institute; the
groom a promising young
farmer of upper Lancas-
ter. To the strains of
the wedding march, play
ed by Mrs. Patterson, of
HapnntOu Wa tho bridal
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-05-14
THOUGHT IT NATIONAL TRAIT.
Driver Couldn't Understand American
No: Being in a Hurry.

A traveller returned from Jana tells
tale at his own expense. Having
iou-neyed TO the historical seaport on
lis way to Jerusalem. he succeeded
IN hiring a conveyance TO c3rry him
20 the station. by speech and gesture
he informed the native driver that he
wished to be carried in a leisurely,
slghtse aing fashion through A. many
as possible Of the principal thorough
fares OF Jaffa. and to be delivered at
the terminal just in time TO take the
outgoing train.
He had no sooner seated himself In
the vehicle. however. than the driver
whipped up his horse and whirled the
dismayed traveller at a furious pace
through all the dust and over all the
stones OF the VIGOROUSLY rough streets
Of jana. The passenger was too bus
lily employed in saving his bones to be
able to see anything OF the interesting
town.
Arriving at the station. he found
that he still had two hours to wait.
Why in the world" he demanded.
Indignantly. did you ever hurry like
that"
You American" responded the
driver. with an expressive shrug. All
American like go very much fast
Youths Companion.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-05-14
CHANGE IN FOOD
Works Wonders in Health.

II is worth knowing that a change
In food can cure dyspepsia Il deem
II my duty to let you know how Grape
Nuts food has cured me of indigestion.
i had been troubled with it for
years, until last year ny doctor recon-
mended Grape-Nuts food to be used
every morning. / followed instruc-
tons and now l am entirely well.
The whole family like Grape-Nuts,
we use four packages a week. You
are welcome to uSa this testimonial
as you see fit"
The reason this lady was helped BIZ
the use OF Grape-Nuts food. is that it
is predigested by natural processes
and therefore does not tax the stom-
ach as the food she had been using;
1t also contains the elements required
FOR builSng up the nervous system.
IL that part of the human body is in
perfect working order. there can be no
dyspepsia. for nervous energy repre-
sents the steam that drives the engine.
When the nervous system is run
down. the machinery OF the body
works badly. Grape-Nuts food can be
used by small children as well as
adults 1t is perfectly cooked and
ready for instant use.
Read The Road to MELVILLE" in
pkgs. There's Reason"
Ever read the above letter. A new
one appears from time to time. They
are genuine, true, and full Of human
Interest
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-05-14
Recording the Voice

DR. Marago of Paris is photograph.
ing the human voice. and with A now.
erful magnifying glass he is able 10
read the records of a person talking.
II is the belief OF certain scientists
that these voice photographs eventually
will take the place of writing and al.
phabets altogether Stenography. too.
would be abolished Instead of writ.
ing letter the sender would talk into
the microphone. pull out the strip OF
zigzags when through and post IL
Forgery would be out Of the question.
for it is absolutely impossible to de.
ceive the electric needle, which faith.
fully records every shade of tone. For
books and newspapers the idea is tc
have a conventional imitation of zig
rags of the various vowels and con
sonants in the form of type. which will
be set in lines like ordinary print
ed matter. Telephone conversation.
would be as binding as written con
tract to-day.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-05-14
BOY KEPT SCRATCHING.
Ra~-skin Specialists Failed, But
Cutieura Effected Cure.

When NY little boy was six weeks
old an eruption broke out on his face
took him To 4 doctor. but his face
kept on getting worse until 1t got so
bad that no one could look at him.
His whole face was one crust and
must have been very painful He
scratched day and night until his face
was raw. Then took him to all the
best specialists in skin diseases but
they could not do much for him. The
eczema got on his arms and legs and
We could not get a nights sleep in
months. &c. a set OF Cuticura Rene
dies and he felt relieved the first time
used thera- gave the Cuticura
Remedies 4 good trial and gradually
the eczema healed all up. He Is now
seven years old and think the trou-
Die will never return. Mrs. John C.
klumpp. so Niagara St. Newark. y.
J.. Oct. IL and 20. 1907"