davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
Before
You Leap---

The record of the Mutual Benefit
Life Insurance Company, covering
period Of "a years, shows that It has
never failed to give each policy holder
a square deal while living and his es-
tate or beneficiaries the same kind Of
treatment after his death. Following
Is one of the numerous incidents In its
career, and was related by Mr.. G. e.
Black one Of the company's general
agents for the territory embracing st.
Louis, Mo-, at meeting Of the COM
panys general agents held In Chica-
go last month:
Many of our older agencies can
doubtless duplicate our experience at
the st. Louis Office several years ago,
which I will tell as nearly as possible
In the words of my good friend and
partner, who vouches for Its authen-
ticity:
Several years ago a gentleman ap-
peared at the Office and laid down
three policies-$5,000 Glass A. $4,000
Glass B. and $4,000 ordinary life, on
the life Of his father who had just
died. He said he had read the policies,
understood that the first two were
paid-up, and worth their face, but
with a long-drawn sigh) that the
other having lapsed several years be-
fore, was worthless. He had read the
latter policy carefully, and being a
lawyer had interpreted the terms cor
rectly. (The Life policy was Of the is
sue Of 1862 A sufficient time hay-
ing been given to allow the impression
to soak in, he was given Blank Proof
Of Loss, and the suggestion was made
that he include the $4,000 in his claim.
and 1t would be paid. He was natur-
ally perplexed at this, and the expla-
nation being given, he said feelingly,
(for he was a half-owner in the in
surance), this. is very generous! He
was promptly reassured on this point,
and it was made clear that the officers
of the MUTUAL BENEFIT had no
authority to be generous with the
company's funds, but that 1t was an
illustration of a very fair article Of
justice, and an exemplification of
strict mutuality."
No other company in business would
have paid the policy voluntarily, under
similar circumstances.
You do not need to know anything
about insurance in order to get all that
is coming to you under Mutual Ben
eft contract.
Look before you leap. 1t will cause
sorrow and vain regrets II you leap
first and then look.
SAM M. eRIsT, Special Agent.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
Jackson's Bridge Builder.-"Sto

JdCkSOnS oTlO9S DuioSIs o'oiiS
wall Jackson" said Virginia veteran,
used to tell story about bridge
builder This bridge builder was call
ed Old Miles. He was very necessary
to Jackson. because the flimsy bridges
on the line Of march were continually
being swept away by the floods or de-
stroyed by the enemy, and in these con-
tingencieS Miles was a regular jewel.
He could run you up a bridge in the
time 1t would take another man to
make the measurements. One day the
Union troops burned a bridge across
the Shenandoah. Stonewall Jackson
called Old Miles to him and said: You
must put all your men to work, Miles,
ind you must keep them at it all
night, for I've got to have q bridge
across this stream by morning. My
engineer will draw up the plans for
you Well. early the next morning
Jackson. very much worried, met Old
Miles. See here he said, obviously
how, about that bridge? Did the en-
gineer give you the plan?' Old Miles
took the cigar from his mouth and
ficked the ash off with a sneer. Gen
eral he said, the bridge Is done.
dunno whether the picter is or not y
Kansas City Star.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

Large Fees.-After Benjamin Har-
rison had retired as president and re-
sumed the practice of law, he found
himself associated with Mr.. Knox
then, as now, Of Pittsburg, but carry
ing no political prestige.
And as to the fee,' inquired Mr.
Knox, shall we divide it?"
Really, Mr.. Knox, I never divide
fees" said the former president. 81
will make my own terms; you arrange
yours"
The case was won. The two again
met.
You will understand, Mr.. Knox,
said the former president rather loft
lily, why 1 did not wish to divide the
fees when 1 tell you that my fee ir
that case was $4,000"
"Ah, indeed, most interesting" re-
piled the Pittsburger. We'll, Gen
Harrison, my fee was $1OO,OOO."-Hart'
ford Times.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

A Lost opportunity.-Small boys are
not always as sympathetic as their
relatives wish, but on the other hand,
they are seldom as heartless as they
sometimes appear.
why are you crying so, Tommy
inquired one of the boys aunts, who
found her small nephew seated on the
doorsteps, lifting up his voice in loud
walls.
THE b-baby fell d-down-stairs!
blubbered Tommy.
"Oh, that's too bad" said the aunt,
stepping over him and opening the
door. Il do hope the little dear wasn't
much hurt"
"S-she's only hurt a little!" walled
Tommy! But Dorothy s-saw her
fall, while I'd gone to the g-grocery!
1 never se-see anything! g!"-Youth's S
Companion.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
"SARTIN SURE" SIGNS.
The Stranae Spell of the Moon,

There are still more things in heaV-
en- and earth than are dreamed OF IN
your philosophy"
Such was the remark made few
days since by Henry a Smith of Litch-
field.
And then we looked the situation
over and saw that our visitor was no
ordinary character. In fact, in many
respects he proved to be an extraordi-
nary character full Of strange ideas
and idiosyncrasies, if they can be called
such. Our grandfathers believed In
signs, apparitions and many other
things that we have grown away from.
Were they right or wrong is now the
question. We no longer believe in those
things, but the question as to the cor
rectness of our scientific scepticism re-
mains to be settled. Mr.. Smith de-
careS that we are away off, and this
he has proved to his own satisfaction.
A unique and picturesque character
is Mr.. Smith. Grizzly and gray, rugged
and rough, he is yet the personification
Of native intelligence and shrewd judg-
ment. A great observer, he has gath
cred a great fund of information on a
variety of subjects, and from these has
deduced a philosophy that is all his
own. Certainly no more interesting
character than he can be found in
these parts.
1t was the good fortune Of the Jour-
nal very recently to receive a visit from
this gentleman, and the half hour pass
ed in conversation was one of extreme
interest. In fact, the subject matter
of his talk was too good to hold in pri-
vate, and for this reason we give 1t to
our readers. Settling himself in the
big arm chair reserved for honored
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
One Way to Get Thinas.-on a

One Way to Get Thinss.-on a very
hot afternoon in Topeka recently, a
number Of around-town chaps who
don't seem to have much to do were
lounging in the chairs in front OF
leading hotel. Several travelling men
came out Of the hotel, and finding all
of the chairs occupied looked and
spoke things that wouldn't go well In
polite society.
Lets dump a few of them out" sug-
gested one.
Hold on a minute" replied another.
Watch me get a chair" With that
he walked over to one Of the loungers
and in the most courteous way said:
"Will you please tell me whether that
is a drug store across the street,"
mo-" replied the lounger, that's a
bank"
"Oh, is It? Well, say. what is that
nice big building just down the street
there, two corners away?"
That's the postoffice," was the reply
"You live in this charming city
then?" asked the drummer.
"I do" said the lounger.
"Well, then" replied the travelling
man, I'm a guest at this hotel, and
paying for accommodations. Suppose
you get up and give me that chair"
He got the chair.-Kansas City Jour-
nal.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
MODERN TRoGLoDYTES.
Caves followed Out in Sides of Circu-
lar Pit Are Rooms.


One of the strangest of capital cities
Is that Of the troglodytes, or Matmatas
the cave dwellers of Tunisia, Africa.
1t contains about 5000 inhabitants,
and the principle of the architecture
is to dig into the earth rather than to
build upon it. These troglodytes are
to be found between the town Of
Gabes, on the Tunisian coast, and the
sand hills of the Sahara. The country
is a high, rocky plateau, barren, SUM-
baked and swept by the simeon. When
a Matmata wants a new dwelling he
chooses his spot, traces Il circle and
then digs until he has reached the de-
sired depth, which varies according to
the number of stories he requires, says
the Chicago News.
The rooms consist of caves followed
out in the sides of the circular pit,
the bottom of which forms the patio,
or courtyard, which is the usual feat
ure of a Moorish house. Besides the
rooms, passage is also dug, commu-
nicating with the outside world and a
door is made at the outer end.
The soil, which is kind of mallea-
bic clay, is easily cut, and lends itself
we'll to excavation, the roof Of each
room requiring no support as long as
it is arched. These underground
dwellings are not damp.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
cursory.-"Eddie," said the teacher

cursory.-"Eddie," said the teacher,
can you give a definition Of cursory?
The word is generally used in connec-
ton with public speaking. For exam
pie we often read that somebody made
a sentence containing the word curso-
ry."
After brief struggle Eddie evolved
this:
yesterday my pa helped my ma to
hang pictures, and when the ladder
fell after pa had climbed to the top of
IT he bumped his head against the
corner of the dining room table and
then made a few cursory remarks
Chicago Record-Herald.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
Moroccan Red Tape.-Omcial CORE

Moroccan Red Tape.-Oficial cores
pondence in Morocco is couched In
very fowery and tlamboyant STYLE
says the London Daily Graphic. 1t
is interspersed with a variety cf
meaningless adulatory phrases that
tend to confuse the real meaning OF
the epistle. For example, an order to
the minister of Finance to contract a
loan begins thus:
I'm our present letter (God Increase
His power and make the glorious sun
and His moon glitter in the armament
of His felicity we have authorized
our incorruptible servant (here fol-
lows name) to contract in the name
and on the behoof Of the treasury
(Heaven fill it) a loan Of" etc.
Considering that the "incorruptible
servant" Is filching as much as he pos
sibly can from the treasury it Is GER
tainly necessary to pray that Heaven
fill it."
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

&S After mailing down your carpet,
and before putting in the furniture,
sweep the whole surface well and then
go over the whole carpet with scrub
bling brush wetted with ammonia.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

IL A severe paroXysm of coughing
may be arrested by giving the patient
teaspoonful of glycerine in a wine
glassful of hot milk.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

For sale by all dealers. Price go
cents. Foster Milburn Co., Buffalo,
New York, sole agents for the United
States.
Remember the name-DoAN'S-and
take no other.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
AT THE BRATToN FARM.

WE are Offering thoroughbred
w Guernsey Heifers at from $40 up
and we have also a number Of Berk-
shire Gilts with thoroughbred Pigs
that we will sell. Will deliver pure,
clean milk at 10 cents q quart. Cream,
butter and fresh eggs on orders.
Pure Berkshire Pigs at from SO to
SIS each. Pure Buff Orpington eggs at
81 setting Of Is.
]. MEEK BURNS. Manager.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

Mrs. Susie Lavender, ZIG Cotton
Row, Gaffney, S. c., says: Il used
Doan's Kidney Pills and can say that
they proved of the greatest benefit to
me. l was bothered for a considerable
length Of time by soreness through
my kidneys, accompanied by frequent
headaches. Taking this as evidence
that my kidneys were out Of order, 1
obtained a box Doan's Kidney Pills
and began using them. Since then my
trouble has been greatly relieved and
am sure that 1t will not be long be-
fore a complete cure results"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
WOMENS' WOES
Yor<viIIe Women Are Finding Relief
at Last.

1t does seem that women have more
than a fair share Of the aches and
pains that afflict humanity; they must
keep up" must attend to duties In
spite of constantly aching backs, or
headaches, dizzy spells, breaking down
pains; they must stoop over, when to
stoop means torture. They must walk
and bend and work with racking pains
and many aches from kidney ills.
Kidneys cause more suffering than any
other organ Of the body. Keep the
kidneys we'll and health is easily main
tanned. Read Of a remedy for kidneys
only that helps and cures the kidneys
and is endorsed by people in this To-
cality.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06

home of the species was northWard
rather than southwark Of the noun
tain barriers of northern India. This
view has been advanced by several
naturalists and is further strengthened
by the fact that the animal appears to
flourish better in temperate than in
a tropical climate,
The brown rat is said to have first
appeared in Paris in 1850. 1t was
brought to the United States probably
from England, about the beginning Of
the Revolution, 1775. According to
Audubon, it was unknown on the Pa
cific coast of the United States in 1851,
although its introduction there must
have occurred soon afterward.
The brown rat differs from the 9TH
er two species in America in larger
size, shorter head, more obtuse muz-
Zle. smaller ears and relatively shorter
tail. The general color is grayish
brown above and whitish below The
overhairs Of the upper parts have
black tips. The tail is usually shorter
while in the other two species it is
generally longer.
The black rat is usually Of a sooty
or plumbeous black color, paler on the
underparts, while the roof rat is slight
ly grayer than the brown rat above
and yellowish white on the feet and
belly.
The skill of the brown rat shows
well marked differences from those of
the other two species, but the skulls
of the roof rat and the black rat are
not readily distinguished from each
other. Many biologists regard the
black rat as only geographic race Of
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08
WILL BE IN
JOHNSON CITY
THE LATTER PART Or MAY,
Invitation Of Congressman Brown
low Accepted by the Former
Tennessean to Speak

Martin w. Littleton, of New York,
formerly of Tennessee, and one of the
best known public men in the country,
will visit East Tennessee the latter
part of May, having written Congress
man Brownlow accepting an invitation
to deliver a memorial address at the
Soldiers Home, at johnson City, May
80. He will be accompanied by Con
gresham William a. Rblenburg, of.
Illinois, and il is. probable that mir.
Littleton will be asked to visit Bristol
Martin w. Littletoil comes from AM
old Tennessee family, and is a brother
of Jesse NJ. Littleton, former republ-
can candidate for governor of Tennes-
see, and party leader. However, the
former is staunch democrat, and
made the eloquent speech nominating
Judge Alton b. Parker for the demo-
cratic nomination for president, at the
st. Louis conventin in 1904. This
brought him into national nOtoriety
and he increased his fame when he
undertook the defense of Harry X.
Thaw for the murder of StanfordWhite.
1t was he who secured a verdict of not
guilty for Thaw on the murder charge.
1t is probable that Representative
Rodenburg will deliver memorial adj
dress at the Andrew Johnson national
cemetery at Greeneville. Both are
warm personal friends of Congressman
Brownlow, and will be given wei
come to East Tennessee, Bristol Her
ald-Courier.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08
THE QUALITIES
OF ACETYLENE
ADOPTED BY Government
For Beacon Lights, Light Houses,
Forts and Indian Schools Has
Given 1t New Impetus.

A reprint and revision of bulletin
No. 81 of the State Department of Ag-
riculture of Pennsylvania has been is
sued by the Department of Chemistry
of the Pennsylvania State College, un-
der the authorship of George Gilbert
Pond, Phi. ID. The whole subject of
Calcium Carbide and Acetylene is COW
cred most thoroughly without the use
of technical language, and the book
contains complete and authoritative
information, so simply told that the
public generally will find the book not
only instructive but extremely inter-
esting,
The use of Acety lene commercially is
an evolution covering ten or twelve
years. The rapid strides which the
new illuminant has made, especially in
country homes, is making it formid-
able competitor for favor wherever il
lulllHdllou 10 lcqulISu'
The spectral analysis of the light
shows it to be practical duplication
of sunlight, so that colors have their
true value when Illuminated by this
brilliant gas. Recently the use of Ace
tylene for the headlights of automo-
biles, its adoption by the Government
for beacon lights light houses, forts
and Indian schools, has given Acety-
lene new impetus.
Professor Pond has shown that the
dweller in the country home can Sc
cure this excellent illuminant at a cost
which compares, to the advantage of
Acetylene, with city gas when burned
in the open flame burner costing dol
lar per thousand cubic feet.
The Board of Engineers of the Ma
tional Board of Fire Underwriters have,
after years examination Of the sub
ject, declared that Acetylene, when in
stalled with approved apparatus, is
safer than the illuminants which it re-
places, and the National Board of Fire
Underwriters has revised its rules in
such a manner as TO encourage itsmore
rapid introduction. Calcium Carbide,
which has in some quarters been re-
garded as a dangerous substance has
been Investigated and declared without
hazard by the Fire Underwriters. These
facts will come in the nature of .eat
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08

surprise to many who have regarded
Acetylene as dangerous. In dealing
with this phase Of the subject, Prof.
Pond has given thorough information
as to the safe use Of Acetylene and the
precautions which must he taken with
this substance, the same as with any
other illuminant.
An interesting phase of the subject is
the remarkable use Of what is known
as the oxy-acetylene blow-pipe. By
burning Acetylene in an atmosphere Of
pure oxygen, the highest temperature
in chemistry is evolved, practically
equalling the electric arc. A pencil of
flame two or three inches long, and no
larger than the barrel of fountain
pen, can be drawn across piece of
sheet metal and literally melts the
metal in to. The process can be re-
versed and sheet metal, iron, brass,
copper, aluminium, and in fact any of
the ordinary metals can be literally
melted together and, curiously, the
joint is so perfectly formed that file
will not disclose the point of fracture.
Bridge girders have been cut with great
rapidity, and it is stated that this sim
pie pencil of fame promises revolu-
ton in the methods of metal working
establishments.
Another curious phase of the subject
is the fact that Calcium Carbide at
certain temperatures has the power Of
fixing the nitrogen of the air and in
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08

this way will produce fertilizer called
cyanamde, which is found equal to the
Gillian nitrates. Few people realize
that fifteen million dollars worth of
Chilian nitrates have been imported
into this country and used by the
farmers here during the past year.
Calcium Carbide is a rock-like sub
stance produced by melting together
lime and coke in the electric furnace.
II is not affected by any substance ex-
cept water, and when brought in con-
tact with water it gives off rapidly the
gas known as Acetylene.
The bulletin of Calcium Carbide and
Acetylene can be had free by applica-
ton, accompanied by six cents postage,
to the Department of Chemistry, The
Pennsylvania State College, State Col
lege, Pa
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08

the auspices of the United Confederate
Veterans, enjoy the reputation of beiug
the largest, best and most meritorious
organization of its kind now before the
public. This company travels in its
own private train, carries its own cleo
trio light and power plant and exhibits
in the largest cities in this country.
From Johnson City they go to Knox
vile, where they make their second
annual appearance in that city under
the patronage of the Police Relief AS
Sociation.
The Savannah Press, January 20, in
speaking of this company, said in part:
"What impresses one most is the abso-
lutte lack of questionable features" :"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08

There's lot in modern science, Sure's
you're born. Did you ever try deep
breathing For corn?
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08

special session began, l received a letter
asking me what had become of my bill
to have the money repaid, so l reintro-
duced the bill. Evidently the public
mind is in state now to consider the
nations finances. shall do every
thing in my power to press the bill for
passage, if not at the special session,
then at the regular session. y
In 1885 there was a surplus in the
federal treasury of $3S,0OO, GOO, due
largely to the sale of public lands in
the central west. Congress authorized
the distribution Of this money among
the states upon their promising to re-
pay it upon demand of the secretary OF
the treasury. After $2S,OOO,OOO had
been distributed, but, before the fourth
installment had been paid, congress
passed another law, postponing pay
ment Of the final installment, and in.
cooperating as 'joker" proviso that
the money distributed should be sub.
ject TO the deinand'of congress instead
of the secretary Of the treasury. 1t is
said the matter of the repayment was
called to Mr.. Murdock's attention by
the claim of Virginia a few years age
to the fourth installment, still undis.
tributed.
The twenty-six states received the
three installments in proportion tc
their representation in congress. The
amount in round figures deposited with
southern states was as, follows:
Maryland, 1856, 600; Virginia, 50, 1885,.
600; North Carolina, $1,444,0O0; South
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08

ty-six states to repay the government
sos, 600 900, which was distributed dur
ing Andrew Jaclson's administration,
has been followed with flood of tele-
grams asking more light on the subject.
81 introduced that bill two years
age" " said Mr. Murdock, "and no one
paid any attention to it. Since the
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08
The Strain of Life,

This is a busy, active world, and the man
succeeds best who has the greatest health
and strength to fight the battles of life. You
can't be healthy, strong and clear-minded
it you suffer from constipation, dyspepsia,
liver trouble, Aatulency, heartburn, etc. To
cure these diseases take DR.. CaldweIPs Syr.
up Pepsin, the great regulator.
1t is absolutely guaranteed to do what is
claimed, and if you would like to try it be
fore buying, send your address for free
sample bottle to Pepsin Syrup Co., ZIG
Caldwell Bldg, Monticello, H. 1t is'sold
by all druggists at soc and 81 a bottle.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08
MARY'S ANIMAL SHOW.

Mary had little lamb
Twas Persian-on her coat;
She also had a mink or two
About her dainty throat;
A bird-of-paradise, a tern, t
And ermine made the hat
That perched at jaunty angle
On her coiffure, largely "rat.n
Her tiny boots were sable topped,
Her gloves were muskrat, too,
Her mutl, had heads and tails of hall
The "critters" in the Zoo,
And when she walked abroad, Tween,
She feared no wintry wind;
AT keeping warm, twas plain to see,
She had all Nature "slSinped."
April Lippincott's,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-08
DOUBLE TRACKING
THE N. & w. ROAD

Bristol, March 2S.-It is announced
that the Norfolk and Western railway,
although it had the privilege of raising
the passenger rate on its road from two
to two and half cents on April /, will
not do so until May /.
The Norfolk and Western, regardless
of a dull business era, has just let. the
contract for several sections of double
tracking, mainly in West Virginia and
Ohio.