Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / Dec. 21, 1894, edition 1 / Page 1
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'FOR QQD, FOR GQUWTRY AND FOR TRtfttl $1.00 a yearin advance. VOL. VI. PLYMOUTH, N, C, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1894. NO. 25. V. MetcherAusboii,Editor and Manager. v 5r A westward ocean trip, between Eu rope and New York, is usually seven per cent, locker than on eastward one. London pays forty-two per cent, of the income, tax of England and Wales, find its government and management cost abont $55, 000, 000 a year. , Porto Rico if to have a gold stand ard of currency, announces the New York Independent, the Mexicaii dollar to be retained as a basis of weight for the value of silver. 1 . t- ' The Crown Prince of Germrny is a very precocious boy, according to the Chicago Herald. When the court chaplain told him all people were sin ners he said: "Father may be, but I know mother is not." The Minnesota Supreme Court has decided that bicyclists have the same rights as horsemen on the streets. "Now, let us have a decision giving pedestrians some rights," suggests the Atlanta Constitution. . There can bo no doubt, maintains the Chicago Herald, that the talk of grape seeds and appendioitis has af fected the price of grapes unfavorably, in spite of the fact that the grape'cure a few years ago was in high vogue. Ornithologists do not tell us that the chicken is the most wonderful of birds, yet the fast remains, avers the Chi cago Herald, that in proportion to weight, it is far more important to the human race than any other animal. The greatest obstacle to the growth - of the lemon industry of. this country ' is the fact that the fruit is not prop erly cured, and will not keep like the foreign article. The lemons them, selves are equally good, but the curing process has yet to be learned. Andrew Lang, the English essayist, says that the idle, the imitative and . the needy had better adopt some other calling than literature, and advise nil not to try to write a novel, unless a plot, or a set of characters, takes such irresistible possession of . the mind that it must be written. In view of the great number of post office burglaries and highway mail robberies recently, the JPostmaster Genefal has deemed it proper to offer rewards f dr the oonviction of persons concerned in such transactions, which embrace $1000 for conviotion of rob bing the mails while being conveyed in mail car on a railway; $500 for conviction of robbing the mails while being conveyed over any post ronte other than a railway ; $250 for an attempt at such robberies; $150 for breaking into , and robbing a post office, and $200 in the latter case, where the amount stolen exceeds $500. The Trenton True American thinks these rewards ought to stimulate the work of detecting and pursuing post oiSco robbers. " . ' The , annual report of Dr. W. f, Harris, Commissioner of Education, gays that twenty -three per oent. of the population attend sohool during some period of the year. The average period of, attendance during the year, however, is only eighty-nine days for each pupil., The report says: "It would seem to be the purpose of our system to give in the elementary Mohools to every child the ability , to read. When "he leaves school he is expected to continue his education by reading the . printed pages of news papers and books. The great increase of public libraries in the United States is significant of progress towards the realization of this idea. In 1892 we had over 4000 publio libraries, with more than 1000 books in each. The schools teach how to read; the libraries furnish what to read.' Bat far surpassing the libraries in eduoa tive influenoe are the daily newspapers and magazines. We are governed by tpublio opinion as ascertained and ex-( preyed by the newspapers to such a degree that our omlization is justly to be called a newspaper - civilization. The library and the newspapers are ur , chief instrumentalities for the continuation of school and the univer sity. Lecture courses, scientific and literary associatwas we- assisting AT HARVEST, If we have lot our sunny Sprlntime past With Idle oora of what the year might bring -Save gathered flowers to toss them on th .. grass, And only eared to hear the woodblrds sing; If we have turned aside from sober truth In bright delusive fairylands to stray, And spent the golden promise of our youth .With selfish living and regardless play When shadows fall we shall be struck at heart , With bitter grieving for our blasted fate j And then the lesson of life's sadder part Will lead to agonized remorse too late ! The land is barren now whloh once was gree&: We never ean be what we might have been . Arthur L. Salmon, In the Academy. DAVTSEIDE BX MAEY MOLT btnklb. N a certain dear October afternoon in the year 1779, a bright-faced lad of sixteen rode brisk ly down a Penn sylvania wood-path toward a road leading to a grist-mill on the Dela ware. He rode a fine blaok mare, and across his saddle lay a large bag of wheat. He was evidently in high spirits, -for he was whistling "Yankee Doodle" in fine style. Thick forests skirted the road, with occasional farms and partly oleared traots. The trees had the brilliant colors of au tumn, and a few late wild flowers were in bloom. After winding np hill and down nearly 'five miles, the road sloped sharply to. the river, and the noise of a mill mingled with the rushing of water. As the boy rode up to the mill, a man in the dress of a Quaker looked out and remarked to the miller, "Thee has another customer, William David Lancaster." Then, as the boy alighted, he in quired, "How is thee, David? And how are all thy people? Is thy brother Nathan better?" "We're all well," said the boy, "but Nathan limps yet. Tne doctor says he'll carry that British bullet as long as he lives. He can work at home, but he can't go back to the army. And just think t Mother says I may enlist this month and take Black Bees with me." "How can she spare thee?" "O, she and Nat and the girls will manage the farm." "Did you say you're going to en list?" asked the miller, leaving his work. "That's right, Davy. I'm going . too, as soon as I can find some body to take the mill. Have you heard from your father lately?" "Yes ; we got a letter about a week ago. He's well; but he says more men are needed." "When will this dreadful war end?" said the Quaker, thoughtfully. "It takes even the boys." "It won't end till the British are licked," said Davy : "and they may as well get out, or we'll pitch 'em out." "You're right there," put in the miller. "We will beat 'em in the end, but it'll be tough work. See," he added, "here comes old Jake Hum med" A fat white horse came leisurely down the road and stopped at the door. The rider, a short, solemn faced Dutchman, as slow of movement as his horse, dismounted, and left his steed to crop the grass. "Afternoon, Jake," said the miller. You've come rather late, if you want your grist to-day, for Friend Hollis and Davy Lancaster are here before you. "1 vas in no hurry. To-morrow's anoder tay," replied Jake, nodding to the company. Seating himself, he proceeded to fill his pipe. After a few preliminary puffs, he was ready for conversation. From Davy's intended enlistment and other local news, the talk turned to the doings of the army and of Con gress. At length the miller inquired : "Heard anything about the Deans, Jake?" ; . ' In those days the name of Dean wes enough to awaken the interest of any one'living in that region, for the Deans were a gang of marauders whose coin ing was uncertain as the wind.1 They were five Tory brothers, who, at tha opening of the war, began .secretly robbing their neighbors of their best horses. They were suspected, yet for some time they continued going openly to house-raisings and social gather ings whefe their strength and skill in athletic sports were the wondef of all. They soon left their home and camped here and there, making night raids upon the houses of people living on both sides of the Delaware and tak ing everything valuable within their reach. If anyone refused to give up his valuables ". they felt no hesitation at making him dance barefooted on a hot shovel until he should be in a frame of mind to do so. They dared not try such - methods, however, when their leader, Abner Dean, was with them, for he was far more humane than his followers. Yet they were often generous to poor people, some times flinging out their gold by the handful. They admitted one stranger to the gang a man called "Foxy Joe," to distinguish him from Joe Dean. Naturally, when the miller spoke of the Deans, all listened with interest for Jake's reply, as he was a sort of local newspaper. But he had little to tell. - "I hear noding," he said, "but dot dey vas shtill in Chersey. But it vas about time for dem to pe after us again." "Ab Dean's as strong as Samson," r.emarked the miller, "but I onoe saw Tom Jarvis throw Lira in wrasilin. Twas the fciggesi tossla ever I saw, and it was the only time Ab was ever thrown. That was three years ago, andAb has hated Tom ever since. You remember when the . Deans tried to rob the Jarvises, and Tom some how got wind of it. Well, folks say the Deans said they'd finish their work some time." "Tern Teans vas vorse as tu Prit ishers," said Jake, still puffiing at his pipe. "I hope they may never get thy pretty mare, Davie," said Friend Hoi- "They'll not find it very easy to get into her stable," answered Davy, "for every night I make the stable as safe as bolts and bars can make it." The miller had many stories to tell of the Deans and their exploits, which Davy found so interesting that he lingered some time after his grist was done. At length, seeing how late it was, he took his grist and started homeward. About a mile from his home the road ran oloso to a deep ravine filled with trees and bushes. Passing this spot Davy was surprised to 6ee his mother's spotted heifer standing by the roadside. It was nothing uncom mon, however, for her to run away. Davy tried to drive her home, but the frisky creature only kicked up her heels and ran into the ravine. Davy followed, and soon found himself by a deep brook, which the heifer had crossed. Hoping to find a place nar row enough to jump, he walked some distance up the brook. He noticed fresh horse tracks in the damp earth, and once fancied he heard voices. A thought of the Deans came into his mind, as, curious to know who was in this lonely place, he followed ' the tracks. A moment . later he almost jumped, so suddenly did he come up on six horses saddled and bridled as if awaiting their riders. Davy hastily dodged into the bushes, for he saw, a little further off, six men sitting around a small fire where they had been cooking their supper. The meal being over, they seemed inclned to lounge about. . ' One, a tall, strongly-built man, went to his horse, took a pair of pis tols from the holsters of the saddle and began to examine them, saying in tones that Davy heard distinctly : 1 "We must be moving if we expect to make three hauls to-night and cross over to Jersey before morning. We must be at Jarvis's early. I want to be sure of Tom Jarvis before it's known we're about again." That was enough for Davy. Forget ting the heifer, he slipped away through the bushes and quickly reached the road. He leaped upon the back of impatient Bess and urged her to a gallop. He began to grow anxious, for the sun had already set. He ,knew that if the Jarvises were to be warned he must cover the ten miles of rough road .between his home and theirs with all possible speed, and that it would not be very easy to do so at night. As he neared his house Nathan lttei him, exolaiming: "What's the matter with you, Davy, and what kept you so long?" t "Can't stop to tell much," said Davy, hurriedly. "I saw the Deans in the big hollow by the road, and I heard 'em say they're going to Jarvis's to-night, Bess will have to take me there faster than she eyjr did before.- . ... Without another word he turned and galloped away, while Nathan went to tell his mother and sisters the news. After doing the evening work ' and making everything secure, they sat around the wide hearth, talking anx iously of what Davy told, and wonder ing if he could warn the Jarvises in time. Meanwhile, Bess was showing her speed so well that Davy began rather to enjoy the situation, for he knew that at this rate he could easily reach the Jarvis place in time. There was just enough moonlight to make the .road plain. ; The wind freshened, blowing so loudly in the woods that other sounds could not be heard. So it was that when. Davy neared a cross road he did not hear the clatter of horses' hoofs until he saw . several horsemen coming around a bend in the cross-road. He did not stop for a second look, but turned Bess's head toward a half-cleared field, where a olump of trees would hide him from the men, who, he felt sure, were the . Deans. Behind the trees he watched them ride slowly to the forking of the roads and turn' toward the Jarvis place. David saw plainly that he had no way but across the fields. He gave Bess the rein and away she went, over stumps and stones, through bushes and swamps. Davy's face and hands were scratched by swinging branches, but he managed to guide Bess in the right direction, until at last she dashed down a bank and into a creek, across which could be seen the Jarvis house. The water was deep, but Bess did not hesitate! and in another mo ment she scrambled up the opposite bank with a snort and a shake of her mane. The Jarvis family were about to put out their light and go to bed wheu they heard a horse gallop to the door and some one hastily knock. "Who's there?" said Tom. "Dave Lancaster. Let me in." "What are you after this time of night?" asked Tom, opening the door. "Lands I how'd you get so wet?" "Ab Dean and his gang are com ing, cried Davy; "I guess they'll scon be here. I saw 'em at the croec jroads, and they're coming this way. I saw 'em before, though, when I was coming from the mill, and heard their talk." "AbDean! Well, we'll be ready for him t Ben, take Davy's horse to the stable, and lose no time." Bea, a lad of fourteen, hurried out, vhile Tom and little Jack took down the rihes frcm tlsL' hooks ever the fireplace. Tom examined them, and offered one to Davy, saying: "Here's a gun for you, Davy, if fou'd like to shoot in earnest." "Guess I would," cried Davy; "and before long I'll be nsed to it, for am to enlist this month. " "I wish I could go with you. I would have gone long ago, if mother had been well, and the boys a little older. I think you'll find me in the rmy next spring, though; for Ben and Jack can see to the farm then. " "Where's your mother?" inquired Davy. "Yesterday she went to visit Aunt Ruth. She feels so well now that she thinks o f staying there several days ind letting us boys keep house. Come, Ben," he added, as the boy entered, "we must hide in those bushes by the road and leave ' our light burning to deceive those scamps. They will pasj the bushes if they come at all." He led the way through the yard ind into a clump of bushes a little way from the house. The boys had scarcely hidden tham jelves, when the noise of horses' feet jor.oded faintly up the road. "Listen !" whispered Tom, "they're coming! Don't be afraid to shoot, boys, when 1 give the word." By the light of tho moon, they saw six mounted men riding toward the bouse. They halted by the fence that eras across the road and somo distance from the bushes, and there began tying their horses. Davy was fairly trembling with excitement, but he kept qaletj Tom cautiously peered through the' fetishes', "Now," he whispeted,as he raised his rifle, "get ready 1" In an instant, four shots rang" out, telling the robbers that they were ex peoted. Yells and answering shots followed, while the startled horses tried to break away ; and one rearing high, rolled over dead. Evidently the Deans did not like their recep tion; for they lostf no time in mount ing and galloping off, the one whose horse was. shot riding behind a com panion. The noise sounded farther and farther away, until all was still again. r Tom Jarvis stepped out into the road, and said, as the glanoed thought fully at the dead horse : "You don't know what your ride has done for us, Davy. I hate to think of how these fellows might have treated us if they had taken us off our guard." "Why, Tom, you'd have done the same for us." "Yes, I would ; but I'll never forget what you've done. If you do as well in the army, you'll be a general yet. And Davy, you must stay over night wtyh us." Davy entered the army soon after ward and about a year later joined Colonel William Washington's cavalry. troop, with which he did good service in the Southl He rode Blaok Bess un til the battle of Cowpens, where she was killed in the" charge of the Ameri can cavalry. Davy never became a general, but he did come home a cap tain of cavalry, having won his pro motion through bravery in more than one battle. As for the Deans, their band was broken up most effectually shortly after the close of the war. It would take a long story to tell the adventures of the Deans and their various fates ; for they were no myths, but real rob bers and outlaws, as anyone can find who cares to inquire among the people of southeastern Pennsylvania. Tho Pathfinder. Thirty Years of Burning. Deep in the heart of a hill which rises gently above the tiny town of Mar shall, in Boulder County, a fire caused by a spontaneous combustion began to burn thirty years ago, At first it emitted only smoke, then it quickened to a dull red glow, and now, despite years of effort to drown it out and wall it in, it rages throughout an un derground area of from 200 to 800 acres and spouts flame, cinders, and smoke through a dozen outlets, each of vhich would vie in appearance with the crater of a working; volcano. The smouldering patsh detected in this hill in the early 'sixties has in creased to the 300-acre furnace of to day because the fire fed upon the walls that puns it in, for the walla were of lignite coal, and under the surface of the hill ran the richest fuel vein in Boulder County before the fire at9 it away. Now property that at one time wad worth millions of dol lars is net only nearly valueless,- but it has become a menace to the sur rounding coal fields, to which it threatens to communicate the same destruction which has come upon it self. Denver Republican, Gold in Georgia. The hill Band valleys of North Geor gia are yielding a golden harvest. lie ports from the gold regions are very encouraging, and foreign capital is coming in and finding profitable in vestment there. This is especially the case in Lump kin County, where active mining work is going forward all the time, and where rich results are obtained. But there are other counties, where gold abounds, that have no practical development, where the soil is only waiting on capital to bring its wealth to light. Georgia is a fine field for the inves tor in this as well as other respects, and there are now many Northern and Western capitalists engaged in gold mining here, and they are all reaping fine profits. There is room, however, for more, in the undeveloped regions. The work accomplished with gold min ing in Lumpkin and other counties is an indication of what can be done elsewhere. The soil is ready for the workman, and the reward is sur?. At lanta Constitution. , POPULAR-SCIENCE. Fruit perfumes aro-counterfeited with adds. . . Children's first teeth hare E effect upon the second.set. , The eye of the vulture is so con structed that it is ' I vrfh-power tela soope. -.'".' The growth of girls is greatest in their fifteenth; year, of boys in their seventeenth. , A college of dentistry on the Ameri can model to to be established at Quito, Ecuador. . . . In nine consecutive transatlantic voyages the 12,000-ton Lucania has averaged a trifle over twenty-five miles an hour. , . , J Exactly why the . magnetic needle always points to the northward has never been positively determined by the scientists. A "seismonetograph" record at tha College of Borne shows that the un dulations from the great J apanese earthquake werd continued a distance of about 6000 miles. f . v i. The Navy Departmentr.afle: st of aluminum as a material for -shipbuilding, finds that the much-icaunted light metal corrodes rapfdJ in alt water and attracts barnacles. ...Hence it is not recommended. t; t - j In Germany one out of every , three public school pupils is near-sighted ; in, France, one out of four.an.d in Eng land one out of five. The percentage is highest in the classes of rheorir and philosophy Want of physical ; ercr cise is the main cause. Vaccination threatens to become a universal penaoea in the ingenious hands of continental savants. Inocu lation against snake, bite is thV latest production in this field, brought for ward by Messrs. PhisaliSnd Bertrand at a recent meeting of 4 th-ACdemie We know that heat expands, most things and cold contracts them.; The great steel trusses that supported the rant at the Manufactures and"Liberal Arts Building at the World's Fair heaved and surged under the hfeat of the sun to such an extent that' if care ful provision had not been nmde they would not have stood the strain;' Tho great . steel cables that .uppXtft the Brooklyn bridge are seven :i e.et and six inches longer when the thermome ter is at 100 degrees than , when the mercury is down to zero. . The continued and careful' observa tions which the meteorologists -of - the world have made during ,'tjie past twenty years only serve ,to strengthen the remark made by the .author of "AbdUl's Theory of Electric Storms," "that the majority of s fatal" and de structive lightning strokes occur in. level, open country." Trees, villages and thickly built up towns and cities, by their numerous projections and their network of rails, wireB, etc., seem to neutralize or' scatter the electrio forces, thereby protecting both the animate and inanimate from direct strokes ' of the death-dealing lB"" f ' Poisoned Bullets in Warfare. International compact, which for bids the use of poisonous, and explo sive bullets, provides , against pur posely infected shot. Nevertheless experiments have been made by Mess ner with bullet purposely' 'infected with micro-organisms. ; '.The "bullets were discharged at " tin boxes; filled with sterilized pepstone? and the chan nels made by the shots were examined. It vras found that in spite of- the heat of the discharge and the vielence and briefness of the impact, cultivations of bacteria arose in the gelatine. . In other ' cases the boxes had been wrapped in flannel infected with var ious bacteria, and uninfected bullets were fired through .flannel .and gela tine. . Growths of bacteria "derived from the infected flannel appeared in the gelatine. New York Telegram. :'. ' " 1 -lfci I III' it B.ll.HM. ' ' ' 1 UCHBTCI. Do you believe in this 'talk aboat discovering a man's character from his handwriting?" "I do," replied Mr." Hasbin Swift, with a sigh. . "Ever know of its being tried?" "Yes. '.And with fatel efficacy. TLa experiment is mont successful when tho handwriting is read , air nd ia court." We-jr2Ta5.
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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Dec. 21, 1894, edition 1
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