davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

STRANGE PHENoMENA.-The bottom
is dropping out of the State of New
Jersey. In Warren county, during the
past few days, number of deep holes
have suddenly been made by the earth
sinking down into some fearful, un-
known, subterranean depths. T b 9
first noticed was in the bottom of the
Morris and Essex canal, on the seven
mile level between Broadway and
New Village. All the water IN the
canal went down that hole, then half a
dozen more holes opened in the corn
fields and woods, taking down into the
earth great patches of corn and even
sinking trees out of sight. In addition
to this there are scores of great long
and deep assures. Then, on Wednes-
day night, another big hole opened in
the canal. Rambling noises we're
heard under the Methodist church on
Broadway, and nobody will venture
into the building for fear of its going
down. The widest excitement pre-
walls among the people, who deem
that any given spot of land in all that
country is liable to plunge through
half way to China at any moment.
Prices of real estate have naturally
gone down, as the real estate itself has.
The Morris and Essex canal is utterly
ruined. Its course must be altogether
changed to avoid this district if it is
intended even to hold water enough
for a sunfish to float in.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
ARTIFICIAL W ANTS -Bulw

ARTIFICIAL WANTs -Bulwer
says that poverty is only an idea,
in nine cases out of ten. Some men
with ten thousand dollars year
suffer more for want of means than
others with three hundred. The
reason is, the richer man has arti-
fetal wants. His income is ten
thousand dollars, and he suffers
enough from being dunned for un-
paid debts to kill a sensitive man.
A man who earns a dollar day
and does not run in debt, is the
happier of the two. Very few peo-
pie who have never been rich will
believe this; but it is true. There
are thousands with a princely in
come who never know moments
peace, because they live above
their means. There is really more
happiness in the world with work
ing people than those who are rich.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

A SINGULAR INCIDENTAL lather
curious incident is related of vessel
in the Baltic Sea. The Bark Provi-
dence, from Hartlehool, lately sprank
a leak, and all hands were forced to
work at the pumps until they were ut
terly exhausted. Their hope of saw
ing the vessel or even their own lives
had almost gone, when the leak sud-
denly stopped. After port had been
reached and the cargo discharged, a
search was made, and it was found that
a knot in one of the p!anks had been
forced out, but the hole was tightly
plugged up by the body of a fish which
had made its way into the hole and
could not escape.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

~ Here S curious example of
"taking time by the forelock :" My
grandmother once awoke my grand
father in the middle of the night, and
told him she much feared their son
Willie had become deranged, as she
had been listening to him for some
time speaking loudly and rapidly to
himself. Her husband listened, came
to the same conclusion and they forth
with hurried into their boys bedroom
to know what was the matter. Will
lies explanation was, that as they were
going to the seaside next day lie wished
to save time, and was saying his pray
ers over and over to last him during
the holidays.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
A CosrIY TREE.-A farmer cut down

A CosTLY TREE.-A farmer cut down
a tree which stood no near the bOun-
dairy line of his farm that it was doubt
ed whether it belonged to him or to his
neighbor. The neighbor, however,
claimed the tree, and prosecuted for
damages the man who cut it. The
case was sent from court to court.
Time was wasted, temper sOured, and
friendship lost; but the case was final
~ gained by the prosecution. The last
that was heard of the transaction was
that the man who gained the cause
went to the lawyers Office to execute a
deed Of his whole farm, which he had
been compelled to sell to pay costs !!
Then; houseless and homeless, h g
thrust his hands into his pockets and
triumphantly excla lined, "I've beat
him.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
A Few Words to the Ladies.

Many ladies, particularly mothers
nursing, complain of n tired, listless
feeling, or complete exhaustion, an ali
sing in the morning. On the wife and
mother devolvcs the responsibility Of
regulating the duties of the household.
Her cares are numerous, and the men-
tai as well as the physical powers are
frequently called into requisition. She
often finds her slightest occupation
weary task and existence a burden,
while at the same time she has no reg
ular disease. Hostetter's Stomaah
Bitters, if resorted to at this period,
will prove an unfailing remedy for this
annoying lassitude. The effects of
this potent agent ere soon seen in the
rosy check and elastic step of the head
Of the family, as with restored health
and renewed spirits she takes her ac-
customed place in the family CIRCLE
If this friend in need be regularly
used, those depressing symptoms will
never be complained of, and not only
would lassitude not be experienced.
but many diseases following its advent
be avoided. As medical agent it has
no equal, while it's pleasing favor and
healthful effects have made it n general
favorite. 1t is free from all properties
calculated to impair the system, and
its operations are at once m lid, soOth-
ing and efficient. Ali who have used
the Bitters attest It's virtues and COM
mend it to use.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

-
THE CARPET-BAG ELEMENT
Were not the people of the South,
says the Detroit Free Press, almost
the personifcation of that charity
which hopeth all things and endu-
reth all things, they would be una
BILE to bear the burdens which Rad
zeal hatred has placed upon their
shoulders. The men who admin
lister their laws are either taken
from the most vicious classes of the
North or the South. Justice is rem
dered mockery, and law pervert-
ed so as to sanction crime, rather
than provide for its punishment.
Petroleum V. Nashby, who, is in
tensely Radical makes this admis.
sion in one of his lectures:
81 met judges of Courts in the
Southern States, who ten years ago,
were hOstlers IN livery stables in
the North, and whose knowledge
of criminal law they had gained
from standing in the prisoners
dock"
Isit strange that there is lawless
ness in country where such men
administer justice? Is it not strange
on the contrary, that crime is not
ten fold more prevalent than it is
Is it not strange that an influence
so terribly destructive Of sound
mortality, as the rule of Radicalism
has shown itself to be, has not
broken up the foundations of civil
society?
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

COOP HABITs.-During the alarm of
fire in school-house in Easton Penn
sylvania, the scholars all waited until
one of their number, crippled lit
tie girl, had got safely out, then they
with rush cleared the room. They
had been taught to give the little
cripple the precedence every. day,
and when the. hour of peril came
they did not forget their duty to-
wards her, but remained perfectly
quiet until she was safe. 1t was a
beautiful incident Exchange.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

THE LOWEST TYPE OF HUMAN
ITY.-The following extract is from
al article on "Barbarism and Civ
ilization," in the Atlantic Monthly:
On the Island of Borneo there
has been found a certain race Of
wild creatures, Of which kindred
varieties have been discovered in
the PHILIPPINE Islands, in Terra Del
Fuego, and in South America.
They walk, usually, erect on their
legs, and in that attitude, measure
about four feet in height. They
are dark, wrinkled and hairy. They
construct no habltation, form no
families, scarcely associate togeth-
er, sleep in caves or trees, feed on
snakes and vermin, on ants eggs,
OIL mice and on each other. They
cannot be tanned or forced to any
labor, and are hunted and shot
among the trees like the great go
rilla, of which they are a stunted
copy. When they are captured
alive, one finds with surprise that
their uncouth jabbering sounds like
articulate language. They turn up
a human face to gaze at their cap
tor, and females show instincts of
modesty; and, in fine, these wretch
ed beings are men.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

The iron mines Of Northern
Georgia are now more valuable than
those of gold, They are inexhausti-
BILE, and yield per centum equal to
those of Pennsylvania. Fine marble
is also abundant, and it's value, like
that of iron, will be yearly enhanced
by increased facilities for transporta-
ton.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

a@- The Catherine of steamers
are unfortunate, all at once. The
Oceanus broke her shaft near Log
gy Bayou, and has not, as yet, ar
rived at Shreveport. The II. M.
Shreve, due here since last Thurs
day, met with the same accident,
near Helena. Arkansas, and will
lose trip. The Mary e. Poe, of
. the same line, will here tomorrow.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
II We met with this witty and un

II We met with this witty and I'M
answerable retort in sketch of a short
trip through portion of Ireland. The
writer is cOnyersing with his car
driver: sFAre you Catholic, Jenny Z"
"Yis, yer honor" "And pray to the
Virgin Mary 7" 81 do, yer honor"
Swell, she was good woman. The
Bible says SO. But she may have
been no better than your mother OF
Inine." "That's thrue, yer honor
but then you'll allow there's a mighty
difference in their children"
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

WHY Do You CoUGH--when it is in
your power to relieve yourselff A few
doses of DIR. TUFTS EXPECTO-
RANT will cure you and allay the ap-
prehensions of your friends; more.
over, it is pleasant to take, it produces
no nausea, and strengthens the Lungs
and throat to resist attacks in the fu-
ture. Mothers need not dread the
Group when they have a bottle of this
valuable compound on their Mantel-
pieces.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

~ We direct special attention
to the card OF 1 he st. Louis Uni
versity, to be found in our columns
this week. This popular and time
honored College ranks among the
very best and most fourishing in
the land. With pleasurable. emo
tions, and memories of old still clus-
tering on us, we bespeak kind con
sideration for our old Alma Mater.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

u 4propos of the caterpillar, Hor-
ace Greeley says that the first ten
millions which make their appearance
in the crop should be pulled in two by
the little niggers, for fear that they
may turn into butterfly which will
prove destructive to the cotton.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

aA-A Chicago woman, whose hus-
band promised to bring her home a
new bonnet and didn't do it, took his
$40 silk hat, and placing it upon the
floor at his feet, sat upon it-whirl-
ing herself around until the ruin was
complete, "There," said she, as she
arose to her feet, eff you can't raise
me to your level in point of dress I'll
pull you down to mine.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

n A rope which has just been COM
pleted at Birmingham, England, is
about six miles long, five and a quar-
ter inches in circumference, and it's
weight is over sixty tons.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

u A young man wants to know
what business he had better 60 into
that will enable him to occupy high
position 10 society. Let him try the
roofing business; in that trade a smart
man will soon get to the top of the lad
der.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

HS Thanks for papers from the
officers of the Belle Rowland, D. L.
Tally, Carrie Converse, Era No. 10,
John 4. Moore and B. L. Hodge
No. Q,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

e Gentlemen are wearing bright
colored feather tip in their hat bands.
Dandifed, but we'll enough for the
country.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

70 A young Hoosier once said to
a young Hoosieress: "Sal, is there
anybody courtin' you now?" And
Sal replied: eThere is one fellow
sorter courtin' and sorter not; but I
recken it more sorter than not sor-
ter.
ID Tom Allen declines O'Baldwin's
challenge.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

q The Chicago Tax Collector has
notified tho City Council that he would
sell the grave of Stephen A. Douglas
unless a special assessment of $4,000
was paid on it,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

sS- The river is getting lower
and lower every day. Navigation
above is rather precarious.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
A Good Joke.

A correspondent of tile Lumberville
IN. " Beacon says, a short time
since, while staying at the borough of
B. he overheard the following, which
he thinks too good to be lost:
A number of politicians, all of whom
were seeking Office under the Govern
ment, were seated under tavern
porch, when an old topper named Joel
D-,a person who was very loquacious
when corned. but exactly the opposite
when sober, said that he would tell
them a story. They told him to "fre
away" whereupon he spoke as follows !:
A certain king-I don't recollect his
namo-had a philosopher upon whose
judgment he always depended. Now
it happened that one day the king
took it into his head to go hunting, and
summoning his mobiles and making the
necessary preparations, he summoned
the philosopher and asked him if
would rain. The philosopher told him
that it would not, and they started
While journeying along they met a
countryman mounted on jackass.
He advised them to return, "for."
said he "it will certainly rain" They
smiled contemptuously upon him, and
then passed on. Before they had gone
many miles, however, they had reason
to regret not having taken the rustic's
advice, as a shower coming up drench-
ed them to the skin. When they had
returned'to the palace, the King re-
primanded the philosopher severely.
81 met countryman," said he, "and
lie knows great deal more than you.
He told me it would rain, whereas you
told me it would not"
The King then gave him his walking
papers and sent for the countryman,
who soon made his appearance.
"Tell me-" said the King, show you
knew it would rain"
~ didn't know" said the rustic, "nly
jackass told me So"
"And how, pray, did he tell you y
asked the King.
Spy pricking up his ears, your Ma
jesty," said the rustic.
The King sent the countryman away,
and procuring the jackass of him he
placed him-the jackass-in the Office
the philosopher filed.
"And here" observed jack, looking
very wise, sis where the King made
great mistake"
elbow 500" inquired the auditors.
"Why, ever since that time" said
Jack with a grin on his phiz, "eyery
jackass wants Office"
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

- ABusrNa LuNAT1cs. -The treatment
of lunatics, criminals, paupers and
other unfortunate classes is one OF
the great questions upon which our
numerous reformers exercise their
minds and tongues. William Coop
er, an officer of a lunatic asylum in
England, placed helpless creature
in a bath and turned on the hot wa
ter instead Of the cold, thereby scald-
ing the patient SO that he died. The
case was Investigated and Cooper
committed for manslaughter, a result
of his interesting experiment which
he did not calculate upon, having no
idea that the inmates of the asylum
had any rights that would be protect
ed by the laws. He is likely to be
enlightened on this subject, and his
experience will be recorded, no doubt,
as settling one point in the proper
treatment of lunatics.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
The Interior Of the Earth.


hitherto attained by mans explorations
has not reached more than one mile
from the surface. When, as Professor
Forbes states, it is rem emoered "that
the diameter of the earth is 1900
miles, the disproportion of our studies
between the surface and the interior
Of q mr. planet is evident. We have
tra9 ersed every sea from pole to pole
the desert, the prairie, the great forest
and inland river founts have alike been
explored. All the sciences prove with
what ardor we have studied things of
the earth's surface, and thence direct
ed our attention to distant planets to
study them; yet of our own planet no
attempt has been made beyond one
mile down.
What, however, we have learned
from this descent is astonishing. We
have discovered that the earth is not
a solid substance; OH the contrary, it
has a fluid interior, and only the crust
is solid, and relatively not so thick in
proportion as hens egg. 1t is found
that for every hundred feet of descent
there is a rise of temperature of two
degrees fahrenheit. This is at the rate
of 121 degrees fahrenheit for every
mile. At twenty-five miles deep we
should have temperature of 5000
degrees fahrenheit, which is sufficient
to melt iron, and the lava which we see
elected by volcanoes. Now, without
verifying the experiment, the cxis-
tence of volcanoes in different parts of
the world, the perpetual spring of
boiling water in Iceland, and of warm
water in England, at Bath and Mat
lock, clearly prove the existence of
subterranean heat.
Fortunately, experiments of differ
ent character from those of descending
into the earth substantiate the fact of
interior fuidity. If iron, granite rock
and gold were mixed indiscriminately
and melted, they would be found to
form three strata-tle gold at the bot
tom, the iron next, and the granite at
the top. Now it has long been known
to astronomers that the earth, as a
whole, is much heavier than the rocks
which represent it on the surface; con-
sequently the calculation convinces
them that the lower strata are heavier
by far than the surface. This differ
,ence is such as to show that the total
weight of the earth is as near as posi-
BILE five and half times the weight of
a similar globe of water, and certainly
twice as much as globe formed of the
rocks with which We are familiar.
What, then, we must deduce from
the facts already ascertaiued is this,
that the crust of the earth is shell,
inclosing molten matter, which proba-
bly, lies in strata according to their
weight, the heavier being below and
the lighter above. 1t will naturally be
asked, how is it that we find the
heaviest known materials, gold and
platinum, comparatively near the sur
facet The answer is, that there are
cracks and assures in the earth's shell,
through which these substances have
spun by centripetal force, and are now
water Worn and ground into the thug
gets" as they are found. In little
time the Geological Society will no
doubt form committee, and expend
some of its funds to explore the inte-
rior of the earth-at least as far as it's
internal fire will allow them to pene-
trate.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

V Signora NJ airy Brown, an Eng
lish woman, is the favorite burlesaue
actress in Rome.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

9 The newest watch charm is in
the form of compass, and about the
size of a cent.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26

Down IN THE WATER.-A Mississ-
ippi diver, whose business it is to
rummage among the wrecks at the
bottom Of that perilous stream, re-
lates some disagreeable experiences.
His work has to be done in total
darkness. The sunlight cannot pen
citrate the turbid water, and no arti-
fetal light can be used. The diver
has to feel about with bare hands,
which are in constant danger of con-
tact with "Divers," he says: Railways
shun corpse, knowing that the
touch is deadly poison to them with
their hands softened by the water
He complains bitterly of way the
large fish and turtles have of running
foul of his legs, keeping them bruised
and sore by their familiarities.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-26
The Influence of Pretty Women.

Life becomes more harmonious, it
beats with q keener pulse of enjoy
ment, in the presence of pretty wo-
men. After all, a charming little fig
ure, piquant little face, is the best
remedy for half the ills of existence,
its worries, its vexations, its dizziness
it's disappointments. And even in
the larger and more placed types of
beauty of Lady Dumbelle, if there
is Jingle of stupidity, there is at
any rate, an atmosphere of repose, a
genial influence, Wondering our So
cial converse and habits into gentler
shapes.
1t is amusing to see how the pref
tiness of women tells on her dress,
how the order and propriety of her
dress tells on the home. The pur-
suit of beauty, the habit of prettiness
gives an ideal dignity to the very ar
rangement of bonnet strings. In ev-
cry movement, in the very sweep of
her ample folds, in the pose Of her
langour, in the gay start of her e1-
element, one feels the softening, har-
monizing influence of her last look
in the glass. She may be gay or sor-
rowful, quiet Or energetic, but she
must be pretty. Beauty exercises an
imperceptible compulsion over her,
which moulds her whole life into
graceful and harmonious forms Her
dress rises out of the mere clothing
of man into the regions of science,
Of poetry, of art. A thouand con-
siderations of taste, harmonies OF
color, contrasts, correspondence del
icate adjustments of light and shade,
dictate the choice of q shawl or the
tint of glove.
And as prettiness tells on the dress
it tells on the home. Flowers, pic
lures, the gay notes of a sonata, the
cosiest of touches, gorgeous hues OF
Indian tapestry, glass-work Of NIu-
rano, q hundred exquisite something's
and nothings, are the natural setting
of pretty women. The art Of the
boudoir tells on all but the chaos Of
the husbands study. Around that
last refuge of barbarism floats an at
mosphere of taste and refinement
in which the pretty wife lives and
moves and has her being. And from
this tone of the home grows the tone
Of society, the social laws Of good
humor, of propriety, of self-restraint
of consideration for others, of gentle
ness, of vivacity. The very hush Of
the rough tones that have thundered
over Peloponnesus as Pericles bends
over Aspasia, the little turnings and
delicacies of ph1 ase, the joyous serf-
doms and idleness. of the manifest
and most energetic of men, tells Of
the triumph Of pretty women Elk
change.