davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
Country Schools.

THE common schools of farm districts
ought to receive more attention from
farmers themselves. Why? Because
there is rarely any effort made to adapt
instruction to the professional needs of
the class of pupils who attend them. A
mechanic should be educated in the laws
of mechanics, a physician study the laws
of hygiene and physiology, Il lawyer read
law; farmers boy should learn botany,
vegetable physiology, animal physiology
and hygiene chemistry, the constituents
of soils, plants, etc. But the common
schools of farm districts do not furnish
him with any such knowledge. In how
many country schools is botany taught?
Not one in one thousand, it is safe to as
sert, ever had a teacher who possessed
any botanical knowledge whatever, Yet
the farmer boy, from his youth to old age,
has to do with plants constantly. He has
also the care of animals, and yet he has
not been taught how many stomachs the
COW has, nor the difference between ru-
minating and other animals. His knowl-
edge of the diseases of animals is only
the traditional neighborhood WISDOM"
handed down from father to son, genera
ton after generation, as often opposed
to all physiological law as otherwise.
Even the parts of the animals with which
he has to do have no names for him. He
of good animal to be able to act intelli-
gently as a judge thereof at fairs he may
attend, and give reasons for his judg
ment. This is asserted concerning the
average country boy, born, brought up
and educated on a farm and as farmer.
Is there not need that the farmers who
would keep their boys at home and
whose ambition is that they shall take
charge of the old homestead and perpet
uate the family name therein should see
to it that what the country schools may
do to this end-by giving instruction in
matters relating to farm life and the du
ties of Il farmer in his relation to his
crops-is done, and done well? This will
never happen without an effort is made
by farmers themselves to secure profess
sional instruction for their children-un-
til they insist that the studies their chill
dren pursue shall at least relate to the
vocation they are to follow.-N. Y.
World.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
Making the Pigs Work.

A correspondent of the Massachusetts,
Ploughman asks this question:
"Can pigs be carried on through sum-
mer on green stuff, like clover, lucerne,
fodder, corn, etc, after they get adj
vanced enough to cut, or is there some
thing or anything better?"
To which the editor very wisely re-
plies:
We once heard close, calculating,
practical farmer say that he did not be
lieve it paid to work swine; and we
know that old Col. Jacques, of Ten Hills
farm, in Summerville, genius in his
way always maintained that it was the
best economy to put pigs on to their
belly ut nine months old, that is, to fat
and kill them young. We incline to
think he was right. Nevertheless there
can be no doubt that manure under the
barn is greatly improved by the mixing
and working which few swine will
effect This can be done to some extent
as an incident but to keep swine for this
special purpose is another matter alto
gether We should want to count the
cost of it carefully before we undertook
it. Pigs can he summered at pasture
very well and cheaply. We have known
instances of this where they have lived
almost wholly on clover and the roots OF
other plants which infest old pastures.
There is nothing more hcalthful, but you
could hardly expect to get II very rapid
growth on them without some extra feed.
Kept ut pasture till October, and then
put to fat, they ought to gain rapidly
Pigs ought to have access to plenty of
good water. To promote disposition
to root extensively, probably corn in the
kernel and scattered about promiscuous-
ly is as good as anything. Potatoes and
raw roots are always useful, especially
bcctS.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19

lures of the body could be accomplished
through the use of models or photo
graphs, or the blackboard. Much that is
now attempted to be taught by badly
printed books might be taught orally or
by some form of object lessons. Even if
such radical changes could not be accom-
plished much might be done toward lessen
ing the evil effects of our present method
by shortening the hours devoted to study
by correcting defects in the architecture
of class and study rooms, by improving
the ventilation, heating and lighting of
school-houses, and by ditfusing informa-
ton among the parents of scholars so
that there may be less in the home life
that is preiudicial to health. And just
here we touch the very fountain of the
evil. Our schools cannot be much, if
any, above the intelligence of their pat
rons. l do not blame the teachers for
the evils in our systems of education. |
blame boards of trustees and other school
and college boards for not applying the
principles that have already been worked
out by scientific men. If architects, and
boards of managers of schools and col
leges would apply in the construction
and conduct of their institutions of learn
ing even few of the principles that
sanitarans all agree upon, we would at
once see reduction in those forms of
disease which are traccablc to their pres
ent NEGLECTED.. IL. 4gaeto, u. d., IN tie
iSdnitaFiaR.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19

A VERY remarkable lost child incl
dent is related as having occurred at
Crothersville, near Jacksonville, Ind.
Mr.. William Prigley has farm on both
sides of a stream called Muscattatack
River. He also has a Mrs. Prigley and
three-year-old little Eddie. One morn
ing Mrs. Prigley had an GRAND to their
corn field, some distance from the house,
and left Eddie playing in the yard. She
told him to stay there until she returned,
promising not to be gone long. The APP
pearance of Il coming storm drove her
home sooner than she expected, and
Eddie was gone and nowhere to be found
about the house. AS the child did not
answer to her call she alarmed the neigh
bors and a vigorous search for the boy
commenced. The hunt continued all
that day and night, and the next day
and night, and was fruitless. No
No one had seen the boy. He was given
up for lost. The distracted mother at
tempted to drown herself in the Muscat-
tatack, but was rescued. The whole
country for miles around was secured
and as many as 200 people were actively
engaged in the search. All the search
was directed to the Prigley residence
side of the Muscattatack. The stream
had swollen four feet from rains,
and overlooked the bottom lands,
and no one thought of looking on the
other side of the river. The child disap-
pcared on Saturday. The next Tues
day boy who was in the woods hauling
slaves, about four miles over the river,
nearly opposite the Priglcy residence,
heard a groan among the bushes, and
found child lying on the ground with
upturned face ready for the winds and
birds to bury him when the leaves fell.
But the child had still some life in it.
The boy picked il up and carried ii home.
Food and medical attendance were pro
vided Immediately, and the little starv-
ling revived. 1t proved to be Eddie
Prigley. The mother is now glad she
was rescued from the muddy waters of
the Muscattatack. There was IL very
pulling question how the child got over
the river, and II theory has been adj
vanced for its solution. Mr. Prigley has
some fields over the stream and had con
structed sort of pontoon bridge for his
convenience in passing to and fro. But
the Hood that came soon after the child
was host carried away the bridge The
little fellow had doubtless crossed over
il. The rains came and he could not get
back, so he wandered on through the
bottom lands to keep out of the way of
the rising water. lie had been seventy
six hours without food, and his prescrva-
tion is looked upon by the Crothcrsvill-
ians as miraculous.-.T. Louis RepubiicGtn.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19

AN ACT OF JUSTICE.-Doubting Castle
was Il sad stumbling block in the path of
Bunyan's Christian, though it couldn't
bar his way TO Truth. We can sympa-
thize with the Pilgrim, for Doubt always
besets us when we are asked to believe
anything particularly extraordinary.
Consequently, when we heard, some
eighteen months ago, that Il physician in
California had compounded from the
juices and extracts of certain herbs found
there Il medicine that cured almost every
variety of blood disease, we were incred-
ulous. Since then we have had opportu-
mites of testing the accuracy of the re-
port, and are free to admit that our
doubts have vanished. Seeing what we
have seen, knowing what we know, il is
impossible for us to question the remedial
properties of DIR. WALKERS VINEGAR
BITrERs. That this famous vegetable
Tonic, Alternative and Antiseptic is Il
specific for Dyspepsia, Liver Complaint
Chronic Constipation, Fever and Aguc,
Bilious Intermittcnts, Scrofulous faint
in the Blood, Incipicnt Consumption
Local and General Debility, rheumatism
Sick Headache and Diseases OF the Kid
neys seems to be matter beyond the
pale of ontroversy-d tired fttct IN medtcdt
history. The statements of friends in
whose veracity and intelligence we have
full confidence, corroborated by our own
personal observation, compel us to admit
the surprising merits of the preparation
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19

mass of rock by narrow natural bridge.
1t is about 300 yards long, but not
more than sixty or seventy feet wide
at the broadcast part. The summit Is I'M
even, rising as you approach the iurther
end, until its jagged pinnaclcs look down
on either side into chasms 80 feet deep,
where a dark, mysterious, indigo-colored
water flows onward, whence or WHITTIER
no one can tell The character of the
place is more than savage; 1t Is diabol
ical.
- Near the entrance one ancient .Iarl
was supposed to be able to defend the
whole mound, since access was impdssI-
Bile at any other point. A part of The
rock must afterward have given way
and fallen across the chaSm, for it is now
bridged toward the other extremity.
The white falcon of Iceland Tapped
lonely in the rain as we stood upon the
mound where the forty-eight Judges sat
upon the middle bench, each with Il
deputy before and another behind him,
making 1Ii in all. At first this mound
was inclosed by circle of hazel sticks,
bound with the sacred cords or fillels.
The Lawgiver, who was chosen for three
years, directed the proceedings. After
the year 800 the Hitting was opened on
the Thursday between the 18th and Esd
of June, and remained in session four
be carried on in Iceland, and the raising
of cattle required little labor, the men
early acquired the habit of travelling to
Ihlngvalla every year, so that finally
many thousands of persons assembled
in the valley, exchanged information,
traded. Toasted, and thus established Il
kind of national fair. The civil and
criminal cases were practically tried be
fore the whole people, and whatever law
was decreed went Immediately into
action.
After Iceland fell to Norway, and
then to Denmark, the form of holding
the -1hhing was still observed, although
it was scarcely more than an empty
form The meetings were held in the
open air, as in the old and glorious ages,
until the year 1890, when Il wall of blocks
of lava was erected and a canvas roof
spanned over it to protect the delegates
from Indictment weather. Here Danish
law was proclaimed to the people up to
the year 1900 when the seat of justice
was removed to Rejkiavik. Even the
old wall has been taken away, and the
Hill of the Law is now as bare and
grand as when it witnessed the delibera-
tions of Il free people"
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
The ClOthes.MOth

1t is not the moth that is the actual
cause of the mischief, but the cater
pillar of the moth, which, as soon as it
quits the egg deposited by the mother
moth in some appropriate fabric, begins
to collect materials to form its nest.
For this purpose, having first spun a
thin coating of silk provided by itself,
it cuts filaments of wool or fur close to
the thread of the cloth, and applies the
pieces to the outside of its case, to which
envelope it tenaciously confines itself,
unless greatly disturbed.
When feeding it thrusts its head out at
either end of the case, in which it can
| turn; but when inclined to change IFS
position on the cloth it protrudes its
head and about half its body, and by
fixing its hind legs firmly in the case
drags the latter after it. When the case
becomes too small it collects the ma
tcral from around it and makes an addi-
ton at each end. This fact has been
ascertained by observant naturalists re
moving the creature from cloth of one
color to another when the hues of the
addition are plainly observable.
After changing into n chrysalis it re-
mains quiescent for about three weeks,
when small moth of silvery-g gray
color comes forth We deem these par
ticulars very essential, as it viii be seen
that in the first place the moth has to
find fitting receptacle for its eggs, then
that the eggs have to lie for IL certain
time before they are developed into the
maggot form, and afterward INTO that of
the chrysalis, when it finally becomes a
moth altogether, taking considerable
time, comparatively, before the creature
commences its destructive mission.
There are very many remedies given
Cuttings of Russia leather have proved
protective. Camphor gum, black pepper,
snuff and tobacco are also good prevent
ives of the ravages of this destructive
little creature; but the only sure and
safe way is to shut aim out by putting
every garment not needed for summer
wearing carefully away IN paper boxes,
FASTING strips of paper over every crack,
before the mother moth makes her ap-
pearance in the spring. If boxes are not
to be had, wrapping the clothing in sew
eral thicknesses of strong paper, careful
ly FASTING every fold, will do as well
At this late season articles cannot be
safely put away, as the embryo moth may
be already in possession, and it is advisa-
bic to look over all garments that have
not been properly attended to, as often
as once week, whipping and shaking
them and Immediately replacing them in
some moth-proof receptacle, together
with one or more of the preventives
named. This is the troublesome way,
but is not half so bad trouble as to find
some valuable garment ruined. Frequent
sweeping will generally keep the moths
out of carpet which is down; but those
not in use during the summer should be
thoroughly busted, then, sprinkled plen-
tifully with ground black pepper, rolled
up and packed in a barrel in which
whisky has been kept.-Ntlccaukee Month
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
Essays by Josh Billings.
GOSSIP

GOSSIP.
GossIr IL a kind ov 3 cent kurrcncy in
the conversational market
Full two-thirds ov the talking that IL
done in this world IL done in theze cent
pieces
The chief end ov language IL to eX-
press our thoughts, but gossip seems to
be merely a continuance to ventilate our
kuriosity.
People who haven't got ennything to
say allwuss do the most talking, and are
Obliged to resort to gossip to keep their
stok good.
The gossip in a neighborhood il Just
about equal to an alminax, apd IL az full
ov DDS and ends az a family rag bag.
Gossip don't mean to be malishus, but
IL az phull of mischief rs tame krow
Most of the kold and llruel slande RS
that are travelling around loose and law
less were Matched out of gossip eggs.
hav know fu idle words TO gro into
a vile lible in twelve hours, and get 10
miles from WHARF ii started in the morn
ing
Listening to gossip IL even dangerous,
for thozc that will listen will generally
repeat what they hear, and add sumthing
to il besides to make it good meazzure.
Old maids hav alwuss been charged
with being the most talented gossipers
we hav; this may be false for what i
huO, Uui uO MO tndI Il TTaIc lncnuN
tungs must be all the time weaving Cos
samer gossip, for even the air we breathe
IL thick with it.
TAXI.
Taxi liz the art ov knowing how the
fust time, without having to mcclure, or
having to cut and try.
Without TAXI man IL like n ship with
out a rudder, sailing every way the wind
blows, and liable at emmy time 10 run
aginst the bottom.
Taxi sivs>force and prec1shun to our
energies; it is ov the nature ov genius
at all events it liz the highest order ov
talent -.
Next in Importance to having knoll
ledge liz the power 10 apply it in the right
direckshun; TAXI teaches this.
Taxi liz wisdum at work.
sLoTU.
Sloth will eat the core out Ov emmy man
and leave HIM nothing but shell TO in
habit
1t envellops like dream and eats like
a kanker.
1t haz destroyed more hopes than mis-
fortune haz, and wharever it settles leaves
its mark like a kloud at MONDAY.
Sloth IL a syren, and he who listens to
her songs will wake up to dispair.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
Piratical Plants.

THE Di0Hda, or Venus Fly-Trap, and
the Droser0, or Sundcw, are not the only
members of the vegetable kingdom man
ifcsting unnatural, bloodthirsty instincts.
The Pitcher plants are Table to the same
strange accusation. One family of these
curious inscct-catcrs, the !Sdrroceni0coP.
lives among the boys of North America,
with the exception of Il single stray
species, the UeijampAoro nufO,fs, which
dwclls amid the mountains of Guiana.
The family is small including but three
genera and less than half-scorc species
In its early development the outer edges
of the leaf of the Sarraceniads grow to-
gethcr, forming a complete tube or vase,
more or less trumpet shaped according
10 the species. On the inside of the
tube, from the mouth nearly TO the base,
there is growth of short, stiff, retrorsc
hairs, which are velvety to the touch
rubbed downward, but pressed the other
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
Hints 10 Sitters.

How many people there are in the
world who, though really fine looking, do
not make Il good picture. Sometimes
this is the fault of the photographer, but
oftener the sitter is alone to blame. For
the benefit of those who would like tic
know the most successful way of produc-
ing picture of themselves or dear ones
we condense few valuable hints.
Early in the day is without doubt the
best time to select for sitting, then
you are not SO fatigued or harasscd. 1t
is mistake to choose very bright day.
The best light is obtained when the sky
is clouded and the sun shining through
the clouds. Some fancy they can sit
without the head rest; but that is not SO
as even the mere act of pulsation will
cause Il movement that ruins the photo
graph. Wink if you must while sitting,
but keep the eyes fixed on one spot.
Avoid all forced or unnatural express
sions. Do not give the photograph II
thought, but try to fasten your mind on
some pleasant train of ideas. Do not be
taken in the height of fashion, for when
that changes, as it usually does in six
months time, it makes you look absurdly
conspicuous.
Ladies with long nccks should wear
side curls and arrange their hair low
Never pile the hair on top. Rufus in the
neck are becoming, as they take of the
long look. Short-nccked ladies with
broad faces need to dress exactly con
trary, wearing dresses low in the neck.
with the hair done up high. Low fore
heads should have the hair combcd back,
while high forehcads can add curs and
friZZes on the brow. All colors may be
worn if il is real artist who is taking
the picture, rs he can produce beautiful
results; but ordinarily, black, very dark
green, olive or brown look best. A rich
brown will look almost like velvet Pure
white, unbroken by colors, takes nicely
Do not I" get yourself up for the occa-
SION" that is, do not curl your hair when
you never wear it so, but dress about rs
you generally do every day, so that your
friends will recognize you, and you will
not be obliged to say: That's me; but
wore my hair curled just then. | don't
wear it so now"
With regard to children, let the person
accompanying them get them into II real
good humor beforehand, then leave them
in the hands of the operator Never
threaten child if it won't sit, for he
then imbibcs the idea that it must be II
dreadful undertaking: nor coax it with
swcctmcats. Avoid startling paids or
gaudy colors, but do not put dark dresses
on them. Let the operator choose their
position western RH,ai.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19

DR.. PIERCE's Compound Extract of Sm:rt-
Weed, or Water Pepper, is not recommended
curc-all. 1t should not be classcd with
the patent nostrums Of the day, compounded
by Quacks, " Indian Doctors" (ao-called), and
those possessing no knowledge of the delicate
and intricate structure of the human system
nor of Chemistry and the scientific prepara-
ton of medicines. No patent has been OBJ
tanned or asked for upon it. 1t is not Il secret
medicine, the chief ingredient being made
known in the name chosen to designate it.
But ii is claimed to be Il superior Extract,
made in Il scientific manner, from fresh plants
and roots, by cold process, heat, which is
used in making all other Extracts of Smart
Weed, being Objectionable, as il destroys most
of the medicinal virtues that reside in the
plant, as stated in the American Dispcnsatory
and by other most excellent authorities. In
the Notwithstanding little weed, found grow
ing 10y the roadside, Is found Il more efiica-
cious remedy, when combined with Jamaica
Ginger and other modifying agents, for Diar-
rhwa, Dysentcry, summer Complaint, PAIN
and Collie, than has heretofore been known to
the medical profession. DIR. Pierce's Extract
is sold by Druggists.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19

The range of disorders which yield to the influence
of this medicine and the number of defined diseases
which il fails greater than any other
single medicine has hitherto been even recommended
for. by other than the propretors of some quack
nostrn These diseases are Scrofula and all Erupilye
diseases and Tumors rheumatism, Govt. Neuralgia
and spinal complaints, and all IntammatOry symp-
toms. Ulcers all Syphilitc diseases. Kidney and Bad
ders which generally atflict American women, and
which carry annually. thousands of them to prema-
graves Dyspepsia that universal curse of Amer
icaInanhood Heartburn, Piles. Constipation, Merry
BUSINESS, inability TO sleep, and Impure Blood.
This is formidable list of human ailments for any
single medicine 10 successfully attack, and 1t Is not
probable article before the public has the
pow cure the quarter of them except the EG +
1t lays the the root of the tree of lsease
by first eliminating every impurty from the blood
promoting the secretons. opening the pores-thc great
escape-vaves the notwithstanding the liver to
u and natural action, Cleansing the stomach and
strengthening digestion. This much accomplished
the speedy and the permanent cure OF not only Inc
diseases have enumerated, but likewise the whole
chronic and constitutional disorders, Is GER
tain follow. This is precisely what VEG ETIN z
does does II quickly and so easily that il Is
an accomplished fact almost before the patient Is
aware of il himself. -
Nv 70 i.rINL IL SQIl ny ALL lRIrGGISTS~
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-09-19
The Rice Divorce Suit

The Rice Divorce Suit for fraud in age Is
causing great excitement in Boston. 1t should warn
young men not to marry in haste. Rice is but 2o his
bride 81. He swears that she made him believe she
was but his age, by using Magnolia Balm upon
her face, neck and hands. Poor youth! He probably
found her elbows weren't quite SO soft and pretty.
Ought Iiagan to be indicted? We know of many sim
liar This Balm gives most wonderful peariy
and natural complexion, to which we don't object. We
like pretty women. To finish the picture they should
use Lyons Kathairon upon the hair. With pearly
chin rosy checks and soft, luxurious tresses they be-
come irresistible.