davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
Big Trees.

THE largest and oldest trees in the
world are the Baobabs of Africa and
Australia. There are two species-the
Adansoaia gregorie, which is peculiar to
Australia, and the Andtnsonia digtfata,
which abounds in West and South
Africa. The trees do not rise to an eX-
cessive height, but attain an enormous
circumference. Several have been
measured which had girth of from
seventy to seventy-seven feet. few
feet from the ground the main trunk
gives off immense branches, which ex-
tend horizontally from fifty to 100 feet.
The entire tree has the appearance of a
perfect hemisphcre-so being
100 feet in height and $50 in circumfer-
ence. A group of these trees browning
its headlands gives name to the Cape de
Verde Islands" Green Cape"
The Baobab does not attain its full
growth until it is 800 years old. Adam
son, the botanist after whom the genus
was named by Linn;eus, calculated the
age of the tree by an inscription which
he discovered in the bark of one on the
Cape de We're Islands. The inscription
was cut in the fifteenth century, and 300
layers of wood had grown over it. Com
pairing the thickness of these with that
of trees whose age was known, he ar
rived at an approximate knowledge of
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28

The following incident of the fam
inc" reported by the Collector of Mon
ghyr, is, says the Times Of India certainly
remarkable: "A woman of the fishing
CASTE" writes Mr.. Lockwood, "was sit
ting by the side of the Ganges, some 100
miles from here, in the Patna District,
about daylight of the 10Th of August.
Suddenly the bank on which she was sit
ting gave way, and she fell into the
water, dragging with her large bundle
of castor-oil sticks which she was carry
ing at the time. She managed to sup
port herself on these sticks, which
formed IA kind of life-buoy, and she was
carried down by the current, which is
now running at great pace. As each
village or boat was passed she shouted to
the villagers to help her, but no one
came to her relief. In this way she was
carried nearly 100 miles, and, fortunately
for her, when she had been twenty-four
hours in the water she passed by Mon
ghyr, and was rescued by Col. Murray,
who, seeing her floating by, sent his pri-
waite boat and rescued her. The woman
did not appear much the worse for her
prolonged stay in the water, but natu-
rally was much impressed by the fact of
her being rescued by n European, when
TO help her. She was provided with a
railway ticket to Patna, together with
food and clothing from the relief funds.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
So Many Cabbages.

THOSE public speakers who are afraid
to venture before an audience without
notes will find encouragement i'll the fol-
lowing story told of poor country priest
who preached such excellent sermons
that the fame of them came to the ears
of the Cardinal Archbishop of the do
cese, who felt his curiosity excited and
determined to go and hear for himself.
He accordingly set out one Sunday morn
ing, he and his suite-Chaplain, Vicar
General and Secretary-and, arrayed in
full canonicals, invaded the small village
church filled with wondering pumpkins.
The poor priest had not counted on such
goodly company, but the sight of the
Cardinal seemed to have very little effect
upon him. He went through the service
in his usual simple manner, and after
ward preached a sermon of such impress
sive elouuence that the Cardinal felt
moved and followed him into the vestry
when mass was over to compliment him.
Probably His Eminence was not more eN-
empt than other folk from the occasional
failing of snobbishncss; for, after hav-
ing offered his praises he could not resist
the temptation of adding: 81 congrat-
ulate you the more, sir, that l was afraid
my presence might perhaps render you
nervous and prevent you from speaking
with your ordinary excellence" O no,
my lord, answered the priest, with a mild
look at the Cardinals scarlet robes, " |
make it point in preaching to look upon
my congregation so many cabbages,
and IA red cabbage more or less makes
not the slightest difference" We are not
told that the priest was promoted to II
richer benctice after this rctort, but II
cannot have mattered much in his case,
for man who could have found such an
answer was sure to make his way in life.
" y Observer
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
The Jewish Dietary System.

The dietary code relates almost en-
tirely to animal food. None of the prod
ucts of the vegetable kingdom are under
ordinary circumstances forbidden, nor is
the manner of their use limited. There
is, in fact, in reference to them no die
tary law whatever of practical import
ance, except in connection with the Pass
over festival.
AS to animal food, the first ordinance
shall be, in the Biblical sense, "clean'
The law on this point is laid down in
Leviticus XII, and is partially reiterated
in Deuteronomy xiv; and in all the
many centuries that have since expired
it has undergone no alteration. There
we see that quadrupeds, to be fit for food,
must chew the cud and be cloven-footed
and some that are clean and a number
that are forbidden are particularly men,
toned. To enlarge little on this list,
we may say that among animals not eat
en- are, of course, the horse, the ass, the
squirrel and the rabbit. Those famed
delicacies, bears paws and beav-
ers' tails, are in the catalogue of the pro-
hibited. In China an orthodox Israelite
cannot partake of the cat, nor, in Brazil,
OF the tapir; but, on the other hand, if
he can have it properly slaughtered, there
is no sufficient reason why, on the West
ern prairies, he should not feast on the
savory hump of the buffalo.
OF fowls that are unclean we find in
the chapters referred to an enumeration
of twenty-four. All Others are regarded
as clean; the only difficulty consists In
identifying those that are by name forbid
den. The TRANSACTIONS of this list differ
widely, and among Talmudic commenta-
tors there is the same uncertainty as
with later scholars. They have suggested
certain peculiarities in the formation of
the feet and stomach as marking the I'M
clean bird; but the possibility of mis-
take notwithstanding has impressed the
rabbis so gravely that they have add
vised the scrupulous Israelite after all to
eat of no fowl unless he is convinced, for
reasons beyond these suggested peculiar
tiles, that it does not belong to the pro-
hibited two dozen. 1t may be stated as
general rule that all birds of prey are
and that birds which feed on
grains are clean. This is, of course, a
more agreeable classification to the
1sraelitish epicure than that of quadru-
pedS.-GaldrY for N0Uentber
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28

the age of different specimens. He has
found" says Humboldt, " for diameter
of about thirty feet, an age of 800
years" According to this, there are
Baobabs from 5000 to 5000 years old
hoary patriarchs which were in their
vigorous and lusty prime when the Pyr-
amids were building.
The woody leaves of the BaObab have
from three to seven leaflets radiating
from common center. They drop from
the tree during the hot and dry summers
of the tropical regions where they grow,
but put forth again in the rainy season,
which lasts from December to June. The
flowers of the Baobab are white and very
large, somewhat resembling the mallows,
and droOp on stems yard in length.
The honey which the bees make from
| them is greatly esteemed by the Abyssin-
ians for it's perfume and flavor. The
fruit of the African Baobab is of the
size of citron, and is often called monk
ey-bread." The shell passes, in ripen-
ing, from green to yellow and brown.
The interior is filled with spongy, juicy
substance, of pale chocolate color. 1t
is slightly acid and pleasant to the taste
The expressed juice mixed with sugar is
highly valued as beverage, being very
refreshing and effectual in quenching
| thirst, and possessing medicinal qualities
which render it specific in putrid and
pestilential fevers.
The Baobab is emollient and mucilag
nous in all its parts. The Africans dry
| and reduce the leaves to powder, which
they sprinkle upon their daily food for
the purpose of diminishing the excessive
perspiration to which they are subject in
torrid climate. Europeans also find
this powder useful in cases of diarrhea,
fever and other maladies. In Egypt the
dried pulp of the fruit is mixed with
water and used in dysentery.
The Africans regard the Baobab with
superstitious veneratiOn; and we'll they
may revere tree which for century after
century supplies them with food, and
drink, and medicine. The hollow trunks
of the trees are used as places of sepul-
ture, of encampment, and as magazines.
Some of them are SO large as to admit
240 men in their Enclosure.
The Australian Baobab is rarely found
beyond 100 miles from the coast. 1t
occurs most frequently on the Glenelg
River. 1t f1ourishes best on level, sandy
tracts Its fruit is smaller than that Of
the African species, but is highly priced
by the natives, who make great use of it.
The German settlers on the Orange River
call this fruit, from its acid taste, Cream
of Tartar"
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
A Boy Habit and What Came of 1t.

LEND me postage stamp, Hal" said
Nicholas, as he was folding a letter to
send home. 81 am cut of stamps and
change. will pay you back when my
next allowance comes"
Hal handed over the stamp and then
went on with his writing. Nicholas
mailed his letter and thought no more of
the stamp. Hal did not care, SO you
think there was no harm done. But
there you make the mistake. He had
defrauded his school-mate out of three
cents, and he had added another link to
a chain which was fast binding him.
Evil habits are so easy to form, but SO
rowed ten cents, "just till tomorrow,
when he would get bill changed" Then
he made himself noted in school for Dor
rowing pencils, pens, knives and such like
schoOl-boy possessions; and several of the
most obliging boys had lost considerable
by him. At last it grew the custom TO
declineSwhen he wished to borrow. But
there were generally new boys coming
from time to time, who had to find out
his propensities for themselves.
If you had called Nicholas a thief, l
suppose he would have repealed the idea
with scorn. But he was, for all that
The habit was growing upon him daily.
He grew very reckless of the rights of
others. He was always borrowing as Il
boy and as Il young man. his acqualnt-
ances grew shy of him, and crossed over
on the other side, rather than run the
risk of being importuned for "a short
loan" He obtained situation in a
bank and in an evil hour was tempted to
enter into speculation "that would
surely make $4,000" He " borrowed"
SEQ, 900 from the bank, secretly, intend
ing to return it in the SAL. way, as soon
as his fortune was realized. But his
scheme failed, and the wretched young
man fled to avoid exposure. He was ar
rested, however, and consigned to fell
on's cell, leaving stricken household to
the grief and shame with which such an
act must overwhelm them. 1t was the
natural end of the habit of borrowing
and not returning small sums. Boys,
let the strictest honor characterize your
dealings down to the smallest particulars.
-SchOolddy Waqdzine.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
WHAT'S A Boy LIKE?

LIKE a wasp, like a sprite,
Like a goose. like an eel,
Like a top, like Il kite,
Like an owl, lihe n wheel,
Like the wind, like q snail,
Like a knife, like a crow,
Like q thorn, like fail,
Like . hawk, like q doe.
Like the sea, like a weed,
Like a watch, like the sun,
Like q cloud, like a seed,
Like q book, like q gun,
Like q smile, like a tree,
Like lamb, like the moon,
Like a bud. like bee,
Like burr, like tune.
Like o colt, like q whip,
Like a mouse, like a mill,
Like a bell, like q ship,
Like jay, like rill,
Like = shower, like Il cat,
Like frog, like joy,
Like u ball, like a bat,
Most of all-like Boy.
Geo. Cooper, an ". Y. Mdependen,
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
How to Acquire knowledge.

MY young reader, you have some de-
sire to become an intelligent and intluen-
tial, nay, more, a distinguished, man. 1t
is laudable desire. 1t is to some extent
evidence that you have the capacity to
become such q man.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28

lazy between those peaceful eyes and the
sight of their better inheritance in the
"city which hath no foundations" Row
ena kissed the withered cheek and was
silent-HearM and Home
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
Selected sHisrelzany.
THANKSGIVING.

LAY ont the earth in u sheet of snow
There's nothing at all TO harm below,
Wnere men dream out the world together
And pansies sleep till pleasant weather.
The SAFEST place in all the land
ls the narrow realm of the folded hand!
Then THANKS to God that flower will die
Twas made in time TRANSFORMERS by,
Breathe a. IL fals-prophetic thing,-
.Therell be an April in the spring."
Then THANKS to God for n sister there
To stand on Gory's diamond stair,
And THANKS again. though go late
Shall breathe three names With rcverent tone,
The Child's- the Virgins and her Own,
And lift the latch of Mercy's gate,
Rouse up the fire to costly glow.
Till the maple parts and the rubies show!
swing back the curtain now If ever!
And rich and warm the slender river
shall cieave THANkssivISG SIsIr IN twain
As the mantle parted the old Red Main
An never fear-shine as il VIII.
Enough is left to cheer US STILL
Perhaps some wanderer going past
Who tried all sorrows but the last.
And wonders why he darcr to live.
And thinks he has no thanks TO give
May see that glimmer on the ground
His old dead heart give glad rebound
II looks so like the road of gold
He trod hmselfin times of old
Look up and see THANKsGvISG found.
Bring out the chairs from the empty wall
Where ftful shadows used to fall =
The shapes of father, sister, mother.
Of slender sweetheart friend and brother;
No painted window half fair
As the old home room with its shadows there,
No pictured hall at kings desire
Could match that group before the fire
W no never cast . shade beside.
But on that wall and when they died!
And some went up at break of day,
Some waited longer by the way
Let them who will thank God for light,
Such shadows never made night!
Come one. come all. there yet Is room
THANKS be to God. from heaven to home
Is nothing but flash of light,
Wheel forth the table, laden palm,
Well all give thanks and well sing psalm
Some cong, old-fashioned. of Forever
That hoated safe across the river,
No note lost ont. no cadence gone,
That they warbled. died. and sang right on.
The girls shall come in their white and blue
As il they broke Gods azure through,
Played truant to the realms of light
To be with us THANKSGIVING night
The boys are thronging through the hall,
They We not grown old these years at all!
Some marched away TO mufied drum
But fling no shadows they come
without o sorrow sin
Z ZEN death himself would let them in
Oh Sweethearts! Comrades. Welcome home
-Be1jdmin +. Taylor.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28

-" John, stop your crying" said an en-
ragged father to his son, who had kept up
an intolerable yell for the last five min
utes Stop, l say, do you hear2" again
repeated the father, after a few minutes,
The boy still crying. "You don't sup
pose | can choke off in minute, do
you?" cried the urchin.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28
NO. 4S.
0ur Bogs and Girls.
THANKSGIVING DAY.


OVER the river and through the wood,
To grandfather's house we 60.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow
Over the river and through the wood,
how the wind does blow!
1t stings the toes
And bites the nose
As over the ground We go.
Over the river and through the wood,
To have a frst-rate play,
Hear the bells ring,
ng-a-ling -lingl"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapplc-gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barn-yard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow
1t is SO hard to wait!
Over the river and through the wood
Now grandmother cap spy!
Hurrah for the fun
Is the pudding dones
Hurrah for the pumpkin-pie!
L. Maria Child.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28

Never eat when in a passion, or while
under any great mental excitement,
whether of "a depressing or elevating
character.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-11-28

The paragraphist of the Boston
Globe is said to be lady.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22
GENERAL NEWS.

San Francisco was slightly shocked by an
infant earthquake Monday.
1t is proposed to check the abuses growing
out Of false registration of vessels.
Ex-Minister Sickles will not return to New
York until spring, having business to transact
in London and Liverpool.
Horace Greeley used to say that the man
who brought DIP ten boys was greater than
Cesar.
The political excitement in Texas has
nearly subsidized, and the State offices are
generally turned over to the newly elected
officials.
A company of British capitalists have re-
Gently invested 81, 900, 900 in water power al
Augusta, Ga, for the purpose of manufac-
turing cotton.
Alexander II. Stephens has introduced a
bill into Congress for the purchase of the
homestead Of Jefferson.
Editors are properly appreciated and duly
| recognized in Duluth They are made high.
way commissioners, constables and presidents
of ice companies.
The Kentucky Senators good, jolly fel
lows-ply their pipes right Justify while they
are making laws, and the Senate chamber il
constantly full Of smoke.
The Argentine Republic has accepted the
proposals of a company of English contractors
to construct a railroad from Buenos Ayres
across the Andes to Chilli.
Mrs. John c. Fremont writes to a gentleman
in Philadelphia that the report declaring hsl
| husband to be afflicted with cancer ID en-
| tirely false, and that the generals health ID
| excellent.
Mechella's brain weighed within one grain
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22
Unhealthy Surruua Jings.

TO breathe pure, heathiul Air, and to follow o.
equations conducive to health nd long life are the
privileges Of the minority. The majority must
dwell wherever their lot is cast. however nsalubr
Oas the locality may be, and work at the craft as
signed to them, however destructive % health and
vig0r Medical science has, however, come to the
aid ot the latter. In N0stcttors stomach Btters
they have (and have h.d for the las, twenty-five
years the best defence against the morbid influ.
ences which create and foster disease, that the
vegetable kingdom can supply. Its ingredients are
among the finest botanic specifics which research
has Yet revealed to man. As preventive OF and
remedy Tor the diseases generated by swamps,
miasna, the foul air OF ilct5ros, excessive heat
over cXertion of body or mind. unwholesome water
OF any other morblc cause, Hostptter's stomach!
Bittcr@ bear away the palm from ali medicines OF
The present day ANIL teod&Wlw
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22

of fifty-three ounces, three ounces less thai
Daniel Webster's, and it was his misfortune
that his ability ran altogether in the wrong
direction.
philadelphia is already becoming eXcitet
over its msyoralty during the centennial ex
position. She wants man who can I'LL the
Office with dignity and grace
1t is reported that Miss Nellie Grant
daughter of the President: is engaged to scr
of Sir George Rose Sartorius, X, c., an Ad-
mral in the English navy.
Hou John r. Lynch, colored, is TIE young
est man in the United States House of Rep
resentatives. He was slave, without edu-
cation, at Natchez, until the Union army
entered that town. He is but twenty-siX
years old.
President Mott, in his wise old age, once
tool, a newly married couple aside, and said
81 want'to give you this advice, my children
Don't try to be happy. Happiness is shy
.nymph and if you chase her you will never
catch her. But just 60 quietly on and do your
duty, and she will come to you
On January in Liverpool, England, a
young maa was executed for murder com
mitted on the lst of November last. 1t is
hard to say which is worse-to let crime go
UNPUBLISHED, or &c infict the sevcrest penalty
of the law with a haste that seems almost in
decent. - Boston Journal
Mayor Havemc. er of Ne" orb, IN lis an
nual message alludes to the waning influence
of the city on the conmelce of the land and
suggests some of the causes which are tend
ing to its financial decline such as watering
railway stocks, urjustly discriminating freight
charges, etc
William Cullen Bryant contributes to 81.
Nicholas" the following little gem from tie
Spanish
Upon tie valleys lap,
The dewy morning thtun-
thousand pcarly drops
To wake single rose.
Thus often, in the course
Oflife's few ieeting year
single pleasure costs
The soul Il thousand tears"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22
State Temperance Convention.

The people OF Maine, of every religious denom
nation, political party, temperance ORGANIZATIONS
and of no organization who believe in and practice
total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, and
who are in favor of the suppression OF their sale by
every laulable practicable and edectual measure
are invited to meet in Mass Convention at
Meonian Hall, Augusta. ON "wednesday,
January -, 1874,
at II o'clock noon, to adopt such means as they
may judge best to reform tho inebrate to save the
young from the paths Of intemperance, and q
there be general rally. We need to encourage
each others hearts and strengthen each others
hands in this great work.
The usual reduction Of fare on the several rail
roads may be expected.
The Convention will probably continue through
Thursday.
US. KIMBALL,
HENRY TALLMAN,
w. MUNGER,
A.J W. STEVENS,
Al. BILLINGS,
Jan. Is, 1874. State Temperance Committee.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22
Editors' and Publishers Association
Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of tne EDITORS AND rsB.
IIsHERs' ASSOCIATION OF Maine, VIII oe heiu u.
r M and continue during the next day and even
ing. ,,,.,, ;
The Franking Privilege, and the relation OF the
press to it. Hon John T. Butler o: Inc Biddeior''
Union.
The Postal Law relating to Exchanges OF News.
papers aud Magazines. Edwin Sprague, ESQ., oil
inc Rockland Free Press.
The POST. Law concerning Papers circulating
within the county where printed 4 II. s.Dayis OF
the Pennington Chronicle.
The Pre- payment Of Postage on heN papers anu
magazines ut the Office Of delivery. } A. Holman
Esd Of the Maine Farmer.
Advertising Rates and Agencies. Howard owen
of the Kennebec Journal.
Job Printing Rates-do they need revision
Brown Thurst0n.
The election of officers will occur at this meeting
On Friday evening the association with the el
ladies', will be the guests OF Gov Dingley and wife
ut the Augusta House.
A full attendance is requested. The press OF the
State will please copy. r. II. SHAW, rTes.
Jos. WOOD, Sec'y.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22

The Kennebec Journal calls it an exceeding
ly good joke to class the Advertiser as Re-
publican paper. 1t will occur to people not
interested in State printing, that q newspaper
which supported Dingley against Kent last
summer, and Perham against Hersey three
years ago, may be regarded as in sympathy
with great majority of the Republican voters
in Maine, whether it enjoys the favor Of the
party organization or not. Portland Adrer-
fiser.
1t occurs to us that the Advertiser must
be troubled with very poor memory to
have forgotten so soon that it brought out
the name of General Davis Tilson last
summer as a candidate for Governor.
And perhaps its recent advice that dis
affected republicans unite with democrats
in defeating the election of the republican
candidate for senator next winter, may be
evidence of its sound republcanism but
we are of opinion that few will take i. in
that light.