davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28
Keep Your Promise,

A BOY borrowed a tool from a car.
penter, promising to return it at
night. Before evening he was sent
away on an errand, and did not re-
turn until late. Before he went, he
was told that his brother should see
the article returned.
After he had come home and gone
to bed, he inquired, and found that
the tool had not been sent to its own
er. He was much distressed to think
his promise had not been kept, but
was persuaded to so to sleep, and
rise early and carry it home the next
morning,
BY daylight he was up, aud no
where was the tool to be found. Aft,
er long and fruitless search, he sci
off for his neighbor's in great distress
to acknowledge his fault. But how
great was his surprise to find the too
on his neighbor's door-stone And
then it appeared from the print of his
little bare feet in the mud, that the
lad had got up in his sleep and carried
the tool home, and gone to bed again,
without knowing it.
OF course a boy who was prompt in
his sleep was prompt when awake
He lived respected, had the confidence
of his neighbors, and was placed in
many offices of trust and profit
fall the grown folks felt as this boy
did, there would be a good many
tracks of bare feet found some ofthese
bright mornings; and what piles Of
tools and books would be found lying
at their owners doors !-[From Phre
biological Journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28
WOODSTOCK, VT, WEDNESDAY, OCL 49, 1874
laughing. What must Mr.. Bark.

half laughing. What must Mr.. Bark
dale think of us all 2
4 think you are very NICE said Mr..
Barkdale very gallantly.
Miss Barbara in the meantime had
plucked slip of paper out Of her
pocket. She uttered a hysterical
shrek.
Its all my fault ! she exclaimed
1t was Nc. 80 instead Of No. So
and the tail of the horid figure turn
ed the wrong end up-thats ALL
And the cake, and the flowers, and
everything
Stop, ladies, if you please, said Mr..
Barkdale courteously. Because the
surprise has come to the wrong place
is no reason why the person should
not enjoy it. Allow me to give up
this room to your use this evening
| will just step across the street, and
send Mr.. Mott Greenfield over.
But you must return with him,
said the girls.
And Mr.. Barkdale was not allowed
to depart until he had promised
Mr.. Mott Greenfeld-a good look
ing medical student, who had the
SKY -parlor' directly opposite-came
promptly on the mention of the name
of Kate Kellford, and did the polite
thing in introducing Mr. Barkdale E;
and Bardkale ate of the sandwiches,
and enjoyed the cake and cream, and
coaXed Miss Barbara to pin little
pink rosebud in the button hole of his
coat, and enjoyed himself prodigious-
ly.
I'd like to be surprised like this
every night in the year ! said he.
oh! you greedy creature said
Miss Barbara
But there was one time | serious
ly meditated throwing myself out of
the window said he, when you told
me to kiss Kate.s
Dear, dear ! said Barbara, ironi-
cally, that would have been dreadful,
wouldn't it 2
But the awkwardness of the thing
4 dare say you never kissed pref
ty girl before, pouted the blonde.
4 never did said the bachelor,
growing bold but l will now if you
say So
but l don't say so, said Barbara,
coloring and laughing. Behave
yourself sir,
Mr.. Barkdale went home with the
fair Barbara, and they grew to be
very great friends, and--where's the
use trying to conceal how it all end
ed They were married at the years
end with all the six surprisers for
bridesmaids, Kate Kellford included.
Mr.. Mott Greenfield proposes to fol-
low the example as soon as he has
got his diploma.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28
WHOLE NO. 1882
A Man Who Ached for Il Row.

Yesterday, as policeman was
leaning against the walls of the Detro-
it and Milwaukee depot, he was ap-
preached by man about 80 years old,
whose red face was good match for
his hair. He was y little "sprung"
and he felt like steer turned into a
clover field.
"Mister," says he, speaking very
con6dentially to the officer, II don't
want to get locked up, and have my
name in the papers, and be fined, but
/ am in from Ionia on little blow out
and I'd give clean $40 note to have
little scrimmage with somebody"
"You mean you want to fight 2
asked the officer.
"That's what mean I'm just ach-
ing for a row. l want to stand before
about three good fellows and have
some one give me the word to 60 in"
The officer asked if he was heavy
on the fight, and he answered
"Heavy should say | was. Why,
l am terrible. They call me the Rus
sian bear at home, and the hull town
stand up or sit down, just as | say"
The officer said it was his duty to dis
courage disorderly conduct, but in a
case like that, where man had come
120 miles to get up a row, he felt 1t
his duty to extend indirect aid He
told the Russian bear to go to the
corner of Beaubien street, enter some
saloon, talk in very loud voice, and
he'd soon have his hands full. "That's
me, much obliged !" exclaimed the
man, and he walked off. In about
ten minutes q boy came running down
and said man with a chewed ear,
two black eyes, and broken nose,
was sup there" in ditch. The officer
went back with the boy, and he soon
come upon the Russian bear, who was
lying in the gutter, one leg doubled
back, blood all over him, and his coat
ripped in every seam. "That's you, is
it ?" asked the officer, as he pulled at
the mans arm. "Well, did you find
the row ?" policeman" replied the
man as he gained his feet and looked
at himself and felt his ear, ''policeman,
don't it seem to you as if | did ?"-
TDetroit Free Press.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28

Judge Pitman's chimney has
been foul for some time, and when he
mentioned the fact at the drug store
Mr.. Squills said he could easily clean
it out by exploding little powder in
the fireplace. The idea seemed to
Pitpan to be good one, and he
bought almost ten pounds Of powder
in order to do the work thoroughly at
the first blast. The men were busy
gravelling his roof that day, and just
as the Judge was about to touch off
the charge a,workman named Snyder
leaned over the top of the chimney to
call to the man below to send up more
tar. Then the Judge lit the slow
match. The view which met the eye
of Mr. Snyder as he went up was a
fine one embracing as it did Cape
May and Omaha and Constantinople
and Baltimore and the Sandwich Is-
lanes, and when he got enough of
drinking in the scenery he came down
in the river apparently with the inten-
ton of exploring the bottom. When
he was fshed out he was glad to learn
not only that the Judges chimney was
thoroughly clean, but that it would
need about four carloads of bricks to
repair damages, After this the Judge
will clean his fues with brush fast
ened to a clothes prop Max Ade
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28
THE shade of color which seems de-

THE shade of color which seems de-
cidely most in favor this autumn is the
very blush shade of gray called Rus
sian gray. Steel blue is another varie'
ty of the same, and agrees well with
the steel bead embroidery now so
much in favor 1t would be an error,
however, to suppose that the present
f,uew for beading will be lasting 1t
often comes, but never lasts very long.
The fact is, jet beads in moderation,
are elegant and effective, especially
upon dull black silks and black velvet,
but beading to any great extent, and
especially steel Or glass beading, is not
in good taste and so though they
may be carried away fora while, by
the caprice of fashion, ladies of real
taste very soon give up beading when
it verges on bad style From Demor'
est's Monthly Tor November.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28

1t was darling Gweorge" when a
bridal couple left Omaha it was
"dear George" at Chicago at Detroit
it was "George,' and when they
reached Niagara Falls it was "Say,
your
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28
A DOUBT.

If l could find rose without thorn,
A fragrant blossom with no bitter taste,
A day of sunshine with no spot of cloud,
A world without dreary desert waste,
Or one bright hope unshadowed and serene,
One perfect trust with every fear cast out,
My heart could rest upon the promise sweet,
Laying aside the ever present doubt.
The shadow dim that falls upon The ring,
When welded palms are clasped in fonc
embrace
The spectre at the banquet, and the guest,
That silently usurps the highest place
The presence all unseen, yet ever near;
The minor note to every joyous strain
The echoing thrill that answers rapture sweet
With something very near akin to pain.
1t dims the lustre of the conqueror's sword,
And falls upon the radiance of the cross
No alchemy can purify the gold
Beyond the clingng of its ashen dross
1t falleth like mildew on the page
Who're weary fingers toll for empty fame,
And on the shining scutcheon of the great
Beside the greatest there. it writes its name.
From The ALD1NE for November.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-10-28
--------------
Eiie Bachelors Surprise.

A chill, November evening, with
the rain and snow forming q disagree
able sort Of conglomeration on the
sidewalks, the gas lamps at the corner
tlickering sullenly through the mist,
and the wind taking one viciously, as
one came round the corner Not 9
pleasant evening to assume possession
of a new home, but necessity knows
no law, and Mr.. Barkdale put up his
night key into the red brick house in
the middle OF the block, sincerely
hoping that his landlady would have
the common sense to light fire in
the CRATE.
SIS it you, sir ?" Mrs. Hinnan
quoth beamingly. "There's a good
fire, and it's all right
"All right, eh p said the bachelor,
feeling the blue tip OF his frosted nose,
to see whether it had escaped being
frozen off entirely. "Well, I'm glad
to hear that. Have the trunks come o.
"Oh, yes, sir, and the other things.
"What other things ?" demanded
Mr.. Barkdalc.
But Mrs, Hinnan pursed her lips
up. 81 wasn't to tell, sir, please.
"Rather an eccentric old lady,
thought Mr.. Barkdale pushing past
her to the third story front room
which he had solemnly engaged the
day before.
1t had been dark and dingy little
den by the light of the moon, but
now, softened by the coral shine of a
well filled CRATE it bore quite another
and a brighter aspect
'Nelvet paper on the walls, gilt
paneling, red carpet and a Sleepy
Hollow chair thought Mr.. Barkdale,
glancing around. "Not so uncomfort-
able after all. When get my things
unpackcd it will seem quite home
like
He set down his valise in the cor
ner, deliberately opened it, took out a
pair of slippers, and invested his tired
feet therein. Next he laid off his
overcoat.
"Now for cigar thought he.
But the brown-lavered weed was
yet in his hand, when there was a
hustle, and tlutter and whisper.
and a merry noise on the landing out
side, and the door flew open, as if by
magic, to admit half a dozen, bloom
ing, laughing girls.
Mr.. Barksle dropped his cigar, and
retreated step or two.
"Don't be alarmed said the tallest
and prettiest of the bevy it's only a
surprise"
"A very agreeable one, I'm sure,
said our friend, recovering in some
degree his presence Of mind.
There's no mistake, [ hope, said a
yellow tressed blone. Your name is
not Greenfield 2
No mistake at all, l assure you,
said Mr.. Barkdale. OF course it is
not Greenfield, Sit down, ladies'.
And he pushed forward the Sleepy
Hollow chair, camp stool, and two
rheumatic reception chairs, which
were all the accommodation present
ed by his apartment.
But instead of accepting this cour-
tesy, the girls all futtered out again
giggling, and in second, before he
could realize this strange combination
of affairs, they were back again bear
ing benches and table cloth, dishes,
bouquets, a pyramid of maccaronies,
piled-up plates of sandwiches, of frost
ed cake, and mysterious something
like unto an ice cream freezer.
The golden-tressed girl clapped her
hands.
you needn't think we are doing all
this for you, sir ! said she.
'Oh, said Mr.. Barkdale, bashfully,
IT loJ,'% nav c,,oh ,,,,,,o.a,or
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
Rearing Ducks.

There are no kinds Of domestic poul-
try more easily kept than ducks.
Their appetite is such that almost any
thing thrown to the pigs is acceptable,
and on this account many object to
them, saying they eat too much. It is
no doubt true to more food is re.
but inns. is overl,E.7T CO 53y5-their quick
maturity, after Which no more food is
required for ducks than hens. Disease
seldom finds its WY into the duck yard,
unless caused by feding ducklings too
much hard or unlocked food.
Keep the young ducks from water,
save enough to drink, until about two
weeks old then let them have full
range. Ducks canbe successfully bred in
dry yards, with only pan of water, but
no farmer havinga pond or stream of
convenient for du&s should do without
them, for in such eases very little food
is required, save vhat can be found by
them in and around such places. At
early dawn they nay be seen very &C
tive in scratching mp worms that find
their way to the surface of the ground
in pastures, thereby benefting rather
than injuring the soil.-.SolttheTra Plan
ter
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
Effects of Feed on Wool.

The following is brief extract from
an interesting Communication read by
L. IT. Merrill at a recent meeting of the
New York Farmers Club 8" From thou
sands of experiments made IN Germany
it has been demonstrated that hay alone
viii not produce as much wool nor as
perfect as when straw and other sub
stances are mixed. 1t must be repeated,
that variety of food only viii furnish
those perfect proportions of organic
and inorganic mattRs of which wool is
composed If we give the sheep too
much food Of cnrbonized fatseriae-
character the fbers of the wool, being
tubular in formatioIS distend or become
coarser, and the weight Is certainly in
creased but, on the contrary. if fed a
number of kinds, and Astounding in al
bumen, the fiber viii be much increased
in length, not so much in diameter,
simply, because the varieties of food
supply to a greater extent the sub
stances requisite TO form the filament.
This may be termed natural wool, the
quantity or weight of which will be as
great as that produced by feeding
prope food, which has the effect to in
crease the diameter of the fiber at the
expense of the length and make it harsh
and why. The Ge:man abhor feeding
large QUaBIltleS OF IabLeQlQg 1000 IN
giawing Saxon wool as the effect is TO
destroy its delicate texture, and its value
is diminished for the manufacture OF the
fest and fines fabrics. The American
wocl-grOwer need not over-feed, simply
with view to make heavy feeces, as
the wool of the sheep, when fat, is
comparatively coarse, and the expense
OF the food used in placing them in
this condition, together with the reduc-
ton in the value of it, viii more than
counter balance the gain from the in
creased weight. The wool of the
S3xen and Merino variety is never so
beautiful and perfect in all respects as
when it is natural, and this follows
only from keeping the sheep in healthy
store order and nothing beyond that
The feeding of grain by the Germans
is simply as equivalents, hay always
being the standard by which the guam
tity OF any kind of food, daily, is de-
termined. Their aim is not to iucre sc
the feslland fat at the expense of the
wool or rs valuable proper ions and if
we ever expect to rival them in the ex-
tensive production of the most beauti-
full aud perfect wool in tn world, and
at the least sacrifice, we must initiate
their economy in feeding and unsur-
passed mode of management in all
tbiuOs "
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
ORANGES and Lemons.

The full grown orange tree yields
from five hundred to two thousand or
anges yearly, and arrives at the bearing
state in from three to five years. The
lemon tree begins to bear in the same
time. The plantations of these trees in
the Mediterranean countries are called
gardens. Great care is taken in gather
Sngan handling the fruit. tits gathered
in baskets ike our peach basket, lined
with canvas, which are attached to the
neck or shoulders by means of a strap.
The fruit is taken from the garden to
the packing magazine, where, after be-
ing assorted by women and wrapped in
paper by young girls, it is packed for
shipment by experienced females. Some
proprietors employ five hundred per-
sons, who get from nine to fit en- cents
per day. In sorting the fruit all want
ing stems are rejected. The boxes are
securely covered, strapped and branded
with the owners name.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
COTTON Factories i'm the south.

No branch of industry has proved
so successful in the southern states since
the war as cotton factories number
of which have within the past two years
sprung up in Georgia, Alabama and
other states. Instead of shipping cot
ton in bales to Europe and New Eng
land, and imLarting the manufactured
article at high prices, in several Of the
states the cotton is manufactured within
a few miles of the plantation, and thus,
the cost of export and importation is
saved to the producing states. One
coa1pany-the Graniteville Cotton com
pany, near Augusta, Georgia-last year
divided over twenty-five per cent. on
their capital between stockholders, and
even more gratifying results have been
achieved by other attempts in the same
direction. The southern press, from
these experiments, advocate the erection
of cotton mills wherever water power
in the cottOn-producing region is attain
able. All the states are blessed with
abundant water power. and there is no
reason why the rivers of the south ten
years hence should not be dotted with
manufactures like the rivers of New
England, and about them spring up
towns swarming with honest, industri-
Gus operatives. New England has had
a monopoly of the cotton manufacture
long enough, and the south, or at least
those states that have escaped from car
pet-bag rule, by fostering care can sue
cessfully compete with her. As an ex-
ira indueement for capital to seek in
vestment south, the legislatures might
wisely enact laws exempting the mills
from taxation for a stated period The
benefits sure to accrue would more than
compensate for the remission of taxes
on this kind of property.-Nea0 York
Herald E1ditoridL
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
The InvaIld-A Pen picture.

See her pallid countenance but short time
ago the picture of rudy health, the envy of
the school and the pride of the household. She
was always welcomed by her schoolmates for
her 1.-THE form and pleasing disposition carried
eheerfulness into their ranks. Dligent, pune
tual and exemplary, obedient and graceful at
home, she won the hearts of all. But alas
we are sorrowed- Those ROSY cheeks and Iud-
dy lips are blanched by consumption. The
voice, once so enchanting in laugh and song,
IS feeble, husky and supplanted by a hollow
cough; Let us approach her couch gently
and take her hand. Do not shudder because
OF the feeble and passionless grasp. The
hand once so hearty and plump is emaciated
and shows bony outlines while the cords and
tortuous veins are plainly mapped upon the
surface. The pulse that bounded with repie-
ton, carrying vigor to the whole system, and
lmparting life, beauty, vivacity, health ami
strength, is delicate to the touch. The feeble
heart cannot propel the thin, scanty blood with
force. Must we lose her while yet in her
teens? Companions and friends gather
around with words of cheer and consolation,
and depart with moisteued eyes and silent
steps. Must we lose her? No there is re-
lief. We can stay this destroyer of our hap
piness aud not suffer the loss of so bright a
gem. Something more is required now than
dietary and hygienic observance for nature
calls for aid aud che shall have it. Take this
pleasant medicine 1t is invigorating. How
1t allaya the irritable cough, improves the ap-
petite and digestion and sends healthy Jingle
through the frame. The blood is enriched
nervous force increased, and the heart bounds
with new impulse. See her face brighten by
by degrees; the color is returning, her voice
Is getting clearer, and pleasant words are
spoken. The strength falters yet, but is gain
ing. Let us take her out in the warm sun
shine. In a short time she viii be able to go
without our aid, a cheerful girl. This delight
ful medicine must be d-blessed. 1t is re-
storing health to our loved one. She il energ
ing from her sickness sweeter and nobler than
before, and DIR. Pierce's Golden Medical Dis
covery must have the credit Tt has raised
her.
S. r. Eglar druggist, of West Union, Ohio,
says that DIR. Pierce's Golden Medical Dscov-
er, has effected wonderful cure of consump-
ton in his nelghborhood.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
Dogs and their Cost.

The st. Louis Globe has been making
some calculations from recent statistics
on this question, and sums up in refer
ence to the state of Missouri as fol-
lows:
Our 4OO,OO dogs furnish one of the
now affecting thestate. In the first place
they initiate against the mutton crop
annually TO the extent of at least So
600. 600 secondly, they cost at an av-
erage OF % cent a week each, Sc, 500, 600
enough to run all our common schools
and leave a large stealable surplus
thirdly, they stay annually through
hydrophobia, at least 100 persons,
which, at $1,000 each-the average
price paid by railroads for the very
poorest Of brakesmen-amoun to the
further sum of 5000, 600. Here is a di-
rect expenditure of nearly 81, $50, 600
for dogs, not to mention the fines, costs
and more remote sentimental damages
resulting from lawsuits about dog
fights a~d consequent severance of
friendship between the owners of the
combative ours. Capitalized, our dogs
represent waste of $50, 1000, 900, anC
invested at compound interest, their
worthlessness would pay off the na-
tional debt before 1900.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
England Our Best Customer.

England and her colonies take three
fourths Of our manufactured leather,
and one-third of our tobacco, 969 per
cent. of our wheat, IS of flour, 96 per
cent. Of our corn and three-fourths of
our cotton crop, paying for the last item
alone e30,O00,000 She takes, more
-6ver, IS per cent. of our hams and ba-
con, so per c mt. of our butter and 90
per cent. of our cheese, the total
amount paid by her for these products
last year being some e65, 600, 900.
While such are the present figures with
o5e export with England, the rapid in
crease of continental trade in all proba
bility viii soon vary the proportions.
The continent is taking more and more
of our meats, oils, etc., every year, and
new distributing centers are being
formed. At the same time, the about
figures conclusively show that Great
Britain is, after all, our best curtomer,
and is likely to remain so for a long
time to come.
The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-05-16
How to Keep a Gun.

A hunter tells how he uses his gun,
in the following language When ]
clean my fowling- piece, set it where
it can get hot enough to make sure of
being perfectly dry outside, but not so
hot as to spoil the metal. L can then
load it and put it in its place, which
is on the top of a cupboard in the din
ing-room, where it may remain for
rHaSsIIviaz saE,f,esas l5sss alvey at-sis-sssss
whenever required. Loaded or I'M
loaded, IT is left at half-cock Ny locks
are so arranged that at half-cock the
hammers are only about half an inch
from the nipples, and will not iujure the
spring of the lock. When coming home
from hunting, no matter how foul my
gun is, it is put in its usual place at
half-cock, where it keeps perfectly dry
and free from rust.
When my barrels get too smooth in
the bores take tight swab, hammer
glass right fine, and roll it in the glass,
and with that give the gun a good
scratching. This is easily done, and is
much better than to send it to an infe-
rior gunsmith, who may ruin the gun.