davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
The Figure and Color of Wood.

The figure of wood depends more up
on the particular mixings and directions
of the fibres than upon any difference
of color. II q tree was found formed
of merely circular rings, like the sec
tion of an organ, filed with layers of
peel instead of pulp, the horizontal Sec
ton would exhibit circles the vertical,
parallel straight lines and the oblique
section parts of ovals but few, if any,
trees are to be found either exactly per-
pendicular or straight, and, therefore,
although the three natural sections have
general disposition to the figures de-
scribed, every little bend and twist in the
tree disturbs the regularity of the fibre,
and adds to tie variety and ornamental
ton of the wood. A perpendicular cut
through the heart of the tree is the
hardest and most diversified, because in
it occures the most profuse mixture and
density Of the fibre, the first and the
last in point of age being presented In
the same plank; but the density and di-
versity lessen as the board is cut further
away from the axis. Curls are formed
by the confused filing in of the space
between the forks of the branches. The
beautiful figure thus induced causes a
log. say of mahogany, to be valued IN
| proportion to the number OF curls it
contains. There is great competition at
public auction for such logs, and prices
| which seems astonishingiy large are
| sometimes given for log known by
Judges to contain several fine curls Oc-
| casionally some disappointment may be
experienced when the log is opened, but
not often. The curl generally shows
itself on the outside, where it can be
seen, and there is always the possibility
of there being interior ones as well,
which do not show on the surface. Fig
ure is also produced as follows: The
germs of the primary branches are set al
an early period of the growth OF the par
ent stem, aud thus give rise to knots.
But many fail to penetrate to the exte'
rior. and are covered over by the more
| vigorous deposition of the annual rings,
/ Each branch is a miniature tree down to
/ the smallest twig, and this process goes
on in each individual branch just as II
| the trunk. These knots produce inquire
in thefolloWing manner: When the germ
| succeeds in forcing its way TO the sur
face, the future rings of the trunk bend
and turn aside when they encounter the
knot. and in the softer woods do no
unite with it. This accounts TOR Wnlte
wood knots being so liable to fali ont
The turpentins in other sorts OF Woot
1 acts az a sort of cement and keeps tn
i knot in it's place The hardness Of knot
/ is due to the close grouping Of the fiber
and to heir compression by the sur
rounding wood, which itself is allo~el
expansion by the yielding nature OF tn
bark.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
Henry Clay

The indianapolis correspondent OF
the Cincinnati Commercial says:
As we steamed out of Greenfield, Mr..
Hendricks took q seat beside me and
remarked: "Mr. Hackleman, who IS
familiar with this part OF the country,
has Just been telling me an incident
connected with Henry Clays visit to
indiana many years ago: 1t was long
before there was O railroad, and his
Journey partook of the character OF
triumphal pilgrimage, swelled at every
point bv the citizens who fOcked iron
far and near to get look at hlm. Here
abouts, his retinue consisted OF SIX car
riages and mounted guard OF honor OF
forty men, augmented considerably at
Greenfield by a delegation to escort hin
to indianapolis. AS the cavalcade was
leisurely proceeding hither, man and
woman were observed bringing large
tub and gourd out of farm house to
the side of the road, where they stopped
and made signs for the procession to
halt. On closer view they were found
TO be an old man and venerable woman.
The latter asked if "Henry Clay" was
in the crowd, and said she and her hus-
band wanted to see him. Mr.. Clay,
who was in the first carriage, rose to his
feet and, lifting his hat as courteously
as if he had been in the presence OF
royalty, saluted them. The woman ex'
claimed that she and her "old man.
were from "Kaintuck," and they had
always said that if Henry Clay ever
passed that way they would offer him 8
drink of their best cider. With this
she dipped the gourd into the tub, and
passing it to her husband, he handed il
to Mr.. Clay, who, with another courtly
bow, quaffed the delicious BEVERAGE
for it was as delicious as the rich, swee1
juice of good apples could be made.
The gourd was then reflled and passed
from one to the other of the goodly
company, who, as they moved on, gave
three hearty cheers to their Kentucky
friends.
A writer in Appleton's Journal has
this pleasant allusion to the "Greai
Commoner :"
Mr.. Clay had not his great rivals
| (Mr. Webster's) knowledge and love o1
! literature. He was a natural genius
with wonderful political learning, singu
lar acuteness, and great sympathy. Re
was always q charming talker, veEy
graceful IN his manners. In spite 81
bis remarkable plainness of feature ht
was always admired and courted BY
women. TO the last he knew how tt
pay compliment to lady with old
fashioned courtesy, and with sons
southern warmth in it. To men he wa
irresistibly fascinating; he had grea
power over any one who approached
him, and a person who saw the inter
view beteeen Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Web
ster, on an evening of January in tlli
memorable winter, when Mr.. Clay callet
to consult with his great rival as to tn
bsst mode of action to settle the diff
culties growing out of slavery, declares
tito be, in his opinion, one of the fines
exhibitions of "manner" ever seen be
tween two English.speaking men. i.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

ARABIAN HEAD GEAR. "A correspond
ent with the Gordon expedition in
Africa, wri es: Scanty is the attire
OF our five Arab attendants. Bat what
ever want of attention is displayed as
to scarcity of raiment is made up by the
maqnificence Of their head d-qear. Golf
fures that would make the first OF Mr.
Truefitt's young men envious are pos
sessed by each of our Arab band, and
cosmetics in the shape of liquid fat be-
daub and beplaster the erection of hair
which is piled up some seven inches
over every mans forehead. Very
beautiful? i remarked to the Sheik of
the party, who accompanied us few
miles out of the town, OF th same tiLe 9
pointing to his hair. He was delighted
at my feigned admiration, but after
wards seemed somewhat disappointed
when I observed that probably he wore
it SO as q protection against the heat.
Gan the child of the sun fear his
father 2 was the slightly oontemptuous
answer, and the man turned on his heel
and strobe back to SouakiD, pensively
scratching his head with long silver
skewer which he wore as hair-pin. /"
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
Another German Invasion of France.

The Germans are getting back into
France-this time on peaceful mis-
sion, apparently. The French COM
plain and take consolation in a round
of abuse, as follows: Germany is
shabby land, as it's inhabitants can't
stay at home. Prussia sends back into
Gaul her discharged soldiers, on the
close of their war labors, to gobble up
all the best paid positions which the
Gaul is foolish enough to give them,
generous hearts abdicating vengeance.
These Germans are not only covetous,
but spies of Bismarck, to ferret out all
the secrets of the shop, families and
state, and yet thrice silly Gaul persists
in wearing her heart on her elbow, for
the DAVIS to peck at. These Germans
are permanent overseers, not dlscour-
aged by hatred and contempt. only
thereby rather more Shiny. These
Germans are Austrians and Poles, or
give themselves out to be, while taking
the front seats in trade and manutac-
ture. These Germans left us to get
their weapons across the Rhine they
came back and skinned us alive; they
then went home to hang up their
bruised arms now, like vultures, they
have come back to pick our bones.
These Germans have been particularly
spotted of late in the projects reports.
They prohibit the expectation Of their
horses to Gaul, which in turn should
prohibit the importation of all their
two-legged animals, not wanted and far
more dangerous than quadrupeds. And
so we go. The truth is, the Germans
like France-love her-got first class
taste in 1870, and subsequently itched
to get back. France is pretty glrl
her teeth are like flock OF sheep, and
Prussians like sheep meat. Conanae
| k0gks les chiens.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
Ma, niflcent Fishing in Florida.

South from Jacksonville about two
miles in Alachua Lake. Formerly this
was a vast prairie of over twenty thou
sand acres of good grazing land. In
the midst of it was deep hole or land
sink, of which there are a great many
in the state. into which the waters of
McKinstry Lake, situated further north,
and the surrounding country used to
how aud find subterranean outlet to
the sea About four years ago the out
let got more or less choked up, and the
surplus water backing soon covered this
vast tract of country, in which aqueous
condition it has remained ever since,
increasing and diminishing IN area as
the season varies from wet to dry. This
lake is literally live with fish. I have
seen colored boys with an ordinary
pole cut from the woods. line not ovel
| four feet long, and fly, rudely con
strueted Of white and red flannel, catcl
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

PuNcH's ADVICE TO BABY. Don't
come into the world in cold weather.
Tf you are the heir Of q branch of the
house of Smith, by no means permit
your parents to christen you Howard,
or Stanley, or Clinton, or Spencer. #
You are lady baby. don't let them call
you Mary Ann, or Mary Jane, or Soph-
onisba, or Sophronia. Think OF your
future husbands misery under such
conditions. Be intensely cross to every
body. Nobody asked whether you
wished TO enter the world, and you have
right TO protest against being brought
into it. Cry Justify. It is good for Che
lungs, and it generally results in some
thing nice being produced to quiet you,
Allow no one 20 talk politics in you
presence. Howl when you are srnacked
and resist ell attempts to put ron Il
! bed early.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

LoUDNEss OF THE LATEST PAR1s1AN
MoDR.-The latest mode of Partisan
lady's wear has been given out to this
measure: The lady is wrapped around
twice in q gauze scarf and thrice in a
tulle veil /; twenty yards Of flower gar
lands are next woven crossways around;
having thus become somewhat OF a
package, she is still not sufficiently
dressed, and something more is needed;
q tail, or train, or declivity (however it
may be preferred) is next attached be-
hind with diamonds or pearls, and must
be as heavy as the rest Of the costume
is light the said tail to be covered with
butterflies of gauze, birds of lace and
sarcabenses of lophophore (Which is not
cotton ieans), with their respective
claws tied by golden threads. The
lady thus clothed is kept warm down
below but her upper half is kept fresh
with no sleeves, scarcely any corset and
thighs prominent. The toilet is then
essentially complete. This looks as i j
the empire was under way again with
it's loudness.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
white Qualls.

A year ago from last fall pair of
white ouaiIs were netted in the western
part of this country and were Purchased
bv G. II. RibbIe, Esq, of this city.
They we're very much like the ordinary
nuail with the exception Of being pure
white. Mr.. Ribb1e kept them. until last
Nav and then, as they seemed dropping
and despondent, turned them loose in
the woods south Of town. Nothing
more was heard of them until early in
The fall. when they were discovered on
the Lakeland farm, with an interesting
family Of thirteen chicks, all as white
-as themselves. They are yet in that
vicinity, our sportsnen, by common
consent, leaving them unmolested. Il
il had only been freak Of nature, as
was supposed by some to be the case
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

eighty pounds of black bass in couple
of hours. These fish average from two
to twelve pounds. An eight-pound bass
is common. A few days ago gentle
man residing, i'll GainviIle caught and
weighed oA Fairbanks scales, in the
presence of a number f northern visit
ors here, a black bass weighing nine
teen and one-quarter pounds. Tradi-
ton says one was caught here last year
that weighed twenty-three pounds. All
the small streams flowing into this lake
are also full of bass. Day before yes
terday I saw three small boys standing
in stream, about three feet wide, and
may be foot deep, each armed with a
piece of hoop iron, with which they
killed, in the half hour I was present,
eight good sized bass. Another boy OF
the same party, with two-bushel corn
bag, made one haul in the same stream
of ten bass.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02
TRUTH AND EALsEHOOD.
BY JOHN q SAKE.

BY JOHN q SAKE.
List to tale we'll worth the ear
VI al, who wit and sense admire,
Invented, it is very clear,
Some ages prior to Mathew Prior.
Falsehood and Truth, "upon time"
One day in June's delicious weather,
twas IN a distant age and clime),
Like sisters, took a walk together.
On, on their merry way they took,
Through fragrant wood and Verdaht meadow
To were beech beside brook
Invited rest beneath its shadow.
There, sitting in the pleasant shade,
Upon the margins grassy mating,
4 velvet cushion read dy-madt)
The young companions fell to chatting.
Now, while in voluble discourse
On this and that, their tongues wer, running
As habit bids, each speaks, PEI eIforcP,
The one is frank, the otter cunning.
Falsehood at length, impatient grown,
With scandals of her own creation,
Said, " Since we two are quite alone
And nicely screened from observation.
Suppose in this delightful riII.
While all around Is 81 uropniOus,
We take bath7" Said Tyu5h, 81 will;
bath, I'm sure, will be delicious p
At this her robe she cast aside,
And in the stream that ran before her
She plunged, like Oceans happy BRIDE
As naked as her mother bore her
Falaehood, at leisure now undressed,
Pit off the robes her limbs that hamper,
Aud, having doRned Truths snowy vest,
Ran off as fast as she could scamper.
Since then the subtle maid, in sootb,
Expert in lies and shrewd evasions,
Has borne the honest name of Truth.
And wears her clothes on all occasions.
While Truth, disdaining to appear
In FaIsehood's petticoat and bodice,
Still braves all eyes, from year to year,
As naked as a Marble goddess.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

A FLORAL OFFERER.- Liverpool
naper saws that an action involving the
question of the right (not to hiss butt
to throw bouquets to actresses, is about
to be brought against the manager OF a
theatre there. An elderly gentleman
almost nightly for some time took his
place in the stalls prepared with bou-
duets, and threw them with great reg
uiatity to certain of the actresses at
certain points of the performance,
sometimes rising On their acceptance
of the nosegays, and acknowledging
the honor done him by profound obies-
anees. The manager, finding that this
had assumed the character OF bur
lesque and nuisance, had to interfere
at last, and to take legal proceedings.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

TT is believed that Fohi, the first
king of China, is Identical with Noah.
The Chinese themselves claim that
Fohi has no father and Noah, although
subsequent to the food the great pro,
genitor of the race, was himself at that
fime fatherless. The mother of Fohi
is said to have borne him encompassed
with rainbow-an evident allusion to
the bow of promise revealed to Noah as
the siga of Gods covenant. Fohi is
IT presented TO have reared seven kinds
of creatures, which he sacrificed to the
Great Supreme. Noah also took into
the ark clean beasts and fowls by
sevens, which he offered to the God o.
heaven as offerings Fohi is represented
as drawing off the waters which had
deluged the earth, thus identifying hin
with the food.
The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-04-02

with the pair captured, the progeny
would have been of the ordinary color.
They are evidently kind new to this
country. What is their proper name
and classification, and where did they
come from? Will some one who is
posted please inform us.--Merico (Mo.)
LnfellinRncer
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19

there was nothing in the discipline about
hell and eternal punishment, and he be-
lieved nothing was to be gained by harping
upon that subject. He thought it would
sound strangely on a communion occasion
for the minister to say, "Ye that believe In
utter depravity and endless punishment
draw near and partake of the sacrament"
instead of the formula, "Ye that do truly
and earnestly repent of your sins"
Col. Ethan Allen. of revolutionary fame,
though roughly reared, was very courteous
by nature, and made every possible effort to
improve his manners by observing those of
other people. When he was prisoner of
war in New York City on parole, he was in
vited into the best society of the city, and on
one occasion attended large and fashion
able dinner party. Olives were passed
around the feast, and, following the general
example, Col Allen took one. He was un-
able to overcome the disgust it caused his
palate, and taking the half ebewed fruit in
his hand, said, with a low bow to his hostess,
Madame, with your permission, I'll put
that Cd id thing on the table,"
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19
WHO SHALL JUDGE?

The following poem was written by Major
Harry Larkyns short time before he was shO
dead by Edward j. Muybridge, at Caltstogs
Cal, recently.
How do we know what hearts have viIest sin,
How do we know?
Many, like sepulchers are foul within,
Whose outward garb is spOtless as the snow,
And many may be pure we think not so.
How near TO God the souls of such have been,
What mercy secret penitence may win,
How do we known
How can we tell who sinned more than we,
How can we tell7
We think our brother walks guiltily,
Judging him in acknowledgements All, well,
Perhaps had we been driven through the hell
OF his temptations, We might be
Less upright in our daily walk than he
How can we tell?
Dare we condemn what others do?
Dare we Condemn
Their strength is small, their trials are not few
The tide Of wrong is difficult to stem,
And If 10 us more clearly than to them
Is given knowledge of the good and true,
More do they need our help and pity tool
Dare we condemn?
God help us all, and lead us day by day!
God help us ALL
We can not walk alone the perfect way,
Evil allures US, tempts us and we fall:f
We are but human, and our power is small;
Not one of us may boast and not a day
Rolls DER our head, but each hath need TO say,
God help US!
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19
LADY DUDLEY's JEWELS.

THE Loss OF THE JEWELS OF lady DUDLEY
IN ENGLAND-A NARRATION OF THE CIR
CUMsTANCEs CONNECTED WITH THEIR DIS
APPEARANCE.
The London Times thus speaks of theft
perpetrated upon lady of the English no
bility: The robbery of Lazy Dudley's jewe
case, outside the Great Western
railway station at PaGGingtoE,
just previous to the starting
of Worcester express leaving Loldon, was
effected under circumstances which leave
little doubt that the thief was q practised
hand, and had laid his plans with an ingeA-
uity worthy q better purpose. Lord ard
Lady Dudley arrived at the railway station
in his lordship's brougbam at 6s20P. n, and
were Immediately followed by a four
wheeled cab conveying two of the
coantess's waiting women, each in charge OF
ponderous jewel box, and other articles
of lady's toilet. Scott. one of the women,
was the first who alighted, and, having de
posted on the pavement the box under hel
care, while turning round TO assist her CON-
/ psnioD, for better security, and with
commendsble caution placed one
| foot upon the jewel case
In an unlucky instant her attention was di-
verted by the other maid, and she removed
her foot from the box. Her companion
having alighted. Scott stopped to recover
the box, when, to her great CONSERVATION
she found it had been removed. An instant
search was made by the EarPs servants an6
by the railway officials in attendance, but
no tidings could be gained of it. His roys
highness the Prince of Wales ar
rived at this moment to travel by the same
train in "slip carriage" as far as Slough
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19
YoU KNOW YOU DO.

After describing the young man who, with 9
ented handkerchief, plastered hair, broad
9TH and patent feathers, nervously pulls th'
IL, and Is, In due time, escorted by MS lnatno
ia into the presence OF the old folks. the poe
es on to say:
You keep your eyes upon the clock,
And wish 'twould Jump an hour or two,
50 shat yonr pa would cease TO talk
And go to bed-you know you do!
And when the folks to bed have gone.
And left "some one" alone with you,
You wish the clock would stop Its tongue,
Or you stop it-you know you do!
He bushes deep, and looks afraid
To be thus left alone with you!
But your eyes tell him ne'er was maid
But could be wOOed-you know you dol
You peep at "sone one" meath your curls,
Until with love YOU burn him through,
And make him hate all other girls
In love for you you know you dol
And when his arm steals round your chair
You give a smothered scream or two,
AS II you didn't want it there,
But oh, you do-you know you DO!
You nestle closer up TO him,
Your head drops on his shoulder, too,
You think il nice to have a "Jim,"
You naughty thing-you know you do!
You let him kiss your blushing cheeks;
Somehow your lips meet his lips. too;
Iou tempt him, silly thing, TO speak,
You wicked ffirt-you know you do!
And when he timidly doth press
His wish to make wife OF you,
= With happy heart you answer yes
You darling girl-you know you dol
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19
THE JOURNEY OF LIFE.
BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYASr.

Beneath the waning moon walk at night,
And muse on human life, for all around
Are dim, uncertain shapes that cheat the sight
And pitfalls Turk in sha de al Ong the ground,
And broken CLEANS Of brightness, here and
there.
Glance through and leave unwarmed the DEATH
like air.
The trampled earth returns a sound of fear
A hollow sound, as If walked on tombs;
And lights, that tell of cheerful homes appear
Far of, and die like hops amid the glooms,
A mournful wind across the landscape flies,
And the wide atmosphere is fun of signs.
And with the faltering footsteps journey on,
Watching the stars that roll the hours away,
Till the faint light that guides me now Is gone,
And like another life, the glorious day
Shall open DER me from the empyreal hight.
With warmth, and certainty, and boundless
light.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19
REGRET.

He offered kiss in the morning
1 coldly turned away;
For an idle word that overheard
Had ranked night and day.
knew, in truth, 1t was nothing
That he would have blushed 10 own,
That point and suing of the trihing thing
Grew out OF my heart alone.
But a vexed and unquiet spirit
Weighs no matter Alright,
And the sore smart of a jealous heart
Puts reason out of sight.
let him go in the morning
without the kiss he sought;
And the day was long, but nursed my wron
With many bitter thought.
One bitter I'll fought, Godh help me!
Did not enter my brain,
That kiss of mine, by word or sign.
He would never seek again.
But as evening shadows gathered,
My heart began to burn
With Quickened sense of his influence,
Audi longed for his return.
Leaning against the window
TOat overlooked the street,
strained my ear his step to hear
In the crowd OF hurryiug feet.
Far off, in the dimmest distance,
Ishould have known IL well;
But there came instead a muffied tread,
And the sharp alarm Of the bell.
Some griefs, though deep and bitter,
Find at last their cures,
But some retain the old, old pain
AS long as life endures.
did not know in the morning
When / cOldly turned away,
That L should miss and mourn that kiss
Down to my dying day!