davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
How the Weasel Runs Down His Game,

There are other enemies of game-life
besides human pOachers whose numbers
must be kept within bounds to insure suc-
cessful sport. The thirst of the weasel for
blood Is Unsuitable, and it is curious to
watch the persistency with which he viii
hunt down the particular rabbit he has
singled out for destruction. Through the
winding subterranean galleries of the "bur-
les with their cross-passages, "blindn
holes and ''pop" holes q. e. those which
end in undisturbed soil, and those which
are simply bored from one side of the bank
to the other, being only used for tempo
rary concealment,) never once in the dark.
close cavern losing sight or scent of his
victim, ne pursues it with species of eager
patience. 1t is generGlly a long chase.
Tho rabbit makes a dash ahead, and a
double or two, and then halts, usually at
the mouth of hole; perhaps to lreathe.
By-and-by the weasel, baffied for few
minutes, comes up behind Instantly the
rabbit slips over the bank outside and
down the ditch for a dozen yards, and
there enters the "bury" again. The YEA
sci follows, gliding up the bank with a mo
tion not unlike that Of the snake; for his
body and neck are long and slender, and
his legs short Apparently he is not in
haste, but rather fingers over the scent.
This is repeated five or six times, till the
whole length of the hedgerow has been
traversed-sometimes up and down again.
The chase may be easily observed by anv
one who will keep a little in the back
ground. Although the bank be tenanted
BY fifty other rabbits, past whose hiding
place the weasel must 20, yet they scarcely
take any notice. One or two, whom he
has approached too closely, bolt out and
in again; but as a mass the furry popula-
tion remain quiet, as if perfectly aware
that they are not yet marked out for slaugh-
ter. At last, having exhausted the resour-
ces Of the bank, the rabbit rushes across
the field to hedgerow, perhaps hundred
yards away. Here the wretched creature
seems to find difficulty in obtaining ad-
mittance. Hardly has he disappeared in
hole before he comes out again, as if the
inhabitants of the place refused to give
him shelter.-Popalar Science Monthly
for April
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
Annanites in Paris.

There have recently arrived in Paris.
twenty-eight Annamites or natives Of
Cochin China, who have come to show En-.
rope at the coming Exposition sample of
extreme Eastern civilization. The chiefs
OF this embassy are Pguzen. end Doan.
Coassessor OF the Minister of the Interior.
Ion Ahat-Chon, member of the roval
family and a chief mandarin at the Min
lstry OF Public Worship, and Hamt- Van
Van, Mandarin Of Public Works. Their
costumes and personal appearance are
original enough to warrant a descriptiop
a long gown, with flowing sleeves, EN-
broldered in silk with monsters. storks and
tortoises. Their hair knotted into n chic
non, Is surmounted by black skull-cap.
profusely ornamented with gold figures and
provided with pair of gauze wings a foot
long, resembling those of the dragon.ay
Around the waist is loose belt studded
with colored stones, having a pair of fins
at the back. Their boots are like those
worn by the Chinese, with thick soles of
white leather The complement of this
costume IS great papeg-knife of ivory.
which they hold before their breasts IN
their closed hands, as a symbol of com
mand. The other Annamites are fleprived
OF the wing and fin ornaments. and are
dressed in plain black, with a square niece
embroidered in silver on the chest, as be-
longing to an inferior class of mandar;ps.
who cannot aspire to a higher emblem
CHOSEN from the animal creation than a
tiger
Pguzen-end-Doan is quite n literary
celebrity at home. and enjoys the priyi.
lege, accorded only to sarants, of allowing
the nails of his left hand to attain their
full development, Inestimable as this dis
tinction doubtless is among his fellow
eountrymen, it has excited more curiosity
than admiration in Paris; for these digitaI
are nearly six inches in length.
and remind one disagreeably of bear who
had neglected TO wash his hands for some
years The second Mandarin is a very
herce gentleman, who has distinguished
himself for the excessive severity with
which he has represl ed several conspiracies
against his sovereign. 1t is quite a ser
Ious matter to dabble in revolutions in the
kingdom Of AMMAN, where not only are
the culprits punished with death, but the
extends to all their descendants
and collaterals, whose children. if infants
at the time, are carefully nurtured by the
Department of Public Worship until they
have reached manhood, when they too are
sacrificed with becoming solemnity.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
Uncle Remus on Education.

As Uncle Remus came up Whitehall
street yesterday, he met little colored
boy carrying slate and a number Of
books. Some words passed between them,
but their exact purport will probably never
be known. They were unpleasant, for the
attention of wandering policeman was
called to the matter by hearing the old
man bawl out
Don't you come foolin' longer me, mig
ger. Youer iippin' yo' sass at de wrong
color. You'k'n go roun' here an sass desc
white people, an maybe dey stan it, but
wen you come singing 20 jaw at man
wat wuz gray wen de famin' days gin
out, you better 60 an git yo' hide greazed -
whats the matter, old man ?" asked
sympathizing policeman.
"Nothin', boss, cep'in l amt gwinter
have no nigger chillun hoopin' an a
hollerin' at me wen I'm gwine long de
streets"
"Oh, well-school children-you know
how they are"
'Dat's wat make / say wat / duz.
Dey better be home picken up chips.
Wat niger gwineter rarn outen books2
kin take bar'l stave an fling mo sense
inter nigger in one minnit dan all de
school-houses betwixt dis en- de State NV
Midgigin. Don't talk, honey Nid one
barl stave kin fairly lif' de vail Nv ig.
nunce."
"Then you don't believe in education?''
"Hits de ruination nv dis countrv
Look at my gal. De ole oman sent 'er
ter school las yer an now we dassent hard
y ak 'er fer ter carry de washin' home.
She done got beyant 'er bizness. amt
larnt nuthin' in books, en- yit | kin count
all de money gifts. No use a talkin'
boss Put spellin' book in a niggers 5
hands, en- right den en- dar' you loozes a
plow hand. done had de spe'unce un
it."-Adanta Constitution.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
RUBTRS.

Next to the diamond comes the oriental
ruby, and in former days it was more
priced then the gem which has a genus
all to itself. The ancients gave immense
sums for fine specimens of the ruby varie-
ty of "corundum," or aluminus stone. In
Benvenuto Cellini's time perfect ruby of
carat weight cost 500 crowns, while di-
amond of like weight cost only 100. The
two most important rubies ever known
in Europe we're brought to England in
1875. One was a dark-colored stone,
cushion shape, weighing 81 carats; the
other blunt drop shape of AZ 1.16 carats.
Mr.. Streeter thinks that the London Mar
ket would never have seen these truly
royal gems but for the poverty of the Bur
mese Government; and adds an interesting
account of the estimation in which rubies
are held in the distant land of the white
elephant The sale of the two rubies
caused such excitement that a military
guard had to escort the persons who con-
veyed the precious packet to the vessel.
No regalia in Europe contains two such
rubies. The smaller was sold abroad for
91O, 900; the larger has also found a pur-
chaser, but Mr.. Streeter does not tell us
at what price. The great ruby of the
King of Burmah is said to be as large as
pigeons egg, and of wondrous quality,
but is treasure which no European eye
has ever seen. Very few rubies pass out
of the country; the King is excessively
fond of these gems, and prohibits the ex-
port of them. The Burmese have strange
notions about rubies; ''they believe that
they ripen in the earth, that they are at
first colorless and crude, and gradually
become yellow, green, blue, and last of all
red-this being considered the highest
point of beauty and ripeuess. Cham
bers' Journal.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
History Of Diphtheria.

The ravages of this disease in this coun-
try make it a subject of painful interest.
By unprofessional persons it is generally
supposed TO be Of modern origin. DR.. L.
K. Maxon has written a series Of papers
on the disease, which have appeared in
the Boston journal or Chemistry, from
which we make the following extract:
"Diphtheria is believed to have origina-
ted in Egypt, more than two thousand
years ago. 1t prevailed in Egypt and
Asia Minor, to which it extended, during
the first five hundred years, and hence
was early called Egyptian or Syriac dis
ease. But upon its extending into the
south of Europe, the Greek designation
became the more general one; and though
Objectionable, as not indicating directly its
pathology, it has been retained, together
with the E.gyptiaR or Syriac. Having
invaded Europe, the disease appeared
at Rome A. D. $50; and being akin to the
plague, of which it may be remote mod
ifcation, having had the same origin, with
some similar characteristics; and being,
like 1t and malignant typhus, highly con-
tagious, the disease, in its fifteen hundred
years transit on the continent of Europe,
affected mainly rural districts and garri-
soned towns. 1t had extended to Holland,
in which it was an epidemic, in 1887;
to Paris, in 1876; and appeared in Amer
lea in III; having prevailed more exten-
sively in France in 1918 and 1875, and
in England and the United States from
1886 to 1860, and more or less since"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

HISTORICAL BELLs.-The famous old
chime Of bells belonging to st. Michaels
Church of Charleston have had an event
ful and varied history. \ hundred and
fifteen years have gone by since they were
first hung in the belfry and their music
called to religious service the church
goers of colonial days. In 1870 they were
seized and sent back to England, and at
the close of the Revolutionary war they
were returned TO South Carolina and re-
stored to their position. For eighty years
they did their duty, till in 1868 the Union
forces besieging Charleston sent their
shells flying around the steeple. The bells
were removed to Columbia for safety, and
in the great fire which devastated the town
when Sherman's soldiers occupied it they
were ruined by the heat. Once more they
made the voyage to England and were
there recasts aud duty having been i'm
posed upon them when they were brought
back here, Congress is now petitioned to
remit it. Six times they have crossed the
ocean; they have twice suffered from the
fortunes of war, and now they are speak
ing to the ears of the great-grandchildren
of their first owners. In our compara-
lively new country they are certainly
! historic.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

A negro minister who married rather
sooner after the death of his wife than
some of the sisters thought proper and
becoming, excused himself as follows =
"My dear brederen and sisters, my grief
was greater dan | could bear. turned
ebery way for peace and comfort, but none
came. | sarched de Scripturs from Gini-
see to Rebelation and found plenty of
promises to de widder, but nary one to de
widderer. So | took it dat de good Lord
didn't waste sympathy on a man when it
was in his power to comfort hisself; and
habin fuss. raje chance to marry in de
Lord, / did so, and would do so again.
Besides, brederen, consider dat poor
Patsey was juss as dead as she would eber
be"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

SLIGHTLY MIXED.-Oh, it was terri
bic runaway You see, an umbrella was
carrying a man AID it frightened the bug
gy and it started to run off with the horses
and they ran over on the lamp-post and
knocked the sidewalk down and upset a
little baby who was carrying his mother
in her arms and struck some apples and
knocked all the apple woman out of the
peanut stand and then they went down
the lightning like a street and knocked
three spokes out of one of the horses hind
legs and took the hide off the wheel and
fell out and run mud-puddle into my
head clear up to my shoulders and the
mud got full Of my mouth and ears and
eyes and I'll never got over it and it.:
dictd.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

japanese ware of the genuine product is
not likely to glut the market if the repre-
sentations of a recent traveller be true,
Being pleased with a pattern cup and
saucer, he ordered two sets, and intimated
that if one was completed before he left
the province he might be induced to order
more. But the potter would not promise
to complete the two sets in less time than
two years. Nor could the potter be per-
suaded to take on more bands to expedite
matters. Many potteries in Japan have
only one man, or an old man and his son
for their entire working force Western
improvements viii soon remedy this dila
toriness. But Japan ware will then cease
to be Japanese.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

AMBERGRIs.-The origin and compost
ton Of this substance was long a puzzle TO
be learned. 1t is now well known to be
a concretion of the indigestible portions of
the cuttle-fsh; which form the food of the
sperm whale. The nucleus of the mass is
generally the horny beaks Of these crea
lures, and the substance itself is found in
the intestines of the sperm whale, or on
the shores of the seas frequented by this
species. 1t was formerly believed that
the origin of ambergris was in some way
connected with the sea, and when il was
afterwards found in whales, the fact was
simply attributed 70 their having swallow
ed it,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

How TO PLEASE YoUR BoY.-If YOU
want to keep your boy home, make it
pleasanter for him than the street,.
Certainly. Chalk hopscotch in the
hall, put hogshead of moIasses on tap in
the kitchen, have a dog fight in the back
yard, make "bully slide" on the cellar
door, have hand organ and monkey in
the reception room, and German band
on the stairs. Hire a "Geevus" to be
chaffed Let the boy chalk callers backs
on the 1st of April, throw his baseball
through the windows, ring the bells, and
rus away and 'plug" the cook with fish
balls Sunday morning; but even then you
will have to engage a circus or "great
moral show to drive through the premises
two or three times in the season to "make
it pleasanter than the Boston
Commercial Bulletin,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
A Miserable Failure.

4 A gaunt hen-pecked looking man, with
sepulchral voice glided into the Central
station Office on Saturday and sat for two
hours and a half, irritating a pimple, on
his nose, before he managed to muster
sufficient nerve to unbosOm himself. Hav-
ing screwed himself to the sticking point,
he stepped softly up to the squire and said
with marked fierceness:
"Judge?"
"Well, sir" answered the court.
''Ive come"
"Wen."
''To ascertain"
$50 ahead"
GLOW much"
This sounds business like" thought
the court.
GLOW much will it cost
"Yes, yes"
GLOW much will it cost if, in an un-
guarded moment, | should be seized with
a spasm and should smite the woman, who
doubles my troubles, over the brow with
the palm of my dexter fn"
"Let me understand" said the court.
'.you wish to know the penalty of wife
beating. Is that it?"
That's the English of it.
"Well, about thirty days"
"Thirty days" repeated the hen-pecked
man. Judge, would they let her get
within hundred yards of my prison home
if | protest ?'
Certainly not"
His mournful countenance blossomed
with anticipated joy as he started for the
door. As he was passing out he turned
boldly to the justice and remarked
"Make her out judge. I'll be here to
pay the penalty in just about two hours.
Thirty days. How cheap! Oh won't
won't | whang her one I can't hold
candle to her on the jaw movement;
have not even pretended to wear the
trousers. My manhood is aroused. I'll
simply gyrate in an irregular orbit about
her headpiece, and then will give myself
up 70 the law for thirty days with pleasure.
If | can geto grand, glorious sling with
this No. 10 bull skin at her, I'll 90 down
for sixty days without a groan."
Two hours later four men carried him
to the hospital on a shutter, and his wife
was arrested for assault and battery
Detroit Free Press.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

Whats this, love ?" asked an inquisi-
tive wife the other morning, as she went
upon an exploring expedition through her
husbands travelling valise, and drew forth
the inevitable black bottle aOh, that
that. Well, oh, that's a might cap,
darling"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
Selttt Auetrp.
From Chamlrrf Journal.
A SPRING MORNING.

When sparrows in the Frightening sun
Chirped biifhe of Summer halt begun
AID sure TO prosper-0ver bold
With rifted stores of crUcus gold
When Hlmrs fresh with morning rain
Tapped laughing at my window pane
Aud soft with coming warmth and good
Mid breezes shook the leafy wood:
Then. ere the first delight was spent,
Ad0wn the sunny siope | went
Until the narrowing path across,
Son shadows Aicker@a on the moss
Of beechan buds that burst their sheath
And fwinlng tendrilS. while beneath.
Where twisted roots made hoIiows meet
Grew budding primrose At my feet.
There all The riddles ofa life
Which vcxes fae with ainless strife
The broken thoughts. that not with pain
Nor patience e'er VIII meet again.
We're laid aside nay. seemed 10 drop
As when loud jarring noises stop.
The waves Of silence rise. and spread.
And meet In circles overhead.
How life might grow / seemed 70 guess:
Life knowing no uneasy stress
uf partial increase strong In growth.
lei ever perfect. dewning truth
Which gwayed each hour that took It's fight
An added empiFy Of light
That neither cloud nor mist might stay
slow Frightening to the perfect day.
Though Autumn hours win come again,
And leafless branches drip with rain
ON sodden moss. yet having seen,
keep my faith. each sprfngtide green
When dropping life puts on It's gloom.
And burned roots bear scented bloom
With tender prophecy make sure
Ny heart to labor and endure.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

Meal and Pray, Publishers and Book
binders. A speciality made of Religious
Publications, is the sign over the door of
Williamsburg, i. l., firm.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

The proposition to introduce ladies as
railroad conductors is frowned upon in
view of the fact that their trains are al
ways behind.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

Although girl may be as proud as
Lucifer, it doesn't always follow that she
makes a good match.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

\ man who is intimate on short ac-
quaintance is very apt to be ''short" on
more intimate acquaintance
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13
dait and 9umor.

A little nonsense now and then
Is relished by the wisest men.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

What if the world be standing still, the
still is running still
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

--E|'E
But the world has kept marching on in
geography and geology, and Mount Hood,
OF the Rocky Mountain range, and several
of the Himmalayan range-among them
Mount Everest, the highest, so called after
its English mensurator-have long since
dethroned the European mountain king.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

An OLD MANS TALE
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-04-13

Dar is three things dat is took wild tongs,
and but barly three. Dey is desc, as
follers
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-12-25
Russian Nil!ilists in America.

Aasmall community of Russian Mill
lists at Cedar Vale. Kansas, failed and
dispersed lately. They numbered TWEEN.
ty-two, six being children, n q single
woman, and another the divorced wife
OF one Of the members, who had married
again. In 1875 they bought a farm, but
there WAS 10 order nor system in their
manner OF working it. They were OPP
posed to rules, or to being ordered to
any special work. They believed in
working by impulse for the general good.
Consequently several persons would Of
ten begin the same description of work,
such, for instance, as going for the COWS
in the evening, but when the latter were
brought in it was often sometime before
they were MIXED, as it was no ones
especial duty to milk them. Being OPP
posed to ornamentation in dress, they at.
tired themselves in very rough materials,
though belonging to the educated classes
of society. Their sole reliance was
farming, and they found each year that
their sales we're not at all commensurate
with their purchases. Sundry American
socialists had offered to join them, but
we're repulsed. They desired only Rus.
sian accessions. An Americanized Rus
sian finally joined them, and instituted
daily business meetings, at which it was
decided what work should be done, and
who should co it. This divided the
community into two parties, the "sys-
tematists /" and the "naturalists, the
latter of whom believed that business
would move naturally when let alone.
These finally left, n by one, and the
rest concluded to. disband.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-12-25

I have taken the trouble to have made
for the Herald a "rubbing" Of this in
scription. 1t is roughly done by means
of a lead-pencil rubbed over the brass,
giving an exact copy. Below the in
scription there is q brass shield. let into
the stone, which has still greater inter.
est for us, and of which I send you a
COPY. It represents the Washington
family e%scutcheon - argent two bars
gules ; in chief three mullets OF the
second-as it is described in heraldic
ph~raseology, the Specification OF which
will be better understood in simpler
OVERWHELMINGLY, On a shield OF silver
Tor white) two red bars. and in chief
(the upper part of the SHELBY three
stars, also red.
In this shield, therefore, we have the
origin of the national flag of America.
OF course the emigrant would take
the family e%scutcheon with him
and hand it down to the family,
and we have information to, the effect
that the stars and stripes were in
deed copied from Westinghouse signet
ring. The stripes on the Washington
shield arc alternate gules (red) on q
white (~silver) ground, as are those OF
the Gag, and the "mullets" in chief
have the parallel popularity of being
flve.pointed, while six points are some
times known. The "mullet" in her.
aldry is a star of generally five points,
and is always formed of straight lines,
while the estolle" is a star of Blk or
more points, with wavy rays. The
crescent in the center OF the shield ls
the heraldic sign used by the second son
of the family-the shield is that OF
Robort