davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
A Mothers Death.

There is a sad, solemn sweetness that
gathers around mothers deathbed. The
experience of lifetime is crowded into
that solemn moment. A thousand kind
acts Of the past come tripping home
white winged messengers to departed glory
ne'er to return on earth again. Who can
fathom that mothers loye, that for long,
long years has only found utterance to the
Throne of God in suppllcation for our good,
aud whose every act has been but one
more tie that has bound US inseparably
together? Now that good mother lies
dying, there is hushed stiffness about the
house. Every one moves lightly from
room TO room. Conversation is in whis-
pers, with an occasional sob that it is i'm
possible to repress. The eyes of all are
dimmed by the unbiddcn tear. None
seem so calm and collected as the dying
sufferer herself. Through the eye of faith
she is looking far, far into the better land
that is soon to be her future home. She
thinks Of him who came upon earth, and
taking upon himself the similtude Of man
ascending the Cross of Calvary, and poured
out his life's blood, that poor, crushed hu
manity might have an avenue Of escape.
Why should she not be calm, even within
the grasp Of the king Of terrors2 Hope
has fastened its anchor in her heart, and
MS she nears the dark river she hears the
voice Of angels calling from beyond, and
sees their white banners waying her on
ward to the bright land above.
The eye grows dull, the hand grows
cold, aud the breath goes out to return no
more, The lease Of lifo has been fore
closed, and the suffering of the flesh can
no longer be endured. The season Of pro-
baton has ended. The joys and sorrows
Of that life are things of the mighty past.
Hope and fear and joy aud sadness win no
longer hold high carnival in that lump Of
clay. The purposes for which Il was called
into existence have ceased, and like an old
clock, the weight having fallen the ma
chinery stops.
Who can fathom the depth, or measure
the breadth Of the sorrow that has fallen {.
upon the household, and Of those dear
children that turn away from that death
bed, 70 realize that they are orphans,
and to face the cold charities Of an unfeel
ing world.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
A Mystical Plant.

Human cunning aud human credulity
have lowered with mystery certain plants
which are worthy of being considered the
most beautiful and passive of creative OBJ.
jects. One plant at least has been said
to utter shrieks on being torn from the
earth, and to have avenged the violence
by causing the death of him who removed
it. This plant was the mandragora Of the
poets, the mandrake of Scripture, species
of the Solono or Nightshade tribe the be-
lief in whose qualities as sedative or q
charm was as old as the days Of the child
less Rachel Indigenous to the East,
where probably its uses as an anodyne and
soporifc were early known to the initiated,
it may be that, in order to enhance the
wonder of its effects, and prevent the ex-
tirpation of the root by its too common
use, miraculous powers were imputed to It,
and superstition hedged it round with IA
bled terrors. The evil reputation of the
plant procured it subsequently the name
of Atropa mGiiragora, by which our
oldest botanists distinguish it; name bor-
rowed from the most terrible of the Fates,
AtropOs, aud since transferred to its rela-
tive Atropa Jeaddonna Diedle or Dead
ly Nightshade. y So potent and valuable
were the medical uses Of the root at u time
when few anodynes were known, that the
ancient Romans made it the subject Of a
weird ritual, without which they would
have deemed it impious to have taken it
from the earth. The operator stood with
his back to the wind, drew three circles
round the root with point of sword,
poured libation on tho ground, and, !,
turning to the west, began to dig it up.
The root of the mandrake, plant with
tap root, frequently forked, as we see that
of the radish, and covered with fbrous
rootlets, was easily convertible into gro
tesque likeness Of the human form. In
the times of Henry VIII and Elizabeth,
little images made of mandrake root, call
ed aJruAeS, were imported in large num-
bers from Germany, and found a ready
sale in England. The fable of the won
drous power Of these vegetable idols was
easily accepted by our superstitious ances-
tors, and the peddlers who travelled about
from place to place with cases of them
drove a brisk trade. Sir Francis Bacon
had them in his minds eye when he wrote:
"Some plants there are, but rare, that have
a messy or downy root, and likewise that
have number Of thread.like beards, as
the mandrake, whereof witches and impos.
ters make an ugly image, giving it the
form of face at top of the root, and leave
those strings to make broad beard at the
foot" 1t is to the credit of the old herb
alists, Gerard and Turner, that they both
essayed, without fear of consequences, to
dig up and examine for themselves the
dreaded mandrake, and lost no time in
publishing the fallacy of the weird stories
told Of it, Chambers Journal,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
To guard her banner true
Half Yankee and half Irishman:
What tyrauts slave are youy'

After the Revolution, Commodore Bar
ry, as the senior officer, continued at the
head of the navy to the day of his death.
During the misunderstanding with the
French Government in 1898, which occa-
stoned a partial naval war, he rendered
eminent service in protecting our com
merce, and inhicting severe punishment
on the French. He died at Philadelphia
on the 18th of September, 1903, and was
inferred in st. Mary's burying ground,
where his monument may yet be seen.
As the Commodore died without any chill
dren, he left the Catholic Orphan Asylum
of Philadelphia his chief legatee.
In person, Commodore Barry was tall,
graceful and commanding. His manners
were simple and courteous, but very dig.
nifed. His fine manly countenance show
ed the kindness of his heart no less than
the firmness of his character. lie was un-
surpassed in all the qualities which con-
stitute great naval commander. The
cooluess and intrepidity, no less than the
skill and fertility in expedients which he
displayed in various memorable conflicts,
are described in naval annals as truly won
derful.
"His private life, says an excellent au.
thority, was as amiable as his public ca.
reer was brilliant. In his domestic rela.
tiOns he was frank and affectionate. Deep
ly impressed with religion, he exacted an
observance of its ceremonies and duties on
board of his ship as well as in the retire
ment of private life. His lofty feelings
of honor secured the confidence of the most
ilustrious men of the nation, and gave
him an extensive influence in the various
spheres in which his active life requir-
ed him to move. The regard and admira-
ton Of Gen. Washington, which he pos
sessed to an eminent extent, were among
the most enyiable fruits of this patriotic
career. His public services were not limi-
ted to any customary rule of professional
duty but without regard to labor, danger
or expense, his devotion to bis country
kept him constantly engaged in disinterest-
ed acts of public utility"
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
A Curious Mode of Taking Turtle,

In the neighborhood of Cuba peculiar
method of securing the turtle is pursued
by the natives, advantage being taken of
the habits of q species Of remora, or suck
ing fish, peculiar to those waters. Three
or four species Of remora are known, hav-
ing collectively wide range. The white
tailed remora Echeaeis dlbicaudd, Mitch. J
frequents our North Atlantic coast, aud Is
sometimes taken In Long Island Sound,
where it is known as the shark sucker.
The chief peculiarity of all these FISH
consists in an oval disk on the top Of the
head and the adjacent parts of the back,
the surface of which is crossed by trans
verse cartilaginous plates, arranged some
what like the Stats Of Venetian blind; on
the middle of tho under surface are hook
like projections, connected by short bands
with the skull aud vertebre, and their
upper margin is beset with fine teeth.
According to De Blainyille, thia organ Is
an anterior dorsal fin, whose rays are split
aud expanded horizontally on each side,
instead of standing erect in the usual way.
BY means of this apparatus, partly sucto-
rial, partly prehensilc by the hooks, the
remora attaches itself to rocks, ships, float
ing timber, and the bodies of other fish,
especially sharks, which 1t uses either for
anchorage or for labor-saying transit
The species Of remora inhabiting Cuban
waters (called Reve, that is, reversed, by
the Spaniards, because its back is usually
mistaken for its belly) is employed by the
native fishermen in the curious manner
shown in our illustration. The boatman
in quest of the turtle carry several reyes
in n tub, and when they approach their
game properly tethered reve is cast of.
On perceiving the turtle the fish quietly
attaches itself so firmly that the prize can
be easily secured.
Colcom states that the fsh's hold is so
strong that it will allow itself to be torn
asunder without letting go. This living
fish hook is held by means Of ring at
tached to the remora's tail, aud stout
line made Of the fibre Of palm bark. BY
a peculiar manipulation the fish is induced
to let go its hold upon the turtle when
both have been hauled into the boat,
The remora Il then returned 10 Its tub, to
await the discovery Of another turtle
Scientific Americaa,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
9elett pOetrp.
THE SNOW.

Lightly aud merrily.
swiftly and steadily,
Down comes the snow shower all the day long
Bright eyes have looked for II,
Young hearts have sighed for It;
Now II Is welcomed with laughter and song.
Earnestly watching 1t,
Eagerly catching H.
Fair little faces and hands reach forth;
Child and youth can be
In the white mystery,
Radiant Visions OF froie and mlrth.
Trayerslng fields OF space,
Running joyous race,
Beautiful flake after iake autteriug down;
Each one perfect flower,
Nurturcd In starry bower,
Each like a gem from an angels bright crown,
Whittier aud whittier still
Grows every roof and still
Whittier the domcs late so grim and brown
Strange Is the spectacle,
Changed as by miracle
Into u fairy land seems all the town.
Lol upon the lcaiiess trees,
Waved by wintry breeze,
Phantoms ofsummeFs dead garlands appear.
Twlning and clinging there,
Placidly smiling here,
Waking son dreams OF season more dear.
Now, at the twilight hour
Ceases the snowy shower,
Listen! already the tuneful bells chime
Soon will the rich and gay
Speed on their merry way,
Thankful and glad for the carnival time,
But as the night came down
Cold over all the town,
Many a heart sinks with terror and woe
Many heavy sigh,
Many fearful eye.
,irccts the chill prospect of darkness and snow.
Yc who In happy homes
Smile when the snow shower comes,
Think OF the sad ones who weep at It's fall,
Think think how pltful,
An object so beautiful
Should like a spectre, the needy appal
Pray for these helpless ones;
Give to these suffering ones;
Dry the sad tear drops that freeze as they dow.
Mercy and charity
smooth lifcs disparity;
Warm poor hearts chilled by winter and snow
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
The Changes in the Frog,

Nowhere in the animal kingdom is there
SO favorable an opportunity for peeping
into natures workshop as in the metamor-
phoses Of the frog. This animal is worm
when It comes from the egg, and remains
such the first four days Of its life, having
neither eyes nor ears nor nostrils nor re-
spiratory organs. 1t crawls. 1t breathes
through its skin. After while neck ia
groqved into the flesh, Its soft lips are
hardened into horny beak. The differ
ent organs, one after another, bud out:
then pair Of branching gills, and last q
long and timber tail. The worm has be.
come fish. Three or four days more
elapse, and the gills sink back into tho
body, while in their place Others come
much more complex, arranged in vascular
tufts, III in each. But they, too, have
their day, and are absorbed, together with
their framework Of bone aud cartilage, to
be succeeded by an entirely different
breathing apparatus, the initial Of second
correlated group Of radical changes. Lungs
are developed, tho mouth widened. the
horny beak converted into rows Of teeth;
the stomach, the abdomen, the intestines,
prepared for the reception Of animal food
in place Of vegetable; four limbs, fully
equipped with hip and shoulder bones,
with nerves and blood vessels, push out
through the skin, while The tail, being now
supplanted by them as a means Of loco
motion, is carried away piecemeal by the
absorbents, and the animal passes the bal.
ance Of its days as an air-bFeathing aud
aeshfeeding batrachial, Penn Monthly,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04
Dispersal of Seeds.

The thistle, the dandelion, and the cot
ton bush provide their seeds with long
tufts of light hair, thin and airy as gossa,
mer, by which they are carried on the
wings of the wind to bare spaces, away
from the shadow of their mother plant,
where they may root themselves success
fully in the vacant soil. The maple, the
ash and the pine, supply their embryos
with fattened wings, which serve them in
like manner not less ehectually. Both
these We may classify as wind-dispersed
seeds. A second set Of plants have seed.
vessels which burst open explosiveiy when
ripe, and scatter their contents to con.
siderable distance. The balsam forms the
commonest example in our European gar
dens; but well known tropical tree, the
-saud-box, displays the same peculiarly in
form which is almost alarming, as its
hard, dry capsules fly apart with the re-
port of a pistol and drive out the disk
shaped nuts within so forcibly as to make
a blow on the cheek decidedly unpleasant.
These we may designate as self dispersed
seeds. Yet third class may be conye-
niently described as animal.dispersed, di.
visible once more into two sub-classes, tho
involuntary and voluntarily aided. OF
the former kind, we have examples in
those seeds which, like burs and cleavers,
are covered with little hooks, by which
they attach themselves to the fur or wool
of passers by. The latter, or voluntarily
aided sort, are exempli6ed in fruits prop
er, the subject of our present investigation,
such as apples, plums, peaches, cherries,
haws, and bramble berries. Every one Of
these plants is provided with hard and in
digestible seeds, coated or surrounded by
soft, sweet, pulpy, perfumed, bright-col-
ored, and nutritious covering known as
fruit. BY all these means the plant al
lures birds or mammals to swallow and
disperse its undigested seed, giving in
as il were the pulpy covering as reward
to the animal for the service thus confer
red.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04

ACE OF ANIMALs.--A bear rarely ex-
eeeds twenty years. A dog lives twenty
years, wolf twenty, fox fourteen Or
sixteen years. Lions are long lived. One
has been known to live to the age Of sew
enty years. Rabbits seven, Elephants
have been known to live to tho age Of four
hundred yjssis. Alexander he Great.
having conquered Purus, king of India.
took great elephant, who had fought
valiantly for the king, and named him
Ajax. He dedicated him to the sun, and
lot him go, with the inscription :--.ssA Alex
ander, the son of Jupiter, hath dedicated
Ajax to the SUM-" The elephant was
found with this inscription three hundred
and fifty years afterwards Pigs have
been known 70 live 70 The age Of thirty
years; the rhinooeros to twenty. A horse
has been known TO live to the aes of aixty-
two years, but average from twenty %
thirty yenrs. Camels sometimes live to
the age Of one hundred years. Stars are
long lived. Sheep exceed tho are IL ten.
Cows live about fifteen years. Caller con-
siders il probable that whales sometinez
live for a thousand years. A sxsn kaa
attained the ago Of two handrsd x1ar,.
Peiieans are long lived A tesloiss has
been known to live 70 the Az of oas hun
dred and seven. Insects, ~ Esae<az
rule, are short liYsd, ihou&A tl.tFe are
many exceptions 10 the fuIu.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04

PeSple are apt to pay you in the self
same coin you pass on them. If you give
the gold Of love you viii get gold 10 return,
and if you give the brass Of impertincncc
you will get il back again before many
days.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04

A pound Of energy with an ounce Of
talent will achieve greater results than
pound of talent will with an ounce Of
energy.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-04

Never purchase love OF friendship BY
gifts; when thus obtained, they arc lost as
soon as you have stopped payment.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
N Equity.

THE MONTGOMERY and ETFAULA
RAILROAD COMPANY aud Othrrs,
ana IN 4
No. 2-MASON YOUNG and Others
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
I.y order of the Secretary 81 War.
PROPOSALS. for INDIAN SUPPLIES and
i EANSptRTATIOE.

DEPAEDgyr or ug INTERIOR OFFICE oPISnhN}
AFFlEs. WASHINGTON. NlTCn -, lSI9.S
SEALED PROPOSE -. iuGoioed proposals Tor Beef ia.
con, Flour Clothing or Irahspol ao ~ ,t5 Ihe se w
80 and 81 Woosterst York will be received mill II a.
H. MONDAY, April -. 1879 for furnishing Tor the lnGan
on , lioof 10000 pounds Beans j20oO pounds Baking
27OGOUU )jnds Corn. 100000 pOuaGs Gonee g.,
Had tread 100000 pounds Homuy, $3.50 pounds Lari
lejo barrels Mess Pork l6Jol0 mounds Gf, SUo P9
pounds SOAP 49, 90 pounds Soda, llI2OOO pounds Sugar
Vli6 Bankcs WOODEN ana Cotton Goods consisting in
part Ticking, $4,000 yards; standard CAleO oOOOO
1880 yars Bingham 32,j 800 yards Kentucky Jeans 49,
$40 yards Sanctt, 1000 yards; Brown SceluR 15uOOO
.4O10 I@ci o,o ] t, riartsre n SIM
plies aud long list o. articles Sc as wagons
% TidnsToTiat1 Tor sc Of the supplies goods ami ar
contracted for to DO delivered at the
q 5irs Visit pP MADE OFT ov CONVENIENT BLANKS
Schedule the kinds aud quantities OF subsistence
supplies required for ncy and the kinds and quaint
e- gross. az other goods and articles to1'ner rr
k propos1ls 0rrS contract and bond conditions 10
Gtars time ana place OF delivery, terms VI
and payment t1nsuuTilon routes and All DINER
necessary Instructions viii be furnished upon application 10
the Indian Office ia Washington Nos 90 aud % wooster
York; VIM IT. Lyon No. Broadway New-York and to
the Commissane, 9'subsistenc T. = A. at chicago saint
ton, ana the Postmaster AT sioux CITY; ... 49, j,
>ryeufIes 81 sgDsn's suPD.ita ana o. hntP0ItiDii au
for articles viii be ready ON and after the 1th
ds viii be opened at hour and Gay above stated and
bidders are iyl.,i 90 hc present A. We M 7 o,yro
CEIlflLp CHICKS OH ~ ntCe cr ABLE On foLLo"N'
All bids must be acconanie W certified upon
banks Government DepO7toies for at
lc1s; per ~ the O the Isopo VIZ Chcnlca
National NcwY ora National Broadway Now York; Metro
apbia First National Baltimore: Thrl National Cincm
nan Union National. Chicago; FOURTH National 81 lou+
states Trctsurcrs Philadelphia, Baltimore
0"''lS' ''1 L. \. ItAYT Commissioner.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
Bankrupt " ollres.

INSTRUCT COURT of the UNITED STATES
- for the suuTHER% DISTRICT OF NEW1oRE.-
In the matter Of SAICGL WILSON ant THOMAS
GREIG hankupts IL BANSUUPTCY.-A Warrant in Rank
ruptcy has been Issued bv s1d Court against the estate Of
SAMtr FL tISON and THOMAS GIEiG. OF the county
Of New-Nork If the state Of Ncw-Nork, I'm sall
District adiudgcd bankrupt upon tie petition or thlr
creditors. and the payment ~ any debts and the de
livery Of property belonging said bnkIupts TO them
their and the transfer property by them.
forbidden los meeting ~ the creditors of sail bank
rpt- prove their debts. and choose assg
~ their estate, viii be htd at Cont o. tnkruptty To
- holden 40. NsTrcus tie CitF Of New YORK IN
sad District ON the 18th day Apr 4. j. 1879. AT
O'Clock D. m. Office 81 John ". Little, esquire
al ne Registers In Bankruptcy of .aid Cour'.
LOUIS =. PAWN. Marshal-ae.senger
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
Mem pnblitaiions.
HARPER g. BROTHERS, New-York,
PUBLISH THIS DAY;
FROM EGYPT TO PALESTINE.

FROM EGYPT TO PALESTINE! THROUGH SINAI
THE WILDERNESS AND THE SOUTH COUNTRY.
OBSERVATIONS OF A JOURNEY MADE VIII
SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE HISTORY OF lhE
IskAELITES by O. Bartlett DID,, LIZ d., president VI
Dartmouth College and lately Professor the Chicago Tao
illogical Seminary With Maps and Illustrations Syo Clo'n
50 80.
complete work 10 the object aimed at by the wn'e'
the gathering together Of all that IL known and tue ns "
much that has been ccnjecured concerning the EgypA
history OF the Israetes and their from Egypt INTO
Palestine While the kept his aim steady III VIC"
and avaled himself Of explorations he has also
given charming book Of travel beginning at Rome ana emu
ing the Phnnician He writes in an unahplous
but attractive style and impre.ses reader in every
chapter with feeling Of his mastery OF the matoas III
hand"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
HARpER's HAIF-EoUR SERIES.

FOUR NEW ISSUES
ORR VILLAGE. Sketches of Rural Character and seen
cry By MARY RUSSELL MITIOED. S2mo, Paper %
cents Cloth, 40 cents.
Miss Milford f. unsurpassed in descriptions OF rural HE
and scenery aud tins little volume VIII De delightful com
panon to take INTO country to the seaside retreat
BALLADS OF BATTLE AND BRAVERY. Selected Oy
W. GORDON MCCABE. 23mo, Paper, % cents; Cloth AZ
MIR McCabe shown excellent taste and Judgment III
the selection Of poems Tor t volume which must become
popular with all who admire hcfosm ara CALAMITY"
SIX MONTHS Of SLAYER 4 True Narrative. By
EDWARD MANNING. 81 mo, Paper, 20 cents CLOTH 80
cents
"Valuabe Authentic personal narrative containing
vivid pictures the uhuman traffic which the
pro civilization has 81 last swept ont Of existence
HEALTHY HOUSES. BY ELLEMING JENkIN J. l.
- Professor Of Engineering the nlvers Of Edinburgh
Adopted TO American Conditions. By GEORGE L. WAX
III With six Illustrative Diagrams. J-uIo Paper -
cents; Cioth, 40 cents.
done Ls countrTmon good service in adapt
ing this admirable treatise the wants OF American house
holders"
=. HARPER BROTHERS will send any OF The above
works by mail POSTAGE prepaid, to part Of the United
States, receipt of the price.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
GedtDfrs.
lJfoposdis.
DROPO2ALs FOR HEADSTONES FOR
soADiA'''9 "''A' Van DEPARTMENT.
W All llfAtlfl.Hlt
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. lREALS OFFItR.
~, -. -. IL 4 AI.r.l u lE-0

GUARDIANSHIP. GESECALs OFFICE
WASHINGTON. y. c., March 81, 1879. }
SEALED PROPO~ AIS. ira tupIcate are hereby invited
for furnishing Heads soldiers graycs IN Private
Village ant ct. Couo.res provided by the law approved
FeDrary g. 1879 Of which the following Is an extract;
IS sI Is hereby authorized 20 erect
heads1hu5 Of soldiers VINO served ~ to reg
ular Volunteer the Htsd states during the war
JuDu, DO have boon buried ih private taSe
a. cemeteries the plO'lld Dy
Of March g. 1878 for those inferred In National Military
Cemeteries -. - ,,o
The total number {, be furnished IL estimated az GO0
dtscTbuL ia detail iIt standard bAtu ~ ho
Scor,tary OF Ws aud blank orm5 ~ proposals can De 4 m
any ti!uu N person by cttr tc captain r. T. Rockwell
l. g. W o. s. \, charge of National Cemeteries Washing
Sptcens the Hcadstoncs 20 bc furnished can be seen at
office. &c.,.
Al h!ds should be accompanied by good and sufficient
guaranty AoIc Ti DE considered except ol AHe44CeH
V.fi. Marble % grades named m the siccihcatOus
Irouo,as Doc ucOsad in sealed envelopes and en-
drr. pfopu-s foI IrltsDutS' and addressed 10 the I'M
Gtisgnrd whose Cite they VIII be Opened I'D me presence
ofLIicrs Monday, June 10, 1912 commencing al II
O'Clock %. %.
Iy order of the Secretary ~ war.
ma 3 q r n. = a.