davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
Aunt DinaIl and the Camera.

Speaking of Aunt Dinah reminds me
of Ben's attempt 10 photograph her.
After all the family had been duly
taken, they suddenly thought of Aunt
Dinah, and rushed into the kitchen to
ask her. She beamed with delight at
the suggestion, but said, in a sort OF
shamefaced way:
Laws, honey, yer don't wanter TUX
an ole body like me. 7
Yes, yes, we do; come, Aunt Dinah!
come right alongr' shouted all the
children in chorus.
"He, he'' chuckled the delighted
Aunt Dinah, beginning to diyest herself
Of her kitchen apron, = eff y amt gWine
fer to take no 'scuse, s'pose I'll jes' hab
to be tux. But go long, honey, go
long! Is comm, rs comm sho'; only
jes' stoppin' to find sumfin to froW ODER
dis yer noddle.''
Sure enough, out came Aunt Dinah
presently in her best plaid apron and
kerchief, a yellow turban on, and her
gold earrings cleaning in the sun. Ben
sat her on a bench in the garden among
the suniowers, and she madea first-rate
picture-much better than Ben had any
idea of, and far finer, after all, than
Miss Molly in all her grand attitudes.
But the moment Aunt Dinah was
seated she began to Look grave; she
grew, in fact, more and more solemn
as Ben proceeded to :. fix things, till
at length when all was ready she had
stihened into really formidable grim
ness.
t1x1 hcl IL
ranged to his satisfaction, and coming
to the front of the camera he said, in a
warning tone, and with grand air that
never failed to strike terror to the heart
Of the ignorant sitter: All ready now.
take carep' and Immediately pulled off
the little brass cap.
Aunt Dinah had been looking in ans
other direction, but at these words
turned quickly toward the instrument,
and whether startled by Ben's action
or tone, or both combined, it would be
impossible to say; but she suddenly
started from her seat and fled toward
the house, looking back over her should
er with a terrified face, as she cried:
Run, chil'eni Massey sakes, run!
it, gwine to 60 off! Seed one o dem
yer things bust afore now! Done knock
eberyt'ing all to nuffin!'
The children all laughed and shouted
at poor Aunt Dinah's fright, but Moth
ing could induce her to go back and
have her picture taken.
Dis ole niger seed too many dem
yer shootin' things in de war, she said,
solemnly. " Yo' kin go eff We wanter,
jes' go right on, but Is tell YER honey,
tell yer sho', dat ar's gwine ter go off
one O. desc yer fine days, an den whar'll
We bep Whar'n We be den?n she re-
peated, shaking her head, warningly.
won't be huff o yer lef' to wips up de
flo .''-Edacin Lassetter Bynaser, IN st.
Nicholas.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Our latest correspondence, May 16 1885, brings to us
the narrative of HENRY B. INGRAM the General Sup
erintendent of the District Messenger Co. of New
Haven Conn. Fir Ingram says: For many months
Ihad been sorely troubled with weak and tired feel.
ing across the lons almost invariably accompanied
with a headache had noticed also that at stated
periods following these pains my urine would be high
y colored and leave heavy brick coiored sediment
when allowed to stand in the vessel Icould not work.
and was discouraged to an alarming degree Moth
Ing helped me. was prescribed for by some of the
best physicians in New York City, where was located
at that time, but derived no benefit or relief When
almost ready give In despair acquaintance said
to me- want you to try Hunts Remedy did so.
and hardly twenyfour hours had elapsed before OBJ
tanned relief and in three weeks time all the aforesaid
ailments had disappeared and improved steadily and
was infused with new life, that could resume my
business again. which is that subjects me to strains
of all kinds which are likely to affect the Kidneys
namely: Erecting telegraph and telephone lines.
Hunts Remedy now occupies the most honored place
In my cabinet of medicines. would not be without
it. and cheerfully and heartily recommend 1t to all
who troubled with diseases of the liver kidney or
urinary organs. 1t never falls to cure"
IS CENTRE STREET.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

The country people near Danville,
Va, were recently swindled in very
simple yet curious manner. Four men
rode about the country in covered
wagons soliciting old feather beds from
families, promising to replace them
with new ones in the course of ten
days. The reason for doing this was
that they wanted to make mattresses to
send across the sea, and that new feath-
ers would not answer for this purpose.
They were quite successful, getting six
large beds from two families. They
gave no receipts, but got their Ieds or
their bare promise.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
The Dying Spruce Trees in Maine.


Some weeks ago your correspondent
reported tine fact of the decay and death
OF spruce in some of the townships in
Northern Aroostook. The total loss of
SO much valuable timber has, naturally,
excited uneasiness among those who
own timber lands in that section of the
State. In consequence of the general
interest in the subject and its impor-
lancet have taken the trouble to ascer-
tain the opinions of practical lumber
men as to the cause of the decay of the
spruce trees.
Jacob Harding, of Caribou, who for
the past ten years has had charge of
townships of wild land, and who has
been in the woods great deal during
that time, says that one-third of the
spruce down to eleven inches in diam
eter in the five ranges of townships
west from Eagle Lake stream is either
dead or dying. His observation is that
the young spruce is unaffected. His view
of the cause is as follows: About eight
years ago, late in the fall, there were
heavy rains, which loosened the earth
as had never before been known. These
rains were followed by a protracted
gale and severe winter, and in conse-
qnence the root fbers of the spruce trees
were broken, and decay followed. He
says that he has observed that on the
northwest slopes, where the winds had
the greatest rake, the spruce suffered
the most. He says the trees present at
first, at the top, scared appearance,
and year by year death passes toward
tho rSda of q
time, at other times on both.
Samuel w. Collins, who has been IN
Aroostook for forty years, and was one
of the heavy operators in that section
in early days Of numbering, and up to
within a few years, gives his opinion
substantially as follows: He thinks the
spruce of Aroostook has reached its ma
turity, that the age of a spruce tree is
from sixty to ninety years, it being a
rapid growing tree. and that it is simply
old age that causes the decay. He says
that forty years ago the spruce in North
ern Aroostook was small; and in the
townships where it has been cut there is
no loss from decay. tits principally in
those townships that have never been
cut over that the rot occurs. The loss,
he thinks, in the townships where the
spruce trees are decaying is about one
third. He does not believe in the theory
of the spider and worm, but his observa-
ton shows that in a very short time aft
'er the trees begin to decay worm APP
pears. 70
Other gentlemen who were inter-
viewed think that the trees are dying
only from natural causes; that the
spruce after certain number Of years
dies from old age. In support of this
theory they argue that it is only the old
spruce that are dying; that the young
trees are healthy and show no signs OF
decay. They do not believe that it is
worms that kin the spruce, and claim
that in all cases it is shown that the
worms follow, not precede, decay Of the
spruce.
Mr.. FL NJ. Prentiss. of this city, in a
well-written letter published in a recent
number of the Northwestern Lumber
man, takes strong ground in favor OF
the theor, that the spruce are dying
from old age. He also thinks that re-
ports in regard to the dying of spruce
trees have been greatly exaggerated. =
Cor. Boston Journal
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
The Girl Who Giggles.

The girl who giggles is strictly an
American institution. She is found in
all stations high and low, though as a
rule she is more frequently found among
what is known in polite circles as the
upper classes. She deyelopes usually
at the age Of fifteen, reaches her prime
at twenty-five and approaches the s'sere
and yellow" at about thirty, when,
though before she was all but unbear-
able, she becomes a positive nuisance
and though usually designated as a
tskittenn resembles a full-bloWn feline.
On first acquaintance her infirmity
does not strike you, but as the intimacy
ripens the sad misfortune becomes pain
fully apparent and the feeling Of pity
which first affects one is superseded by
that of annoyance. IF one is Of nerv-
Gus disposition every tendon Of his frame
is kept at a high tension and rendered
painfully weak by unconsciously keep
ing on the qati giUe for her next giggle.
Let her be unaware of your presence
and be annoying some one else and the
effect is Just the same All that is nee
essary is that she shall be within hear-
ing distance, and try as hard as-cne
may TO pay no atueHllOH " Hei Inc eASct
is just the same.
A milder form of the complaint is
what is known as snickering or smirk-
ing, and though not as annoying as gig
Cling is almost as bad. Whether or not
this unfortunate malady is contagious
is not definitely known, but that it is
undoubtedly on the increase can not be
doubted. 10 the scientist as well as
the medical practitioner the subject
opens d wide field for investigation
which it is earnestly hoped will no long,
er be neglected, but receive that atten-
tion which the necessities of the case de-
.mand. If girl will insist on giggling
let her seek a lodge in some vast wilder
ness and giggle all BY herself. Harris
burg (Pa.) Patriot.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
Town CLERK FoHrY-rwo YEARS.

The following Is from Mr.. 0THSIEL GAaEE. the
well known and respected Town Clerk of Norwich.
Conn Mr. eager SO years old and has held this po-
son ftrust for AZ years, and his word is good
his bond. On May 1885, he writes as follows: For
years have suffered with disease of the kidneys and
bladder. and have no hesitancy In recommending
Hunts Remedy as specific for these complaints. 1t
has not only been the means OF relieving of terrible
pain, but has cured number of my acquaintance.
To-day am performing the duties of the Office of
Town Clerk which have held for forty two years,
which could not be able to do were not In fair
state of health owing to the use OF Hunts Remedy
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
Recame sound and we'll"

R. v. PIERCE, M. D.: Dear Su'-My wife,
who had been i'll for over two years, and
had tried many other medicines, became
sound and well by using your " Favorite
Prescription" My niece was also cured
by its use, after several physicians had
failed to do her any good. Yours truly,
THoMAsJ J. METHvIN, Hatcher's Station, Ga
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
Hard Jumps in Breast.

DR.. R. V. PIERCE, Buffalo, N. Y: Dear
ST. wrote you some time ago that /
thought had cancer. There was large
lump in my breastas large as walnut, and
had been there four months. / commenced
taking your IS Golden Medical Discovery"
:. Favorite Prescription and pellets" in
June, and the lump is gone.
Yours gratefully, Mrs. r. r. CLARK.
Irvington, Mich.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

HAY-FEvER. was severely afflicted
with Hay-Fever for 25 years. Itried Ely's
Cream Balm, and the effect was marvellous.
terrain Pastor, Elizabeth, Nj. Price so cts.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

The Monarch Lightning Potato Digger
stands without rival. Every farmer
should have it. Read advertisement else
where in this paper.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

HAY-FEyER. One and one-half bottles of
Ely's Cream Balm entirely cured me of
Hay-Fever of ten years. standing. Have
had no trace of it for two years. ALBERT
a. PERRY, Smithboro, N. Y. Price so cents
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

"SAFE blowing" is looming up as .
business. It has always teen phase OF
human nature to indulge in blowing from
a safe standpoint Pittsburgh Telegraph.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

AN enterprising reporter. writing OF a
wreck at sea, stated that no less than four
teen of the unfortunate crew and passen-
gers bit the dust.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

WADLEY, GA.-Dr. B. R. Doyle says: II
consider Browns Iron Bitters superior as
tonic to any preparation now in use."
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

WHAT is the difference between costum.
ers and customers?-O U know. Hot
love soon runs cold.n-That's owing to the
signs of it.-Boston Traveller.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

WAITING in vein-Blood. Suited to con-
yicts-Stripes. A matrimonial city. Hol-
yoke,-B0stOn Courier.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

'sMother Swans Worm Syrup" for few.
erishness, restlessness, worms. Tasteless.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

ANAMosA, IowA.-Dr. j. G. Mcclure says:
"I know Browns Iron Bitters is good
tonic and gives general satisfaction"
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
GIenn's Su

Glenn's Sulphur Soap.
No specific for skin ailments can cope
with it. Hill's Hair and Whisker Dye, soc.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

IF man can not cut the grass in front of
his house he might as well be no mower
N. o. Picuyltiae.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Owe Of the best stops for hand-organ
is pewter dime.-Boston Commercial
Bulletin.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

THE chap who shakes the door-mat on the
sidewalk is the man who ellis the pubic
eye.n-Golden Days.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

The ;mpecunious man who married an
heiress always spoke OF her as capital
wife,
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

SAVE trouble and expense in washing
and always have nice fitting collars and
cuffs by wearing Chrolithion.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

PARALYTIc strokes, heart disease, and
kidney affections, prevented by the use OF
Browns Iron Bitters.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

LIGHTHOUSES, from a theatrical point of
view, always indicate breakers ahead
Rochester Post Express.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

$500 REWARDw will be paid for any case of
chills that CHILLARINE will not cure. Try it.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
w1sr's Axle Grease never gums.

HE said her hair was dyed; and when
she Indignantly said: "'Tis false" he
said he presumed so.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
CArARRHELys CREAM BALM

when applied by
the finger into the
nostrils, will be abb
sorbed, efectually
cleansing the head
of catarrhal virus,
causing healthy Sc
cretions. 1t allays
inflammation, pro-
tects the membrane
of the. nasal pass
esfrom addition
al colds, completely
heals the sores and
restores taste and
smell. A few appli-
cations relieve. Il
thorough treatment
arM positively cure.
Agreeable to use.
D cents by mail Or at
1xunrn NJ "
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

No Trouble to Swallow
DIR. Pierce's 60 Pellets" {the original little
liver pills'') and no pain or gripping. Cure
sick or bilious headache, sour stomach, and
cleanse the system and bowels. Zoe vial.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

A FASHION item announces that ladies
are wearing V-shaped bodices. A v
shaped bodice spoils an x-shaped note
NoTTistolsn Herald.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

though on Rats" Clears out rats, mice,
flies, reaches, bed-bugs, ants, vermin. 15c.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Skinny Men. "Wells' Health Renewer''
restores health and vigor, cures Dyspepsia.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Cuts from barbed wire fence, cured with
Stewards Healing Powder.
No scar or gray hair, 80 cts box.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Wells Rough on Corns." 15c. Ash for 1t
Complete, permanent cure. Corns, bunions
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

GET Lyons Patent Heel Stiffeners for those
new boots or shoes before you run them over.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

- n Sheets fine writing paper in Botter Tablet with
XHH calendar. % cents, by mail. Agents wanted.
OU Economy Printing Co.. Newburyport. Mass.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

There is delightful novelty about
Che summer resorts in Maine, for those
who visit them find rest and recreation
III the endeavor to pronounce their
names, some Of which are: Mollychunk-
amunk, Mooselucmaguntic, Ayboljock-
ameius, Magaguadavic, Cobbossee, Cou-
tee, Togus, Tomhegan, Katepskowegan,
Brassua, Aziscoos. Ripogenus, Mamma
kanta, Millnoket, Monsweag and Mat
tawamkeag. 5s
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
TELEGRAPHIC MATTER.

ALL recommend Wise's Axle Grease.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Buchu-paiba." Complete cure, all an.
noying Kidney Diseases, irritation. 81.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

o. L. e1f1 per day at home. Samples worth 0S
~ 70 WI free Address sTlNsoN &Co. Portland. Ne.
St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18

Europe Through aWoman's Eye"
is the title of 4 new book. That beats
the Camel Through a Needles Eye
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
REPORTS 10 THE CONTROLLER.

ALBANY, Dec. s.-The Controller is busy on
his annual report In which he will pay considerable AZ
tenton TO the subject OF corporation taxes The success
NJ the law OF 1881 has gone beyond his expectations
The following are some additional statements from I'M
portant corporations. -
RAILROADS. Third renue Slu1ace-CapitalS2O OO;UOV'
dividends $4,000; rate, IL per cent sihAnH iu"f
S,coSd renus SurfaeeCapita 81 100000; dividends
sl39 100; rate, 10 per cent sinking iund' - TAX
$3,477 so. a., D-.n ooo ,,,do,ds
SLrth Arenne Srrdoe-Captal, Sl00,oooi oNiueHu''
S75 900 rate 10 per cent tax $ls7o. .oo 900,
Sttsn islamd--C Capital $9OO.O00 dividends S2S'OOoi
rate - 1-3 per cent tax, $500 o,.., ooso ooo,
Prospect Tark and Ooney IsIand-Captal S2oo'oooi
Walsh jTaney-Capital $3.50, 900; tax, $40 90 90
Troy and BoStOnCaplta Sl673, 10; tax, S4o9 -"
Tpentythird Sheet-Captal, S6OOOOO diylden9s Sf''
600 rate, per cent; snking nInd, - tax $d,2Ooi ,
TRUsT COMPANIES UniOn-Capital, $2OOO'OOO NV.
dend $50, 900 rate, sia per cent; sinking luiu'
nnfted States Truss-Captal 100000; dividends
s45OOOO; rate % per cent sinking fuhd' - 'aA'
$ll,2 D. D. Code, =, 600 600:
dividends 800 600 rate, 10 per cent; sinking ius
- tax, 81, 800. .,, ,,.,,,,. e,5 600;
dividends SO 100 rate, Ia per cent; tax, SoZ d.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09

have saved $25, 1888 by having MIR. Farley do the
work at his prices. 1t is possible that Mr.. Farley
might have lost money on tho contract, Dut MI
Kane kindly stepped in and prevented that catas-
trophe If Mr. Kane had not been great deai
wiser than the well-pad official who made out the
estimates for the Public Works Department ne
would not have made so much money. HAD the re-
turns agreed with the estimates Mr.. Kane would
have earned $17, 100 instead of $685. 2O.
THE CORPORATION COUNsELs OPINION.
In answer to an official inquiry OF Controller
Grant as to whether or not the final payment on
one Of these extraordinary contracts could not 10
stopped, Corporation Counsel Andrews repheo
am of opinion that It is obligatory upon the Guy 20
make payment Of the final estimate. There Is HotnhS IL
the circumstances connected with the letting OF the eDi
hst IN the absence Of fraud contracts founded upon u-
balanced bids, they called, must be carried OUT.
Under this opinion the Controller paid the blll'
although his attention was called to decision Dy
the Court of Appeals concerning the Oahai hins
frauds In this it was held that contractor couiu
NOT claim paw at the prices of his bid for more than
the amount Of work named in the estimate on
which the contract was let. But as that decision
was given ON State contracts aud not on city con-
tracts the Controller did not feel authorized TO go
bevond the opinion Of the Corporation Counsel
FROM EIGHT DOLLARS PER YARD DOWN TO ONE
CENT.
In order to give a clear idea of the widely vary
ing sums which Commissioner Thompson is paying
for the same kind Of work a table has been pre-
pared of the prices fixed in contracts for regulating
and grading streets. In this table the prices gwen
in each case opposite contractors name are prices
on one contract. Where no figures are stated there
was no work of that kind done under that paruou.
lar contract In many contracts the estiha'oS VI
the amount of work to be done were nearly the
same.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09

EXCEEDING THE ESTIMATE SIX HUNDRED ihn ~
The contractors who put in unbalanced OlHS suoh
as these of Reilly Slattery, Brady, Tone ana foiey
are men who have had other contracts from tho
public Works Department. Some OF them are sure
tics on the bonds Of their fellow-contractors ana
otherwise show a fellowship peculiar to men VINO
do business with that branch of the City Govern
rnent The advertisement of the Commissioner OF
Public Works distinctly stated that he reserved
the right to reject any OF all bids not deemed for
the interest of the city. But Mr. Brady's bid was
accented and the work is still in progress. Accord
ing TO the bills already audited Mr. Brady has earned
$50 600 on his contract, and he has only excaVated
/ 900 wards of rock, although the estimate SUD
mitted by Mr. Thompson called for 81 $40 yards OF
rock excavation, and only 1880 yards OF earth OK
cayation. The estimate on the earth excavation
has been exceeded several times over already IL Is
estimated by an engineer who has examined the
work that there will be about $4,000 cubic yards
of earth excavation and that Mr.. Brady Will get
from the city about SII2,O0O, on a contract on
which his bid was sI5,O7o.
]. McKim & Son. although experienced con-
tractors. were evidently not aware that the es'l-
mates on this work were fictitious They bid tair
price for the work. 80 cents cubic yard Tor eartn
and 81 25 for rock. The difference on the com
pleted work between their prices on rock and eartn
and the rates paid Brady would be as follows:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
GENERAL SHERMANDlD NorPREDIcrWAR

John Swinton recently wrote to. General Sher-
man, asking him whether he had made the statements
attributed to him in speech 80 Governors Island that
"thcre win soon come armed contest between capital
and labor; that "thcy will oppose each other not with
words or arguments ballots, but with shot and she'll
gTnp0wdcr and cannon The better casses are tired OF
these insane howngs the lower strata and mean to
stop them"
In his reply General Sherman says that he ut
tered the words quoted. lie adds: " doubtless said
what has been said thousand times before. In peace
be prepared for war; and BE ready for tell
what tomorrow may bring forth But sure the words
capital Labor gnpOwdcr and never were spoken
am sure friend Of mine has been disquleted
by this absurd bundle Of nonsense aud that contradiction
simply the vanity and -cfestecm OF the
boys the press whose imaginatOns better than
their Judgment and who claim the noble privilege OF In
yeuOn or what used 10 be called lying eayln the VIC
tim the humllating right OF denial or explanation.
On the great question OF the conflict between capital
and labor, / know nothing and must use Spanish 10
explain my position: : DOS sdbe.'"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09

,,orse. To give q sample of this nnnaIahceu Oiu
system as it is now in force IN the fuoI0 "oiAo
partnent, thorough Investigation was ooo c..
Pnor % contraets-among Others, No. 6,262. Tor
rSauIotinu and grading Ninety-ffth-st from the
.,est ourh of Tenth-ave to the east line OF River
,iSe Drive. and setting curbstones and tagging
Sidewalks thereon" This made on July 81 1850
The estimates of the Department, as gwen In tne
advertisement published in The City Record on when
The bids were made called for 1880 cubic yards Oh
earth excavation, 81 $40 cubic yards of rock exca-
ton. 1850 linear feet of new curbstones 70 Dc 1ur
nished and set and 1925 square feet OF new nag
cling to be furnished and laid. There were num-
her of bidders, many of whom have other contracts
and who appear therefore to understand somethns
about the system followed by Commissioner ihomp-
son in giving out public work. Some OF the pios
were as follows: