davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
LADIES' DEPARTMENT,
S,v.l Way to rop tho question.


Tyrolean maidens are by old custom
spared the necessity OF giving tongue
to their "aye" or mo" 1t appears that
the first time young man pays Visit
us an avowed sutton he brings a bottle
Of wine, of which he pours out u glass
and offers it to the object of his aifec-
tions. In any case she will not refuse
it point blank-that would be too gross
an insult; but, should the wooer not be
agreeable to her, or his declaration
come little too prematurely, she de-
ciines the profferei wine, pleading that
it looks sour, or that wine dlsagrees
with her, or any other excuse the fem
mime ingenuity may suggest, II she
likes the lad and is equal to owning
it, she empties the glass, taking care
not to spill any of the wine, for If she
does so, or the glass or bottle is broken,
it is an unhappy omen. "They have
split the wine between them," say the
peasants when the marriage turns out
badly.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
What Is Evolution z

This word is in constant use in all
the literatures of the world. Indeed,
with some writers it is as important
word as law, force, nature, and even
God. Herbert Spencer has helped to
make it fashionable, aud this is the
definition of it:
Evolution is an indignation of mat
ter and concomitant dissipation Of
motion. during which the latter pass
es from an indefinite, incoherent HON.
ogeneity to definite, coherent hetero.
geneity, and during which the retain,
ed motion undergoes parallel trans
formation
To the average reader this is about
as clear as mud, but its meaning seems
to be that there is a process in nature
which unfolds or develops higher from
lower types of existence. 1t CORE
spends to the word progress as an
piled to the course of history in hu-
man ffairs.-DemoreSt,
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
FL Mahdi.

About the middle OF the ninth century,
boy of four years old became Imam IN
Bagdad. Six years afterward he disap.
peared, and his mother and servants as
serted that he had gone down into
fountain in the garden declaring that he
would return when he had learned the
will of the Lord. Since then the Shias,
a certain sect of the Mohammedans, have
taught that he was still living and would
reappear with the Prophet Elijah, and es-
tablish Islamism as universal religion.
1t has always been expected and pre-
dicted that the "Mahdi," or "Guide,"
would appear in Arabia, But the man
whose followers assert him to be this lost
Imam, and the Mahdi, is an Egyptian
named Ahmed Suleiman. He was for
merly rccountant. general of the Soudan
lie was also adealerin slaves, ivory, gum
arabic and other goods, and headed the
slave-traders in their rebellion against the
khedive, when an attempt was made to
check their traffic.
DIR. Tenny, who Is probably the only
American who has seen the Mahdi, de-
scribes him as spare, tall man with
dark olive complexion and brilliant eyes,
and clad in white robe and turban. He
possesses in high degree that peculiar
magnetism which controls large bodies
OF men. He protests that he is not the
lost Imam, but is the "Voice of Allahn
sent to 'lead Islam until it covers the
face OF the earth" His followers. how.
ever, insist that he is the boy who disap-
peared in the fountain thousand wears
ago.
Almost every nation possesses the ira
dition of lost hero who still lives and
will return to lead it to victory. In Asia
it is Gautama, or Buddha; in England
King Arthur was believed to have entered
into ship and sailed away, into the fog
and mist. There are songs and traditions
yet extant which show how long and
how faithfully the Britons chung to the
hope that he would some day return and
drive out both Saxon and Norman in.
va1er. In SPAN, the great Saracenic
chief, Boabdil, was believed for centu-
ries, by the lower classes of the people, to
be lying in an enchanted sleep, in cave
with his knights, some day to awake and
sally forth. Even in this new country,
we have the old navigator, Hendrix
Hudson, who according to Dutch ira
dition, only sleeps in the Kaatskills, and
bides his time to come out and see how
the world has grown since he has left it.
Youths Companion.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
Getting Their Hangs shinsIeh.

1t would be interesting to know
how much human hair has been shed
for Mrs. Langtry. A gentleman writes
me that he met lady friend a day or
two ago in Washington who tells him
that the American women went so far
in their imitation of the Langtry bang
that now when the Lily has changed
to a "top-knot" they are devoid Of the
necessary amount of hair for u fresh
imitation. Bangs, she admits, existed
before the Langtry, but they were
mere frizzes and fringes. a custom
has grown up out of it in Washington
of going regularly to shops and wait
ing for next as men have done for
generations before them, to get their
bangs shingled. The shop is just
like barber-shop, only the dresser has
a private room and little bell. You
couldn't get woman to sit in chair
under the critical eye of dozen of her
sex. l get my bangs shingled twice a
month and good many others do even
more often. He charges twenty-five
cents, and as his place is always full
and he works rapidly he must make
money" The lady goes on as follows
"You ought to see these women. all in
row like wax figures against the
wall, waiting for their turn. There
were fashionable ladies from the West
End, clerkesses and servant-girls, in
age running from sixteen to sixty. mix
ed mp in the most democratic way.
recognized next to me a millionaire
Senator's daughter-I should thini'
she would have her banging done at
homeland on the other side what ]
took to be a French waiting-maid.
Every time the bell taps and one
comes out from under the hands of the
bangor, the woman nearest his door
goes in. Then the woman who SIT
next moves into the vacant chair near
the door and the whole row OF waiting
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
A Sparrow's Golden Nest.

We have all heard of the goose that
laid the golden egg, but the Philadel-
phia Times tells the story of a sparrow
that made its nest a golden one. 1t
was very aristocratic bird, but it has
been compelled to make an assignment
The sparrow made its home in bird
box close to the United States mint,
and by its boldness had become great
favorite with the girls in the mint,
who allowed it to play in and out of
the windows at pleasure. A short
time ago boy in the building went
where Mr.. Sparrow has made his nest,
and peeping into the box to see if
there were any young folks at home,a s
boys love to do, he was surprised upon
drawing his fingers out to see them
sparkling in the bright sunshine. No
miner who strikes an unexpected vein
was more excited than the boy as he
seized the box and carried the whole
thing down stairs, where it was found
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
Don,rrou DO ~.

Don't suffer any longer with the pains and
aches oil Rheumatism, which maAo lie bur.
den TO you, Rellef speedy and permanent can
be procured at The nearest drug store, in the
form OF Kidney-Wort. Elbridge Malcolm Of
West bath, Maine, says; ~ was completely
Frustrated with rheumatism and Kidney
troubles aad was not oxpcotodto recover. The
first dose Of hdney-Wort helped me. Sir
doses put me on my feet, il has now entirely
cured me and have had no trouble ipce." q.
school Teachers.
Mr.. II. i. SoPKR, principal of the High
School at Poquonock, Conn, says in relation
to matte or which has given him much anxiety
md pain: "My wife and have both used
Hunts Remedy, and find Il really a superior
article. year or so ago my kidneys bscame
weak and sluggish owing TO severe strain,
and finding relief in Hunts Remedy l con-
tinued its use until hid used four bottles,
when became well. Since my cure l have
suggested its use 10 great number OF people,
who know have been benefited by using it,
And TO subsiantiate thus state cent, Mr.. IL.
s. CLARK, assistant superintendent OF the
High School, says; 81 can certify to the
value of Hunts Remedy, having received
great benefit from its use. My troubles COM
menced tweve years ago, when my kidneys
became afflicted with Inflammation of tie
passages but the timely use OF so valuable
medicine arrested the disease. l can now
cheerfully recommend II TO all suffering as
was" May 81, 1888.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
reforms In WOman's Attire.

1t seems absurd that fourteen or
fifteen yards reneededto make a gown
for woman, while about five are
sufficient to make great-coat for a
man, says writer in The London
Standard. 1t is fortunate, in view of
this fact, that trained dresses are worn
only to dinner. and in the form of tea
gowns. The added weight and incon-
venience Of train, which must be
held in the hand, would render walk
penance insteal of a pleasure. 1t
may be hoped that fashion will never
reintroduce the long skirt for outdoor
work. 1t has nothing to recommend
it, even from the point of view of the
dressmaker, who has found possible
to crowd all bearable trimmings on the
limited surface of the short dress.
When trains first went out, leaving the
feet plainly visible, coquetry brought
them more prominently into evidence
by the introduction of the high-heeled
boot.
This, in its turn, has now almost en-
tirely disappeared from the walking
gear of the fashionably dressed; and
there is even CLEAN of hope that the
high heels may vanish from the ball
room before long, and with them their
peculiar influences on the dances of the
day. The jerky valse, now in so much
vogue, would soon be consigned to OBJ
livion, together with the little "tap-
tap" Of narrow, elongated heels of the
fashionable shoe; and those who rea-
lie that even ballroom dancing might
be softly poetic and dreamily grace
full would cease to be irritated by the
sudden swing and violent onslaught
of couples engaged in the arduous
trois temps. Let such as these hope
for the abolition of the high-heeled
dancing shoe, even though it be fol-
lowed by the mournful elegies of
those deficient in stature, though not
in the ambition of preferring tall
partner.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
The Working Women Of New York

There are in this city some 100 or more
factories for the manufacture of ladies'
and children's clothing, in each of which
are employed from twenty to 800 women
and young girls. These female workers
are in their places from in the morning
until at night, with half hour at noon
for lunch. The doors are locked at half
past 8, and during working hours no one
is allowed to enter or leave the shop.
Could any one force his way into one Of
these places, he would be confronted
with the curious spectacle of gangs of
haggard women and wan, spiritless girls
of ten years and upward, lowering over
hundreds of swift flying machines, silent
ly passing the garments from hand to
hand under the watchful eye of an over
seer. He would see scores of narrow
chested women bent in silence over the
pressing board, iron in hand, in heated,
unventilated rooms. He would find rag
ged young girls silently folding dainty
garments and boxing them for the mar
ket.
These women ana girls work in silence,
because that overseer has the power to
fine them the cost of a loaf OF bread for
every sentence spoken, and, in case of
many of those children, that means the
net results of days work.
These women and children get their
wages once in two weeks. The average
net earnings do not exceed 81. so or S.. 0C
a week. The employees are held respon-
sible for all damages to tools and fur
nishings, and even for the breakage of
the machine needles, so that after all de-
auctions have been made it is not an un-
common thing for woman TO find her
wages for two weeks reduced to the sum
of $3, and checks as low as eighty cents
for the two weeks are often made out for
the young girls. Here and there, in rare
instances, you may find an extraordinary
woman SO swift handed and skillful that
she can do enough in the two weeks of
ia hours to make out bill of 1914 for
the fortnight; but from this are deducted
$3.50 or s. for the thread used. This
thread is supplied to the operators by the
firms at rate somewhat below the regu-
larretail prices, but considerable ad-
vance on the wholesale prices
AT lunch, which is necessarily taken in
the shops, tea or coffee is furnished, but
must be paid for in advance. settlements
being made once in two weeks.
Now, taking into account that the most
meager board, in the poorest ana cheap
est quarters of the city, is at least So per
week, how many of these women and
children die of starvation in the course
of year?-John Sointon's Weekly.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
Emperor William and the Cornflower,

The Emperor William is a great
friend of the cornhower (the bach
elor's button). One day, it was at
Konigsberg and the gloomiest day of
Prussia's history-the Queen Louise
sat in the garden of the house on the
Hafen, which the royal family then
occupied, when young girl ap-
preached and, without knowing whom
she had before her, offered bouquet
Of fresh flowers for sale. The Queen,
full of sympathy, spoke kindly to the
thinly-clad child and learned she had
sick mother at home who could earn
nothing. She thereupon, with tears in
her eyes, took the flowers from her,
rewarded her generously and then
called her children, who were playing
near by. She showed the Princess
Charlotte, afterward consort of the
Gar Nicholas of Russia, and the
Prince William how wreath could be
made of the flowers without shears
called the attention of the children to
their simple beauty, and then drew
the moral that in nature, as in human
character, plainness and simplicity CO.
existed with beauty. This lesson,
taught by the royal mother in such a
graceful form, together with the
pretty wreath. which she finally placed
on the head of Princess Charlotte,
made the blue cyane the favorite flower
of the future Empress of Russia and
her brother, the present German En-
peror; and when, few years later,
the Queen died, the corn flower be-
came for both a memento of their
sanctilied mother.-Dr. Busch.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
English Customs in the Middle Ages.

1t was possible for woman to pur-
chase royal license to marry "whom
she would" always granted with the
proviso that it was not to be one of the
kings enemies. Widows very often
had recourse to this measure; maidens
more rarely. With the former it
might denote either an attachment to
some particular person or mere desire
not to be forced into remarriage; but a
spinster who was not a nun was never
heard of in the middle ages. There
were very few old bachelors-rare
phenomena, but an old maid was never
seen outside the cloister. The nearest
approach to it was in the case of few
ladies difficult to please, who delayed
marriage until middle age was reached.
1t was rarely that this could be the
case, since they were seldom allowed
to please themselves. The color which
was pretty certain not to be worn at a
wedding was white, for white was the
deepest possible mourning, and was
worn by widows Immediately after be-
reavement. Medieval education was
very different thing to that of the
present day. Among the higher
classes both sons and daughters were
sent into the service of a gentleman or
lady and educated in the necessary
duties of gentle people. Why they
were not taught a. home is not quite
clear; probably better discipline was
secured under stranger guardianship.
A girl was thoroughly trained in house,
wifery, medicine and some slight sur
gerry, it fortunately placed, needlework,
ETC., sometimes to read and to write
also The boys were trained in war
like arts, to ride, to shoot, and so forth;
most frequently the reading and writ
ing were omitted in their case. Royal
personages were obliged to study both
reading and writing, and the royal
signatures are interesting and often
characteristic. Henry Wills hand is
very characteristic; doubtless, as
Isaac Disraeli has said of him, che
split many good pen" Mary wrote
pretty Italian hand, but rather
sprawling and irregular. "Never
could any lady write more beautiful
hand than the early Italian one of
Elizabeth; and I hope no lady ever
wrote any uglier than the horrible
scrawl of her queenly years." The
food, cookery and medicine of the
middle ages were alike in respect that
they were most elaborate and astound-
ing connections, often repulsive to the
last degree. Only iron constitutions, is
would seem, could sustain such fearful
admixtures of indigestible and unlike
ly food, yet our forefathers and mother
throve and grew hearty upon Them
"Ye Olden Time"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
How Towns are Started in Colorado.

HOW Towns are Started In COl0rAd0.
The ''Town Site company" 1 ought
to explain, for the benefit of some
Eastern readers, is an association of
men who make up their minds that
town should, would, or could grow
up at certain point in wild region
whittier civilization is tending. or
whittier a rush is expected. contingent
upon certain event, like the diScov-
cry of precious metals or the compile
ton of a railway. Under laws of the
United States these men "take up"
certain area upon which to build their
town, and proceed to put it into as
presentable shape as circumstances
will admit, by surveying streets, indi-
eating parks and reservations for pub
lie buildings-hospitais, churches, city
hall, libraries and so on; by bringing
water from the hills, planting shade
trees, and perhaps building big ho-
tel. In many cases the railway is a
partner, and helps by concentrating
operations at that point; indeed, the
emergencies of railway construction
and operation are generally the most
potent factors in deciding the locality.
The place plotted and the "compa-
n.y. on the ground, lively advertising
begins. The floating frontier crowd
rushes to the new spot, and wild
speculation in town lots at once be-
gins, prices being paid that have no
relation to the intrinsic value of the
property acquired, which, as yet, is
worth next to nothing, but, like the
wildcat stocks of Wall street, simply
represent the amount man is willing
to stake on that particular card, or the
rental can afford for immediate use
and opportunities. IngersoH,
in The Manhattan.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
Without Argument.

He was young lawyer, and was de-
livering his maiden speech. Like
most young lawyers, he was folid
rhetorical, scattering and weary. For
four weary hours he talked at the
Court and the jury, until everybody
felt like lynching him. When he got
through, his opponent, grizzled old
professional, arose, looked sweetly at
the judge, and said:
Your Honor, / will follow the ex-
ample of my young friend who has
Just finished; and submit the case
without argument.
Then he sat down, and the silence
was large anS oppressive.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
Soldiers on Skates.

Perhaps the most curious battalion in
any army is the Norwegian corps of
skaters. These corps are composed OF
picked armed men with rifles, which they
use with great precision. The skates
used are admirably adapted for travelling
over rough and broken ice and frozen
snow, being six inches broad and be-
tween nine and ten inches long. The
soldiers can be maneuvred upon the ice
or over the snowfields of the mountains
with rapidity equal TO that of the best
trained cavalry. AS an instance of the
speed they can go, it is stated that q
messenger attached to the corps has &C
complished 1870 miles in eighteen hours
and half, over mountainous country.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
1Ok Wars 0l,I

Messrs. Francis Newberry & Son, Lon.
don, England, established for 1875 years.
write: As testimonial from one OF the
Oldest drug housesin Great Britain, respect.
ing your household remedy, will no doub.
be of great interest to you, we are pleased
to make the statement that we have sold
St. Jacobs Oil with satisfaction to the pub
lie. for several years, and that owing to the
extraordinary merits Of the article, the de,
mand is continually increasing, and that we
have heard of many favorable reports re-
garding Its great virtue as paincuring
remedy.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12

that the inside was not only fleckc'
with gold dust, but that the accumA
lations of the precious metal had
formed a sort of carpet of sparkling.
soft, yellow gold, the whole proving a
veritable "bonanza," The sparrow
had regularly been carrying off guam
titles of gold dust in its feathers, which
it shook out when 1t made its toilet in
tho morning. The nest is being as
saved.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12

The Brahmins are believed to have
invented oirr numerals-1 to 10--pri-
or to the Christian era, and the Arabi-
ans, who became familiar with them
about the year 900 A. D., introduced
them into Spain, whence they spread
all over Europe.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12

Lydia E. Pinkhams Vegetable Compound is
most valuable medicine for ladies Of all ages
who may be afflicted with any form Of disease
peculiar to their sex. Her remedies are put up
not only in liquid forms but also in Pills and
Lozenges, in which form they are securely sent
through the mails
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
The Great Bridge.

The Brighton Journal, in an article on
the Brooklyn bridge, says that in the first
year of the great structures existence it
has been crossed by 11,500,000 persons.
AS regards the revenue of the bridge, the
receipts have been from passengers in
cars, about 1875, 900; from foot passen-
gers, $50, 900; from teams, about $75,-
600, total of about $500, 900. The run
ming expenses have been about $500, 900,
leaving about 500, 900 as fund toward
reducing the bonded Indebtedness, which
amounts to SIS, 900, 900, of which $10,-
100000 is to be paid by the city Of
Brooklyn and $1,000. 900 by New York.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12

There are r. all some sixty or seventy
of the hot springs at Hot Springs, Ark.
They cover superficial area of about fiv,
acres.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12

Mr.. d, H. Barnaby, of Oweso, N. Y, says
that his daughter was taken with a violent
all the best physicians gave the case up and
said she could live but few hours al most.
She was in this condition when friend re-
commended DR.. VIM. Halls Balsam for the
Lungs, and advised her to try it. She &C
copied it as last resort, and was surprised
to find that it produced marked change for
the better, and by persevering a permanent
cure was effected
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12

lJD A THING OF BEAUTY. The most bril-
liant shades possible on all fabrics are made by
the Diamond Dyes. Unequalled for brilliancy
and durability Ice. at druggists. Send &c. for
80 Sample Colors. Wells, Richardson 4 Co.,
Burlington, Vt.