davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
Birds Nests.

There are few things as wonderful
as birds nests. These little creatures,
which one would suppose good for
nothing but to pour forth their sweet
songs, are really capable of building
"houses without hands" these are
built for the purpose of rearing and
protecting their young. The materials
used for the nest. are different with
different birds, but they are generally
straw, twigs, wool, thread, OF moss. l
once saw nest made out of some very
fine lace, taken from the clothes-line of
our neighbors.
The styles of building their nests are
nearly, if not quite, as numerous as
those employed by man in building
houses. Some English author has
classified them into twelve distinct
groups: miners, ground-builders.
masons, carpenters, platform builders,
basket-maskers, weavers, tailors, felt
makers, cementers, dome-builders, and
parasites These names indicate the
methods used in building. Under the
read of miners come the common bank
'wallows. The hawk is both ground
and platform-builder. The robin is
mason, and the wood-pecker is car
oenter. The martial eagle, Of Southern
Africa, builds platform said to be
strong enough to hold the largest man.
VIE maybe and crow are basket-uak-
ers, and hang their nest from some
twig or branch where the leaves
entirely conceal them. OF the wcayers,
the Baltimore oriole is perhaps tile
most familiar example.
There are many other examples Of
the wonderful ways in which birds
construct their nests. Who teaches
hem how to do al these things is a
question we cannot answer We
xnow, however, that they must have a
natural impulse which leads them to
do, without reasoning, what is best Tor
their own safety.
A short time ago I read n story
about a magpie, which was accustomed
to receive dainty bits from the mouth
If its mistress. Ono day it camc and
perched on her shoulder, and, putting
its beak between her lips, the grateful
bird dropped large, fat worm into her
mou.h!-BanL of Mercy.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
WORDS OF WISDOM.

Be not sorry if men do not know you.
but be sorry if you are ignorant of men.
If you would not have affliction visit
you twice, listen at once to what it
teaches
There are great many duties that can.
not wait. Unless they are done the mo-
ment they present themselves, it is not
worth while to do them at all.
There is nothing more sure, we take
it, than that those who are the most
alert in discovering the faults of work
of genius are the least touched with its
beauties.
No life can be we'll ended that has not
been well spent; and what life has been
well spent that has had no purpose, that
has accomplished no object, that has re-
alized no hopess
Virtue consists in making desire sub,
ordinate to duty, passion to principle.
The pillars of character are moderation,
temperance, chastity, simplicity, self
control; its method is self denial.
The truly virtuous do not easily credit
evil that is told them of their neighbors
for if Others may do amiss, then may
these also speak amiss; man is frall and
prone to evil, and therefore may soon fail
in words.
Censure and criticism never hurt any,
body. If false, they cannot harm you,
unless you arc wanting in character;
and, if true, they show man his weak
points, and forcwarn him against failure
and trouble.
A skeptical young man one day, con,
versing with the celebrated DR.. Parr,
observed that he would believe nothing
which he could not understand. "Then,
young man, your creed will be the
shortest OF any man know"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
A RAILWAY Ladder.

Marshall Pass, by which the main
range of the Rockies is crossed, is a
great railway ladder, / do not pro-
pose to describe it--a whole article by
itself would be needed for that. AT
Its foot you are 5000 feet above the
sea level; at its summit you are 10, 900;
yet on either side weather-beaten
peaks rise nearly 1000 feet above your
head. If you will carelessly toss
cord down upon the floor (only guard
ing against its making any crossed
'oops) you will have fair idea of the
way the track runs here, 1t is always
steep grade upward, but then to at
tain the regularity of ascent the train
must 60 away up to the head of the
deep indentations, and skirt the outer
most rim of the headlands. There arc
no tunnels, except the semblance made
by the long snow sheds; few deep
cuttings or bridges. 1t is simply a
winding trail. accomplishing by many
and devious turnlngs the required as
cent of 217 feet to the mile, shown by
straight line on the profile from the
Arkansas plains to the summit of the
pass, and down again to the valley of
the Tomichi on the western side.
Sometimes you can look out of the win
dow at two or three tracks below and
two or three more above -the steps
you have come and those which re-
main; but intervening links are invisi-
bic and you wonder how you are to at
tain those successfully higher levels.
From one spot on the Western slope
six Of these tracks are seen at once
down the opening made by a great
ravine which the road crosses and re-
crosses. This side is a Kaleidoscope of
far-reaching views, changing with each
moment, for your headlight turns to
every point of the compass in its
doublings; and while you admire the
sky-kissed heights above, you may
turn and tremble at the awful depths
just below. 1t is railway in mid
air.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
Croppsngt the Hair.

The fashion of cropping the hair is
fast gaining favor both in Europe and
America. and it is quite wonderful to
discover how many ladies are willing
to sacrifice their wealth of shining
tresses to passing fancy. 1t is all
very well while the fashion lasts for
the girls with Pretty faces to transform
themselves into bewitching little Gu
pids, but alas when short locks are
pronounced old style, what then ? A
smart hair dresser can cut off the fin
est, longest head of hair in about five
minutes, but the ultra fashionable vic
tim who is thus shorn, must remember
that it will take five years to get those
shining waves back again. The hair
lying in loose, fluffy rings all over the
head is pretty sight, but when one
has become tired of it and decides to
let the hair grow long again, the tran
sition state is anything but agreeable,
when the locks grow to about the
length Of eight inches and hang
straight and stubborn behind the ears
too short to braid or put up in any man
ner and too long to arrange in "mon-
tagucs' or fluffy haloes about the face
Ladies who cling to their luxuriant
tresses, while looking, perhaps, little
out Of style, will soon discover that
they have made a hair-breadth escape
Ifrcm much annoyance and, perhaps,
from the loss of considerable temper
,NeU York Ereniag Post.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
ROYAL Elephant Fights.

A royal Elephant fight in Bur
NAH is thus described: "There were
fifteen elephants on side. A pair of
them are never started alone at a
fight. The fights are always arranged
for the amusement of the mobiles, and
are great events. The battle is terrific.
The elephants are given toddy, made
out of the fermented juice of the palm,
which they drink out of buckets.
Jersey lightning is like water compar-
ed to the stuff. 1t makes the elephants
reel and tumble about like drunken
men. They snort and trumpet and
create a terrible racket. In the fight
at Theyatmo the mahouts or drivers
straddled their necks and urged them
on. The beasts hal been maddened
by prodding and beating and rushed
at each other like mad. There were
some that wheeled around and ran
away, but those that kept on made
the earth shake when they came to-
! getker. They ran right into each
other. They locked tusks. and gored
and dashed one another with their
trunks. Tusks were run into elephant
shoulders six or eight inches. The
fights in India are the same. of course
In Burmah fights take place between
elephants ard tigers, King Thebau
! has men fight tigers. The Burmese
In power ara cruel. One king used Il
make tha people lie down for hls peay
| 10 walk oyef,"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
DisilIusiONcd.

A Clifton girl who married a poor
young man and who has in consc.
quence been practicing domestic
duties has lost faith in the entire social
,ystem. The other evening her
husband came in at six o'clock to
upper and handed her paper folded
md sealed.
"What is it dear?" she said, tender.
y.
Gan insurance policy On my life,
darling, for $4,000"
"Why, love, you already have one
What did you want with anctherf''
"Angel mine, l ate two pieces Of
tpat pie you had for dinner.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
Fatality Row.

There is superstition among old men,
bers about sitting in certain row of
seats in the House, on account of the
deaths that have occurred among the &C.
cupants of this fatal line. An old men,
Der in speaking of Fatality row said:
"No, you couldn't get me to sit there.
I'm not ready to die yet"
Then lowering his voice to an awful
whisper, he continued, looking cautious
ly about:
''There are lots of members in the
House you couldn't get to sit there,
either. Why, when the seats are drawn
at the opening of Congress, some of the
members who know about the fatality
that hangs about those seats are uncom-
Portable until they are all gone, for fear
it will fall to their lot to get one, and
when when it comes to choosing between
these and the otherwise less desirable
seats in the rear they always take back
scat. Haven't you noticed how those
seats are generally the last taken by new
memberss Well, it's a fact. The old
men are particularly nervous about sit
ting there"
"Why is this Fatality row more than
any of the othersl" asked the reporter
"Why? guess if you'd count over on
your fingers and see how many members
have died before the end of their term
who held seats in this row you wouldn't
ask, and guess you'd be little dubious
about sitting there, too. Just count them
over, commencing, say, with the Forty
fifth Congress. Mackey and may be one
other are the only members who have
died within that time who did not hold
seats in this row. There was Fernando
Wood, Haskell, Hartridge, Williams (of
Michigan), Bev Douglas, and one or two
others whom can't name just now. Gar
field also sat in thisrow. There is some
thing in it, l tell you. would not like
to sit there. " WASHINGTON Star.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
The silks That Wear Ionge.t.

After the silk passes from the dyer's
hands the manner in which it is woven
is of essential Importance. All other
things being equal, goods woven with
an equal welt and wool is the most
durable, hence the strongest silk is the
old-fashioned taffeta or glance silk of a
generation ago. Corded silks are beau
tiful, hut between the reps of the goods
are interstices for the dust to collect
in, which, if allowed to remain. speed
ily cuts into the fabric and no corded
goods can be made without some part
of the weave being heavier and exert
ing strain on the lighter portion.
sTaffeta silks, from the lightness OF
their construction, are usually hand
made goods. Large quantities OF IN
expensive striped and checked taffeta'
known as summer silks. are woven In
iswltsey!and In a circuit Of about thirty
miles around the city Of SpFieh'
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

Nothing is so economical as hand
some black, in spite of its first cost,
since it may be turned and returned
End made over again and again so long
rs it holds together, and Mrs. Grundy's
sharp eyes may fail to recognize it after
each transformation. On the other
hand, colored dress in any positive
shade becomes marked after it has
heen worn two or three times, and
however carefully combined or con-
yerted into new costume, is sure to
lie "shadowed throughout its exist
ence. Black. however, unless worn as
mourning, is appropriate only for
natrons and ladies who have passed
the first blush. White, especially d.
aphanous white, is universally becom-
ing when softened by lace and trimmed
with bows and rosettes in colored rib
bon, in the pretty fashion now popu-
lar. Pale blue is becoming to blondes
and brunettes with clear compilations,
since it has a tendency to darken the
shadows. Pale pink and bright pink
suit olive compilations and hair of dark,
reddish-brown tint. Yellow has a
tendency to make the skin look fair (;
many reds will lend it positively
greenish hue; mauve gives it u yellow
tint, and light green can be worn only
by women with perfect complexion.
Indeed. the only way to tell whether a
color is becoming is to hold breadth
If it about the head and neck, or if this
is not practicable, throw it about the
shoulders close to the face.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
WHILE ON THE WAY,
To the Surprise and Delight of Her Friends
a Young Lady Receivers from almost
Fatal Heart TrOubie-What DIR. David
Kennedy's Favoriie Remedy Can DOB
Happy Home Circle.

HAPPY tOHuc
Next to tine sad duty bearing the bodies of our dear
dead to their long rest is that of taking our loved v
Ing when stricken with disease, in search of help
which appears the hopeless the nearer it is ap
preached
Yet when Mr.. Nicholas Howell, of Wayerly, Che
mung county N Y. left his home some time since FOR
New York it was on such errard. By his side vas
his daughter whose ca had been aba1d ned by the
home physicians as one OF incurable disease OF the
heart When the train reached Peekski it was clear
thst the almost dying girl could not be carried rie
farther With safety Emacatsd in body, Shattered IN
nerve and melancholy in mind the poor girl had 1851
interest in her fate.
But who may know their fate-ether for good or
evil? b. tho earnest advice of friends IN Peskskili,
Mr. Howell tenierly conveyed his daughter to the Of
fee Of Dr. David Kennedy in Rondout. N. Y Or.
Kennedy perceived that shs suffering from heart
disease. and also from an advanced stage OF com
pa Mt commen to women
Having given dire ,tions in reference to diet an.
clothing the 1ctor prescribed vha is well known
as DIR. DAVID KDNNEDY's FAV0RifE
REMEDY, (Rondout, N " as his young patient :
only medicine Not long after the threatening synp-
toms vanished the light returned to her eyes, 0hs
bloom to Ee cheeks and happiness to her heart an eS
ample of recovery which is wonderful as the nes.s
cine that etfe ted 1t:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
sateen in silk design can scarcely be
distinguished from satin foulard.

sateen in silk design can scarcely be
distinguished from satin foulard.
One of the latest novelties in millin,
cry is the Egyptian bonnet. A black
lace square frame is covered with a
web of jet and gold cord. At the sides
is shirring of coquilicot crepe. Aig
rette and tips, shade, supply the garni.
ture.
People who can bear violent con
trasts are trimming black cashmere
with Irish point. The effect is good
when the happy medium is adhered to,
but when there is much of the garni.
ture the result is rather displeasin'
than otherwise.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
CHILDREN's COLUMN.


Two ears and only one mouth have you,
The reason, ! think, is clear;
Itteaches, my child, that II will not do
To talk about all that you hear,
Twoeye and only one mouth have you,
The reason Of this must be,
That You should learn that it will not do
To talk about all you see,
Two hands and only one mouth have You,
And it is worth while repeating,
The twoare for work you will have to do,
The one is enough for eating.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
Fashion Notes.

Fashion Notes.
Round feather fans are fashionable.
Pinked ruflles and flowers are much
worn.
Silk and velvet butterflies are large
ly used.
Ruching around the sleeves is very
popular.
The new ribbon, embroidered with
peacocks, is pretty.
Some parasols have the lining shirred
around the edge.
Large punches of flowers are seen
on most summer hats.
Lace pins are seen in the shapes Of
whole cats and alligators.
Silver lace pins representing punches
CT daisies are charming.
Silver and gilt wings are frequently
seen on bonnets.
All sorts of redingotes are fashion
able this season.
A dress recently seen had en-
broidered peacocks on the side panels.
In some transparent small bonnets
the figured or beaded lace is put over
the flowers.
1t is pleasant to record that the skirts
for growing girls are perceptibly
heightened.
Handkerchief made with row Of
lace around the edge are worn stuck
in the bosom.
Black Chantilly lace is again fashion
aide; entire dresses of it are worn on
the other side.
Embroidered tulle continues to hold
its place among light materials for
evening dress.
The cravats and false shirt fronts
affected by some ladies with tailor
made suits are very ugly.
Beaded shoulder capcs will be much
worn over black dresses. They are
made with high shoulders.
Trainless dresses with Vatican
effects, made Of lace over pale satin
rhadames, are popular in Paris.
India shawls are formed into grace
full NANTES by means Of silver or gilt
buckles used to hold the folds in place.
A very pretty bonnet of jet beads
in diamonds over flimy silver net with
white ajgrette, On which is bril-
liant jet butterfly.
The tops of some fans are made of
narrow ribbon of two contrasting
colors placed between the sticks
checker-board style.
Parasols are trimmed with cuanti-
ties of lace. and come in gay colors.
! The handsomest are either beautifully
embroidered or hand-painted.
Dress materials come with figures oil
walnuts to correspond with the bon
nets trimmed with the real nuts
which are silyerei or gilded.
As a rule, only two materials are
used in one costume, but the rule il
often broken in favor of velvet, plair
silk, and brocade all in one dress.
The new Moscow embroideries
which resemble tatting, is much uset
for trimming children's light cashmere
dresses, as well as white lawn ant
linen costumes.
Ail-ONCi tulUlOluclltS VII lii
white goods, and embroidered flounc
ings to match are in new and desirabl
patterns. They constitute some of tn
rrettiest costumes of the season.
BoHnets and round hats covere
with escurial and other black nets
embroidered with steel and trimme
with aigrettes CT tufts, frosted wit
steel, are exceedingly stylish.
Finely cut steel buttons about tn
size of ten-cent piece are observe
on long coats of gray and green, an
bronze buttons initiating ancient coin
are liked for short, iaunty coats of an
cDlYr.
Sateens display all the deep an
dainty colors. all the large and sma
patterns, and MI tie conventional an
bizarre effects immeginahle A IN
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

The true and good never die. Science,
philosophy and art have their limited
epochs, beyond which they never stray.
But whoever saw the grave of a dead
truth or the obituary notice of deceased
virtue4 1t is only error that sickens and
dies, and falsity, wrong, and vice which
society wears out and casts behind it in
its progress toward the realization Of its
divine ideal
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

A man is beggar who only lives to
the useful, and, however he may serve
as pin or a rivet in the social ma
chine. cannot be said to have arrived
al self-possession. l suffer every day,
from the want of perception of beauty
in people.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

Hon. A. w. Sheldon, Associate Justice,
supreme Bench of Arizona Territory.
writes rs follows: at affords me great
pleasure to say, from my personal observa
ton. and you know the scope of such has
been very extended, that st. Jacobs Oil is
the great and wonderful couqueror of pain.
the sovereign cure for all bodily aches and
pains, and Icheerfully bear this testimony"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

n
Or. Robert Newton, late president Of the
Eclectic college, Of the city OF New York, and
formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, used DR.. VIM.
Halls Balsam very extensively in his practice,
as many of his patients, now living and re-
stored to health by the use of this invaluable
medicine, can empty testify. He always slil
that so good remedy ought to be prescribed
freely by every physician as sovereign
remedy in all cases Of lung disea ses. 1t cures
consumption, and has no equal for all pee
toral complaints.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
How to Catch Fish.

"Boy, how much do you want for
that string of fish" asked an amateur
fisherman on his way homo from a
days sport.
The boy named his price.
Gall right, there's your money. Now
Just throw me the fish," and he dex-
terously caught them.
talk about catching fish," ho said,
as he pursued his way Philadelphia
Cal.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

On the appearance Of the first symptoms, az
general debility, loss OF appetite, pallor, chilly
sensations, followed by night-sweats and cough,
prompt measures of relief should be taken
Consumption is scroiulous disease Of the lungs
therefore use tho great anti-serofulous or blood
purifier and strength-restorer, DR.. Pierce's
'Golden Medical Discovery" Superior 10 cod
liver oil as nutrtive, and unsurpassed as o
eotor,l, For weak lungs, splitting Of blood
md kindred affections, Il has no equal Sold by
druggists, For DIR. Perces treatise on Con,
sumption send two stamps, WORLDS DIS
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

Lydia +. Pinkhams Vegetable Compound
is TO be had at the nearest drug store Tor a
dollar. 1t is not claimed that this remedy
will cure every disease under the sun, but
that it does all that 1t claims 10 do, thousands
of good women know and declare.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
Firemen's Trouble.

L have been troubled a long time with kid
ney weakness, great proportion of tie time
with severe pains in the back. Having
heard Hunts Remedy recommended very
highly for troubles of the kidney and urinary
organs by Ira Wood, ex-chief Of the fire de-
paItment OF Syracuse, he having been cured
of severe case OF kidney disease lately by
the use of Hunts Remedy, purchased
bottle and used it, and have not been trou-
bled any since: and know of many others
here in Syracuse that have used itand recon-
mend it as great medium for the kidneys,
and do not hesitate to say that it is a re-
mackable medicine. JACOB MoLFRoM,
Member of Syracuse Fire Department
Syracuse, N. Y, Juno IL. 1883.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

MEssRs. ELY Bros, Druggists, Owego, N.
Y.-Enclosed please find money for four
bottles of Cream Balm. l tried it on a man
who could not smell at all. After using your
balm for six days could smell everything.-J.
c. MATHEWS, Salem, n. C. price 50 cents.]
ELY's CREAM BALM cured me Of Catarrh of
many years standing-res' ored my sense OF
smell. For colds in the head it works like
magc.-F. II. SHERMAN National State Bank,
Elizabeth, n. j. Easy to use. See adv.l
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16
Igures Won't Lie.

The figures showing the enormous yearly
sales of Kidney-Wort, demonstrate its value as
a medicine beyond dispute. 1t is a purely
vegetable compound ofcertain roots, leaves and
berries known to have special value in Kidney
troubles. Combined with these are remedies
acting directly on the Liver and Bowels. 1t is
because Of this combined action that Kidney
Wort has proved such an unequalled remedy
in all diseases Of these organs.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-16

A single cattle ranch in Texas, at
the head of Red River, is said to con-
tain nearly $4,000 acres more than the
entire state of Rhode Island contains
in territory, =