davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24
White Elephants.

1t is three hundred years since the
Western world received the first ex-
tended account of the wonderful
white elephant. This account came
from an Englishman, named Fitch,
who must have encountered great diff
culties in travelling through Burmah at
that time, and maybe found in Hakluyt's
qraint and famous Collection of Maui
cations, Tratiiques, and Discoveries.
This tells lis at that time the King of
Burmah had four white elephants,
which were very strange and rare. 1t
also records that if any other king had
one, the Burmese King would SEN for
it, and would rather lose part of his
kingdom than not get it. The chroni-
Gle further tells us that when any white
elephant was taken to the king, all the
merchants of the city were commanded
to visit it, upon which occasion each of
them presented it with half a ducat.
AS there were grea. many merchants,
this made good round sum. AT that
time the white elephant stood in the
kings house, and received great honor
and service. Each Of them had an
apartment of its own decorated with
golden ornaments, and atei its food from
gold and silver vessels, Every day,
when they went to the river to bathe,
canopies of silk or cloth Of gold were
held over them, and drums, clarionets,
CT other instruments accompanied
them. As they came out of the river,
each had a gentleman in waiting to
wash its feet in silver basin, an officer
being appointed for that honor by the
king. The black elephants were not so
well treated. They were evidently re
garded as the canaille, though some of
them were very handsome and fully
nine cubits, or thirteen and half feet
nigh. -MaRhattan Magazine.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24
"Little Brown Hands,"


They drive home the COWS from the pasture.
Up through the long shady lone.
Where the quail whistles Ioud in the whea'
field
All yellow with rpeling grain.
They find in the thick waving grasses,
Where the scar,et-tipped strawberry grows,
They gather the earliest snow-drops,
And the first crimson buds of the rose.
They toss the hay in the meadow,
They gather the elder blooms white,
They find where the husky grapes purp.o
In the soft-tinted October Light.
They know where the apples hang ripest,
And are swaeter than ltalys wines,
They know where the fruit is the thckest,
On the long thorny blackberry vines.
They gather the delicate sea weed,
And build tiny east es of sand;
They pick up the beautiful sea shells
Fairy barks that have driiled to land
They wave from the tall, rocking troe-tops,
Where the orioles hammock nest swings
And at night time are folded in slumher
By a song that fcnd mother sings.
Those who toll bravely are strongest;
The humble and poor become great;
And from those brown handed children.
Shall grow mighty rulers of state.
The pen of the author and statesman,
The noble and wise OF our land
The sword and the chisel and palette,
Shall be held in the little brown hand
-.Nelc Harea .NeWs.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24
Some Mexican Superstitions.

Not long ago. in one Of the frontier
towns of Mexico, man shot defense
less old woman down in the street in
bread daylight He was captured
with his carbine in his hand
and when examined before tho
magistrate gave as reason for his
crime that the murdered woman had
been called upon to nurse his brother,
who was sick, and had, by working
charms upon him, caused his death.
The firm belief in phantoms is taken
advantage of by evil disposed persons,
who, disguised as women. glide about
the suburbs secured from molestation
by any passers-by. These phantoms
haunt graveyards, and grown men
will gravely tell you of "phantasmus,"
as they call them, seen at or near the
spot where men have been murdered.
These generally bear the form of men
lying dead, weltering in their blood.
Those that recount you these tales af-
feet not to believe in the existence of
spirits, but one can see that although,
like Nine. de Stael, not believing in
ghosts, they are afraid of them all the
same.
At Pueblo man went before one
of the judges and asked protection
from discar led sweetheart who, he
declared, had made an image the ex-
act representation of him, and which
was carefully dressed in clothes
like those he wore, and that
she stuck pins in the arms and legs Of
this puppet, which act caused him the
most awful tortures, fearful pains
shooting through the portions of his
body corresponding to those in which
the pins were stuck on the puppet. He
had dragged to court the woman, and
actually bore the puppet in his hand
as proof of what he said. He proposed
to destroy this uncomfortable pirated
edition of himself, and only asked that
the Judge would prevent the woman
from making another one.
The superstitions, Of course, give
rise to a considerable traffic in charms,
in which may be found curious in
termixture in religious belief. A thief,
for instance, will carry as a charm
against detection some curious verses
addressed to the patron saint of his
guild. Love powders and potions are
often used, and sundry old men and
women ycleped "curanderos' make
living as doctors, praeticing curious
medicine and necromancy. 1t is not
so long ago, in an interior city, that
one of the old women smothered her
self and patient, tax collector of
some intelligence, to death in an i'm
provised Russian bath, in which she
raised mephitic vapor of certain
herbs for the purpose of driving out
witch that inhabited the body of her
patient. The fact that she herself
perished shows that she believed in
ghosts and thought that she could con-
quer them. Before entering the bath
she told her attendant to pay no at
tention to any cries from within, as
the witch would probably make
great disturbance before allowing her
self to be dislodged.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24
The Seal Life of the Alaska Waters.

Prof. Elliott tells us that the fur
seals which repair to the islands of ST..
Paul and st. George, of the Pribylov
group, are in numbers almost fabu-
lous. They go to land to shed fur and
hair and to breed. The seal life of
that region is classified under the head
of fur-seal, sea-lion, the hair-seal, and
the walrus. OF the true fur-seal, the
professor goes so far as to say that
there is no other animal known to man
superior to this from purely physical
point Of view, and few creatures ex-
hibit SO high an order Of instinct, ap-
preaching even to intelligence. A
male is in his prime at six or seven
Years, measures 61-2to Z IL feet in
length, and weighs at least400 pounds,
some reaching 600 pounds. The COM
paratively small head is almost all oc-
cupied by the brain; the large blueish
hazel eyes alternately burn with re-
vengeful, passionate light, then sud-
denly change to the tones of tenderness
and good nature. When it seeks the
land it is in its fattest condition. In
from six weeks to three months the
superiluous fat is consumed
by self-absorption, and the bones
show under the shrunken skin. 1t does
not seek the place of its birth, but aims
for land without regard for special 10
cation. The seal-weather is the ''fog-
gy, humid, oozy damp Of summer"
and about the first of June the males
select their positions, after the most
extraordinarily brutal contests which
man can witness. The females arrive
few weeks later. The body is cover
ed with two coats, the short, crisp
overhair concealing the soft, elastic
fur. in contrast with that of the males
the behavior of the females is describ-
ed as of exceeding peace and dove
like amiability." The females are four
to four and half feet long, and more
shapely than the males. They do not
have protracted fasts like the males,
and have no great masses of blubber to
sustain fasting. Soon after they give
birth they leave their young on the
ground and go to sea for food, return
ing perhaps next, or not for several
days, in the meantime speeding to dis
tant fishing banks to satiate their hun
ger. The head and eye are exceeding.
ly beautiful; the expression is really
attractive, gentle, and intelligent. The
large, lustrous, blue black eyes are hu.
mid and soft, with the tenderest ex-
preston, while the small, well-formed
head is poised as gracefully on her
neck as can well be imagined. She is
the very picture of benignity and sat
isfaction when she is perched upon
some convenient rock and has an op-
portunity to quietly fan herself, the
eyes half-close3, and the head thrown
back on her gently-swelling shoulders.
Prof. Elliott declares that he never
Saw any driving Of the young pups
into the water by the old ones, in order
to teach them to swim, as certain au-
thors have positively affirmed. The
pups blunder into the water awkward
", and become the most expert SWIM
mers only after many discomfitures.-
San Francisco Bulletin.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24

The laws of Rhode Island require
that naturalized citizen, in addition
to the qualifications required of ma
tives, shall own real estate above in
cumbrances of the value of Sl34.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24
Rest.

Rest.
Rest is not quitting
The busy career;
Rest is the fitting
OF sell to one sphere.
IT'S the brooks mo,ion,
Clear wi hout STRIFE
Flee ng TO ocean.
After this life.
'Tis loving md serving,
The highest and hest;
'lis onward, unswerving,
And this is true rest.
-Goetae.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24

both in Marble and American and Scotch
Granite. Marble and Bronze Figures, Iron
Cemetery Railing, Gates, Settees, Chairs,
Vases, Chains, Marble Shelves and Table Tops
constantly on hand, which we sell at very low
prices. Old Monuments and Grave Stones
cleansed by new process and made 10 look
as good as new without injury to the marble.
Parties wishing any kind of Marble or Granite
work will do well to give us call or address
us. This is no irresponsible concern, here to.
day and there tomorrow. Our place OF bnsi-
ness is the same as it has been for the past ten
years,
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24
Che Londonderry Sitter,

AN INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER,
ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING
PROM
sitter office, So Londonderry, VI.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24

Horses an Carriages at all hours. Persons
earned TO all surrounding points upon arrival
oi trains. Special accommodations to excur.
sion parties. Good teams and attentive dli.
vers. lv
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24

There are 600 churches Of eolored
3aptists in Texas.
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

VERIFY there is progress in vast de-
gree throughout the world; but the pro-
gress Of refined thought and tone is some
thing to be delighted with to the average
individual. Now as the latest courier Of
tone and harmony the high, squeaky voice
is to be annihilated. How iubilant and
refreshing is the thought! We may now
cease to hear that rasping, trying effect of
the voice that kills eloqnence, fine language
and sentiment at one effort; that voice is
to be of the past; tits to meet with 1.-THE and
lively David, one that with small weapon is
about to overthrow the most trying adver-
sary humanity has had to contend with, even
rasping, thin and penetrating voice. This
defender Of humanity is hydrogen and
ammonia, and Professor Mofat, who has
made many experiments with bis ammonia
phone in England has the verdict of the
English public that his experiments are
without fail success.
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

down its full force from the North. AT
Denver, COL, among the mountains, re
ports come of a snow storm that has been
IN progress for several days. At Cheyenne.
Wyoming, the coolest wave of the season
swept along Dec. 23rd, and in Chicago, the
snow is falling rapidly.
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

The ever recurring factor in these public
explosions is dynamite. This fearful ex-
plosive substance is becoming public
offender, and cannot be too closely watched.
in its transfer and commercial traffic, to
say nothing Of the hidden hand that guides
it to its dreadful purpose.
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

THERE is malicious spirit of destruction
abroad in the world which augurs feature
in which terrible consequences may occur
at any time. We are not very much sur
prised when we hear that the car of all
the Russias declines to appear upon occa-
sions when his czarship is expected, for
the silent and unyielding cruelty ofthat
government is matter of history and a
refux Of feeling is something to be expect
ed. But that "the best government the
sun shines on" as Englishmen are prone
to affirm, should have explosive material
placed at the foundation of their finest and
most revered structures, is wanton species
of destruction at which the world must
wonder with thoughtful apprehension.
Unlike Russia, there is indeed great liberty
Of speech, in parliament. The London
Bridge, which Englishmen have celebrated
in song and story, is known to almost
every one. That, now, is the latest scene
Of the wantonness to which we allude.
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

| &. week has been gay and festive
sD,., ' :, merchants. Purchasers have
N :, : me stores from morning until
4 ~ a'o' has been in its truest sense
II 49,. Yur merchants who are unfail-
4 Y H.. and oonsiderate to custo-
As.i' :, We hope, reaped solid benefit
D'l' Christmas trade. S-
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

JOAQUIN Miller, who has become very
enthusiastic, yet interesting correspondent
for the exposition, thus writes in New
Orleans paper of the exposition opening,
and of the snugness of the buildings roof.
This roof here is nearly half glass. The
light is perfect. The rain that came
through has been ousted, and the roof is
now, all things considered, triumph of
perfection. Returning to the heart of the
city on saturday evening, found the place
packed. 1t looked like New York on the
evening before Christmas. On making a
call at the great Hotel Royal to see Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe, / found the place
already full. We were on the eve of an
old-fashioned Roman Carnival.
And read what lively opening he de-
scribes. One feature, the "little black
boys along the road" "'pears like
Little Rock Christmas week.
The long looked for 10th opened as
bright and promising as whole houseful
Of silver dollars. The heavens began to
put on streaked and mackerel frescoe soon,
however, and the brightness was lost.
But, as if to make up for this, the whole
city became suddenly city of banners.
This brave old town that has endured more
sieges and fought so CALAMITY under more
flags than any other city on this continent
not even excepting Quebec, had now sea
of star spangled banners. All business
was suspended. Ten thousand little boys
made themselves happy and day hideous
with what seemed to be ten million tin
horns.
Before ten o'clock we were in the midst
of wild, whirling, delirious carnival Of
the lower classes. Could this intense ex-
element and enthusiasm last? 1t could
not last and it did not last with this class.
Before midday ! saw thousands Of little
black boys sitting down on the black dirt
all along the roads quite worn out and
watching the procession Of soldiers.
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

'aEcold woon
ID. r, weather still continues in the
N, n' wave that is now submerging
''0'' and ioioles has not swept
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27
Associate Writers.

Ia business enterprises can find with this journal
sguAL RATES Of advertising.
advertisements or subscriptions and matter intended for the
NRmns Of our paper, we desire addressed
"ARKANSAS LADIES JOURNAL"
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

VIZ will be thankful to any Of our sub
SFOels who will let us know Of failure in
''l'v'Fy Of the LADIES' JOURNAL. They
q promptly deposited in the Office upon
" cate of publication and should be
ePnPtly received through the mail.
!. 10 Liberty bell will go to the sxposi-
"A This quaint old dame who, BY her
\, fa'A' tongue, pealed out an inspiration Of
\, 'ro y to the young republic,
~ surely make triumphant journey
.sP V TIE land whose halting thought
\. N llupen'ed BY her resolute tones in the
I'm gone BY. : '''
Arkansas ladies' journal. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1884-1886, 1884-12-27

YHE poem, "opus Temporis," by lady
y Arkansas, has been accepted and will
'hOulyappear.
The Easley messenger. (Easley, S.C.) 1883-1891, 1884-02-29

and Atlanta, via Washington and DAN
vile, Greensboro and Ashepille.
On trains Nos, So and So, Richmond
and Danvillc, Washington and Angus
ia, Washington and New Orleans.
aeA- Through Tickets on sale at
charlotte, Gwcnvillc, Seneca, Spar
tanburg and Gainesville to ali points
Sonth, Southwest, North and East.
a, with N ERR to and from Athens.
IS, with N E II II to and from Tallu-
lah Falls.
&, with El. Airline, to and from
E!bcrton and Bowersville.
ID, with Blue Ridge II II to and from
Walhalla, &c.
e, with G and G 4 r. to aud from
NeWbcrry, Alston and Columbia.
f, with A and S and and CRR
to and from IIendersonville, ,Alston &c.
&, with Chester and Lenoir r r to
and from chester, Yorkville and Dallas
ii. with N G Division and G G and A
r II to and from greensboro, Raleigh,
&c. EDMUND BERKELEY, Supt.
VI. SLAUGHTER, Gen. Pass. Act.
a. J.. RIvEs, 2d V p s. Gen. Man''r
The Easley messenger. (Easley, S.C.) 1883-1891, 1884-02-29
South Carolina Railway Company.

commencing Sunday, january 20,
~ 1851, ut m. Passenger Trains
will lun rs follows until further notice,
"Eastcrn time -
TO AND FROM CHARLESTON.
EAST DAILY.)
Depart Columbia at 40am 53lpm
Due Charleston at II % a III 1910 {"
WEST DAILY.)
Depart Charleston 70Oam 4OOpm
Due at Columbia at II 40 1875 "
TO AND FROM CAMDEN.
East (Daily except Sunday.)
Depart Columbia at 4Oam 534pm
Due at Camden at 55pm S35 /"
West (Daily except Sunday)
Depart Camden at 715am 4l5pm
Due at Columbia ll40 1885 ="
TO AND FROM AUGUSTA.
East Daily)
Depart Columbia at 40 am 534p;n
Due at Augusta at II 205pm 7l0a m
West Uaily)
Depart Augusta at 6nSam 5O1pm
Due ut Columbia at II 40 i" 1895"
CONNECT ONS
made ut Columbia with Columbia and
|Grccnvillc Railroad by train arriving
at Ii 40 Il m, and departing at 5 81 D
m. At Columbia Junction with Char
lottc, Columbia and Augusta Railroad
by same train to and from all points on
both roads.
At Charleston with Steamers 70
New Hork on Saturday; and on Tues
day and Saturday with Steamer for
jacksonvillc and points on St. Johns
River; also, with Charleston and Sa-
vannah Railroad to and from Savan-
nah and all points in Florida.
At Augusta with Georgia and Cen
tlal Railroads to and from all points
West and South. At Blackville to and
from points Oh Barnwell Railroad.
through tickets can be purchased to all
points South and West by applying to
ID. MCQUEEN, Agent, Columbia, S G..
JOHN b. PECK. General Manager.
u & ALLEN, Gen. Pas. andT'k't Agt.
The Easley messenger. (Easley, S.C.) 1883-1891, 1884-02-29

All freight trains on this road carry
passengers. All passenger trains run
through to Danvillc and with Va. Mid
land Rwy, to all Eastern cities, and at
Atlanta with all lines divcrging. No.
so leaves Richmond at 90 p m. and
No. 81 arrives there at 4 90 p ~. So
leaves Richmond 2S a m. 81 arrives
there 7 Ill M. The local frcights stop
at above stations 20 to 80 minutes.
BUFFET SLEEPING CARS WITH
OUT CHANGE.
On trains Nos. SO and 81, New York
The state journal., 1884-05-03
An Excellent Sermon.

The sermon preached by Rev.
Studebaker at the court house sab
bath last, was replete with sound ad.
vice the sermon was not of that
character usually preached by white
ministers to colored congregations
but was born OF that inspiration
which bubbles up from truly chris
ton heart, he spoke truly and TO the
point setting forth the discourage
ments 10 be met with in their efforts
to dedicate a new house to God and
advising the people to persevere to
the end. Rev. Studebaker showed
some knowledge of the people, he
addressed when he spoke of how
easily they become attracted to a
new thing and after pursuing it for a
short time turn to something else
displaying lack Of determination to
successfully follow rome one thing.
The sermon as a whole was filed
with truths which if properly appre-
ciated by the large audience who
listened to it must of necessity bring
forth much good fruit.
The state journal., 1884-05-03
are delegates at RAGS

are delegates at la.s~
Convention from the lone star s.a...
The Gazette, paper edited and
controlled by colored men does the
city printing for the city Of Cairo, Ill.
Mr.. T. J. Bowers, OF Philadelphia,
is the Brignoli Of that city. His
well won reputation as a vocalist is
widely known.
William Harding, a colored pho
tographer in Galveston, Texas, is
said to be the finest in his line in
that city Tribune.
Two slaves, formerly owned by
Jeff. Davis, COW OWES his plantation,
for which they paid 100000. This
is fullflment Of divine prediction.
The portrait OF Charles Sumner,
which used to hang in Wormley's,
in Washington, now adorns the
Massachusetts State Library, in Bos-
ton.
Rugg, the Maybee murderer, has
been sentenced to be hung June 6.
This is quick dispensation of justice
and ought TO be applied in all muir
der cases.
Miss Ada Blown, of Chicago, Ills,
is said TO be promising clocutionist,
and worthy rival of Miss Vinton
Davis. Let them come, the field is a
broad one.
Indiana, in convention with 44S
delegates, only two of whom were
colored, honored her 5000 colored
voters by sending one of them as an
alternate to Chicago: Pennsylvania
contemptib!y refused to send one out
of 10000.
The Pittsburg Commoner comes
to us as fresh as a pippin, and right
heartily do we welcome it. With the
Commoner in the Western p3rt of
the State, and the JOURNAL in every
part, we hope the interest of the col
ored people of Pennsylvania will be
jealousy guarded.
On the first Monday in August,
grand reunion Of the cOlored militia
of the United States will be held 10
this city and continue four days. Elk
cursions and delegations from every
section OF our country are expected.
Our citizens will be asked to welcome
and entertain this grand, patriotic
conclaye Of the bravest and best men
of the race. The Guards will go in
to camp near the city. Sham battles,
competitive drills, grand parade,
and full dress ball will be part OF
the programme.-Kansas City (Mo)
Gate CSty Press.