davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14
INDEX FINGERS.
A Scientist Who Declares They Repre-
 sent the Highest Type of Beauty.

"The question whether the index fin ger of the human hand is longer or shorter than the third or ring finger does not appear difficult to solve, and yet one is unable to come to any definite conclusion," said scientist yesterday to Mail and Express writer. "Au- thorities differ. The question has been studied in four aspects: l in the hands of apes; 2, in the lower races of man {; 4, in European man; and 4, in art. It has been found that in apes the index finger is shorter than the ring finger, and often considerably so, the greatest difference, five-sixths of an inch, having been found in male chimpanzee."
 "What was the result in the lower races of man?"
 "Twenty-four negro men had shorter index fingers, and one had the two fin gers of the same length. Fifteen negro women had shorter index finger, in three the two fingers were of equal length"
 "How about Europeans?"
 "No decisive conclusions have been arrived at in respect to Europeans, but it appears probable that the index finger is longer ill women than in men. Among men it is longer in the slight than in short and thick persons. All the measurements of human hands were made by tracing the outline of the hand laid down on sheet of paper, with the axis of the middle finger placed upon a line drawn parallel to the sides of the paper"
 "What was the result of the examina- ton in art?"
 "In all such matters we turn to the art productions of the ancients, and in this case they do not fail us. The Dying Gladiator has the index of the left hand longer than the ring finger. In the Apollo Belvedere there is no diff ference. In the Venus de Medici, the Venus Pudica at Rome, and in the Venus by Praxiteles, the index finger is the longer, thus repeating the observa- tions upon living women."
 "What do you think all these observ- ations tend to show"
 "From these facts-that the index finger is shorter in apes and negroes and relatively longer than the ring fin. ger of white women of good birth, and that great artists have never made g short index in hand which represents ideal perfection-it is suggested that the longer index finger represents higi.el type of beauty and that in this respect as in others the female form appears tc be purest."
 "Do you think there is much truth ir the theory"
 "Yes, I have so much confidence ir it that wagered $50 with friend that if he brought in two women in which there was wide difference in beauty could tell which was better looking even if their features were yelled. One'i index finger was longer than the ring finger; in the other they were both the same. I immediately picked out the first. She proved to be beautiful sis. ter of his wife, while the other was { homely chambermaidn
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14
"SQUATTERs."
How they Hang on the Borders of Large
 Cities.

It is not alone in the far West, upon the unbroken plain, that "squatter sov- ereignity" reigns supreme. Although in the wilds of the great West the unauthor- ized occupant of land may be more of a monarch than he who squats upon ground within the boundaries of civiliza- tion, the latter is regarded as trouble some customer in comparison with the former, asserts his rights with more vehemence if not more delicate language, and is more pestferous object to the landlord of acre tracts than he of the wilderness. In the vicinity of Chicago | there are to be found numbers of these "squatters," who have dropped down
 upon the landed estates of resident and l nonresident owners, have gained foot ing by the erection of "shacks," and
 are there to stay until forced to "move
 on" at the end of a troublesome lawsuit.
 They represent every nationality, and
 they seem to be well posted in regard
 to their."rights, which they assume to
 be superior even to the right of eminent
 domain. When they are discovered and
 apprised of the fact that they are tres passers, they affect an air of indifference
 that would cause the owner to think that
 he was the wrongdoer, and to wonder if
 he may not have set foot upon the
 wrong acre. When invited to remove
 from the "squat," they insist that they
 are caring for the premises and prevent others from committing depredations. I If they are ordered off, they stand upon
 their rights, and point to the courts as
 the only means of effecting a removal. I-GChcapo Times.
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14
NEW ANECDOTES OF WARRINGTON.

The biography of a well-known Penn sylvanian, recently published, gives one or two anecdotes of Washington which have nc yer been in print before. They throw a new light on his character, and show him to have been more human, if less perfect, than the model man DOT trayed by Weems.
 His friend and neighbor painted the Father of his Country as so absolutely faultless as to be tedious. The volume which we quote gives him the credit of being once, at least in just rage.
 A respectable mechanic of Philadel- phio, who reached venerable age, told the author that he was employed to make some alterations in President Washington's house. One day pretty servant-girl, passing down the stairs, gave scream of terror. One of the officers coming out of the drawing-room had attempted to kiss her.
 The President was in his own room !; he ran out in his shirt-sleeves, half shaved. He was extremely angry, and gave the man kick which hurried him down the stairs, calling out, "Lear, turn that fellow out I'll have no man in my house who insults woman!" There are preserved in Philadelphia several private accounts of the last time in which Washington appeared in pub lie in that city, which show the devoted loyalty of affection with which he was regarded by the people. It was on the occasion of Adams inauguration, which took place in the old State House. After the ceremony was over the new President, followed by Vice President Jefferson, went out in state to present himself to the people who were massed outside. They were received applause But when Washington in his citizen's dress appeared behind them, dead silence fell on the vast crowd. They knew he was leaving them forever. He passed down the street, and they fol- lowed him as one man, leaving Adams and Jefferson unnotced.
 Down Chestnut Street to Fourth the great mass followed as silent as if at a funeral. When he came to the Indian Queen Hotel he went up on the step and turned in the doorway to look at them.
 "Then there burst forth," says the chronicler, Ca great inarticulate sob, cry that rent the air. The tears rolled down his cheeks. As he raised his hand slowly, with gesture of farewell and benedicton, the door closed on him and they saw him no more."
 The crowd dispersed in absolute si- lence, and the town was plunged in gloom as though every man mourned for one dead.
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14
LEGITIMATE DRAMA.

"How now, Henrico? What means that ragged scar athwart thy cheek ?"
 'Tis nothing, girl, except that yes tere'en gat me OCT the trysting wall, and did with yon accursed clothes-line intermingle.
 "Ah, shrewd and cunning cavalier! Thou dost avert from the truth--ths tale of thise is but shift to down me circumspection.
 "Beshrew thee, maid, but thou'rt a clever one! m not deceive thee! This scar befell me in brawl with that same recreant, Vingardow
 "Vingardol"
 "Aye, Vingardo!"
 "He that doth peanuts scatter f the organlift, and bsVls his tunes from parts abdominal?'
 "The same, Andromeda.
 "He taint thee with the rude pollution of his touch He brand mine own Henrico with his plebeian pinion? O that the gods had erst-"
 "Abate thee! Turn off the faucet of thy grief till have told thee of our joast, for sweet indeed the tale will fit thy mood"
 "Give it me, then, Henrico! l gasp for part where thou dost tell me of the gore wherein thou widowed this cos termonger."
 "Give OCT, then, while do croon to thee But yestere' 'en, ere yet the dust had sopped the last sweet draught of sunlight, did encounter this ViAgardo, and in woody pass OCT heard him say that f the main service yestermorn my own Andromeda had fatted in the Sanctus"
 "Me flat! O ven'mous tongue! o sink of hells distortions Where, then, was that avenging-"
 "Gag thee, thou prattler! An thou cravest gore, keep thine ears alert and wind twill be thine to battle on. At tend me, now! When thus he did ac- cuse tliee and thy larynx, as quick as 'twer the echo of his speech he gat the lie, an cen as quick his knuckles did l find familiar grown with this, me disc. Twas then, Andromeda, that like a doughty knight, Sir Juan Sullivani, he that of Boston culture is the fruit, I massed me portions muscular, and so did l acquaint me with his frontispece. '"
 "The gods be praised for this sweet bolus. Henrico! And how looked the knave when thou did'st cease calls thenics?"
 "As 'twere far-gone tomato had usurped his lineaments, and OCT their parts strange sediments bestrewn. Had thou unwittingly looked thereat, thou would'st have thought thee 'twere the very place whereon some modern rail way casualty had just befell."
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14

A dudish young husband in this city -I have too much pity for him to give his name-returned to his once pleasant home early one evening re- gently and as he entered the door he was nearly struck dumb at the sight which met his gaze. He saw little love scene going on between his fair wife and another dudish young man. Whether their boldness was due to the fact that the husband was a craven coward or not, l can't say; but at any rate, the affectionate pair continued to embrace each other. The husband wanted revenge in some way, but he hadn't pluck enough to pitch into the fellow who was enjoying "stolen sweets" Seeing his rivals silk um- brella in the hat-rack, he seized it spite fully, and, as he broke it across his knee, he exclaimed: "There, now, ] hope it will rain real hard tomorrow. New York Truth.
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14
MADE NO DIFFERENCE.

Old Tim borrowed the governors saddle, and after keeping it several months, refused to return it.
 "Why don't you return my saddle ?" asked the governor.
 'I'se had it four months, sah, an'-"
 "That makes no difference"
 "Don't it? Wall, I'll keep it longer ef it don't make no difference. Good day, sah."
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14

A woman will wear hat trimmed with birds, a sheaf of wheat, small alligator, and other articles of like de- scription, and be perfectly happy. Yet that same woman will complain bitterly if her husband happens to come home with plain, ordinary, everyday brick in his hat. Such, alas, is the incon- sisiency of woman.- Boston Post.
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14
ALL SORTS.
A broken idle-The tramp.

\ DrOken lule-lHt udillp
 A "hy" fellow-The Angler.
 Queen of the May-the scrub-girl.
 A regular poser-The photographer. The coral insect is a great reef-form- Flower gardens are generally hoe maid.
 The blind pool is poor place for small fry.
 High art-The labors of the hanging committee.
 The speculator loses hope when he loses "soap."
 A man without future-a bursted stock broker.
 Tom Thumbs former home in Bridge port is for sale.
 The Fall River strike has cost $200,- 900 in wages alone.
 Reducing the price of gas has no ef- feet on the meters.
 How can q man heal a wound with out stepping on it.
 New York Jews are joining in the temperance movement.
 Faith without works is good for noth- ing when it comes to clock.
 When mans head swims there is generally less water than whisky about it.
 Lewiston had an Aid. Wagg. The tail end of committees is the place for him.
 Neal Dow declares he has converted Petroleum V. Nasby to the prohibition creed.
 The Rochester, N. Y., Union has a column for complaints from drunkard's s wives.
 Wrangell Land appeared to be an ap- propriate destination for the Jeannette survivors.
 Darwin says there are living princi- pies in fruit. We suppose he refers to the worms.
 "Amateur actor" is informed that the first supe mentioned in history is God. frey de Bouillon.
 The Boston Gas Company will reduce the price of gas to $l,50 per thousand feet after July lst.
 Forty-one men were examined the other day in New York for the position of postoffice porter,
 Cincinnati's musical riot was fail ure. Her lynching festival, however, was almost success.
 Estimates of the Mexican Govern ment expenses for the next fiscal year |, sent to Congress, are $25, 100000.
 When a woman decorales herself with false hair, rouge and powder to catch beau she dupes to conquer.
 Learning IS wealth to the poor, an honor to the rich, an aid to the young, and support and comfort to the aged A new kind of monster potato is called the "white elephant" This is carrying the adulteration of food little too far. Two new Cunarders are now being built with the object of beating all previous records in crossing the Allan tic.
 Never speak i'll of a man if you can helpit. Ifyou must say something bad be sure the other side pays your witness fee.
 New York city has society for the relief of ruptured persons, and it is char tered to hold $l ,250 ,000 worth of prop erty.
 A fellow screws his courage to the sticking place when he puts a postage stamp on written proposal of mar riage.
 There is man in Kentucky who hasn't bone in his body. What a splendid base ball umpire he would make.
 The value of wood ashes as fertiliz- CT is too little appreciated. They con tain, in varying proportions, the valua- ble mineral properties needed by plants They are especially valuable for or chards in bearing, having yet unex- plained effect in perfecting the fruit.
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14

Though we seem grieved at the short ness of life in general, we are wishing every period of it at an end. The minor longs to be of age, then to be business man, then to make up an estate, then to arrive at honors, then to retire.
The Arizona champion., 1884-06-14

Began Cash's body was buried in his fathers orchard without any religious ceremonies.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05
PUBLIC AUCTION.
Dec. %, 1888.

py agreement between the heirs of Jno.
Nd r. Singleton and Chas. B. Singleton,
there will be sold at public auction, by the
undersigned auctiOneer, at the Courthouse in
the town of Opelousas, between the hours of
twelve and one O'clock on SATURDAY, Jan
uary l2, 1884, the following described proper
ty:
A body of land containing 359 and 25II0O
acres, more or less, on Elm Bayou, in the Par
ish of st. Landry on the line Of Rapides Par
ish and composed of the following tracts TO-
wit:
The west half Of the southeast quarter of
section twenty-one.
The west half of the northeast quarter of
section twenty-five.
Ali those parts of the southwest quarter of
section twenty-one and northwest quarter of
section twenty-five, as are situated to the east
of a straight line which runs from the bridge
on Elm Bayou on course north sixteen do
grees, fiftytwo minutes, east eighty mine.
sixty-three chains being the old dividing
line between the lands of Andrew jackson
small part of the west half Of the southwest
of section twenty-five which lies east of said
last described line and north of said Elm
Bayou, all in township enc south of range
two east, and forming said compact body of
land containing 359 and 25Il00 acres, more or
less, as aforesaid, as will mere fully appear by
reference to plat of said land to be seen at
the Office of w. C. PerrauIt, notary public
(before whom the act of sale will be passed)
at Opelousas, Louisiana, and to which refer
ence is hereby made.
This tract Of land is alluvion, above over
flow and equal in productiyeness to any land
| in Red River or Mississippi River bottoms.
1t is distant about two hundred and twenty
miles by rail frem New Orleans, and frem
three to six miless from q depot on the Mer-
gan railroad. 1t is convenient to good winter
and summer range for cattle, horses, hogs,
etc. 1t is known as the John r. Singleton Plan
tation, which was owned by him ct the time
of his death. There were about sixty acres
under cultivation before the war and abeut
forty under cultivation since the war.
Terms-One-third cash, the balance in two
equal installments, payable respectively in
enc and two years from date of sale with
eight per cent yearly interest thereon from
date till paid, to be evidenced by notes of pur-
chaser to his own order and by him endorsed
and secured by special mortgage and vendors
lein upon the land sold. In case of suit to
collect the same, ten per cent attorneys fees
| shall be allowed upon the amount sued for,
which shall also be secured by special mort
gage on the property sold;
Dec. Is, 1883 Auetioneer.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05
ORDER OF COURT.

I'm accordance with act No. of the Gene
Ill raj Assembly of the State of Louisiana ap-
proved February Goth, 1880, the following
terms of Court are hereby fixed in and fer the
18th Judicial District, Parish of st. Landry,
for the calendar year, 1884, to-wit
Ist. A civil term beginning Monday, Jan
uary 18th, and ending Friday, February 29th.
For this term special venire of fifteen jurors
will be ordered to attend for the week be-
ginning Menday, February 18th, for the trial
Of criminal cases as provided by act No. IS Of
1880.
I'd. A jury term beginning Monday March
the Sd, aud ending Saturday April 26th.
Sd. A civil term beginning Monday, May
5th and ending Saturday, May 3lst:
4th. A jury term beginning Monday, Sept.
Ist, and ending Saturday, Oct 18th.
5th. A civil term beginning Monday. Oct.
27th, and ending Saturday, Nov. 18th.
For this term special venire of Is jurors,
as provided by act 35 of 1880 will be ordered
to attend for the week beginning Monday,
Nov. oath, for the trial of criminal cases.
9th. A jury term beginning Monday, De-
eember 8th, and ending Saturday, December
23d.
Given in open Court this 10th Dec. 1883.
G.. w. HUDSPETH,
Judge 18th Judicial Dist. of La
A true copy.
B.F. MEGINLEr, Deputy Clerk
Dec l5 49, 18th Judicial District of La.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05
a sac Bible Prize.

The publisher of Rutledge's Monthly
offers twelve valuable rewards in their
Monthly for January, among which is
the following
We will give $4,000 to the person
telling us hew many times the word
Bethlehem occurs in the Old Testament
Scriptures by January 10th, 1884.
Should two or more correct answers
be received, the reward will be divided.
The money will be forwarded to
the winner January 18th, 1884.
Persons trying for the reward must
send 90 cents in. silver (no postage
stamps taken) with their answer, fer
which they will receive the Fobru.-
ary monthly, in which the name and
address Of the winner of the reward
and the correct answer viii be pub
lished, and in which several more val
uable rewards will be offered. Ad-
dress Ratledge Publishing Company,
Easton, Pa.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05
HAAsvILLE, Avoyelles, Dec. l6, '83

HAAsvILLE, Ayoyelles, Dec. l6, 49,
EDIToRs OF THE COURIER:
Yesterday, Sunday, was the coldest
day SO far this winter. / measured ice
one fourth of an inch thick but the
weather is dry, which in a measure
prevents the cold frost from injuring
the tender vegetation. Christmas is
drawing near, when all hearts should
be gay and happy; but this way the
prospect at present for mirthful
Christmas is dull Cotton crops short,
so is money a starved, pinched
pocket book among tho working class
means tight and close times. If had
the saying of what the general govern
ment should do with all its surplus
cash piled up in the treasury vaults, /
woulds say, use it on public works,
wherever needed, throughout the
Union. Give the toiIIng men and wo-
msn something to do, and pay them
out of the surplus funds. Opelousas
wants a 100000 public building,
and so do many other points. We say
build them; and to keep plenty ofmon-
ey IN the treasury, keep the tariff up,
raise it on all imports, and build up
home and home industries. | must
tell you that we are soon to lose one
Of our business men, and friends, Judge
Chas. Bloch and family Judge Bloch
and kind lady will leave US in some
two weeks for Dallas, Texas. lt is
with sssorrow that we give them up J;
for they have been good and kind
neighbors, and we sincerely wish them
prosperity in their new home, Dallas,
the future great city Of the great and
growing West. The new town of
Bunkieville, on the N. @. T. p. Rail
road, is growing A New Orleans firm
opened a large store there last week; !;
another party win arrive soon to open
a large business house. There are sew
eral nice business houses, dwellings
and cottages that give the place city
like appearances.
| must congratulate You, Mr.. Editors,
on the neat makeup and good appear
ance of last weeks COURIER. A good
home paper il d treat. ! sent last
weeks COURIER, including supple
ment, to friends in Illinois.
I'm am glad TO see that Illinois stock
men are beginning to find homes in
st. Landry. I am tempted to move
down to st. Landry myself sometimes.
Mind what / tell your there will be
more families from Illinois in the next
few years hunting homes in St. Landry,
or else ! am not properly informed.
/ must close, hoping for you and the
readers of the CoURkR a good and
jolly Christmas.
Yours, &c, ILLINOIS.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05

Tho venerable Archbishop Perche at
half past o'clock last night exchanged
his ecclesiastical robes for the bright
garments of Immortality. For more
than forty years he has been Il CON
spicnous figure i'll the religious annals
eli New Orleans, reyered for his piety,
bis great learning. his magnetic quail
ties and his high mental powers.
Surrounding bis death bed intimate
friends had long watched with intense
anxiety for the final scene, but they had
niscalculated che physical strength Of
the venerable prelate, aud when at last
the lamp went out it was as II he had
passed into deeper sleep
Al great man las fallen and the
mourners go about the streets, N. Q.
City Item, Dec. %.
The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-01-05
The Dead Archbishop.
N. o. City Item, Dec, 2S.1

~. ". City AGefn, Dec, Is
At twenty five minutes after 8 O'Clock
last night his Grace, Archbishop
Perche, quietly passed away.
The long death struggle which be-
gan at 2 o'clock Wednesday morning
and ended at 9:25 last night, was a
strange evidence of latent strength af-
ter SO many months of illness.
Early this morning the embalmers,
under the direction of DIR. FACET, ac
complished their task. The body was
then dressed in pontifcal robes and
clad with all the insignia of the archie
piscopacy. aud exposed for several
hours in the death chamber, whittier
drifted an unceasing flow of grief
stricken Catholics.
New Orleans, and we might say the
Catholic community Of the whole
Union, have suffered a great loss :;
fer Monseigneur was not only a holy
and learned priest, but also remark :
able orator and forcible writer.
As expressed by close friend of
Monseigneur, "God, France and Lou
isiana were the three great affections
WHICH HniiHdbSu lts aHSafb 1eI IOfty
long years
Beloved aud respected by all, he
breathed his last, as a holy, just aud
pure man, priest, bishop and chari-
table prelate.
He is dead regretted by his priests.
who venerated him by all Catholics,
who were his admirers; and lamented
over by thousands Of the poor whom he
has helped more than once in their Sc
creta appeals to his generosity.
The body of Monseigneur Perche
will lay in state at his Archiepiscepal
Church tSt Mary's), en- Chartres
street, between Ursulines and Hespi-
tai, from o'clock this evening until
Wednesday, January 2 next, when it
will be transferred to the st. Louis
Cathedral for final inhumation.
The Archbishop made his will on
Saturday last 1t was drawn by
Judge Paul Emile Theard He leaves
all his property to the Catholic
Church of New Orleans, and appoints
Judge Theard his testamentary execu-
I'm