davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Flower nngMnge In Japan,

In houses wherein resides one or
more daughters of manageable age
an empty flower pot of an ornamental
character is encircled by a ring and
suspended from the window or veranda
by three light chains. Now, the
Juliets Of Japan are, of course, at
tractive, and their Romeos as anxious
as those of other lands. But instead
of serenades by moonlight and other
delicate ways Of making an impress.
sion, it is etiquette for the japanese
lover to approach the dwelling of his
lady, bearing some choice plant in his
hand, which he proceeds TO plant in
the empty vase This takes place at
IA time when he is fully assured that
both mother and daughtcra are at home
and | need scarcely SLY that neither of
them is at all conscious that the young
man is taking such liberty with the
flower pot outside their window. 1t is
believed that young lover SO en-
gagged has never been seen by his lady
or by her mamma in this act of sacrl-
lcgc-at any rate, my friend tells me
that during his long residence in Ja-
pan he never heard Of any one being
detected in the way or interlered with
in any way, The fact is, this act of
placing a pretty plant into the empty
Ilower pot is equivalent to a formal
proposal to the young lady who dwells
within, and this Eastern fashion is,
rs think, a most delicate and harm
less way of proposing TO a lady. The
youthful gardener having settled his
plant TO his mind retires, and the lady
is free to act as she pcascs. If he is
the right man she takes every care of
his gift, waters ii, and tends it care
fully with her own hands, that all the
world may see, in word, that the
donor is accepted as sutton. But if
he is not Il favoritr, or if stern parents
object, the poor plant is torn from the
vase, and the next morning lies limp
and withercd on the veranda or on the
path below. --GdrdcnefS WOHthly.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19

A little saltpetcr or carbonate of
soda mixed with the water in which
flowers are placed will keep them fresh
for two weeks.
A good polish for removing stains.
spots and mildew from furniture is
made as follows: Take half u pint Of
90 per cent. alcohol; a quarter of an
ounce each of pulverized resin and gum
shellac: add half-pint of linseed oil /;
shake well and apply with a brush or
sponge.
Good housokecpeIs are frequently
annoyed by oil marks on papered walls
against which careleS: or thoughtless
persons have laid their heads. These
unsightly spots may be removed by
making paste of cold water and pipe
clay or fuller's earth, and laying it on
the surface without rubbing it on, else
the pattern of the paper will then
likely be injured. Leave the paste on
all night. In tho morning it can be
brushed off, and the spot will have
disappeared; but Il renewal of the
operation may DO necessary if the oil
mark il Old.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Princess Alexandria,

A London letter gives some surprls-
ing information about Princess Alex
andra, wife of the prince of Wales,
and who will in all probability ultl-
mately become queen of England:
1t would be ungalIant not to admit
that the princess of Wales is IN orna-
mcnt to her sex, and her sweetness
and beauty are the themes Of every
scribe whenever the royal lady is to he
seen in public. But has any one ever
observed the wife of Albert Edward
smile? Her absolutely immobilo coun-
tcnance and her SET expression are well
known, and photography reproduccs
them in perfect truthIWlnesS. That
fair but sphinx like face one in time
begins, naturally enough, TO regard as
a mask, beneath which the real index
of the soul moves in cOnccalmcnt. Re
Elections such as these are suggested
by examining the latest cabinet portraits
of Alexandra clothed in her doctors
rObes-doctor of music not of law, nor
of divinity--as she was lately seen in
Dublin. 1t would be curious to know
why the princess always affects one
fashion in the arrangement of her
coiffure, but the fact is she is bald, or
nearly so. Her head was shaved dur
ing serious illness, and her hair has
since refused TO grow. Consequently
the royal wardrobe includes fifty wigs,
the distinguishing feature of which IS
that the curls are brought well over
the forehead Artistic dressing serves
another purpose, also, and the presence
of a mark of Disagreement on the
swan like neck is eifectually concealed
by the high collar, large bow, band OF
velvet or other artlesS cOntrivance in
variably worn by the future queen,
Poor lady, she knows her sorrows. 1t
is within general recollection when it
was the fashion of court DANES to af-
feet the alexandra limp" in scrvilc
imitation of the princess of Wales,
whose free gait was slightly impedcd
by the effects of rheumatic fever. A
cork heel of unusual height added to
one boot now, however, restores, as far
as possible. the ravages of disease.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Ration for the Dairy,

A most successful butter making
dairyman, who keeps large herd,
says one of the best average rations
he has tried Isl One quart Indian
meal, quarts each of oatmeal and
wheat bran and pint oil meal. This
should be mixed with about half a
bushel Of cut hay and well moistened
with water before feeding. lie gives
this ration night and morning-to
COWS Of medium size-in addition to
what hay they may eat, Of which
clover is best, If cut just rs it is com
ing into blossom, and cured SO that all
the leaves adhere to the stems when
transported to the barn and moved
away. Larger or smaller cows require
correspondingly less or more. OF
course when in COOL pasture, or
abundantly soilcd, neither meal nor
bran is necessary, but if Scant then
they should be fed whatever they may
need of these to keep up flow of milk.
1t would be better to grind the corn
and oals together, at the rate Of one
bushcl of the former to two of the
latter, and then mix three quarts Of
this prOyender to two quarts of wheat
bran, and one pint of oil meal for TN"
ration. Instead of oil meal some sub
Stitute cOtton-Sccd meal, but the lat
ter does not agree well with all cows;
and being richer and heartier than the
former, it might be safer to begin
with a gil! or halr-pint night and
morning, and watch its effects before
increasing the dose. All grass for hay
for cows should be cut not later than
when just coming into blossom; some
dairymen say it is better to cut before
this, and then it will make yellow but
ter all winter, the same Us grass pas
ture in summer A. b. AHcm
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
A Daily DsfalcatiOu,

The Hon. John Kelly the head and front
Of Tammany Hall, a man OF strict integrity,
an indefatigable worker, early at his Office,
late to leave so burdened with business that
regular meals were seldom known by him,
with mind in constant tension and energies
steadily trained, finally broke down.
The wonder is that he did not sooner give
way. An honest man in all things else, he
acted unfairly with his physical resources
He was ever dawng upon this bank without
ever deposting a collateral, The account
overdrawn, the bank suspends and both are
now in the hands of medical receivers,
1t is not work that kills men. 1t is irregu-
larity of habits and mental worry. No man
In good health frets at his work Bye and
bye when the bank of yigor suspends, these
men will wonder how it all happened, and
they will keep wondering until their dying
day unless, perchance, some candid physician
or interested friend will point out to them
how by irreguarity, by excessive mental
effort, by constant worry and fret, by plung-
ing in deeper than they had a right to go,
they have produced that loss of nervous en-
ergy which almost invariably expresses itself
In deranged condition of the kidneys and
liver, for it is well known fact that the
poison which the kidneys and liver should
remove from the blood, if left therein, sool
knocks the life out of the strongest e'.T most
vigorous man or woman. Daily buaying uI
of these vital organs by so .on@erful ant
highly reputed specific as Warmers safe
cure is the only guarantee that our business
men can have that their strength will b.
equal to the labors daily put upon them.
Mr.. Kelly has nervous dyspepsia we learn
indicating, as we have said, break down of
nerve force His case should be a warning t.
others, who pursuing like course, will Ger
tainly reach like result-The Sunday Her.
! uId,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19

A Washington correspondent hal
picked up a bit of interesting informa
ton regarding cigarcttesmoking. l
appears that great many boys are ap
plying to beapprcnticed to the navy, and,
according to Ma jor lliston, the com
mander of the marine barracks at Wash.
ington, the first question asked when they
come up for examination is whether they
smoke. They usually answer in thu
negative. The thumb and forcfnger o
the right hand are then examined, and
in a majority of cases are stained yellow
from cigarettes AS soon as this tell
tale mark is discovered the boy is OK
amincd by a surgeon for evidence o
heart disease, and the result is that one
fifth of al the boys who apply are re
jccted on account Of cigarette smoking
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
The Noises of Tropical Forests,

at will hardly be credited by those
who have never visited ahiIl country
in the tropics" writes a recent travel
Ter, shat soon after sunrise the noise
of the awakening beetles and tree low
ing insects is so great as to drown the
believing of bull, or the roar of IT,
ger II few PAGES off. The sound resent
bles most nearly the metallic whirr of n
hundred Lowell looms. One beetle in
particular, known to the natives (of
Penang) as the 'trumpeter,' busies
himself all day long in producing a
booming noise with his wings. l
have cautiously approached Il tree on
which knew Il number of these
trumI ter beetles to have settled,
when suddenly the sound stopped, the
alarm was spread from tree to tree,
and there was a lull in the forest mu
sic, which only recommended when
had returned to the beaten track"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Fashion Notes.


Huge garden hats are still worn
Hat brims are very narrow.
Round waists and wide sashes grow
in favor.
Long, flowing sashes are more fash
ionable than ever.
Black crepe de chine is trimmed witt
Spanish lace.
Embroidered canvas has designs OF
flowers and ferns.
Tulle bonnets are worn with the
dressest thin frocks.
Beige dresses are trimmed with vel
vet of darker shade.
Lead colored beads trim some very
dre,sy black lace frockS.
Wool canvas with shaded velvet
stripes is used for mantlcs.
Foularl and India silk are trimmed
with bands of white guipure.
The fashionable contrast of moss
green and biscuiL-color is very charm
ing.
The sleeves of new costumes are
longer, and more trimming is seen upor
them.
White serge dresses for little girls
are trimmed with many rows OF golc
braid.
Sashes of MORE ribbon eight or ten
inches wide are worn by ladies' as wei
us by children.
Gray yak lace interviewer with sill
yer threads is made up over u founda
tion of blue or white.
Yellow satin, sopopular this season
is combined with white muslin EN-
broidcrcd with gold.
The bodice1 of thin materials ant
silks are gathered or shirred at TIL,
neck and waist line.
Gold and bead embroidered galloons
are used to trim lace dresses. as wei
us those of wool or silk.
The newest shade of blue is lapiS
lazuli The iavortn green is berry
green, which has u blush tint.
Cream white surah, mousseline d
laine and muslin dresses, with Nalen
cicnncs insertion, are very charming
for young girls.
The catagon braid is the latest styl
of couture for girls. The bang mus
be quite short, and can be straight o
slightly crimped.
Black silk and surah dresses ar
improved by using Il Byron collar an
cuffs made of jet. a belt of jet ma
be added if desired.
The stamped and frisc vcivc'a whic
have become so popular can now h
purchased in all the beautiful shade
Of yellow, blue and red.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Was willing to TO.

81 do not regret our separation,
dear brethren" said n Virginia clergy
man in his farewell sermon, "for three
good and valid reasons. The first is
that you don't love me; tho second that
you don't love one another, and the
third, that God does not love you.
You don't love me--my salary is
several months in arrears; you don't
love one another-or there would be
no such deaths or marriages among
you, and God descent seem TO love you
as you ought to be loved, because
there have hecn 50 few funerals
among you lately" Ho was not
pressed TO emain.--Rochsster Demo-
crdt.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19

We have much yet to learn in regard
to the profitable Keeping Of poultry
upon farms The French farmers gen,
orally, and some of the English, sur
pass us in their methods in this re-
spcct. The following account of how
fowls are kept upon an English farm
contains some valuable hints:
"The fowls are divided into families
and spread all over farm. This is 50
far done that it is necessary to walk
between three and four miles in order
TO see all the various ilockS. Nearly
every large field has Il small poultry
house IN it with a pen Of fowls, and in
some of the largest fields there are q
couple ofthcsc houses. OF couse they
are put as widely apart as possiblc,and
where there are two in one field these
are placed at the extreme limits.
There is no fencing or wire netting
used to form runs, and the birds have
the fullest liberty. The farm is stud
ded about with line large thrccs, prin-
cipally clms, and these give splendid
shelter to the fowls. Cattle are kept
in the fields, and the only attention
the birds get or need is to be fed and
have their houses cleaned daily, and
moved occasionally. Each flock. gen
orally distinct breed, appears to keep
TO its own company, and it is the rar-
est thing for Il bird of one lot to be
found mixing with any Of the others.
The houses are movable ones, SO made
that they can he lifted and carried by
a couple of men, handles being pro-
vided for the purpose. These houses
are of home erection, and roughly put
together but are well and substantially
made. They stard upon legs about
two feet high, thus giving shelter to
the birds below. The inmates reach
the house by ladder. Every day the
tlocks are carefully looked over to see
if any are missing. or whether any
show symptoms of disease; but the lat.
ter is very rare indeed. The hardy
natural way in which they are kept
and the common sense fashion of feed
ing make disease more conspicuous by
its absence than its presence. In two
or three instances permanent buildings
are occupied by pens of fowls, but
throughout, in no case are the poultry
allowed to interfere with the regular
work of the farm, or to occupy tina
which would otherwise he needed"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
the bridegroom, after having arranged

the bridegroom, after having arranged
for the dowry to be paid to the parents
of the bride, to collect his friends for
succession of horse races and other
sports, as also to secure and decorate
camel with the handsomest trap
pings, which is sent to the brides
kibitka, and on which she mounts and
gees forth to receive the congratulate
tions of her own relatives. On the
appointed day of the wedding the
bride seats herself on carpet outside
her tent, surrounded by her people,
and the female relatives of the bride
groom 90 down to receive and take
her away. This is Immediately OPP
posed by the young lady's party, who
offer resistance by the discharge Of
raw eggs, &C., at the new corners, on
which a general egg-Gght is entered
into ny the young women present,
whilst the older danes carry on the
engagement with almonds and raisins.
In the meantime the bridegroom
rushes into the melee, walks off his
beloved, and puts her upon the camel
saddle, when the matter is concluded.
Another sort of marriage, called
"gulcha," where the girl of her own
accord runs off with the young man
without reference to her parents, is
accepted as correct, provided he is of
a like social position and duly pays
the prescribed dowry.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19

1t was formerly claimed by some
that feeding oats to young colts ruined
their feet, but that idea has exploded.
There is much less danger of injury
to the feet than the stomach from
overlooking, and as rule more stoln-
achs suffer for the want of grain than
overeating. The quantity of grain
that can be proIitably fed to a wean-
ling by farmers in the country where
hay is worth only from $40 to $l2 per
ton, and where the colt must depend
solely on pasturage from May till No.
vember, and perhaps later, can not be
determined by the quantity fed by
those breeders whose colts are entered
to trot at 2 and 3 years of age, and
will have plenty of exercise during the
winter as well as extra feed during the
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Beans

The bean is one of the most ancient
articles of human food, 1t was cultiya.
ted in Egypt from the earliest ages, and
formed the common dish known among
the Hebrews as pottage, for dish OF
which Esau barlcrcd away his birthright.
1t is supposed to be a native OF Persia.
Dc Caudolc believed it to have cone
originally from the shores Of the Caspian
Sea. The Greeks used it for food, but
the Romans rave Great attention to its
cultivation, and had some curious super,
stitiOus notions or beliefs in regard tc
it. The Romans Introduced the Leau
into England but, while this is all very
interesting, it mast not be forgotten
that after all, it is not our bean, but
still the English variety. Our bean has
no written history further than what is
found IN the botanical dictionaries, as tc
the bare fact OF the native habitats OF
the ifcrcnt species. From this source We
we find that our Lima bean is native OF
the East ludicS; the common pole kidney
bean is from lndH the scarlet Powered
varieties are from Mexico, South America
and the West !Edrs, while some other
varieties are from tropical South Amer.
ca. OF the chemical and nutritivc quail.
ties OF our beans enough is known to
give them Il high place in the domestic
economy. We know that they contain u
arge portion of ntrogcnous substance
aud are very rich in lcgumin or vegetable
casein. which is identical with the cascir
Of milk, and may be made into cheese
equally As good as that from skim milk.
But the dctum of the appetite may be
taken as fair indication Of the value OF
the bean as an article of dict. Judged
by this kind of evidence, as seen i'll tho
camps of those hardy men who spend
the most rigorous seasons exposed to the
bitterly cold weather in the Northern
forests, or upon the mountains, or in the
cabins Of those who pillow "thc raging
main" we may consider that the higl
nutritious value given to the English
bean by the chemists is equally deserved
by our own species, while in flavor our
infinitely surpass theirs. - Ne,O IOr|
Tju1y
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19

Two Preventatives For Cut Worms.
Cut worms are formidable enemies
to the farm crops, especially to grasses
and grains. Few corn fields are
exempt from these PESTS, which also
delight to feed on the tender young
plants Of cabbage, turnips, onions and
tobacco. The secret manner in which
cut-worms prosecute this work under
cover of darkness, and often beneath
the surface of the ground, rarely per-
mits them to be detected in their
operations. DIR. j. A. Ltner thinks
that more has been charged upon cut
worms than properly belongs to them.
Roots are eaten, and young blades and
shoots are cut off, and the unknown
depredator is pronounced cut-worm,
when often the depreciation proceeds
from the white grub or one of its
many allied forms, or from some spec
les of the wire-WOrm.
Cut-worms are caterpillars of moths
that belong to the great family of
notidT, which embraces u large pro-
portion of the nlght-Nying species Of
lepidopstera, DIR. Lininer, in Il paper
read before the New York State Agri-
cultural Society, described the typical
cut-worm 50 as to aid in lis Identifies
ton. When full grown they measure
from one and Il quarter to nearly two
inches in length; they are sixteen
footed (three pairs Of true legs and five
pairs of prop-lcgs), thick, tapering
moderately at the eXtrcmitieS, naked
and greasy looking. In color they are
dingy brown, gray or grcenish, with
indistinct, light and dark longitudinal
markings. The head is large, shining
and usually red or brown. When the
caterpillar is taken from the ground,
or otherwise disturbed, it curlS itself
into a ring.
Cut-worms have many natural enc
mics, among which are the robin, cat
bird and red-winged blackbird
Chickens arc very efficient destroyers
Of cut worms in gardens. Among the
numerous representatives. used, De-
Lintner specially commcnds the salt
and copperas remedies. The salt
remedy is applied directly after the
corn IS planted by sprinkling on tho
hill over the covered grains about one
teaspoonful of common salt to each
hill. When copperas is used the plan
is us follows: Put the seed corn in {
tight tub or barrel and pour in enough
water to keep it well covered after il
swelS. For each bushel of corn add
pound or pound and half of copper
as dissolved in hot water. Stir tn,
corn well and allow it TO remain in the
copperas water for about twcnty-hours
Stir several times while soaking, then
take it out and sprinkle small guam.
tity of land plaster over it.--Neu
York World.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Hardened Liver.

Five years ago broke down with kidney
and liver complaint and rheumatism
Since then have been unable to be about
at all, My liver became hard like wood; my
All the best physicians agreed that nothing
could cure me. Iresolved to try Hop Bitters;
have used seven bot ties; the hardness has
all gone from my liver, heswelling from my
limbs, and it has Uorted miracle in my
case; otherwise would have been now in my
grave.
]. W. MoREY, Buffalo, Oct, 1, 1881
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19
Take all In all

Take all the Kidneys and Liver
Medicines.
Take all the Blood purifiers,
Take all the Dyspepsia and Indigestion
cures,
Take all the Ague, Fever, and bilious
specifics.
--Take all the Biain and Nerve f0co
reuiues.
Take all tho Great health restorers
IN short, take al the best qualities Of all
these and the-best,
Qualities Of all the best medicines in the
world, and you will find that-Hop
-BitterS have the best curative qualities
and powers of all-concentrdted in them,
And that they will cure when any or all
Of these, singly Or-combined. Failli!l
"A thorough trial will give positive proof
OF this.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19

Lcadvillc is one of the great mining
towns of the West which have begun to
decline in population. 1t is common
for small and little known places TO die
as rapidly as they grew, but cities like
Virginia City and Leadyillc seem more
permanent, and apparently should es-
cape the fate of less pretentious places
Leldvillc, however, has fallen from H.,
$50 inhabitants in 1880 to II, 0j6 by the
Colorado State ccusus just being com
plctcd. ncave on the other hand, shows
tho stability Of II tue city of diversified
industries and many resources, rs well
us the wonderful growth of the Wes',
in 1880 Denver had $4,000 people, and
now the ccas,a shows -, 900, gain Of
nearly four seyenths in five years.