davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Crows Who Know a Good Home.

A couple of tame crows, which had
been kept as a sort of household pets by
New Hartford family, at length became
such mischievous nuisanccs and thieves
stealing every bright and glistening thing
they could pounce upon, including la
dies jcwelry of all kinds, and hiding it
in distant trees, and once making off
with a gold watch-that it became ex-
pedient to get rid of them. They were
taken tied up in a bag, so that they
couldn't see) to a piece of woods eight
miles distant, and there liberated-the
wagon being driven off in another direc.
ton. Next day one crow was back
again, hunting about the kitchen for
food, and showing every evidence of
great satisfaction at getting back, while
the cook joyfully welcomed him, and his
companion wasn't long in returning.
This first returning wanderer was a know
ing fowl. When a hard, dry piece of
bread was given him he would take it off
to his basin of water, put it in, and let it
soak little. If, on taking it out, it was
found to be still too hard to suit him,
Mr.. Crow would put it back, and with
one foot would hold it down under the
water. Then he would devour it very
contentedly. If that was not reason,
what was it?-Harttord (Conn) Times.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
FOR THE FARM AND HOME.
Tn. best Tree Tor Planting.


The locust is an es cellent tree for farm
plrnting, because it makes the most dura-
BILE posts. 1t grows quickly, and when
cut sprouts from the root. Ii should be
grown s feet apart, which gives $50 trees
To the ,,cre, and it is not difficult to pro-
duce tire es to cut two or three posts each,
and thus make 1900 to 1000 posts per
acre. worth rs cents each The future
fence will lse post and wire, as it is the
cheapcst and most durable. Chestnut
is the next b est tree, and inferior to To-
Gust only in durability; but it grows
more rapidly, and this may perhaps
eoualize the two, as it is certain two
crops of chestnut posts may be grown
for one of locust. This tree also sprouts
freely from the root and makes a second
growth more productive than the fist.
The seeds may be planted in the fall,
and the ground sho'ald be plowed early
in the fall and replowed before planting.
1t is good plan to drop the nuts on the
plowed ground fo'Ir feet apart both
ways, then cover ,them by TIN, second
blowing two inches deep, and then cut
the first growth when large enough fol-
stakes. -Ne,o York Times.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Grass Seeding.

An exchange says that whether to seed
to grass in spring or autumn depends on
circumstances. Gu som C lands when the
weather is favorable fall seeding will
seem to do best. But often when the
autumn months are dry the grass gets
such poor start that unless the winter
is very favorable it makes but poor
showing the following spring. Crickets
and grasshoppers often do much damage
to fall seeded land. In dry weather the
young grass stars slow, and makes but
little growth, and at such times these in
sects are usually very plenty, and on the
borders of the new seededland they often
eat the tender grass as fast as it grows
until it is entirely destroyed. By seed
ing in the spring we avoid these causes
of failure. BY seeding in spring with
grain we save the ploughing and harrow
ing of the land for one CROP as two crops
are sown together. When grass seed is
sown in spring with grain on good, we'll
prepared land it is almost sure to start
and grow well till the grain ripens and
is harvested If the grass fails it is usual
" at this time. We have noticed that
when the grain was cut green for fodder
the yrass did much better than when it
was left to ripcn.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
The Fay0rite House Page.

There is a sunny-haircd little page in
the House of Representatives who has be-
come quite pet among the members,
says Washington correspondent. He is
a little tot of fellow, with bright,
open face, large blue eyes and sunny
blonde head of hair. He wears little
knee brooches and is as lively as a crick-
ct at all times. When the members want
an Grand done fast and well they always
try to get this little fellow to do it. His
very politeness and good manners have
brought many little tramps to his feet,
because the members all want him. But
he does not mind an extra run, and goes
as chirpy and happily on new GRAND as
possible. He never seems to grow weary,
and always is polite. But this is not the
worst part Of his troubles. His very APP.
pearance is pleasing, and every time any
one secures him, they tap him on the
head or run their hand over his hair.
Now for three or four people to do this
would not amount to much, but to have
325 members and as many more Strangers
to rub his head only once day, it is not
only tiresome but is having a serious
effect. When the little boy came here
his hair was long and thick, but this con-
tinual patting and rubbing is wearing his
hair off. He begins to fear that before
the session ends, if this thing keeps up
he will be bald.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
The Brakcmau's Peril.

The present method of coupling freight
cars is primitive, costly and dangerous to
life and limb, and for years the inventive
ingenuity of the country has sought to
produce better way that would be &c.
cepted by railroad managers. Over A, 900
patents for couplers have been taken out,
and yet the ''man killer has not been
displaced. Few people have the rcmot-
est idea of the number of men who have
been crippled or killed coupling cars. l
venture to say that the casualties from
this cause for the last ten years exceed
in number the killed and wounded of
any battle of the late rebellion. A mum.
Der of states have passed laws requiring
all cars built or owned within their limits
to be fitted with couplers which can be
operated without going between the cars,
but in none of hem is any serious attempt
made to enforce the law. Every year the
Master Car Builders Association and the
convention of railway superintendent and
the master machinists devote considerable
time to testing automatic ccupiers, with
but little apparent progress, so far &C
their adoption by the roads is concerned
philadelphia Ntpa
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
CLIPPINGS FOR THE CURIOUS.

The census officials estimate the pop
ulation, of the country at present to be
5000, 900.
The French think Of sending over to
the United States to borrow for the ex-
hibition in 1889 the key of the Bastile.
Layfayette presented the key to WASH
ington,
According to the London Practical
Coysetioaer, "the potato introduced in
England in 1900 was first eaten as a
sweetmeat, stewed in sack wine and
sugar"
In China and Japan girls are named
after some beautiful natural object, and
such names are common as Cherry flower,
Peach-blossom, Plum blossom, Bamboo
leaf, woods, sugar, etc.
The vault of the Cloaca maxium, the
great sewer of ancient Rome dates from
the sixth century B, c., but it shows,
even at this early period, perfection
which gives evidence of long previous
use.
In Italy living scorpion is dropped
into n wide glass bottle which contains a
few drops of olive oil of the finest quail
ty. More oil is poured on instantly,
until the bottle is filled and the scorpion
dead. In its struggles to free itself it
elects all its poison into the oil, and this
poisoned oil forms sovereign remedy
for the sting of a scorpion.
When batch of bread was made in
the household of the Hebrews, Syrians
and other Oriental races, a piece Of the
! dough was made into cake and baked
under the ashes in order to be presented
as an offering to the priest. This was
called mamphnla in the Syrian language,
Whence the word, and probably the Gus
tom itself, was adopted by the ancient
Romans.
1t was customary in oriental countries
for lovers to testify the violence of thei,
passions by cutting themselves in the
sight of their adored ones, and the
fashion seems to have been adopted in
England about 300 years ago, when
young men frequently stabbed their armi
with daggers, and, mingling the blood
with wine, drank it off to the healtas &
their enslavers.
Earrings, according to Biblical record,
were worn by women from the earliest
times, but by men more rarely. Hebrew
slaves, indeed, suffered their cars to be
bored as figure of their optional servi
tude, but no ornament was worn in the
holes thus made. Xcnophon informs u
the males of Lydia were often subject tc
reproach on account of their earrings
and that in Greece females alone wore
ornaments.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
A TERRIBLE CYCLONE
Near ST. Cloud, MINI.

A dispatch from Chicago in reference TO
the St. Cloud cyclone, says that the cyclone
began in the basin of the Masonic cemetery,
forming whirlwind about 1000 feet IN d''
ameter. 1t took almost every tree from the
ground or twisted it off at the trunk, Great
stones We're torn up and carried along WIN
the wind moving slowly in northeasteriy
direction, 1t wrecked the Catholic chapei
and several houses in its course across inc
prairie adjoining the town. 1t completely
demolished large brick houses ana
scattered so on more smaller frame
houses like feathers. In most cases,
nothing was left to mark the site
of tn, dwellings but the cellars, Theprairiess
were strewn with timber, furniture and
clothing, The freight depot of the Manitoba
road was total wreck, Numerous ears
loaded with freight were blown half a mile
and the rails We're wrenched from the ties, IL
passed the limits of the town just west OF
Lieut. Gov. Gilman's residence, killing several
horses, and crossed the Mississippi at the sunk
Rapids wagon bridge, which it demolished,
and levelled Stantons grist mill From there
it swept through the centre of the town, TAX
ing the best of the business portion, including
the court house, public school and every I'M
portant business building in town, The VII
lage is virtually wiped ont, four. tifths OF tho
buildings in it being levelled. The fatalities
in St Cloud though great, are not equal III
number to those in Sunk Rapids In every
house the inmates were more Or less injured.
Surgeons are hurrying to the scene from all
quarters.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Ripe Experience.

An old man who has titled the soil for
forty years, and is out of debt, prosper
Gus and happy, has given the world
seven valuable maxims. They constitute
a very good creed:
/. One acre of land, we'll prepared and
we'll cultivated, produced more than two
which received only the same amount of
labor used on the one.
2. One COW, one horse, mule, sheep or
hog, well fed, is more profitable than two
kept on the same amount necessary to
keep one.
3. One acre of clover or grass is worth
more than two of cotton where clover is
raised
4. No farmer who buys oats, corn or
wheat, as rule, for ten years, can keep
the Sheriff away from the door in the
end.
5. The farmer who never reads the pa
pers, sneers at book farming and i'm
provements, always has leaky roof, poor
stock, broken down fences, and COM
plains of bad seasons"
8. The farmer who is above his bust
ness, and intrusts it to another to man.
age, soon has no business to attend to.
Z. The farmer whose habitual beverage
is cold water, is healthier, weather. and
wiser than he who does not refuse strong
drink.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22

If the farmer goes to the city to buy
his farm implements, he finds them in
such great variety that it is very difficult
for him to determine which will prove
best for his particular farm. When a
farmer can do so, it is safer way to get
a chance to try machine befor purchas-
ing it. Even then he may make mis-
take, and buy one that is liable to get
out of order, or is so constructed that
some parts of it will wear out in short
time. Fortunately for the farmers, the
manufacturers of agricultural implements
are much more particular in construct
ing and finishing machines now than
they were fifteen or twenty years ago, so
that now there is not the risk in purchas-
ing agricultural implements that there
formerly was; but the improvement in
the work on the machines has kept the
price up where it makes it very burden
some for the small farmer to buy COM
plete set of improved farm implements;
many farmers do not feel that they can
afford it, so they use their old ones; thus
the large farmers have the advantage
over the small farmers, unless several
small farmers unite together and pur
chase set of improved implements. This
may be done to good advantage in good
neighborhoods, but there is always dan
ger of having some one of the number
thus united who is so selfish that it is
very difficult, if not impossible, to get
along with him unless he is given his
own way, as to how and when he will
use the machines of joint ownership. In
some neighborhoods it is the better way
for each farmer to buy different imple-
ment and let the use of it to the others
who have different machine that they
can let him; in this way each farmer is
master over his own property. If it were
| only the cost of the machines that the
farmer has to meet, much larger num-
Der would be able to buy full set; but
it is important that all farm implements
should be housed, SO extra store room
has to be built at an expense that often
equals, if it does not exceed the cost of
the implements; then there are the re-
pairs and taxes to meet, all of which the
l farmer has to consider when he settles
the question as to what number of i'm
/ proved implements he will buy. This
question comes up every spring, and is
Usually decided by the amount of cash
or credit the farmer possesses, and not by
the real saving which he can make
PlOughman.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Equal to ANY Emergency,

Scene: The northeast corner of Main
and Swan streets. Time: 3 o'clock,
Friday afternoon. Dramatis persona:
"Three little boys from school" Dia-
logue: First little boy to second |. b.,
who has just bought five cents worth Of
peanuts: Seine some peanuts, John
ME-" NAV, l won't" "Why notT"
whined first |. b. "Cos, you never
gime anythin', an whenever 1 git any,
thin you always hump me for what rve
get" Third little boy who has been
automatically silent: II didn't ask YOU
for no peanuts, did I, Johnniel" NAV,
yer didn't, COS yer didn't want none, "
and Johnnie munching his peanuts,
walked off unconcernedly, leaving his
companions with faces on which blank
CONSERVATION snd bitter disappointment
wt;,e plainly depicted. -Butab Courier.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
The Horse in Ancient History.

''Fine horse you've got therei" said
Jones to a Kentuckian riding beautiful
bay saddler.
Pretty fair boss, responded the Ken
tuckian, with affected indifference.
Thoroughly trained as saddle horse,
too, amt hei"
''Knows all the motions, he does"
'fWhat do you call him2n
"Thebes."
''Tbebesi That's odd. / never heard
such name for horse before. What
do you ca him that for:'
because he has a hundred gaits. Of
course. Don't you know ancient his
toryf'-Herckaat- Trareler.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Household Hints.

To cut warm bread or cake, have your
knife quite hot.
Fried slices of apples are good for
spring breakfast dish.
A stale loaf of bread, dipped quickly
into cold water, then baked for half an
hour, is better than when fresh. Half a
loaf is generally enough for family of
three.
Bread and cake must be thoroughly
cooled before being put into box or jar;
if not, the steam will cause them to mold
quickly. Pieces of stale bread can be
used for toast, griddle cakes and pud-
dings, and for dressing for poultry and
other kinds of meat. Stale cake can b.
made into puddiugs.
Lime slaked with salt water and
then properly thinned with skim
milk, from which all the cream
has been taken, makes perma-
nent whitewash for outdoor work,
and, it is said, renders the wood incom-
bustible. 1t is an excellent wash for pre-
serving wood and for all factory pur-
poses.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Wreck of the American Schooner
Ida Francis.

The American schooner Ida Francis, Capt.
Francis, which sailed f ON Pensacola, Feb.
10, for New York, was disrnasted 70 miles
southeast of Delaware breakwater. Her
cabin was filled with water and the provi-
sions were mostly destroyed. The schooner
Irifted, waterlogged, and in helpless condi-
ton for Il days. The captain and his vito
and child took refuge abaft the cabin, and
they, as well as the crew. suffered terribly
from cold and hunger. Wnen rescued, at
the end of the II days, all on board were in q
greatly exhausted condition. They have been
landed in London.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
The dairymen in italy are improving

The dairymen In italy are improving
their facilities and butter TO such an
extent as to become formidable rivals to
the Dutch in the export trade with
India, China and other Oriental custom.
ers. Italy has a much longer butter
producing season than Denmark, and
threatens to supply French markets with
large quantities, thus forcing French
and Danish butter upon the English
buyers, reacting upon the American ex-
port trade in butter, which has already
suffered considerably from European
competition, the value having fallen
for ten months Of this season to $2,654,
1888, against 50, 4O7, 100 for same time
last year, and in quantity from 9,910,
s57 pounds in 1ss4-s5 to 1858, 047
pounds in 1856.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
The Oregon Mystery Solved.

There is no longer any doubt as to the cause
of the sinking of the Cunard steamer Oregon
off the Long Island coast. One of the divers
of the Merritt Coast Wrecking Company has
been down to examine the vessel, and re-
maincd below sufficiently long lover half an
hour to ascertain, beyond question, that her
sinking was caused by a collision. Ten feet
below the main deck, and about twenty feet
forward of the bridge the diver found a hole
in the steamers side and the heavy iron plates
crushed in. The hole is six feet deep and
three feet in breadth at the widest part In
the immediate vicinity of the break the cargo
is stove, as it is twenty feet from the bridge.
The steamer is broken i'll two, and her upper
decks parted over twelve feet on top. A dia-
gram Is now being made Of the steane" us
She lies Most if not all her cargo will be
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Recipes.

Johnny Cake.-One egg, two table,
spoonfuls of sugar, three of melted
shortening, one large cup of sour milk,
one teaspoonful of soda, little salt, one
third -four, two-thirds meal; make the
batter only just stiff enough to run from
the dish nicely; pour in a buttered dish
and bake twenty minutes in hot oven.
Broiled Potatoes. Cut whatever num-
Der may be needed of cold, boiled
potatoes into slices lengthwise, about
quarter of an inch thick; dip each slice
in flour and lay them between folding
broiler. Have the fire clear, and when
both sides are nicely Drowned, lay the
slices on hot dish, put piece of butter
on each, and season with pepper and salt.
lSteaced Steak.-In a small saucepan
place about half a pound of thick and
tender steak, with little of the fat left
on. Pour in cupful of boiling water,
shred a tiny onion very finely and season
with pepper and salt to taste. Then put
all over the top of the steak small pieces
of celery heaped up. The saucepan
should stand about two inches above the
level of the fire, and by no means ought
to be uncovered until the steak is to be
removed to the dish. Half an hour is
sufficient time for it to be done to a turn.
Mushrooms instead of, or even with, the
celery are an improvement.
Yeast Bead. - Yeast: Soak one and
a half cakes of yeast in one cup of warm
water until soft; add one tablespoonful
salt, one of sugar, two Of flour and let
rise. Pare and boil one quart of pota-
toes, mash fine. Add one pint of hot
water and one of cold. When cool
enough pour in stone jar; add the
yeast Let it stand until the next day.
For the bread take a pint of the yeast
and half as much warm water. Set a
stiff sponge. Put in warm place until
quite light, then mix it from twenty
minutes to half an hour, taking care not
to get in too much flour. Form into
loaves. Let them rise to the top of the
creased tins and bake about twenty
minutes in quick oven.
Apples Nth Rice.-Wash a pint of rice
thoroughly, scald it with hot water,
drain and cool; add to the rice quart
of rich milk, a quarter of pound of
sugar and saltspoonful of salt; simmer
gently an hour When done, beat it
with a wooden spoon. Wet an oval mold
with water; press the rice in it and keep
on ice until wanted. Peel, quarter and
core five fine apples; put them in stew
pan with three half-pints of water, three
cloves, two slices of lemon and half a
pound of sugar dissolve the sugar in the
water first; simmer until the apples are
tender but will not break when removed
from the pan. When done strain care
fully and boil down the syrup until quite
thick. Now turn out the rice on a glass
dish, add the apples as a border. and
pour the syrup over oil.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Arbor Day Amounted,

Gov. Robinson has issued the following
proclamation:
sin compliance with the request expressed
in resolve adopted by the general court at
the present session, do hereby set apart
Saturday, the twenty fourth day of April
now current as Arbor day, and do earnestly
recommend that the people of this common
wealth observe it in such manner as shall
best advance the interests and purposes that
prompt its establishment.
"Around home and school and church, by
lane and road and street, in soil sanctifed by
tender memories or heroic sacrifice, plant
tree and shrub and vine and flower. Occupy
the waste lands with forest culture Every
where, in harmony with the spirit IF the oc-
casion, increase the resources of the common
wealth in the productions that contribute so
abundantly to the comfort improvement,
health and general advantage of the people"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22

A deplorab!c result of the unwarrant-
able corruption of the word "fre" to
made it synonymous with the verb
'eject' is detailed in Western news
paper. A hotel clerk left written in
structions on slate for the porter to
build fire in one of the guests rooms,
reading: Groom 40--fre at 10 80"
When 1920 o'clock arrived the matter
of-fact porter went up to the room and
''flred" the occupant of room 40 into the
'treet, in spite of his expostulations.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
The Cunard Steamship Company.

At the annual meeting of the Cunard
Steamship Company recently held in Liver
pool the chairman, Mr.. John Burns, in NOV
ing the adoption of the report, which did not
the uniformly detected state of trade, the
board of directors had been discouraged by
the results of the company's operations dur
ing the year, and felt confident that if better
times would only come they were in po-
sition to take advantage of them. He re-
ferred to the loss of the Oregon, and said that
it was utterly impossible for mortal man tc
lay down more stringent rules for the guild
ance Of the officers of their fleet than had beer
done.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-04-22
Will he Kent in Jail.

Tho writ of habeas corpus which was ap-
piled for by Judge Laughlin, in behalf of the
deputy shoriffs who did the shooting in the
Louis on Friday, was granted and the men
released They will be Immediately re-
arrested, however, at the instance of East st.
Louis authorities, as fugitivcs from justice,
and placed in Jail, where they will be kept
until requsition papers are received from the
governor of Illinois, or until they can be sent
to East ST. Louis without endangering their
personal safety. Spectators of the scene all
agree that the deputy sherifs fred the first
shot: that no stones were thrown at them,
and that the crowd gave the deputies no more
provocation for firing than hooting and jeer
ing and making irritating remarks.