davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

ONLY a few days remain in which
to pay Corporation taxes. Collector
Calvit is preparing the delinquent list
and it viii shortly appear in these col
umns. Those who wish to avoid pay
ing costs would do we'll to pay up be-
fore the list is in type.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

Tho not a member Of the r. and
G. Club, this LEGAL took to the fields
On Sunday, and was successful in bag
ging eighteen of the feathery tribe.
They were all -, and weighed
- pounds. We had no dog either.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

Il HAD to comb back the hair
from my forehead and omit the parting
TO conceal my badness. Since then
Parker's Hair Balsam has made my
hair as thick and glossy as ever,
Ladies whose hair is getting thin will
fud the Balsam inst splendid. Mary
Swanson, Chicago.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

ANOTHER elopement last week
from Pineville this time, however,
The young couple are Miss Frances
Walking and Mr.. Emmett Walker.
They went to Marshall by rail, and
were tied together by the link of mat
rimony, returning home shortly after.
If congratulations are still in order,
we extend ours.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

-THE Circus was here again ON
Saturday, and, of course, performed
tho to a slim crowd. The "layout'
were unsuccessful above, and hardly
made expenses. The fact is We ex-
pect they'll go out the State with less
than a million.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

If II readers desire to be posted
on State finances, they should read the
carefully prepared letter of Hon. Roi't.
+. Hunter, on that subject, which APP.
pears in this issue. Though lengthy,
1t is interesting throughout, and we'll
worth reading. BY it, we have the
whole Thing in 81 nutshell"
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

In the way of amusements our
town is way behind any other in the
State. This is not as it used to be,
for years back we were considered the
liveliest people in the State. Let us
regain our lost l%aurels, and be as we
we're in days gone 10y. Put on new
life, rub mp our clothes, start the mu-
sic, and let's be lively again.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

MANY suffering people drag them
selves about with failing strength,
feeling tdat they are steadily sinking
into the grave, when by using Parker's
Tonic they would find a cure com
'nencing with the first dose, and vital
ity and strength surely coming back
to them.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

ADVICE TO MorEERs-Are o dis
turbed at night and broken of your
rest by a sick child suffering and cry
ing with pain of cutting teeth! Is So,
send at once and get a bottle of Mrs.
Wins1ow's Soothing Syrup for children
tething. Its value is incalculable. 1t
will relieve tue poor little sufferer i'm
medlate1y. Depend upon it, mothers,
there is no mistake about it. 1t cures
dysentery land diarrhea, regulates the
stomach and bowels, cures wind collie,
softeus the gums, reduces inflammation
and gives tone and energetic the whole
system. Mrs. Winslows Soothing ST.
rup for children teethimq is pleasant to
the taste, and is the prescription of one
of the Oldest aud best female nurses
and physicians in the United States,
and is for sale by all druggists through.
out the world. Price IS cents a bottle.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

THERE is still wuch difference of
opinion among orr planters as to the
effect of the late freezes upon the seed
and stubble cane, and we shall have
to wait scare time to ascertain with,
any degree of certainty the extent of
I'M nry that mas been sustained by our
staple soil product through the extra
ordinarily severe weather which has
recently visited this section.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

since the building of the new
levee a large mud hole on the corner
of Elliott and Second streets, has been
gradually finding its way into the bow
els of the earth. It is Row hub deep,
and if not filled mp soon, will be i'm.
possible. We call the attention of
the Town authorities to this matter /:
they certainly have never seer the
hole or else would have filled it.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

CARLYLE says: "1t is an earnest
thing to be alive in this world" To
a mother, nursing a babe, when she
has scarcely enough red blood to sus-
tain her W existence, life is a tragic
thing. To such an one, Browns Iron
Tonic is worth its weight in gold. It
enriches the blood and blesses both
babe and mother. For sale by Jacob
Geiger, Eagle Drug Store.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-17

We acknowledge the receipt of
and return thanks for an invitation to
attend a "Mother Hubbard Masoue-
rade Party" to be given by the young
gentlemen Of Alexandria, at the resi-
dence of Mrs. John G Marsh, on the
evening of Thursday, February 18th.
We have negotiated for the loan of a
Mother Hubbard and shall eudeavor
to be on hand.
, 1886-02-11

This now indispensable article was
slowly perfected, and like most inven-
ion thus perfected its merits were not at
once acknowledged. When, in 1910, it
first made its appearance in England it
was n piece OF sheet steel bent in a tubu-
lar form, and cut or filed away to initiate
the shape Of a quill pen, the junction of
the two edges forming the nib, which, Of
course extended all up the back of the
pen. 1t was given away as a present, and
not for use. 1t was highly polished, per
haps gilt or silvered, and sold for as much
as 5 shillings.
In 1884 Mr.. James Perry, the founder OF
n system Of education once famous as the
"Perryan" system, took up the steel pen
as n practical invention, and by indomit-
able energy overcame the difficulties in its
construction and the objections to its use.
He patented several varieties, and spared
nj expense to attain perfection. His
brother informed MI. Samuel Timmins,
Of Birmingham, England, that he paid Z
shilling per pound for his steel, and s
shillings per pen to the first workmen he
employed, and that for years afterward
the price given to his workmen was 3G
shillings per gross.-Louisyille Courier
Journal.
, 1886-02-11


A movement has been started in Lon
don for the collection of waste food from
hotels, restaurants and other places Of the
kind, and its preparation in a palatable
form for the use OF the poor. 1t is pro
posed that the kitchens which are to be
established under the plan now maturing
shall sell a cup OF tea or coffee and a slice
of bread and butter or jam for 1 penny,
dinner for 3 pence or 4 pence, and other
meals in proportion. Kitchens Of this sort
have been founded in nearly every Eu-
ropean capital, and their success and
value ave been abundantly proved by ex-
perience.
The first kitchen in Germany was
started at Leipsic in 1e49; Berlin followed
suit in 1866, and now has fifteen kitchens.
In one year they sold 100000 portions,
the price Of each portion, consisting Of
about three ounces of meat and a quart OF
vegetables and potatoes, being only 3
pence. From the start the undertaking
has been self-sustaining. The London
scheme proposes also the establishment Of
restaurants for workingmen, and clubs
where cheap dinners may be obtained.
Why may not New York nave some such
system of cheap food supply-say a cen
trail depot, with branches in all parts OF
the city-from which good, wholesome
food may be distributed at rates within
the reach of alli Such a system would
tend to the prevention OF waste, and this
would be not the least Of its advantages.
Frank Leslie's Illustrated.
, 1886-02-11
DETECTIVE BUREAU HeADouAareas.
A Visit to the Inspectors Private ONE.
The Peculiar Surrounding.

A Visit to the Inspectors Private ONE.
The Peculiar Surroundings.
Entering at the Mulberry street en-
trance 10 headquarters one passes
through a general business office 10 n long
passage way. This leads to the general
office OF the detective bureau. In this
room, Immediately opposite the entrance,
Is a long desk, which extends nearly
across l.. The desk has somewhat the
appearance Of a judges bench. In front
Of it is n wire fence, which extends across
the room. and is only broken by a mar
row gate, which leads TO a peculiar-look-
ing door on the right. This door opens
int an ante-room, through which one
mus pass 10 reach the inspectors private
apartments.
II 1t he necessary to consult the in
spector, the sergeant opens the wire gate
and the padded door, which parts in the
middle and closes by springs noiselessly
and so effectually that not a word spoken
be heard in the outer office. The
visitor finds himself in a little room
about eight feet square, which is very
dimly lighted. This is carpeted In heavy
Brussels, so that one cannot hear his own
footsteps. In a corner is a little desk,
and on one side a cabinet. a heavy
portiere is noticed hanging ON a rod over
the entrance, which can be pulled over
the spring doors in such a way that,
should they be pushed open by any one,
he could not see who was in the room.
Having entered this apartment, the
visitor waits. He wonders whether he
is going TO the inspector or that officer is
coming to him. Suddenly he hears q
peculiar clicking sound and a heavy
door flies open, and a large and
elegantly furnished apartment is re-
vealed. Come in, is heard spoken in q
strong, full voice, and in the visitor goes.
Behind a large desk at the further end of
the room sits the inspector, who glanoes
up from his writing as the visitor enters
and gives him a searching look, taking
him in from head TO foot. A chair il
offered, which is placed in such a way
that the light falls full on the face OF the
person who occupies it, while the in
spector sits back in the shadow so that
he can not be clearly seen.
The visitor states his case, which Is
listened to with the greatest patience,
He is not interrupted by any questions
until he has finished, and then he is in
t~errogated in reference 70 points which
may not. have been clearly explained.
The errand completed, the visitor il
ushered into n broad corridor which
leads To Mott or Bleecker street, and he
departs without again being seen by PEG.
Pile in the front office or the reporters
who are constantly on the watch from
the newspaper bureaus opposite the Null
berry street entrance. The case is put
into the hands Of "A detective, who re-
ports progress daily, and that is the last
heard Of il until II is completed and ar.
rests are made. boston Herald.
, 1886-02-11

The boot-black Of the court house base
ment reads a mans character in the kind
OF a shine he want put on his shoes.
"There's some men" said he to a reporter,
want a bright shine, as bright as hat re.
Hector over there on the wall, and when ]
look at them l see they wear shabby
clothes, their toes ARE out, every button.
hole torn, their hats dirty worn out
but they want a bright shine. They'll 60
out on the streets with such a shine and
walk along and look down at their shoes
almost al the time to see II a spot of dirt
has ruined their shine. You've seen thnt
often-you must nave seen II. They'll
keep looking down at their shoes and run.
ming their hats into other peoples faces,
Then they'll look up to see II every passer-
by notices and admires their bright shoes.
and II everybody In the street is duly i'm
pressed with their Importance because
they can afford TO have their shoes black.
ened every day. They think, OF course,
everybody believes they do 1t every day.
Always have your boots shined accord
ing TO your clothes. A bright shine and a
shabby dress Is as bad as too loud n cravat
or as wearing al anchor-chain over the
stomach to hold the watch. Then there's
other men who want no bright shine.
Just make EN- look decent they say.
They don't wear iashy clothes, sometimes
they are poorly dressed, but you never see
any holes in their clothes, though they
are old and worn out. That is the kind Of
men l like TO shine boots for. They are
pleasant to talk TO and never gruff.p
, 1886-02-11

Quartermaster Murphy belonged to a
New York regiment, and was captured
and sent TO Libby. IL was the practice
Of the Rebels 10 allow prisoners who had
been practitioner Of medicine 10 attend
the sick in the prison hospital. They
were given the freedom Of the prison. TO
come and go at will.
One day a green sentry would not al
low these men To pass. when he was
sharply reprimanded by Capt. Gibbs, and
was told that those men who wore red
ribbons on the lapels OF their coats should
pass unmolested.
Murphy overheard this and took advan-
tage OF it. lie had some red lining in his
vest, and, tearing off n strip, he pinned
the physician insignia on his coat, and
watching an opportunity. he got past the
guard and escaped over into the Union
lines.-Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
, 1886-02-11
Up mn to the North rsl..

II one Of Greely's hardy %adventuren
crossed the eighty fourth parallel he had
but 400 miles farther 10 go. He had
water behind him. but before him, look
ing north, he had a field Of ice stretching
beyond his powers OF vision, however
aided. He WA looking up HILL for
Notwithstanding the ~nattening Of the
earth at the poles the accumulation OF
ice there very much more than compen
safes. II II be true that there is a diff
ference Of sixteen miles between the
major and minor axis Of the earth, and
1t is probably less, then Il follows that TO
look up hill- from the eighty-fourth
parallel would require at least eight
miles Of solid ice resting upon the solid
earth. Philadelphia Times.
, 1886-02-11

Paris is the headquarters of the post
age mania. The commission dealer.
Hardouin, publishes n monthly circular.
Offering 10 francs for Neapolitan varie-
ties of a certain age, and more than
twice as much for certain African and
South American issues. There are not
less than t~wenty-eight wholesale deal
err. and the business is represented by a
special trade journal. The collectors
a be numbered only by hundreds OF
thousands, and album-Ike postage fol-
los nave become fashionable Christmas
presents. But how much more poetry,
N not common sense, there was in the
butterfly collection of our schoolboy
timesl Birds eggs. ferns. minerals,
ven autographs, are comparatively re-
spectacle hobbies. But postage stampsl
One might as well fall in love with a
lot Of soap advertisement s.-Professor
Felix l.. Oswald.
, 1886-02-11

Evidently there is no ethics" and
scarcely etiquette, in the marvelously mis-
%cellaneous uses to which people put postal
cards, some persons making them media
for the conveyance Of private information
which should go under cover, and even
love letters are written on them, The
real uses Of the postal ard are obvious
TO everybody. They are especially valua-
BILE to the contractor who has the fat job
Of making them. They are serviceable for
advertisements, announcements, notices
Of public meetings, and so on. One seri-
u objection to their use is their ans
mission through provincial postonices,
since it is believed by some that the post
masters, and certainly the postmistresses
read every one Of them, thus obstructing
or delaying the public service. Bye-and-
bye, probably, penny postage will do away
with the postal care altogether.-New
York World.n
, 1886-02-11
FRENCH sLowpessA ND ReD-rAplsa


systam-Pcrsonai Grievances
No system is so perfect but It has its re-
verse side. This brings me to the real de
feet of the French civil service system,
which is slowness and r~ed-tapism. No
one who has not experienced IL can imag-
inc the tediousness Of French official rou-
tine. As far AS | can determine II most
Of this is due to traditional usages and
somewhat TO national characteristics
For Instance. -time is not money" to the
Frenchman He has an idea OF business
methods and precision, but none Of bust
ness dispatch with a view to personal ad-
vantage. lie does not care to make
money II he has to do IL inconveniently or
In n hurry. Again, the Frenchman Is
brought up to discipline; he is accus-
toned to self restraint In family and soci-
ETY., and submits ~contentedly to authori-
tative regulations which guarantee him
privileges rs well as impose upon him OBJ
legations.
Whether this is 30 or not. IL Is certain
that, in every situation and in every nf-
fair In which red-tapism and delay would
enrnge the American, the Frenchman
awaits the slow turning of official cogs
with astonishing equanimity. If is for
this reason, perhaps, that the Frenchman
makes no attempt to rectify n personal
grievance by mhnifesting his indignation
in the newspapers. The French people
having no sympathy for sufferings OF this
description, and appeal TO Outraged pub
lie opinion" which does not exist, has no
effect.
In America it is quite different. Time,
to the active business man, Is money.
II n government official should mar
his operations by making him wait,
the offender would soon hear OF 1t in such a
public manner as to endanger his place.
Especially would this be the case in a
civil service organization like that Of the
French, rot open to the attacks of mere
partisan journals.-Paris Cor. New York
Times.
, 1886-02-11

II when upon a long hunt or journey
the Kafiir be unable for a long time to
find water, he sometimes avails himself
OF the instinct Of one Of those animals
which he frequently keeps in a domes
ticated state-the baboon or chacmR. The
baboon takes the lead Of the party, be
ing attached 10 a long rope, and allowed
10 run about as il likes. When it comes
10 a root OF babiana it is held back until
the precious vegetable a b. taken en-
tirely out Of the ground, but in order to
stimulate the animal to further cxertions
il is allowed to eat a roo now and then.
The search for water is conducted in a
similar manner The wretohed baboon
is intentionally kept without drink until
IL is half mad with thirst, and is then led
by a cord rs before mentioned. by what
signs the animal is guided no one can
even conjecture, but II water is in the
neighborhood the baboon Is SURF to find
meteorological Journal
, 1886-02-11

In these days Of revival it is impossible
TO say to what extent the old art OF illu-
mination may become again a living and
a growing one. 1t died a death which
may be called natural and notwithstand-
ing n gallant attempt to adapt itself to the
new discovery OF printing, its existence
was threatened from the moment that
writing ceased to be the only means Of
multiplying books.
When calligraphy was itself an art, and
men would devote a lifetime of patient
piety in transcribing the scriptures, no
time could be too great to spend in deco
rating the rare n precious volumes with
border and initial and dainty miniature.
They were the flowers OF the old art Of
writing. and sprang into life almost as
naturally and spontaneously as those
roses and daisies, Ilacs and columbines
from which the old iluminators drew
their inspiration.-The Academy.
, 1886-02-11

what sort OF risks do you steer clear
off" was asked OF the loss-adjuster in the
farm department OF n ~well-known insur-
ancc company.
"Creameries, skating -rinks, and, in a
great many cases, country school-houses
are declined by our company. Creameries
are generally OF Undertook construction.
Kinks, while sometimes built securely
against loss by fire accidentally started,
are just now the object of condemnation
by the public. We in this case are afraid
of the incendiary's torch. So, too, in the
case Of country school-houses. The people
in the district get at loggerheads regard
ing the location OF the building-some
wanting It in one place and some in
another. II is finally built; and it is very
often the case that some dark night it is
reduced to ashes. We keepa special watch
on risks OF this kind, and as soon ms we
find the people fighting we cancel the
policy at once -Chicago Tribune.
, 1886-02-11

The English man Of business, once his
hours ARE past, shakes the dust Of the city
from him literally, and HES him TO his
country home. With the casting Off OF
his business suit, he casts aside business,
and in full dress he dimes. 1t is simply
impossible to comprehend the difference
between this dining" and the American
eating" unless both are experienced, but
there ia more han the ocean between
them. One is living--the other existing.
In n thousand ways they make moments
agreeable that in America would be very
tedious, but nothing is 10 be more rejoiced
Mt than that we are rapidly taking the
cue that travel and intercourse nave
thrown out, and may soon have as many
charming American as there are now
English omes.-Birmingham Cor. Cour
ier-Journal.
, 1886-02-11

An old gentleman Of IS had Just died,
and the choir was rehearsing n little mu-
sic for the funeral They were going
through n hymn in which occurred the
phrase "a rosebud dying in its bloom, y
when the yonng soprano stopped, and in a
very distressed voice, remarked:
OH that will never do you know. II is
50 ridiculous to sing rosebud when he
vas nearly 20 years old. We really must
change that
why, of course" said the tenor. allow
logs century plant strike your" The so
prano shifted out hat light very quickly.
would chestnut dor" suggested the or
gunist. This was also unsatisfactory and
the hymn was changed.-Lowell Citizen.
, 1886-02-11

Rubber BaptismAl Pants" are now
freely advertised in the leading Baptist
papers. These neither garments arr gon-
orally used by the pastor who performs
the ceremony Of immenion, and not by
the converts who are immersed. The
converts are presumed 10 be wet all over.
They are generally arrayed in garments
Of wooden material. which are kept for
the purpose by the churches. The Stub
Der Bapti.ma Pants- are intended TO pre-
serve the minister from an attack OF cold
OF rheumatism philadelphia Times.
, 1886-02-11
II Is NOT Always NIGHT.

The weary soul in voiceless prayer
Breaks from the verge OF lark despair
There seems no ray Of welcome light;
But Faith cries out with sturdy voice,
That makes the waiting hear rejoice,
at is not-is not-always nightr'
With tired feet and longing eyes,
We gaze athwart the leaden skies,
And ut the distant mountain height;
Then Hope shines DER he dreary way
We see the CLEAN Of dawn and say,
"Itis motifs not-always night"
BE strong. o soul Be brave, faint hearth
Bid ev'ry doubt and fear depart,
For Coo win make IL all end right;
The promise is for me and you
The shining shore comes into view
II is not is not-always night
Frank II. Stauffer in Good House
Keeping.
, 1886-02-11

In a party point OF view no new meas
ures could have been adopted by the lower
house of the assembly, controlled as it is
by a Republican majority, that would
morn certainly rebound to the benefit Of
the Democratic party Of this territory,
than the amendment q our election laws
passed by the house in committee of the
whole, yesterday Don't fitch. boys.
when the record you have made Is brought
forward In the not very distant future to
remind the yoter- Of Wyoming that you
and your party deserves aud should re-
ceive no support from fairmindcd and
liberal men, such as generally compose
the population in the new settlements Of
the West
, 1886-02-11

The distinctive feature Of the creole
exhibit at the New Orleans exposition is
is ancient and time-worn appearance.
Like the creoles themselves, everything
centers in the past. There are speci-
mems OF antique china, a chatelaine with
seven jewels, 325 years old; bead neck
lace dating 10 the fifteenth century; an
ivory fan and silver candlestick owned
by Lady Washington; a saddle and
bride used by the fut Napoleon; n
platter brought over by Ursuline monks
In 1877. and other relics OF interesting
historical association Chicago Times.