davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
GLIMPsEs OF AFRICAN LIFE.
Scenes Witnessed by Traveller I'm the
EaIl of 1888.

Mr.. ". Montagu Kerr read paper he
fore the Royal Geographical Society
recently, giving his experiences in "A
Journey Overland from Cape Town across
the Zambesi to Lake Nyassa.'
Among many other interesting things,
he told of the arrival of his party at the
town of Chibinga, on the banks Of the
Msinqua river.
Two human skulls adorned either post
of the entrance gate. Theirreception was
cold. Necessity compelled prolonged
stay at that town, during which time Mr..
Kerr wandered for many miles round,
finding alluvial gold in the sandy beds of
the Msinqua and other tributaries of the
Mukumbura river.
The men composing his party inform
ed him at this juncture that they were
tired and must now get back to their
wives; that they had wandered far from
their homes and wished to retrace their
steps. The natives OF the town were OF
the Mtande tribe, and seemed to have
large numbers of slaves purchased from
Senga, a town on the northern banks of
the Zambesi
A great feast was going on at the
town. His men all seemed beside them
selves with joy at the thoughts of return
ing home. Native beer, made from
millet, flowed like water. Kudu meat
was in abundance.
The open centre of the town swarmed
with human beings as black as ebony, a
turmoil of voices rent the air, the dusky
maidens danced and sang, keeping time
as they stamped the ground with either
foot and following each other in long
waving lines in their snake-like dance.
ThedrumS never ceased to beat for three
days and three nights.
In the day the feast continued, when
the sun was at its greatest height, throw
ing down rays of fire upon the festive
crowd, the fat, melting in the glistening
locks Of their woolly heads and running
all over their bodies. seeming to give zest
to their
Some time afterwards the men whom
he had recruited deserted him, and left
him entirely alone; but he was able after
days had passed away to enlist six men in
his service, to whom, however, he was un-
able to speak. Atlength they reached the
suburbs of the town of the Angoni
despot.
Under most disadvantageous circum-
stances he was brought before this man,
whose name was Tehikuse, and who
came down with numerous followers to
the center of the town, where he (NIr.
Kerr was seated on q rock, to examine
him. Tchikuse seemed to scoff at the
detected appearance presented by the
traveller.
He was a young man of enormous
dimensions, of light reddisL-brown
complexion, and rather vacant oounten-
ance. and completely wrapped up in his
own importance. Vanity beamed from
every line OF his fat and sensual counten.
ance.
Mr.. Kerr was led into a small hut
where dusky daughter of Africa, whom
he afterwards discovered to be the kings
sister, used to come in the night and Sit
beside him, and in whispering tones
would talk by the hour, constantly re-
peating her brothers name, Tchikuse.
with awe, and shaking her head and
drawing deep sighs. Not word of her
talk could he understand. She never
forgot to bring some beer (poInbe) with
her. the bulk Of which she imbibed her
self
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11

The interior was suggestive or the wl!d
nature of the, mountains. The men in
side were dressed in clothing OF coarse
material made at home. Their arms were
barred and grizzly with hair. Their faces
caused them to have the appearance of
demons.
In a corner of the cavern was man
busily engaged in pouring wildcat whisky
in q funnel, which was conveyed of
through a pipe made of mountain cane.
Where does that go tor" was asked.
* You can't know all, stranger; whar
that runs to YOU nor any other man
will know. but it is taken of you can
bet on it, ,
Behind tub of sour mash was little
ragged nine-year-old child, who had a
stick stirring the contents. The little
thing was covered with dirt, and half clad
in coarse hemespun.
:. Chunk 1t up, Mag, and come hereand
see the stranger.
The child. half frightened and covered,
approa ched me, but her timidity over
came her and she-stopped.
Come here, you little hell cat and
sing" was spoken by one OF the men.
The child began to sing in voice
as plaintiye as dove, and before she
had finished the tears We're streaming
down her cheeks.
what is the child's name?" was
asked.
child has history as long as your
arm, but she will never tell it. She
knows she will get the strap
Poor little pitiful object to be in the
hands of such demons. But how did she
get there?
Her dark blue, childish eyes looked
nm moistened with tears, and pleaded to
be spared the lash. Her story was
etrange one, and was calculated to touch
the chords of hardened heart.
One cold morning six years before, q
man was seen slowly riding along the
mountain road with child in front
on the saddle. The snow was falling,
and he tenderly clasped her wraps around
her.
Up the mountain higher were two men
who had been introduced, and they were
gazing at the sight below.
Take the glass and see If you are sure
he is spy
Soon the sharp ring Of rifle was heard
and the traveller dropped Meless from
his saddle, and the child was. taken to the
cave of the moonshiners. The child has
been there since.
The duty of the child is to mix sour
mash and keep her mouth closed, which
she performs faithfully.
The question was asked of these men
ssAre you not afraid of the revenue men
and will they not get your
IS Stranger, we are not afraid of heaven
or hell, much less anything on two legs.
We are trying to make an honest living.
and the man who tries to stop US dies
that's all. The law has got to take the
same chances we do Huntsville Cor
respondence of Atlanta Constitution.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
No Pie.

Jesse Wood tells good story of q
farmer whom he saw at the breakfast
table one morning in the leading hotel il
Nashville.
When the waiter handed the rustic the
bill of fare, he glanced over it and re-
marked:
Johnny, just bring 'em all in. I'm
gosh burned hungry, and just got in
Nashville"
The waiter grinned, and, after being
gone for 4 few minutes, returned with
dishes that made a great semi-circle
around the strangers plate. He counted
them all over, and then, with 3. doubtful
look. remarked:
Look here, waiter, don't see any pie,
and I'm mighty fond of pie, too"
Say, mister, we don't set no pie for
breakfast at this hotel. Only have pie
for dinner."
The country gentleman, with look of
disgust turned 10 Mr.. Wood, and said:
"'Neighbor this is @ - OF a hotel"
"Why:" =
Two dollars day and no pie" -
Doc. Bamtord, clerk at the Burnet
House, tells similar story of man who
once stopped at the fremont House in
Chicago.-[C;ncinnati Enquirer.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Special Noticei
OFFICE OF
Rockford Watch Co.,

ROCKFORD, ILL, May 18th, 1854.
Referring to the fact that we have
appointed WAIT BROTHERS, of
Ravenna, Sole Agents for the sale of
our Quick Train Railroad Watches in
Portage County, Ohio, we desire to say
that no parties other than WAIT Bros.
or their employees, are authorised to
offer these Goods for sale in the terri
tory indicated; and that no warranty
whatever attaches to our goods when
offered for sale by others than our duly
authorised agents. Our goods are sold
directly from the factory, and only
through competent and well known
dealers.
AS the movements leave our hands
carefully adjusted and regulated ior
immediate use, we hold ourselves di-
rectly responsible to the wearer o. the
watch for its satisfactory performance,
BUT ONLY WHEN SOLD BY OUR CHOSEN
AGENTS. We understand the extraor-
dinary guarantee of excellence made
by WAIT BROS, and given out by
them to the public, and are prepared
to make good the assertions of our
representatives in that particular.
Very Respectfully,
ROCKFORD WATCH Co.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11

cheerful temper charms the stomach.
Pleasant, social companions will help us
60 digest what might otherwise prove
unIuanageable.
An Englishman without observing the
laws of exercise or sleep, will digest an
enormous dinner, and preserve his
stomach because Of his two hours of
chat and good fellowship. Let him eat
Ahe same quantity in the rapid restaurant
fashion, sitting alone. and he would soon
be awretched dyspeptic.
The influence of quiet, social temper
upon the stomach is one of the curious
facts about digestion.
Blessed are the story-tellers, for they
help us digest our dinners. A good story
teller, II his stories are clean. is q god.
send. His best services are rendered at
the table. Those of US who cannot tell
good story can bring to the table the
funny papers, Dio Lewis.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
syomen,s Influence in Refining Speech.

! There is nothing which is so interesting
70 everybody as the perfecting of the
faculty of speech.
We have an Invaluable inheritance in
the possession OF the English tongue, the
most musical. rich and flexible language
in the world-getting to be the univer-
sal language; and to woman is COM
mttted the invaluable and the exclusive
power of improving all inaccuracies. for
it is she who teaches the human race to
speak.
She Is miraculously endowed when
she makes her baby speak his first
word; and the world gives her credit. by
calling a mans language his mother
tongue, for the proud confidence which
has been bestowed upon her.-tL Leslies
NayvgnRner
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
He Had Him There.

Mr.. Sol Smith Russell tells how he
recently renewed an acquaintance with
Mr.. Otto Schnelgarten, of Milwaukee.
Schnelgarten set up the beer ana pres
emily he said:
LED me see, Sol, you oond me vos
apoud the same age, aind itP How old
vos you, anyway"
Il am thirty-seyen years old, replied
Mp. RUSSELL
Zach, gone, now--dot vos a choke r'
insisted ,Sehnelgarten, smiling skepti-
cally.
.' No." protested Mr.. Russell. "Iwas
born in 184S."
g In eighdeen fordy-eighd. ehP' cried
Sehnelgarten, "Get oud Catch you
now--you told medot ten years agof'
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
e-
APPETIZERS.
= Disadvantage of Being rwo-voicea. ~

va AhO-s o1ccu.
Ben Maddox, who for some time car
ried the mail between the towns of Hills
boro and Whitney. Texas, is the possessor
of a variegated voice. He usually begins
speaking in q very high, aspirate voice,
and when about half through the sentence
falls to very deep bass, in which he m
ishes.
One day in returning from Whitney his
team ran away. threw Ben out in the
mud, and turned the light covered hacT-
which he was driving over on him in such
manner that, although uniniured, ho
was unable to get from under il.
While he was there a stranger came by,
when the following conversation took
place:
Ben lin his fine voice.: Hello, mister,
will You please git down an raise this
back up so as | can git outf'
Stranger: Yes, / guess can, but how
did you get under there?"
Ben Tin his coarse bass voice): "The
horses ran away, and turned the hack
| over on me-"
Stranger: ''Lookee here; if there are
two or three of you under there you are
able to raise that hack yourselves, and
am not going to get down in the mud to
help you"
And away he rode, leaving Poor Ben to
get out the best way he could
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Ma.

= Babies in China learn TO call their
fathers 'a-de," which corresponds to
papa: but ''de" really means "sir." while
the "a" is put in for euphony. Mothers are
called 'ta-ma," nearly the same as in this
country. Great families sometimes
teach their children to say ''siee-ya," for
father and ''siee-chee," for mother. The
first means "young lord, +" and the second
young lady" Thus ma" is used by
nearly every nation on the globe to desig-
nate the maternal. 1t is the lone touch
of nature which makes the whole world
kin"
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Unfounded Report.

Professor Snore, of the University of
Texas, is such learned man that he has
continual spells of Observation-Disclosures
81 am glad to see you. Why, there
was a report all over town that you were
dead said one of the students to him a
few days ago.
You don't tell me so?"
, Yes, it was reported that you were
dead and buried"
: 81 declare. Well, the report has not
been confirmed yet, has it"-[Texas
SiftingS.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
His Idea of a Gentleman.

"Hullo. Jacki where have you been
the last day or sop
"Out in the country. You see, g.
friend Of mine, who is member of q
fashionable club. invited me to take a
run down to see the new club house"
"How did you enjoy it?"
mot so much as I expected. Ny
friend couldn't get down while / was
there; so, of course, the members were
all strangers to me, and felt somewhat
embarrassed, particularly as they all
moved in a much higher society than 1
did"
Goldfish aristocracy, I suppose?
Some tin peddlers and the llke?"
81 don't know about that; but they
were such well-bred gentlemen thar they
ignored me altogether. fudge.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
MEN IN PADDED OL0TRtNG.f
Thin Legs Made Stout, and Narrow Chests
Made Broad.


THERE'S a profession which many people
know nothing of. It is that of the man
Whe models the human figure, but not in
clay. He models in cloth.
An expert in this art can demand a
large salary, and is always sure of en-
Pioyment in the large tailoring houses.
reporter visited a fashionable uptown
tailor to have a talk with one of these
artists.
He was introduced to a dapper little
frenchman OF about 45 years.
You have had large experience
In your profession. 1 suppose? asked
the reporter.
have given it my constant study for
nearly twenty years, and the more I see
OF 1t the less faith have In the common
sense of the most Of my patrons"
:, That's rather q broad assertion to
make"
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
A Near-sighted Man as a Cook.

Mr.. Click is near-sighted, and his wife
was not feeling very' well the other morn
ing, SO GIr. Glic undertook to get the
breakfast ready. Then he assisted her to
make her toilet. When they sat down TO
breakfast, Mrs. Click said:
John, did you make some toast?'
"No, my dear," he replied, but just
look what a nice beefsteak l fried in but
ter for YOU"
Laws of mercy y exclaimed his wife,
as she balanced it on fork, 'tyou have
fried my new ten-dollar bonnet ~
Click will hire a girl hereafter when his
wife Is sick.-GCalifornia Maverick,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Notable Baby Wisdom.

A little street waif WAS taken once to
the house of great lady, and the child
ish eyes. that had to lock so sharply
after daily bread, were dazzled by signs
OF splendor on every hand.
"Can you get everything you want2'
asked the child of the mistress of the
mansion.
Yes; l think so," was the reply.
"Can you buy anything you'd like to
have?"
The lady answered, Yes" And the
child, who was of a meditatiYe turn OF
mind, looked at her half pityingly and
said, WondeFingly:
.Don't- you ind iH dalla-IThs Re
public. --.-.-----s-.-..<--- - zlzzrsrs
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Guarded Remarks.

Mr.. Malapropos Ito Miss Charmante,
who is smiling and animated)-" You re-
mind me. of an old French teacher of
mine" noticing a change in Miss c IS ex-
preston at the adjective)- oh, not that
you're old, or look like her; not that,
but"
Miss Charmante (again radiant t)-"No?
But how then?"
Mr.. Malapropos-ssWell she used to
say, you know, that it was so absurd for
people to laugh in conversation, for to
laugh is always to distort ones face"
Miss Charmante-"A And you consider
that t.
Mr.. Malapropos--"O Oh, but you don't
you know; that's how l happened to
speak of it, [Harper's Bazar.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
A F.V Nor. Points
10HG Referring to the nj
I1UII above letter, we MI
Il OSSs will simplv saw l. ~

we have had the exclusive sale of tho
Rockford Quick Train Railroad Watch
for the past three Yeas. No OTHER
PARTY CAN BUY THEM FROM THE FAC
TORY, or HAS ANY RIGHT TO SELL,
THEM. 1t seems TO us much like boys
play to get angry and advertise prices
because they cannot buy the goods.
We trust the publication of prices will
continue through the whole list, as we
have no money to advertise goods not
in stock. Such desperate efforts will
not deceive any. The people know
that we have never cursed the place as
ready to be fenced in, because we were
going to leave it. They know that we
are not a travelling experimental insti-
tuition, and they will continue to buy
their Watches, Silver Ware, etc., of
the Old Reliable Ravenna Jewellers,
Swift's Block.
WAIT BROTHERS.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
just the Ordinary Tafy.

"Well, we are penniIess, or mighty
near it," he said, as he reached homo
and threw the evening paper to his
wife.
''Wh-what is it?"
The Mechanics bank has busted and
we had 5000 on deposit there"
g But. Richard, " shesaid, after glancIng
at the article, 1.-The president says he
hopes TO pay all depositors in full
"And didn't I say the same to my
creditors when | failed in the grocery
business, and did single one OF them
receive five cents on the dollar?' he
howled.- Wall Street News.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
They Received 8 Good Plain Education.

President Cleveland never attended a
college Of any kind.
The acting Vice-President, John Sher.
man, is a graduate of the common schools
of Ohio.
The Secretary OF State, Thomas F.
Bayard, never got farther than a Della.
ware rural academy.
The Speaker of the House of Repre-.
sentatiyes, John G. Carlisle, is self-edu-
Gated man,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11

''Ts there a resident of the State of
New Jersey in this cara" shouted an ex-
cited passenger, pOking his head in the
door.
. 1 am a resident of that State. sir"
replied a traveller, straightening himself
up. What can | do for you?'
"A man in the next r4rhas got deliriurt
tremens. What's best TO be done:1-
New York Times
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
A Model Cow.

A witty auctioneer described the excel
lenee of COW he was offering for sale.
in the following verses:
Long in her sides,-bright in her eyes,
Short In her legs.-thin in her thighs,
Big in her ribs, wide in her pins,
Full in her bosom,-small in her shins,
Long in her face, fine in her tail,
. And never deficient in filling her pail.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Bucklen's ArnicaSaIve.

The BEST SALvE in the world for
cuts, bruises, sores, ulcers, salt rheum,
fever sores, letter, chapped hands, chill
blains, corns, and all skin eruptions,
and positively cures piles. 1t is guar
anteed to give perfect satisfaction, or
money refunded. Price 25 cents per
1ox. For sale by @. p. Reed, Ravenna
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
The rolyglot Pnnulntion All Tetns.

The messages of the Governor of Texas
reach the polygot population of that State
in four different languages.
Thirty thousand copies are printed in
English, 10000 in German, and ., coo each
in Spanish and Bohemian.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11


ssIt is interesting to see them pair, y
said Mr.. Gaskill.
"Eh?"
"Yes. The rooster who has an am
bition to enter the welded state flies
down beside a coy little hen and COOS.
If she is heart whole and fancy free she
pays attention to his wooings.
'If she is already mistress of a nest
and does not care for attentions from the
opposite sex, she goes on with her feed
ing, paying no heed to the soft pigeon
English OF the proposing gallant"
''And il she is single, what then"
II the hen turns a willing ear to the
rooster he COOS gently. as If inviting her
to be his bride, and then he rises in the
air and flies away followed by the
hen.
aThe rooster will carry her to the
pigeon-house that he makes his home,
that is, provided the hen has never had
q nest and reared young. Wherever a
pigeon nests that is its permanent
home, and It cannot be entieed away.
aYou see that pigeon on the roof with
her feathers all sruffled up. She is a
disconsolate widow. She has had a
nest in my house, and a few days ago
she was courted by one of my neighbor's
roosters. They made a match of it, but
the hen refused to go home with the
rooster and he refused to take up his
abode with her.
So, after several days of Intellectual
persuasion. they decided to play quits.
Therefore she is here and her beau is
gone."-[ Atlanta Constitution.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
InpIeasant RedfelIoM.

The most unpleasant bedfellow in the
world is healthy, working, business-like
vaccination. 1t won't keep on its own
side OF the bed. 1t won't lie still and
behave itself. 1t is utterly vicious and
disagreeable and has not a single redeem
ing quality Rochester Herald.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
PoStical,
Husband

Husband: "I!t would I we're in
Heaven"
Talkative Wife: THAT is unkind; I'm
sure 1 make it as pleasant as I can for
you"
Husband: "Ah, but you know the
poet says, To die is landing on some
silent shore"
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Mint JrIep.

There is a great deal of pleasing infor-
nation in the newly published History of
The United States Mint. To some it
might seem sad deficiency that there's
nothing in il about the United States
Julep.-[ Philadelphia News.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Significant

Ethel: Mamma, think Frank means
business"
Mamma: Why, what makes you
thini; so:"
Ethel: "He gave me pair of sleeve
buttons last night, and they were iiGked.
. -lKentuc!y State Journal
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Conscience. Makes Cowards of Ca All.

Have you no eonseience?" exclaimed
n Judge TO Il prisoner who had been ar
rested for cruelty beating his wife.
y dunno your worship, said the pri5.
oner; If have. it has made coward
OF ne anyway. i National Weekly. -
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11
Nocturnal Experiences.

Oft in the chilly night,
When bed-clotheS snucly bound me,
I've heard the whiskered felines fight
In martial troops around me.
=, The spat of cats,
The hurled brickbats,
The careless word then spoken:
The eyes that shone
The back fence on, s'.s
The paneS of glass row broken :
i Philadelphia Item.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-11

A New fish Story.

One of the stories told in which the
peculiar Christian name figures, is of an
incident that happened when Preserved
Fish, just twenty-one years old, had been
made captain of a New Bedford whaling
vessel. A revenue cutter bore down upon
him and demanded the name of the brig.
1.-THE Flying Fish," shouted back the
young commander
Whats the cargo?" was the next ques.
tion.
"Pickled Fish," was answered.
"And who is Captain?"
Preserved Fish %
That Government officer couldn't stand
this. He did not propose to be fooled
with or made fun of by ANYBODY in this
way, and on board he climbed with his
Lieutenants, only to find that the whole
ruth and Nothing but the truth had been