davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06

The Basqucs are pccu lar race who
from the earliest times have inhabited
both slopes of the Pyrenccs Mountains.
They have apopuaton of about 800, 600,
somewhat less than u fourth of this num-
Der living on the French side of the
mountains and the others on the Spanish
side. But though their country has
been, through the ages, nominaly under
the control OF more than one foreign
power, no domination of Carthagenian,
Gothic, Saraccn, French or Spanish rule,
has ever really conquered this fearless
people or changed in any way their pc.
cuIiar characteristics. They are robust
and active race, of darker complexion
than the Spaniarls. Their women ae
beautiful and skilled in all outdoor work
They are simple race, but proud, i'm
petuous, light.hcartcd and hospitable
Their agricultural methods are rude, but
they are so industrious that want Is hard.
ly known among them. They have few
cities or villages, but their small dwell
ings are scattered over all the heights of
the Pyrenecs. Politically they are d-
v!ded into districts, each of which
chooses annually an alcaide, who is both
civil and q military officer, and mem.
Der of the supreme junta, which meets
every year for delibcration on matters of
general interest. Their rights are pro-
tected by written constitutions granted
by ancient S anish kings. The carly
history Of this remarkable people is un-
known; they are supposed 10 be dcsccn-
dants of the carly inhab tants of Spain
before the country was invaded by the
Celts. They are known to the Romans
as the C.nta5ri. Their langua.c, which
is preserved among them in its pristine
purity, is altogether different from the
other langu yes Of Europe. Inter- Ocean.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
Tree-cllmblng Cray.FISh,

To show how food or over-supply OF
water will at certain times arm these
little creatures, a gentleman residing in
Freeport, ILL.,, informed mo that not
many months ago they had some very
heavy rains, that greatly increased tho
volume of tho little river running
through the town. The water gradually
rose until numbers of quite large trees
were submerged, and the stream was al
most twice its ordinary width. Such an
unusual occurrence naturally attracted
considerable attention, and my inform.
ant and a number Of Others visited tho
trees several times, and when the river
was at the highest they presented a
strange appearance from little dis.
tancc. Their trunks seemed to have
changed ccor from the water up to the
branches, and on closer inspection it
was found that they were complete.
ly incascd with cray fish, which covered
every available space, crowding upward
by hundreds, cin ing to tine bark and
to each other, in some spots packed one
upon another four and five deep; every
moment added to the throng, new ones
emerging from the water, while those
above, urged on, crept out upon the
branches, and completely vcred them,
presenting novel and interesting sight.
The animals in many cases retained their
positions for several days, and did not
seem to be affected by their stay out of
water. The occasion, however, was
taken advantage of by the people, who
came with buckets and brooms and
swept them from the trees by hundreds,
storing them up for future use. The
cray'ti'h in certain portions OF the west
ern country is a pest to the agriculturist,
and the work of these little creatures Of
ten greatly increases the labor and ex-
pense of breaking up land, especially af-
ter the burrows or mounds have stood for
many years, the vegetation til has
grown upon them often increasing their
size to mammoth proportions. Popular
Science Monthly.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
Tho TlrO of LilInS.

This name is applied to the throne Of
France bgcaus. Of the old French Ma
tional emblem-thc lcurde-lis, a species
of lily. The st ry oil its adoption is as
follows: When Clovis, King of the
Franks, married the Princess Cotilda, of
Burgundy. in 403 A. D., she was a
Christian, but tho King, like tho most
of the Frankish nation, was q hcatnen.
The young queen earnestly desired the
conversion Of her husband but her
arguments had little effect on him.
However, in 40G, the king, when en-
gaged in battle with the Allcmanni
Germany, at ToIbiac, near Colotn was
hard pressed and in his necessity called
upon the God OF the Christians, vowng
that shoull he obtain the victory he
would himself become Christian. The
Allcmanni were routed, and on Christ
mas day OF the same year Clovis and
several thousand OF MS soldiers were
bapiizc1. Thus far we have vcri'able
history, but we must regard as legendary
the cNnc,u,ion OF the tale, that on the
eve of his baptism nm angel from heaven
presented King Cows with blue ban.
ner embroidered with golden fleurs.dcr
lis, which he was to adopt as the banner
Of France. Probably sweet Clotllia her.
self embroidered the lilies and person.
ated-as she well might. the angel.
However this may have been, from the
time of Clovis to the French Revolution
the Kings of France bore as their arms
an indefinite number a lattcrly three
golden lilies on m azure field. Inter.
Oceun
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
A Wise Eel.

In the summer of 1868 Peter Kern Of
Washington township, Pennsylvania,
caught small eel and put it in well in
his yard, where it still is. 1t is four
feet long and about five inches in diane
ter. 1t keeps itself concealed at the
bottom, except ut irregular intervals,
when it comes to the top, and these APP
pearances are always followed by rain
within day or two. During hayng
and harvest and other critical periods Of
farm work the farmers for miles around
send every day to Kern's for intelligence
of the eel. 1t viii, have no other kind Of
fish in the well, and kills all that are put
in. - Philadelphia Record.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06

The trees of pan are wonder.
Here is the "mOokungi," with its purple
bejl-shaped flowers; also tho magnolia,
with its iich white and purple clusters.
Queen among the trees towers the ca
mclia. Some OF these arc sixty feet high
and are covered with blossoms from
January to May, of many varieties from
tic large pure white, resembling double
rose, to various shades ot pink and red.
The cherry and plum trees ne cultivated
solely for their blossoms AMI are trees OF
rare beauty. The former grows thirty
feet high and as many broad, its branches
covered with red and white flowers two
inches i'll diameter and pcrfu,nin, the
air at a eren, distance. its petals OF
snow and clcam, falling in showers,
spread many IL carpet for the feet on the
stone paths leading to the temples, Yeri-
Tying the ne,ivc poet when lie says
"Thcrc arc snow.showcr5 which do not
descend from the Skies The pium tree
is par excellence the poets tree. Often
1t is seen standing !catlcas in the snow,
yet adorned with blossoms like a bride.
The tree bursts into soft clouds of bloom
and fragrance in February.
Along the hlllsidcs naples and pines
are covered with vines of exquisite love-
lincss, trailing and INTERVENING with be-
wi!dcring intricacy; among these are the
wstaria anil l!umbrrsa, with their
purple stars and tufts. From the yer.
dant valleys 20 the top, Of the mountains
are seen lilies, pnks md roses of endless
variety. The grass is s,uidcd, and l,w-
crs spring even from the quaint, artistic
thatchcd roofs OF tho tca- houses, asking
leave only tc grow and bless tn light.
These tua-hou>es seem ilyllc. They are
n national institution, COR they are every
where, as the people tire everywhere;
along the city streets, by the roadside, in
the grows, woods, parks, valleys, and
up the mouutan silc.. BryoIlyn Mtga-
zine,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
Tho Big Earthquake OF 1868.

"There is nothing that will take the
lining out Of man quicker than an
earthquake" remarked Capt e. P. Cum
ningham of Northport, Me-. retired
ShipmaSter, few days ago.
The Captain spoke from experience,
having been ut africa in the 3 llast ship
Northern G icf at the time Of the earth
quake Of August 13 anil IA, 1903, which
involved the loss OF 500 lives and $l2,-
0 900 worth Of property. Tho shocks
were followed by tidal wave, in which
the United States storeship Freedom was
wrecked, with the loss Of all hands, and
the United States steamer Waturee and
other vessels were carried ash,re aud
stranded. The Waterec, large iron
double .endcr, was carried five miles in-
land, where the hull still remains The
Fredonia was dashed to pieces on tho
rocks, Another ship, with two anchors
down, was lifted on the wave so that her
anchors were clear of the bottom, and
she then spun round and round like
top. The only vessels that escaped were
the Northern Chief and another Maine
ship, commanded by Capt. Waits of
Rockland. They took a sheer otf in.
stead of on shore, and, as Capt. Cunning
ham describes it, went out to sea as
though dozen tugs had them in tow.
They were carried ten or twelve miles
out and received no injury.
The fortified island of Alacran, which
defends tho harbor Of africa, was sub
merged three times, all the garrison
pcrishing. The first wave, which rose
to about forty feet, was succeeded by
three or four others of less height.
Among the curious effects Of the earth.
quake in the vicinity of africa was the
opening of the earth and the disclosure
Of a large number of mummics which
had been buried in sand in sitting pos
ture, facing the sea, in cemetery cov-
ering q large area. Capt. Cunningham,
who visited the spot, said the heads
sticking up maic it look like field Of
potatoes. .-BeJaSt CNe,) Jounal
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
An Ey RI Tea,

Major Johnstone is very particular
about the spelling of his name. He Is a
very proud man on general principles.
Nothing exasperates him more than to
be mixed up geographically or other
wise with the common herd of Johnsons
without t. He was about leaving a
hotel in Dallas. lie had asked for his
bill, and when it was handed him by
the clerk he scowled fierce!y.
as there any mistake in the bill1"
asked the clerk.
There is, sir; you have spelled my
name without the t."
"Ah, ! Sec" replied the clerk, "you
should be charged with an extra t.
Fifty cents more, if you please. ."-7eras
SUtmgs
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
Hang OH like a Beaver,

When our Tom was six years old, he
went into the forest one afternoon to
meet the hired man, who was coming
home with load OF wood. The mnu
placed Master Tommy on the top Of tho
load, and drove homeward. Just before
reaching the farm, the team wen: pretty
briskly down steep hill. When Tommy
entered the house, his mother said:
Tommy, my dear, were you not
frightened when the horces went tro,tiug
so swiftly down Grow Hllp
"Yes, mother, q little," replied Tom,
honestly; 81 asked the Lord to help me,
and hung on like beaver"
Sensible Tom! Why sensible Because
he joined working to praying. Let his
words teach the life lesson; in all trou.
bles, pray and hang on like beaver; by
which / mean, that while you ask God
to help you, you must help yourself with
all your might. - Young Pilgrim.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
He Left unSiilr.

suitor-Mr. B'ggs, l have come to ask
for your daughter.
Boggs-Vcry Well When do you
want herl
Suitor-At once. I do not want to
wait at all.
Boggs---Wcl, Isuppo'o you want all
that belongs to her, too9
Suitor-Of course. Everything that
pertains to her is sacred in my eyes.
Boggs--All right Here are her bills
for the past month. Milliner, $07;
dressmaker, S220-.-
But the suitor bad melted away
RamJler
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
What Did He Meant

She .-"Why, Charles! How can you
call Miss james plainl l wish l was
half as good looking as she isw
He-"You are, Hattie, and you know
it."
At lat advices Hittic was cndeavorine
to decide whether she ought to be pleased
or offended at the compliment. Boston
Transcript.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
CNimea

Far from the fern and mow,
Fluttering birch and wee fir cross
mi the pines low murmn iny,
Who the frightened | chens cling
To the oSerhanging edge
OF the precipiye andl 'dge,
Fe rless IN Their dainty < 90,
Wave the harebels merr.y.
From The du1ky rafters uns,
Ne'er Be'g an beifry swung
Bells moro exqul itely wrought
BY the moin ain bro zes caught
Tossing, swaying to and fro
While b.side them, bending low,
BreathleSs wait o hear
Echo of their Ginning clear.
But he airy harmony
Is too wonderful for me,
And / cannot catch a strain
or tba. rare an sweet ref ain,
Yet the tiny bells still ring,
And they shall my greeting bring
Til though near so softly stirred,
Every trembling note is heard.
Marion B. Allen in the Cottage Hearth
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06

Five hundred years ago there was liv.
ing in Italy a great poet of the name Of
Pctrarch. There came on great trial
number Of people had to give witness,
and they all had to take an oIth before
dongso. P, trarch clme to bear witness,
but they said Of him, "you need not
make him take an oath. He will be sure
to tell the truth" So they did not make
him take an oath, because everybody
knew how true he was.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06
CHILDREN's COLUMN.
Autumn Leaves,

autumn LOhVobs
Crimson and scarlet and yellow,
Emerald turning to gold,
shimmering there In the sunbeamA
SILVER ng here in the cold;
Waving farewells as the tempest
Ruthlessly tears them apart,
Flu'tering, dancing and rusting
AS bither and thither they dart;
Recklessly sailing the rapids,
Lazily swimming the pools,
PLAYING II spym with each other
Under the puffy toals ools.
Wreaths for the wa of hor dwelling
Each neat little nouiekecrer weaves,
And there, amid de lea fern sprays,
Nestle the bright au umn leaves.
E. L. Benedict in Young People
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06

Customcr-Was that jamaica ginger
you put in that solal 1t doesn't taste
like it.
Drug Clerk examining bottleg by
Jove, I've made mistake and given you
laudanum I'm afraid I'll have to charge
you half dollar more sir. Laudarum
comes higher than Jamaica ginger, you
know. Sixty cents, please --B0,ton
Courier.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06

The whole cross is more easily carried
than the hall. -Drummeaa.
Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-01-09
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS:

James +. Bailey was born in Montgomery
county, Tennessee, August Is, 1922. He died
in Clarksville, December 49, 1885, having lived
in the county of his birth all his life. He
came OF Scotch ancestry, fact which was a
source of pride to him, and he was never more
delighted than when opportunity was offered
him to extol the sterling qualities of head and
heart which, in his Judgment, marked the
Scotch people as one of earth's master races.
His grandfather emigrated to North Carolina,
and his father, the late Charles Bailey, was
born in Simpson county, in that State. He
removed to Montgomery county, Tenn, in
early life, and was for forty years Clerk of the
Circuit Court ofthat county. Colonel Bailey IS
mother was Mary Bryan, native of Robert
son county, Tennessee, and the daughter OF
| Col. ]. II, Bryan, a gentleman of liberal edu-
cation. She was q woman of much natural
ability and of sterling character.
| Col. Bailey acquired liberal education,
having studied at the old Clarksyille Acad-
envy, and afterwards at the University OF
| Nashville, then presided over by the eminent
DIR. Philip Lindsey. In July, 1872, he was
admitted to the bar, not being yet twenty-one
wears OF age. He soon entered into a partner
ship with George e. Boyd, one of the most
profound AS well as brilliant lawyers of his
day. This partnership was only dissolved by
the early death OF Mr.. Boyd. He succeeded
to the fine business of the firm, and from that
date down to his election to the United States
Senate, his was probably the leading practice
of the GAINESVILLE bar. He was subsequently
the partner, at different times, of the late Col
Alfred Robb, Judge Horace H. Lurton, and
Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-01-09

When Judge Lurton had concluded
the reading Of the resolutions, he spoke
as follows:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-18
ZION. George ID. Wise.

The card Of Hon. GEORGE ID. WISE
declining to be . candidate for Con-
gress, which we published yesterday
caused both regret and surprise. A
faithful public servant, devoted to his
State and section, and having the con-
6dence OF his constituents rs well as
the strength necessary to receive q re-
nomination and reelection, he steps
down and out Of his own free will and
accord.
The Democrats of this district can
elect their NOMINEES to Congress, whoever
he may be among the many worthy sons
Of Virginia who have already been
named as Mr.. WIsE's successor but
perhaps nobody else so easily as Mr..
WISE. The State compliments him as
follows;
"Mr. Wise has been a most indus
trious and faithful representative. lie
has striven earnestly and uutiringly to
advance the prosperity Of his district,
and it is but just to say that no other
man could have secured more substan-
iial aid from the Federal Government.
lie has been ever ready, moreover, to
defend the people OF his district, Of yir.
ginia, and Of the South against the ca.
lnmnies of the South-hatiDg demagogues
in Congress, and many will long re-
member the severe but just punishment
he gave one Of the malignant enemies of
the South last winter, castigation so
keen, so well laid on, so merited withal,
that for many days it was the talk of
the country.
Wherever Mr.. Wise's path may lie
hereafter, the Democrats who have so
long followed his leadership viii look
upon bin as one who will be ever ready
in The future, as in the past, to re-
spond to the cal of his party; and
whether his retirement from public life
be temporary or final, he will be at
tended by the best wishes Of thousands |
Of bis fellow-citizens."
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-18
Had Enonrh Of Canada.

A Troy IN. " special says: Until
about a year ago Peter r. Schermer-
horn was,epgsged in business in Me-
Gainesville, and dealt quite extensively
in this city. He represented that he
owned real estate and had other means.
When be became dilstory in making
pay ments his creditors made an exami-
nation, which disclosed that the pro-
perty claimed as his own belonged to
bis wife. Some Of the creditors had
the facts presented to the grand jury in
this county, and Schermerhorn, learning
of The steps taken, Immediately pro-
ceeded to the American colony in
Canada. His abiding place was dis
covered, but he could not be extra
dited. firing Of his life in the D0min-
ion, Schermerhorn recently opened nego-
tiations for bis return, and, having pro.
cured bondsmen, came to Troy to-day
and gave bail.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-18
AGood Point.

A gentleman familiar with all ques-
tons connected with the public debt
writes us as follows:
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
That was a good point you made SUM-
day when you said that the acceptance
of Hambleton & Co.'s proposition to
pay per cent. interest on the whole
debt involved the recall Of the Riddle
berger 3 per cent. bonds already ex-
changed under the Riddleberger bill,
and the reissue Of 4 per cent. bonds
for the entire amount of what has thus
been funded at the rates fixed by the
Riddleberger bill.
OF course il must be done in COM
mon fairness. The amount thus to be
returned would be s7,5l7, 032.71, and
the per cent. bonds and certifi-
Gates to be called in and cancelled, be-
ing the amount for which the above was
exchanged, would be "a, 97l, 500. land
here is another element Of confusion
which cannot be ignored if you change
the Riddleberger bill.
Better let it alone and get the people
to pay their taxes in money.
CONSISTENCY.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-18

The Richmond Dispatch of yesterday
contained the announcement that
"during the last three months stolen
State bonds for more than $40, 900 have
sought payment from the State officials
at the Capitol"
The paragraph, brief as it is, is sig
niflcsnt. Ii may cause surprise, as the
Dispatch suggests, to large numbers of
our people, but there are those in our
State who would have been more sur
prised had not these bonds made their
appearance at some time or other.
Truly has it been said:
Tile evil that men DO lives after than.
The good Is oft inferred with their bones
--TNorfoM Ledger.
The comments Of the Ledger upon
cur statement have led us to add that
the bonds spoken of are supposed to
have been stolen from the Capitol in
1865 by Federal soldiers-either upon
the day Of the evacuation Of Richmond.
or soon afterwards.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-18
Can We Afford II?
The Portsmouth Enterprise says

/
Scan the State afford to pay the
price of another lease of Mshoneism for
the sake of satisfying tine bondholders
And if any other settlement than the
Riddleberger bill were agreed upon by
the present Legislature, should the
Governor call it together in extra ses-
sion, would not the people elect Legis-
lature next year that would repeal that
settlement just as the McCulloch bill
was repealed9
ado our contemporaries who are ad-
yocating surrender to the bondholders
reflect that the Democratic party was
defeated election after election until it
pledged itself to stand by the Riddle
berger bill, and then many of the peo-
pie who had been voting against it came
back to the ranks, and thousands who
bad been staying away from the polls
came out and helped to put it once more
in charge?
"Any proposition from the Demo-
cratic party to reopen the debt ques-
ton and make any other settlement
than that embraced in the Riddleberger
bill would re-elect General Malone to
the United States Senate, and the men,
bers of the Legislature are veil aware
of that fact"
AS Mr.. PORTER, the editor of the
Enterprise, is member of the Legis-
lature, he knows whereof be affirms
when he says "and the members of
the Legislature are we'll aware of the
fact" lie thus gives an assurance that
the Legislature will consider no propo-
sition to supersede the RIDDLEBERGER
bill.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-18
A Somuambulist,s Fate.

A New Iberia (Ls.) special says; A
shocking accident occurred here this
morning, resulting in the death Of Mrs..
Felix Brousssrd, lady OF one of the
best families and highly esteemed. Mrs.
Broussard and two daughters enter
tanned few callers last evening. About
10 o'clock she retired to her room. At
later hour she left her bed, dressed,
completing her toilet with bonnet and
shawl, and left the house. She made
her way to the railroad track and
seated herself upon the rails.
When the 3 A.. NJ. west-bound
Texas express came along the
engineer saw an object upon the track
and sounded an alarm. The train was
brought to a standstill, and some OF the
trainmen went to the lady, took her off
the track, and left her standing 10 the
street. The train was again started,
when she sprang forward and threw
herself under the wheels of one of the
coaches, which passed over her, crush
ing her to death. Mrs. Brousssrd was
thirty-Dine years of age and was q
widow. She leaves three daughters
and one son. She had been sufferer
for number Of years from neuralgia,
and was a somnambulist. Il is SUM-
posed that she was in somnambulistic
state at the time Of the occurrence.