davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
A VALUABLE COIN,
Accidental Discovery of a Corfederat
Gold Dollar,


Gold Dollar.
A few days ago a negro boy was
standing near q trash pile aod was
engaged in running his toes through
the debris. He noticed something
bright in the pile, and when lie picked
it up found it to b. very small yell
low coin. At first he Thought it was
copper, but rs he fingered it his native
sense told him it was too heavy for
copper, so he al once coriecturcd that
it was made of gold. IL had some
business with Frank Walker and while
in his office showed him the piece of
money. He asked the lawyer how
much he would give him for it. The
attorney, after eveing it closely,
thought it was a gold dollar. and as
lie was particularly anxious to get
such coin TO wear on his watch
chain, he offered the boy dollar for
it, which he glecfully accepted.
Mr.. Walker gave the coin q careful
examination ami become convinced
that he had paid too much for it. He.
was in Colonel R.dwine's Ollie and
took the coin out and exhibited it to
the great tinancier. What will YOU
| give me for it?' he asked 'I'll give
you dollar, was the reply. "And I'll
give you dollar and quarter inter-
rupted man who had come in to Re-
new note. ''Donc,' exclaimed Mr..
Walker. Here's your monrv," was
the quick answer. The buyer left the
office with his coin. and the lawyer
thought he had made a good bargain.
Hurrying off to man that buys
coins, the purchaser exhibited the
piece The dealer scrutinizeA it close
ly and said: What will you take for
itP' "Wh at will you give?' After "a
little consideration the dealer said:
will you take S25 for it?" The an
swer was: ''No. but I'll take $50 for
it, 'It's a go; here's your money"
and the happy man walked out of the
office.
The coin which figured in these
transactions Is q Confederate gold dol
lar A gentleman was talking yes
tcrday to a reporter and he said:
1.-The worst sold man of the four was
he who sold the coin for $50 If it be
true that it is, as is represented, a
gen uine Confederate gold dollar, it is
worth $3.50. | am told that there are
only six of these coins in ex;s fence.
They arc the only ones which were
coined. They are worth $3.50 each. :"
The reporter came away convinced
that of all the men who figured in
this affair, the gentleman who gave
this wonderful information was the
worst sold of ny.-AAante Const,tu-
| tioH
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28

and was so weak when he attempted to
start homeward that the men had TO
carry him moss OF the way. The couple
were not a week getting out OF the
State, going back to their old home;
and in time grandfather recov-
cred and was about again. But to
the day of his death, when grand
mother took occasion at the breakfast
table to say that she had dreamed OF
this or that, he never again charged
hen with being whimsical, or expressed
desire to see her midnight visions
fulfilled. NJ Quad, IN BGIlou's Monthly.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
He Deserved No Pity.

Hello! WHAT'S this?' asked q
benevolent resident of an Arz ma
town, as he came suddenly upon. Il
necktie social in full blast.
"Jist stringing up adude.' explain
cd one of the party, as he took u better
hold on the rope.
.'Waal that's uawthin ter hang a
man fer
But he's from Boston. y
"Waal. don't hang the poor fellel
fer that Yersae he left the place. "
"An' hos stole a boss. y
so hev the most of us. pardners.
IAN he dropped Red Shirt Dick this
mornin'. Killed him dead Us door
nail"
oh, that's nawthin'.' persisted the
benevolent resident.
AN he seq eue-thcr and m'gh- ther: +"
You don't say!' exclaimed the
benevolent chap, excitedly. up he
gees! Pull on that rope lively. =
TfG- BIS.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
AUSTRALIAN NATIVES.
Their Remarkable Power of Endurance
and Surprising Frugality.

Their Remarkable Power of Endurance
and Surprising Frugality.
The character of the aboriginal,
when studied, shows traits that his
white oppressor mig ht be proud to
possess. His faithfulness is remark
able, and he has been known to stay
with his sick master on the desert
plains of interior Australia till death
had taken them both, though his own
safety might have been secured with
ease. Their power of endurance is
such that they have been known to
travel over one hundred and twenty
five miles in twenty-four hours, and be
ready to move on if required. Their
keen power of scent and observation is
now appreciated by the police, and woe
be to the criminal whose track they
are upon! Not disturbed leaf nor an
overturned stone will escape their keer
eyes.
Last December three desperate bush
rangers escaped from the Jail at Perth,
Western Australia. They were famil-
lar with the bush, and had hours start,
vet with the assistance of "black
trackers," the escapes were in the
hands of the police within twenty-four
hours.
But the "blackfellow' will not work;
if any duty is required of him, and the
idea is impressed upon him that it is
only play, he is ready and willing to do
it, no matter how arduous the task
may be. He will ride horseback al!
day after SEATTLE, and stay awake all
night to watch them, if he thinks it is
fun; but let him find it is work he is
doing, and he will take to the bush at
short notice, nor will he return to the
same master. He asks no pay; clothes
he does not need; Il bite to eat, and his
satisfaction is complete.
1t is the fashion of the Queensland
ladies to have little black boy for Il
pet. Tricked out in gaudy clothes. the
little fellows take the place of the pei
poodle of European society These
BOYS are usually taken from tie Gins
by force, but as it is nobody business,
the crime is never noticed. San Fran.
cisco Alta.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
A kind-Hearted Boy.

.eCould't YOU find room on that
bench for yourself without pushing
that little boy off on the floor" asked
an Austin school-teacher OF the bad
boy of the school.
Il didn't want any room for me-
SELF was the reply. i wasn't
crowded at all. ~
Then why did you push him OFF,
ITO give him o"e room. He was
the boy who was crowded, so pushed
him off to give him plenty of room
There is - great deal more room OFF
a bench than there is on it. "-letao
Slf5ing5.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
sAL IMAGES INCOME.
Cow the Famous Brooklyn Preucher Car
Make Both Ends Meet.

AoW the FAMOUS brooklyn Prencher Can
Make Both Ends Meet.
Talmage's income is large. and he
has probably turned his reputation i'll
to larger substantial gain than any
public man of the day. His salary as
pastor of the Tabernacle is twelve
thousand dollars per year, while his
occurring receipts are fully twice that
amount. AS he is the most popular
lecturer in the country. his services
are everywhere sought and he can
afford to ask high prices. For the ex-
elusive control of his sermons, in adj
vance of the regular publication as
reported upon their delivery. he re-
ceives from q New York firm . yearly
amount nearly as large rs his salary.
AS editor of popular monthly
he receives five thousand dollars,
while his marriage fees runs az
high as two hundred and
fifty dollars for single ceremony.
His Friday evening lectures are also
syndicated to u large number Of PIT
pers, and for this he gets u regular
stipend. Then he has royalty on hia
published books, and receives very
large sums for doing odd literary WORK
whenever he has the time. Offers OF
this kind come to him by every mall
Only recently he declined an offer OF
one hundred and fifty dollars per week
for n regular newspaper letter on cur
rent topics. Talmage's expenses are,
of course, large, His family live and
dress we'll; he has son at college and
q daughter of marriageable age.
and must meet many Of the thousand
and one demands that are made upon
q public man. He carries IN ins'1r-
ance on his life of over scventy-ilVe
thousand dollars, and the premiums
on these alone is considerable
sum. Nevertheless, having ashrewd
ard careful wife, he is enabled to lay
by several thousands of dollars each
year, and were Talmage to die to-
day. his family would be more than
comfortably fixed for the rest OF their
lives He is thoroughly devoted 10
his family, and it is mainly tor them
and their future ease and happiness
in this world that he is working so IN
dustriously.
Talmage may be full OF ecceh'
tricities; he NAV be misjndged 'oy
thousands, but of the sincerity OF MS
motives there is no doubt IN Inc
minds of those who arc privileged !"
see him in his private life. and VINO
thus know him us he is He is sehef,,
Gus to the extreme, open-hearied aia
always ready to do a kind act Tor q
friend. - Edword irving. IN ASoa"g
Argus.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
FOREST PRESERVATION.
Legislation Necessary to Prevent the De-
struction of Woodlands.

struction of Woodlands.
The situation of our American wood
lands, and the fact that in England
even stringent measures are under
consideration for the increase of the
forests, give the experience OF the
smallest State in Europe considerable
interest in forestry. 1t was found in
1868 that an enormous quantity OF
wood was being imported into Switzer-
land, and that the native yield
amounted to almost nothing. The
Swiss Government, on ascertainlng the
situation, Immediately reorganized the
Forest Department, and placed all the
forests under the control of the State.
The owners of wooded lands could not
cut down trees without the consent
of Government official. Even barren
hillsides could not be touched with the
axe. The severe measure ut once pre-
vented the waste of WOOD and made
the cantonal forests even a source OF
revenue. both to individuals and to the
State. The result was that in 1886,
each acre of forest under Government
control gave free yearly revenue OF
one dollar and twenty-five cents an
acre. The example of Switzerland
could not easily be repeated in a larger
country where the State is less per-
fectly controlled, "but many of the
closely settled countries of Europe
have been compelled to resort tc
similar measures in order to prevent
the exhaustion of their timber and the
waste of their forests. 1t is reported
that the Russian Government has
undertaken the restoration of the
| forests of Turkestan, which had
been wasted in recent years,
| and bv whose disappearance the coun-
| try was taking on the character OF a
| desert. 1t is believed that England is
| well Situated for the easy restoration OF
it's forest wealth, and that in no long
time measures which have already re-
ceiyed attention for the conversion OF
our own waste lands into forests in
New England will commend them
selves to private enterprise. if they do
not take the form of State legislation. In
Switzerland the Government even went
so far as to grant subsidy OF from
thirty to fifty per cent. of the total
cost of planting forest trees, and, in
addition, supplied the owners OF waste
lands with young trees from the State
nurseries at price much belAy theil
prime cost for this purpose. The time
is not far distant when legislation will
be necessary in our own country in the
several States to prevent the wholesale
destruction Of forests, on whose pres,
ervation depend the agricultural and
industrial welfare of u large part OF
our population. Even in New England
the ravages of the lumbermen in the
forests about and IN the White Mount,
ain region have already seriously at
footed the country between the mount
aims and the sea, and have partially
dried up the streams which used tc
drive the wheels of the mills without
trouble all through the dry season.
Boston Herald.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28

Tho average weight of men
hearts, says the Medical News, IS y
ounces each, and of women's only
ounces. Thus when they give a1a
take, or exchange hearts. man Is me
loser quality being equal. Mans
average BRAIN weighs 493 ounces anu
woman's Al The average weight o.
both lungs is for men 45 ounces anu
for women 80 ounces. Garfield rlshs
lung weighed 80 and the left q oa"ies,
making 50 ounces Of lungs, Oh II
ounces in excess of the average.
An ostrich farm of $50 acres IS TO
no starteI near Red Blltf. Gal.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28

There IS something peculiar about
gravity-in the earth it attracts. while
in man it rercls.-Bnqhanaton Leatler.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28
COUNTRY STORE TRADE
How Bargains Are Clinched in Rural
Mercantile Emporiums.

and gown maze OF i've anu quarter
wards of calico enters. adjusts hel
glasses and looks at the three pieces
of bingham on the shelf
''Any thing can show you to-day.
Mrs. Skinner?' asks the proprietor,
coming forward with his mouth full
pickles and cheese.
Il Dunno says Mrs. Skinner.
Got a fine line O ginghams jus
in."
Il dunno but [ might looh at 'em.
No charge for that, | reckon"
"Oh, no; of course not Now here's
a mighty nice piece O green and rec
plaid"
II dunno as like plaid. -
"Well, here's blue and white
check
Il hadn't carlatcd on gittin' q
Check
well. now, here's green anc
white piece
1--WE had so many green and white
glnghams / thought I'd like some.
thing diff rent this time
They're mighty good colors, Mrs.
Skinner.
I've an idea the plaid'll run in
washin'.'
"What! Bingham like that run?
That gingham Il wash long as there's
arag of it, and never fade"
II aim so sure O that
"Cnaw q piece and see. Nom,
that gingham'll bile like muslin.
Don't you see it says fast colors' on
the label?"
CAV, that don't count fer nothin'
nowadays. How much is it?'
Twenty five cents yard. "
'HoaO much?'
TWENTY-FIVE cents.
Fer gingham like Mat?"
Yes m. an cheap at that"
My land! I've bought better ging-
nam a-many an a-many q time fer a
shillin'."
1T want sech bingham as this
ut was leetle better, if any
thing
Il guess yer mistaken. This ging-
ham cost me twenty-four cents"
"Then you got dreadfully cheated. :"
It'd be a bargain at thirty cents. :"
"Pshaw, man, YOU crazy? Now
lookee here, Sam Peters, L Il give you
twenty cents yard for that gingham,
an it's all l will give
Cant do it, Ms. Skinner. Say
twenty-three an I'll d. it, but I'll
lose money"
"Twenty's all I'll give
I'll split the difference an say
twenty-five and one-half.
"'Tain't with it, Sam"
'It's with two bits
"Pshaw!'
''Deed it is
Il kin git better bingham fer fifteen
cents in town"
Not much. you can't
Il knoW ! kim
'I'll give sixteen cents for all you
can git for twenty cents good as this. y
'rll give you twenty-onc cents if
you'll throw in card of hooks an
| eyes.
Cant do it,
''Well, say a spool o thread. y
"Tm losin' money as it is"
.'La, Sam. Til bet you make ten
cents yard on that gingham. You
kin put in card O buttons, any
how"
"Pll say six buttons"
"Why can you make 1t dozen?'
"Oh. I'm losin' money now"
How you talk!'
at so!'
"Well, gimme yard an the six
buttons an stick O pep'mint candy
for the baby. But I'm gittin' cheated.
Take your pay III aigs, won you"
mo, / couldn't."
"Ain't aigs same ez money!
| Mop
"Well. you storekeepers do beat all
at maxim bargain. You don't leave
body foot to stand on. "-Detro'1
Free Press.
l
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-28

sight of grandfather and his two
guards. Through the sparse timber
the men could see grandfather bound
to tree, and his guards standing near
by, but their faces turned in The direc-
ton of the battle which was raging be-
yond.
Like so many tigers the pursuers
crept forward, and only halted when
within eight or ten rods of the cap
tive. They silently arranged for vol
ley which should riddle the bodies of
the guards. and would have delivered it
in Il moment more but for grandfather.
He caught sight of them, and his joy
was so great that he could not repress
loud shout. The Indians turned on
hearing it, and also catching sight of
the pursuers, gave yell and darted
away. A volley was fired as they fed,
and the one behind made great leap
into the air and fell over a log, four or
five bullets having struck him in the
back.
The other one ran directly for his
companions, and his news raised the
siege of the Turner cabin in a moment
Finding that a revengeful foe was on
their trail, the Indians made all haste
out of the neighborhood, and could not
be overtaken.
Grandfather was like a child when
released BE laughed and cried by
turn, threw his arms about grand
mother. shook hands with the men,
and acted like one gone crazy. He had
be:l cruelty used BY the red rascals,
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08
Associated Home. for English Ladies'.

1.-THE Ladies' Associated Dwellings
Company" propose to erect building
of about two hundred rooms. which arc
to be ;sr out singly, or in sets. to ladies
of snail incomes or who are earning
their own living. Tho idea is that the
ladies, while preserving privacy and
Independence. would be able to live at
y less rental. in better neighborhood.
and under generally better conditions
tnan in the often expensive and COM
fortress London lodging. The rents
would begin at "a Cd. per week.
It is suggested that the building
might be near . restaurant or nigh
contain one. from which tho chief meal
of the day could be obtained.
The prospectus of the new compsny
states that two such building4 hut on
small scale and defective in arrange.
ments are already in existence; that
for every vacant room there are many
applicants. and that they pay . small
dividend It is thought that bigger and
better dwellings would proves good In
vestment The honorable secretary 4
Mr.. + Akin. 5 Plowden Buildings.
Temple. London. = Westnsjasser AID
LanstetA Gazette.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08
THE WIFE'S EARNINGS.
II Women Can Earn Money Before The
Are Married, Why Not Aftere

II Women Can Earn Money Before They
Are Married, Why Not After?
When hear a woman say that her
husband gave" her ten cents. or
that he "let her have quarter say
it without a blush or apparently a
thought of her own degradation in be-
ing obliged to say SOL feel ashamed
for womanhood. and almost discour-
aged, and wonder sometimes if one so
dependent upon another will ever
make an Independent voter. So in
grained into society is the feeling that
woman is supported" by her hus-
band, that women use these terms
without thought, and most people re-
echo them as thoughticssly. So few
women value their services as they
ought. they forget that housekeeper
would receive good wages for the labor
she performs, and would not use half the
care-wOuld not save nearly so much.
Men know that this is so when they
stop 10 think. but habit is so settled
with them that few stop to think. and
SO We hear some of the best men say.
I'm let you have so much" as if the
money were any more his to let her
have than hers to let him have. Too
often it is the case that the wife feels
obliged to account for every cent
spent by her. while her husband
spends as he pleases and renders no
account to any one. instead of each
keeping a strict account of all money
which should belong equally to them.
1t is well that SO many girls and
women earn money before marriage
nowadays; that helps them to APP
preciate the value of their labors; but
more is needed yet and hope the
ballot will bring the more-will make
women respect their own value. and
through their self-respect will come
the respect of man.--Aiur0 Collins
HOLSTER, in Wisconsin, Citizen.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08

ing with success in New England and
afterwards in St Louis. Sheis . woman
of large wealth. most of which she lac-
CURED BY her own business ability;
snd her husband il richer than she
Mrs. Dow has reduced the fare on her
road from six cents to i've. and her
townspeople are blessing the day when
she became president Such woman
knows enough to be entitled to vote.
not merely for school committee, but
for all officers. from President of the
United States down. She is living
argument for woman suffrage Wom-
ans Journal.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08
CROSSES AND STARS.
An Interosting Contribution to the HI
ropean Craze fer Decorations.

An Intsresting Contribution to the Eu-
ropean Craze fer Decorations.
The Emperor William is generally
seen wearing the iron cross and the
star of the most distinguished order of
the Black Eagle. Emperor Francis
Joseph invariably wears the decora-
ton of the order of the Golden Fleece,
it being ono of the regulations of the
order that every knight belonging to
it must wear it at all times. in state or
private. A similar regulation compels
the knights of the Russian order Of ST.
George to wear the cross at all times.
and they would incur penalty if seen
without it.
The ordinary decoration, including
the ribbon, is about four inches long
by three inches wide. To be able to
wear all their decorations. Prince Bis
marck or Count Moltke, for instance,
would require breast thirty feet in
breadth. A man of merit in Europe
should. however, not only be of large
proportions. but also of superior
strength. for the average weight of
one gold grand cross is about half y
pound. The aforesaid dignitaries
would, therefore. have to carry about
forty pounds. in addition to their heavy
gold embroidered uniform. Civilians
are permitted to wear diminutive re-
auctions of their orders. suspended on
narrow gold chains; the stars of q
Grand Officer or a Grand Cross. how
ever, are worn in their original size.
1t would be difficult to say who il
the most decorated man of Europe.
Each of the three Emperors and the
royal sovereigns of Europe average
fifty grand crosses with their respective
appendages. Aside from the sover-
eigns and princes. l should think the
most decorated man must be either
Count Andrassy. the former Chancel
lOr of Austria, or the station-master of
- a well-known watering-place-
The latter receives an average of three
minor crosses annually. depending
mainly on the number of sovereigns
and princes visiting the place; station
masters. physicians. police commits
sioners and others are in many in
stances remunerated for their services
with crosses. very much as the gate
keeper of the Castle of Chilon receives
. shilling from every visiting English
man.-Ernest Don Hcsse- Wertegg. IN
Centsry.
Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08
SIGNALING At SEA

lnadequsoy 81 the Steam whistle and
FeK.Horn for Warning.
The danger of changing course in a
fog, after hearing the warning signal
of an approaching vessel. can not be
overestimatcd. Owing to the fact that
the direction of the sound is not always
evidence of the bearing of its source,
one is quite as likely to run into dan
ger as away from it. The rules require
that at such times every ship shall 60
at moderate rate of speed. This,
however. is not sufficiently explicit.
Results quite as serious are likely ia
occur if the great iron ships of the
present day collide while going at q
moderate as well as at q high rate OF
speed, and this fact ind uces too many
shipmasters to rush through a fog. be-
lieving thatin reducing the time in the
dangerous zone they reduce number
of possible encounters This is valid
argument while the Interpretation as
to what constitutes a moderate rate of
speed is left to the individual convic-
ton or convenience of the shipmaster.
This matter can only be treated con-
clusively by international agreement
The difficulty in solving the problem
will not be in framing rules for action.
but in finding apparatus which will in
dictate early enough the direction and
course of an approaching ship As al
ready pointed out sound issuing from
. fog gives no trustworthy indication
of tho direction of its source. The
writer remembers two cases in his own
experience near Newport when the
sound from the fog-horn at Beaver
Tail seemed to come from several di-
rections each ten or fifteen degrees
apart. and there is well-known case
whsre Transatlantic steamer, bound
to New York. going direct but slow. and
sounding her whistle. finally picked up
. pilot who declared he had heard the
blast for half an hour, and that the
steamer had boon sailing around him
in circle The subject of sound sig
mails has received much attention from
scientists. who have long pointed out
the diAiculty Of determining directioa
By means Of the car alone. and til
courts have recognized this faet q
passing upon questions arising Cd