davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
SLIDING SlMPLlFIED.
The Agreeable Experience of Massachu
sets Agriculturist.


A Belchertown (Mass) farmer
planned for a silo'' last season,
thinking he must have one" but
circumstances prevented, and so, the
fall and fodder corn fastening on, he
tried, with some misgivings, sort of
substitute, of which he says:
1--WE cut our fodder, bound it up the
same as corn. 1t was very green
when cut. so I let it stand out about
one week, and then carried it to the
barn and packed it in one end of the
bay had saved to make silo; packed
it down as close as possible and got
all the boys could to tread it down.
When 1 husked my corn, put the fod-
der top and packed it down the same
way. now have fodder that cows
and sheep will eat much better than
the best hay. am satisfied cows give
more milk fed on this. Some of my
neighbors saw me putting in my fod-
der last fall and said it would all spoil.
etc. If they will just call some day I
will show them fodder that is nearly
as green as when put in the barn, and
no mold. believe it pays to raise
fodder to feed any kind of stock, if
put in so it will keep, and I am sure
this way has proved success with
me. Think cattle like the whole fod-
der much the best if. kept we'll"
In the light of this agreeable expe-
rience, he declares he "would not
have silo if any one would build it
for nothing and be to all the expense
of filing every year," and he adds:
Many a farmer has built silo and
filled it for one or two seasons, and
then given it up because it was so
much work and expense to fill it in the
fall, when there is so much work to do
on the farm" -Mirror.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
"DEvlL'S LAKE"
Why the Name of This Beautiful Sheet OF
Water Should Be Changed.

why the Name of This Beautiful Sheet Of
Water Should Be Changed.
There is rather a peculiar history
connected with the origin of the name,
Devils Lake" MINNIE Wakan"
was the Indian name for this lake.
Mime signifies water, and "wak-
kan" means spirit, hence the transla-
ton into English is spirit lake."
After an electric storm, the most beau
tiful mirages. as wonderful as any of
those on the Sahara Desert are seen
over the region of this lake. The pref
ty landscapes and scenery surround
ing the lake are reproduced with vivid
effect in the air. but the trees and
other parts of the landscape are in
verified With the constant changing
of the relative positions of the clouds
and sun over the wa ter, there follows
a shifting panorama of the aerial
scenes floating above. and it is
at times really an awe-inspiring
exhibition of the mysterious
phenomena of nature. The Indians
could not solve this problem, and to
their untutored minds the strange
scenes were the manifestations of
spirits. Therefore they called the
body of water the Spirit Lake"
Years afterward the whites began to
visit this lake, and when they would
attempt to drink the water the In
dams would say, in their own lam
guage. '.Minne Waken seche," tho
translation of which is, spirit Lake
is bad water to drink The salt in
the water prevented it from being
used for drinking. The whites mis-
interpreted the Indian phrase and
thought it signitied bad spirit OF
devil in the lake, which made the
water unfit for drinking. The whites
are so much given to such names as
Helrs Half Acre and Hell's Gate that
they Immediately called this water
the Devils Lake. The Indian
n anne is more musical and mellifiuous
by far, and it should be the estab-
lished geographical name of the lake.
-Reber II. Creel, ts st. Louse Globe
Democrat
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
How Cigarettes Are Made.

Thele is a great deal of ridicule
leveled at the boys who smoke cigar
cites, but without much effect. Per-
haps short history of the cigarette
may teach boys that cigarette smoking
is something worse than silly
habit. The cigarette which Cubans
smoke is made from pure tobacco and
rice paper. and they make it them
selves. The cigarette the Americans
smoke is made from cigar stumps,
collected from cutters, bar-rooms,
alleys and railroad stations. When
the stumps are brought to the cigar
cite manufacturer they are dried over
fire. When dry they are rubbed
between hands, not always clean,
until they are shredded to the size of
pins head. The stuff is then
sprinkled with chemicals to give it a
flavor, rolled in paper and sold to the
boys, and the boys smoke them. 1t
seems almost incredible, doesn't it?
Golden Days.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
THE AMERICAN MOOSE.
Nature and Habits of the Largest Member
of the Deer Family.


of the Deer Family.
The moos. (Alce Americanus) is
really an elk, being nearly identified
with the elk of Europe. Is the largest
animal of the deer kind, standing
from fourteen to sixteen feet high at
the shoulders and weighing eight
hundred to one thousand two hundred
pounds. With head and ears like an
overgrown jackass, vide-spreading
palmated horns, clumsy, unsym-
metrical body, and long legs, the ami
nal IS yet one of the fleetest and most
untiring denizens of the forest. 1t
will 60 all day at trot which would
distance good horse; dash through
dense thickets on run as fleet as the
wind, and leap over barriers which
would appal the stoutest steeple.'
chaser. When driven to bay it turns
on its pursuer and is formidable an.
tagonist These animals are found
sparingly in Maine, where they may
legally be hunted, without dogs, from
the LIST of September to the LIST OF
January, and few still linger in the
great forest region of Northern New
York, where hunting them at any time
is absolutely prohibited.
They are much more numerous in
the forests of Canada and as far north
as Labrador Like all other members
of the deer family, they shed their
antlers every winter, and new ones
grow the next summer. Additional
prongs appear with each year s growth
until the animal has passed the period
of its greatest vigor, when the antlers
gradually diminish, year by year.
Efforts have been made to domesticate
the fleet and powerful animals; but,
however mild they may be at other
times, full-grown "bull' moose.
when its antlers are in perfect con-
dition, is intractable and dangerous,
scorning the dominion of man. The
Wapiti (Cervus Canadensis), which is
commonly called all elk in this coun-
try, is in reality a stag, closely re.
sembling its European congener of
that name. america Aqriculturisk
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
FACTS FOR FARMERS.

In no way can farmer with less
trouble enrich a poor field with scantv
heritage than by feeding sheep on it.
30 atfirms an English sheep farmer.
-Grubsi in cattle may be removed
by squeezing them out through the
oritice, which can be seen Just over
each grub. As this process causes
some pain and local irritation, remove
only a few each day, some little dis
tance from each other.
There is, perhaps, not a nook or
corner on the average farm but what
may be used for some kind of crop
that will pay we'll for the raising. and
the corners that are eyesores and bu O..
bears may be sources of income that
are not exceeded by any parts of the
farm.
Roads on steep hill can be pre-
vented from washing, to some extent,
by spreading straw on them, and
where they are sandy they can be
greatly helped by its use. Roads
through swamps, if rightly built. are
the best bitches fifteen to twenty
feet apart should be dug, and the soil
thrown into the road bed. If possible,
the water should be drained out OF the
bitches. In some cases the road needs
polling or brushing, and then enough
Soil or clay should be put on first tc
hold the brush and then gravel three
or four inches thick should be put on.
Farmers have no occasion for buy
ing many chemicals for absorbents of
ammonia. Dry earth will answer the
purpose we'll. Sink drains, when
above ground, should have the satur-
ated soil removed as often as it be-
comes rich in plant food. and fresh
soil brought to take its place. Dry
sawdust makes an excellent absor bent
for stables and good bedding at the
same time if used freely. No building
on the farm will pay better interest on
IFS cost than a cheap shed for storing
dry earth or other absorbents for use
in stables.
1t is useless to put seeds in the
ground before the soil becomes warm
and dry. For this reason no particu-
lar time can be specified for planting;
every thing depends on the locality,
soil and temperature. A good guide
is the taking up of handful of loan
and closing the fingers tightly about
it. If on opening the hand the soil
remains in a hard lump, and retains
the imprint of the fingers, it is too
wet, while if it falls apart in an irreg-
ular heap it may be deemed in a con.
dition for the seeds.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
FOUR GREAT MEN,
the Miserable Way in Which They Ended
Their Earthly Careers,

l
1t is a remarkable fact that the Ca
reer of four of the most rem owned
characters that ever lived closed with
some violent or mournful death.
Alexander, after having climbed the
dizzy heights of his ambition, and
with temples bound with chaplets
dipped in the blood of countless ma
tions, looked down upon conquered
world, and wept that there was not
another one for him TO conquer, set a
city on fire, and died in a scene of
debauch.
Hannibal, after having, to the as
constituent and CONSERVATION of
Rome, passed the Alps; after having
put to flight the armies of the mis-
tress of the world, and stripped three
bushels of gold rings from the fingers
of her slaughtered knights, and made
her very foundation quake, fled from
his native country. and died at last by
poison, administered by his own
hands, unlamented and unwept, in a
foreign land.
Caesar, after having conquered eight
hundred cities, and dyed his hands in
the blood of one million of his foes;
after having pursued to death the
only rival he had on earth, was miser-
ably assassnated by those he consid-
cred his nearest friends, and in that
very place the attainment of which
had been his greatest ambition.
Bonaparte, whose mandate Kings
and Emperors obeyed, after having
filled the earth with the terror of his
name. deluged it with tears and blood,
and clothed the world with sackcloth,
closed his days in lonely Punishment,
almost literally exiled from the
world, yet where he could sometimes
see his country's banner waving over
the deep, but which could not or
would not bring him aid.
Thus four men, who seemed to
stand as the representatives. of those
whom the world called great-those
four who, each in turn, made the
earth tremble to its very center by
their simple tread, severally died
one by intoxication, or. as some sup
pose, by poison mingled in his wine
one suicide-one murdered by his
old friends-and one in lonely exile.
N Y LeHrer
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
HERE AND THERE.

| Plants most cultivated by working
people in the cities are said by a flo.
rist to be the geranium, the heliotrope.
fuchsia, daisy gillyfower, primroses.
| pink and oxalis. These will grow where
less hardy plants would die and will
thrive in small quarters.
Ordinary buttermilk is valuable
food not only for pigs but for the fam
lily, says the Lsve Stock Record. II
contains five per cent. of milk sugar,
nearly one per cent Of mineral salts,
| as well as heterogeneous materials and a
proportion of butter fat,
Open all the windows in the din.
ing room, says Good Housekeeping, 50
that the air will be fresh and sweet.
Make your table attractive in appear
aace. bright glassware and china,
with a dish of fruit or vase of flowers
to grace the center.
Delaware, Georgia Illinois and
Wisconsin are credited with the same
number Of mich cows as year ago.
and in every other State and Territory
there has been all increase. Nebraska
leading all other States with seven
per cent. increase. against an average
Of two and three tenths per cent
There are in the United States
about 200 900 pure-bred cattle of all
breeds, and 40. 800, 900 scrubs, about
one pure bred animal to $50 scrubs. 7"
says the Dakota Farmer. Some idea
Of the magnitude of the work of grad
ing up this multitude of scrubs into
profitable cattle may BE gathered from
these figures
-CottoE-seed meal produces the
largest yield and the richest cream OF
any other fool that can be used. ac-
cording to the Lice Stock Record. Be-
gin feeding a quarter OF pound per
day. and increase to pound twice per
day; never more. as it is very rich and
might cause scours Is I'd in larger
quantities
sshe mas..sfce9aotal of over
S. 600. 0Oosao worth qffarm products
annually raiSs il thi country, only
elght per cehsl IS -aG-5to foreign mar
kets. At the sspe time this country
has been importing a great amount
S57. 600, 900 worth last year-of farm
products, such as wool, hay. potatoes.
beans, rye. eggs. etc, all of which
could and should have been raised
here at home.
The last Mississippi Legislature
imposed privilege tax of $40 on each
creamery in the State. The Southern
Liue Stock Journal says: This was
an outrage. The creamery and dairy
interests Of the State are just Begin
ming to develop into respectable in
dustry. and such legislation is not
only unWise, but was absolutely UNI
necessary and entirely uncalled for
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
ent tact and energy that have enabled

ents tact and energy that have enabled
them to succeed in other undertak
ings, If imbued with love of natur,
and spirit of inquisitiveness, will
doubtless succeed with bees. Blu
those who follow the theory tina
bees work for nothing and feed and
clothe themselves, will probably
never glut the honey market will
their products. A man may as rea
sonably expect returns from his
farm and bestow no care or labor
upon it after putting the seed
in the ground. A lazy, care.
less. slovenly person will fail
in bee-culture as in every thing else.
There can be no harmony or feelin g
of sympathy between such person
and this marvellous insect, whose
name for ages past has been emblem.
attic of industry.
would advise the beginner to pro-
cure two hives of Italian bees, and
from these two his apiary will enlarge
as fast, possibly, as his ability as
apiarist will justify. If his means are
limited, a cheaper plan would be for
him to buy two good colonies of COM
mon bees in box hives or gums,
that are to be found in every locality,
for about $1.O0 each. He can then
transfer them into frame hives, and,
if desired convert them into Italians
by giving them an Italian queen, re-
moving the old one. In few weeks
the present generation will have
passed away, and the progeny of the
Italian queen will constitute the COL
ony. With two hives to commence
with before swarming, he should have
at least two empty hives in readi-
ness to receive the swarms that. he
may reasonably expect,
To transfer colonies. smoke the bees
in the gum minute or two until
quiet Lay the gum on its side, plac-
ing the new hive where it stood. Now
with a chisel loosen up a side plank,
or, if hollow log. take off the head
and stand it On end; saw off the cross
sticks, cut the combs loose from sides
of the gum and remove in as large
straight pieces as possible. Lay a
frame of the new hive upon a cloth
folded several times so as to make a
cushion. and fit the pieces of comb
into it, fastening them by bent wires
or strips of tin by tacking thin strips
OF wood on each side, or by tying
lengthwise and crosswise enough
stout Irvine to hold the combs in po-
sition few hours, when the bees will
have patched the combs up nicely and
fastened them into the frames. The
temporary fastenings should then be
removed. As you take up each piece
of comb. brush every bee off onto a pa
per that has been spread in front of
the new hive. and they will march in.
Look out tor robber bees!
II honey is being gathered, you will
have no trouble; but. if not. you had
better do your transferring in build
ing or under bee tent Transferring
may be done at any time of the year,
but my favorite time is March or
April. The combs are then nearer
empty of honey than at any other
lime. therefore easier handled, and
enough honey is coming in usually to
make the bees amiable and indis-
posed to rob. Cor. Disie Farmer.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
FULL OF FUN

The only time an Anarchist haG
his heart in his work is when it rises
to his mouth. -New Haves Register.
-"Have you something fine in the
way of imported cigars?" inquired 6
Yorkville dude of the dealer Eyes,
Sill" the dealer replied. Them two
fer-fye Jersey seedlin gs' is having a
big rum
IA genteel carver" says book
on etiquette, always sits when he
carves." Carvers who get on the table
and have wrestling match with the
chicken are known by some other
name. Rochester Eapress.
will you allow me to sleep in the
ten-acre lot back of the barn, ma amp"
pleaded the tramp. Certainly" re-
sponded the woman, kindly; sand
here are a couple of matches in case
it should turn cold before morning."
Life.
Miss Gushington (enjoying a
ride)-'I think you have a lovely
horse MI. De Lyle. About what does
such a fine horse cost?' Mr.. De
Lyle-"Two dollars an hou-oh-er-
yes, that horse is worth about eight
hundred dollars, Miss Gushington.
Epoch.
Wife Ito extravagant husband)-
''For Heavens sake, George, don't
spend so much money needlessly.
Don't you know you ought to lay
something by for rainy dayP' Hus.
band-"I have done that DEAR
Wife-"What, should like to know?"
Hus band-"A gum coat love. -
Washington Critic.
--"Oh, no, madam" pleaded the
tramp you may think my life all
sunshine. but it amt. Wherever ]
go am beset with dangers. In short,
ma am. l carry my life in my hands -
"Ah, seer' exclaimed his temporary
hostess, "that accounts for your not
washing your hands. You don't dare
to do it for fear you'll drown your.
sell. !" Boston Transcript
Mistress (pumping)-"Hold the
pitcher under the spout Bird get!'
Biddy O'Galway (under training)A
'Oh. Mother Nv Moses! Locke!
SIGH a ting! All yez have to do is tc
be shakin' that stick, an yez get
hould o one ind O. the wather an
jist pull out rope of it. SIGH Ting.
Sure ma am, the only kind O. pump
we have in Ireland is a bucket. -
Punch
--Petulant Wife, That horrid old |
English clock you paid so much for
last week, Mr. Chippendale, is always
hours ahead Of the correct time. ] |
told you not to buy it, and you better
return it at once" Good-humored |
Husband-'T That because you would
not let me stand it where I wanted to,
my dear. Cooked up there at the very
head Of the stair, the poor old thing is
probably unable to resist the continual
temptation to run down. "-Judge.
Railroad Superintendent during
big strike)-"Have you had any ex.
perience in managing locomotiveP'
Applicant-':Not exactly; but my wife
and I successfully started the kitchen
fire with kerosene for three years
getting blown up" '.Eurekal
John. tell the president I've found
man brave enough to run a flyer"
Omaha World
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
A MODEST DOCTOR.
The Chaste Piece of Literary Work Pr
duced by Him.

The Chaste Piece of Literary Work Pro.
duced by Him.
A physician who had put his pro-
fessional card into a country paper
requested the editor to give him no.
tice.
Just sit down there at the desk,
Doc, and write out what you want, -
said the editor
'Oh. dear, no; I can't write about
myself
Il think you can. Just give me the
points, if you are too modest to say
what you want, and will throw in the
necessary strength
The doctor sat down, and, after
much spluttering. produced the fol-
lowing modest piece of work:
DIR. Abe Collier, whose card we
print to-day, is without doubt the fin
est physician in our city. He is per-
feet gentleman, and is one of the best
surgeons in our city, If not the best.
His charges are reasonable for a man
who never loses a case. and we are
glad to know that he has refused a
lucrative practice in another town in
order to remain in our city, where he
is so highly esteemed for his skill and
gentlemanly qualities. He is not an
old man, but he is thoroughly expert
enced and rarely loses a case. We
congratulate the people of our enter
prising and beautiful city that he
will remain IN our city. His Office
hours are from morning till night
when not engaged. and this of itself
is an accommo dation to the people Of
our city" -Arkansaw Traveller.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
LOTTERY PROSPERITY.
An Instance Which Shows That 1t is Very
Hard to Bear.

A very absurd story was recently
told to me respecting the drawing Of
the Nice lottery. The first prize
($100. 00O was drawn by working g
man of the great India rubber factory
at Langalee, near Montargis, which
belongs to and is under the direction
of Mr.. Alexander Hutchinson, former
ly of Connecticut, but for many years
a resident of Paris. The lucky prize
winner, on coming into possession OF
his fortune, Immediately bought him.
self high hat and handsome over
coat and hired carriage, in which
he and his family went riding around
the country. Up to the present time
the chief acquisition he owes to his
wealth is severe attack of dyspepsia,
for the form of self-indulgence to
which he is inclined is that of good
eating. and he has tried most of the
celebrated dishes at the leading
restaurants of Paris, with the result
aforesaid.
But the amusing history connected
with the Nice lottery is told not of
him, but of less fortunate ticket
holder, who was one of his comrades.
This latter individual was very
ignorant and stupid fellow, thorough
type of the uncultivated class of the
French peasantry. He could not read,
but ON hearing that his fellow-work-
man had won 500, 900. he contrived
to decipher the numbers on his own
ticket, which bore, as did all those
that were issued, an announcement OF
the grand prize. He became wildly
excited, and rushed about the village
proclaiming to every body that he,
too had won 500. 600 francs-it was
on his ticket, But that is on every
one of the tickets" demonstrated his
friends. He would not listen-every
body was trying to cheat him. he de-
clared, and he must find out how to
get his prize paid over TO him. Take
your ticket to the Mayor of Montar-
gis," was the advice he received,
"and he will tell you what to do"
That was all very we'll, but how was
he to convey his ticket to Montargis?
for, when he first bought it, fearing
that it would get lost, he had pasted
it on the door of his cow-house, and
could not contrive to detach it. So,
finally, he took the door off of its
hinges, hoisted it upon his back, aud
marched with it into Montargis. dis
lance of some two miles, followed by
a jeering crowd, composed of all the
rabble and all the small boys of Lang
lee. The mayor could only give the
poor fellow the same information as
had alre ady been impaired to him by |
his comrades. namely. that his ticket
was worthless; and so he was forced
to carry his door all the way back
home again. Paris Letter.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
She Couldn't Evade Him.

A sheriff was searching house,
where it was supposed that thief
had concealed valuable harness. AS
he peered into dark closet the wife
of the thief remarked: THAT closet,
sir contains absolutely nothing ex-
cept my own wearing APPAREL
Then, what's thisP" exclaimed the
sheriff, clutching at the stolen prop.
erty. my wife don't weas any such
mend Gus lookin' riggia' as tlis2" -
Detroit Free Press
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-02
- ------------
Bees and Bee-keeping.

Who should keep bees and how
should they make q startp is ques-
ton frequently propounded, and /
will try to answer 1t briefly. NJ one
should attempt agriculture who is not
willing to read. to think and to work.
4 man or woman. possessing the tai