davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29
BIRDS AS PROPHETS.
Feathered FOreteIlers of Storms, DIR
Weather and Frosts at Night.

Feathered Foretellers of storms, Dry
Weather and Frosts at Night.
The saw-like note of the great tit
mouse is said to foretell rain; that of
the blue-tit, cold.
Various proverbs would seem to in
dictate that the cry of the owl, if heard
in bad weather, foretells a change.
Herons, says an old author, flying up
and down in the evening as if doubtful
where to rest, ''presage some evil ap-
preaching weather legend as old
as Virgil.
In Germany jewellers in the country
lack faith IN the skylark as announcing
fine weather, but when the lark and the
cuckoo sing together they know sum-
mer has come.
In Hampshire swans are believed to
be Matched in thunderstorms, and it is
said that those on the Thames have an
instructive prescience of floods. Before
heavy rains they raise their nests.
In the south Of France so much store
that if it builds its nest on the summit
of tree the country folk expect a
season of calm, but if lower down,
winds and tempests are sure to follow.
The ahorrence in which mariners
hold the swallow-like storm petrol is
well known. Its appearance is be-
lieSed tt,denote wild weather. This
little bird is the Mother Cary's chicken
of sailors, and is also called storm finch
and water witch.
Concerning gulls in general, children
who live by the sea say: ''Seagull,
seagull, sit on the sand; it's never good
weather while you're on the land;" and
fisher folk know that when the sea-
news fly out early and far to seward
fair weather may be expected.
When rocks fly high and seem to
initiate birds of prey by soaring, swoop-
ing, and falling, it is almost "a certain
sign OF coming storm. Staying in the
vicinity OF the rookery, returning at
midday, or coming to roost in groups
are also said to be omens to the like
effect.
The constant iteration of the green
woodpecker's cry before the storm has
given IL the names of rain bird, rain
pie, and rain fowl. Stormcoc5 is
provincial name shared by this bird
and the missed thrush, the latter often
singing through gales of wind and rain.
storm bird is also applied to the field
fare.
To Scotch shepherds the drumming
Of the snipe indicates dry weather and
frost at night, and Gilbert White re-
marks that woodcocks have been OBJ
served to be remarkably listless against
snowy, foul weather, while, according
to another author, their early arrival
and continued abode "foretells liberal
harvest, IN Y. Sun.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29
The Value of Apples.

Speaking Of apples, Prof. Faraday
says: There is scarcely any article of
vegetable food more widely useful and
more universally liked than the apple.
Let every family in autumn lay in from
two to ten or more barrels, and it will
be to them the most economical invest
ment in the whole range of culinary
supplies. A raw, mellow apple is di-
gested in an hour and n half, while
boiled cabbage requires five hours. The
most healthful dessert that can be
placed on the table is baked apples. If
taken freely at breakfast, with coarse
bread, and without meat or flesh of any
kind, ii has an admirable effect on the
general system, often removing consti-
patton, correcting acidities and cooling
the febrile conditions more effectually
than the most approved medicines. If
families could be induced to substitute
the apple sound, ripe and luscious
for the pies, cakes and candies and
other sweetmeats, with which the chill
dren aTe too often stuffed, there would
be diminution Of doctors bills sufli-
cient in "a single year to lay up stock
OF this delicious fruit for u seasons use.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29
TOOTH-PICK CHEWING.
A Feminine Habit Almost as Disgusting
as the Mastication of Gum.

A Feminine Habit Almost as Disgusting
as the Mastication of Gum.
Do you ever chew a toothpick?
Really, my dear, if you are addicted to
that ungraceful habit let me plead with
you to stop it at once. There are lots
of ladies to be seen, especially on Dear
born street, every noon time, pursuing
this highly indigestible and unbecom-
ing course of diet, but | think if the
greater part of them actually stopped
to consider how course and unfeminine
an appearance it gave them they would
abandon the practice. Smiles that you
flash at friend from behind a tooth
pick are apt to lose their glamour on
the way. 1t is all very well for you
and for me to fall back when we are
criticised upon the childish and defiant
Il don't carer We know we do care.
There is not an Ewes descendant
among us, from little Miss Katurah,
yonder, in the glory of her sixteen
years, down to the most faint
and withered rose-leaf of blessed
grandma, who is Indifferent to g.
decent mans or woman's good opinion.
1t was born in us, my dear, like tho
taste for sugar and the love of having
our own way, and until you find a bird
forgetting how to build it's nest, or u
honey bee how to sip a rose, you will
never find true woman who, deep
down in her heart of hearts, cares moth
ing for the appreciation of mankind
There are nickel-plated creatures who
do not, made with steel springs like
my old Waterbury blunderbuss yonder,
and labeled as women, but they don't
count in this estimate. | refer to fem
mime women, contradictions, caprices,
bewilderments and all! "While YOU
are about it," suggests some one over
my shoulder, "say some thing about
gum-chewers." My dear, haven't 1?
For two mortal years haven't wrestled
with the queens who make fair tho
garden of girls to abandon that idiotic,
purposeless, unbecOming practice, and
what avails it all? Every day l sit in
the company of charming young women,
meant by Heaven to be lOvable and kiss
able and sweet, but who, half of them,
by reason of cOntortions, self-imposed,
transform themselves into mouthing
lunatics. If | had girl who chewed
gum, | would put her in a convent.
But if had u mother who chewed gum
| would sell myself for the price of a
pint of buttermilk.-An6er, IN Cticag0
| J0atrRai.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29
SOCIETY AND SOLITUDE.
""S the Latter is Essential to the Pre-.
servation of True Personality,

'"e Latter is Essential to the Pre-.
serVation of True Personality.
l mere can be no adequate comparison
oeU"een society and solitude. Though
most Persons will prefer the former and
d lo"' perhaps, the latter, no wise per-
son Will choose either as a permanent
state 1t is together, or rather in al
terhate action, that both yield their
rlchest benefits. Society stimulates
the thoughts, invigorates the pur-
poses gladdens the heart and brightens
lie. Solitude Strengthens, confirms
anu natures all these results. Or,
rather' this is what each may do for
MN who uses them Alright. For it is
not The simple condition of being alone,
OF with others, that will produce any
goou effect. Much social life, so called,
mercy fritters away the time, fills the
MIND with puerilities and the life with
foliy' Much of the solitude endured on
coinpulslon is only productive of rest
lessness and ennai, or only serves to
nourlsh envious thoughts and bitter
memories But whoever has learned
SO TO live in society as to bless and be
blessed will feel the need of certain
seasons of perfect solitude. Then it is
that he may gather up his forces,
ss'ar zen his resolves, review his
pasrnd prepare for his future. 1t is
well hat men should influence one
anothc in their business and their
homes in the intercourse of chance
acquinlnce and the close ties OF friend
ship. his it is that keeps them from
GROWN narrow and bigoted in their
own options, and draws them together
in love in friendship, in a common
patriotin and a human brotherhood.
But thiSonstant influence needs to be
BALANCED by a firm individuality, a
manly sd-respect and steady adherence
to the rinciples that appeal to each
ones seBe of right. Unless there are
times wen the man retires voluntarily
from allluman sight, where no public
VI lLlNVC n S7ooLC tGlI DIV dl Hill,
where Is own thoughts, his own feel
ings, hi own conscience may assert
themseles, unrebuked and unassisted,
he can nver preserve that personality
which il or should be, the core of his
being. 1any a man has been drawn
into snaes that have proved his ruin,
simply fom not having pondered over
the mater in solitude. Offers have
been mae and opportunities presented
that loo;ed specious and plausible
enough 7hile the glow of enthusiasm
ILLUMINATED them, and which have
been frs eagerly embraced and then
bitterly 'egretted. A quiet hour of
solitude night have cooled the heated
Imagination, discovered the weak spot
in the enterprise and averted the catas-
trophe. Or astrOng temptation to some
questionable action or some doubtful
Indulgence is presented to the social
man, and he yields and sinks in the
moral scale, when, had he retired alone
and listened to the still, small voice,
-: ''ss11sASrid have spoken to him there,
he oaight have been saved from the
fatal step. So there are Affections that
must be wrestled with in secret, or
they will triumph over manhood; and
there are even joys with which no
stranger may intermeddle.-PhuadeL-
q1hin LedOer
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29


1t is probable that the cultivation of
the cocoa-nut for profit will always, in
Florida, be confined to the region on
the Keys and mainland south of the
Caloosahatchie river, though the palm
will continue to be grown for its great
beauty, or a chance crop of nuts, in
protected spots, even as far north as
the latitude of Tampa and Cape Canav-
eral. The cOcoa-nuts produced in
Florida are trifle smaller than those
of the tropics, and are not considerd
so valuable for seed, hence most of
those used for planting are procured
from Central America, more especially
from the Bay Islands (Utilla, Banaco
and Buatan) and mainland of Hon
duras. The nuts that have not sprouted
on the voyage are sometimes planted
in nursery beds and transplanted when
a year or eighteen months old. Only
q small per cent. fails to terminate,
though sometimes the sprouts are q
year or more in appearing. The dis
lance apart at which they are planted
varies from fifteen to twenty-five feet;
twenty feet is the usual distance. The
only cultivation given on the Keys is
the occasional cutting ofthe weeds and
underground in the spring and fall.
There is a popular saying that bear
ing cocoa palm will produce one nut
for each day throughout the year, but
this is a little overdrawn, the best
trees producing about two hundred
nuts per year.-American AgricuIturGH.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-29

"My calling" said the letter-carrier,
differs materially from all others"
"In what way?n asked his friend.
"Most people get their walking
papers when they are discharged,
don't they"
"Yes.n
"Well, got mine when l was APP
pointed. Chicago Tribune.
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

- Chrhs,ass Eve. with the pious country
folk in Suabia does not mean mere ex-
change of presents and compliments. but
devoted thankfulness for blessings re-
ceived during the year. The poor and
the rich are for the nonce made one,
their object being to assist the few of
their fellow townspoople living in
squalor and want. During the evening
hours of the day preceding the Saviour's
birth quiet JOY holds supreme sway in a
goodly portion of the thrifty villages of
the poetic Neckar Valley, and good
will to all is expressed upon the well. fed
faces of young and old.
The large front room of every cottage,
whose scrupulously clean floor is covered
with shining sand, is decorated with en-
blems suitable to the high holiday. The
broad sill by the quaint, old-fash-
ioned, small -paned window supports a
gay Christmas tree loaded down with
good things to eat and embellished by
dozens of wax candles, whose bright
light dazzles the eye. The square and
heavy -four trough in the corner is COW
cred with gifts for the little ones. The
substantial oaken table, which has done
duty in the family for perchance CEN
tury. is almost breaking down under the
weight Of toothsome morseis-
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

HANG UP THE BABY'S STOCKIN

HANG UP THE BABY'S STOCKING
Hang up the babys sto king;
Be sure you don't forget
The dear little dimpled darlingl
She never saw Christmas vet;
But I've tod her all about it,
And she opened her big, blue eyes,
And I'm sure she understood it,
She looked SO funny and wise.
Dear! What tiny stocking!
1t doesn't take much to hold
Such little pink toes as baby's
Away from the frost and cold.
But then, for the baby's Christmas
1t will never do at all;
Why, Santa wouldn't be lookin.
For anything half so small.
know what will do for the baby,
I've thought of the very best PLAN
III borrow stocking of grandma,
The longest that ever I can;
And you'll hang it by mine, dear mother,
Right here in the corner, so.
And write letter to Santa,
And fasten it On to the toe
Write: "This is the babys stocki
That hangs in the corner here:
You have never seen her, Santa,
For she only came this year;
But she's just the blessedest baby
And now, before you go,
Inst cram her stocking with goodies,
From the top clean down to the toe."
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

;. "A moment later ,tt'the little 'un" was
gazingswonderingly 'at his luxurious sur.
roundings, his little hands softly patting
the old gold brocade of the lounge on
which he lay. 1t was every bit true, he
thought the gold furniture and pictures
and big fres--and "Oh!" he exclaimed,
as the rosy.cheeked lady came smiling
toward him, saying:
"Well, my little man, are we ready for
turkey and pudding2"
eyes, please, ma'am, Mrs. Sanity
Claws" answered Johnnie, cycling the
lady curiously, as he added, sagely: "Bob
said there was woman in everythin',
and he guessed there'd be Mrs. Sanity
Claws"
The lady laughed merrily as chuckle
issued from the region of an easy chair
and a voice remarked:
zone for you, Dame!'
"Who's Bob, deara'' questioned the
lady.
"Why, he's-Bob. He takes care OF
me. You're Mr.. Sanity Claws, amt you2''
continued Johnnie, gazing knowingly at
the stout gentleman.
"Heyf Why2 What makes you
think so?'
s'Cause-'cause- -" and slippine
dow from the sofa, the child exclaimed.
eagerly: '0h. Mr.. Sanity Claws. please
won't you bring Bob and mS some
thin,S--cause we nsysr has fnothir;
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27
Christmas Economy.

"Mary," said an economical husband,
II want to make you Christmas present
this year, but really do not know what
to get. I guess I'll postpone it until next
year and then get something nice"
"John, you said that last year."
''Really now, did 1! Well, that proves
that never forget you''
"But, John, you may lie dead by next
year."
"Why, that's true, and if I don't waste
my money on Christmas presents you'll
be SO much better off. Really, Mary, I'm
glad to see you look at matters in such q
sensible light"
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27
Christmas in Many Climes.

In Ireland and in Scotland, as we'll as
In the most of the British provinces, the
Christmas customs are very much the
same as in England, varied chiefly by
local customs and colored by the history
and habits of the people. The midnight
mass in Ireland, attended by torch
light procession, is very impressive.
Dancing and open-air games amuse the
peasantry on Christmas Day. In the
Scotch highlands the day is devoted to
fessting and drinking, ball playing and
open-air games.
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27
"Oh, yes!'' cried the little fellow;

ooh, yes!" cried the little fellow,
clapping his hands; then, interrogatively,
grave look gathering in his pretty blue
eyes. "And Bob, too2"
AgIanee passed between husband and
wife, when the former said heartily:
3.sSuppese dame, you keep the little fel
10y through the holidays, and, well, II
look to the lad, How. is. it, my boy
Would. you like teywork for mes'.6.
s'Tip-top, sir,S was the ready reply.
= And so it came abort that these two
waifs-Bob in neat suit, that his kind
hehefactor had managed somehow to pro
cure, and Johnnie in iitt le frotk, long
treasured by mothers constant love
sat down to. Christmas dinner that was
a SERIES of astonishing delights, to<these
small folks. :.
Tears had dimmed the eyes of gentle
"Mrs. Sanity Claws" as she clothed the
tiny waif in garments that once belonged
to her little son, her one yew lamb. Yet
somehow the touch of Johnnie's baby
fingers carried comfort to her lonely
heart and eased the regret that had long
dwelt there.
That evening as the rescued waif stood
enjoying the blazing logs and quaint
andirons of the old fashioned fireplace,
Bob suddenly exclaimed:
'sHere we've been havin' no end OF
shindy, an yer amt said grace: just
yer fire ahead now, an'-an' I'll shove in
8 prayer, an don't forget my old lady,
cause she started us in on our luck to-
day"
Kneeling.e the child, clasping4 hia
hands, obediently repeated: ;<-3
= ..sFor what US bout to 'ceive, Lord be
thankful. God bless Sanity Claws, Ms:.
Sanity Claws, the-~old ladyan' Bob an
me, and please let us live here, amen .
"Amenl An don't yer fergit it, lit
tie 'un," subjoined Bob, gravely.
As the child knelt, the freight caress-
ing his golden locks, husband and wife
stole softly in and listened to the prayer
of his baby lips, till, stirred to Its very
depths was the mothers love of tn gen
tie woman's heart, and SO, clasping hel
helpmate's hand, she murmured eagerly
''Our children, husband"
$50 be it, wife," was the earnest
answer, as, reverently bowing his
head. he added: ':And Gods gift.'
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

nffnSea Wonders exist in thousands of
H6f forms, but are surpassed by the mar
0L6y velS Of invention Those VINO are in
need OF profitable work that can be done while
living at home should at once send their address
TO Hallett q Co., Portland. Maine. and receive
free, full information how either SEX OF all ages
can earn from S to $25 per day and upw ards
wherever they live. You are started free Capt.
tai not required. Some have made over $50 In a
single day at this work. All succeed.
3-22-1y.
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

f'RING OUT THE OLD RING IN THE NEW"
"The Americans" says the Two Re-
publics, celebrate Christmas with tree,
the Mexicans with pinata. Every night
till the twenty fourth, inclusive, the pin
alta is broken. It is large oaken vessel,
gayly decorated and filled with tooth
some dulces or candies, hung from the
ceiling in the center of the room. The
children att LIND dfolded and armed with
sticks to break the jng..-Niastlay,- -Niastlay are the
efforts made by the laughing, rolickins-
joyous young volunteers to make them
selves masters of the situation. which
they finally accomplish when some mem
Der of the blindfolded brigade with a
lucky blow skaters the pinata. The
crash of splintered, scattered c-ockery,
the rattle of bon-bons and the candies
on the floor, is the signal for the wrench
ing off of the mask, and the children
throw themselves upon the sweets,
knowing that Findings is havings '"
Presents are then passed around, among
them China baskets, figures and silk and
satin boxes with candies. Dancing then
commcnces and lasts until morning.
In Holland the patron saint of Christ
naas - Peltz Nickel Saint Nicholas
1sssssd il fnr); he is also called Santa
KleHA He i described as round, jolly
f1ew, w.th : red, face and merry,
Etwinkline syss and white beard, who
with fs:ndser and sledgs drives upon
the house-sops and csensv down The
chimney With pssssnis - ~ :,
who are taugirs' 81 49,
their shoes and .stookipc 4 :
where he will fill them hfafp 90 ini
if the children have been s4pd
In Austria, Bohemia, Hungary and
Poland the day before Christmas is OBJ:
served strictly as religious fast. No
meat isseaten, but toward evening, when
the fist star appears, the tables are
lighted and the great banquet is spread.
and all partake with appetites sharpened
BY, the fast A. IL .Q'elack guns are
fred, drums are beaten about the streets,
and every sort of noise is made until
mass begins.
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

r. W. of children as they
tripped briskly along, taking in sundry
peeps and whiffs of the forthcoming
feasts. Huge turkeys robbed of all
dignity, lying helpless upon their backs,
their lank legs upraised IN protest.
savory looking compounds being mixed
by cooks deftshands, while fruits, spices,
ETC., Uttered up the kitchen tables.
Plenty and to spare for Gcdfs poor.
At least so thought one of them, as he
gazed into the kitchen window, of a
handsome dwelling. Not in these words,
perhaps, would he have expressed him
self, but why some should have so much
more than they wanted and others
nothing, was riddle to him. A moment
he fingered, then turned away with the
words:
81 don't mind much bout myself, but
I'd like summat for the little 'un."
Rather comical figure did this young
ster cut as his bare feet wended them
selves toward less prosperous part of
Brooklyn. Yet despite the amplitude of
ragged trowsers and dilapidated frock
coat, with its skirts reaching almost to
his ankles, there was something in the
boys straightforward eyes and honest
face that gave evidence that he was de-
serving of q better fate than that of a
wait. Clothes, however, never troubled
him. Something to starve off the crav-
ings of hunger aud hole to crawl into
into at night, these were the things that
were the cause of thought to this child
of the streets, more especially since he
had taken unto himself charge. Here
tofofe he had led happy -go-lucky ex-
istence, notwithstanding the snubs that
fell plentifully to his share. Foraging
for breakfast was his errand this morn
but somehow, amid 90 mueh good cheeg
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27

there seemed nothing for him till little
old woman, whose garb showed scanti-
ness OF means, paused at the sight of
the lad, and, opening basket she car
ried, said cheerly:
"There sonny, there's couple of buns
and few cookies I made myself, that
I'm taking to the grandchildren. It's
not much, the Lord knows, but ye're
welcome, and blessed Christmas to ye. "
And with friendly nod she trotted off.
Recovering from his surprise, the boy
hurried after, exclaiming breathlessly:
''Oh! Isay, thank ye. My names
Bob, an'if yer got any wood to saw Pm
yer man.n Ts@
The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-27
N E" YEAR HOPES.

NEW YEAR HOPES
Oh! never sink meath Fortunes frown.
But brave her with a shout of cheer.
And front her fairly-face her down
She's only stern to those who fear!
Here's Better luck another yearm
Another year
Aye, better luck another yeari
Wen have her smile instead of sneer-
thousand smiles for every tear, )
With home made glad and goodly cheer,
And better luck another year
Another yearl
,.- y. GAm.ase sinsms.