davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
G FOR M
A Healthfu1 Exercise That Develops AL
the Muscles of the Body.

a Healthfu1 Exercise That Develops All
the Muscles of the Body.
Fencing is now as much a young
lady's pastime as tennis OR horseback
riding, and every body who knows how
beneficial this exercise is to the female
system is glad it is SO. Its votaries, in
fact, say it is a ladies' sport par ex-
c~elence, as it needs %quickness and
skill more than strength and daring,
and develops those qualities which are
SO essential toaa lady, viz, a graceful
carriage and easy motion. On the days
given up to the ladies the large hall of
the fancers' club resounds with stamp
ing OF fest and clinking of blades. The
instructor gives each pupil a lesson
which generally lasts about fifteen
minutes. Then two friends may chal-
lenge each other and put in practice
theshrusts. and guards they have just
learned. The weaker sex anakes up
in cunning what it lacks in strength.
Women are much more artful than
men. In no case is this evidenced
more clearly than IN fencing. a mar
will make a bold open attack, which
his opponent will parry If he keeps
cool. A woman waits apparently with
no fixed purpose until she sees her OPP
portunity; then with a quickness of
eve and hand which defies parrying
she makes her thrust and succeeds if
she can keep her point straight. A
parry would come too late; retreat is
the only safeguard.
In practicing the ladies wear an
ordinary tennis skirt and fiat sole
| shoes, no corset, an easy fitting blouse
or jersey. A wire mask protects the
face. o padded buckskin plastron is
worn over the chest and a buciSskin
gauntlet saves the hand from any
| chance scratches or thrusts. The la
dies are taught to fence with either
hand. and it is wonderful how quickly
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
FIRST POSTMlSTRESS.
Something About the First Lady Wn
Handled United States Mail.

Something About the First Lady Whe
Handled United States Mail.
She was the widow of Colonel An
drew Balfour, of those revolutionary
times in the days of u great and good
President Washington. She was a
Miss Elizabeth Dayton, of Newport,
r. |. Balfour came to America o
Edinburgh, Scotland, in l772, landing
at Boston. He was a few years in the
North-married Miss Dayton in New
Work City. His brother had preceded
him to Charleston, S. c. In l7H he
sailed for Charleston, but the distracted
state of the country induced him to
leave his wife and her children with
relations in New England until he
could prepare a Southern home
for them;S but soon after this the
tide of war tlrned South and
rolled its wave over the C~arolinas, and
her husband cast in his lot with the
| defenders of the home of his adoption
North Carolina); but he soon fell a
| victim to the barbarity of a party OF
royalists led by Colonel Fannin, a
British officer, who murdered Balfour
in his house in the presence OF q sister
and his eldest child, recently come
from Edinburgh. They were with him
to nurse aid comfort him in his i'll
ness, caused by exposure and fatigue
in military service.
Soon as Mrs. Balfour heard Of her
husbands tragic death she fastened
South, coming in care of General
Greene, who landed at Washingtoni
from thence it was a tedious trip
through the country to the home in
1uandolph County, where her noble
husband was murdered on the holy
Sabbath, the 10th of March, 1892. She
visited the spot where he was SC
hastily inferred, for it was unsafe
for his sister and child to remain
long there, as Fannin threatened t
return and burn the dwelling and
take away the negroes. ~ the c9Hun'
try was still unsafe, Ma Banour
deemed it improper to live upon the
plantation. With sorrow she turned
away from his lonely resting-place,
and went to Salisbury until she could
return to the spot so dear to her.
While residing in Salisbury Presi
dent Washington appointed her post
mistress, which position was filled
with entire satisfaction, and when hel
accounts we're audited she was only
one-half a cent behind. When the
country was peaceful she returned to
the home provided for her by bel
noble but lost husband. She lived un
der the protective love of her only
son.
After a long life of good deeds she
rests beside him who vas murdered
because of his devotion to Carolina!
freedom and to the American u il
the days that tried mems SOULS" and
principles, too.-Sunny South
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
A Faithful Illustration.

When a child falls and bumps his
head, and mether, running to help
him, he Immediately concentrates his
mental faculties upon his injury, puts
his hand up to judge of its size, thinks
and feels it into a large and painful
p~rotuberance, begins to pity himself.
lifts up his voice and weeps. Il
mother keeps her sympathy to herself.
ignores the bump and draws the child's
attention to some thing bright ane
pretty, his mind fasteus itself upor
the pleasing object to the exclusion OF
the bump, which, being thus put with.
out the pale of his consciousness
ceases to be a source of pain and i:
forgotten-the child is spared the ex.
ertion of shedding tears and the
trouble of drying them. The chile
but gives a faithful illustration of thu
effect produced upon human nature By
what's commonly termed sympathy.
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
KNIVES AND FORKS.

An Experienced H~ousekeeper Tells How
They Should he Cared For.
Never allow knives or forks to lie
around long after using. They should
be the first things removed from the
table when the meal is finished. and
put to soak. Have q pitcher Of hot
ammonia soap-suds, and in this flace
them, blades down, and let them re-
main until ready to wash. Have just
enough water in the pitcher to roaSAh
the handles, but never on any account
allow the handles when of bone, ivory
or wood to remain in water, as it will
surely loosen them, and in a short time
they will fall from the blades. Wash
both blades and handles in warm soap.
suds, using q soft cloth, and wipe i'm
mediately after removing from the
water, as dry as possible, with clean,
soft crash-towel.
To clean steel knives, use finely
powered bath brick and apply with the
cut end of a raw potato. Rub the
blades briskly until all stains are re-
moved, then wash Immediately in hot
soap suds and wipe dry. Do not lie,
them stand after cleansing so that the
powder dries on them, or they will be
streaky, but wash as soon after clean.
ing as possible. A piece of cork is
often used in preference to the potato,
but as it has to be dampened it is not
as convenient to use, as the potato
juice is all that is desired for that pur'
pose. Fine coal ashes may be used
when bath brick Is not convenient, and
do the work very well. After drying,
rub the blades briskly with soft tissue
or newspaper to give the final polish
Keep in a case or box lined with
flannel. They will never rust or dis
color, when in general use, if kept in
q receptacle such as this, as the
flannel will absorb all superfuous
moisture. Nice iannel-lined wicker
and Japanese waad boxes, for Sholding
knifes and forks. can be purchiSea a
many places dealing in housekeeping
goods, but, if too expensive, very neat
serviceable ones, that will answer the
purpose as well, q made at home
Get an oblong, shallow wooden box
stain the outside any color liked. var
nish, and line the inside with green OF
red Canton flannel. Make a partition
that will divide the box in the centel
|5engthwise. cover with flannel, and Sc
into the box. fastening it in place with
liquid glue. This makes a box OF TIVE
compartments, one for the knives ant
| one for the forks, and is every bit a
good as a store one. Always Keep til
box or case in a perfectly-dzsy place
Boston Budget.
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
CHEAP o N
An Excellent Way of Kidding Fields 81
Large and small Stones

EAA
Large and Small Stones.
To build q stone-wall of the regula-
ton pattern is indeed a doubtful
process, but many fields are 80 stony
that something must be done with
them, and this is often a good way.
Throw them into a loose heap on the
line of the fence. making it as nearly
triangular in sections as possible. Ii
may be necessary to gather up stones
scattered at the base, and put them or
the top; aside from this it is built as
fast as the stones car be thrown from
| the wagon, and piled in this manner
| they are much more bulky than If laid
into solid wall. thus making o
fence. The width on the ground may
be four feet, the height three feet.
Now lay a line of rails on blocks upon
the summit, tapping the ends, set 3
| pair of stakes at each joint, and finish
off with riders. Two hands will make
ten rods or SO in a day If the PICKING
is good, and clearing the land Q.
the stones pays for the hauling, SO YOU
get tho fence for nothing, aside from
the rails. This method is at least
ahead of heaping up stone in the
fields. and then fencing with boards OF
wire, as is SO often done, and better
than trying to wear the stones out with
the pIow and drag. There will always
be rails enough to give two or three 70
the length, especially as rails used il
this way last much longer than the
rails In the old-fashioned rail fsace
used to-; they rotted off at the end
where they crossed each other, leav,
ing the middle sound. II poles are
used It will pay to cut them at a TING
when they will peel. and take the baA
off. A deep b~ack-furrow of the RICH
width as a base will economic stone,
T-e point you are just about to raise
that such a fence covers too much
ground s-not well taken. Carefully
estimate the width of the STRIP
whose produce is expended II
keeping up a stock of posts,
boards, wire, nails, etc, and you viii
find, perhaps, that your progressed
fences without thickness are the Wides
of any except stoneWall.-E S. Gil
bert, In N. X. Tribune.
Il
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08

The bricks and stones piled artistscs;ly
around a mound of earth supported
several thrifty varieties of sedum, in
terspersed with the snowy sprays OF
sweet alyssum; and the old rake,
driven upright in the earth, was trel-
Used with cords intended as a support
for the sweet peas and morning glories
lifting their heads bravely from the
mold below.
But the browning glory of all was
the old stump, which had become the
thing of beauty Lou had prophesied.
Its decayed heart had been followed
out, filled with earth and set with
crimson %coleus, golden feyerfew, snowy
daisies and great clusters of crimson
geraniums. The graceful Kenilworth
ivy draped its sides, and wood violets,
| blue and white, filed the interstices
between it's branching roots. After a
lingering survey Of these Beauties and
| the rustic seat ssrnh had constructed
with much care and WEAKNESS OF mind
and body, MIR. Butler had hut a fleet
ing glance to bestow or the round
table in the center Of the plat with its
dainty tea service and accompaniment
of cakes and ~jellies.
you've worked a miracle, Lou!" he
cried enthusiastically; and Aunt Eu-
phemia, looking down into the bright,
happy face of the boy at her side and
comparing it with the gloomy, discon-
solate c]ountenance which had greeted
her through the winter months, added
earnestly:
1.-TWO of EN-, I should say!"-sArah
d. Hobart. in the Housewife.
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
MEN OF
The Kind OF a Reputation Which Helps
One Over Many Hard Places.

".Why is it that it is the good men
who go wrong?" asks an exchange.
This question is of much of the same
stamp as one that was formerly cur
rent: 'Why is it that ministers sons
are so often scapegraces?" The latter
has been shown to be grossly unfair In
it's implication that ministers sons
are, as a whole, unworthy Of their IA
theirs and of their training. The re.
verse is the case. There are excep-
tions, but these are are in comparison
with the number of sons OF ministers
who are useful and honored citizens,
many of them pursuing the noble call
ing of their fathers.
So when we are asked: "Why is it
that it is the good men who go wrong!'
the answer is that the inquiry is mis-
| leading. Men who are reputed to be
good do go wrong in many cases. but
these are few in comparison to the
number of reputed good men
who do not go wrong. 1t is
no surprise when it is learned
| that a man who does not bear a good
name has done something dishonest or
unworthy, because in this case the ex-
pected happens, and there is not a Ego
ing wrong" but q further pursuit OF it
| The good man by repute-and the bet
| ter he is reputed to be the more sur
prise and shock if he does not bear out
his reputation-is the n who is trust
ed, and when we hear Of n who has
proved faithless, it shows that his rep
| utation was not deserved, or that his
| moral fiber has not been tested. The
man who is upright and honest-hon-
est with himself IS we'll as toward
others-does not 60 far wrong in his
dealings.
A reputation for integrity is one
which no man can afford to be with
out. But the reputation is not the
main thing. This is to deserve it. 1t
is won by right doing. and is kept il
the same way. Once established it is
the best letter of credit a young man
can have. Without it he a not hope
TO succeed.
In most cases men of strict integrity
have had it impressed upon them in
their youth that honesty a not be
disposed with. Too great stress can
not be laid upon this truth by all who
have dealings with the young. Temp
tations to be dishonest should be as far
as possible removed from the path OF
those whose characters are not fully
formed, and those who are older anc
wiser should by friendly counsel aid IL
firmly fixing right ideas in the youth
full minds.
Parental laxity is to blame il q
young woman begins work with q
vague notions of what honesty means.
Too many parents sadly neglect their
duties in this particular. They do not
oversee their children as they should
or hold them to a strict accountability,
but faults are CLOSED owe or are not
seen. Parents should not be harsh
and exacting. but they should train up
children in the very way they should
go. The honest boy is father to the
honest man.-Detroit Free Press.
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
MY DOG.

Ny neighbours ugly dog and
Have reached the point where one mat DIE.
But which of US has got to go
Another week of war will show.
With mutual hatred most intense
We've fought, divided by o fence,
For months with all the awful skill
OF sayages who fight to kill.
When I unconscious, pass mis- gate
The brute, who for me liss IN wait
As quiet as q hen on eggs,
Springs at my unprotected legs
With such q roar of rage that
Across the road in terror fly,
And don't recover from the shock
In time to hit him with a rock.
At night he whine and barks and growlS
And makes me hear his hideous hoWls
Till, well-nigh crazy, I lombard
Tn demon till my neighbours yard
Is heaped with tumblers, books andtAhoes
And things / can't afford to lose.
Then, when ny ammunition's thrown
And / my helplessness have shown,
The cur, to maker me more ~forlorn, !
Yelps twice as lou until the morn.
Nv brought home friends with me to dine
Upon a turkey extra fine,
And-when all hungry for the feast
Have had it stolen by the beast
Who. sneaking in my kitchen, got
1t from the open oven not.
I smash my windows, break the bones
OF my best chickens throwing stones
At my tormenter, who, unframed
Trots slowly of no whit alarmed,
Right through my choicest flower bSd
He ruins with his beark~-read.
I have, with smiles and coaxing sweet,
Tossed him a nicely-poisoned treat
Which he, with most unfriendly growls
Has left to kill my fancy fowls.
I've Quarreled with my neighbor, too,
Till bloodshed, may be, will ensue,
Because he keeps the snarling pest
That robs the neighbornood OF rest
AND gives the tots and women bites
With h~ydrophobia's awful rights.
My neighbor's useless dog n d
Have reached the point where one must die,
Another week of war will show
That he-not II hope will go.
n. c. Dodge, in Goodalrs Sun
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08

The largest tree IN the world as
yet discovered is in Tulare County,
Cal. 1t is two hundred and seventy
five feet high and one hundred and six
feet in circumference at its base.
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
TOWN PROPERTY FOR SALE.

A CENTRALLY located and desirable p aan.
N ness stand on Main street, opelousas, and
sistjng of building suitable for resldeLue ,be
small store, being the property next to inv
postofBce. This property will be sou a. on
cheap for cash, or half cash and DaIa,eo nd.
terms to suit purchaser. Apply 10 NJ. 80
mond q. Dupre. ucA
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
A, P. MCNEIL,
@. ., w

Contractor, Carpenter and Builder,
WILL contract for the erection Of buildings
w of all kinds, furnishing all material II
desired. Work done promptly and a. reason
able rates. orders through the postofice
given prompt attention. Estimates and plans
furnished. Having special facilities for OBJ
tanning LUMBER AT REDUCED RATES l Will
give my patrons the benefit Of the same.
sep}S7
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08

Female Institute
Opelousas. ST. Landry Parish, La.

This Institution is undenominatIonal. prac.
t.Hal and progressive. Discipline firm and
based on sound principles ennobIing snd de-
veloping character. Honor and self-respeot
promoted. Methods of training and cuItura
thorough. The curriculum prepares the punt
for University or practical life. Certificates
and Diplomas conferred. Buildings comforts
able and commodious. Patronage solicited.
For further particulars apply to
MRS. M. VI. HAYES, PRINCIPAL.
Or REV. F. w. LEWIS, First Assistant.
Feb-2-tf
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08

For a pain in the chest that threat
ems to be pneumonia, make o plaster
Of soft soap and hot Indian-neal mush
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08
ST. MARY'S
.)elOuSaS, La,

opelOIISaS. Lac
THE course Of instruction in this institution
il embraces English, French, Latin, Greek,
Arithmetic. Algebra, Geometry, BOok-keep-
ing, Natural Sciences, History, Geography.
Penmanship, and great care is bestowed on
Christian instruction.
TERMs-Board and tuition, per month, SIS:
Day Scholars. per month, ~, 50 or 81, accord
ing to class. Classes are resumed on Wednes.
day, September Il. 1873.
REV. J. F. RAYMOND,
HENRY G. LEWIS,
Aug. g, 1888. JOHN j. WlLLOZ.
The Opelousas courier., 1889-06-08

The guests stopped on b borders OF
the enchanted land in surprise. Where
once had lain a pile of refuse, giving
birth and sustenance through previous
summers to a colony of giant weeds,
was a wide stretching space of yelvety
grass, freed from every intrusive plant
ain, burdock or nettle. The vines
| along the fences were putting forth
tender leaves; at their intersection a
thrifty lilac intermingled its purple
| plumes with the fragrant gold Of q
late towering currant. The despised
barrels had become by judicious a
agement four rustic tubs; the two stand
ing apon the ground filed with gerani-
ums, verbenas and chrysanshemums,
which promised later bloom, while
those perched aloft on the twisted
sticks which Lynn had driven solidiy
into the ground held masses of trailing
vines selected from Louis abundant
stores, which billowed up in feathery
green and draped their rough supports
with verdure. The old kettle, shining
bravely ia its coat of red, was suspend
ed from three twisted sticks and
adorned with whey beauty as grateful
to the eye as to the most appetizing
compound concocted at any real gypsy
campfire to tho hungry stomach. a
rustic lower-stand supported the cans
Lynn had SO layishly decorated, each
filed with some blooming plant. while
at the summit ausmall oleander tree
with rosy blossoms gave dignity and
character ID tho rs.aeted tin pail
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15
e yet ital.
ALONE.

l miss you, my darling, my darling,
The embers burn low on the hearth;
And still is the stir of the household,
And hushed is the voice of its mirth;
The rain FLASHES fast on the terrace,
The wind past the lattices means,
The midnight chimes ont from the minister
And am alone.
| want you, my darling, my darling,
I'm tirel with care and with fret;
| would nestle in silence beside you,
And all but your presence forget,
In the hush of the happiness given
To those who through trusting have grown
To the iullness of love in contentment;
But am alone
call you, my darling, my darling,
My voice echoes back on the heart;
stretch my arms to you in longing,
And 10 they fall empty apart
| whisper the sweet words you taught me,
The words that we only have known,
Till the blank of the dumb air is bitter,
For am alone
| need you, my darling, my darling
With Its yearnings my very heart aches
The load that divides us weighs harder
shrink from the jar that it makes,
Old sorrows rise up to beset me;
Old doubts make my spirit their own.
o, come through the darkness and save me,
For | am alone.
- Robert H. BiigUeLts
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15
MOURNING GOODS
U N D { r w e A r

is complete and prices low.
The Hosiery and Glove Department is well
stocked.
Smith 4 Angell's celebrated fast black
Hose and Hali-hose, all sizes.
The best Kid Glove at dollar to be found,
better al 81 25 and 81 30.
The celebrated g. p. Corset with others
from soc TO 81 30.
Flnnncls, Blankets, Comforts, Spreads, Ta-
BILE Dnmasks
Napkine, Towels, Doylies, Turkey Red
Damask.
Ginghams, Prints, Sheetings and Domes-
tics.
Gentlemen's and Boys Cassimeres and
heavy Cloths.
Trimmings, Dress Buttons and Notions.
BARGAINS in Handkerchiefs and White
Goods.
GA- With accommodating statesmen, who
will consider il II pleasure to show you goods,
invite yonr patronage.
va will be pleased to see my Monigom-
cry county customers.
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15
Wanted to Make Sure.

Judge, yer honor" said an angry
looking citizen as be made his way into
the private Office Of the Police Magis-
trate II want to ak yez wan ques-
ton"
"What is that2"
eff wuz to go down an hit Micky
Dolan wild crowbar how much would
it cost me ?"
"Not loss than twenty-dollars, you
may be sure
''Is that all ? Well, there's wan more
thing I'd loike to know"
"What is that ?"
"If old throw in an extra tin dollars,
would yez send pleecs man along wild
me, to tend to the matter fer me, As
long as dim paying for the job, old loike
to be sure p
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15

We are apt to blame luck for our own
mistakes.
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15

PLENTY OF LIGHT
To classes Of goods and take pleasure
few special articles which think at such gues VIII
merit all W advertise.
THESE PRICES MEAN PLAIN, BUT SUBSTANTIAL:
A Solid 3-Pc Suit, yard.
$28. Paror Suits, 6 pieces each One at
Our Curtains for S15 per 1925 $40
pair. A irt,rate line oil D. Frame body
Our S5 $l per yard made, laid
line Of French Ctones at Csc per and LINED
WE CLAIM THAT AS DEALERS
able sell low aud with the best values that po's
inspection personal Judgment with regard TO
and all such goods carried by
repairing c-upotering nure speciality and shall
be and we desire please
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15
10 H N H. S vi O @ T,
At 3l44 M (BRIDGE) STREET
WEST WASHINGTON, Du c.

or ut the Depots.
oct l9-mny 20-ly
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15
Building---Six Stories.

stoy-Upholsey Goods Lace Curtains and odd Furniture
Soy Carpets Rugs, Oil Cloths and Wall Papers
Third Story Cabinets, Tables, Hat Racks &c
Furniture Bed
and Furniture.
Sixth Sory-Storage and Work Shops.
Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15

"Amanthy," said the old lady from
the head of the stairs, what does that
young feller mean by stayin' SO late y
Excuse me one moment Mr.. Herring"
said Amanthy; and she closed the par
lor door softly and whispered hoarsely
up the stairs II think be means busi-
ness, ma you go to bed"