davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
A Serious Mistake.

A gentleman from India told the other
day story about Bayless w. Hanna, now
United States Minister to the Argentine
Republic. Some months ago at Buenos
Ayres rich Spanish banker gave dinner
to some friends and Mr.. Hanna was seated
on the right of the hostess. She inquired
as to the health of Mrs. Hanna, who was
not present. and asked how many children
they had Bayless, not understanding
Spanish very well, thought she wanted to
know the age of Mrs. Hanna and said:
"Forty eigks; madam"
To his surprise the lady threw up her
hands and exclaimed
'Grocias Dios pue no te1aqo esposo
Americuno I" which being translated, is,
THANK God, have not an American hus-
band p
The next day the Spanish banker called
on Mr.. Hanna and said "You astonished
my wife yesterday when you told her you
had forty. eight children"
"Why, my dear sir, replied the minis
ter, ri thought your wife inquired as to
the age of Mrs. Hanna and gave her the
forty EIGHT figure. | have only four chill
dren, and they are enough"
The banker went home and gave his
wife the benefit of Judge Hanna's state
ment, but the story got out and the Judge
has to stand up and take the jokes of his
friends. Post.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
The Road to Fortune.

Much has been written and spoken
against the evils of gambling, to which
many of our young men are addicted. At
the watering places, especially, one may
notice the sad truth. that great sums of
money exchange hands through gambling
with profit to none, either the loser or the
winner. 1t is generally the case that the
winners are those who can do very well
without their gains, and the losers are
such as would do best if they took care of
the money they venture at the hazardous
play, and employed their energies in the
pursuit of some legitimate industry. This
is not mere chance, but the natural order
of things. If wealthy man risks his
money on hazardous game, the case is
one of the two; either he knows precisely
how much he can afford to lose by the
pastime, and is too discreet to overstep the
limits, or he is in good understanding with
the 'pool' company, which is never On
the wrong side of the bet. In the former
case, he has no cause for excitement he
calculates carefully and impassionately,
and therefore has the advantage. In the
latter instance, he is certainly the man by
whose example youth and hope are TO be
guided.
But no moralzing and reasoning will
avail with those who have SIN Inclination
for hazardous games. That inclination is
most potent with young men who have
been born and raised in wealth, and who
were never trained in any industrious pur
suit. We have seen fortunes squandered
at the gambling table by the sons of men
who have toiled all their life time to Sc
cure a competency for their beloved off
spring, and who, in their foolish love for
the latter, would not put them to any
serious work, for fear lest the dear one
exert himself too much. Again, fortunes,
and not their own, are sometimes lost by
young clerks who see their employers
make money FAST; they want to Guido
them, and gamble away the money that is
not theirs, and all prospects of respecta
bic standing in society.
This subject should be taken up by our
preachers when they return to the city
after their summer vacation and full at
tendance greets them at their temples
during the autumn holidays. They should
try to impress upon parents that they do
their sons no good by anassing fortunes
for them and raising them IN idleness.
Aud they should wildly picture to the
young the moral and material ruins that
serve as landmarks on the road OF the for
tune hunter. This subject is closely allied
with all the important sociological and
politico- economical questions of the time,
and may prove the most fruitful as well
as the most beneficial theme of pulpit
orations for a whole season.-Ihe HebreD
Standard
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21

or how will he get his accounts through
the Treasury Department? Moreover, Mr..
President, you would deprive old soldiers
like myself and the surgeon general of
enjoying with you the sad pleasure of min
istering to our sick and wounded soldiers.
DR.. r should make his acquisitions
upon the medical purveyor and they should
be counter signed by the surgeon gen
eral. If any further order is needed,
shall have the pleasure of giving it under
the authority of law, Mr. President and
your authority as commander in chief of
the army and navy of the United States.
"'All right said Mr. Lincoln, with a
smile, and bowling to the general, Or.
T, do just what General Scott says
you should do, and it will be all right,
am sure After some private converse
ton with the general, Mr.. Lincoln took
his leave, with the remark: General
Scott, you are the only man in Washing
ton who gives me backbone
THAT evening the General had num-
Der of officers who had served in the Mex
lean war to dine with him at his private
quarters. l had been especially directed
to ask them to be on hand at P. M. We
had pleasant dinner, and when everybody
present was feeling in good trim for enjoy
ing little fun, the General said to me ::
Colonel Hamilton, oblige me, if you please
by giving US the interview between our
friend, DR.. T, and the President this
morning.
81 complied, of course, telling it as l
have told it now. Dit was not en-
tirely pleased at hearing the incident go
publicly rehearsed. General he said, 4
did not think you would order me here to
be made laughing-stock. After all, is
there so much difference between wood
chopper and rail-splitter The dinner
party broke up, but the story was not long
in travelling all over Washington, with
the Doctors remark added. By midnigh t
it had reached the President at the White
House
Next morning, as usual, he appeared
at General Scott's headquarters, and almost
Immediately asked for DR.. T. The
Doctor was not present. After what had
happened, he did not care to meet the
President just yet. General Scott, fearing
that something was wrong, gave, with
many enconiums, Dr. rs official pedi-
gree. Mr.. Lincoln heard him through,
and then said: General, you sometimes
quote Shakespeare at me. l will give you
little 1rOm rope: An HOTTEST mdu tHe
noblest work of God" Dit is blunt,
but he is honest. As he said, there is not
SO much difference between wood-chop-
per and rail-splitter.'
''The General was greatly relieved. I
am very glad, he said, that you think
well of my friend, DR.. T, but, you
will pardon me, Mr.. President. if | quote a
little Shakespeare at you now "There is a
certain dignity should hedge about king %
or other potentate. Excuse me, dear Mr..
President, Think think that it would
be well if your garb did not permit you to
be mistaken either for wood chopper or
for rail-splitter, being President of the
United States Their hands remained
clasped for a moment, looks of kindly
meaning were interchanged, and the
soiled buster, the russell trousers, and
the hat of many summers were seen no
more thereafter. "-The Waterman.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
DEVELOPMENT Of the Skull.

DR.. Digit, professor of anatomy in the
American College at Beirut Syria, gives
some very interesting results of his ex-
animation of collection of human skulls
which are stored away in an old monastery
in the Bedron Valley, midway between
Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He has
made careful comparison of these skulls
with those of the same race at the present
day, and finds some significant differences.
The Caucasian skull has during the past
thirteen centuries increased in circumfer-
ence nearly two inches, and has gained
considerably in cranial capacity. There
has been no increase in width. The brain
has gained in height and length, i. O.,
there has been development of the upper
and anterior parts of the brain, the parts
which we should expect to increase by
education and civilization, as they preside
over the moral and intellectual functions.
The lower portions of the brain, in which
the lower or more selfish propensities are
conferred, and which give breadth to the
head, have, in the march of the centuries.
failed to grow as rapidly as the higher
brain centers, hence the non-increase in
the width of our skulls.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
Thick Skinned Animals.

The whale, which belongs to the NAM
malta, no doubt holds the palm for thick
ness of skin. At some parts of its body
the skin is only two inches thick, but in
many places it's pelt is fully two feet in
thickness. The skin of the whale is the
substance usually known as blubber, and
in large specimen will weigh altogether
more than thirty tons. The distinction Of
being the thickest skinned quadruped be-
longs to the Indian rhinoceros, whose hide
has knotty or granulated surface, and is
so impenetrable as to resist the claws of
the lion or tiger. the sword, or the balls
of the old fashioned musket. So stiff and
hard is this skin that were it not divided
by creases or folds the animal imprisoned
in it's armor could scarcely move. 1t is
manufactured into leather of great strength
and durability, and targets and shields are
made of it that are absolutely proof against
darts or sword strokes. The skin of the
hippopotamus runs that of the rhinoceros
very closely as regards thickness. When
dried it is also used for shields, which are
highly priced by natives.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
Intemperance Decreasing.

The report recently issued by the bureau
of statistics, as has been noted, shows that
the relative consumption of distilled
liquors in this country is steadily decreas-
ing. 1t is hardly more than half what it
was half century ago. That this is to
any considerable extent attributed to tenn
perance legislation would be difficult to
sustain by accepted facts or figures, al
though some may take that view. But
there would be no such legislation if there
were not an increase of temperance sentl-
ment Aside from any legai CONSTANTS
or compulses, it is evident that the number
of people who do not use intoxicants is
growing absolutely and relatively. Still
more notable is the disuse of liquors to ex-
cess. The time can be remembered by
many still living when there could be little
social festivity without the inspiration that
flows. Inebriety was one of the common
attendants of geniality. There was no
public eye that looked sternly upon the
mellowness that came into the ordinary
comminglings of life. An instance is re-
called where preacher in the pulpit was
too full for coherent utterance. Daniel
Webster lost little in public estimation by
his fondness for brandy. Now it is not
fashionable to set out q bottle for the
guest. and the man who is seen under the
influence of liquor loses caste. People
who drink themselves look with contemp-
tuous pity upon the fellow who cant
stop when he has got enough" Society
gives little liberation to the young man
who wears the marks of dissipation, and
business opportunities are scanty and
meager. Responsible positions leave the
possession of those who become addicted
7 to drink. The inducements to sobriety
are greater than in the "good old timesS
recalled by those who look back only.
Milder beverages are being substituted
very generally for strong drinks by those
who do not entirely abstain, and the coun-
try is becoming more temperate and
rational. st. Paul Globe.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
Luck Whines Labor Whistles.

Eyes, it is better to be born lucky, than
rich, !" said young lad few days ago.
'No, my son, that is mistaken idea;
people who have failed usually 'do so be-
cause they waited for something to turn
up instead of going energeticaIIy at work
to conquer difficulties
What is falsely called duck" is usually
the result of personal exertion. Not long
since we read a statement of this truth
somewhat as follows:
If the boy who exclaims, just my luck,
was really trattful. he would say, just
my laziness,' or Just my inatttention. ,
Luck lies in bed, and wishes the postman
to bring him news of a legacy
Labor is up at six o'clock In the morn
ing, pick, ak, and hammer in hand, laying
foundations TO competence.
Luck wbines. Labor whistles. Luck
relies on chance, labor on diligence. Luck
slides down to indulgence. Labor climbs
upward to MISREPRESENTATION Her.
IL
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
Fall Planting of Strawberries.

By this we mean the transplanting OF
runners of the present years growth,
whether it be done in July or October. BY
care and skill it may be done as soon as
the young roots are an inch in length, or
even earlier The rule is, however, that
a plant is not old enough to set until it has
branched roots; nor is it self-supporting
until sometime later. For this reason it is
necessary to remove one or more OF the
leaves when setting out very young plants
in the summer, lest more sap be evapora-
ted than the roots can supply. AS the sea-
son advances, more roots are developed.
and there is less risk in the operation.
The advantage of potted plants is that
they receive little or no check in being
person. This enables one to fruit a new
variety to perfection in nine or ten months
after planting. While one may not get
full crop, he will usually get more than he
otherwise could This is important with
new high-priced varieties.
The disadvantages are that they cost
more, express charges are higher, and the
larvae of mi furious insects, as the straw
berry root worm, crown borer and crown
girdler, are liable to be carried in the pots
TO LILO u0W pldutdIIou. LIS uo"oNOl, CoA
occur only when plants are layered in the
pots in an old bed where these pests are
found.
AS a rule, potted plants should be used
near where they are produced, SO as to
save express charges. If common varie-
ties have to be sent for, it is a good plan
to buy layers and pot them on arrival. If
the roots are too long they may be shor-
tened Common layer plants potted in
two inch pots, and put in a frame where
they may he shaded and watered when
necessary, will make good potted plants in
from one to two weeks. This will save a
dollar hundred on the first cost, and
nearly all the transportation charges.
We use -and-a-half and two-inch
pots, and ship in handled baskets lined
with wax paper and damp moss. The
plants are laid on their sides in the pots,
with moss between the layers, and then
each layer is covered with moss and a
cloth cover sewed on. One anda half
inch pots run thirteen to pound, and
when filled with damp soil seven to the
pound. There is no protection to the roots
of pot plant while in transit that is near
ly as good as the pot in which it grew.
One hundred of the smallest sizes weigh
about twenty pounds when packed.-Mat
Meao Crawford, CuyahogG FaAs, Ohio.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
A Rock With a History.

Mr.. w. A. Dever of Sumnlit, KY sniS
county, brought to the Iiding Office 8 few
weeks ago peculiar kidney shaped rock,
weighing one pound and nine ounces, on
which is carved on one side bust engraV-
ing of an Indian, pipe in mouth, toma-
hawk in front and great knife to the LETT
Over the bust picture are the words IN
semicircular shape, ''Stotford. co. VA.
Underneath the picture are the words,
"BlAck HooF BOR. 1921" On the other
side, "CoL. M. CaIr mes; June. ~. 1874
N@3@ Va; also some indistinct characters,
one representing dagger. This rock was
found by Mr.. Dover in one OF his helds,
sometime ago, covered with moss and dirt,
but as he discerned some letters on 1t he
took it to water and washed it carefully
and the above was all made plain. What
a volume of history is connected with 1t
may and doubtless will never be fully
known, but some threads are gathered,
and may prove interesting.
Almost all school children in this coun-
try know something about the romance Of
Pocahontas, the little Indian maiden, and
Capt. John Smith, as told in Parley's His
tory of North America. She became quite
a princess, and one Capellons has perpetu
ated her in sculpture over one of the doors
leading into our great nations capitol at
Washington, which may be seen by any
one entering at that door. She died in
1916, but from her great grand daughter,
Junietta Potowomek, half-sister to Jane
Boiling, who married Richard Randolph,
of Virginia, descended Black Hoof, half
breed Indian chief, of barberious notoriety.
He commanded one of the tribes under
Pontiac, chief Of the Ottawas, in their ef-
fort to exterminate their white conquerors,
but were subdued for a time, when they
Joined the Miamis and other tribes to de-
feat Gen. Harmon and his army, which
they accomplished. Afterwards, during
battle with Gen. Wayne, Col. Gaines was
captured, and carried to the then jungles
of Florida. 1t is supposed that during his
captivity he engraved the letters on the
stone and anxiously watched for an oppor-
tunity to place the stone where some one
could ascertain information of his where
abouts During the ho,Eilities under Te
cumseh, Black Hoof started to his assis-
lance, engaging in several severe fights on
the way in Tennessee. Just what became
of Col. Gaines, whether he died or was
killed where the stone was found, is not
known, but Black Hoof, then over eighty
years old, died near Roanoke, La Rue
county, and his 70 llowers soon Joined Tee
umseh and were badly defeated at Tippe-
canoe by General William Henery Hafri-
son. Waune Co. 7Sdinge
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
A Court Scene.

civilian, look up; tell us, William,
who made you. Do you known
William, who was considered fool,
screwing his face and looking thoughtful
and somewhat bewildered, slowly an
swered "Moses, s'pose."
''That will do. Now" said Chancellor
Gray, addressing the court, s'the witness
says he s'poses Moses made him. This
certainly is an intelligent answer-more
than supposed him capable of giving
for it shows that he has some faint idea of
scripture; but submit it is not sufficient
to justify his being sworn as a witness
qualified to give testimony"
''Mr. Judge" said the fool. ''may ak
the lawyer question:"
Certainly said the Judge; task him
any question you please"
"Waal, then, Mr.. Lawyer, who'd you
s'pose made your"
Councillor Gray, initiating the witness
'Aaron, s'pose."
After the mirth had somewhat subsidized,
the witness exclaimed:
"Waal, now, we do read in the good
book that Aaron once made calf; but
who'd thought the tarnal critter had got
in here?"
Verdict for the fool, and uproarious
laughter from the crowd.-Erchange
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
The Romance of Chess.

The great game of chess has its tender,
it's romantic side, as no game can have at
which more than two people can play. y
smiles on lovers, and can even be tt*'
cause of love. Only few years ago.a
chess player condemned to live in the
country solaced his solitude by playing
games by correspondence. Postal cards
daily brought or daily took his move. His
antagonist was lady; before the contest
was over he had got to know this lady, and
their acquaintance ripened into intimacy,
intimacy into love- and love WAS crowned
with marriage. And this couple, not I'M
mindful of the kindly influence which had
brought them together, determined that
the very rites of their marriage should
something SAVIOR" of the game. So they
invited from London a certain clergyman
whose genial face-'the front of Mars
himself'-is well known in chess circles;
none but chess player of his eminence
should celebrate their union. And when
bridegroom and bride rose from the we'd
ding breakfast it was only to sit down to a
game of chess-the first of their welded
life. All happy, happy pair, under what
happy auspices did you start on the high
way of marriage " hat fine air of ro-
nance, of sweet tenderness, fingers round
these lines of Lord Lytt.n:
My little love. do you remember,
Ere we were grown SO sadly wise,
Those evenings in the bleak December,
Curtained warm from the snowy weather,
When you and played chess together,
Checkmated by each others eyes?
All still | see your # white hand
lowering warm DER queen and knight
And so on to the sad close, when the
poet laments:
THAT never, never, never more,
As in those Old sill nights OF yOre,
Ere we were grown sadly wise,
Can you and shut out the skies;
Shut out the world and wintry weather,
And eyes exchanging warmth with eyes,
Play chess as then we played together"
.-GentlemaA'S Maga2ine.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
Not Exactly a Minister.

ssIsn't that pretty steep7' replied man
who was asking for railroad ticket to
Lansing.
s'Usual rate, SIR"
.'But don't you sometimes make a dis
COUNT"
'sometimes-to clergymen. Are you a
clergyman
'sEh ?"
Clergyman
'WelI, not exactly" slowly replied the
man as he scratched his ear, "but reckon
I'm the next thing to it. I've stood by
and seen my dog all chawed up and never
wanted to lick the owner of the other
animal"
He paid full fare.-BiU Nye, IN St.
Louis Magazine
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
A SUMMER NIGHT,

a5aSVrittes for The american.
II the curtain of the night,
by countless stars Is pinned.
Trough the window softly steals
8The breath of the Southern wind.
sbrne of some distant shore,
washed by the Mexic sea,
low it seems twill faint and die.
I By its long journey weary.
he katy-dids are singing
Each other their same old tune,
ind from each tree re-echo
The words of the rythmic rune.
Family through the still night air
Is heard watchdog. far away,
Welcoming his master home
With his earnest, deep-mouthed bay.
ust outside efficient bars
Tonight the mosquitoes hum,
ounds peacefully, soothingly,
'Epr no nearer can they come.
ticks the old clock solemnly,
Sounding the knell of to-day
Whose words and deeds will echo
Through Times corridor for aye.
.ulled by these simple sounds
Forgotten scenes diurnal.
We in dreams approach the land
Where summer is eternal.
-ADhdsi1 Smith.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-09-21
II Wasn't There.

was out on the south s4veranda half an
hour before breakfast, when young lady
and her mother came out and hailed a
newsboy and bought Philadelphia paper.
Suppose it isn't here?" queried tAe girl
as she opened the paper
ooh, it's sure to be, )" replied the mother
Didn't father write out the notice him
self and send it to the office p
"But it's not here-not word of it y
shrieked the young lady as she hastily
scanned the Atlantic City personals.
"What Doesn't it say that the hand
some and accomplished daughter of Judge
Waxem, of No. $50 Shackaj jackson avenue,
left for the seashore last evening to be
gone a month, and that she will be the
bright star around which Atlantic City So
ciety will revolve for the next few weeks y
'sNot line-not a word. | am totally
ignored
cit looks like conspiracy, my child,
but wait. Get me telegraph blank and
I'll raise your father out of his boots and
see whether he has any influence over the
mendscious press of Philadelphia. DE
tr,it Free Press.