davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
A Cure for Snake-Bite.

The London Hospital states that an un-
expected testimony to the value of inocu-
lation comes from South Africa. Mr.. G. A.
A. Farini, the explorer of Kalhari Desert,
had some oxen bitten by poisonous snakes,
and one of his bushmen, it is said, cured
them by making missions round the bite,
and rubbing into these a powder made
from the dried poison sacs of other snakes.
In few hours the Inflammation caused by
the bite disappeared, and the oxen were
quite we'll A few days afterwards the
bushman himself was bitten. He at once
inoculated himself in a similar way with
the powder, and having extracted from
the wound the fangs of the snake that had
bitten him, he drank drop of poison from
the virus-sac. He Immediately fell into a
stupor that lasted some hours. At first
the swelling of the wound increased, but
it soon subsidized Next morning he inocu-
lated himself again. By the evening of
that day the swelling had disappeared, and
two days after he was as we'll as ever. The
favorite antdote is little lizard of very
deadly powers called N'auboo, which is so
valued that a native will give an OK for
the dead body of one to dry and reduce to
powder for this purpose; but if he has no
N'auboo he uses the poison of any snake
he can pet.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
THE END.
Mark Twain.-The "Innccent' at
Home.

There is no country where you can hear
so many good anecdotes as in America
and no country where they are told so
well and with less affectation. Since the
death of Artemus Ward, Mr.. S. Clemens
whose n011-de,p plume of Mark Twain is a
household word amongst Eng peaking
peoples-has held unchallenged, the posi-
ton of first American humorjst.
AS an illustration of the nn1Detf Of
American humor, | will give you re-
mark beard made by Mark Twain. Said
he, Il was in the Civil War for fort
night, but found | was on the strongest
side, SO retired to make the fight even"
Mark Twain is a man of 81, thin, Of
of medium height, with well marked fea-
lures. His face is little bit surly, grave
to severity and seldom relaxes into smile.
Americans, who have met him frs quentiy
at public dinners, say they have never
known him to smile once. The profile is
Jewish, the eyes small, and they are
almost entirely hidden by thick bushy
eyebrows. The well-shaped head is Gov
cred with thick bushy halr-at a little dis
lance it looks very like crow s nest. The
voice is thrilling, and it has strong nasal
twang When he slowly gets on his feet
TO speak he twists his head sideways,
frowning all the time; and you little
guess that that man, in a few moments,
will convulse you with laughter. Moth
ing is more droll than the way he tells an
necdote-Ihe Young Man.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
A Perplexirg Question Regarding the
Construction of New Naval Vessels.

The board of bureau chiefs of the navy
department to which was referred for re-
port the proposals received for the con
struction of the armored coast defense
vessel is in daily session and expects to
complete its work. A financial difficulty
has arisen which threatens to render fruit
less all of the elaborate work of designing
and computation and which has occupied
the bureaus of the department fnr months
past. 1tsprings from the apparent require
ment of the act of Congress making the
appropriation of 81, 900, 000 that it shall be
the total cost of naval structures Some
months ago bids were invited and pro-
posals received for building a submarine
torpedo boat, the cost of which was to be
met from this appropriation of 50 600, 900.
Up to the present date no award of con
tract has vet been made. The lowest suit
able offer to build this craft placed the
cost at about $3.50 COO If the awards
should be made at this figure there will
not be sufficient money remaining accord
ing to the closest calculations of the board
to build the armore1 coast defense vessel.
On the other hand, if the submarine boat
is abandoned and the contract awarded to
the bidders for The larger vessel, the ques
ton would arise whether such action
would not violate the apparent intention of
Congress to provide for more than one
naval structure. 1t las been suggested
that as a means of escape from the dilem-
ma that by close figuring enough money
might be saved over and above the cost of
the coast defense vessel to build a small
torpedo boat and that the submarine boat
might be abandoned. 1t is probable that
the board will not attempt to solve this
proplem, but will simply report the facts
TO Secretary Tracy, who will refer it for
solution to the Judge Advocate General for
the department..
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
ArDIvinp Phosphates,

A query asked in the Neo England
Farmer concerning the application of
phosphates was answered by w. d. Bow
ker as follows:
Answering the inquiry whether to apply
phosphate underneao- or on top of the
seed corn, l would say that if the corn is
planted on phosphate alone, three fourths
of the fertilizer should oe sown broadcast
and narrowed into the soil, and the balance
strewn along the burrows. If it is fer
tilizer possessing any strength at all, it
should not be dropped in the hill, either
above or below the seed, as it is likely to
injure the young tender roots as they shoot
out to gather nourishment. The best way
is to strew it along the furrow when used
in connection with stable manure. Corn
roots reach out in every direction, and be,
fore the corn plant is half grown the grouno
is nearly full of roots. Corn is grea'
surface feeder, and for that reason the fer,
tilizer should not be ploughed in Deep out
applied near the surface.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
Diffusion Chips.

Now that every planter is worried about
what to do with his chips in the event of
going into diffusion, we offer the follow
ing extract taken, from letter written by
Mr.. E. Arise, the chief consulting en-
gineer of the Compagnie de Fives.Lillie,
to one of our prominent planters in an
swer to inquiries made by him:
"The Gavillot bagasse burners with auto
matte feed arrangements which we have
erected at Wonopringo (Java), and at
Duguerry (Guadaloupe) are successfully
burning the diffusion chips on both these
plantations. After coming from the diffus-
ers the chips are run through double
mills, which dry them to sufficient OK
tent to enable them to burn without the
addition of any extra fuel and without the
necessity of having recourse to any other
artificial method of drying before their ad.
mission into the burner. Practical tests
made at Wonopringo have demonstrated
that one pound of diffusion chips was capa-
BILE of evaporating 100 pounds Of water.
Even if the conditions of work were not as
favorable as at Wonopringo, it would be
fair to estimate that one pound of chips
will evaporate at least one pound of water.
1t is estimated in Java that one ton of
chips just from the cutters will give one
ton of exhausted chips from the diffusers
and these exhausted chips, after passing
through a first mill, contain about u per
cent. of moisture, and after second COM
preston will not contain more than about
81 per cent of moisture. These chips are
about equal to our Louisiana bagasse COM
ing from mill, giving from 70 to rs per
cent. traction.-EDITOR.
ga factory working 600 tons of cane per
twenty four hours will give 600 tons of
exhausted chips, which, after having been
exposed to double compression, will give
about 140 tons of combustible chips, con-
tanning about 81 per cent. of moisture
From the foregoing we see that these
14O tons are capable of evaporating at least
40 tons of water, which, if coal instead of
chips were used for fuel, would require
the burning of 1926 barrels of coal per day.
When the conditions are such as to evap-
crate / 80 pounds of water per pound of
dried chips, the above 140 tons of dry
chips are equal to some 400 barrels of coal.
Louisiana Planter.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
Postal Curiosities.

The curiosities of the postal service are
multiform. Extraordinary addresses, ex-
traordinary misspelling of words. extra
ordinary articles sent by post, extraordi-
nary com, saints and requests, extraordi-
nary condolences and mistakes, are fur
nished in abundance in Mr.. Hyde's book
1.-THE Royal Mail Among queer ad-
dresses may be noted that of a letter to
Mr.. Owl O'Neil,' which was intended
for Mr.. Rowland Hill, and was eventually
delivered to him. Another letter addressed
by an American gentleman to his sister,
Upper Norwood or elsewhere" was de-
liveIed to the addressee on the top of
stage coach in Wales. The sender of the
letter wrote to express his admiration Of
the means taken 10 deliver it, and added
that no other country could show the
parallel, or would take the trouble at any
cost. OF extraordinary things sent by
post. Mr.. Hyde gives long alphabetical
list, beginning with beetles and,including
gun-cotton and revolvers F.; but he does not
surpass i'll this respect the articles quoted
in a recent report of the Postmaster Gen
eral, where live mice and dead kittens are
mentioned among the articles sent by
post. In the days of frankiDg, ambassa-
doris had considerable ranking privileges,
of which they did not fail to avail them
selves among the articles franked in those
good old times were such items as two
laundry maids, COW, and eleven couples
of hounds.
Many curious complaints are poured into
the sy pathetic ear of the Postmaster Gen
eral Ore was from gentleman who pro-
tested that he could not sleep at night In
onsequence of ele ctricity 'thrown of" by
the telegraph wires he requests that theyI
may be carried hundred yards further
from his house, where they would "elec-
trify nothing but field" A farmer writes
requesting country postmaster to lind
him customer for livingstone pig now
quite ready for killing" A correspondent
from Tennessee also wishes to transact
business through the English postal ottl-
Gals he begins: Il want you to do me
kines;" he wishes for an instrument
''maid to find mettel-gold or silver-that
are in the ground If it will attrack it.
instrument for that perpos." And, in or
der not to place himself under too great an
obligation, he concludes, 81 send you
stamp" Another American correspondent
is vastly annoyed because an English post
master had not complied with his request
to be supplied with tobacco-leaf. line
commonest persen," he writes reproacn-
fully, Gin America (my country can speak
to Gen. Grant, and there is nothing SAID
wrong about it." Another American cor
respondent IA LADY, writes what some peo1,
pie might call "a nice chatty letter, 1uil
of photographed detail, to the Post
master General, of England after two OF
three pages she is good enough TO say,
"Well, as have said as much as you WIN
care to read, will stop but she adds an
expression of her willingness to CORRESPOND
on topics of general interest.-S@F"T@0y
ReUieW.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
CHAPTER V.
Under THE LEAVES.

The summer had passed in quiet, and
Sidney congratulated himself that the
twig was bent, for Blanch had adopted the
church of her adopted father We had
formed several new acquaintance in Hart
ford and renewed some old ones. The
pastor of our church, Rev. Joseph Hooker,
was an honored friend of the family. 1t
had been decided that Blanch should spend
the winter at his house, aud attend select
school under the personal superinten-
-dency of Mr.. H Surely, safer asylum
could not be found for young girl.
He and his aged wife were highly de-
lighted in the hope of having their young
favorite spend the winter with them.
Blanch was gone. Rachel-quiet Rachel
still remained. Her soul knew no
troubled ambition. We loved her because
she was good.
We bided our time in a quiet way.
Being everywhere, and doing but little.
Rev. Hooker's school prospered. Blanch
was an enthusiastic pupil. She won her
way to every heart. She usurped the
power we thought to place her under.
Torn from her old friend, Pauline, with
her genial disposition she soon found an
other, Carrie Thorn. Much of her time
was spent with Carrie, and her young
gushi1g soul was soon IS enraptured with
her as it had been with Pauline.
In school girl fashion, she told Carrie
her hopes, he. thoughts and her love.
During vacation Carrie came to our
home for visit. She had been sBlanch's
most intimate socate at Rev. Hooker's,
and we entertained none but the highest
regards for our new friend.
From Carrie, Blanch had contracted q
desire for astronomy. Carrie had spent
her last summer studying it under the in
struction of her Aunt Gladly, of superior
abilities, who had taught in English and
French schools.
AS Blanch was never refused the graft
fcation of CONSTANT wish, his one was
received with more than usual attention.
So we decided that Carries aunt, Madame
Parnell, should be her teacher.
ALI was decided, and the teacher arrived.
Madam Parnel became an inmate of our
house. She was an agreeable person, and
her strict decorum and religious sentiments
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
CHAPTER VII.
ONLY A CHILD OF FATE.

All was hustle and rush and confusion at
a railway station some twenty miles north
of Hartford. 1t was early morning Just
when the dawn is dark.
From everywhere trains were coming
and to everywhere trains were going.
Three ladies and gentleman anxiously
awaited the arrival of a coming train.
You know who they were. The train
moved up and stopped. Blanch and An,
thony entered car. Madam Parnell and
Carrie Thorn left the station in carriage.
Anthony Gray was an ingenious man,
and had in secret and by many ways, still
held Blapch in his fangs. through the
long years we hal thought them separ-
ate7
Carrie Thorn, under the guise of friend
and classmate, had been a willing tool in
his hands. Madam Parnell had entered
our home, and under tn guise of teacher,
plucked our brightest flower and cast it at
the feet of her nephew. All ye cruel,
heartless women, had ye no love for won,
an-kind? Under the"pI ostituted name of
friend" ye worked all this woe and crime
Pauline Gray and her mother would
meet them at Williamsburg, and to NOR
row all entreaties and regrets would be in
vain.
Blanch would be Anthony's bride. and
Sidney Oaklands fortune would have an.
other heir. Anthony Gray was happy for
he was safe under the guise of a wedding
ring and Blanch was happy under the
same delusive shield.
The train rolled on with it's precious
freight, and with it young girl fastened
to the brink of destruction
All! the wild beating of her heart she
was happy with her lover but her 15n
science was ill at ease. Never before had
the crime of her deceit stared her in the
face.
Madam had always set at ease all ques-
tons of right and wrong, and kept the
one thing, devotion to her lover, clearly
before her eyes. But she was gone now,
and Blanch was her own guide; she had
never been before, and she was helpless.
The last step would soon be taken, ali
would then be done. The train came to a
station and stopped. A two hours wait
and the next train would take them to
Williamsburg. Blanch sat alone in the
waiting room. 1t was the first time she had
been left alone. Remorse and regret took
the place of the fancy that had led her
away. AS she walked about the room and
read the notices and advertisements, she
found she was in Vermont instead of New
York, as Anthony had told her Like a
bolt of tightening the first suspicion flashed
on her brain.
For the first time in years, her own
senses seemed to serve her. She could
scarcely realize her situation. But she
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18

saw it all, and turned to seek some II cans
of escape.
She would fee. Yes, escape while
chance vet remained She would take an
out bound train. No. He would telegraph
and find her. Where would she 60 ?
What would she do? She wished, she
prayed for Sidney Oaklands protection.
But she had fled from his keeping, he
could not aid her now.
Outside the depot a coachman stood idly
watching his team. With the swiftness
and quiet of hunted bird, she was by his
side.
"Will you drive me to O. station
Immediately p she asked.
Five dollars in my hand, madam, and
no swifter coach than mine runs that
road"
Two minutes and the money was in his
hand, she had closed the coach door be
hind her and was fleeing from her would
be betrayer. glance from the window,
she shrank back and uttered faint moan
Anthony Gray stepped aside for the car
riage to pass.
On they sped, she knew not, cared not
where. But the sun was yet in the west,
when coach drove rapidly up the long
drive from our gate, and woman in a
black travelling suit came up our steps to
the home and hearts whose JOY exceeded
understanding at the return of their lost
sheep. Blanch was back, her foolish fan
cies were gone. She was only twenty,
and it had only been day and night since
we had seen her, but her Lair was white
and her mirthful smile was gone. She
lives with US still She has no heart for
the world now, you know. She had hopes,
and ambitions, and bright prospects once.
but she lost them all under the guise of
a wedding ring.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
It Doesn't Paw.

It doesn't pay to hang one citizen because
another citizen sells him liquor
1t doesn't pay to have one citizen in the
county jeil because another citizen sells
him liquor.
1t dos sn't pay to have one citizen in the
lunatic asylum because another citizen sold
him liquor.
1t doesn't pay to have fifty workmen
ragged, t. have one saloon keeper dressed
in broadcloth and flush with money.
1t doesn't pay to have ten smart, active,
intelligent boys transformed into thieves,
to enable one man to lead an easy life by
selling them liquor
1t doesn't pay to have fifty workingmen
and their families live on bone soup and
half rations, in order that one saloon
keeper may flourish on roast turkey and
champagne.
1t doesn't pay to lave one thousand
homes blasted, ruined, defiled and turned
into hell of discord and misery, in order
that one wholesale liquor dealer may amass
d large fortune
1t doesn't pay to give one man, for $500
quarter, license to sell liquor, and then
spend $4,000 on the trial of another man
for buying that liquor and committing
murder under it's influence Christian
Gecretnrg
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
What Cotton Does,

1t clothes the world in the cheapest and
best garments, it furnishes the lara OF our
kitchen, the oil for our stands, Inc ous,
ter for our bread, the soap for our tolie'
and the candle for our bedroom. IL leeus
our Jersey cow, it fertilizes our gafuedd
and field crops. 1t paints our houses sa anu
dyes our hosiery and makes our olntni e11@h
1t furnishes US with paper delicate enoagn
to receive the sweetest s'TainS u W."
pered love, or strong enough 1or Inc Pon,
derous locomotive. 1t gives Us 'ntoau9 ~
fine as the spiders slIken "ep -, VI s..o rIS3
enough to lash The navies OF 'n rend mofr
Isn't and who can deny the magnificent
ppn rs of it's future.-Er.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
The New Land Law.

Under the above heading the Acadia
Sentinel gives the latest laws enacted by
Congress, as follows
Among the latest laws enacted by the
recent Congress was that approved on
March the 3D., entitled can act to with
draw certain public lands from private
entry, and for other purposes" 1t mate
rally changes and amends the homestead
law, and keeping pace with the liberal
spirit manifested by succeeding Con-
crosses, which increases as the area of the
public domain decreases, practically offers
q homestead to every man and woman
without one 1t withdraws from sale all
public lands in the United States except a
few in the State of Missouri. Any person
who has ever made a homestead entry,
but who for any reason has never perfect
ed title to it, can make another. This
second right does not inure to persons who
perfect title to entries already initiated.
Pre-emptors may change their entries to
homesteads, Notwithstanding they may have
already had the benefit Of homestead.
Any settler who is unable by reason of
a total or partial destruction or failure of
crops, sickness, or other unavoidable cas-
ualty, to secure a support for himself,
herself, or those dependent upon him or
her upon the lands settled upon, may en-
title himself or herself to q leave of alb
sence for period not to exceed one year, by
applying to the register and receiver and
making proof of said fact to the satisfac-
ton of said officers.
Amy homeste ader who has heretofore
entered less than quarter section, may
enter enough additional land joining him
to make up 100 acres, and need not live
upon or cultivate such additional land.
When he has already made final proof, the
title for the additional will issue without
further proof on his part. But this grant
only applies to persons who Gown and
occupy" the original entry. If said origi-
nal entry fails for any reason, or appears
to be illegal or fraudulent, the additional
entry will not be permitted. Any person
who has made homestead entry of less
than 100 acres, and has complied, or shall
comply with the law, is entitled to make
another entry of sufficient land to make
up 100 acres, provided he settles upon and
cultivates the same in accordance with the
law. Finally when an entryman publishes
q notice of intention to make final proof
on certain date, and he or his witnesses
or both, are unavoidably detained by rea-
son of illness or other good cause, he is
allowed to make his proof any time within
ten days following the day advertised.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
1G21-HARyEST TInE-1s8s.

Six acres sown to barley and peas
And twenty planted with Indian corn.
We're cur harvest fields beside the seas
In sixteen hundred and twentv-0ne
Few and weak were the hands to plant
And few the number to garner in
For the chilling winter and pincl,in, want
Had sOwn their harvest for death Il, win
Not many springs have such seeding known.
When the laborers walk with reverent tread
For beneath brown faGrowS and springing grain.
Were hidden the graves of their cherished dead
Never tear must be seen to flow,
Never sign Of heart bereft.
For the dusky foe must never know
How few and weak are the number left
Anxiously watching the sDringing blade,
Stirring and wedding the uuworn soil
Long and fervent each good man praycd
To the Lord of the harvest to bless his toll,
But the peas were blasted by summers heat
And blight on the lipening barley lay.
But the corn was golden. for that they meet
And joyfully keep Thanksgiving day.
Though few and weak, they were undismaycd.
And broader those scanty acres grew
Watered full oft with their owners blood
Creeping into the forest new.
Stealing over the low hills crest,
stretching beside the rivers sheen.
Marking the valleys sun-warmed breast
With belts of amber aud brown and green.
Grain fields wave on the mountains crown.
Corn in the valleys turns to gold
Orchard and meadow and breezy down
Give fruitage for iab) an hundred fold
For the few in number who sowed in tears.
There goes forth a phalanx TO Labor sealed
And the scanty acres beside the sea
Have swelled to thousand harvest fields.
Barns with their treasures are trimming Ger,
Oats and barley and shining wheat
Larders are filled with generous store,
We know no want that We cannot meet
Whether in spring brown burrows you break,
Or in autumn count Ger your loss or gain,
Forget not the Giver, who sendeth alike
The life giving sunbsams. the frost and the
rain. NJ 4. SDsith.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-05-18
THE BOYS WE NEED.

Here's to the boy who's not afraid
To do his share of work;
Who never is by toll dismayed,
And never tries to shirk.
The boy whose heart is brave to meet
All lions In the way;
Who's not discouraged by defeat,
But tries another day.
The boy who always means to do
The very best he can;
Who always keeps the right in view,
And aims to be d man.
Such boys as those will grow to be
The men whose hands will guide
The future Of our land and we
Shall speak their names with pride.
All honor to the boy who is
A man at heart, say;
Whose legend on his shield is this:
Right always wins the day"
Golden Days.