davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
A Parable.

At our Young Peoples meeting,
several weeks ago, one of our friends
spoke of the temptations and discourage
ments to which busy men are especially
subject 1t seems almost impossible to
keep pure in the whirl of business.
cit brings to my mind" said he, IAN
incident which friend told me short
time ago. While travelling among the
coal mines of Pennsylvania, he noticed how
very dingy the towns appeared. The coal
dust seemed to blacken buildings, trees,
shrubs.-everything. But as he and a
foreman were walking near the mines, he
noticed beautiful. white flower. It's
petals were as pure as if it were blooming
in daisy field.
"'What care the owner of this plant
must take of it, said Mr.. A, to keep it so
free from dust and dirt
See here said the foreman, and,
taking up handful of coal dust threw it
over the flower. 1t Immediately ran off,
and left the flower as stainless as before.
1t has an enamel, the foreman ex-
planned, which prevents any dust from
clinging to it. think it must have been
created for just such place
81 have often thought of this white
flower" continued our friend. eff we are
covered by the enamel which Jesus will
give to all who ask Him, even His own
blood, we need not fear that the press of
business nor contact with sinful world
will stain our hearts or lives. Beth Van
WO0enpn
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
Great IMPROVEMENT In The South:

The Manufacturers Record, In this
weeks issue. will publish special reports
from the leading bankers ell over the
Sonth as to the condition of business in
their vicinity, stating that the views of
bankers were secured because they are the
best possible authority on the financial
condition of business in their section. The
Record says:
sln the North there is complaint OF
dullness in the South activity never be-
fore equalled is seen in every line of indus
try. The people are not only hopeful but
enthusiastic. The steady progress of late
years has brought about season of pros
perity which has infused new life into
everybody and the whole South is alive
and at work. Drones are at discount /;
energy and enterprise, cesseless, tireless
vim and push are now the controlling
factors in the South. The report of bank
ers scattered from Virginia to Texas with
out exception tell of great improvement in
business of activity In trade aud manu-
features and of the enthusiasm which per-
yades all classes of citizens, farmers and
business men alike. This is probably the
most uniformly favorable summary of the
condition of business in an area as great
as the South that could ever have been
! made. This prosperity results from these
facts. In the South during the last two
years upwards of 10000 new industrial
establishments, covering every line OF
manufacturing and mining from making
pins to building locomotives, and the build
! ing of nearly 5000 miles of railroad and
the production of the largest crops ever
raised in this section, which yielded fairly
| %o $to ca a.
ported. During these two years the South
raised over ID, 900, 900 bales of cotton, over
| !, ZOO, 000, 900 bushels of corn, nearly 1OO, :
900 900 bushels of wheat, and l6O, ooO, OOl
bushels of oats The total value of these
and other agricultural products reaching
the aggregate of upwards of 81 1000 oOo-
900, or an average of $500, 600, OOO year
The character of the reports from the
bankers is shown in the following from
few of them. The First National Bank Of
Florence, Ala, reports: Business on
sound financial basis and activity unprece-
dented in this section, with money easy
thirty or forty new factories located mere
in the last few months"
First National Bank, Athens, Tenn, says
that section was "never before nall sc
| prosperous, nor the outlook half SO fiatter
ing" -,
Planters Bank, Danville, Va, reports
Prospects more promising than ever De-
fore"
First National Bank, Fort Worth, Tex.
says: can era of unprecedented pros
perity," and adds that the farmers are
jubilant over crop prospects.
First National Bank, Salisbury, N. c.,
speaking for all that section, says: "a
better outlook than for twenty years, ane
people united and enthusiastic"
First National Bank, Rome, Ga: "Busi
ness very active and increasing. and peo'
pie full of hope and enthusiasm"
Warren Deposit Bank, GLASGOW, ny,
"a new era of prosperity"
First National, Vicksburg, Miss: $50
ing ahead with marked rapidity."
I First National Bank, South Pittsburg
Tenn: Satisfactory to the most san
guine."
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
The Time to be Pleasant.

Mothers cross" said Maggie, coming
out into the kitchen with pout on her
lips. Her aunt was busy ironing, and she
looked up and answered Maggie:
Then it is the very time for you to be
pleasant and helpful. Mother was awake
greatvdeal in the night with the poor
baby"
Maggie made no reply. She put on her
hat and walked off into the garden. But a
new idea went with her-'sThe very time
to be helpful and pleasant is when other
people are Cross" ssTrue enough" thought
she, that would do the most good. re-
member when was i'll last year, was SO
nervous that if any one spoke to me
could barely help being cross ; and mother
never got cross or out of patience. but
was quite pleasant with me. / ought to
pay it back now, and I will.
And she jumped up from the grass on
which she had thrown herself. and turned
a face full of cheerful resolution towards
and tending fretful, teething baby.
Couldn't take him out to ride in his
carriage, mother? It's such sunny morn
ing" she asked.
ri should be so glad if you would" said
her mother. The hat and coat were
brought, and the baby was soon ready for
his ride.
"I'll keep him as long as he's good, V
said Maggie, land you must lie on the
sofa and take nap while I'm gone. You
are looking dreadful tired"
The kind words and the kiss that &C.
companied them were almost too much for
the mother, and her voice trembled as she
answered, "Thank you, dear; it will do
me world of good. My head aches badly
this morning"
What happy heart Maggie's was as
she turned the little carriage up and down
on the walk She resolved to remember
and act on her aunt's good words: 1.-THE
very time to be helpful and pleasant is
when everybody is tired and cross. THE
Young Reaper.
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
Japanese Superstitions.

SOME OF THE STRANGE FANCIES OF THOSE
GENTLE ORIENTALs.
The household superstitions of Japan
are very numerous. They are harmless,
often exciting laughter ; yet so entrenched
are they in the household that religion,
argument, even ridicule cannot destroy
them. Some of these superstitions have
moral or educational purpose, intoxicating
lessons of benevolence neatness and habits
of cleanliness A room is never swept
Immediately after the departure of the in
mate, for fear of sweeping out the luck.
At marriage ceremony neither the bride
nor the groom wears any clothing Of a
purple color lest their marriage be soon
dissolved, purple being color most liable
to fade If the cup of medicine is upset
by accident during the illness of person,
it is sure sign of his recovery. This
looks as if the Japanese had faith in our
proverb, "Throw physic to the dogs"
There are some curious ideas in regard to
the finger nails. They must not be cut
before starting ON journey, lest disgrace
fall upon the person at his destination.
Neither should they be cut at night, lest
cats claws should grow out. Children
who throw the parings of the nails into
the fire are in danger of some great calam
ity. If piece should fly into the fire
while cutting, the person will soon die.
The bowling Of dog portends death.
If woman steps over an egg shell she
will go mad !; If over razor it will become
dull if over milestone it will break. Ii
man should set his hair on fire he will
go mad. Children are told if they tell a
lie an oni Gmp) will pull out their tongues.
The wholeSome terror of the Oni standing
ready to run away with his tongue, caused
many Japanese youth to speak the truth.
The Japanese have horror of the dark
ness; they always keep light burning to
ward off ghosts The junkmen believe in
a ghost who comes to them and politely
asks to borrow dipper. The answer de-
cides the fate of the junkman. If a dipper
with bottom is bestowed upon the ghost,
he uses it to bail water enough to swamp
the Junk, but if the bottom can be knocked
out and thrown at him he disappears. In
this last case the act must be accompanied
by an incarnation, or the ghost turns into
sea cappa-a many clawed monster-who
will drag the junk to the bottom.
The Japanese are a gentle, sensitive
race, very much under the influence of
their emotions. Love with them is q
serious matter, often one of life or death.
Disappointment in love or desertion fire.
quenty ends in suicide. Sometimes the
girl becomes an avenger and implores the
gods to curse or visit with death the de,
stroyer of her peace. The passions which
thrill and torment the human soul are as
intense in far away heather Japan as in
those lands which boast higher civiliza-
ton. --Philddelphia Press
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
Hydrocyanic Acid Gas Treatment for
Scale Insects.

again visited Mr.. Gilman few days
ago, and was pleased to learn that he had
met with very good success in fumigatlng
his orange trees with hydrocyanic acid gas
passed through sulphuric acid we care
fully examined several trees that he
treated with the gas when | was there a
little over month previously, and were
| unable to find any living Red Scales las
| pidiotus 0atrantii), while the fruit and fol-
| iage were uninjured Mr.. Gilman says
that he treats on an average, four trees an
hour, using the one apparatus which oper-
ates two tents, and estimates that the cost
will amount to about sixty five cents per
tree. his trees being from ten to fourteen
feet high by the same in diameter. Ii it
| will not be necessary to again treat these
trees until after the lapse of four years,
| this will reduce the cost of the treatment
| to less than twenty cents year for each
| tree. Mr.. A. Scott Chapman, of San Ga
briel, in this county, informs me that
some of his fathers orange trees that had
been treated with this gas nearly two
years ago are still remarkably free from
Red Scale, notwithstanding the fact that
the adjoining trees are thickly infested
with them. The trees treated with the
gas, however. are quite as thickly infested
with the Icerya as they were when first
treated, which clearly shows the great
difference in the dispersive habits of these
two species.
While at Mr.. Gilman's l picked up the
following insects from beneath some of
the trees which he had just treated with
the gas one Chilocoras bjUuJnerus two
E!rocAonaus pilatei, six CoccinelIa Gbdonsa-
nails. four Psy2obora toeddta, one Dtabro
tica trioittata, four Largus succsnctats, one
E1sclatns tristigmus, two Option maacras-
rum, six Chrysopa sp 2, five Muscas donses
tea, two MydeG sp.2, and one spider. The
next day all had recovered with the ex-
ception one Largus, the two Options, one
Chrysopa, the five Muscas, one Mydea,
and the spider. Mr.. Gilman says that
when he leaves the tents charged on the
trees all night all of the Lady Bugs on
these trees will be killed. The other trees
are each confined in the gas twenty
minutes, which includes the ten minutes,
required for generating the gas.-D. W.
Coquil'ett, Los angeles, Cal., IN Insect Life
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
An Episode of Court.

There is no doubt but one of the great
needs of our country is that of Christian
officers. In connection with this fact, l
wish to relate little episode that took
place in our town few days ago. Judge
Chrisman, of Brookhaven, Miss, was
holding court He is we'll known for his
noble Christian virtues, leading official
in the deliberations of his church. When
the criminal docket was called, man that
had been indicted for deserving his wife
and child was brought up for trial but
after the discussion of lawyers, Judge
Chrisman decided that the case did not
come under the jurisdiction of the court
and remanded it back to the justice court
While this was going on there, the thinly
small, sickly child in her arms, leaning
upon the balustrade for support, anxiously
watching the proceedings of the court:
The Judge, though engaged in the duties OF
his office, had not failed to observe the
more than widowed wife in her forlorn
and pitiable condition. AS she started to
leave the court room he had her called
back. Addressing himself to Mr.. Miller,
the district attorney, who had just made
strong speech on such barbarous conduct,
he said: eve must help this poor wo-
man" He, leading the way, called upon
the crowd to give; and never was an ap-
peal more generously responded to- The
large and liberal contribution OF the judge
had hardly reached the table before a
shower of silver came down upon the
desk. ALI this time the judge was ex-
citing them, with cheerful words, to give.
Then said the Judge, "Call up the woman,
and turn over the money to her" with
the child in her arms, and yet with
bright smile on her face, she came for
ward to the attorneys desk and receive d
the money, thanking his honor for the
sum. Then the poor and broken hearted
deserted wife left the courtroom with
sense of gratitude that, likely, she had
never felt before.
| thank God for such episodes while
travelling along life's way. 1t cheers our
faith in our holy religion and, doubtless,
makes us better people. But this Is to me
a very remarkable case. A judge on !ne
bench. amid his official duties, stopping
his court long enough to raise public col
lection for an object of charity surely
we are getting to be better people, ana
that act of Judge Chrisman was what 81.
James calls pure and undefiled rellglon De-,
fore God and the Father-is thls-to visit
the fatherless and widows in their atfiic-
ton not long prayers or salaried ministers
or gorgeous churches are pure and unde-
fled religion-the only religion God recog-
nizes. The word "visit, we all know, is
to help them, relieve them in their dis
tress and if this be true, the churches
had better wake up. Yes, we need Chris,
tian officers. Judge Chrismans act was
the loudest preaching that court house
ever heard.-A. B. Nicholson, IN N. u
Christian Adg0cate.
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
What Shall We Do With Our Children

When the king demanded of the Spar
tans fifty children as hostages they re- re-
piled: 1--WE would prefer to give you 100
of our most dhii,ng ubshed men," This is
but fair testimony of the everlasting
value of the child to any commonwealth,
aud to any age. The hope of this genera
ton lies in the little children that throng
the streets to-day. Is it a small question,
then, "What shall we do with our child
REM" 1t seems to me that the very best
work that can be done for the world is
work with the children. We talk vast
deal about the work of reclamation and re-
storation, reformatory institutions and the
like, and all this is well, but fax better Is
to begin at the beginning The best physl-
clans are not those who follow disease
alone, but those who, as far as possible,
20 ahead and prevent it. They seek to
teach the community the laws of hea Nth
how not to get sick We too often start
out on the principle of the medical ttyro
who was working might and main over z
patient burning up with fever. WherA
gently entreated to know what he wasi
doing, he snappishly replied: doing!
Why, Pm trying to throw this man INTO
fit. | don't know much about curing
levers, DuL L IN Qealn Oh utS. ouoo Hou 49,
get him into fit, and I'll fetch him !" II
seems to me we often go on the same prln-
ciple we work harder laying plans to re-
deem those who have fallen than to save
others from falling. We seem to take II
for granted that certain condition OF de-
clension must be reached before we can
work to advantage. l repeat again what
have said before-we do not begin soon
enough with the children. 1t seems to me
that both state and church have yet to
learn the vast import of these matchiess
words of the great teacher Himself when
He said, pointing to little child: he
that receiveth him in my name, recelveth
me-" He said it because, with omnlciens
vision He saw the wondrous folded away
possibilities imprisoned with the child
Selected.
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
BE A WOMAN.
OGTve heard a gentle mother,
As the twilight hours began,

OfSTye heard gentle mother,
As the twilight hours began
Pleading with son on duty.
Urging him to be man.
But unto her blue-eyed daughter
Though with love words quite as ready,
Points she out the otherduty,
Strive, my dear. to be lady,
What is ladyF Is it something
Made of hoops and silks and airs,
Used to decorate the parlor,
Like the fancy rings and chairs'
Is it one that wastes on novels
Every feeling that is human
If tits this to be lady,
TITS not this to be woman
Mother them unto your daughter
Speak of something higher far
Than to be mere fashions lady
Woman is the brightest star"
If you in your strong affection
Urge your son to be true man,
Urge your daughter no less strongly
To arise and be woman.
Yes, a woman! Brightest model
Of that high and perfect beauty,
Where the mind and soul and body
Blend to work out lifes great duty,
Be a woman, naught is higher
On the gilded crest of time;
On the catalogue of virtue
There's no brighter, holier name.
The 4ppea1
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
An Affectionate Lion.

The superintendent of the animal de-
partment at Woodward Garden, San Fran
cisco, tells an interesting and pathetic
story OF lion which was at one time in the
garden At first the lion was so wild and
| fierce that it was dangerous to venture
near to its cage.
But by persistent gentleness and kindness
the superintendent gradually made she
beast so fond of him that it permitted linn
to 60 into the cage, and if he lay down
beside it the lion would raise it's head, so
as to give him soft place to lie. One day
drunken sailor came into the garden and
began teasing the lion. The superintend-
ent went up to the man and told him not
to disturb the animals.
The sailor, angered at the reproof, re-
piled that he'd DO as he chose about it :;
and, doubling up his fist, struck at the
superintendent. The lion upon this be-
| came frantic with rage it roared fearful.y,
and dashed so violently against the bars Of
| its cage, that the sailor ran away in terror.
Then the beast became quiet, and mani
tested the greatest delight when the sup
| erintendent went up to it and caressed it's
| head.
| At length the lion became affected with
a tumor. One or two slight operations
had to be performed, and nobody could get
near the beast except this one man The
lion let him cut, and looked at him CRATE
fully all the time, licking his hand when
1t was over. The tumor grew and diff
cult operation had to be performed 1t
was with some apprehension that the sup
erintendent undertook it, for the lion was
restless with pain and discomfort.
The doctors thought it unadvisable to
administer ether. The physicians drew a
diagram of the operation showing him
where to cut He followed then direc-
lions, talking scothingly to the noble beast
the while, and the lion bore the knife
oravely. This operation afforded but
temporary relief, and the poor beast began
to suffer such pain that it was decided to
kill it. The superintendent took his re-
volver and after petting the animal fired
one shot through its head, putting the muz
zle close to it. The lion gave him a
pathetic look, in which there seemed to be
a mixture of surprise and reproach, but no
anger. 1t took three shots to kill it and
all the time the beast never took it's eyes
off the man.
The superintendent told the incident
with tears in his eyes.-N z. Examiner.
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
The Distance to He'll.

A person who by birth, wealth ana eS Su+
cation should have been gentleman Du'
was not, went to see coal ml n..a.;an
miner who took him down was Chrls' IAN
and was much panied by the p1o fame ld an.
guage used by the visitor As they yo. ae
scended the shaft, they felt it getting no'' 81
a arsat that the visitor said 'Dear me II
s's ssr ibI; ' het how a it is to
s nS replied the Christian minsG ;xs g,"v way
"but if one link of the chain glSyet s lain Ts
you'll be there in minute ~ si nnl The pro.
ans gentleman to Of his pssdi
position. In the case of every q h.setb@be-
man there is only a STEP breath dsatb the
twixt him and death, lana B alse,
Judgment. "-Prss5yterta" b@"'''''
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15

s'There" said neighbor, pointing to a
village carpenter, sis man who has done
more good, Ireally believe, in this commu-
nifty than any other person who ever lived
in it. He cannot talk much in public and
he does not try. He is not worth $4,000,
it is little he can put down on subscription
papers. But new family never moves
into the village that he does not find it out,
give them neighborly welcome, and offer
them some service. He is on the lookout
to give strangers seat in his pew in the
church He is always ready to watch with
sick neighbor and look after his affairs
for him. l believe he and his wife keep
house plants in the winter mainly that
they may be able to send little bouquets to
friends and invalids. He finds time for a
pleasant word to every child he meets,
and you will see them climbing into his
one-horse wagon when he has.no other
load. He has genius for helping folks,
and it does me good to meet him on the
streets. "-Orchard and Garden.
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
UPON A FATED MEETING

All we have met, nor vain regret
Can blot away that meeting,
/ can't forget, it haunts me yet.
The deep tone Of thy greeting
The spring flowers bloom, the winters gloom
Comes with the change of season,
But am sad while all is glad,
For love conflicts with reason
But could it be, that is you See,
Could we forget each other,
would not weep when should sleep,
Nor would love another.
Oh could fly, or could die,
Or fall away to sleeping,
would not wake for your dear sake,
Nor would find you weeping.
Despite the VOWS, and lovers rows,
Despite our youthful folly,
If we were wed-'tis better dead
Pray, what would make life jolys
know that song I've known 1t long
Holds love a royal master.
But on the brink It's best to think,
And steer clear of disaster
SO though we've met, and vain regret
Cannot erase that meeting,
l bid goodbye, without a sigh,
To bliss so short and fleeing.
Lille Bi1ekley, in The Americau
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
The Transformed fragments.

There is an old story of great artist In
colored glass. He had designed window
for great cathedral, and selected LOT y
some very choice material. AFTER no nsd
completed his work an apprentice gatheleu
up the rejected fragments, and from shen a
designed wheel window IN the saLe
cathedral, which was pronounced 70 De
more lovely than the work OF the grea s
master, although but formed from nis
leavings. So our God can, from Drohe ea
and rejected opportunities of our lives, 10
they appear to US, make some more precious aors
work than we accomplish with the very
best we have.-TAe Pulpit Treasury
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15

An Akron painter was at work on
business block when he discovered a last
years birds nest in niche in the orna-
mental wood work. There was nothing
attractive or particularly interesting in the
makeup of this nest as the painter glanced
at it, but he thoughtlessly picked it up
and began to tear it apart. His eyes nearly
bulged from their sockets in his surprise,
as among the bits Of string and hay and
other odds and ends, he behsld $40 bill.
-S1nnu South.
St. Landry democrat., 1889-06-15
Motherly Solicitude.

"What fine little fellow" said the
patronizing old gentleman who had been
elected representative four successive
times from his congressional district. His
remark was addressed to kind faced lady
who held in her arms little fellow who
blinked gravely at all that was going on.
YES" replied the lady. "His father
and set a great deal of store by him."
''Well he's bright-looking little fell
low. May be he'll be congressman some
day"
'May be he WILL" said the mother.
s'But," she added, earnestly, "I'm going to
do my best to raise him right. "-Merchant
Iraueler.