davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
The Baby on the Prison Steps,

Over two hundred years ago people
passing by one of the prisons in England
might have seen, on any warm, sunshiny
day, woman seated on the stone steps
with baby in her arms
1t was poor, feeble little thing, and
those who looked attentively at it used to
think that it would never live to grow up
to repay the care it's mother bestowed
upon it.
Her heart was very sad, as she sat there
rocking her baby in her arms, trying to
still it's feeble cry, for her husband was
shut up in those gloomy prison walls, and
it was but seldom that the keeper of the
prison would allow her to see him.
But you must not think that he was a
wicked man, because he was prisoner
for in those days people were put in prison
as often for loving the truth as for COM
hitting crimes.
The king of England and his parliament
had passed law that persons should not
meet together to worship God in any other
place than the churches which they estab-
lished and that no one preach unless they
gave him permission.
Many of the people thought this law
unjust, and would not obey it; so they
had meetings of their own, where they
could hear the word of God truly explained
by godly men. These meetings made the
government very angry, and the people
who were attending them were put in
prison. This baby's father was one of
those who had been found at one of these
meeting, and so he was in prison with
many others.
After months of imprisonment, during
which time the mother and her baby were
constant in their visits to the prison, the
father was released, but he was obliged to
leave the country, and for many years was
separated from his family.
Still the little puny baby lived and
grew, though very slowly. Almost as
soon as he could speak, he would go to
his mother, with any money which had
been given bin, and say, ga book buy me
a bookp' His mother taught him from
the Bible, and he learned early to love the
Saviour. When he was only seven years
old, he commenced to write verses. His
mother had some doubts whether some
verses which she found in his handwriting
were really his; so to prove that he could
write them he composed an acrostic on his
name. l will give you the last verse, that
you may know of whom you have been
reading for if you take the first letter of
each line, you can form his name:
Wash me in Thy blood, O. Christ!
And grace divine impart;
Then search and try the corners of my heart,
That l, in all things; may be fit to do
Service to Thee, and sing Thy praise.''
Not very good poetry, you will say, but
now you know his name. 1t is the name of
Isaac Watts who has written so many of
the hymns you love to sing.-Er
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
Chinese Presence of Mind.
PHILOSOPHER RELATES AN INSTANCE OF
THEIR WONDERFUL SELF CONTROL.

PHILOSOPHER RELATES AN INSTANCE OF
THEIR WONDERFUL SELF CONTROL.
SIT is not along the broader lines of
social life alone that we can trace race
characteristics and distinctions" said a
seedy looking individual in front of a
Chestnut street hotel, buttoning up we'll
worn fall overcoat closely to his throat so
as to conceal the still more worn summer
coat beneath, and drawing on, with care
less Righteousness, pair of kid gloves
that were badly in need of repair. His
general appearance was that of a broken
down sporting man or ward politician
who had been subsisting for many months
on the expectations of an appointment
when the civil service law is repealed his
air was that of a millionaire just saunter-
ing out after having enjoyed a sumptuous
dinner, but, according to his own state
ment, he was neither.
81 am a student of social SCIENCE" he
said, "and nothing delights me more than
to study national peculiarities and charac-
teristics as they are revealed in the trivial
occurances OF every day life.
'To illustrate, I went into Ninth street
Chinese laundry the other evening. The
heather had neglected to send my linen
home. That, however, did not strike me
as race pecdliarity it is rather a class
characteristic common to all laundrymen,
no matter what their nationality. But
something occurred while l waited that
did strike me.
cit was just about dusk. The streets
were crowded with people going home
from work, and in the room half dozen
Cinnamon we're busy ironing at different
tables A coal oil lamp that hung in the
bulk window had just been lighted. A good
deal of oil had been spilled on the outside
of the bowl in filing it, and suddenly this
caught fire and blazed up, not only endan-
gering the red curtains draped about the
window, but threatening to cause an ex-
plosion of the lamp.
ga Chinaman on the far side of the
room saw the flames and uttered a single
exclamation to call the attention of the
others. That was the only sound made by
any of the Celestials, and none of them
left their work except one nimble little
fellow, who jumped lightly and quickly
into the window.
s'But the flames had been seen from the
street, and instantly the room was filed
with passers by, who rushed madly in,
each one shouting directions at the top of
his voice.
Throw the lamp into the street +
Dash water upon it Z Run for police
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
Insurance Against Disease.

In certain instances there have been ar
rangements made between physician and
the head of family that fixed amount
should be paid for each day the various
members of the family continued in good
health. But should sickness enter the
household, the physicians usual stipend
was discontinued. Such an agreement is
founded on common sense, for we don't
want to be made well, we want to be kept
well. There is great deal of unneces-
sary sickness resulting from a want of
careful attention to bodily requirements.
Keep the blood pure, keep the functional
habits of the body regular, counteract the
effects of OK posure by always having a bot
tie Of DR.. John Bulls Sarsaparilla in the
household and using it in anticipation OF
an attack of illness or when the very first
symptoms are manifest. Disease will not
trouble you If you will heed this good ad
vice. It is an excellent preventive of di-
sease and decay, as well as safe cure
Marion Banner.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
Cane Not Damaged.

The New Orleans City Item, one of the
best authorities on the subject, says:
We can not find an instance in the past
sixty years, as far back as the records
go, where early cane was seriously dam
aged by cold, and we think that planters
can look forward with almost absolute
certainty to a big crop this year. The ad-
vantage of having the cane out of the
ground at this time is the assurance of a
stand, and that there is nothing specially
to be gained by the growth of the cane in
January and February. Nor do we think
that anything can be gained by barring
off and digging stubble at this season of
the year, even if there were no risk at
tending the exposure Of the plant. 1t
is important to rid the plant cane of win
ter grasses, but the balance of the work
can just as well wait for the opening of
spring.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
GOODNESS AND MERCY. ,

We need not seek, with anxious quest,
Heavens blessing to pursue, .
For ever, as with angel steps.
They follow all life through.
Where'er we wander, east or west,
Gods guiding light doth shine;
His tender grace transforms for us
Life's water into wine.
And though, perchance, in some dark hour
His love we fail to trace,
Unerring wisdom draws the veil
That hides the angel-face
His purposes are high and vast,
His thoughts are not as ours,
For our weak hearts would only crave
The sunshine and the flowers.
But He who knoweth all our need
Sends Outlines clouds and rain,
And teacheth many precious things
By messengers of pain.
And daily for the Fathers house
He makes our spirits meet,
And purifies from earthly stain
The wandering, wayward feet.
His goodness meier shall cease to guard,
Nor shall His mercy tire,
Till by His grace we safely reach
The land of our desired
Annie E. LydaOn.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
SINCE I KNEW you.
Written for The Anlericaa.

Since knew you, o, my darling,
Fen the sunshine's brighter grown,
And the shadows have softness
Which before was ALL unknown.
Since knew you, the sky's azure
Takes softer, lovelier hue
Like your eyes and tender gleamings
Comes to me firm heavens blue.
Since knew you, every sunrise
Brings new glories to the earth
Days to me are dancing wavelets,
Bubbling DER with JOY and mirth.
And the nightly breezes blowing
Breathe music, sweet and low,
That with pleasure thrills my heartstrings
With its soft, melodious flow.
Joyful stand on the hi! top,
And gaze on the scene beneath,
On the meadows drerched with sunshine,
And the grain with golden sheath.
Since knew you, o my darling,
All the world with joy is rife;
And richer, fuller telling
Is embodied in my life.
Since knew you all the heartache
And the WEAKNESS are gone,
Through my heart and soul is bursting
A glorious, rosy dawn.
M p.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
Gaining a Situation.

S. s. Prentiss, who became the greatest
orator in the South generation ago, was
a poor, lame Maine boy. But, nothing
daunted, set out for Natchez, Miss, to OBJ.
tain tutorship. On hearing of Mrs.
Shields, who lived fifteen miles back in
the country, and who wished tutor fol-
her three sons, he concluded to go to her.
But he had not dollar in his pocket.
This is the way he did, as writer in the
Philadelphia Times tells the story:
There was fellow named Foote, of so
years, who kept livery stable in the city.
Prentiss was without dollar but, not de-
tered by his condition, he went directly to
Foote, who was in his shirt sleeves, oc-
cupying stool at the door of his stables.
"You have horses to let, l suppose?'
asked Prentiss. Foote eyed the. lame boy
before him for some moments before re-
plying, when in Yankee style he did so by
asking another question: do you want to
hire horse ?"
81 do; am from Maine and in search
of a school, l understand Mrs. Shields,
a few miles from here, wishes a teacher,
and it's there | propose going. | have no
money, am stranger here, and propose
to run my face for the hire of horse to
carry me there, as am too lame to walk. "
81 know Mrs. Shields, and she will want
recommendations, young man. Got any,"
"Only my face" was the reply.
Foote looked into his face, then at the
shrunken limb, threw out his tobacco, and
calling the hackman, said:
Bring the bald-face maze" and turn
ing to Prentiss said: 'If your face is not
sufficient security your impotence is, and
they will carry you through this world"
There was resident in the neighbor-
hood of Mrs. Shields, DR.. McGruder, a
very learned man. To him Mrs. Shields
referred Mr.. Prentiss that he might ex-
anime him. The note written by the doc
tor read thus:
engage this young prodigy at once,
for he is the brightest and best educated
young man have ever met, and much
better qualified to examine me than l am
him."
Mrs. Shields was reserved and polished
lady. She read the note carefully. When
she had finished she carefully removed
her glasses and remarked: "You are &C.
quainted, suppose, with the contents of
this note"
81 am not, madam, % was the reply.
"Will you read it, if you please?"
81 did read it," Prentiss was wont to
say, "and feel to-day that it was the turn
ing point in my life.
II looked up in the face of the meek but
most elegant matron, who sat before me.
She was looking calmly and steadily upon
my features, and l was sstonished when
she asked: Mr.. Prentiss, have you a
motherT
ssMy heart broke. o, how dear mother
and far-away home rose up to my view. l
answered and my tears told the rest. She
rose up, wiped her eyes, and said quietly:
you shall have the situation, Mr.. Prem
tiss. When will it suit you to come and
commence your school?
'sThere was not word said as to refer
ences or salary. My reply was, 'To-mor-
row, madam Here was to be domiciled
how long did not know, and with lady
who could, if any one could, supply the
place of mother"
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

sippi, he says ST have little doubt that
whenever these marls become properly
known and appreciated they will call into
life regular system Of shipment daring
the proper season."
We believe nature has placed these
shells here on our coast and prairie lands,
just where they are needed, and the day is
not far distant when great industry will
spring up in the burning of these shells
into cheap lime to be used on the soil.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
Rich Soil and Good Cultivation Pays.

A gentleman calling on the Sentinel a
few days ago was speaking of the profits
of a diversity of crops. He said "On
one-half an acre of land last year dug
and sold $35 worth of potatoes, and have
$25 worth still on hand. AS soon as my
potatoes were dug sowed the ground in
turnips, and after using all wanted, hold
over forty bushels. They are, suppose,
worth 25 cents per bushel. Thus you see
produced $40 worth of stuff on one-half
acre of land" This gentleman sold the
first of his crop of potatoes at 81 25 per
bushel. If he had had good rock road
to Kansas City, so he could have reached
the early market, he could have sold his
potatoes at twice as much. Good roads,
intelligence and industry are only requisite
to prosperity in country like this.-ln-
dependence Sentinel.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
MY WORK.

What can l do for Christi
What Is my mission" heree
Are there no wounds to bind,
No saddened hearts to cheer?
Why should I longer wait,
SO idle all the day,
When of the living throng
Some 60 the downward wayf
In this fair glorious world
They dwell in SINS dark night;
And, surely, event
Could point them to the light;
Could tell them of the One
Who died to make them free:
o Savior, by thy help
will do this for thee,
For thy dear sake l take
The life-work thou hast given,
I'll bear the burdens here,
And look for rest in heaven.
SELECTED
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
A WORKERS DREAM.

sat down in my armchair, wearied with
my work. My toll had been severe and
protracted. Many were seeking the SAL
walton of their souls, and many had found
what they sought. The church wore the
aspect of thrift and propriety, and joy,
and hope, and courage were the prevailing
sentiments on every hand. AS for myself,
was joyous in my work my brethren
were united, my sermons and exhortations
were evidently telling on my hearers; my
church was crowded with listeners. The
| whole community was more or less moved
with the prevailing excitement, and as the
| work went on had been led into eyAauSt-
ing labors for it's promotion.
Tired with my wu.h : sUua lost myself
in half forgetful state, though seemed
fully aware of Ioy place and surroundings.
| Suddenly stranger entered the room,
without preliminary zap" or 'tcome in"
saw in IS face benignity and weight of
character. But though he was passably
we'll attired, he carried about his person
measures, chemical agents and instruments
which gave him very strange appear
ance. The stranger came toward me and
extending his hand, said: Glow is your
zeal?' l supposed when he began the
question the query was to be for my
loalLn, Dub was pleaSeQ TO near the maj
word, for was quite well pleased with
my zeal-doubted not that the stranger
would smile when he should know it's
proportions. Instantly l conceived of
it physical quantity, and putting my
hand into my bosom brought it forth
and presented it to him for inspec-
ton. He took it, and placing it in his
scales, weighed it carefully. 1 heard him
say, Zone hundred pounds" I could
scarcely suppress an audible note of salts
faction. But caught his earnest look as
he noted down the weight, and saw st
once that he had drawn no final conclusion,
but was intent on pushing his investi-
cations.
He broke the mass to atoms, put it in
the crucible, and put the crucible in the
fire. When the mass was thoroughly
fused, he took it out and set it down to
cool. 1t CONCEALED in cooling, and when
turned out on the hearth exhibited series
of layers or strata, which all at the touch
of the hammer fell apart and were sever
ally tested and weighed the stranger
making minute notes as the process went
on. When he had finished the note to me,
and gave me look mingled with sorrow
and compassion, as without a word, ex-
cept "May God save you," he left the
room. Opened the note and read as fol-
lows:
Analysis of the zeal of Junius, candi-
date for a crown of glory:
Weight in mass 100 pounds. Of this
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29


had become troubled at the peculiar
manner of the stranger, and especially at
his parting look and words but when l
looked at the figures my heart sank as lead
within me. | made mental effort to dis
pute the correctness of the record, but I
was suddenly startled into more honest
mood by an audible sigh, almost groan,
from the stranger (who had paused in the
halD and by sudden darkness falling
upon me, by which the record became at
once obscured, and almost illegible. [
suddenly cried out, "God save me-" and
knelt down at my chair, with the paper in
my hand, and my eyes fixed upon it. At
once it became mirror, and I saw my
heart reflected in it. The record was true;
| saw it, deplored it, besought God to save
me from myself, with many tears, and at
last with loud and irrepressible cry of
anguish, awoke.
had prayed in years gone by, to be
saved from hell, but my cry now was to
be saved from myself and was unmeasur-
ably more fervent and distressful.
Nor did rest or pause until the refining
fire came down and went through my
heart, searching, probing, melting, burn
ing, filing all the chambers with light,
and hallowing up my whole heart to God.
That light and that love are in my heart
to-day and when the trials and tears of
my pilgrimage shall be at an end, I ex
pect to kneel in heaven at the feet of the
divine Alchemist, and bless him for the
revelation of that day that showed me
where stood, and turned my feet into
better path.
That day was the crisis of my history
and if there shall prove to have been in
later years some depth and earnestness in
my convictions, and some searching and
saving pungency in my words, doubt not
eternity will show their connection with
this visit of the searcher of hearts, at
whose coming was weighed in the bal
ance and found wanting. -CAristian Voice.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

Some one once wrote to Horace Greedy,
inquiring if Guano was good to put on po-
tatoes. He answered that it might do for
those whose tastes had been vitiated with
tobacco and rum, but he preferred gravy
and butter.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

A would. be wit having fred off all his
stale jokes without effect, at last exclaimed:
"Why, you never laugh when I say
good thing" sDon't II" rstorted Jer-
rold; s.en1y try me with one.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

You are not likely to attend church
without hearing some truth that will ben
eft you, if you will only give it resting
place in your heart.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

True reverence for God includes both
fear and love-fear, to keep Him in our
eye love, to enthrone Him in the heart !;
fear, to avoid what may offend love, to
yield prompt and willing service; fear,
to regard God as witness and judge !;
love, to cleave to him as friend and
father; fear, to render us watchful and
circumspect love, to make US active and
resolute; love, to keep fear from being
servile or distrustful; fear, to keep love
from being forward Or secure and both
springing from one root, living faith in
the infinite and ever wing God.-Cope.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

Owing to exposure l have been indis-
posed with acute rheumatism about six
months. My skill failed to afford me re-
lief and was induced tn try Bulls Sarsa-
parilla, and must confess that it entirely
cured me. It is decidedly superior to all
other preparations of Sarsaparills.- b.
ANe7a, M. d., Brandon, Ky.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
Governor Seymour of New York.

A most interesting method of tempting
the winter birds to come freely and linger
about our houses was put in practice by
the late Horatio Seymour, man who was
in the most intimate harmony with all
bird and wild life. A few weeks after his
long presidential contest with General
Grant, which ended in the election of the
latter, the writer walked one cold winter
morning from Utica to Mr.. Seymour's
rural home, low cottage fronting mag
nifcent view of the Mohawk valley, and
Nesting in the embrace of a primeval for
est-a woodland full of animal life, rest
ing place often sought by the owner, who
was weary of political life, although it
had given him many honors.
Mr.. Seymour, then venerable man, was
sitting at large plate glass window, sur
rounded by books on ornithology, and en-
grossingly occupied in studying the birds
that fitted from the forest to huge
cherry tree before the door, where net of
wire held store of fat suet-a food rich
in cold resisting carbon, and as tempting
to the half chilled birds as tallow candles
are said to be to the shivering Eskimo.
Before the writer's window come hum
cry troop to swing on the vines, as they
wait their turns, and merry scene they
make when the sky is dark and the trees
are bowed low with snow and ice. Not
often, but occasionally, pair of golden
crested wrens fit from the storm to the
window to peck meal from frozen fat,
and delight us with beauty that seems
too frail to brave the ightest snow flake
but they are happy beyond belief, singing
merrily even when the mercury is below
zero and arctic gales bend the trees.
If each kind-hearted little Agassiz and
Audubon will try this simple experiment,
he will cheer the life of many bird, and
find new companionship in nature that
will make winter life less wintry.-L. W.
Ledgard, in Saoiss Cross.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

The church needs, in addition to the
pastor, earnest, quiet CO. workers. This is
q department of Christian labor which
cannot be overlooked.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29

When medicine is given child, par
ents like to feel it is safe and proper one
Such remedy is DR.. Bulls Worm De-
stroyer.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
ALL ABOUT OUR FOLKS
CHAPTER XII.

BY LILLE BINKLEY, ATcHIsoN, KAN.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-03-29
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LAST STRAINS.

All around WIS., Changing.
AT White Hall and at Long Branch, the