davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
THE LOVE OF HUMBUc.
How the Human Family Is Beguiled b,
Shams and Pretenders,

iio" 'he human Famiiy Is Beguiled by
Shams and Pretenders.
If one may be INDUCED in the use Of
a little slang, it makes wise man tired
to see how persistently his compeers run
after and are beguiled by the latest
shams, and seem never so happy as when
they are being deceived. Especially is
this trait noticeable in the matter of
physical ailments. The family physi.
clan may measure out his prescribed
doses OF quinine or SIENNA, give the
patient plain, practical talk. and de.
part with the consciousness of duty done
and the certainty that the subject will
leave the powders untouched on the
mantel unless he becomes frightened,
and that his reputation as physician
Will suffer in consequence. But let
some travelling fakir come along, pitch
his tent, swing out his flag, with ringing
OF bells and blowing of horns, and lo!
the public is at his feet ready to be
healed, willing to swallow the most
nauseous mixtures, if only they be
chrlstened with unpronounceable and
untranslatable names. anxious to nav
double the fees of a respectable, respon.
sible physician, and bold to assert after
weeks diet of bread pills and rain wa
ter sWeetened with molasses, that thew
are perfectly cured of imagined all
ments and are urgent that their friends
shall share in their good fortune.
Science doesn't always receive the
support of the universal public; hum.
buggery does. The street wizard, with
tangled hair and picturesque garb, can
extract teeth painlessly by the same
process which nearly murders the
patient if performed by an educated
dentist, dressed in nineteenth century
clothes and located in well-appointed
office. The noble aborigine, in war
paint and feathers, dealing out mystic
oils, will carry off all the spare change
of community, while the village ply
stefan grows poverty-stricken. The
dealers in patent medicines roll in
wealth; the vailed sibyl who prescribes
to her mystified devotees from dark
ened closet gathers in the shekels; and
if the commonplace physician means to
hold his own he will soon be compelled
to label his walls with cabalistic char
acters, consecrate them with mystic
passes and mutter '!abracadabra over
them as he gives them into the patients
hand. The common sense which man
uses in the selection of suitable coat
or hat seems to desert him utterly when
any trif1ing ailment attacks him. His
intellect wavers, and superstition, that
cunning fiend always lying in wait for
humanity, betrays him unresisting into
the tolls of the mountebank. We can
not change human nature with our ex-
ordiums, but we can at least make it
alive to its own weaknesses and incon-
sistencies. Sentinel.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
Marching by Compass Bearings.

The General commanding at Alder
shot has directed that the early even
ings of the new year are to be made use
OF to exercise officers and sergeants in
the novel practice of marching on COM
pass-bearings by night. The officers
and sergeant Of each battalion are to be
assembled as soon as darkness sets in.
arrangements having previously been
made to show a light-for ten minutes
Or quarter of an hour-at point some
distance off, but clearly visible from the
point of assembly. The necessary COM
pass bearings and other precautions hav-
ing been taken, the parties are to en-.
deavor to reach the spot where the light
was shown. Frem battalions the prac-
tice is to develop into marching by
brigades, the Fox hills on one side OF
the camp and C@sar's camp on the other
being indicated az the two sjtes to he
used. London Advertiser,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
J HE STUDIES MANKIND.
A Drummer's knowledge of the Peculiar
tiles of His Fellow-NIen.

| "A Drummer's knowledge of the Peculiar
tiles of His Fellow-NIen.
"Doyou see that little group of men?'
said drummer in Washington hotel
corridor recently, as he pointed to a
| knot of office-seekers in corner.
They seem to be enjoying themselves,
don't they? That one with the goatee
has been telling funny story
"How do you know that that particular
one told it'" was asked.
Because he is laughing the most,'
replied the drummer, senten tiously. 81
am student of human nature and an
observer of the habits and particularly
the foibles of men. That's an indis-
pensible element of success in my line. "
"Now do you see that other man with
the clean-shaven, thin face?" he con-
tinued. ''That mans from Florida, and
not only that, but he's from rural dis
trict of Florida and is accustomed to
working on overseeing work in the
fields and brush"
'Oh, come now'' said the drummer's
companion; that's little too steep.
You can't tell all that just by looking
at him. What makes you think so?''
swatch him the next time he laughs"
said the drummer, "and you will see
him stoop forward, lay both hands on
his trouser legs below the knee, and
give his shins good scratching or rub
bling. Most of the Floridians do that
from habit. 1t gives them pleasure be-
cause all of them who work out of doors
in grove or field are pestered with tiny
insect called the red-bug, all but in
visible to the eye, which swarms on
fallen brush-wood, decayed weeds or
grass and makes itself most unpleas-
antly and lastingly apparent on the
legs of all who come near them. Sand
feas and mosquitoes add their attentions
and on the whole Floridan cracker
gets about as much amusement out of
a good scratching asa from yawn or
even drink. Watch him now. They
are going to laugh again.
Sure enough the clean-shaven man
began to smile, then chuckled, then
roared and in his ectasy reached over
and gave both his shins brisk rubbing.
with a handful of his trousers.
Come with me-" said the drummer,
as he sauntered past the jolly group,
who had now stopped talking and be-
gan to break up.
''Can you tell me, sir" he said to the
scratcher, chow the Florida orange
crop is this year along the lower Gulf
Coast?'
Fair to middlin,' believe, sir" was
the reply Shut nothing like ours down
on the Indian river, sir. That's Gods
own country for oranges, you bet."-
N. Y, Tribune.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
PRESENCE OF MIND.
IL Was Shown by Gold Digger Under
Trying Circumstances.

| Az " 90 ShO"h NY u .OlGXcf Under
Trying Circumstances.
have heard of many striking exhibi.
lions of presence of mind in the face OF
sudden danger, but here is an instance
OF it which beats every thing of the kind
that has ever come under my notice.
can vouch for the truth of the story.
An Australian ''forty-niner," who had
struck it fairly rich at the gold diggings,
was taking his nuggets and dust to Mel.
bourne. He was walking along by the
side OF his team with his rifle under his
arm, indulging in pleasant speculations
concerning the good time he would have
after he had sold his gold, when a
stranger appeared on the road, and &C.
costing him, said:
Give us piece of 'baccy, mate"
Those were days when people, espe-
cially those who had been to the dig
gings, didn't stand on ceremony. Sus-
pecting no treachery, the miner thrust
hand into his pocket to get chunk OF
the much-prized weed.
In moment the muzzle of pistol
was thrust against his forehead, and tho
stranger shouted:
'Bail upv' Is.
The stranger was bush ranger, and
that was the way bush rangers ordered
their victims to throw up their hands
before going through them.
Without pausing an instant, although
ne knew that the bush ranger had only
to exercise little gentle pressure with
his fortinger to blow him into eternity,
the miner bawled out at the top of his
| voice:
"Bobr'
There was no "Bob'' around there. If
was ruse conceived by the miner in
the fraction of second and Immediate
~ put into execution to distract the at
tentlon OF the bush ranger It worked.
The bush ranger thought the miner was
calling a companion to his assistance.
he looked around to catch glimpse of
the fictitious Bob" That was the
miners opportunity. Quick as a flash
ne swung his left arm and knocked the
pistol out of the bush rangers grasp,
Then he brought hisrifie to his shoulder
and leveled it at the bush rangers
head. In much less time than it takes
to tell it the situation had been COM
pletely reversed. The bush ranger was
at the mercy of the miner
Now" said he, ''you scoundrel, lust
fold your hands behind your back and
march ahead of me; if you move or try
to runaway I'll save the hangman lob
by letting daylight through you"
In that way the miner escorted the
bush ranger into town and handed him
over to the police.-Toledo Blade.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
PITH AND POINT.


The man who rests lets others over
take him.
Its the man who we ars second J. and
clothes who follows the fashion. Ter
re Haute Express.
The humorist is about the only man
who likes to have his work laughed at.
Boston Courier,
1t was Nine. Roland who said:
"The more know of men the more /
admire dogs"
Better be good than great. You'll
have less competition. The latter bust.
ness is overdone-Puck.
Unfortunate are those who have
just enough sense to realize their own
folly.-Texas Siftings.
When a man knows that he can not
get out of the mud his next impulse is
to go in deeper.-Atchison Globe.
There must be some peculiar fatal.
lty among bright children, else there
would never be such dearth of bright
men and Women.-Youth's Companion.
O. No man has higher opinion OF the
value of woman's love than the fellow,
who for some reason, has always failed
to win it.-Somerville journal.
Character is much like cloth in one
respect. If white, it can be dyed black;
but once blackened, it can not be dyed
white. He alone is happy and great
who needs neither to obey or command
in order to distinguish himself.-Geothe.
The: public opinion that Strengthens
the right and keeps down the wrong
must be watchful as we'll as fearless and
honest. 1t must strike quickly as we'll
as hard. 1t must aim at prevention as
we'll as cure of eyil-doing.-Christian
Advocate.
If people wish to live we'll together,
they must not hold too much logic, and
suppose that every thing is to be settled
by sufficient reason. DR.. johnson saw
this clearly, with regard to married PEG.
pie, when he said: "Wretched would DO
the pair above all names of wretched-
ness who should be doomed to adjust by
reason, every morning, all the minute
details of domestic day."
What honesty is in deeds, sincerity
is in words-the best policy. 1t is a
policy, however, to which the artificial
habits of society are not very favor
able. The forms of politeness, with all
their utility, have this disadvantage,
that, in teaching to restrain the real
sentiments and ideas which can not con-
veniently be expressed, they are apt to
lead to the expression of others which
are not consistent with truth.-N. Y.
Ledger.
Not what man has, but the way in
which he looks at it, is the measure of
mans wealth of possessions. If a man
deems his present property as fully
enough for his needs, he is richer by far
than the man who, with ten times as
much property, is reaching out with
longing for great deal more. Content
ment is of ones self, and not of ones
position and belongings. He who is con-
tented with his present lot, would not
be likely to find contentment in any
other lot in the universe. s. Times.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
Plenty of them. Their worst foes

Plenty Of them. Their worst foes
are wasps. A certain family of wasps--
the sort that makes mud cells under the
caves OF houses-always fills it's cells
full OF spides. The waspof this variety
catches spider often much heavier and
bigger than itself, and first stings it
into 'insensibility The spider thus
stung is rendered senseless, but not
dead; it is put into a state of coma
which lasts for long time, so that at
the end OF from one to three days the
spider is still asleep, as it were, though
living. After thus rendering the spider
helpless the wasp lays an egg on it's
body; the egg matches out, and the
young larva feeds on the body of the
spider until it is ready togo out and see
the world. This is natures way of re-
producing that kind of wasp. In South
America monkeys eat SPIDERS and here
some mice do so also, as well as snakes,
turtles and birds.
There are very few collections of
spiders in this country; the one at the
National Museum is as yet an embryo.
There are probably 5000 varieties OF
spiders in the United States. l have
got together in my collection about LOCO
varieties. Most spiders are soft, and
when dry they have shrunk so IS to be
unrecognizable. Their legs get SO brittle
as to break off by their own weight. So
the only way to do is to keep them in
spirits. which is just as satisfactory
plan from the scientific point of view.
In that manner a great number can
be kept in a small compass. You see,
my LOCO specimens take up no more
room than a little bookcase would.
And, at a moments notice, can find by
the label any variety l am looking for,
pull out the little frame that holds the
row of bottles containing the repre-
sentatives of that variety and exhibit
them in orderly arrangements. If it is
desired to examine any particular speci-
men closely she is spilled out upon
little saucer and subjected to scrutiny
under the magnifying glass. %
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
HERE AND THERE.

i . j. s fF u. Ii.
Never permit tree or vine to over.
bear. A tree or vine that is almost
breaking with its load of fruit, may be
handsome sight, but it is not the most
profitable one.
Cats and young chicks do not thrive
in the same yard. The feline nature
gets the better of the best pussy and
your chicks will disappear. Keep the
cats away from the temptation.
Stop croaking, is tho advice given
by newspaper to farmers. Yes, stop
croaking; consent to being robbed and
let the sheriff turn you out of doors.
Don't grumble; be happy.
Always be careful about fire. In
this connection it is well to advise
watchfulness of the lamps to keep them
in good order. 1t was an exploded lamp
that set fire to Secretary Tracy's house.
Recent experiments prove that salt
is necessity for fowls, and that when IL
is supplied them they keep In better
condition and lay larger number of
eggs. Salt is one of the constituents of
eggs and must be provided.
AS general rule, for tho Matching
OF chickens 81 days are required; for
cartridges, "a days; for pheasants. 25
days; for Guinea hens, a5 days; for COM
mon ducks, SO days; for pea FOWLS %
days; for turkeys, 90 days, for Barbary
ducks, 80 days, and for geese 80 days.
I'm planning the garden arrange SO
that as one crop natures the space will
be occupied by another coming on.
Some OF the smaller and early maturing
varieties can be readily grown between
the rows of the larger, and later would
be out Of the way by the time the room
is needed.
The farmer who does not take proper
care Of his stock or of his farm imple-
ments ought not to say much about the
tariff or any other question. The man
who makes speeches against the tariff
and lets his moving machine rot and
rust in the field, has not got hold Of the
biggest end of his troubles by a jug-full.
BY growing clover and selling tho
hay or allowing the second crop to ma
ture and selling the seed the land can
be impoverished nearly or quite as rap
idly as in the growing of almost any
other crop, as 1t can be grown SO con.
tinuously as to make the land clover
sick.
An exchange advises the farmer to
keep strict account with his orchard
and garden, lie can't do 1t, for If no
did he would have to give it credit for
the doctors bills which would perhaps
have to be paid If he did not have an
orchard and garden, and he can not tell
exactly how much they would be.
If you find cake in the bag OF COW
it is incipient garget; milk her as clean
as possible and battle the udder with
hot water applied with alarge cloth.
and hold the same to the udder, espe-
cially to the part affected, for thirty
seconds at time. If ct the next milk
ing stringy substance comes with the
milk draw it out; this is not pns, but
cheese; not hQrttul TO the milk, Is It
will catch in the ssraiRer' Repeat 4
peeeessry.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
HANDLING COLTS.
A Practical Farmers Views on This Inn.
portant Subject.

Practlcai Farmers Views on This Inn.
portant Subject.
Breaking colts is an easy matter If
not deferred too long. Colts, to make
good, safe horses, must be handled
young. AS a matter of course, they
vary in disposition. But there is one
thing, you must make the colt under
stand you are its master. Halter it at
four weeks old, tie it beside its dam,
give it oats: if 1t struggles at the halter,
pat it, talk to it, treat it about as you
would boy. Never leave it until it
has done as you wish it; do not tease it,
resent its inclination to bite, strike or
kick; rub the fork-handle and shovel
against it's heels and legs; make it
used to noise, bells, blankets
and robes; If frightened, pat it,
talk to it, give it to understand
you are its friend, and it will
have confidence in you. Teach it to
come at your whistle, and give it some
thing when it does. No matter. how
dark it is, or where my colts are, if
they can hear my whistle they come on
the run. and always greet them kindly.
think colt safer and truer, better
horse if broken young to harness; but
nothing but light driving should be ex-
rec.ed until rising four years old.
Break your colt with quick, active
horse. It makes better walker and
driver. When you want it to draw,
commence light, increase gradually,
and the colt will think it can draw any
thing. Teach the colt to stop at whoa"
and use the word steady" if you
want him to 60 slower. Shove the
gearing onto him, rattle the whifle-
tree against his heels. teach
him it is nothing that will hurt him,
and should any thing give way, it will
hold the load coming down hill-at
least, such is my experience. Feed the
colt any thing it will eat. never had
case of collie by changing feed; but /
always used saltwhen changed. Never
feed heavy; water freely while on the
road. There is more danger in water
Ing horse after letting it 60 too long
without 1t. II you have driven hard all
ssy and can not iced or Watss, put him
Y go u III
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
HENRY |. BIOSSAT, Business Manager.
HIS CREDIT WAS GOOD.

Twas winter night, and the hour was late
And the snow lay cold and white,
Bot she saw him as far as the garden gate
To say to him thee Good night
The moon looked down with smiling eye,
And the bright stars winked in glee;
They saw her blush. and they heard her sigh
(For tImid and shy was she).
But they never heetGd the stars or moon
The youth and the maiden fair;
They reach the gate, and a triflinS boon
The lover requested there.
What is the boon?" asked the charming
miss,
In musical voice and low,
ut is that you'll give me sweethearts kiss
My darling, before go.'
ooh, no." she said, as the lashes fell
Ger the eyes of fathomless blue;
"'You'ye wOoed me long and love you well,
ssut can't give kiss to you"
"'rhen loan me kiss, my sweet one, pray,
And you never will know regrets"
eyes, / will," she said, "for my parents say
You are prompt in paying your debts.'
Boston Courier.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
The Burden OF Taxation.

1t is estimated that the annual pro-
duction OF the farms OF Tennessee are
equal to thirty per cent. OF their value.
If this be true, then the farms Of tho
State pay taxes equal to about five per
cent. of the value of their annual prod.
ucts. Now if our corporations are will
ing to stand along with our farmers in
bearing the burdens of taxation, we sug-
gest to the Legislature, as means OF
avoiding all possibility of double taxa
ton, that 1t pass an act taxing all cor.
porations Ave per cent. of the gross
earnings of their business in the State
OF Tennessee. What will our corpora
tions say to charlottesville Demo,
GRAFT
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19

up, giving hay first, water In about IN
hour, and then feed oats. Sec that he
is well taken care OF, and he will be all
right in the morning. I have had
twenty-five years experience handling
horses, and never lost one yet nor had a
runaway, but in break-downs, tip-overs
and accidents l have had plenty, and
came out O. K.-Farm and Fireside,
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
Pure Water for Horses.

If the Importance connected with
furnishing pure water for horses was
carefully understood, we have no doubt
but that many farmers would provide
better means for watering their horses
than they now have. Many diseases
which horses are subject to are the re-
suit of drinking impure water. The
owner of a large stable in New York
City began some time since, to filter tho
water for his horses, and states that
since doing so the cases Of. collie have
decreased seventy-fve per cent. Pure
spring and we'll water do not need to bc
filtered, of course, but where horses arc
watered from ponds, or pools, or streams
which are liable to become stagnant or
anywise polluted, some provision should
be made to purify the water before the
animals are allowed to drink it. A cheap
filter could be made that need cost but
little except what labor is put upon it.
Take a good-sized barrel and fill it with
charcoal, coarsely ground, placing brush
and gravel in it to keep the charcoal in
position. If the water is allowed to run
through a barrel filed in this manner, it
will be even purer than the best spring
water. 1t is recommended that sulphur
be put into the charcoal. This is said
to give the water a medicinal quality
which isvery valuable in keeping horses
In good condition. Cultivator.
Fruit and Vegetable Farming in West
Tennessee.
From an interview with Mr.. w. II.
Horrine, president of the West Tonnes.
see Horticultural Society and one of the
most successful and enthusiastic fruit
growers of the South. the Nashville
American correspondent learns that
there are now about 1900 shippers in
West Tennessee who are engaged in sup
plying the teeming thousands in our
cities with fruits and vegetables.
Mr.. Horrine thinks that with an aver
age crop West Tennessee will be able to
ship this season about 1000 carloads OF
strawberries. This means about 5000
crates, or $4,000, 900 quarts. The prices
realized go from Is cents to SO cents per
quart. At an average Of IS cents per
quart we have the magnificent sum Of
S3,ooO,O00! Put it at 20 cents and there
still remains So, 400, 900.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
Increase in Human Stature.

From archaeological evidence, an En-
glish writer contends that the human
race is growing taller, the increase in
average stature appearing to be about
and inch and quarter in each one thou
sand years. Measurements of old ar
NOR show decided increase in the
height OF the English aristocracy within
five hundred years. Ancient collins
found in Great Britain indicate that the
Romans could not have greatly exceed
ed five feet five inches in average stat
ure. Twenty-Five Egyptian mummies
give an average of 81 inches for males
and IS inches for females. The mummy
of Cleopatra measures about "a inches,
and the most ancient known mummy of
an Egyptian King is only SO inches long.
Christian at Work. %
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19

The destruction of human life by
our railways is attaining truly alarming
proportions. According to the estimates
of the Interstate Commerce Commis.
sioners, the mortality from this cause
in a single year is as high as5,69s, while
for the same period the number of per-
sons injured in railroad accidents
reaches s7,sss. OF course a great pro.
portion In both classes is made up Of
railway employees.