davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
Gambling.

Gambling is worse than stealing because
in stealing the thief inficts no injury upon
his victim except the loss of property,
while in gambling the soul of the victim
is injured. 1t is far worse to injure
mans soul than to in ure his person or his
property. There are men who would be
horri6ed at the thought of plucking out
boys eye, and thus injuring him physi-
cally, while those same men will cheer
fully corrupt that boys soul by teaching
him to gamble, to swear and TO Grilk. -
you break into mans house ana steal
you have ~. n0I7-@3 LIS soul ne is as
good d man as he was before; while if you
gamble with him. you have corrupted his
soul. If men will sin against God let
them do so like men and not like devils
let them corrupt themselves, but let them
not corrupt others. 1t shall be more toler-
able in the day of Judgment for burglars
than for gamblers ; for though the former
have not done the DEVILS own work of
dragging the souls of others down to the
pit as have the latter.
Does this language seem too strong,
dear reader? Read it over again carefully
and see if it is not true. If not true, will
you please point out in what particular it
is false. And if it be true, is the language
too strongf Gambling is not the unpar.
donable sin. Many gamblers have been
forgiven and are now useful Christian
men. But the sin of gambling is one of
blacklist in the catalogue. Those who en-
gage in it have no idea of it's guilt So
blinded are their consciences that they re-
gard it as a sort of gentlemanly diversion.
But looked at in the light of reason and
revelation its terrible guilt becomes mani
fest. 1t reeks of perdition. x
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
An Old Lady Taking Notes.
THE STREAMS SHE CROSSED ON THE CHAT
TANOOGA TO ATLANTA

THE STREAMS SHE CROSSED ON THE CHAT
TANOOGA TO ATLANTA.
''Now, Mr.. Conductor" said snappish
looking old lady as she boarded the Sleep
ing car at Chattanooga, Il want you to tell
me the names of all the places of interest
we pass on the way to Atlanta, for this, I
believe, is the road along which Sherman
| marched"
"4esm'm, replied Mr.. J. B. Jackson,
the conductor, as he cast Els eyes at two
pretty girls with the old lady.
| "Jane, said the old lady to one of the
girls, "you get piece of paper now, and
take down the names the gentleman tells
you" -
| Yes, ma, " replied the girl with smile
| that made the conductors heart ache.
"What stream is that p asked the old
lady as the train passed over tressel.
''That's Chickamauga creek" replied
the conductor.
"Take that down, Jane"
A half mile further down, another stream
was passed,
''What stream is that p again asked the
old lady.
"Chickamauga creek, +" replied the con-
ductor.
"Take that down, Jane"
"What stream is that?' Intercepted
the old lady.
"Chickamauga,"
The old lady began to look suspicious,
but said:
''Take that down. Jane"
"What stream is that one yonder, run
ming into those woods now we are cross
ing it?'
"Chickamauga."
An ominous silence followed until the
same creek had been crossed four addi-
tlonal times.
Another stream was seen bubbling over
the rocky bed.
With timid glance at the yellow waters
the old lady asked
"And what creek is this 2"
"Chickamauga" came the answer in
despairing tone. and the girls looked like
they could bite the conductors head off, as
she said sbappishly;
"Iake that down, Jane"
Another creek was crossed, but the old
lady said nothing. Still another was
crossed, and she asked:
'And that stream is what2"
"Chicamauga."
"Take that down, Jane" was heard in
an almost inaudible voice.
W. UoAo St1Samo ~cic CIoSScO, Dut luo
old lady was silent
Suddenly her face frightened with new
hope as the train pulled up at little sta
ton.
"What pla5 % is this? she asked conf
IDENTIFY.
"Chickamauga," came the monotonous
reply.
"Jane, throw that paper out of the win
dow. That horrid"--
''Hold on, madam - exclaimed the con-
ductor and to save his scalp, no had to
explain that the State road crossed Chicka.
mauga creek fourteen times before reach
ing the station by the same name.
It took the old lady some time to recover
her feelings, but she did after awhile, and
the smile and the sweet words she and her
daughters gave the conductor on leaving
him in Atlanta, cheered him for many
miles along his way.-Atla7ata Journal.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
Josh Billings Philosophy.

All SUCCESSFUL firts hav sharp eyes
one eye they keep on yu and one on the
other phellow.
Vanity liz called discreditabel pashun,
but the good things men do kan oftner be
traced tew their vanity than tew their vir-
tew.
Man is billy eddikated animal.
Don't never phrovesy, yung man; for
if yu phrovesy wrong, nobody will forgit
it, and if yu phrovesy right, nobody will
remember it.
lounge tied wimmim are very skarse
and very valuable.
Excentricitys when they ara natral are
some indcashun ov superior mind those
who think different from others are apt to
act different.
Vain men should be treated az boys
treat bladders-blow them up until hey
bust.
1t il CRATE art tew be superior to others
without letting them kno it.
Thare IL not only plum, bnt thare ia vir-
tue in harry laff animals can't laff and
devils won't.
Don't never quarrel with loafer.
Skurrillity il hiz trade: yu never kan
make him ashamed, but he il sure tew
make yu
hav alwuz noticed that he il the best
talker whoze thoughts agree with our own.
He who ackquires wealth dishonesty
IL too corrupt to enjoy it.-Nsw York
Weeklg.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22

prit, and Mr.. Brown. with hasty "Good
morning" walked away.
''Oh, father" said Berthe, II got the
paper from your desk, and didn't know
there was anything written on the other
side. The valentine was not for you, but
for me-"
"For your" said Mr.. Wilson.
Eyes; l wanted to get more valentines
than Rhoda," sobbed unhappy Berthe.
Then why did you direct it to me p
asked his father.
Berthe wiped his eyes, drew himself up
and said: 81 am Herbert Wilson, ESQ.,, as
well as you."
Mr.. Wilson laughed; he could not
help it,.
ooh, Herbert Wilson, Esq, Junior, you
are picket Come to your mother and
be talked to. It's very good thing for
you | did not go to the meeting"
That night BERTHE again dreamt of VAL
entine's Day, but there was only one this
time, and that was not addressed to Her
bert Wilson, ESQ.," but only to ''Bertie"
BRONZE, IN Little Folks.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
The Gentlemanly Burglar and the Slot.

The Gentlemanly Burglar and the Slot
The gentlemanly burglar went to the
National the other evening says the Wash
ington Post. The burglar was very much
| interested in the patent drop -dime-i the
-s1ot-and-get a-pair- of-opera glasses box.
He looked it over, and ever and anon
| chuckled within
''Well, this is fine. Now let US see.''
He dropped dime in at the top, turned
the screw and the lid fell. The glasses
came out.
I'm New York they had printed on the
lining statement that the opening of the
box was communicated to the ticket Office
outside by some electrical device But it
was fake, and they had to chain the
glasses as these are chained. Now, let US
see''
He took pair of nippe5s from his
pocket and cut the chain. The glasses
were placed in his overcoat.
"Hum! ha p'
He deftly took hairpin from the lady
in front, gave it few bends, and went to
work. In just forty seconds he had got
into the cash till and recovered his dime
with three others. He then pushed it
back in place. The lid still remained open.
He gently pushed it to.
You have to use special key to lock
it up. Now see."
He gave the hairpin another twist,
probed into the slot at the top, hooked
something and gave pull. The lid was
closed, the opera glasses gone and the till
tapped. He Strengthened the hairpin,
gave it the proper turn, and inserted it
among the lady's tresses.
''Some time within month that box
will be opened" said he, as he walked out
''and disappointed glass hunter will have
row with the doorkeeper, or whoever
has it in charge. The company is getting
up some electric devices to indicate when
one of their opera glasses goes out doors.
1t will work by magnetic attraction at the
door. But the first man they haul up will
have bunch of keys that set the machine
to jumping, and the first lady will have
steel corset ribs. Oh, it is great schemel'
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
How Edison Made a Bug.

wonder how many readers ever hear i
the wonderful story of how Edison made a
bug? 1t happened away back in 1880 or
1881, before the electrician had become
count, and known in the most remote cor
ners of the world. There had been two
or three persons killed bv the electric
wires, and people were seriously contem-
plating some plan to get them ont of the
way and still keep the wonderful white
light.
Edison proposed that the wires be put
in the gas pipes; but how on earth were
the pipes to be threaded" with the cleo
trio wires2
After studying the matter one night Ed
ison said to fellow electrician 'sWhy,
see here, johnson, I'll make bug that
will drag wire through every foot of
pipe in New York City, if it becomes
necessary"
make bug2" exclaimed his compan-
ion, thinking the inventor had lost bis
mind. "What in the world do you mean 2"
swell, I'll make bug" said the in
ventor, confidently, ssthat will go where I
send him, and drag wire, too"
A few days afterward he laid curiously
constructed thing on the table in the office
before time to go to work. it was his gas
pipe bug. 1t was constructed thus: A
minute electro-magnes, carrying behind it
a fine insulated wire pawl. Now observe
every time the circuit was closed through
the magnet the armature was attracted,
the pawl clutched the sides of piece of
gas pipe provided for the occasion, and
the magnet behind was drawn toward the
armature about the sixteenth of an inch
When the circuit was opened the arma-
ture reached forward ready to take sec
ond step. Thus, at every closing of the
circuit, the little bug advanced one step,
dragging the wire behind. No doubt this
description will be hard for the non expert
TO understand, but as everybody knows
something about electricity nowadays, q
tolerably comprehensive idea may be
formed of how the bug travelled, even
though the reader never saw an electric
motor of any kind. st. Louis Republic.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
The Chickens and the Coon.

A hen disappearing from my hen house
every night, it was not known whether to
attribute the loss to q two or four. legged
animal. Calling in professional hunter,
he said it was the work of raccoon, for
the feathers lying about indicated that the
fowls were killed on the spot, as 'tcoons'
always do, while foxes seize them by the
neck, throw them over their own backs
and depart without tearing any feathers.
Promising to apprehend the culprit, he
placed piece of fresh meat in corner of
the fence near by, and fastened it to the
ground by driving crotched stake down
across it. He then placed two steel traps
in front of the meat, in such manner as
he would catch the animal by both or
front and hind leg, for if caught by only
one leg they frequently gnawed that off
and got away, but if two legs are fast, to
gnaw both off is more OF a task than they
can do in one night. Remarking that he
did not cover the traps so the animal could
not see them, as is done in setting traps
for most kinds of animals, he said: .tCoons
are foels; they care no more for traps and
chains than dog does" Next morning,
sure enough, q 90 pound coon was found
caught by two legs. The animal had
made considerable progress in gnawipg off
one of his feet. When informed of the
success of his plan he said, smilingly:
Every man to his trade. "--NeD Fork
Tribune.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
A Remarkable Cripple.

Isaac Hoffman, of Carveton, Pa, whose
only means of locomotion is upon his
hands and knees, is one of the famous
hunters of that region. He has never been
able to walk. He can operate mower,
reaper or horse rake equal to any one. AS
a loader of hay and grain he is hard to
excel. He has often driven one and two
horses, and has no fears of their getting
away. He assists in most of the work
about his fathers farm, and as chopper
of wood none but those who have wit
messed his welding of the ak would be-
lieve the amount he can cut in short
time. During the last dozen years of his
life his chief enjoyment is to travel over
the hills with his gun and dog, and as
marksman he is pretty hard to excel. In
coming down flight of stairs he always
descends head forec2,eeGct.. GGInstougo 1Fsnid
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
yICTOR'S VALENTINE.

I'm going to write a valentine.
I'm sure don't know why,
But all the boys are doing 1t,
And so guess I'll try;
They tell a girl they think her cheeks
Are like the roses red
your eyes are like the violets,"
That's what one fellow said
But then who shall I send mine tof
There's lots Of girls know,
But not single one
I'd want to write to so:
All, now I've thought of somebody,
And not a valentine
Will 90 to one who is half as nice
As she who will get mine.
Victor writes steadily for some moments, then
reads aloud:
Your hair is as brown as chestnut,
Your eyes are the sky's own blue.
I'll bet, in all the world, there is no one
Who's half as pretty as you.
'And though, dear, I don't always show IT.
Hove you with all my heart
think it would just about kill me,
fyou and had to part.
Perhaps when I grow up to manhood.
I'll have to wander afar,
But I'll never forget my first sweetheart,
My pretty bright, jolly mamma
-Y0uth'S COMPANION.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
THE NEW SCHOLAR.
Old Ponto was kind and gentle
As ever a hnrSn onl1ld hi

Old Ponto was kind and gentle
AS ever horse could be!
When Johnnie and Lulu drive him,
He seems to say. johnnie, now we
Must be very watehful and careful
That accidents do not befall."
And when they whipped him and urged him,
He didn't mind it at all
But trotted RI ht on so sedately
As If to say, That's all in Jest;
know when the children drive me-
Little master, what gait is the best?"
The school children all rode him bare back.
Cor his pasture was near their play ground
And when boys the most daring played
''cipsus,''
Riding standing the wide circle round,
Old Ponto just seemed to enjoy it
AS if he the fun understood,
While his honest face had an expression
As though he would laugh if he could,
He shared from their baskets of luncheon
OF turnovers, apples and cake,
At noon and recess ever eager
To one of their company make
One day while hard at their lessons
A sound caught each listening ear,
Anu "Hat snoulu lucy see Dut OLD POntO
With head in the doorway appear,
While he looked very gravely about him
AS If to observe every rule,
Then low whinny gave, as though saying,
I'm new scholar, just come to school 7"
The children all shouted with laughter,
At which Ponto gave not frown,
But was led back to pasture by Johnnie
Who had carelessly left the bars down.
Mrs 4. Giddinos Park, IN Christian at Work,
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
Something to Live For.

TIE lack of something to live for besides
the qualifications and pleasures of this life
has made shipwreck of many character
that otherwise would have been adorned
and useful. Something to live for, is like
an anchor upon which hope leans amid the
ten pest riven sea of life. The heart may
falter, and the soul may grow weary, but
both will revive and freshen again if they
can only give back a true echo of these
words-something to live for. Glorious is
the thought that all may have something
to live for, all have something, if they will
but grasp it.
Something to live for This is sweet
consolation for the worn and weary, filling
them with hope amid the struggles of life
and enabling them to feel and know that
they are not living in vain.
DIearY indeed must be that soul that has
no grand and noble object to live for.
Reader have you something ennobling, ell
evating and useful to live for? Are you
trying to make the world better by living
in it? If SO, you have the right
aim, and God will bless you and make
your life blessing to others Christian
V1sifor
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
THE SILVER LINING.

Above my head, beneath my feet,
The black clouds roll In fury by;
Iglance as far as eye can see,
And naught but storm clouds fill my sky,
No ray of light, no sunbeam shining,
No glimmer of silver lining.
About my soul and on my heart
The shadows fall In silence grim.
The murky clouds have filed my brain,
And left my weary vision dim,
My soul in grief and woe repining,
Can see no cleaning silver lining.
Clouds of the nast but roll away
To let the present gloom appear.
While future years rise dark and stern
With threat'ning cloud heads far and near.
The hand of fate my lot designing,
Obscures the blessed silver lining.
Roll on, dark clouds with grief oppressed
Thy vaporing mists must pass away.
The soul but bears its destined load
of sullen SORROWS day by day.
Some welcome breeze thy mists entwining,
Must vet disclose the silver lining.
---Lurana ". Shetdon.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
A Solemn Court.

81 stopped at an out-of the-way cabin il
Georgia" says the traveller, ''to git 81
drink of water. ! noticed number o.
men, in short sleeves and wearing bed itch
suspenders, sitting under q tree. They
were gathered about a pine table upor
which l noticed several volumes of patent
Office reports. did not know that the as
sembly was one of solemn ceremony until
| asked for drink of water. Then 9
gaunt man with long neck and eyes that
wore an expression of dead set looked up
and said:
"sAir you from SIGH an unciyilized
country that you don't know how to be-
have yourself when court is in session.
Excuse mel answered, i did not
know that this was court
I" But it is, sab, and | want you to I'M
| derstand it. You have come up here an
throwed a chunk under the wheels of ies-
tice. A man is drawd up here on trial fur
his life'
"'You don't mean to say that this is a
court of such serious jurisdiction
Yes, l do mean to say it, and if you
even hint that don't I'll send you to Jail
for contempt
Pardon me; 1 do not mean to be Of
fensive.'
Good thing you. don't; I'll tell you
that
"'May ask why you are trying this
manp
"'Yes; he stole set of pillow gear
"'But is that capital offenseY
L don't know what sort of offense
you call capital, but when man steals
gear in this community-why,t that settles
it with him.
"'Pardon me, but that isn't law
'Mout not be in an uncivilized COM
munity, but it is here
" Are you circuit judge?'
"'Worse than that; l am Justice of
the peace
"'But under the law you have no au-
thority to sentence man to death"
Ha, you dispute my authority? Mr..
Constable, arrest this man.
GA man stepped forward and placed his
hand On my shoulder. You are under
arrest said he. Try to git away, and I'll
hurt you
81 saw by the determined faces about
me that | was in serious predicament.
Gentlemen said |, you surely would
not harm an innocent man. You"
"'That's enough the judge broke in.
You have come along here aud have tried
to overthrow our local self. government.
Secession was grave offense, but nothing
compared to this. You have committed
treason. Mr.. Constable, have you got
roper
II began to beg. I told them that was
their friend. ! said that would do any
thing for them.
sc i am inclined to excuse your ignor-
ance, said the judge, but what assurance
can you give us-what proof that you re
spect our local rights, generously granted |
% us by the Constitution of the United |
statesT
:" Gentlemen, I have nothing but good |
will. l.
"tWhas have you got in your saddle
oagsr
:" Nothing but two quarts of whisky
hat bought for medicinal purposes
BRING it and give it to us as pledge
If good faith
81 did so, and as I rode away I congra.-
Hated myself upon my escape. Shortly
afterwards, upon arriving at village, 1
old the story of my adventure. The
rowd in the postofice laughed. That is
|. favorite joke of those fellows q man re-
marked. They never fail to get stranger
whisky. '"-ArkGnsdao Ira0sler.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
Driving a Yoke Of Oxen.

We were sitting on the veranda of a
village hotel in Wisconsin when a man
drove up with yoke of oxen and entered
the hardware store opposite.
1.-THE OK is curious animal when you
come to study him." observed the agent of
New York hardware house.
eyes, and it is quite knack to drive a
yoke of them,' replied the drummer from
Philadelphia house.
Pooh I"
"Don't you believe it?'
"Naw ! Anybody can drive oxen"
''They can, Ell? I'll go you five that
you can't drive that yoke around the square
without an accident of some SORT"
"Done?"
And we went over and told the farmer
what was up, and promised him the stakes
no matter who won. He looked rather
anxious, but finally consented, and the
drummer took the CAD, stepped to the
shoulder of the high OK, and called out
Gee up, boys-come along, noww
They looked at him in establishment,
shook their heads, and the farmer called
out:
'sLook out little for that off OK. He's
been sort O. sneezy all day."
ooh, I'm onto him. Gee up, say p
He touched the off one with the CAD, and
they moved off at fast pace. We fol-
lowed, of course, and they proceeded
fairly well to the first corner. Here was
where they were to turn to the left, and
the drummer called out:
ssGee there, boy-whoal gee p
But they didn't. They put their heads
down, elevated their tails. and started for
the country on wild run, and in three
minutes were out of sight. The farmer
received the $40, and then he started after
them. We did not see him again until
dark. Then he came in on foot to hunt us
up, and say:
Boys, it was kind in you to give me
that $40, but when come to figure up
accidents | find myself just $37 short.
That ERE partner of yours had better let
oxen alone after this, and try hogs or
geese. "-Neao York San.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
A True Cat Story.

When was little girl l used to fish
from deep brook that ran at the foot of
the hills near fathers house. would tie
bent pin to 8 length of apple Irvine, and
lying face down on the planks that bridged
the brook in the cart road, would watch
the little fishes nibble my bait till had
hooked one or more of them.
One day our old tortoise shell cat came
and sat down on the planks close beside
me. She craned her head over the end of
the bridge, and with glistening eyes
watched the shining little fellows that
swan around my hook in the water At
last fat club took hold of my bait, and
pulling him out, | gave the wriggling fish
to the eager watching old cat, who seized
it with growl of approval
The next day old pussy came into the
Kitchen as wet as drenched rat-not a
dry hair on her sleek coat.
"Where has that cat been 2" we all cried,
and we had occasion to repeat that excla-
ma'ion the next day, and the next, and
the next, for each noontime pussy made
like appearance, creeping in under the
kitchen stove to dry her dripping fur.
''Maybe she falls into the cistern when
watching for MICE" mother said. eff she
gets into the cellar through that scuttle
hole window it must be boarded. One of
you children keep close watch of her to-
morrow"
But it was not in the cistern where
pussy had taken her daily bath, but in the
brook. saw her the next forenoon, sit
ting at one end of the plank bridge, and
crept near to watch her.
She was eagerly peering down into the
water, lashing her tail and poised for
spring. Then came a flying leap,
quick splash and shower of glittering
drops, then big commotion under the
water, and up out of the brook pussy
darted, putting and sneezipg, dripping
from ears to tail, but with slippery, flop
ping club fercely held in her teeth.
Our smart old cat had simply learned
how to go fishing for herself-Garassa
Potter. &a SpJiRo1jsJG homestead