davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

sution, Noudooism, was still extant aud practlced in that quarter.
 "Ihe negroes meet and practice their perstitious rites at this day with much more frequency than they did Tn the days of slavery" said the colonel
 ''Wbere do they meetF l asked.
 Their meeting places are always kept secret by the partic,pauts for fear of some te ri To ir' crding danger threatened by the Voudoo priest or priestesS but AUu kuow the negro nature, sald the colonel; they will leak. and some one not among the lniti- ated will get clew to their move ments. Caleb there knows where they meet somewhere in Alligator swamps. anu perhaps We can prevail upon him to tell Us.
 Ca eb. who was waiting on the table, was called up and iuterrogated. At first the datkev displayed considerable fright, but In a few minutes, after having been assured Of protection, he rep lied
 "Dis ngeah's no hoodo darky. Neber did hheve n sich trash. nohow. l'se kno'd lots Q triggers b lieb in Voudoo an to carry dem charms an fetsh's $, but none ob 'em eber mounted 10 nutln.'
 Gan you pilot us to one of the gatherings ifyou know of one here- aboutS.'
 "Yes, Mass Jim; dere's 10 be big Noudoo meetin' in Gator swamp to- morry night, an all de nigs bout Mat tamuskeetll be dar A big Voudoo
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
PRECIOUS STONES.
Where Some of Them Are Found fin
 the United States.

Sapphires and rubies are found near Helena, Mont, but they are not of the standard blue and red shades so much prized. They have never been med systematically, though within the last two years companies have been formed to mine for them either separately or incidentally to the search for gold. Emeralds have been mined to small extent in Alexander county in North Carolina, and some bervls have been discovered in Colorado, at New Mill ord in Connect cut, and at Stone ham ln Maine. The turquoise is now systematically mined near Los Corl- los. in New Mexico, but it lacks the softness of color distingui hing the Persian turquoise, though 1t is fully equal to 1t In hardness. The finest garnets in the world, rivaling those from the Cape of Good Hope. are col lected by the Navajo Indians and by soldiers from the adjacent forts from ant hills and scorpion nests in New Mexico and Arizona. The Indians trade them for stores, and they are sent to the market in parcels weig hing sometimes as much as thirty or forty pounds.
 This about completes the list of the better known and more important precious stones hat are found inthe United States. The small amount obtained of each and their respect we frequency are suggested by Mir Kunz' statistics of tie value of the native gem production in 1889: Sap phires, SG, ,f25; emeralds, S450; tur- quoises, $22, ,675: sarnets. s2,30S.
 Accordingly, ali except an insignif- cant part of The precious stones bought in this country are imported, and the demand is increasing. The value of the imports from tS.0 to 1875 was less than S2i, LOGO ,oG0, and between 1880 aud 1859 it was more than 1000. 900, or more than three times as great. The in- crease has been steady. Tine value of the gems imported in 1889 was nearly twice that in 1se0. and more than six times he importation CT 1870. In no other country of the world is the use of these ornaments so general as here.
 Diamond cutting is extensively prac- ticed in the United States. In New York alone are sixteen firms pursuing the business. much of their time being expended tn recutiing stones previously cut abroad; for our wo rkmanship is superior. From tIie latter part of 1888 to the end of 1859 the price of rough diamonds advanced from 50 to 100 per cent. The great reduction in weight due to cutting is shown by the fact that diamonds or diamond material which weighed 54.344 carats before cutting weighed only 25, 005 carats af- terward. N ne-tenths of this work is done in Nov York; which b tho greot
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
Tests or Knowledge.

The Arabs of Northern Africa still consider themselves the only civilized nation of the Dark Continent, and one of their Cairo newspapers describes the barbarous ignorance of the Abyssinian mountaineers, who hardly know the names of two or three of the thir. i, principal constellations of the starred Armament" It would be interesting ts know that Arabian critics comments cn .he state of astronomical education in North America, where, at n very liberal estimate, perhaps one of forty thousand grangers would be able to establish the identity of single star even Jupiter, the monarch of the plan. cts. being constantly confounded with the evening star
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

being physically obvious to all malarial influences. They live and thrive where n white man dare not remain.
 The correspondent travelled many days horseback from Pasquotank, which borders on the Great Disma I swamp, almost due south to the South Carolina line. and yet was seldom out of sight of one of those huge swamps, which remind one so for cibly of Stan- lev's New Africa.
 Our trip was certainly one over strange scenery. among most peculiar people. Lay after day. through pine flats. over rivers, and across dism l, gloomy swamps, we were pifoted by an old darkey. whose existence had been spent for halt century or mora within he shadows Of some more or less gioonty swamp.
 One morning Denton, my old guide. and myself left Lake Iattamuskee t with negro guide who answered in that sectton to the sugges i've cogno- men Of Little Snapper Aut who in earlier days bad teen christi eued Caleb Thompson Caleb was short, bow legged darkey of Guinea ancestry. He claimed, and ersiste entlv, that hs was direci descendant of one of the Kings ol that superlatlveiy governed country. However that may have been Caleb was certainly a splendid guide-a colote genius in his way, and one of the best foreigners ever met.
 Caleb's first movement as guide was to conduct us 10 the old plauta ton of hs quondam owner, Col. Jim Thomp- son, where we met with an old-tme southern reception.
 Col. Thompson received us right rov- ally. and although he didn't kill the fatted calf we were not prodigalsl he set half dozen negro boys at work. and m an hour or more tbe best and most delightful repast we had enjoy cd for many days was set before us.
 hs colonel ard ourselves, his guests spent the night in exchanging nfor. nation. "reminiscences, etc. About midnight tie subject varied nal urally from negroes to negro superstition, when. to my astonlshmeut, the co onel told us that tue great African super
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

Telegrams from II. J. HANCHETTE. Los Angeles announce that the disap- pearance of Mir. Hanchette created g. profound sensation there. The last communication received from the missing man was a letter to his wife Los Angeles, saying that he would hurry home from Chicago. When he failed to arrive an investigation was started, and it was at first thought that he had gone to Texas to look after property that he supposed had been left to him. Itwas also supposed that Hanchette did not start for Los Angeles, but that he went to St. Louis.
 Mir Hanchettes friends in Los An- geles are of the opinion that the ex- citement of the carnival brought on tenn orary insanity, and they think that he is now wandering about the country somewhere between Chicago and Los Angeles. Hanchettes wife thinks her husband has been killed eu route to California. President Wells and all connected with the California display say that Hanchette handled no money except the sum that hap psned to be collected each day and evening as admission fees to the cit. rus exhibit.
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
HOW SHE LOST HER LOVER.

Twas summer ago when he left me here. A summer of smiles with never a tear. Till said to him with sob, my dear!
 Goodbye, my lover; goodbye! For loved him, oh, as the stars love night! And my cheeks for him flushed red and white When he first called me his hearts delight;
 Goodbye, my lover; good-bye!- The touch Of his hand was thing divine, As he sat with me In the soft moonshine And drank of my love as men drink wine,
 Goodbye. my lover; goodbye! And never a night as knelt in prayer, In gown as white as our own souls were. But in fancy he came and kissed me there;
 Goodbye, my lover; good byel But now. 0 God! what an empty place My whole heart is! Of the old brace And the kiss 1 loved. there is not d trace.
 Goodbye, my lover; goodbye! He sailed not over the stormy sea. Ard he went not down in the waves. not he; But oh, he is lost, for he married me.
 Goodbye, my lover; good-byel
 JAMES WHITCoMB RILEY
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
the crowd threw their torches in pile

in the center of the opening.
 The priest, or doctor, dug up from a spot near by large kettle which was filled directly with water and placed upon the fire. As soon as the steam began to arise the negroes picked up their sacks, which they had thrown to one side, and began a march around the boiling kettle to the accompani- ment of a monotonous song. which Caleb said was an appeal 10 Voudoo. They marched around he kettle sev- eral times, when the priest, who led the chant, approached the kettle and deposited the contents of his sack, which appeared to to be long snake of some kind. The others followed. each ID turn, releasing from his or her sack and depositing in the now seethiDg water a snake, lizard, turtle, frog, or other reptile or small animal, until all had contributed to the m s. cellaueous and loathsome mass. As soon as all the participants had de- posted their offerings and thrown aside their empty sacks, the Voudoo doctor. tall gaunt, villainous-looking negro. with punched gray. krink ed halr on his head, and short, gray beard began chant in some gibterish we could not understand; then began a dance. followed by the others in single file, around the kettle 1t would be imposs ble to describe the writhings, twistings, and contortions winch fol lowed for a few minutes. Every par tcipant simply seemed to be doing his utmost to throw himself out l of joint, while the whole crowd sang or shrleked in a monotonous tone mys- tic jargon. Presently the priest ap- preached the kettle followed in turn
 by the others in serpentiue dance, untli close to the cauliron, when he 1 plunged what appeared 10 be forked stick into. the boiling mass, quickly withdrawing 1t with a foot of snake or some other loathsome reptile impaled upon it. In short tune every member of the crowd had some object lmpaled on his wooden fork The dance still progressed, and as each one sue ceeded m impaling a part of the sick eBing mess he reJoined the dance, and wlth added energy contributed toward making the fantastic group appear more like demons thAn men and women as they whrIed, jumped twisted, and writhed about, holding high above their heads this mpa ed reptile, and then lowering it 10 their mouths and swallowing it. Well, l was completely disgusted at the sight and left the scene at once. It was many days before the sight left my | mind
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

its fullest dignity. ''l know .n n ne. customary to uac any common sense on the question of love, but had . friend who took . mans simple word. Ho meant what he promised. but in spite of his love and her faith, he brought untold misery upon her, and was killed in drunken row"
 Ray was subducd by Nell's evident emotion, but again pride whispered
 "She doesn't love you-she puts you on level with a common drunkard."
 As Fourth of July approached great preparations were made for it's ccle bra ton at the county-seat. Nell, who was considered the most graceful and beau tiul girl in the county, was invited to represent Liberty in the parade.
 Ray had been very gay since his talk with Nell at Willow Glen. He and Frank had ayowcd their intention of
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
The D~arsh of Eveu,s.

A Vienna humorist thinks that a syndicate of European periodicals could afford to pay the Russian deficit, in order to relieve the stagnation of the news market by another mighty and merry war" But judging from recent indications the news famine cannot be much more on the Danube than in the valley of the Ohio The Cincinnati En- quirer of May 51 devotes two closely printed columns of its first page to the description of "court-martial" which the ''staff officers. of the Salvation army convened for the purpose of try ing the devil
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

doctor from Clumbus county an mebbe ole Hetty, de pr est's wife, will bofe be dar. The colored folks is gittin' reddv. but you white folk no dat it's dang'us to be caught. Dey'll kill de whole passel ob us, dey's so fatuated W q dat foo ishness."
 With.a little persuasion and a few bright silver dollars Calebs scruples were overcome, and he agreed to pilot us 10 the spot
 "The nj ht having arrived, we sad- dled our horses and started ostensibly for Pelican creek to fish with torches, but after having gotten out of sight and hearing we changed our course and rode directly for the rendezvous appointed. Caleb was there afoot.
 After telling us to put out our lights and to hide ourselves behind . narrow fringe of swamp grass, Caleb said:
 Dat little island is de spot wbar de Voudoo worship am carryd on. Dey's used it Tor long time. Purty soon
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
WASHINGTON'S MOTHER.
| MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED
 OVER HER GRAVE.
Patriotic Women at Work Will Raise Money for the Purpose by Selling the Portrait of the HerO's Mother.

Mrs. L. J. Beard, New York busi- ness woman and most patriotic American, has been empowered by Mrs John J. Goolrlck, President of the Mary Washington Monument associa- ton, of Fredericksburg, Va., to take steps towards the raising of fund to aid in the erection of new monument to pe placed over the grave Of Mary Washington, the mother of George Washington, at Fredericksburg. The present monument was erected many years ago, and has not only never been finished, but has fallen into partial de- cay. The patriotic feelings of the ladies of Virginia became aroused over this fact some time ago. and the pres ent association was formed for the pur
 pose of erecting a new monument.
 Mrs Beard's plan is to have a large number of steel engravings made of Mary Washington, taken from an oil painring now in the possession of de- seendants of GeorgeW ashngton living at Fredericksburg. This is the only likeness of Mrs. Washington in exist ence and was painted in England. While being brought to this country the face of the picture was slightly damaged. Fifty-five years ago an ef- fort was made in Philadelphia to rem edv the injury, but with sligh, success.
 The proposed engraviugs will be made by q New York firm Of acknowledged ability and will be quite large in size. It is e>timated that four months will be required to complete the work. The engraving will be placed on sale in all parts of the country at a moderate price. Special arrangements will be made for It's sale at the Worlds t'air The receipts will be placed in the
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
DIT. VERNON " i7se.
Washingssn IaepsA se Find Happiness
 in Seelusiom.

Tn letter from Mount Vernon, dated July 10, l750, Washington wrote a fol lows: "I am now, l believe, fixed in this seat. with an agreeable partner for life, and hope to find more happiness in retirement than I ever experienced in this wide and bustling world"
 This was no utopian dream, trans iently indulged amid the charms of nov city. It was deliberate purpose with him, the result of innate and enduring inclination. Throughout the whole course of his career agricultural life ap- peared to have been the beau ideal of his existence which haunted his thoughts, even amid the stern duties of the field, and to which he recurred with unfagging interest, whenever unable to indulge his natural bias. Mount Vernon was his harbor of repose, where he repeatedly furled his sail and fancied himself anchored for life. No impulse of ambition tempted him thence, noth- ing but the call of his country and his devotion to the public good The place was endeared to him by the memory of this brother, Lawrence, and of the happy days he had passed here with that brother in boyhood; but it was de- lightful place in itself and well, calcu- lated to inspire the rural feeling. The mansion was beautifully situated on a swelling height crowned with wood and commanding a magnificent view up and down the Potomac. The grounds immediately about it were laid out somewhat in the English style. The estate was apportioned into separate farms devoted to different kinds of culture, each having it's allotted labor CTS. Much, however, was still covered with wild woods, scanned with deep dells and running water and indented with inlcts-haunts of deer, and lurking place Of foxes. The whole woody region along the Potomac from Mt. Vernon to Bclvoir and far beyond, with its range of forest and hills and picturesque promontories, affording sport of various kinds and was noble hunting ground. Washington had hunted through it with old Lord Fair fax in his stripling days. We do not wonder that his feelings throughout his life necessarily reverted to it.
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
rns~l

surroundings and concluded to give tip the study of law. One night he un- bosomcd himself to the Edmonds family by saying that he intended to come West.
 "What do you want to do?" asked the elder Edmonds.
 Just what you are doing. 1want to 60 into the cattle business. I thought of buying out the Murdoek ranch, ad- Joining this, and when I nm ready, (uild. l shall write to Clifford tomor- row and get statement of what is coming from my dead mothers estate. shall invest all have in it."
 Ray carried out his plans. There was no one 10 ''say him nay" and he had become infatuated with the west. He found himself the possessor of S1o,- 900, besides the home place, which he did not care to sell. He bought the Murdock place and invested the rest of his money in cattle. Frank Edmonds was caring for a band of his own, and tho two young men were constantly to- gether as Ray had arranged to board with his friends.
 Pretty Nell Edmonds was the belle for many miles around, and received marked attention from all tho prosper ous young ranchmen. but she showed no favor to any one until Ray Kingsley came, when it was observed she really enjoyed his society, and everybody pre- dicted a speedy marriage and happy couple. Ray was general favorite, as he quickly fell in" with all customs and was at home anywhere. Indeed, as Frank said. Ray was made for west erncr."
 Such being the case. it was not strange that he easily formed the habit of drinking when asked. To his sur prise and pleasure he found that he could take good deal without showing any visible effect With poor Frank it was different.
 Social life was necessarily restricted In such sparsely settled districts, but tho young people rode out great deal, and Nell was the best lady rider in that part of the country. One lovely June rAey Ray asked Nell to ride, and they Stcbk the road to the Murdock ranch, which Ray had named "Willow Glen,'
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

assisting the cowboys to "raint the town red" on the Fourth, and early that morning they started off with many tests, and Nell and her father soon followed. The young men re- paired to their fayorite saloon, and then ensued round of treats, after which party of eight sat down for a game of cards. Frank was consider ably muddled and soon grew silly, and his speeches caused roars of laughter in the group.
 Soon there came a sound of music, and us it came nearer the young men became aware that the procession was approaching and would pass the saloon. Frank sprang up, exclaiming in his drunken way
 "I'm a-goin'! Wy not? Horse right out ere! Easies' thing to join 'em! C'm on, fellers!"
 They all laughed and he reeled out. They caught sight of him as his horse reared around, bewildered by the mus ic and his riders contradictory move ments. Nearer came the procession, the band playing Hail Columbia" :" The wagonload of girls dressed in white. with the flag draped and Liberty standing in the center, was just oppo- site the window. The band clashed, every patriotic spirit responded with "Three cheers for the red, white and blue" There was commotion, q scream of horror. sudden halting along the line, and Ray, still sitting at the card table, heard dis tinctly: "Iie's deadl Oh, he's dcad!" in Nell's voice, the usually silvery tones fraught with grief and terror. Then, as If in pantomime. he saw the sunny haired, golden-crowned Liberty lifted out of the car of state and her fiutter- ing flag draperies partially cover pros trate form some men were carrying into the next house. Ray and the other young men, stupcfied with drink and q nameless horror, still sat at the table, but now Ray arose. steadyiug himself by the table, and raising one hand sol emnly, he exclaimed:
 "With Gods help. not another drop of liquor shall ever pass my lips"
 Taking his hat he left the room with n firm step.
 
 The Fourth of July had come again, but Ray felt sick whenever he thought of n demonstration. He stayed at home alone, and if retrospection is good for man, ne surely should nave beed bcnc- tited. He sat under n tree about four o'clock in the afternoon, when he heard hoof beats, and glancing up saw-could he believe his eyes.-Nell Edmonds, sit ting quietly on her horse, gazing at the spot she had selected for building. Ray readily saw she had come because she believed him to have gone away. From his position he could see her earnest, sad expression, and at last saw her clasp her hands and murmur--
 "oh, Ray, Ray! How can you bc so cruel?"
 In an instant he was beside her, cry :ng eagerly
 But how did know you could trust uc9"
 And with roses chasing over brow and cheek she said, softly
 Don't you suppose I heard of your Declaration of Independence?"
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

hands of an executive committee, among them being several citizens of New York whose high standing will be guarantee that the money will be properly applied. A caveat to secure the copyright of the engraving has been filed by Mrs. Beard at Washing ton. She intends to offer prize for the best poem embodying the virtues of Mrs. Washington and making refer ence to the erection of the new monu- ment. This poem will be inscribed on slab of onyx, to be inserted in the base of the monument. The material composing the present monument will be used n the construction of the one to be erected. Any portion of the fund remaining after the new monument has been completed will be devoted to purchasing all relics formerly belong ing to the Washington family which
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
OLDEST LIVING TWINS.
The Distinction Belongs to LOvlca
 Matteson and Sally Clark.

The oldest twins now living in the United States are Mrs. Lovica Matteson and Mrs. Sally Clark, born at Rutland, Vt., in lS03, and consequently 90 years of age at the present time. Their par ents, named Fisk. had twelve children i've boys and seven girls-several of whom died, but none below the age of so, while one lived to be 91. The ather died at 95 and Mrs. Fisk at 92. Mrs Mattsson has attended to the sick for. fifty years and still ministers to the afflicted. She had five children and lives with one of the surviving three at Angola, N. Y. Her memory is re- markable and she has wonderful stock of "reminiscences. Mrs. Clark
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03

center of the American trade In tho precious stones, while London is tho chief market of the world for rough diamonds Nothing, by the way, 10 bought and sold on a closer margin than the rough diamond. The amount of cutting done here increased by 9z per cent in the ten years from 1880 to 1889.
 The value of the diamonds and other precious stones imported into this country in 1889 alone was $11, ,705, ,000.
The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
HON. DAN DOUCHERTY. The silvertongued Orator Who Want
10 Nominate Cleveland.

Daniel Dougherty, of New York, who nominated Grover Cleveland for President of the United States in 1884.
 IS one of the most conspicious figure. Tn American politics, as well as one of the leading lights of the American bar, Mir. Dougherty began life as a poor boy and worked himself up to his present enviable wealth and prominence by great perseverance. He believes there