davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Kissing.

A correspondent who describes himself
as ga man of mature years, but limited
social experience" wants to know
'.If there is any trustworthy record as to
the origin and practice of kissing, l have
been told" he says, THAT every tribe of
people that have been found anywhere in
the world are addicted to the practice. l
should like to know if that is so, and also
who were the first people to begin kiss
ing"
So far as our Investigations show, the
FIRST kiss on record is the osculatory salute
between Isaac and his son Jacob, men,
toned in the 9th chapter of Genesis; but
it is not unreasonable to suppose that
Isaac had kissed the mother many times
before he had exchanged kisses with the
son.
The ancient Hebrews seem to have re-
duced kissing to an exact science, and to
have given it nomenclature. We find
from the Old Testement that they had the
kiss of homage, of subsection, of reconcile
alton, of appreciation, of welcome, of love
and Joy, of sorrow, of peace, of idolatrous
worship, of valediction, of gratitude, and
many others. We also read in the Scrip
ture of hypocritical kisses, like that be-
slowed by Joab on Amasa when abont to
slay him and worst and foulest of all, of
the traitorous salute by which Judas be-
trayed the Saviour.
The primitive Christians interchanged
kisses before receiving the communion, as
token of religious fellowship. An
attempt was made some years ago at a
certain place Of worship In New York to
revive the practice, but owing to modern
dooanaracv or some other cause, the
kissing church" was far from being a
moral and religious success. Scandals
envenomed tongue soon began to wag
against the brothers and sisters, and the
experiment was given up.
it is not true that every tribe of people
indulge in kissing. Some of the lower
tribes do not seem to know anything about
that s'token of affection which is so dear
to the more enlightened races. But among
people who have risen little above the
savage state. it seems that kissing, as Dog
berry says of reading and writing, ''comes
by nature. ''-New York Ledger.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Beer Drinking Dogs.

The IiM Temperance League Journal
prints the following:
"a Warwickshire laborer was recently
summoned for keeping a savage dog. His
defence was that the dog 5 all right until
the people give him drink. On the day
he bit the man some one had given him a
quart of beer, and when he's drunk he's
always savage Magistrate-Do you mean
to say that the dog gets drunk Defen-
dant-'Yes, sir. People are always max
ing him drunk. He's very fond of drop
of beer The bench held the laborer re-
sponsible, strange to say, and ordered him
to keep his dog under control, and to pay
costs" The only way of controlling the
dog is to keep the drink from him either
by act of Parliament or by some other
method 1t is curious to find that dogs,
like men, grow riotous when they get
liquor, yet it only shows the evil of the
drink and the amount of potential riot
lurking in the beer bottle. And yet men
are regarded as public benefactors who
make beer and whisky, and they receive
titles and honors, as if they had done
great service to the State. If dogs and
men are to be free and at large, we must
see to it that they do not get drunk; would
it not be we'll for legislators 70 study this
question more fully p
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Prohibition in Iowa.

The results of prohibition in Iowa are
in kind Just what they are in other States
an increase of sobriety, industry, provi-
dence, prosperity; and decrease of
drunkenness pauperism, and crime. Last
winter the Des Moines Register noted this
significant fact Every few people know
what trouble the State is having to find
convicts enough for it's use. 1t is a very
unusual situation to. be in, but Iowa really
has difficulty in getting enough prison
labor to complete its contracts al the Fort
Madison penitentiary. Every year the
number of prisoners is decreasing, and the
prisoners that would naturally belong in
the Fort Madison territory don't begin to
be enough to do the work under contract
at the penitentiary there. That's why
two thirds of the State has to be secured
to help out Fort Madison, where the
shops are, and where the contract labor is
being done. That is why Sheriff McGee,
of Sioux City, in the northwest, took
three prisoners the past week clear down
to Fort Madison, in the extreme southeast.
And yet there are only about $40 convicts
at Fort Madison, and still fewer Anamosa
Where else is there State with two mil
lions of people and less than 700 convicss
all told in it's prisons"
keokuk was one of the towns that held
out a long time against prohibition.
Finally it was brought into line with the
law abiding communities of the State, and
the following table Of the statistics from
The Gate City, shows. the difference be-
tween the last six months under saloon
rule and the first six months under pro-
hibition
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Passing Around the Hornets.

l remember joke played on Col. Joshua
Carpenter, native of Paris, think, but
then resident and neighbor Of my father
in the town of Lincoln. Carpenter had a
man at work for him haying by the name
of Parlin. Parlin pitched on and Carpen-
ter laid the loads of hay. One day the
man who put up the hay observing hor-
nets nest On bush carefully plugged up
the entrance with hay, cut the bush and
rolled the nest up in a bunch Of hay. Par
lin, separating the bunch to pile on a part
at time, observed the nest, turned the
hay back quickly and put the whole bunch
up to Carpenter, who in turn uncovered
the nest and also drew out the stopper.
Observing the nest and the hornets he
quickly threw it off the load in the direc-
ton of the oxen, who, being assaulted by
the hornets, started on run for the barn,
overturning the load on the way. Carpen-
ter Jumped from the load when they
started and landed near the nest, sprain-
ing one of his ankles severely and RECEIVED
one of the wsrmest of receptions from the
Reconsideration Journal.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
A Muscular Georgian.

4 gentleman who was in Marietta re
Gently reported muscular feat performed
by NJ. l.. Fontain.
A man from Chattanooga was lifting
chair by the bottom round to show his
muscle.
"Thats nothing" said Fontain. Il can
lift the chair with you in it.
"Ill bet you $50 you can't, said the
Tennesseean.
"All right, sit down." said Fontain.
The man weighed about 1S5 pounds, and
when he seated himself Fontain pulled up
his sleeve and g-asping the round of the
chair firmly, he stesdied himself, and with
outstretched arm lifted the chair and man
several feet from the floor. Then lower
ering the burden, he set the chair back on
the floor, pocketed the $50 and walked off.
-AI1nt1 COustitHti0n
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Sir RaIeigh's Weed.

Over 20, OOO, 900 cigars are manufactured
every day in the United States alone, said
a prominent dealer the other day, and this
enormous number requires in the neigh
borhood of 40 900 boxes for their keeping.
Consequently there are over 200 tories
in the country turning out boxes as fast,
or faster, than cigars are made to fill them.
And it is surprising what an extensive and
expensive plant is required for the making
of cigar boxes A complete box making
plant is planning mill, silk spinning
mill and a printing establishment COM
bined. Besides putting the pieces Of wood
together, fully equipped factory weaves
and fixes up its own silk ribbon wrappers,
and does it's own printing.
The wood of which these boxes are made
comes from Mexico, Central America and
the West Indies. The manufacturers use
very little besides red cedar, and that kind
of timber is rather scarce in this country.
They buy the wood for these boxes in
large, heavy logs, and cut them up to suit
themselves. Only the cheaper grades of
boxes are made from poplar cut in the
West, which is afterwards stained to
initiate the red cedar. But the only real
good wood for packing cigars is the cedar
Which comes from Mexiso, Central Amer
lea and the West Indies. The cedar wood
has peculiar pungent odor, which adds
very much to the taste and favor Of
good igar.-Phl!adelphja RerteN.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Commodore VanderbiIt's First Boat.

Mrs. Waddells friendship with the
founder of the Vanderbilt family was life
long. and her recollections of the great
money getter are Of a nature to cast
strong light upon his personality. The
following story illustrative of his push and
energy in early youth was told:
1t is a well known fact that for years
Commodore Vanderbilt sailed a "peri
auger" and in it took a daily cargo of
green groceries to the New York market.
The shrewd way in which he became skip
per of his first craft is thoroughly charac-
teristic. 1t seems that at the age of 16
"Neilly" had developed a great affection
for rowing, sailing and other water sports.
An old Staten island fisherman had sail
boat which he offered to sell for 800, and
"Neilly" thought if he could only become
the owner of this particular boat he would
indeed be happy. He hadn't the money,
however, and as a last resource applied to
his mother,
"Neilly," she said, "you see that eight
acre lot out there, pointing to an unprom
ising looking stony field.
"Neilly" said he did. "Well, If you
pillow. harrow and seed that lot you shall
have the 800. NELLY" induced several
boys of the neighborhood, by promises of
Jolly excursions, to turn in and help him.
In week they had the job done and the
800 was paid over. Nelly then beat
the owner of the boat down to $95, and
purchased the craft at that price. The
commodore to the end of his days never
ceased to regret that on the first sail he
broke hole in the boats bottom that it
cost s. to repair.
Mrs Waddell once remarked to the COM
modore: 81 dare say many wealthy New
Workers would be happier if they had
pockets in their shrouds, in which they
could carry to the next world the wealth
they accumulate in this"
"Ah, no." replied Mr.. Vanderbilt. eff
shrouds had pockets the strife and turmoil
on Wall street would be increased four
fold, "-,Neao York Tribune.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Condensed.

Il want to send telegram to my hus-
band" said an excited young woman, who
came hurrying into Western Union tele-
graph office the other morning.
Every WELL" replied the operator in
attendance. There are some blanks, and
of course, the briefer it is the less it will
cost to send it,"
ooh, know that she replied And
then she wrote:
Dear George-Pve something too dread
full to tell you, but please don't get excited,
dear, for it can't be helped now. snd baby
and are perfectly safe. l don't know
how it ever happened aud cook says she
don't know, and none of US can account for
it, but the house caught fire last night and
burned to the ground Just think of it ,
Did you ever hear of anything so perfectly
dreadful in all your life? I'm half wild
over it. But please keep calm, dear. Baby
and are safe and most of the things were
saved, and you mustn't think anything but
how much worse it might have been.
What if baby had been burned ! Oh,
George, don't it make you shudder to think
of it? But the dear little darling is per-
fectly safe, and of course we went right
straight to mammals, aud you can't think
how frightened she was until she knew we
were safe. And | know Just how shocked
you'll be, you poor, dear boy, but as baby
and | are safe you oughtn't to mind any
thing else | can't imagine how the fire
started. Can you? Do you suppose some
one set the house on fire2 Oh, it's too
dreadful to think of. Come right home.
MAMIE.
"P. S.-Remember that baby and | are
safe"
There" she said, as she handed the
seven blanks she had written to the opera
tor, Il suppose it might be condensed a
little"
Yes, I think it might" he replied, as
he took fresh blank and wrote:
"Our house burned to the ground last
night. All safe. Come home.
MAMIE"
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
is 1T WORTH WHILE

Is 1t worth while that we iostle brother
Bearing his load on the rough road of life:
Is 1t worth while that we jeer at each other,
In blackness of heart that we war to the knife!
God pity us all in our pitiful strife.
God pity us all as we iostle each other;
God pardon us all for the triumph we feel
When a fellow goes down meath his load on the
heather,
Pierced to the heart Words are keener than
steel,
And mighticr far for woe than for veal.
Were it not we'll in this brief little journey
On over the isthmus, down into the tide,
We give him a fish instead of serpent,
Ere folding the hands to be and abide
Forever and aye in dust at his side:
Look at those roses saluting each other,
Look at the herds all at peace on the plain
Man, and man only, makes war on his brother.
And laughs in his heart at his peril and pain.
Shamed by the beasts that 20 down on the
plain.
Is it worth while that we battle to humble
Some poor fellow mortal down into the DUST
God pity us all! Time oft soon will tumble
All of us together, like leaves in a gust,
Humbled. indeed, down into the dust.
joaquin Miller. in Christian at Work.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Afraid of Catechisms.

six-year old Helen, from the Capital
City, is spending the vacation with grand
ma in Springfield One very hot day she
strayed in the kitchen where there was
q roaring fire, not needing at all the
hints thrown out from time to time that
there were cooler places. Finally grand
ma became quite out of patience "Helen, "
she said, 81 will not have you in this hot
kitchen. Go into your play house at
once!'
II can't grandma, I'm SO afraid"
"You are afrsid2 What are you afraid
off,"
"Why, grandma, there is a wab and a
catechism in my play house, and always
was 'fraid of catechisms."
"What can the child be talking about3''
And grandma put on her specs and went to
the play house and found wasp and a
caterpillar - Wonad7a's Nea1s.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
Doing Ones Best.

Ones best is a very variable quantity.
Duties must be done, obligations met, re-
sponsiblities discharged, irrespective Of
our moods and often of our capabilities.
When the hour strikes for certain work to
be done, we must be on hand and do it
with little regard to whether we can do it
we'll or ILL., But all that is required OF US
is to do the best we can at the time; and
it is accepted of a man according to that
he hath, and not according to that he hath
not.
The house mother often rises in the
morning feeling quite Inadequate to meet
the requirements of the day. AS she sees
what her children need, and compares
their needs with her ability to meet them,
she can but exclaim, "Who is sufficient for
these things?' There is nothing for her
to do but to do the best she can, even
though it be very poor best.
When nine o'clock calls the teacher to
her pupils, not always is she in the best
mood for answering that call. But she is
required only to do the best she can.
The student sits down to a hard lesson
perhaps with an aching head, with dull
perceptions, with Rretentive memory,
and his very best efforts fail to make him
him the peace his standing in the recita-
ton room denies.
There are some things for which we
may be held responsible in the matter Of
doing our best. Whatever that is avoid
able by US, and that robs US of that ability
we are in duty bound to avoid. We can
not knowingly and willingly put il out Of
our power to do the best and then COM
plain of the result or deny our response
bility for it.
Sometimes the very ''sta-s in their
courses" seem to fight against US as they
fought against Sisera. The skies are
clouded, the storm bowls about US, the at
mosphere is oppressive, and our "environ-
ment" suppresses, chokes US. Even then
all we are required to do is our best, and
leave results with higher power-Ch1ls-
tan Weekly.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
CHAPTER w.
OUR NEXT NEIGHBOR.

White Hall was small place out from
the CITY, It's inhabitants were of mixed
races and occupations.
It supported one store, known as era
Tiers General Furnishing Store, where
"fuIl line of boots, shoes, dress goods,
groceries and notions" might be found:
A small, single-sh newspaper held
forth from the upper story, and a quack
doctor held his chair down in the base
ment.
These industries were mostly supported
Inv the farmers near about, and these men
suffered for many thing they never got
Business had been quite dull during the
summer, owing to the general good health,
and our doctor Or. Miller had gone away
for vacation. In his younger days my
father had been practising physician, and
during the war an army surgeon.
1t was while our doctor was gone tha'
Mrs. Tides, our next door neighbor, took
. severe hemorrhage Of the lungs, and 1t
was her SON, Oren Tides, who had run
over for my father and rang our door bell
40 sharply. Father hastily summoned
what relics of his M. d. days he could find
and hurried in to relieve his neighbor.
Aunt Caroline gathered together what
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
DoxY.

In Priestley's Memoirs, vol. I, p. 5,2, is
found the origin of an oft quoted witticism.
81 hear frequent use," said the late lord
Sandwich, in debate on the test laws, 'of
the words orthodoxy and heterodoxy, but
l confess myself at loss TO know precisely
what they mean" Orthodoxy, my lord. "
said Bishop Warburton in whisper, els
my doxy hetrodoxy is some other mans
doxY"
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

Whatever shadow clouds my earthly way.
AS darkness Of the night excludes the light OF
day,
! am content
| see Gods will in everything ;
I see 1t in the winds that blow the birds that
sing
see it in the changing seasons as they come and
The heat of summer and the chill of winters
snow.
The glorious wonders of the sky
That hold the attention of the mortals eye
Are but the workings of the mighty will
That babe the Orm-tOsSed sea "bc still"
The mountain heights, whose heads sublime
Are lifted in the face of time,
Are statues built by the same hand
That doth alone deal out lifes sand
The famine and the direful food,
The thought of which can chill the blood,
Are but the prophecies of the past,
The will of God, while earth shall last.
see the life of Christ again
Reflected in the lives of men;
| see their great achievements rise
Like mighty wonders to the eyes
| see the will of God in newborn babes;
| see it in the mounds of new made graves;
| see it in the rush of mortal life,
The wearing pain, the struggle and the strife:
For in the faces that meet along the busy street
| see the self-same conflicts that are mine,
And thus | know that 1t is will of Thine,
And rest content.
-FrunceS -4dn Bur0tck, In Christian at Work.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
A Wonderful Penny.

Fifty years ago child gave penny to
the missionary box. A little tract, costing
Just one penny, was bought with it, and
some one gave it to young man, the son
of Burmsn chief. He travelled $50 miles
to learn to read it. The Christian teacher
taught him, and God gave him new
heart He went home and preached to
others, and 1900 heather were converted
and baptized Spirit Of Missions.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
An Un-Warren-table Liberty.

Warren Hastings once had occasion to
send an aid de camp to native indian
raiah His emmssary returned with
long and involved verbal message.
"Why," said Warren Hastings, In
matter of such importance did he not send
a written answer
because, your Excellency, had he
written you would not have been able to
Hindoostand it,"
"You in-Delhi-cate Madrascal p replied
the Governor General sternly. IF ever
again you gou get on the Punjob in my
presence, shall Scinds you away"
The young officer never smiled again
London Pick-Ns Up.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

liar smile, 81 think | shall have to en-
ploy her to practice with me"
Rose blushed, and Oren glanced at DR..
Miller. | felt that another stone was be-
tween them.
The Doctor gave US good coura ge. He
had scarcely gone, when the minister and
his wife came in with their medicine.
ITO be continued
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

Mr.. W.-"The idea of man coming to
the theatre in such an intoxicated condi-
ton. I'll have the usher remove him"
Mrs. W.-"Let him alone, John | think
he is very considerate. He got all he
wanted before he came in and will not be
likely to annoy people by going out be
tween the acts. life.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

1t IS gratifying to note that at the New
Years receptions in Washington, for the
first time probably in the history of the
government, not single Cabinet officer
offered wine to guests who called upon
them, 1t is referred to with expressions
of wonder in the inner circles of Washing
ton society. It is also gratifying to chron-
icle the fact that at state dinners several
members of the Cabinet turn their glasses
down.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

Young Bride (pouting)-Here we have
Just been married two days, Clarence, and
you're scolding me already" Husband
II know, my dear; but just think how
long I've been waiting for the chance p
st. Paul Eye.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

Tailor-"You promised me faithfully
yesterday morning that you would call in
and settle for that suit last night, if it
rained pitchforks." Customer-"Yes, l
know but it didn't rain pitchforks. -
Time.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

$50, young man, you want to marry my
daughter. Don't you rely upon your
father for support?" Eyes; but he won't
do it any longer. "-Puck.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07

$3.50 90 SlS1U.U3
Can there be stronger testimony to the
fact that prohibition prohibits ?-Indepen-
dent.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
i AM CONTENT.


am content
Whatever shadow clouds my earthly way.
As darkness of the night excludes the light of