davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26

trees; but Miss betty's window was s
Tar IN the angle that she could see tn
front walk and door and one of the mar
Tor windows.
Dalton hours were early, and befor,
three o'clock the first guest came i,
sight. miss Cap'n SWAIN" announce.
Miss Betty, half aloud, Straight as
ramrod, as usual. / believe She
grown an inch or two taller sine,
Cap'n Swain left off whaling and be
gan to go foreign voyages; but law
what have we poor, perishinp crea
lures to be proud of? 1 wonder i.
that's new dress, now" She uncon
sciously leaned SO far forward in the
attempt to settle this important point
that Mrs Swain saw her and bowed
which caused Miss Perkins to retire in
great confusion; but she came to the
'front.' again in time to scrutinize the
next arrivals.
"Dr. Kenhedy's wife," said she, land
smiling, of course. l never saw her
sober, even at a funeral. For nv part.
1 tn nix it makes folks look simple to
DC always a laughing. Who's that
with her? never saw her before. Now
shouldn't wonder if it was Mis- Ken
nedy's sister, the missionary woman. I
heard she was coming. How sin'gier
us that women want to go gadding
about in that way"
There was such long interval be-
fore any other guest appeared that
Miss Betty had just made up her mind
mat the party numbered three. when
Mrs. Randall. the minister's wife. hur-
ried in at the opposite gate. Miss Ret
w hard face softened little at the
sight OF her, and for once she had no
sharp or unkind word to say. Little
Mrs. Randall was hardly ever quite in
time; she was apt to come in flushed
and breathless, but SO sorry for her
hardness, and SO sweet and loyable
wlthal, that every one made excuses
for her.
Mrs: Blake's parlor was full of pleas
ant talk that bright summer afternoon.
Il saw Miss Perkins at her window. as
came in" said Mrs Swain.
Il don't doubt it." answered her
hostess. Poor soul. 1t seems hard
lot to ask her, too; but l thought Won
night not care to tell how your
lresses cost, VOW much DIR. Kenne-
y's fees amounted to last month.
nd what the minister is going to
reach to us about next Sunday.
The ladies laughed, and the conyersa-
ION turned on Miss Plummer's work
no adventures. She had been in Mex
20 and in the northwest, and had SO
luch to tell that when the great hall
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26

tablecloth. There was not much STAY
ing power about the damask, and il
went down with herewith all its load.
Mrs. Blake was just expressing polite
regrets about the absent husbands
when a sudden and awful crash
drowned her voice and drew them all
TO the kitchen. What sight was there,
my countrymen! The table, which had
been such thing Of beauty a few min
utes before. now stood bare and desc
late; the cloth draped the cellar stairs,
currants had rolled to the farthest cor
ners and bits of cake were still hop
ping from stair to stair, and in the CEN
ter OF the cellar floor was Miss Betty
Perkins, with her parasol still spread
over her head, standing erect in a tub
OF soft soap, unhurt but considerably
crestfallen, and a prey to such varied
emotions that her face was void of ex.
preston as a blank wall
The amazed spectators looked at this
scene and at each other and then broke
into laugh in which even Mrs. Blake
joined, although her supper end her
cherished china lay in a common ruin,
and the air was full of the aroma of
burning biscuits and boiling tea. Miss
Betty looked up and smiled feebly.
"How--how do you do?'' she stam-
mered. Il came to borrow cupful of
comp'ny. I'd no idee you had any yeast
or I'd have come to-morrer."
AT this added touch of absurditv the
laughter was SO prolonged that Miss
Betty looked up at last, in some indig-
nation. Bnt whom did she see
among the laughers! The minister him
self, who. having knocked UNDECIDED, |
had admitted himself and Joined the
group in the kitchen, and was now
laughing with the rest. This was the
proverbial last straw, and Miss Per-
kins sank under it. One wild struggle
to free herself from the clinging SOAP.
consequent loss of equilibrium, and
she sat down in the tub and was COM
pletely extinguished by her green um.
brella
Now, Mrs. Randall. said Mrs
kennedy, as soon as speech was pos
sibie, you and Mr.. Randall and Mrs
swain just go into the parior for a
little while, and Anna and l will help
lear up here; but, Melissa" she add
"a, do ask the town next time. and
lot leave anybody to come borrowing |
company. Annie l. Handy, in DEM
rests Magazine.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
A TRIUMPH OF HIGH ART.


HOW Poster Helped Man to Win Monsv
ON Horse Race.
my only experience in betting on thu
Derby resulted In great victory fo,
art" remarked staid, down-towu
merchant recently. Il am not sport.
ing man and take little interest If
horses or horse races; but a few year,
ago some friends of mine from down
east visited me during race week and !
went to the races with them. Thev
bantered me to wager little monev
and finally braced up and told them !
wasn't afraid to back my conviction.
and that fiattered myself that knew
little about horsefiesh. 1t was a blufI
pure and simple-made solely in self
defense. didn't know even the name.
OF the starters, but l looked over the
list on my card with an air of great
wisdom. The name Hopeful struck
my eye, and as / thought that word ha6
soothing and cheerful sound was
favorably impressed with it and had
almost decided to place my money on
Hopeful when I CHANGED to see a iar~e
colored Autograph - regular race.
course poster-showing three or four
horses in the home stretch. One 81
them, although not in the lead, struck
me as better specimen of horsefesb
than the others. The artist had shown
rather poor Judgment, in my humble
opinion, in placing the best drawn fig
IRE on the lot in the background. And
1nder that figure was the name Hope
'ul.' That settled it. I bet on the
strength OF that artists work. NV
money went on Hopeful, and Hopeful |
vent under the wire winner with
'lenty of room to spare. l won a |
handful OF money. 1t was the first and |
asst time ever wagered cent or won
cent But it was glorious triumph |
or high art, wasn't it?"-Chicago Mail
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
THE EARLIEST cHILD.s BOOK.
Ola Works Which Were Used in the
Schools of Ancient Times.

Old Works Which Were Used in the
schools of Ancient Times.
AS might be supposed, the earliest
book that is assigned to the child is the
Latin grammar. Boys Latin gram
mars for several centuries were mere
text books compiled from the larger
works OF Donatus and Priscan, and
tney were commonly known by the
name OF Donates or Donets, a term
which occurs in Piers Plowman. The
word grammar, on the contrary. was
used more in connection with Latin
studies generally; and science, as well
as even magical power, was some
times spoken. of as grammarye. A
very commonly used school book in
monasteries seems to have been the
consolation of Philosophy lin the
original, OF course), by Boethius. of
which at least a fragment would
most probably be found even in the
most meager convent library The
earliest book in existence written ex-
pressly for boys is here stated to be
Aldhelm's de Septenario de Metris.
Anigmatibus. &C Pendnm Regulis."
which probably appeared about the
end OF the seventh century. A great |
part OF 1T consists of dialogues be-
tween teacher and pupil, in the stvle |
which was still popular in the first
haif OF the present century and NAV
be found in such works as Mrs. Marl.
hams history. The Venerable Reda ;s
also claimed as writer for the vounu.
A lesson book for children is at
tributed to Alcuin, and it contains
questions on arithmetic which arc said
TO be found even in some current
school books. Here is q specimen of
them: AN old man met child.
Good day, my son. says he; may Won
I've as long as you have lived and as
much more, and thrice as much as all
ms; and If God give you one year in
ldditlon to the Others, you will be
ust century old What was tbe
ads age?" The first book given IN
lis people in English by Alfred the
'reat was the already-mentioned
of Philosophy" to which
e added 1.-THE Universal History of ]
'rosius," a very favorite book in
Monastery schools. In the tenth /,
entury Aelfric, ''the grammarian. +, :,
'rote 'Colloquy," intended as a
sading book to help boys to speak s
attn. 1t consists of conversation Z
bout everyday life. In one place a '
oy is made to say that he is too r
Dung to eat meat; but he was not too h
Dung to drink beer, as he saws that j
drinks ale IF he can get it." In the a
me century appeared a book on f
'tronomy for children, as we'll as
ap' now preserved in the British
useum, LESS incorrect and having A
wer fabulous countries than some
ade later. Saturday Review.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26

think anybody with mite of sense
would know better than to make blinds
this way. You might as well try to see
through the side of the houser'-whicb
was an exaggeration, but some allow
ance must be made for Miss Betty's
mental state.
She had by nature an inquiring mind,
and took, ut all times, a kind and
friendly interest in her neighbors' do
lnRs; but on this particular morning
her opposite neighbor, Mrs. Blake, had
mad her parlor windows open at a very
early hour, and had been plainly visi-
bic shaking rugs in the hack yard be-
fore breakfast. When Miss Betty
shook the crumbs from her tablecloth
she had seen black silk buster wav-
ing vigorously from one of the same
parlor windows, and now, in the mid
die OF a warm July morning, smoke
was coming from Mrs. Blake's kitchen
chimney. Truly, Miss Betty might saw
with the Mikado,: Here's a state of
thingsr'
You needn't tell me-" said Miss
Betty, apostrophizing her sitting-room
lamp as she examined its wick, that
Meiissy Blake's dishes amt washed at
this time of day, and that's what the
nre's for. No, it's comply, that's what |
II is; and l wonder who they be. / |
was in there yesterday afternoon and |
she never breathed breath about IL:
but then Melissy alters was close
mouthed If 'tisn't own folks. and |
believe hers all live up Worcester way.
it's pretty funny wasn't asked. near
neighbor as be. Well, folks is queer
Her first plan was to go over to Miss
Blakc's and find out what she could
about the expected guests. She could
at least see what preparations were in
progress Tor their entertainment, which
would be something. s'I'm most ont
OF yeast and could borrow cupful. .
sne thought, searching her mind for an
Grand But on reflection this course
hardly seemed advisable, for Mrs. !.
Blake was noted for her skill in keen f.
ing her affairs to herself. s.Likelv's not .
shouldn't know a bit more when
come home than do now" was Miss !.
Perkins second thought. mo. / wont !.
go I'll have an early dinner and see ,
who comes.'
accordingly, at half-past eleven she
brought out her tiny teapot and sliced
her potatoes for frying, and two hours
later dressed in her second best black
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
IDENTIFYING HANDWRITING.
An Experts Remarkable Discovery Of ,
Forger.

Forger.
When the experts in handwritino
meet on the witness stand and swea,
hard against one another. the jury has
difficult task. Nevertheless, there
have been remarkable cases of identifi.
cation of handwriting.
An English gentleman offered a large
sum of money for the discovery of a
marriage register, the production OF
which was necessary in an important
lawsuit. An officer in country church
wrote him that the missing register had
turned up in the vestry box of his own
parish. A lawyer and an expert in
handwriting were sent to examine the
document.
The man showed them the marriages
register, and after a careful examine.
ton, they vent to lunch.
At the table, the expert expressed an
opinion unfavorable to the genuinenesa
OF the register. 1t was modern hand,
writing and did not, therefore, posses,
the antiquity claimed for it.
"Then how in the world did IL oei
there?" asked the church officer.
"Why, you forged it YOURSELF" quiet,
y replied the expert, who had studied
the handwriting in the note sent the
gentleman.
The man, being threatened with pros
scution. fed the country, and thus con,
leased his crime. -Farmers' AdvaqcA |
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
Keeping MILK without Ice.

Housekeepers who cannot afford Il.
during the summer meet their greatest
difficulty in trying to keep milk. That
they can easily overcome by canning Il
as they do fruits. These should first
De thoroughly washed, then boiled or
baked in the oven for half an bour
longer. This should be done before the
milk arrives. AS soon as it comes. npt
1t into the jars and tightly screw down
the lids. Place them in steamer over
cold water, which should be heated
gradually. Keep the jars steaming for
not less than an hour, then screw the
lids down and make them air tight II
THIS process is rightly conducted the
milk In the jars ought to keep nm
changed for at least week. Il is also
freed from all disease germs, as a car
rier of which it is notorious
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
A MUSICAL FABLE.
LOUISIANA.

In gay and sunny barn-yard
Grew timid rooster once,
So retiring, all the chickens
Stunned him as q tedious Ounce:
TIL their scorn at length aroused him.
And he swore an oath: "rn show
What fund of wit is in me,
will leara a comic crow-
And he practiced and he practiccd
Till he learned his comic crow.
Then, behold he found his music
Won him straightway great renown.
After an observed the chickens,
Merrier birds are few In town"
And they daily docked to hear him,
Followed wheresoe'er he'd go.
Made very lion of him
Curious lion with crow
Cried, enraptured: WAS there ever
Such truly comic crown
But before he'd coussed year out
Fashion IN the barn-yard changed,
And the chickens said: This rooster
Manifestly is deranged
He can do one thing, and does It
TIL we're bored to death. you know"
30 they cut him, and the outcast
Wheezed alone his comic crow,
Spirits, lungs and feathers failing.
Died at last with one faint crow.
Yes, and that's the way to do it,
Human wag or chanticleer;
II perchance you have a future
Which you don't at all hold dear.
Or would lose your friends, and perish
After everything's gone wrong,
FRONT by ROSTERS story,
Learn q single comic song.
Two In time would serve the purpose,
Better learn one comic song.
M. A. de Wolfe Howe, Jun. in Harper,s
Weekly.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26

to the industrial SITUATION. That Will
make land easy to get When good
thing is easy to get it IL moro largely
used. When land is used productivity IL
increases the wealth of the community.
And when wealth is being produced I'M
der freedom of state and freedom OF con-
tract, the portion going to labor IS the
full reward of labor That is labors
millennium. 1t can get no more There
is no more to ge<
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
WHAT A SIGHT WAS THERE !

clock struck five Mrs Blake was quite
surprised, and she went out in a hurry
10 oeRin her preparations for supper.
Inc house was an old-fashioned one.
with the side door opening directly
into the kitchen, and the only means Of
access to the cellar by a trap-door in
the kitchen floor, and the steepest DOS
sible stairs.
Mrs Blake started cracking wood
nre, opened the outer door for GOODNESS.
and swung back the door of the tran,
which was of such generous propor-
lions that the corner of the tea-table
was on the verge, and the doorway in
close proximity; but Mrs. Blake was
used to her house, and she made mn
her biscuits and ran up and down the
break-neck stairs, without even a sicb
for modern conveniences.
She was justly proud of her table
when it was ready. The cloth had
been brought by her husband from
what the neighbors called "foreion
parts, and the china had teen her
mothers. The egg-shell cups ard deli
cate plates were very pretty, and how
nice the thin slices of ham looked. and
the great dish of red and white mr.
rants. The fruit-cake was as dark and
r,cn ana indigestible as need be, and
the enthusiastically but Mrs. |
Blake knew the secret of that. She |
went back into the parlor for FIVE min |
utes while the biscuits got their last
touch OF brown and the tea one mora
simmer, leaving the trap-door open to
remind her that the cream and the but-
Ter were yet in the cool depths of the
cellar.
meanwhile it had been long after.
loon to Miss Betty. She could catch
he sound of voices from across the
way occasionally, and the desire In
'how what they were so merry over
rev stronger every minute, till at last .
brilliant idea came into her head.
There was that yeast that She
eally needed; she would go now and :
'orrow it. She would go in at the side :,
DOR, and If Mrs. Blake had company. ,
ow should she know it when she was
OF invited?
SO she put on her bonnet and mitts !:
BOX her green silk parasol, for the SIM
'as still high, and carrying a cup for
ae yeast, crossed the street valiantlv.
lrs' Randall had left the gate open, so :,
he entered without any click of an ;;
and, as it happened, all j
le ladies were looking at some pic :
res and did not see Miss Betty at all. : !,
She glanced in ct the open side door :,
A. the kitchen was dark, and locking :;
from the outside she could see MOTH
g. She stepped on the door sill and
ruggied with her parasol, which de- r.
NED to shut Setting her cup down she p
'shed harder, but still it did not yield. !.
bring her nuscles into better play she ST
spped back pace or two-and went 90
wn the open trap! In falling she Ia
'sched wildly at the nearest object Of
lich happened to be the corner of the -
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
PuNcENT PARAGRAPHS.

| In Urgent Need. BARLEY lin His
tory Exam )-"They say that histor,
repeats itself. Ali if it would but re-
peat itself to iner'-Harvard Lampoon
-Barnyard Exploits. Moody (proud.
ly)-"I gave fourteen quarts of milk to.
night" Crumple-'sThat's nothing. ]
kicked the hired man over two fences. .
DE Beere-"Your painting has one
quality at least. that of innocence. -
DE Smeere-''InnocenceI" De Beere-
Yes 1t is SO art-less.-N. Y. Tele.
gram.
What is the first step, Mr.. Soale.
in learning to paint the town. "A
course of drawing, SIR" Correct and
what do we draw" "Corks. sir:"--
Truth.
lis it considered an honor to be
sent out as missionary" Eyes.
Why?' Il was only wondering" said
Mrs. Vealy. my husbands congrera-
ton are unanimously DESTROYS that he
shall go."-Epoch.
Out OF the Reach of Annoyance
Summer Boarder-s'You told me last
spring that you were never annoyed bv
mosquitoes here" Mr. Haicede-"Wai.
we hain't We're used to 'em."-In.
dianapolis Journal
Not Worth Consideration.-Sap
Miss Clara, do me favor. Tell me
honestly just what you think of me. y
Clara Candid-'1 would, Mr. Sappv. but
the fact is really never think of you
at all"-Saturday Evening Herald.
What, moving again! Why don't
you own your own home and stop paw.
ing rent?' II don't see how that
would help me. l haven't paid apv
rent for over three months."-N. Y.
Recorder.
Where to go this summer is not |
nearly so important as how to find a |
Si0-a-week boarding-house near enough
to a s5-a-day hotel to enable You to
utilize its note-paper and envelopes
Philadelphia Times,
What has become of Jones?" He
s living quietly in the suburbs" ssMar-
ned" Yes, and has baby" "A
baby? Then / doubt his living quietly.
That word quietly is being over.
worked these days, I'm afraid. IN. Y.
World
Not the Same by Any Means
clergyman docking at the contribution
'oxes)-"Judging from the nickels and
'ennies, You must have thought when
sked you to remember the poor that
collection would do just as well as I
objection. Detroit Free Press. /,
His Duty Well Done.-Mr. Stalate {
$50 your sister keeps you well sun
lied with pocket money, does she?v
'ommy-'Yes" Stalate-sI presume I
on have to render some little equiva,
mt Tommy (yawning)-''O, yes
ave to come in and yawn when visitors e
re staying too late. Yankee Blade.
Papa Attended To.-"But have Won q
fought of my father" she INQUIRED. AZ 2
gorge was making arrangements for il
'eir future happiness. Eyes, it's all c
ght about him. am giving him tins c
the races; and it won't be a month a
'fore he is eternally grateful to me or n
Sc no longer able to crush me with his 81
ealth. Washington Post. q
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
Security Of Possession An That !.
Needed.

It Is not the magic of property. as A..
thur Young said. that has turned E,e,.
ism sands into fruitful fields. II Is IN.
magic OF security olabor. This can ~
secured in other ways than maxine
land private property, just as the heat
necessary to roast q pig can be secursd
IN other ways than by burning down
houses The mere pledge of an irish
landlord that for twenty years he would
not claim IN rent any share in their crI-
tivasion induced Irish peasants to tr~,
z barren mountain into gardens: on n. !.
mere security of fixed ground rsrs
ior term OF years the most cos,,"
buildings OF such cities as Londoo sny
New York are erected on leased OrorrS
II we give improvers such secur;tv -.
may safely abolish private propertv :; -
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
"A Bad Rlunder-v;s;...

"A Bad Blunder-visitor lin eaol-
70 prisoner)--"What are you here forp,,
Prlsoner-'For stealing" Visitor
What did you steal?' Prisooer~aI
stole girls affections. Visitor
we'll that is no infract:on of the
law frisoner-"Hem, carried ,e.n
on WITH her fathers horse and buggy. /"
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26

"iss BETTY SHOOK THE rABLEcLorH.
dress, and with her knitting ready. she
seated herself at her sitting-room win
dow. The sun had travelled away from
that side of the house now, so Miss
Betty was screened from the public
gaze by one half-blind, while the other
was comfortably fastened back out of
the way. Capt Blake on his return
rom one Of his long foreign voyages
had found time 10 plant row Of young
naples acro6s the front Ut his place,
oud they wers now vigorous young
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26
AN UNLIMITED GUEST.
Miss Betty Perkins Predicament
When Borrowing Company"

is S B E T TY
PERKINS took
a long but rath-
e r unsatisfac-
tory look out
b e wv cen the
m m ov q b / e
Stats o I h e r
kitchen blinds.
"Deary mel"
she exclaimed.
after a vain at
tempt to extend
her field of Wis
ion ST shOuld
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-26

and reject that which is the verv e.
sence of justice and equity. For q tar
on land values will not take one min
ute's worth of labor from the laborer
that is his BY right It will only take
Tor community uses the values the COM
munlty itself as whole has brought
into existence.
Why y land on the corner of Wood
ward ana Michigan avenues valued AZ
y. 500 foot front? It is not because
OF anything the present owner has done
to it. Why is land all along Woodward
avenue from the river front to Grand
Circus park. worth ON an average at
least Sl,50o . front foot? Not be.
cause OF anything the owners have
done to it This great value is due
wholly and solely to the fact that the
avenue IL more convenient for trade
than any other street in Detroit. Il IA
nearest to the largest number of peopie.
and more bargaining il carried ON there |
1t less expense than it can be carried |
on elsewhere. Therefore smaller per.
centage can be added to the cost Of man. /
nfacturing IN making the selling price.
and yet the total gain be larger than
where there Is less trade 81 th;.
Of position registers the /
value of the land Take the peoplc
away and it win fall. Increase the
number surrounding it and it viii rise.
To take this land value for the ex-
2ense Of government, and to relieve in
'astFy OF every other burden, y The kay