davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

tell me about these supersttttous slaves,
but dJh't remember that abe said any.
thing about voodooism. I must speak
TO her about II. Il should be quite an
interesting study. OF course that hide
ous scream heard last night must have
como from some Of their horrid orgies"
Musing thus, ! wendsd my way down
the corridor and stairs into the lower
hall. The great front doors were opened
wide, and . hood Of glorious sunshine
was pouring across the tesssllated door.
The sunlight cheered me. banishsd al
care and forgot my uneasiness Of the
night.
~ must have been mistaken" ! Iurged.
1T was only my tired nerves and disor-
dered fancy. OF course Portia would
never utoop to spying In that fashion.
Absurdr'
stood In the door and looked down
the noble avenue before the house. The
grounds Of Swainplsnds were extensive
and beautifully cared for. Great beds
Of brilliant blossoms, splashing foun.
tains, parterres Of closely clipped boz
and spruce and winding paths combined
to make the picture most attractive
Far In the distance could see the cotton
fields. yonder stretched Dead Mans
swamp, and here on the piazza, with
her back turned to me and evidently
quite unaware Of my presence. eat Por.
tia.
She was dressed In filmy white gown.
Her massive coils Of hair revealed the
shapely neck. Her head was bent. She
was reading.
Before could speak side door opened
and . little girl about years Of age
came out upon the piazza. She held .
bunch Of scarlet blossoms In her hand
and approached Portis with timid air
which troubled me.
She was beautiful child, miniature
reproduction Of the Portia ] remem-
bered. Long black curls fell over her
shoulders Her eyes were large and
dark, but had an appealing. frightened
expression pitiful to SEQ In one 30 young.
She was daintily dressed In white.
"Mamma," she murmured.
Portia paid no attention.
"Mamina," she said little louder.
Portia lifted her head and turned her
face toward the child. ] could see the
mothers profile. She was frowning
ominously.
Here are some beautiful flowers ]
picked for you. mamma" said the little
girl. still with that air Of timidity. She
appeared to desire to placate her mother.
Iexpected to see Portia take the flow.
ers, fasten them In her bodice and kiss
tho child for her sweet attention. Judge
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

Irccall an interesting scene In Arbour's
old dance hall In Silver Cliff In the win
ter OF ls.s-.9, writes a Denver CORE
spoudent. The silver Cliff excitement
then ranked only second to that OF
Leadville, and thousands were rushing
to the new FL Dorado.
The great dance hall was crowded
with miners, prospectors and tenderfeet.
Two sets OF dances had been on the hoor
all the evening. Two long rows oil
gaming tables had also been running AT
full blast, aud at midnight there came
lull In the dancing for lunch. Some oil
the boys took possession OF the platform.
and a Young fellow dressed In jacket and
oyeralls threw his slouch hat back on his
head aud struck up some familiar tune
on the piano. There we're about dozen
In the party who joined In the singing
suddenly one of the bows started up
"IIome, Sweet Home" The young man
st the piano struck In With an accom-.
paniment. and that old-time song Of
loved ones aud home association began
TO an the great hall. "Pop" Arbou'
Was soon seen rushing toward the or
ehestra platform. lie had no objection
TO Gospel hymns, hut entered protest
at ..iIome, Sweet Home"
"Don't, boys! don't sing that song
here"
"why noty' asked one Of the bows.
"You will make all OF the girls home
sick and break up the dance hall. Sing
auy song you want TO, but not "home
Sweet Home. e."-Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

with my stock Of disilludons. which now
weighed upon me Ike the burden on
Pilgrims shoulder.
The room into which Portis led me
was large and gloomy. There were .
vast four posted bed and huge ward
robe with carved pansls. A nrsplaos
with ancient andirons. mahogany table,
chairs and old fashioned lounge, made
up the main furnishings Of the apart
ment. There were quaint gilt candelsbra
on the marble mantle, and few portraits
Of dead and gone Marchmouts adorned
the walls. The only modern piece Of
furniture was . tall cheval glass stand.
ing directly opposite the enormous win.
dows, which. by the way, opened on .
balcony running the entire side Of the
house.
The room oppressed me quite - much
as Portia. Dismal forebodings seized me-
as looked at the somber hangings Of the
bed and windows. Tired and unnerved
from my long. tedious night ride, a. well
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

with frantic grasp ! clutohed my
companion's arm - out Of the night,
ont Of this dismal swamp, trembled and
,hrilled IN awful CRY like the wan OF the
Judgment day.
II reverberatsd through those black
mysterious avenues and was caught up
BY q hundred mocking echoes, then slowly
died away.
"My Godi what q ity cried
They're at It." whispered my driver.
and he struck the tired horses smart
blow, which sent them flying over sticks,
stones and roots Of trees. On. on We
dashed In our wild flight from . CRY.
It was not repeated
The dead silence that followed by its
contrast made the remembrance more
appalling.
We were both relieved when We turn
ed into broad avenue lined on either
Gide by double row Of pines, at the end
Of which lights could be sen.
"Thsh Is Swamplands. Kunnel Mahch-
mont's place." said the driver. "sn thah
hain't finah plantation In Georgah.
Lordl can't 90 back to town tonight
nohow. I'll ask Jake to put my team up
nm let me sleep nyah some human crit
tab. An reckon. ma'am, yeah poweh-
ful glad to be at yoh jouhney's end"
I did not answer. Before me rose the
great corinthian pillars and broad porti.
Goes of the house Of Portia Marchmont.
was trembling from apprehension.
What II she were not at homer Would
we be obliged to return over the dismal
road we had GOMEZ Should I again hear
that doleful cryi Ny nerves were
stretched TO their utmost tension ~ We
drew mp In front Of the great house.
I looked at my watch. HALF past II
o'clock.
The hall door was wide open, and .
food Of light poured out upon the broad
piazza. Al I looked Q shadow moved
from out dark corner. A figure drift
ed into the doorway. II was Q woman,
tall, graceful. dressed In white. Some
thing In her graceful, languorous move
ment set the wheels Of memory rolling.
Iforgot my doubts, my fears, my ter
ror.
"Portiar cried.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

"will we soon be therer asked my
driver.
He was a typical specimen Of the
southern cracker" and In the monoto-
nous, mellow accents borrowed from the
negroes drawled out:
"Putty soon, ma'am. II ali bout tn
mile. SOon's we uns git by Dead Mans
swamp ye kin see the lights down yon-
dah."
"Dead Mans swamp" repeated In.
voluntarily, "What horrible-a dis
inal name."
"Dismal place, tu," he replied, "thah
hain't white noh niggah dab go In thsh
at night. All sorts O Gurus an awful
COINS ON thah."
"what do you meany asked.
"waal," he droned, ~ hardly know
myself what I du mean. Thet's II. Y0u
know, ma'am. thet it's the mystery,
thet's what skahs. Now, II ye knows
what's happened, 1t takes half the scah
of, but II thah's only stories an nobody
willin TO find out it's kind o awful.
Anyway, I kin tell ye this much-thah's
lights seen in thah at midnight and ter.
rible sounds heard. An some says, an
they don't hahdly like to whispah the
word. thet thah's whah the voodoos
meet"
"The voodoosy | said.
"Yes, niggahs, ye know, what do un.
earthly things-eat dead babies, tab out
folks hearts an play with sahpents"--
"Oh, don't tell me anything morer ]
exclaimed. "rve read Of them"
"waal, ma'an. It Is somethin disgustin
an awful to think on. I'm allus powah-
ful glad when I'm past the place"
A few rods farther the great forest
broke away little, and In the pallid
light ! could discern under the scattered
trees stretches Of inorass, black. slimy
and filthy. From the gaunt trees the
long gray moss hung like lifeless figures
dangling and dipping In the sullen sur.
face Of the stagnant pools. Tbs swamp
seemed interminable. reaching away In
cndless gloom under the low hanging
branches. The moon came out from
Il tklo ClOuub IOE oiAo thoAaOns e.N oeA1s "
cherries light down on the forbidding
scene, but quickly withdrew. - II
alarmed ut what she saw.
Il was Q frightful place-weird and
uncanny. The wind shuddered through
the trees, aud ghostly shadows seemed to
! lurk beneath their swaying. writhing
branches. :.
"what horrible placer ! exclaimed.
"Horriblof. Yss. this hyah 10 Dead
Mans swamp" whispered my compan.
lon.
Though was oppressed By thsss hid.
sous surrounding. yet was at the same
dime unaccountably fascinstsd. and lean
ing out looked - far into the black
vistas - the waning moonlight would
permit. Il seemed 10 my excited fancy
that the trees beckonsd me. and that the
moaning wind muttsrsd that this awful
/, place hsld secrets for me- iwas con-
scious Of . strange mental sxaltatiop-
almost . claifvoysncy. Away, away IN
the depths Of that melancholy swamp
was there not something calling MAJ
: Hsskl What was that (.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
TIE CRY m TIE NioHf.

NkLnx AAxs y
TIE CRY m THE M0Hf.
The night had grown very dark. Blaoh
clouds were drifting over the moon and
fast blotting out the somber light OF the
cold starA
As I leaned from the carriage and with
straining eyes vainly sought to pierce
the gloom Of the night the soughing Of
the wind through the great pines fore
lOld the oucoming storm
A feeling Of intense depression seissd
me. Why had GOMEZ Atthis moment
I wished myself miles away. What Q
senseless quest this upon which l had
snteredi Suppose were TO 6nd my old
friend: would she be glad TO sse mel
Was Il not an objectionable Intrusion to
arrive thus. unheralded, at dead OF night
Was there. in fact, any greater imbecils
IN earth than I. driving here, near mid.
night. over miles Of rough country road
In search Of Portia vane.
Ten years had gone by since Portia
and I were graduated from the Canadian
convent In which we had spent four
happy, uneventful years. During that
time we were as inseparable Is any
schoolgirl friends. Ihad idolized the beau
tiful, amiable southern girl, whose tales
Of plantation life In all Its tropical color
and Incidence had completely captivated
me. Born and brought mp In . rigid
northern atmosphere, the glimpses got
through her conversation and letters OF
Portals homo life were visions Of fairy.
land. Portis was stately, clever and
talented. was poor, inferior and plain.
But the loveliest and wealthiest girl In
the convent singled me out as her friend,
and my gratitude and devotion to her
were unbounded.
After our graduation we corresponded
for two years. during which time ] wa
employed In teaching and laying by
money. for intended some day to visit
Portia in her southern home. She wrote
me Of her approaching marriage, urging
me to he one Of her bridesmaids, which
pleasure was forced to forego.
Ireceived n few letters after her mar
rage. In which she spoke In glowing
terms OF her new life. Then heard no
more. We drifted apart. rs all school
friends invariably do.
Il Is always the unexpected which
happens. Whoever would have fancie,l
that from his numerous train OF rela.
tives my uncle. John Mason, would have
selected me, poor Prudence Mason, as
the heir to his great property! When ]
had finished gasping over the announce
ment his lawyers made me. my first
thought was of Portia. and that ! would
seek her ut once to tell her the good
news. Perhaps we might travel togeth.
er; perhaps she was poor and needed as
sistance. Possibly there were children
for whom might do something. Re
member an obscure plain teacher has
few trends, and never in all my desolate,
colorless existence had SO clung to any
human being a. to Portia Vane. !
thought Of her now as the carriage went
jolting through this wilderness over the
uneven roads. occasionally banging
against stump or the root Of tree. !
saw her sweet face and heard again her
gentle voice and remembered all her
gracious and kindly acts.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
EUGENE FIELDS STOLEN EGGS.

Mr.. Eugene Field has two boys who
are almost, II not quite, az irrepressible
as their gifted father. One day MT.
Field brought home an armful OF eggs
and said that these were what his sppe-
tite crayed for dinner. Then, while din-
ner was being made ready, the poet
read the Behring Sea debates, his young
eat sou, Daisy, (so called becase that Il
nothing like his nsme) looking over his
fathers shoulder aud spelling out the
words.
"Pspa," said the lad after u while,
"what does p-o-a-c-h spelly"
"Poach, my sou"
"And what does it meany''
"why, to posch ls to steal" said ths
father, not wishing to bring confusion
TO his sou With strict aud complicated
definition.
Then Daisy went into the kitchen aud
watched the process OF getting dinner.
Before the meal was ready some un'
expected guests arrived, but would moi
listen TO Mr.. Fields pressing Invitation
TO Join the family at dinner. Finally
Daisy added the force Of his Invitation
TO that Of his fathers.
"You'd better come" said he; "wer'
goin' To have eggs, stolen eggs-pap'
stole 'em. Cultivator.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
EFFECT OF FOOD ON THE FLAVOR
OF EGGS.

OF EGGS.
The flavor Of eggs depends very much
on the kind of food given to the poultry,
When hens are fed largely or almost ex-
clusively on milk the yolk Is lighter ill
color, the white has milky look, and
the whole egg IL watery and less frn
I'm texture than those laid by grain-fed
hens. The taste of the egg Is also affect
Ell, being insipid and unsatisfactory
when boiled or poached, aud less fine
for ordinary cooking purposes even
There IL no use In saying that the Idea
Of the quality Of the eggs being In
fiuenced by the food OF the hens is
mere whim, since It IL well-knOwn fact
that the eggs of fowls kept In the neigh
borhood OF the sea and fed almost en-
tiIely on fish-takep as they come, EN-
braclny the strong aud oily as well as
the more delicate sorts-have "sn an.
cient aud fish-like" taste, II not "smell.'
and eggs coming from those regions sell
for less In the market In some instances
than those coming from districts farther
inland. The reasons why hens fed on
"slops" Of milk. ETC., are able To give nc
better eggs to their owners Is because
the 'Oiu, Oiu stofy tVpea'ee '" thsn
case. You demand the "tale OF brick
Of your servants, but you give them nc
straw to make them with. Curd hardly
CONES under the head OF milk, and there
Il little danger Of having IL In large
quantities TO offer to your fowls. II
contains all the best and most nutritious
portions Of the milk, without its OBJ.
ectionable, watery qualities. But the
true feed for laying fowls Is one-thlrd OF
oue-quarter Indian corn, ground ol
otherwise, aud oats or wheat. together
with milk and whatever scraps from the
house are obtainable, and as much greer
vegetable food as they will eat; anc
With these, combined and fed properly
your eggs will be Of the true gold and
silver stamp when the cooks fire hat
refined them and prepared them as q
relish for your breakfast table.-rown
and Country Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
WINTER BUTTeR.
WHY is 1T BRITTLE AND cRuMBLr'

WHY Is IT BRITTLE AND CRUMbLi
A Vermont farmer asks why his but
ter Il brittle and crummy shd breaks In
stead Of cutting smoothly with the
knife. This question may be answered
by simply saying because II Is winter
butter, or to 20 further, that winter
butter usually contains greater pro-
portion Of the hard fat, margarine, and
less Of the soft fat, olelne, than summer
made butter. but cold weather alone ID
not wholly responsible. Feed has an
influence on the character OF butter
Cows are more likely to get poor bog
hay aud dry, weather-beaten cornstalk'
or straw In winter than In summer wheu
fresh, sweet grasses are abundant. II
cows are kept In warm, clean stables
aud are fed an abundance Of nutritious
hay aud grain, such as c0rn-meal, good
bran and oil meal and the milk IL vel
handled, there need be no difficulty IN
having butter that will cut smoothly
with the knife. Cows recently fresh Ia
milk will produce better grade OF but
ter than those that have given MILL
several months.
Mr.. Harris, the butter expert at Oh,
Plymouth, ". H., convention said he hat
eaten Just ne good hn'ter made II
January ~ In any month OF the year
But those who make flrst-class butter u
winter en,leavor To bring 40 many of tn
summer conditions around their herd
as posslble.-New England Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

latter stood long ago In the rotunda OF
the capitol and was afterward erected
In front Of the White House, where II
stood for many years. There Is now nc
statuary In the grounds about the execu.
tive mansion.
Much comment is heard over the ab.
sence Of statues Of Jackson, OF Grant. OF
Sherman and Of other heroes Of our his.
tory. What beautiful and interesting
study this fine old hall will afford when
about dozen more states shall have con.
tributed the marble or bronze figures OF
their chosen sons!
WAITrR WpiIuAN
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

The outlook for the price Of hogs for
the coming winter is good. Farmers
should give their pigs warm, dry quar-.
tiers, and feed them to the full extent OF
their wants. TIere is no trouble but
they will pay well for their feed. -he
crop Of hogs the country over IL short,
and especially 90 In this state. Al
Chicago for the ten past months OF the
year the receipts we're million head
short Of the same time last year.
Butchers In Lewiston and Auburn are
already drawing on the Chicago msrkes
by the carload to supply the home trade.
II IL true plgs are not plenty, but sucll
a. there are old enough should be fitted
for the market In the shortest prActic,-
Die tlme.-Malne Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
NE PRIZES THE BANpAoe.

The Life Of . Young Man saved by the
Pettisost of = Fair Tenan.
Arthur Kaufman. q young Memphian
who was In the wreck on the Wabash
road, arrived home with his head bound
up In q bloody white bandage, which he
regards rs his most precious possession.
He says gold and Jewels couldn't buy
that strip Of cloth. Kaufman says that
when the collision came something hit
him, and he lost consciousness. When
he regained his senses. he was lying be-
side the wreck Of the car, bleeding copi.
ously from q deep cut ON the head and
unable to help himself. Just rs he was
about to faint again from weakness, an
awfully pretty girl came mp and spied
him. She was Miss Taylor Of Jeffer.
son. Tex. who had escaped injury In
the wreck.
She realized at once that the young
man would bleed to death II not attend.
ed to. Without q moments hesitation
she whipped Of her petticoat and tear.
ing out q strip bound It tightly on Kauff.
mans head. The bleeding was checked
and his life saved. To say that he feels
deeply grateful to the fair Texan would
DO drawing It very mildly. and he vows
he will keep the bandage as long a. he
lives. memphis Cor. 81. Louis Republic.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12

she held q bunch OF scarlet blossoms IN
| her hand.
then Of my dismay, when snatching the
verbenas from her hand with an angry
gesture she cried,
"How dare you, you little imp1 How
often have | told you not to pick the
aowersi And these scarlet verbenas,
too, which | am saving to wear to Mrs
Redmond's ball tomorrow night. Yo,
deserve q good beating" and she sud
denly boxed the child's ear.
"Portia," cried involuntarily.
She turned and saw me. Yes, there
was no longer any doubt Of 1.-THE WON
an was mad. Her face was like that Of
O hend, but II suddenly changed, and an
almost humble look took the place Of her
expression Of fury.
The poor, grieved little child was sob.
bing quietly. I held out my arms to
her. With q baby's instinct she came
to me and crept close to my heart. She
did not CRY out as most children would
under the circumstances, but noaned
sadly. almost under her breath. "Oh.
mamma, mammaf
"How could you, PortisY' asked.
"well, she Is such torment. Come
now, Daphne, stop crying. You know ]
am sorry boxed your ears. always am.
81 always ami" So then this treat.
ment Of her lovely little daughter was
not unusual. Decidedly my friend waa
mad.
Iheld the grieving little creature In
my arms until her sobs had ceased. and
then, still clinging to my hand as to some
protecting power, she went into break.
fast with me.
There was pile Of letters at Portias
plate. She glanced over them hurriedly
and paused at one.
Here 10 q letter from Colonel March.
mont" she said. snow shall know when
no is coming"
Az she read, her face became trans
figured. The hard, stern lines softened;
q flush crept to her cheek. She looked
more like the old Portis than at any
previous time.
"He IL coming" she cried. "coming
tomorrow. Thank Godl haven't lived
since he went. have simply existed.
Prudence, you will see bim-my hus-
band, my love, my god"
Her passionate tones amazed and de-
lighted me.
..She has ut least kept her love for her
husband pure and fresh." said to my
self. "That Is q good sign. But II she
loves him 30 intensely. why is she 10 ir'
ritabie to his childY'
"He will be In time for the ball, !" she
ratified ON. land you, Prudence, mus,
20 with us. It'sa ball Mt the next planta.
ton. We have 30 little gayety In THU
forsaken country that we appreciate
every opportunity for pleasure"
"Oh, you will excuse me-" said. "
would cut q sorry figure at ball. Le'
me stay at home with Daphne"
The little ones hand stole into my lap
pressed the tiny fingers warmly.
"As you please, " cried Portia. "What'
thisi"
Ashadow crossed her face. She bit her
lip and stared desperately at the letter
ahe still held In her hand.
"What shall I dor I heard her NUT
ter. "What shall dor
Then without one word Of apology
Hrs. Marchmont abruptly rose from the
table and left the room.
TTo M continually
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
A farm Of .uItabIe ,l,e, well.m.naged

A farm OF suitable slze, well-managed,
a house, conveniently planned and
cozily furnished, family whose mem
bers are refined and Christians, who
have plenty OF work, enough to make
them heaithful and happy, but nos
alaves; who have music and good read.
ing In rhelr home. With time To do good
and make others happy, no debt TO
worry about, perfect love and sympathy
With each other; that u our I.leA OF tho
Highest earthly happlness.-Farm Lie
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-12-12
(To be continued.)
p,d .h. Qu... x.ew,

Newspapers here recently announced
with q great display Of type that the
queen had been graciously pleased to
present many bottles Of wine TO various
London hospitals for. the use Of poor pa,
tisnts. The same papers have carefully
refrained from giving currency TO there
port published In reputable provincial
Journals to the effect that most Of the
wine. In question was the refuse Of the
loyal cellars and unit Tor ne In hospi.
.sis Il was In very bad condition.
Many Of the bottles were half empty.
and others were 20 badly coeksd that The
contents had turned sour. u y chayita'
bly, suessstsd that hsr frugal majesty
wss ignorant Of thsss dsfsota New
Yeeh esas teoasn g! Lses1' :. ...- -