davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
Oddities in Taxation,

The archives of Holland contain some
ordinances which my we'll be regarded
as curiosities of taxation. In the year
1866 there was tax imposed on all
passengers travelling in Holland by land
or water. In 1871 this tax was still in
force. In 1914 duty of five cents was
levied on each person who entered a
tavern before noon. The tax was III
creased for afternoon visits.
Persons who assembled in a private
house after o'clock in the afternoon for
the purpose of amusing themselves had
each to pay a certain sum, and those who
entered a place of public amusement
were likewise taxed. There was a duty
on marriages and deaths. The amount
of the tax varied according to the social
position or the parties; while in the case
Of person buried outside of the dis
trict in which he had lived the amount
payable by his executor was doubled
But the most curious tax of all was
one imposed in 1914 on boots and shoes.
In order TO prevent the impost from be-
ing evaded, each of those articles so es-
sential to human comfort had to be
conspicuousv marked on the upper
leather with the stamp Of the maker and
also with that of the taxing officer. The
sum to be paid was regulated according
to the size Of the boot or shoe. So, apart
from the question of beauty, in those
days it was real advantage to have
small foot. II San Francisco Chronicle.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
kentucky Frog Farms.

Among the many toothsome luxuries
now coming into market to satisfy the
cravings of our epicu'e5 are large green
frogs They are received here in coops
covered with ncttcd wire tops and are
sold Just like live poultry. These frogs
have become articles of stock in the large
produce houses of late, and arr shipped
principally from southern Kentucky,
where there are several frog farms in
operation. One entcrprising gentleman,
a Mr.. Ford, who lives near Rocky Hill
Ky, on the line of the Louisville and
Nashville railroad, is the owner of two
large ponds, in which ho cultivates the
green frog to perfection. They are fed
principally on corn meal, flies and worms.
and are taken when quite yourA,; and
fattened until they attain an enormous
size. There are many other shippers of
this delicacy to the city, and some of
them send their frogs all dressed and
ready for cooking. They are excellent
eating and command good prices in the
markets. - Louisville Times.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
The Supreme Court of California

The Supreme Court of California
las lately decided that it is unlawful
tor a jury to arrive at the amount of
damages to be assessed in civil suit
BY taking an average of their various
estimates. Some time ago young
lady of San Francisco was passing
llong the street, and chisel, falling
rom scaffold where carpenter was
1t work, inflicted a painful wound
Upon her. She sued for damages, and
The jury found it hard to agree as to
The amount which she should receive.
Every one had different idea on the
mbject, though they were all O. the
opinion that she ought to have some
Thing. They finally decided to make
IN average, of the sums which they
we're inclined to award her, and hand
N the average on their verdict. They
old the court how they had arrived at
heir decision, whereupon an appeal
vas taken and the Supreme Court de-
ided that the verdict was reached "by
,hance, T" and could not stand. Where
he element of chance enters into an
sverage is not very plain to an outside
observer, comments the New Orleans
Picayune, but perhaps the California
olgns know.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

+ The big battleship Victoria was not
only one of the biggest and one of the
best of England's naval fleet, but she
slso proved the costliest vessel in the
.ervice from the day that her keel was
laid at Elswick, on April %, 1885.
Notwithstanding the hurrying along
Of the work of construction it was not
ill April 9, 1887, that she was launch
ed, and it was about three years after
hat before she was ready for sea
lervice Her hull and masts and in
erior fittings for officers end crew
;ost So, 200. 900 and her machinery and
boilers cost So, 584, 5S5 more. Her arm
ment cost about a million dollars,
sacl of her 110-ton- monstrosities.
alled breech-loading rifles, costing
s1O0, 900; and one of those, like the
Indians gun made to shoot around
corners, dropped at the muzzle, and
The other had o split at the muzzle,
making it necessary to cut off six inches
If its length.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
Headgear for Soldiers

The War Department of the United
States has had under consideration a
change in the headgear of the soldiers
and officers to replace the forage cap and
helmet now worn in the service The
forage cap, intended for all branches of
the army, is what is knowna as the German
pattern, and it is claimed for it that the
visor, being turned down instead of
being straight, gives more protection to
the eyes. The top is soft and pliable
and has the advantage of keeping the
head cool Many officers isvor it's adop-
ton, while not few look upon it with
disfavor, owing to the fact that it is al
most the exact counterpart in shape, but,
of course. not in material, of those so fire.
qucntly met with on the heads of emi-
grants from the Fatherland.
The other design known as the busby,
is for the cavalry and is exactly similar
to that worn by the Eighteenth Hussars
of the English army. 1t is made of
black astrakhan cloth and will weigh,
complete, about ten ounces. 1t also has
a sloping visor, but very small. For en-
listed men it will be the same minus the
pompon or top ornament.- Detroit Free
proSS
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
Enigmatical Poisons.

Many would be suicides have been
saved by their ignorance of the fact that
the :'golden key to the chamber of eter-
nal rest" as Percy Shelley called prussia
acid, loses its efficacy under the sunlight,
and that white arsenic answers its pur-
pose only in small doses, but in large
quantities is simply rejected by the
stomach. Yet still more mysterious
poison is the virus of the tsetse fly, an
African insect whose bite is almost in
variably fatal TO horses and cows, but
has no effect on man nor on mules, asses
and antelopes.
Dr. Livingstone on one of his expedi-
tions lost forty-fve steers in an attempt
to cross a tsetse swamp, and describes
the appearance of the dead animals as
resembling that of the victims of the
worst kind Of blood poison, yet the cause
of the mischief is not much larger than q
gadtly, and its sting, even when dozens
alieht on the shoulders of a half naked
native, has not the least appreciate after
effect, except faint itching, which gene-
rally subsidies in the course of half an
AoaE.rLst Louis staE.sayipgs:
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
Records of Great Value.

In the old Ford's Theater building all
the records of the volunteer armies were
fled so that at a moments notice the ca
rcer of any man in the union army could
be ascertaincd.
The volumnousness of the document
arv matter therein contained is hard to
realize The military records include
400. 900 mustcr-rolIs and about $50, OOO
bound volumes.
The copying has been done upon cards.
They were printed in black and then the
blanks were filled from the records.
The cards were sorted by States, then by
regiments and finally alphabetically, so
that q score or more referring to one man
eventually come together from widely
different sources and take their places
under his name
The system of indexing aud sorting
was marvellous, the result beautiful in its
simplicity.
The building was divided by little
partitions. The three great floors were
covered with rows of desks for clerks.
In a word, the building contained
within its walls an illustration of one of
the most remarkable feats of systemic
alton ever brought to success.
The Record and Pension Office was
created by executive order in 1887, that
is, the office as existing up to the time
of the disaster. On May 8, 1892, it was
given permanent establishment by an
act of Congress, and Col. Ainsworth was
appointed as its chief.
The room devoted to New York alone
contained a record of 100000 enlist.
ments, the same being kept in 6, 1872
boxes. About "a of those boxes referred
to the Mexican war and the others to
the rebellion.
The system of records as in operation
saved $4,000 in clerical salaries annu-
ally New York News.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

It appears that a modest and hard.
working bell-hanger, from East Englia
was the original cause of "David Cop
perfeld. This worthy man while at
work in Dickens house SO attracted the
novelist by his peculiar sing-song dia-
lect that he resolved to go down to the
mans country. Hence visit to Var
uouth-and "Davld Copperfeld.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
SAYS the San Francisco Chronicle

Says the San Francisco Chronicle -
Nothing is sacred in these days, when
the eager publisher offers fancy prices
for any literary relics of famous writer's.
Here is relative of Carlyle selling
ZONE early essays of the great author
which Carlyle refused to include in his
printed works because he did not re-
gard them as sufficiently mature. And
who prints some early verse of the IA
nous art critic, and very bad verse it is.
There ought to be some way to reach
such literary piracy as this, for it is un-
fair and unjust to the fame of great
writer's.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
WHY rs IT so >
BY FATHER RYAN,

BY FATHER RYAN,
THE Poet-Priest of the South.)
Some find wo where some find rest,
And 50 the weary world so on;
I sometimes wond which is best
The answer comes when lif; is done.
Some eyes sleep when som3 eyes wake,
And 50 the dreary night hours go;
Some hearts be Il whe Q some heats break
often wonder why it's %.
Some hands fold while other hands
Are lifted bravely in the strife,
And so thru ages and thro' lands
Move on the two extremes of life
Some feet halt, while some feet tread,
In tireless march ths thoIny way.
Some struggle on when some have fled;
Some seek. where 9th Is shun, the fray.
Some SLEEP on while others keep
The vigils of the tru: aad brave;
They Will no. rest till roses creep
Around their names above the crave.
Father Ryan.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
An Enormous Kite.


The largest kite ever made in the
United States is that produced in Dur
ham, Greene County. The frame con-
sists of two main sticks, % feet long,
weighing each 100 pounds, and two
cross sticks, 2l feet long and weighing
Is pounds each. All the sticks were
2x6 inches in dimensions. Over the
framework was stretched a great sheet
of white duck, 25x1S feet, which
weighed So pounds. The tail of the
kite alone weighed SO pounds and con
tanned 1856 yards of muslin. Twenty
five hundred feet of one-haf inch rope
served as kite strings. The plaything
cost 500, and when it is mounted into
the air it exerts lifting power of 500
pounds. Six men once permitted it to
ascend 1000 feet Albany Express.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
Wasps Are Natural Surgeons.

Wasps, according to scientific paper,
are natural surgeons. A gentleman be-
coming annoyed by the persistent buz-
zing of wasp about his head, knocked
it down with newspaper. 1t fell
through an open window upon the sill,
apparently dead. Only apparently, for
few seconds later large wasp flew on
to the window sill, and after buzzing
around the injured one a second or two
began to lick it all over. After thj
(Which may have been kind of mas
sage) the sick wasp seemed to revi>
and his friend then dragged him gent
to the edge, graspcd him around
body and few away with him
Lowry City, Mo-, has 374o pouE.
EEgGE. z5r5z
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

Excepting Dubuque, Iowa, the i'm
portant cities of the middle West pay
considerably smaller tax on actual val.
ues than do Eastern cities. The South.
ern cities are between the two sections
Brooklyn's rate is about the worst in
the country. New York's rate is rather
low for the East
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

OLD PARTY-Thank you, Antoine;
thank you very much. Aldo they
allow tipping here? Antoine-Oui,
ln'sier. Old Party-And are the
guests liberal? Antoine--Non, m'sier;
:e rule is re ozzaire way. Old Party
Very well, Antoine; here is c. mt
for you. do not wish to break the
Jules. Harper's Weekly.
LITTLE Boy Papa, may l study
locution?" Proud Papa-aIndeed
you may, my boy, IL you wish. You
desire to become great orator, don't
you?" aYes, that's it," "And some
day, perhaps, have your voice ringing
through the halls of Congress?" II
shouldn't care for that. / want to
lie an after dinner speaker" aAh,
you are ambitious for social distinc-
Jion, them" mo, I want the din
peTs. Good News,
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

Judge Pryor of New York believe'
in jurors who read the newspapers.
In other words, he believes that II
twelve good men and true the law ex
poets to find twelve men of at least
:. 4
ordinary intelligence.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

STILL TIME.
Mr.. McSwat--Have you packed your
trunk yet, Lobclia7
Mrs. NcSwat---Not vet.
Mr.. McSwat docking at his watch)--
Then yoal haven't any time to lose. The
train leaves in exactly thirty-six hours
Chicago Tribune.
MORE FINANCE THAN rISEssE,
$50 my daughter referred YOU to me,
ELI? Well, hardly understand it. She
never consuts me except in a financial
way'
"WcH-- ah Sir, that's just it,
Texas Siftings.
HIS DILEMMA.
"1ntrchuco me to your friend over
there
Il can't. The truth is l forget his
name"
Il know his name; it's Smith,"
"W ci!r-cr-I forget yours - Chicago
Record.
SPECIAL I.iTEs.
"My DEAR said Mr.. Foster, as he
glanced over the pile of letters by his
plate at breakfast, II have little sur
prise for YOU"
The entire family became instantly at
tentive. "You know" continued the
smiling man, ''of Finnytire- LA rbor-on-
the Sound. 1t is beautiful cool spot
no notwithstanding boating, and
general happiness. l quote from the
advertisement of the Cuttletish Villa,
which caught my eye the other day.
The proprietor, my love. advertised
Special Rates for Children, and forth
with wrote to him. Here is the answer
holding aloftan envelope, land if fav-
orablc we will go down.
'To-morrow," suggested half dozen
fresh young voices.
await, my dears,' said their mother,
calmly, yet truly delighted.
Mr.. Foster opened the letter and read,
Replying to your favor of the 18th
inst, | would say that our regular rates
for adults are IS to 81 per day.
"Rether expensive" iuterpoated Mrs
Foster; "but with reductions for the
Children
"'And,'" continued Mr.. Foster,
slow y reading, " special rates for chill
dren-'"
"Ah-h" hunmed the seven listeners,
scarcely able to restrain their impa-
thence.
especial rates for Children" re-
pcated Mr.. Foster, severely, three
dollars day extra each. - Harper's
BaZar.
ODDS AND ENDS.
GA call to arms"-Baby's midnight
yell.
People speak of the face Of note
when it's really the figure that interests
them.
A man is often drawn as Juror and
qrart:rcd at the court house t Lowell
Courier.
The reputation OF being good fellow
never helped n man at a bank Mil
waukee Journal.
The bank cashier gets tired of help.
ing others, and sometimes foolishly helps
Yonkers Statesman.
Pork Dealer Ito a young widow
Madame, 2,OO0 hogs and Il faithful heart
| lay at your feet. Please take us in
F'liegende Batter.
Grace Ingle-You ask me to marry
you. Can you not read your answer in
my face? Ned Naver (cruelly)-Yes; it
is very plain.
The poet now sings of the cooling sea,
OF the salt and bracing air,
And tries to blrter his rhymes for cash,
Enough to take him there.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

The percentage of suicides is every.
where in this country increasing, but
not so rapidly as the percentage of in
sane persons. It is possible, suggests
the New York Recorder, that both in.
creases seem larger than the facts would
warrant, as the figures have recently
been more carefully kept in the large
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

A japanese editor called the mem
bers of the Legislature "boneleGi
fish, and gets six months and fnt
for punishment. The New York Re
corder opines that the art of vitupera.
ton is primitive in Japan if that's
actionabIe.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
St. Landry Democrat.
- BY L. A. SANDOZ.
OpeIousas, - Louisiana.

In England and the United State
most women suicides are young
which means that social disgrace il
taken very keenly. In France mos
of them are old-which means poverty
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
JESTS AND YARNS BY FUNNY
MEN OF THE PRESS.

The Heaviest Sentence-GOod Friends
Effect of a Tropical Cliinite-itse is
Older, Too, Etc, Etc.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
HIS PARTING SHOT.

"AIr.,' SAIL the greasy man in the door
way, paintively, ''could you spare Il
dollar to help Il poor man along Z"
Il think | could, answered the man
at the desk, drawing Il silver dollar from
his pocket, looking fondly at the coin,
and dropping it back again, but I'm
not going TO do it.
''Keep it - rejoined the greasy caller
in husky voice. keep it It's only
worth As cents. - Chicago Tribune.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
TOO TEMPTING.

Il think, Wilie,' said his father, who
had been looking through the new
house, II shall give you one of the
rooms at the other end of the build
ing"
"NNhats the matter with this one?"
inquired Willie, anxiously.
The matter, my son." rcjoined the
experienced parent, his left eyeid COM
ing down slowly over the eye, is that
the window opens out on the kitchen
roof, the coal shed is close to the kitch-
en- and this is the circus season. - Chi
cago Tribune.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

1'rimus-IIow did Hollis explain his
tlcscrtlon of his wife and children to the
justice?
Secundus-IIc said his wife was q
virago. He was punished for resisting
the police.
Primus-Got six months on the isl
and?
Secundus No. Six months at home. =
Judge.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
LUNURIES DEBARRED.

"Im going to marry her right off,
"What's your hurry -
"My salary isn't large enough ~
stand an engagement. - Brooklyn Life.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
TO BE PITIED.

"Please, ma'am, give some money to
a orphan ~
HERES a quarter. Isyour father dead,
little boy?'
"No, ma'am, the moneys for me
fodder; he's a orphan" = [Chieago
Record.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
GOOD FRIENDS.

Cleverton-lIavc cigar?
Dashaway-I don't care if do, old
man. | know lis good one if you
have it.
Cleverton- lou tlatter me.
Dashaway-No. | don't tlatter you.
| flatter your friends. - Truth.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09
A MATTER OF AGE.

Cholly-Yes, I'm man of the world.
Maudc-Pardon me- Mr.. Sprigg. You
mean yol will be when you grow up
Chicago Record.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09


Maudc-Pardon me- Mr.. Sprigg. You
mean yol will be when you grow up
Chicago Record.
FRIENDLY FRIENDS.
Jinks-See here, old boy, you ought
to do something to reduce your flesh.
You are becoming fearfully stout.
Minks-Say, Jinks, you are about the
fortieth friend who has made that Often
sive remark to-day, and I'm getting tired
of it. 1t worries me.
Jinks-That's all right. Worry reduces
flesh New York Weekly.
The Hciress Yes, when [ don't
wish to accept certain mems attentions,
and they ask me where live, | say in
the suburbs.
Mr.. Selfsure-Ha. Ha. Ha! Ex-
cellent! But where do you live, Miss
Brown?
The Heiress-In the suburbs, Mr.. Self
sure.-[Life.
COULDN'T THINK OF IT.
Chaply-I had an idea girls nowadays
thought Of nothing but getting married.
Jess-Aud you have changed your
mind?
Chaply-Yep; asked one to marry
me, and she said she couldn't think of
such thing Browning's Monthly.
A REGULAR PICNIC
First New Yo1ker-So you have got
back from Chicago. I suppose you
have learned great deal.
Second New Yorket--WelI, I've
learned how to get along OF one @eal q
day Texas Siftings.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

'lntrcduco me to your friend over
there.
Il can't. The truth is I forget his
name"
Il know his name; it's Smith,"
"Wei!~-er-I forget yours. - Chicago
Record.
St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-09-09

Then, Louis Belcourt, putting aside
everybody in his way, and jostling the
stage manager and manager. who strove
to bar his passage, gave the st5nal to
raise the curtain and appeared upon the
stage.
Profound silence ensued.
The young actor advanced toward the
footlights, and said in vibrating voice
"Messieurs and Mesdames, Mile. Jane
de Bolney tainted on receiving dis
| patch which announced that the French
army had just met with a grave check
on the frontier of Germany; as soon as
she RECEIVERS consciousness she will reap
pear before you, and until then we beg
, you to be patient!"
A murmur followed these words. A
wind of mourning passed over the house.
People no longer commented on the in
terruption of the performance, but on
the news of the disaster.
Then silence resumed its sway, deeper
and more mournful than before
Louis Belcourt's comrade. who had
made his way into the auditorium and
mingled with the audience, carrying out
the directions he had received from his
friend, arose.
"We are as good patriots as Mile. de
Bolney,' cried he, 81 the play should not
60 on before Frenchmen who have
learned of defeat of their arms!"
Unanimous braves greeted this decla
ration. Thcn the audience dismissed
themselves the prey Of deep emotion.
Belcourt had saved the artistic honor
ri Jane de Bolney.
| The rumoF of our check, which the
Imperial Government had carefully con-
cealed, spread rapidly through Paris,
causing q fIigbtfnl stupor.
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-06-12

AN ordinance amending article 222, chapter
. title n itOtthed liiminhl ordinances OF
the city " Fort worth,
~ 4 ordained by the city council OF the
Section i. That article 222, chapter 2. title
be aud thu same Is hereby amended NJ
~ 10 hereafter read ~ follows, ioswiti
'Afiiee ~ When rrriRln structures IN
ere limits are prohibited. Any person %
peraonA, Urn or corporation who shall bllll1
within the fre llmith Of tbs city, o. be- son.
oernrd IN hullding Or plArlnR therein any
huiidlng or buildings other than brick or
stone ~ WIN shall remove any building
VI Wn0d or cnmbuHiiblu material frDm one
place 10 another within Tho nru limits. Or
Htructed 0f wood ct eonbuHtihlc material,
where The Hnmr shall nave been damaged
10 tie extent Of 10 per cent Of tH value, or
shall make any af1iilohh tiprio other than
brick 81 stone. shail be- hnrd In my sun
seeii1n y THAI each ana every day Tint
turh "A building erected, repaired Or added
thereto III violation VI this ofdinunre shall
H. nlinwod 10 remain IN ihH Ore limits shall
eongutu!e = Nenarinls oii.nsc aiii shail d.
secilDn g Al gfdinnnrrA ur paris Of or
dinanecs In conflict herewith are hereby
SECTION 4. This ordinance shan take eject
from and after due publication ~ required
''riied May so, 1850. NY nunss
Passed May 3d. lHDa.
Jhis nriinsnrn not having been approved
NOT disnppfoyrd within the three daye ~ N
~ v BunNa CiV secretary,
CITY Secretary.
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-06-12

pooKKEEpERs. TAKE NOTICE
~ $500 English steel pens VIII not
.. ,o,ls The poiais are ground by hanl
cofi ar guaranteed 10 cuihs;
AA9 i,,arr peaa Try them and b
tnree XII FOR salr only by Allen \
eoss,,s ,sS,.b sai Houston street. Fort
Worth Tex
Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-06-12

The rourt house huilniDR ant feni ny.
,srerns gatlt dndra now 1conpylnx the ptb
NJ eiiinfs Ia the city u T0u Worth riil
~ ediI 10 TIE blfileaf bidder Tor caah NJ
tho s9ufi di,pr " aid court house o. ~
fhr aanir 10 ~ removed hui ihe 4f01ldn
sofnplriilf clearfd ~ W fhe purchaser BE-
f0fe The nfst day n August iNtii
HOHf q. JOHNSON.
County Ju1Ec Tasren. county, Tex.