davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28
Whence Comes Croft?

The origin Of ''croft' itself, even more
than Of it's sister words, is ''wrop in
mystery 1t is a very old English
term, appearing in the charters or title
deeds of estates as long ago as the reign
of Edgar, where the phrase sat the
croft S head" is quoted by DR.. Murray,
but it remained long unrecognized in
the literary language. The old English
form, like the modern one, is "croft, %
meaning an inclosed field. In lowland
Scotch it appears generally in the form
"craft," which is still employed in
many derivatives, but the only other
Teut0nic equivalent in the sister Ian
guages is the Dutch work ''kroft, -
which means ga piece of high and dry
land " "a field on the downs, - "a rocky
headland. " In the north of England,
according to Ray, the word ''croft" i'm
plies neighborhood to a house, but IL
the south it is applied to any small in
closure, near building or otherwise.
DR.. Murray's English dictionary gives
several uses of croft in early times,
though not for the most part in what
can fairly be called literature. "As he
stood in his croft, says a legal writer
of the thirteenth century, whose spell
ing and grammar I mercifully modern
ize While Piers Plowman writes,
birds come into my croft and crop my
wheat" Early in the sixteenth century
Fitzherbert defines a curtylage (what
ever that may be) as ga lytell croft or
court to put in catell for TYNE. = In
the seventeenth century the phrase &C
ours, "All ou1d tenants shall have
croft and a meadow" which sounds as
if it came out Of crofter commission
report. But it was Milton who first en-
nobled the plebeian word by admitting
it frankly into immortal poetry. The
spirit in "Comus'' says to the elder
brother:
This have 1 learned
Tending my locks hard by i tn billy crofts
That brow this bottom glade.
-Cornhill Magazine.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

to another. To Pennsylvania this
seems as though the man intended to
pick you up in his arms and carry you
bodily for the miles you are to go.
Here they say stake" or "haul," and
down South, especially among the
less educated, they will use the word
"tote" to convey the same meaning.
Tote" has no standing i'm any die
tionary, and is product of the negro
dialect. The New Englander will also
call bucket "paip' and a pale "A
"picket."
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28


The story is told in the Youths Com
panion of man who kept a provision
store in factory town, who was odd
and queer. Many of the boys and
men in the town thought IL fun 60
make sport of the man, whom they
called "Old Pro-" One day three OF
them went into his shop, and one of
them asked:
CHOW much do you ask for a yard
of pork?"
zone dollar" answered the old
man.
"I'll take a yard" said the spokes-
man.
"Where is your money!"
The dollar was produced, the dealer
pocketed it, and handed the customer
three pigs feet.
show is that?" said the fellow.
"Why," answered Old Pro, "three
feet make a yard, don't they?"
Pigs feet are worth about three
cents each. The laugh was not on Old
Pro that time.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

"Miss, you can't bring dogs into
the car" said Third Avenue conduct
or to young woman who tenderly
held a wriggling little object wrapped
up in shawl. "Tain't a dog" snap
ped the young woman; and the dis
comfited conductor retreated to the
rear platform. He studied the case
for a few minutes, and then, return
ing to the young woman, said, "Miss,
you can't bring cats in, neither"
" 'Tain't cat" said the young wom-
an: "it's a rabbit" and the long ears
emerged in conformation of her as
sertion. At this the conductor looked
puzzled for a moment, and then said:
"Well, that's according to the rules of
the company. Dogs is dogs, and cats
is cats; but rabbits is insects. So you
can stay."-N. Y. Star.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28
''If all the gold in mint or bank,
All earthly things that men call wealth
Were mine, with every titled rank,
ia oiua them all for nreci0nS n eaIth >,

Thus in anguish wrote lady teacher to a
near friend, telling the pitiless headache, of
smarting pain, of pain in back and 1oins, of
detection, weakness and nervous, feverish
unrest. The friend knew both causes and
cure and flashed back the answer, ''Take Dr.
Pierce's Favorite Prescriptions The distress
ed teacher obeyed, was restored to perfect
health, and her daily duties once more be-
came a daily pleasure For lady teachers,
broken down by exhausting work, the "Pre-
scription'' is a most potent restorative tonic,
and a certain cure for all female Weakness
Send for free pamphlet. Address Worlds
Disyensary Medical Ass ociation, 663 Main St.,
Euffa1o, N. Y.
Fibroid, rovarian and other tumors cured
without resort to surgery. Book, with num-
erous references, sent on receipt of 10 cents
in stamps Worlds Dispensary Medical AS
ISOLATION, Buffalo, N. Y.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28
ELECTRICITY AND THE MAILS.
Talk of More Extensive Use of Wires IN
the Postal Service.

1alk OF more Extensive Use of Wires IN
the Postal Service.
Lit has recently been pointed out that
already the telephone is used, by actual
count, ten times as much as the tele-
graph, the annual figures being put now
at about 5000, 900 kilograms and $780,,
600, 600 telephone talks The long dis
lance telephone system is paralleling the
older telegraph lines all over the coun-
try, and III the cities the average OF use
OF the telegraph, owing to rapid transit,
messenger service, special delivery let
tiers, and, above all, the telephone, has
dropped much below one message per
head per year.
A suggestion lately put forward by
electrician of high standing, is the sub
ject just now of warm discussion in
electrical circles. Having in mind the
statistics quoted above, Mr.. Delany an
nounces his firm conviction that it is
time to get out of the telegraph its full
working valve, and that it ought now
to be used for the carriage of the mails,
not in the physical sense, but literally,
all the same. He believes that 40, 600 Or
$4,000 letters of about so words each
between Chicago and New York could
every day be proftably sent over cou-
pie of copper wires at a rate of 2 cents
or 10 cents apiece. Thousands of such
letters now pay 10 cents in the mail to
insure the saving of half an hour after
a journey Of "a hours, whereas, by Mr..
Delany's plan, correspondence between
two such metropolitan centers cczlld
easily be interchanged in an hour, and
the documents be delivered in clean
typewriter print.
The plan is based necessarily on ''ma-
chine telegraphy, which has been on
trial before, and not gone very far, but
the growth of the great cities and the
undoubted desire for swifter, cheaper
Accommodation of private and pub
lie news give more plausibility to Mr..
Delany's arguments than they have had
hitherto. His idea is to give the public
low priced Geographic mail on the
same lines that Rowland Hill first start
ed his universal postal service, and his
contention is that the function Of rail
ways is to handle passengers and freight,
but not anything SO intangible as cor
respondence and news.-New York
Post.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

The commercial enterprise OF mos
of the religious papers is quite re-
markabie, and the secular appear
ance of their advertisements is no
ticeable. But the climax OF this sort
of thing seems to De capped by "A let
ter seen recently. 1t was Addressed TO
a business man by the manager of a
religious weekly, and it solicited an
advertisement on. the ground that the
paper "not only had very large cir
culation, but a very credulous class of
readers
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

Prompted by the feeling that it was
his duty, the Bishop demonstrated
with one of his clergy for attending a
local hunt.
"Well, your lordship," replied the
offender, 81 really do not see there is
any more harm in hunting than going
to ball"
81 presume" answered his lordship,
that you refer to having seen my
name down among those who attend
ed Lady Somerville's ball, but as
sure you throughout the whole even
ing I was never once in the same
room a. the dancers
'That, my lord, is exactly how 1
stand-I was never in the same field
as the hounds"
Then the Bishop sat down and ST.
lence reigned.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28
|W0 BAD CASES OF RHEU-
MATISM CURED.
lad not walked a step
for over a year, but is
now perfectly cured.
rom far off California come
words Of praise for the rem
edy which performs its
Smiths Rheumatic
Cure.

Mrs Judge AI.;,. h is IN cstimable lady
Chico, Cal, Wa had suffered untold
Eonies for ten year, until a friend told her
i Smiths Rheumatic Cure. After procuring
supply of this valuable remedy she writes:
My joints were badly swollen and had not
talked step for year. Physicians said
Nv case was incurable, but after taking
Inith's Rheumatic Cure q short time L can
Falk, in fact, L am a walking advertisement,
br tell every friend l meet"
Another case in the same city was that of
/ rs. L. S. Camper, who says: 81 was abso-
hteIy helpless, for / could not use my arms
walk. L took four bottles of Smiths
Rheumatic Cure and can now do my own
OusewOrk, and am feeling much better in
cneral health than for years"
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28
Wife Ito husband returning home

Wife (to husband returning home)
An hour ago the bank president was
here and wanted to see you. I sent
to every saloon in the neighborhood,
but you couldn't be found"
Husband-Of course; I was at the
Office.
Wife = The last place on earth I
would have thought of.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

1t is a physical impossiblity for a
man to kill himself by holding his
breath.
individuals differ greatly in the
length of time they an hold their
breath, and what practice and deter
mined effort, combined with natural
great lung capacity, can do in this
direction is shown by the long periods
for which champion divers remain
under water.
If a man succeeded in continuing to
hold his breath, in spite of the phys
cal discomfort in which he had placed
himself, the result would simply be to
induce a state of coma, and when
this state was reached, nature would
reassert herself, aud the breathing
functions would again resume full ac-
tivity. preventing a fatal issue in
spite of their owners desire.
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28
English American News.

This is the way writer in the Lon
don Telegraph refers to recent American
laws against pool selling and betting at
race tracks: 1.-The antibetting ukase
bassed last autumn at the instance of
The Puritans, who would fain introduce
The blue laws of Connecticut into the
city Of New York, the most cosmopoli-
tan capital in the world. -
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

In different parts Of the United
States there is a curious variation of
the word intended in the idea of con-
veying. In New England they will
offer to carry" YOU from one place
Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-10-28

CAN OBTAIN 4 PATENTe For
prompt answer and an honest opinion, write TO
sIUNN 81 CO., who have had nearly fifty years
Experience in the patent business. Communica-
lions strictly confidential. A Handbook of In
formation concerning Patents and how to OBJ
ain them sent free. Also a catalogue of mechan-
|cal and scientific books sent free.
Patents taken through Mum & Co. receive
special notice in the Scientific American, and
thus are brought widely before the public with
but cost to the inventor. This splendid paper,
issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has by far the
largest circulation of any scientific work in the
world. So a year. Sample copies sent free.
Building Edition, monthly, $3.50 year Single
Eiful plates, in colors, and photographs of new
houses. with plans enabling builders to show the
latest designs and secure contracts. Address
MUM & CO., NEW YORK, 361 BROADWAY.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-15
zzzz.zszwsg%.s..~ -

cold. The poet is a lively chap not at all like a poet should seem. True, he wears long locks and sports a Latin Quartier plug" but his eyes are not dreamy, nor does he seem disinterested in the doings of the outer world. But he is heavy on Mime. Darblays beans Indeed, he holds the record for slowing away as many as five platefuls, when struck by vigorous inspiration. s The sculptor is more like a poet, being slim, nervous, delicate-looking fellow and is necessarily rolling and smoking cigarettes. Before every repast he takes his glass of absnthe and a cigarette while he dreamily peers out of his half closed eyes.
 The scientist is an old man nearly 70, with white hair and never comes in without his copy of La Presse," which he buys at the news stand a few doors below. He subsists upon a small govern ment pension, and spends nearly all his time in little room on the top floor of one of those quaint old buildings on the Rue Moulin de Beurre among his books and chemicals-his only joy.
 An Artist Who Is a Mystery.
 Another table contains two artists, a blind musician and his wife. One of the artists is a real mystery. He sits in his corner, speaking to none, and goes and comes like a shadow-no one knows where and no one cares. A bowl of choc-
  Many are. the conjectures and stories circulated about him and his doings, but all that is really known is that he is some poor artist disappointed and handi- capped with barely enough to live on, following his only ambition-to paint The other artist Is a big, bluff fellow who speaks in a loud voice and lives well; he is successful in his profession with several honorable mentions" in the salons. After dinner he and fat Mons Darblay indulge in a few games of pi- quet and he always comes out on top, to Darblays chagrin.
 The blind musician is very bright He is head professor of music at the Asylum for the Blind in the Boul des .Invalides. His wife takes good care of him, seeing that he does not spill his soup, and ar ranging the dishes so he can strike the right thing when he wants it.
 The other three tables contain various other less interesting types-students with their lady friends" few musi- clans of the theaters, and occasionally a stranger who may drift in now and then for a passing meal. The last table in the corner next the kitchen is held sa cred and called 'Le Table Anglais." T., an illustrator for Scribner's; w.. an ami maj sculptor and myself, are the illustri- ous holders of the same and are the only foreigners who frequent Darblay's.
 Down another street-le Rue de Lam bre-is a little creamery about 20 feet square, divided into two rooms and a kitchen. Here dine as many English girl students as can squeeze into their side of the partition. while on the other side a number of American students dine Among their number is Castaigne of the Century, who is lone of the boys" him. self.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-15
G|DDY GIRLS, GAY BOYS Feasting and Fun in a Lively
 French Restaurant. B0HEMIANS DINE WELL. Naughty Little Actresses, Artists, Old Scien- lists, Poets and Only Three Foreign
 CTS Dine There.

San Francisco News Letter
 In La Rue de la Gaite, Paris, one finds the little restaurant Maison Darblay. There is nothing out of the ordinary in the Maison Darblay save its patrons and it's wine. The same faces appear there day after day, each before it's own napkin ring in its own seat, at it's own table, A violation of such etiquette would be fatal in Bohemia. The napkins and their rings are numbered, and they repose in a box at the end of the room. and are as sacred as the hook on which one hangs his hat every night.
 M Darblay, the proprietor, is actually fat This is surprising when one remem- .bers how hard he has worked all his life to attain perfection.
 M Darblay dishes up'' just under meath the clock, which is always fifteen minutes fast, on the shelves heavy with bottles that are supposed to contain all imaginary liquors and fabulous bitters.
 The kitchen is at the opposite end of the room, in full view, with its row of shining copper pots and pans ref1ecting the ruddy glow from the big range, over which Mime Darblay holds supreme sway manufacturing those world-fa- nous "haricots," cooked in butter side by side with her juicy "gigots of steaks" done to a turn. Cad! it's treat to be her boarder.
 Marie and Elsie, two trim girls, serve you with three outlets and hot bouillon. They smile on one boarder, and are al ways ready with a jest for the passionate love protestation of another-though if you want to keep on the right side of them they must be "jollied up" occasion ally. Mme Darblay is a rnotherly soul. If you are out of sorts she'll fix you just the most appetizing dish you want, for she knows just what's good for you.
 Even the cat is a recognized part of the establishment, tending to the welfare of the house, chasing out stray dogs and making friends with everybody.
 Situated as it is between two theaters and few concert halls. the restaurant is a rendezvous for actors and actresses. Generally they take up the first three tables near the door, the girls sitting by themselves as a rule. The actors are all heavy swells to the bone, for 1t must be remembered that they draw each salary of 50 francs week.
 Naughty Little Actresses.
 But those little actressesi-chic as chic can bel And you would never in the world think they sang those naughty songs that send the gallery gods wild with delight! There are six of them. but one would think at least a dozen were let loose from the noise they make chat tering away and giggling all at once, and rehearsing their parts of a Saturday evening. But they are the life of Dar- plays and we wouldn't part with them for all the world.
 At another table near by you'll see a poet, a sculptor and a scientist. They are engaged in heated discussion over the political topics of the day, mean while leaving their bouillon to grow
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-15
KANGAROO LEATHER.

Something About the Clever Little Animal
 That Produces It..
 Leather made from the skin of the kan- garoo is one of the new products in the leather line, says the Philadelphia Times It is soft, strong andsthe light grades are particularly well adapted for light sum- mer shoes and for shoe tops. while the heavier grades will bear more usage than any other leather finished on the grain side. The light skins are made into the finest brilliant glazed kid and in dull finish for ladies fine shoes. and the heavier ones are finished for mems fine wear Much of it is crimpled and sold for tongue boots. Shoe faces of good quality are also made of it. The skin of the kangaroo has wonderful muscular fiber which contributes largely to the strength of the animal, enabling the fe- males to carry their young in their pouches until old enough to take care of themselves and aiding the kangaroo in his long leaps when in motion. The ami nal is a native of Australia and adja- cent islands It is distinct species, ana has no counterpart in other countries. There are a great number of families, some scarcely larger than rat, others of almost gigantic size. The giant kan garoo (MacropuS maJor), the family which furnishes the most valuable skins.
  century ago, at which time it attracted much attention among naturalists. The natives of Australia call the old males "booma," and are slow to attack them. The '.booma" has paws as large as those of a mastiff, though of different shape His feet are his weapons, and when attacked he is dangerous antago- mist. When raised to his full height his hind legs and tail form a tripod upon which his body rests, carrying his head as high as that of a man on horseback.
 The kangaroo lives upon vegetable food and roams over the plains of Aus tralia in large focks. Its teeth are so constructed that it can feed upon roots and live upon barren plains where other animals would starve and to destruction of roots is attributed the sterile plains so common in Australia. When feeding a large male stands at his full height and acts as sentinel while the balance of the flock lie on their sides and browse. At the slightest approach of danger the sentinel sounds the alarm and in an in stant all are erect upon their hind feet. They leap with their fore paws clasped close to their body, the tail stretched backward while the powerful thigh mus cles are caused suddenly to straighten to the joints by which act the body flies through the air on a low curve. The ordinary jump is about feet, but 30 feet by hunters, and on level ground or on an LID grade, they can out-run the fleetest dog. but down grade they lose their balance and roll over. The flesh of the kangaroo furnishes excellent food kan garoo yenson being considered a dainty | dish. while the tail furnishes an excellent and nutritious soup.
Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-15

very well. I don't think tobacco has the same flavor ashore that it does at sea. Something in the salt air brings out the. full richness and aroma of 1t; and music on the water, however execrable, is sim ply divine.
 With the exception of the man at the wheel the whole crew gather forward. the captain included, and such singing and dancing and yarn-spinning you have never heard or seen. I will tell you some of their yarns in one of my letters. The fun forward does not last very long, be- cause the sailors, weary from their days work, must rest a bit before beginning their night duty Their life isn't a bed of roses, especially in bad weather.
 The day at sea really begins with the dog watch, which is from until S in the afternoon. The captain with the second mate and two sailors take the starboard watch from to 6, and the first mate and three sailors take the port watch from to 8. They alternate from then on taking four hours on and four hours off duty. In bad weather the watch that is supposed to be below is kept on deck and lose their entire rest. Their rest is broken into so often that I wonder that they are so hardy and healthy. No mat ter how much work is required of them they never complain, but attend to what is required of them cheerfully-
 The time al sea is designated by bells At noon it is eight bells. at 12:30 it is one bell, at 1 o'clock it is two bells and so on until o'clock, when it is eight bells again. Every four hours the time starts anew and the watches change at eight bells.
 Begging your pardon for this digres- sion, will resume my pilgrimage. Leav- ing St. Kitts behind we were soon abreast of Nevis.,a small British island. We next passed Redondo island and then the beautiful Island of Montserrat came in sight. The captain told me that most of the pegroes on the island speak the Irish language. Many years ago a lot of slaves were landed on the island in charge of an Irishman. He taught them his native tongue, which they have scru- pulously retained to this day Montser- rat is a British island with 10000 inha bi- tants.
 Guadeloupe, the next island we passed is French possession containing 700 square miles with 100000 population. here with a crater peak 5000 feet high The summit is rarely ever seen, being almost constantly enveloped in clouds.
 Guadeloupe was discovered by Colum- bus at the same time with Dominica and was named after Our Lady of Guade- 'loupe. It was here that the Spaniards found vestiges of cannibalism and con- clu6ed that the inhabitants were the fierce Caribs. Tbe name cannibal came from here.
 The next island we sighted was Domin- ica, British island with 30,000 inha bi- tants, famous for its boiling lake and it's scenery of unsurpassed grandeur.
 After a most magnificent run with a fair wind all the way we dropped anchor in the roadstead of St. Pierre, Martinique, on October Il.