davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

A. for the practical results from such
a measure, II must be admitted thst
there i room for doubt. \ state com
missioner OF highways. such as was pro-
vided for by this bill, has an educational
function, and nothing more. Now II
there Is anything that the people need,
/, il education in the matter OF good
roads: but those vho need education
most-those who have an idea that ANY
body can make good road"--are the
very ones who would disdain the ser
vices Of a state commissioner, and the
ones whom IL would be impossible 10
reach hv any scheme of education.
The men who think that anybody can
mske good road" a great many OF
them. can not make even n good dirt
road themselves; and great many OF
them, strange a. IL NAV seem, don't
know y good road when they see it.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26
SOMETHING FOR GIRLS.

am not one Of those people who
fancy it dreadful thing for boys and
girls 10 be friends. Why should there
be anv question on the matter? | am
sorry when notice, as do once in a
while, tendency on the part of girl to
blush and simper and look conscious
when bows are around. This is very sill
ly indeed, and no sensible girl does it..
Bows aud girls should be comrades, and
should meet and know each other in a
simple natural fashion, as brothers and
sisters do. Now that winter Is here with
its chances for outdoor sport-skating,
sleighing, tobogganing, and whatever
else winter brings in its train, the young
people of neighborhood ought TO have
many delightful outings in common.
And if, as is often the case, the sons and
daughters of certain families are in
school together, side by side in recita-
tioDs, there is all the more chance for
their having fun when school Is over.
Jack is apt TO be polite to Jill il she has
helped him out In his arithmetic. Do
YOU remember Whittier's pretty stanzas
about the schoolhOuse and the little
scene he recalls:
"I'm sorry that spelt theword,
hate to go above you"
Never, dear girls, indulge in anything
which has an air Of mystery in your
dealings with boy friends. Let the walks
and talks and drives be open and under
the eve of your older friends, and you
will find that the breezy bright cOmpan-
ionship of clever boy will be thing
worth having.
Sisters should look out for their
brothers in countless little ways. A sis
ter can make home so pleasant and
CHEEKY that her brother will prefer 1t OF
an evening to any other place. She may
take pride in having her brothers escort
when she goes about, and even II she
does not particularly care to go some
where when ne proposes 1t for amuse'
ment, she will oblige him II che Is the
loving and unselfish sister have In mind
and sacrifice her own inclination to keeE
him company.-Harper's Young People
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

There is opportunity for deal Of edu-
cation vet, in the matter OF building and
maintaining dirt roads; and the day is
coming when the people in general, and
highway surveyors and road commissions
ers in particular. will know more about
il than they do know.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

The representative who led the oppo-
sition 10 the commissioner bill made tn"
statement, "Give me money, and will
build as good roads as anybody" Now
IL he has made careful study Of road
making, and has had considerable prsc-
tical experience, that statement is rea-
sonable: IL he lacks such study AID ex-
perience, his statement is absurd on its
face.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

OF course the large majority OF rural
Maine towns don't want TO talk about
macadamized roads, for good while
vet nj least. We have got 10 travel over
dirt roads; and good dirt road is good
enough. The trouble IL, a large proper
ton of our road builders have the idea
that all that is necessary, and all they
can do, is to scrape the road washings
aud decaying vegetable matter from the
bitches into the middle Of the road, and
smooth il off. IL this is done at the
proper time for fixing" the roads
(which is assumed to be about six weeks
after the frost is OUT nothing but some
extraordinary contingency should re-
quire any further work to be done that
year.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

The couutrymsu knows just about "a
much about fresh oysters "a the denizen
of the city knows about really fresh and
aromatic butter.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26
AMONG THE FARMERS.


Correspondence on practical agricultural topics
is solicited. Address all communications In.
tended Tor this department 10 HENRY ID. HAM
MOsD, Agricultural Editor oxford Democrat.
Paris. Me.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

The best place to start garden Is In
the head of the gardener. When trsns-
planted 1t will be pretty sure to amount
TO something.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

You can card your cows when you
have nothing else 70 do. IL Is the only
time that il will pay TO devote TO that
kind of amusement.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

The writer has in mind a large town
mot in Maine where they have acted
upon the principle that anybody can
build good roads" Some years ago they
determined To improve their roads; 80
they bought stone crusher and made
With il large quantity OF road-building
material. This they drew out and dump
ed upon the loose surface OF the roads.
Then II was smoOthed over little with
hoe or rake. and left 10 be made by
the travel. Horses and vehicles worked
their way over IL, with ruinous results
To the paint snd varnish on the wheels,
and discomfort To man and beast. Grad
uallv the material was worked down To
a more or less hard, smooth surface.
Then gradually (and not very slowly
the constant weight of the travel forced
the crushed stone down into the soft
loose earth, until finally no signs OF 1t
we're left, except few hard, uneven
punches In the road bed. When the
writer last visited that town, enough
money had been poured on TO those
rosds To make number Of miles OF good
mscadamized road. il properly expend-
ed (: as matter of fact, there was not.
in the village or outside, mile OF really
good road That town has furnished an
object lesson that every man who thinks
that anybody can build good roads.
with money ought 10 see.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26
ROADS AND ROAO-MAklNG.

BY ONE WHO. LIKE TOO MANY OF OUR
RoAp-MAkERs, KNOWS VERY LITTLE
ABOUT IT.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26

Colonel Maynard unlocked his slrord.
ted one Of the most atrocious crimes
that can come under the jurisdiction OF
military court Nothing can excuse
it. There may be something to palliate
it. conjure you to speak before the
court brings in q verdict and names
your punishment"
"Mr. President" replied Maynard,
''for my act toward this army am ac-
-countable to you as . court martial con.
vened to try me; for my act - oue ue
right o. wrong q honor o. dishonoeI ]
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26
To LET.

Notice s. hereby given that the subscriber
wishes to ease part OF the whole OF her res,
estate situated ON Paris Hill excepting a su'aii
gl-t..r of her homestead buildings, for a term
o' .cy or more years
MRS. A. ". MASON
Paris Nov S. 1894.
The sun., 1895-02-03
THE MUD OF NEW FORKS STREETS.
1t Is Soreiy Troublesome to Women A
Proper street Costume Wanted.


Proper Street Costume Wanted.
"Theres a sale at b. and I'm going up to it,
I'll have to bring the packages with me. I've
fixed my dress that won't have to hold II up
and itwont get In the mud. Does II look badly ~
The gloyed and bonneted matron wheeled
round in the middle Of the floor that her friends
might inspect the bottom of her gown. 1T
looks very sensible" the critics agreed, after
having satisfied themselves that the tuck ed up
skirt would have no chance OF touching any
where, even when the wenrer stepped down Off
the pavement; then there was a lot of talk re-
garding the particular bargains advertised at
the sale, and the eager shopper pursued her
outward way. The short skirt which exposed
to view pair of plethoric ankles and feet en-
cased in storm rubbers looked sensible; yes, but
graceful becoming2 Far from either.
A white capped peasant with kerchief
crossed over her breast, or a West Indian with
uplifted arms bearing some burden on her
head. looks picturesque In II short pettcoat, no
matter what her age or avoirduuois. but there
Is something about diguifed bonnet tied de-
murely under the chin. and violating seal
skin sacque or cloth doiman, that makes u bob
tailed skirt, which lacks three or four inches OF
touching the ground, look little short Of ludi-
crous. \ slight young girl with n jaunty cap or
sailor hat slung ON over her crimps, might at
tempt II. but on 4 dowager, with rotund form
the effect is anything but graceful.
II does seem as though some description OF
costume might he invented in this quick -wittcd
age which would fill the crying, bawling need
for style of dress at once convenient and
pleasing TO the eye. AS II is now, the sensible is
always at war with the becoming, and the
woman who consents to adopt the one must,
pcrfOrce, relinqu'sh the other.
" have been threatening n long time to have
me II real storm suit made, Just on purpose for
wear on rainy days, but my family won't consent
70 my making guy OF myself said sweet
faced matron the other day, one who Is a IA
milnr figure in artistic and literary circles in
New York and whose taste in dress Is noted.
There are thousands of women who echo her
Sigh for the unattainable and oOn battling with
the mud, contemplating with complex emotions
the smenred and dshgured bottoms" " OF skirts
the waists tn which are fresh and quite as good
as new; And New York mad Is no easily van
quishcd enemy. II displays persistency in
sticking that is truly exaspcrating, and more
over has peculiar odOr Tepulsive To n dainty
woman. What do you do with your skirts2
How do YOU get the mud OF q themi% asked
wait until il dries, and then | take a whisk
broom and dig and dis, and then consider the
skirt is ruined when | get through" wes the
helpless answer.
The sun., 1895-02-03
PiTTI's GOWNS.
Some Costumes dust Made for the Famous
SonEsIress.

Some gowns recently made in Paris for Nine.
Adelna Patti attest the continued popularity OF
cloth for day dresses, three out Of the mum ber
were made Of this smooth faced material One
OF rose color has two narrow bias bands of
black-and-white striped silk stitched onto the
skirt four inches from the bottom, and the
bodice of cloth has finely plated white satin
chemsette reaching 10 the Lust, where il meets
n waistcOat made OF bias folds OF tho striued
silk, which also forms the belt and a chic how
at the back. The cloth part Of the bodice is cut
in the shnp Of II tOreadnr jaCkct and edged with
SILK passcmcntcrlc The collar OF White snt lin
turns over, and u blaci, satin CrAyat tied In tLc
conventional evening style completes this
unique costume.
The second gown is in a peculiar shade of light
ecru, more gray than yellow, and the sh lrI is
made with Hat box plaits Ut the waist spreading
out wide at the hottom instead of the Ianlike
gudets 80 commonly worn AT present Porn
green velvet, put on in braces back and front
and made lntuH collar and belt. trims the bodice
with the addition OF velvet tabs decorated with
single motifs OF lace falling over the sleeves
And sttll another dress OF gray cloth made
with plain skirt stitched around the bSm is
trimmed on the waist with u harness II ks " dec
Grafton OF gray silk gimp spnHglcd with strcl
and embroidered with gray pcag-shapcd pcnr!s
A dainty tea gown, which Is n member uf This
extensive outht OF theatrical and private cos
TUNES, Is made OF peari-gray satin, uper ed over
front OF hhcy plated mauye SILK muslin
drawn down with u deep bolt of nauye satin
Large bows of lnRuve fastsu the gown on either
side OF the waist, and from these fall cascade
OF lace. trtll OF muslin edged with lace Trims
the neck, which ID slightly open and a ru M, ~
lace n4shes tho long sleeves.
The sun., 1895-02-03
BoYs' ANTI-cIGARET1E LE4GUE
Its Members Pledge Themselves Against
Tobneco Until Twenty-one Years Ola.

Cigarette smoking seems to he n growing evil
among the boys OF the United States. This has
been recognized for some years but il ia only re-
cehily thht any organized efforts have been
GS nnctic 70 pnt stont2 H. II 10 true that the Com
EaTu TO ~, nut. IKE many other laws, it seems to
a6arcSScd a, special meeting OF the High Street
street School Is the only one In the city where a
branch ot the league, which * really a national
%s Tst 6aaESt hsS bee" I" r sr@hha hG mater
attention hy Mr. Henry 7. Sperry. The league
ha,t itI origin ! Y Troy, Si 9gt pumeer Of
Prof, Gordy said: II was interested in it at
thing for the boys The High street school
branch was formed last spring and has been
doing its work quietly ard has been gradually
growing In nuinLcr, liu,l II now las about $50
members, 1t holds its meetings on the first
Friday OF each month during the school year
az me noon hour. Each boy sgns the following
pledgE, and by doing 50 hecomes member and
Is entitled To wear the button:
We, the, undrr.iynod pupils Of the Second
Norlh school. do hereby pledge ourselves uuon
smoking cigarettes, or the use ui tobacco In any
form until we shall rcnrh the age OF II years;
Ia indure all public school boys and Others of
our a'qr0lulHuc" 10 giy" up and abstain from
smoking cigarette uutli such boys shall hc N
come members "t the Anu-C CiyaTttto League
a hV t'ns'iiu'''u sulN ltflh the namC In the
Hrsl s''i'ohi lhc objects, already embodied In
the pledge, in the second section; tho usual
officers M the third section. 'ihv Constitution
provides Tor council OF ten members from tLo
different grades ol the srhooi, ana also laws
down the rule tnlt no meetings shall De held In
school hour. and that the principal OF the
school she'll be present az each mvrtins Wv
lrul. Hordy states that, in his uIinion thu
L,HEue ls uolng great deal of gaod There is
no urging on hls part or on tile mart Of III,
teachers, The boys who become nlemh mhHrs dn ~,
OF thcir own tree viii Tho lowest grades nrc
hut lthrn IA because the boys in those rooms are
Sihnd iul!y iuu nature and ohiratiun, nt iho
peA-t. Ia t'rnt tiurdys uplLiul, the fact thai
lht p.tl-r oi tED league unly requires a urynliso
ni N4Slnenco from snuking untI the npmber
ehatl he twSi y-one years old, is a great point in
until that time, will never smoke while those
WHO 20 acquire the habit after that time viii do
~ AZ htlle or no danger 10 themselves.
The sun., 1895-02-03
,ductor who cannot understand IL has no

tho conductor who cannot understand It hns no
business living.
The car men on the great shopping blocks Of
Fourteenth and Twenty-third streets appreciate
all this. They leisurelY forge along with an eye
on the sidewalk, and when n woman rushes out
OF n store with fine excrescence OF parcels all
over her, and avigOrous nOdding OF the head
they know that IL means for them 10 stop. SO,
too, the vibratory motion Of an umbrella,
whether open or shut, they know means stop
there;n while a feeble hutterinR of tho hand
ing the aspiratory III" or the sibilant "Shoo,"
they also clearly Interpret to mean ride wanted.
Nor Is the driver altogether Rverse TO short
conversations as to the direction his car Is TO
take, no matter II the horses heads are pointed
due east, or nearly so, and the route Is painted
in big letters on tho side Of the vehicle. More
over, the conductor does not lose patience when
there is more parcel than passenger, but helps
10 hand In and hand out the impedmcnta with
an air Of living interest; and does not mind pick
ing his way through n crowded aisle filled with
the spoils Of shopping. Then, when everything
and everybody are comfortably settled, the car
logs along. carrying with II n pronounced atnios-
phere of brown paper, dry goods, and groceries.
After the cars leave the great shopping CEN
tres, they are not the most comfortable means
OF transportation for q man to venture into. He
sson gathers the impression that ho Is regarded
as an intruder housekeeping animal, and hnd;
dies himself away out on the platform. even if
there bo a blizzard abroad. and says hard things
to the other men about turning cars into pack
ing boxes and notion stores. But to the women
the Fourteenth and Twenty-third street cars
are run on exactly the right principles, and
their unique scheme OF accommodation Is very
near perfection,
The sun., 1895-02-03
UNBEC0MING TO SOME WOMEN.
The Big Rosette Bows Worn mt the Throat
But They Must he Worn.


Why will women with full faces and chubby
throats persist in wearing tho full rosette bows
and tabs and flaring ends. to say nothing OF the
crush collars and ruchings now popular
What with the over-puffed sleeves, ella aborately
trimmed bodices, hats trimmed at right angles,
and these variegated arrangements about the
neck and ears, the middle-aged woman with
more than q suspicion Of double chin bears
q strong resemblance to setting hen
whose feathers have been ruffied from un-
timely interference. symmetrical throat,
rounded like the base of column.
which supports delicate oval face above looks
well with outstanding bows and rosettes Of
chiffon, lace. or ribbon, with masses of crepe
lisse and velvet crushed and crinkled about its
circumference but the chubby faced girl and
buxom matron (who doubtless look their best in
decollete gowns) had best beware of all these
fussy flxings and fichus designed for house and
reception toilets. By the way does not all
this exaggeration of ornament about the
neck, this reaction after the plain Puritan COL
Jar SO long in vogue, portend return
to the Quadruple plated ruches OF the Eliza
bethan era, the kind one sees In pictures of
the velvet-robed, much-married, martyred Mary
The same elaboration and accentuation of the
much-puffed sleeve prevailed then as now. IL
women accept the bows. rosettes, and quillings
why not the Understanding, much-stiffened
ruche2 With the advent OF the ruche era, the
uble-chinned dowagers will be lost indeed
more potent argument for adopting 1t than its
fitness or beconingncss.
The sun., 1895-02-03
Thawos-out A,.Isator- in n F,sh..


,JACKsoNviLLE, Fla, Jan, 2O.-PrOf. Rice Of
the Cheltenham Military Academy ut Ogontz
near Philadelphia, who was here with his
dhys, related TO mo singular incident as Ia tho
effect OF the cold on tho alligators, which incl
oGiit tcll under his own observation.
He was at ltOckledge at the time opposite
which place Il Merritt Island, In the Indian
hiEcr. On that island Is a shallow inlet in
winch the alltgators became torpid because OF
the Cnld. a resident OF the island took a large
lWO-Enrao wagon, and, with some men and
ropes, secured half dozen aligatprs, tied them
up aud put them into the wagon and started TO
cnrt them over TO AN imprOvised pen in sOmo
shallow wAtor near this residents house. The
AlllBntors were warmed up by the shak ing they
got IN tho wagon, and the men In charge OF
lhehI had pretty lively time In getting them
ihIp the pen, But they were safely housed at
iast, aud the next day, while Prof Rice and his
Iainily were Watching the gators In the pen, the
ANIMALS began 10 light
The Kissing. bowling, and other noises the
E3lors made the Professor describes Hs some
lhlhS lCrrlble; Ono big gator caught the head
nlhnolher IN his mouth and with a crash broke
ailinRs set up ~ terrible racket; so much so
liiHt Airs. kiCc, who was looking On retired from
u, enc, III Is scented the climax of the fight,
3hl tho injured nniml went OF and stuck his
itId "a me mud, aud when seen two days later
ne WIS sillI IN the same attitude.
~ was SAID By those acquainted with tile
hAolts OF the alligatOrs that this one would re-
main la that position without changing until
the broken bones had set aud the wound had
healed. This appears TO DO the metkOd u S0Is
gerry followed by theAo animAla.
The sun., 1895-02-03
STUNNING SHARING COSTUMES.
Paris Sets the Styles and They Are Fan
tnstic in the Extreme.


The skating season is now Mt its height and
skating costumes are a subject of interest TO the
woman who finds II important that she should
be both warmly and plcturesquely clad for the
sport. Fur, bright-colorcd cloths, and the ever
scrviceablc serge are fitting materials for these
gowns, but the Parisians who skate In tho
"Palais dc Glace " on tho fashionable days of
the week wear velvcts and silks, jotted and fur
trimmed as elegantly rs though the dresses were
intended for afternoon calls. a French woman
will take up all the fnds of the day with genuine
enthusiasm if they serve to give her exercise
and amusement, but she never makes herself
guy in a strictly sensible costume. In short, the
average skating gown is n fantastic combination
of materials and bright colors that would do
credit to n fancy dress ball.
Some of the dresses which look so much like
velvet are made of the new velvcteens in light
colors-white, trimmed with brown fur bright
shades of red. toned down with black fox and
yellow, trimmed with astrakhan. The skirts are
made very plain around the hips very full ut the
bottom. and short enough to be well out of the
way of the skates They are usually lined with
silk in some bright color. and the. waists are
The sun., 1895-02-03

their place is to be single cape reaching
q little below the waist, with tho godCt folds
brought out In some ingenious manner quite
near the edge. A high collar accompanies this.
These capes are made of velvet and trimmed
toward tho bottom. or OF cloth with fur collar
and bright lining. Perforated cloth, black
over colored or black satln, Is very pretty for
this style of cape. There Is an odd fashion of
making drapcd revers distinctive feature Of
capcs and street coats. and these are often Of
velvet IN violet green or dark red handsomely
edged with fur on the plainest kind of q cloth
garment On evening wraps of silk and satin
trimmed with lace.
The sun., 1895-02-03

stunning costume is OF yellow brown cloth
with an ermne blouse, ermine cuffs at tho
wrists of the brown sleeves, and a sable band
around the neck.
The first. gown illustrated is Of gray faced
cloth, made with close-litting coat, and trimmed
around the bottom and on the edges of the wide
collar with caracul fur. The same fur forms the
vest and the cuffs, and tho Frenchy touch 10 the
gown is the white kid belt embroidered with jet
and gold, and the black chiffon ruche around
the neck. A graceful dress for a slight figure
has black cr6pon skirt, blouse bodice OF cara
cul, with loops of tho fur extending out
over the sleeves OF dahla velvet, which
also forms tho collar and belt. A jaunty
coat for these and other street gowns is made
very short and. unlike those Of the early winter
The sun., 1895-02-03
THE SHOPPERS Cars.
Curious Concessions OF the Fourteenth and
TWsnty-thIrd street Lines.

Tho cars on Fourteenth and Twenty-third
streets, west Of Broadway, are run upon an en-
tirely different Interpretation Of the phrase
public convenience" than that which obtains
in other parts ot the city. The public" which
these cars cater 10 10 the public OF shopping
women, and women have their own IDEAS OF how
ears should De run. They do not see the ncccs-
sily Tor stopping cars only gt such points, OF the
need ot starting a car with Jerk before they
are fairly landed Oh the platform, while their
code VI signalt they hold " b. 80 simple that
The sun., 1895-02-03
C1PES.
Description OT Some Pretty Styles Promised
for the Coming SeasOa.

Amid the swarm OF capes Of all sorts and con-
ditions of length and fulness and mixture OF
materials which are seen on the street every
day and at every kind OF function, it is dilcult
10 deduce any trustworthy opinions as 10 the
styles which will prevail IN the spring. But II
We may anti nate the coming modes by iudg-
ing Of the pre- ~ season it is safe 10 conclude
that anything - hlch can be designated by the
name VIII be worn. Net one authority on French
fashions boldly asserts that there Is to be radi.
cal change IN capes; that double and treble
eapes are going out altogether, and that IN