davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
[To Re CoNTINUED.l
TIE ELDERS PRAYER.
10 Wa out Of the Regular Order. but
Proved fricacious.

10 Wa out Of the Regular Order. but
Proved Encacious.
The Rev. II. ID. Fisher could not
resist the temptation - tell story on
a brother minister:
1T was Presiding Elder Still Of the
Methodist church The good old man
is dead now, and 1t can I do any harm
70 tell this story Of him.
THE early travelling Of the elder in
Kansas was not easy. he had "A mule
on which he used 20 ride, and this mule
was not always obedient One day tho
elder and his mule encountered "a swol-
len stream Along the edge Of the
stream the elder and his mule strayed
IN hope Of finding safe crossing.
Finally the elder found tree that over
hung the stream. and from which he
believed he could swing 10 the other
side. But the mule couldn't swing
He could swim, however, which the
elder couldn't
"All the extra clothing and the Bible
were made into bundle and tied on
the mules back and the animal led 10
the water. He swan safely across and
began eating grass on the other side.
THE elder looked at the swinging
limb, and dropping to his knees, prayed
fervently that he might make no mis-
take in getting across. Then he swung
out and landed safely.
He knelt and thanked the Lord
But there was new obstacle. The
mule was having good time III the
grass and refused TO be caught again.
Several we'll directed efforts flew wide
Of the mark, and the good elder was In
desperation He must keep his appoint
ment and he couldn't walk IT There
was but one thing for the elder 10 do,
and the elder did it. Down IN the
damp grass he dropped on his knees
and prayed the Lord TO help him catch
the mule.
This is the only instance | ever
heard Of in which man called on the
Lord to help him catch mule, and 70
his dying day the elder firmly believed
the Lord did it, though it took them
both some time. Topeka Journal
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
Homers and Carrier Pigeons.

The homer and the carrier are both
brilliant fliers, but the homer Is the
speedier bird and better fitted for long
distances The homer has the widest
spread wings of all pigeons, and can
sail for an enormous distance through
midair. II Is also considerably lighter
than the carrier and is possessed OF
more phenomenal powers Of endurance
having been known to fly 500 miles
without alighting. On a clear day. with
q good sky and favorable wind. 400
miles is an admirable record, although
500 miles day is the goal Of every pi-
geon fiier's ambition. A bird that can
perform this remarkable feat is worth at
least 500, and may be valued at $500
if it is capable Of better record. The
birds gameness, stapina and speed
reach their highest point OF excellence
at 3 and years Of age, which Is the
natural prime Of life for fiier. After
they have passed their prime they de-
teriorate In q scarcely mott ceable degree
and at 10 or ~ years Of age are still
good for the shorter distances. Chicago
Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01

can about him"
bow Cn the glass case, his attitude IN
easy ilnd graceful one, patiently await
ing II y verdict.
ThJ scrutiny under the magnifying
glass Eeemed 10 confirm my first impres
sion. hnd my wonder grew.
Il would like 10 examine IL by day.
light that Is, il tho sun will ever shine
again " l remarked rs gust Of wind
blew the rain spitefully against the
windd VS.
Nv ith your permission will leave
it wit you few days. -
At This moment Wittner came from
the in per Office and passed through the
door
&c Iod night. Mr.. Brown" he said
carole|sly as he buttoned his macintosh
about him. II must go home. Will see
you ndxt week.
nbdded to him and noticed the
quick, searching glance he gave the
man. 'Eho did not seem TO be aware OF
his pr, sence.
M y inquire where this gem came
from?l | asked rs the door closed be.
hind II nly friend.
"Ce ttainly-from the Himalayas, in
northe fn India. "
1T $ yours"
PA tdon me. /, would hardly be In
my pos session il il were not. "
"WlIy do You bring it to me:"
"Peilhaps you may find me custom
er."
"Th| n you wish me TO sell it for you.
for it too valuable for mo to buy. "
"Thlt is the view took Of 1t"
"Buk begging pardon. IL strikes me
as strai| &c that you should have brought
this ruby TO America when in London,
Ams,er lam. Vienna. Paris or any one
Of do zen cities in Europe you would
have b cen more likely to find pur
chaser
"Th,re are plenty of buyers, but kings
and qu,Icn just now are poor and can
not aifcFd my price. presume you are
somcwl| at familiar with the history OF
the muIiny in India in 1872
"In general way am. "
"Yor have heard Of Mana Sahib?"
81 sa IS him ut Cawnpur few weeks
before be breaking ont Of the mutiny "
"Ah, you were fortunate.
In What way:"
THAI 1t was few weeks before the
uprising Had you been in Cawnpur,
say, in July. 1857
He cbmpleted the sentence with
shrug AL ID shudder.
Il uni ierstand. Well?"
you are aware that the British gov
ernment offered u reward of lac of
rupees fbr his capture, but never cap
tured him?"
Il haze heard that "
''Do y Gu know what became OF him'
"No cine knows Of a certainty. 1t was
reported that he and few Of his fol-
lowers hook refuge in the Himalayas
and therb perished.
THAI, report is true. Two OF his spies
returned saw and conversed with one
of them. When Mana fed, he took with
him the most valuable ruby in all In
dia."
II haE Ee heard that also, but what
bearing has that upon our business!"
''The tuky which you hold in your
hand is the one which Mana Sahib took
with hiuI in his last flight"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01

and forefinger at his invitation was a
pigbon blood ruby the size Of small
walnut with tho husk removed. A pi-
geoh blood ruby. 1t may not be known,
is more valuable than the same number
of d arats in the form of pure diamond.
What do you think Of that, sir?''
ask I'd the man, enjoying my astonish-
merit
T" If that is genuine" replied, hold
ing|it under the glare Of the electric
light, "and it seems to be, it is worth
o Kingdom. F"
81 You are an expert. leave 1t with
ou|to decide whether it is q ruby or i'm
itatlon "
Z" Wait, please, till / get my glass. "
made this excuse TO walk to the
BACH office, where Wittner was smok.
ing. stopped over the table, so as to
bring our heads close together, and
whiiIpered:
Follow that man and learn what
ynu Fan about him. "
Was gone but moment When |
returned, the caller was leaning one ell
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
NUMBER 40.

resistless smile and turning those dark
eyes, tremulous with light, upon me,
II asked to look at some rubies. "
II shall be pleased to show you what
We have" replied, blushing to the
crown Of my head, where the hair is
scant, and feeling rs confused as q
schoolboy.
Those tiny hands Of fairylike contour
we're covered with kids which could not
have been larger than No or at
the most, and she handled the crimson
specimens with the delicate grace that
Of itself was enough TO set mans
brain awhirl After some dallying she
selected ruby. the price Of which was
$500, and paid me with eight crisp new
bills which looked as II they had come
from the government press within tho
preceding - hours.
The transaction completed, laid be-
fore her Mana Sahib's ruby. When her
eyes rested upon the marvel, she gave a
gasp II astonishment and delight and
looking az il q moment daintily picked
u up hili butH'b ~ O'ci anu o't' ~ h'A
hand, finally holding il up to ths fght,
her expression and manner all the while
like that Of a child who has been given
the most gorgeous toy ever fashioned
Closing one eye-and IL seemed
pity that the light Of such al orb should
be obscured for a moment-she mur
INJURED:
YES, il is real, genuine pigeons
blood! Where in tho world shall its
equal be found: IL does not exist "
Il am confident it has no superior.
| yentured Ii was placed in my hands
to sell. Would you like to purchaser
"Ah, me- if could That is worth
1000, 600. "
1T may be TO the queen Of England,
the car Of Russia or the emperor OF
Germany, provided any one Of them
wishes to buy. But it is the property Of
whoever will pay $50, 900 for it. "
Another faint gasp, slight rocoil,
and looking in my face she aSsuD'ed an
indescriDable expression Of despair.
How sad it is TO be poor would
be happy all my life if could own that,
but am too poor, too poor
IL was OH my lips TO demonstrate
gently. but | held my peace and tried
10 keep my countenance from becoming
too crimson. She fondled and admired
and praised the gem for several min
utes, and then with a faint bewitching
sigh shook her head and handed IL back
10 me, with the enviOus remark:
He who gets that for the sum you
namo il the most fortunate individual
in the world All, If were rich!'
She hade me good day, thanking mo
for my attention, and passed out She
had not come % the store in a carriage.
and as she turned III tho direction Of
Broadway | presume she either took
the cable car or possibly called at some
place whore her conveyance was wait
Ing.
Rcsolutely putting behind me the dis
turbing thoughts about this remarkable
woman, placed Mana Sahib's ruby.
inclosed in its little box. within my in
ner pocket, buttoned coat and vest, and
some 20 minutes later left the car and
made my way 10 the Windsor hotel, with
tho purpose If Offering the gem to my
old friend, Geoffrey Sandhusen.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
CHAPTER II.

Ny calle rightly interpreted the ex-
preston bn my face.
1T is b strange story, but / tell you
the truth Mana did not flee until the
year afteE the Cawnpur massacre, and
it was % years later that met one Of
the spies who was with him. He was
an old IN kn, living in the sacred city Of
Benares, pn the Ganges. He was at the
point Of death when l helped-being q
physicianE + to bring him back to life. He
told me the story and volunteered to
show me the path to the spot where his
master kd. But though ho led the way
to the neighborhood he either could
not or VIC hld not take me to the place
We returbed from our bootless errand.
and he dibd few years later. His Sc
cret was buried with him."
The sp,Iaker paused and changed his
lolling attitude. Noting my interest, he
resumed:
II knee " that when Mana Sahib en-
tered thos b jungles the great ruby was
in his turb ban, and il the spot could be
found where he died there would be
found the gem which have brought to
You. Five years ago went back with a
single companion, o native like myself
Of the coubtry."
He panied long enough for me to re-
mark:
"Then 30 years must have passed
since the Heath Of Mana"
Fully that, and not vestige OF his
RAGS or tIones was left How could
hope to DISCOVER the gem? There was nc
reason to believe ! would, but all such
great findA, as you know, are the result
Of chance. knew where to look for 1t,
and kept up the hunt for weeks until
stricken with fever and SO emaciated
that con ID barely stand. My compan-
| ion did moi, fall i'll, and my spirit enabled
me to searbh even when my brain was
| burning with delirium.
Zone night when the moon was shin
ing bright and was groring over the
spot wherd ] had at last tumbled down,
unable to walk, / reached out my hand
and clutchbd the ruby Of Mana Sahib. .
The spek kker was now greatly excited
and would have said no more had MOI
asked him|to finish his story.
~ do nS|t rsmomber clearly what tool
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
A RAZOR-BACk SHIP.

Lying ut private wharf In Alexan-
dris, Virginia, Is very remarkable snip.
She is the first OF new type OF vessel
intended 10 revolutionize the ocean car
rying trade. II the hopes of MIR. Fryer,
the designer and builder OF the ship, tr
realized, passengers will cross the Az
iantic in three-iitths Of the time now oc-
cupied by the ocean greyhounds OF
commerce.
Mr.. FRYER has sought to apply the
palace-car idea to ocean travel. He has
built ship which while 222 feet long Is
only l6 feet beam. Its equilibrium Is to
be maintained by the heavy keel and by
the $4,000 pounds Of machinery below
the water line. The narrow Prov OF
such a vessel will cut the water like
knife. Resistance will be reduced To
minimum. The heavy compact ma
chinery will furnish ample power for the
single screw, and the little razor-back
vessel will cleave through the water at
rate of speed which will seem Incredible
at first. All Of this, Of course, II Mr..
rryer's hopes are realized. The vessel
is 10 have practical test In the lower
Potomac River in short time. Then
the Howard Cassard, as the new ship Is
called, will be taken TO New York.
The ship now approaching completion
at Alexandria Is built 10 four-tenths the
scale OF the full-sized ship. The trans
atlantic liner OF this model will be $40
feet long, and she will be 10 feet beam.
Measure 30 feet on level piece OF
ground and you will get some idea how
narrow the new ship will be. And from
a greatest breadth Of 10 feet she will
taper to almost nothing.
OF course. with such vessel the car
ryinc OF freight would be out OF the
question. There Is main-deck,
cabin-deck. and the hold. And the hold
ia quite filled with machinery. The
upper deck is only promenade, and the
cahin-deck Is 80 narrow that there IL not
space between the walls OF the ship for
even so luxurious cabin "a some private
yachts contain. Such a thing as gen
eral cabin would he out of the question.
This narrow space has been utilized IN
part by the construction OF single state
rooms on each side, narrow aisle run
ming down the middle Of the ship. The
remaining space Is to be divided up IKE
sleeping-csr. Adjustable berths, up
per and lower. will be concealed during
the day, and each section" will be sup
piled with handsomely upholstered seats.
In these sections meals will be served
from a galley in the hold, on small
tables. just as they are served In buffet
car. There will te toilet-room for
men at one end OF the ship, and toilet
room for women at the other. When
night comes the seats in the sections
will be transformed into beds, the upper
berths will be let down II they are need
ed. and each section will be screened
from the aisle by portieres. la running
10 tropical countries the new vessels viii
carry certain quantity OF fine fruit,
and two of the section spaces will be
given up 10 refrigerators.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
1He OLD FLAG NET HIS SIGHT

Whittier has pictured the renowned
Stonewall Jackson as saying at Freder-
lex When old Barbara displayed the
Stars and Stripes, that whoever touched
"A hair of her gray head should Idle Ike
dog" And the following, from the
Sandusky Register, confirms the fact
that, although fighting in what he con-
sidered sacred cause, the gallant
Southerner still cherished deep respect
for the ''old flag" under which he WAS
born:
During the war squad OF Confed-
crate soldiers under command OF n
Captain. captured number OF United
States soldiers, and with them an Amer
lean flag. The Confederate officer, to
show his contempt for il, dragged IL be-
hind him through the dust and dirt as he
marched into Gen. Stonewall Jackson's
camp with his prisoners. A Confederate
soldier, seeing the Stars and Stripes
trailing in the dust, raised his musket,
took aim at the Confederate officer, and
in language more forcible than polite.
told him TO lift that flag out of the dust
or he would blow his brains out.
The officer lifted the flag out OF the
dirt. bat took the name Of the private
soldier who had "insulted" him, and re-
ported the incident 10 Gen. Jackson.
The General asked what he had done TO
excite the wrath Of the private, and the
Captain told him that he was dragging
the Stars and Stripes through the dirt.
ale did not shoot you:" said the Gener-
al. NO" said the officer, 'he did not
shoot me-" The General made some re-
mark which indicated that he would not
have dealt harshly with the man had he
done so, and said to the officer: THAT
soldier was born under the Stars and
Stripes, as his father was, and he still
retains a respect and affection for il, and
an officer OF our army who has no higher
appreciation Of the sentiments OF our
people than you appear TO have is not fit
to be on my staff" and he dismissed the
officer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01

ing q peculiar tendency to the growth
known to crystallographers as twin
ming" BY testing crystals OF corundum
with polarized light the structure is
found to be remarkably complex, and
under the microscope its exterior face Is
covered with strange network OF
sculpture indicative Of molecular chan
ges.
The most striking fact about the CO.
rundum crystal is that IL is nearly al
ways found to have inclosed and sur
rounded some foreign body or other,
which lies imprisoned in 1t. More strik'
ing still is the fact that these included
foreign bodies lie generally disposed OF
in planes, meeting each other at an angle
of 60 degrees, the result being to pro-
duce the phenomenon Of asterism,
which is the term given to the white
star Of light observable in certain jewels
cut with rounded surface. Quite fire.
quently the imprisoned body is minute
bubble Of gas or drop Of liquid, contain
ing sometimes little crystals Ut its own.
This fluid delicate scientific tests have
proved to be liquid carbonio acid gas
reduced to that condition by immense
pressure.
Rubies change their color in Q re-
markable way under the action OF heat.
Blush ones turn perfectly green, and
ON cooling regain their original tint.
The blue sapphire turns white, and the
yellow corundum crystal becomes green.
/ might mention other singular proper.
ties Of this gem. but obviously 1t would
be ont Of place here Let me say that
on the following day, during which the
sun shone most Of the time. subjected
the ruby left with me to every possible
test. and that 1t passed triumphantly
through all. No problem in geometry
was ever demonstrated more clearly
than that this enormous gem was the
equal Of any similar one. as respects pur-
ity and brilliancy. found anywhere in
the world. That being the case. its
value could be measured only by hun
dreds of thousands Of dollars
Meanwhile my friend Wittner had
called with his report. He had fingered
in the rain and darkness on the othei
side of Maiden lane on the night Of the
mans first visit with the gem and kept
him under his eye until he reached the
Astor House. where he was staying fce
the time.
he may be an East Indian" re-
marked Wittner. ''but u his right name
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
INDIAN CRADLE SONG.

Swing thee low In thy cradle soft,
Deep In the dusky wood:
Swing thee low ana swing aioft-
Sleep, "a pappoose should,
For safe In your little birchen nest
Quiet will come and peace and rest,
II the little pappoose Is good
The coyote howls on the prairie c)ld,-
And the owlet boots In the trte,
And the big moon shines on the little child
As 10 sluInbcrs peacefully;
So swing thee high In thy little nest,
And swing thee low and take the rest
That the night wind brings to thee.
The father lies on the fragrant ground,
Dreaming Of hunt and light,
A nh the pine leaves rustic with mournfuI soun'
Ali through the solemn night;
But the little pappoosc In his htrchen nest,
L. swinging low a. he takes his rest,
Till the sun brings the morning light.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
STAY IN MAINE. ("

BY MRS. v, +. DECoSrER, BUCkEIELD.
ln competition conducted by the
Turf, Farm and Home, the essay below
Vas awarded first prize for an essay
upon Why young men should remain In
Maine.
The author, Mrs. V. L. DeCoster, nee
Edith B. Hooper, was the fourth child
la a family of ten children. Her father,
j. III. Hooper, VAS furniture dealer in
Portland, Maine. In 1880 Mr.. Hooper's
health failed him and he bought q farm
IN Turner, Maine. As Edith WAS thus
unable TO finish her last year IN the Port
land High school, she went TO Hebron
Academy aud graduated there in 81.
After that she taught sewing about q
year in the State Primary School At
Palmer. Mass. Afterwards was Mstron
Of the hospital in the same Institution,
and then speat year in Kansas City,
teaching dress cutting. She was called
home by the in health Of her father and
for year and half took charge Of her
fathers farm and the younger children,
while her father and mother travelled In
California.
In January, 1890, she married Virgil
L. DeCoster, of Bucstieid, Maine. lie
i one OF the progressive farmers, and
Is An ex-member of the State Board of
Agriculture. Mr.. and Mrs. DeCoster
have been earnest members OF Turner
Grange for many wears. Irs. DeCoster
wrote but little for publication I'LL after
marriage.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01

Hon. ID. II. Thing, an ex-iecturer OF
Maine State Grange, says he has pretty
rnnch had his day as practical farmer,
hnt n his vision into the future is not
,,;s,sa ding there will be silo on every
stock farm before the end OF the next
ousrter of century for in no otner way
can the demands Of the future oe met.
The silo will be needed not only on dairy
farms but also whe.e beef and mutton
ore grown. and all these products will
10 much more abundant than they are
pow
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
FAINT HEART NEVER WON.
LOOK UP AND NOT DOWN, LOON FOX
WARD AND NOT BACK.

There seems 20 be kind OF rant
heartedness through all New England
for some reason | cannot see why.
Farmers forget that their industry Is the
life of the world. am much interested
in farming and therefore read all the
farm news that | can get. There are
two classes Of farmers in New England
the man who makes business OF farming
and the man who can never lind any
thing which he can make pay upon his
farm. The man who makes IL business
il mn in the morning looking for busi-
ness. while the other man Will say,
well. | can buy my corn cheaper than
can raise il, and the bugs will eat my
notatoes il | plant them, and l don
know what TO do 70 make II pay.
Many times the faint heart is the founda-
tion OF mortgage and the mortgage
eats up the farm. Any OF us can go 10
the polls and vote for some one to make
laws that will be TO our advantage, out
II we don't have some faith in our own
,.ort what will be the difference who Is
in office?-New England Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
pAlsylNe AND DAIRY cows.


There Is no branch in farming that
seems 10 react In favor Of the farm as
does dairying, unless perchsnee II Is
stock raising. Cows seem 10 be con-
Meeting link between the farm and its
crops. The possession of cows implies
the consumption OF farm products
right on the farm, where they should be
consumed, for such consumption means
manure, which is the key that unlocS ks
the earth aud lets loose the dormant
forces Of plant life and then pushes them
forward, and the man who can manage
10 have plenty Of manure, has his success
on the farm assured, with a right use OF
IL.
Thus do stock and manure react la
favor OF each other 10 keep the farm
moving In accordance with natural law.
No hay, no stock; no stock, no manure ;
no manure, no crops, IL the whole In a
nutshell. claim this talk To be sup
ported bv an investigation OF the sue
cesses of the tidy farmers OF any neigh
bOrhood. IL Is easy 10 see from this
reasoning how important in more ways
than one, farm dairying may become As
an element of success in locations suited
10 ii. Associated dairying is getting
quite popular here in Maine, as else
where, and is mostly, | think, giving
good results.
Butter and cheese factories spring up
on all sides and the tendency Is towards
better cows and more of them, which
fact alone il a fine assurance OF greener
fields aud finer crops. IL too often hap
pens where dairying is carried on IN the
old way that only half the dairy pays
any profit, the half that has the best
cows. Poor cows may barely pay their
way. but money made in dairying Ia
only represented by good COWS, which
too are Just as cheaply kept as poor ones:
II is important 10 use only thoroughbred
bulls OF true dairy type in any efforts
10 improve breeds. | close with Dr.
Sturtevaut's definition OF the dairy COW.
.'what then is the dairy COW; She Is 'he
product of art added on 10 nature; and
whence she came was by conscious or
uucons cious workings towards desired
end. The moral is clear; TO improve
further, apply the experience oil the
past Cor. Lewiston Journal.