davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
An American Fable.

Once upon time Young and Ffisky
Mule wandered away from its Mothers
side towards Hive of Bees. which the
Farmer kept in order to procure Bees
wax for the children to chew on. OBJ
serving his Tendency to Investigate,
the Mother observed:
boy! You keep away from that Lo-
cality! Bees and Mules never have and
never will agree"
The Youngster pretended to Submit,
but .. Favorable Opportunity he can
tered ap for close Investigation. He
got an ear full in about half a Minute,
and had not the Farmer and his son
turned out to his Aid he would have
been Stung to death. As it was he
was Badly used up by the Sharp anc
Remorseless stings, and he was stand
ing on Three Legs with his eyes closed
when his Mother drew near and
queried:
Ibid 1 not warn You against the
Beesy"
You did,
"Then why didn't you Heed my
Words told you that the Bees ard
Mules did not Agree"
$50 you did, but went over to the
Hive to ask them why it VAST
MORAL.
Mules, always put confidence In your
mother.--Detroit Free Press
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24

Here lately have heard whole pas.
sic of talk with regards to the great
question of free silver. Now rs for me,
don't try to make out like / know
anything about it, and from all / can
see and hear l have come to the con.
clusion that the common run of people
know as much about it as / do, and we
all know just as much about it as Andy
Lucas and Blew Scroggins know about
the Lords Prayer. Blew and Andy got
into little private rucus on that pint
one day.
You don't even know the Lords
Prayer, Blew" says Andy.
"Who, me?" says Blew. ''Of course l
know it. l learnt it at my mothers
knee when was nothin but kid"
"Bet you dollar you can't say it,"
says Andy.
'sI'll take that bet and win ON . Ger.
tainty," says Blew and they put mp the
money.
"Now 20 ahead, Blew, and let me
hear you say it." says Andy.
Blew he then started of with thst
beautiful little trundle bed racket.
Nov I lay me down to sleep
II pray thee Lord my soul to keep
IF should die before wasc 49,
Hold on right there. Bley," say.
Andy, II give 1t up. The money
yours and you win it fair, bnt By CAT
ins had no idea You knowed it.
Rpyus SASs9EAs
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
ALAuoH IN CHURCH.

She sat on the sliding cushion.
The dear wee woman OF four;
der feet In their shiny slippers,
Hung dangling over the floor
one meant to be good; she had promised;
And so, with her big brown eyes
ono stared at the Westinghouse windows
And counted the crawling flies
She looked far up at the preacher;
But she thought Of the honey bees
Droning away in the blossoms
That whitened the cherry trees,
She thought OF the broken basket,
Where curled In a dusky heap,
Three sleek, round puppies with fringy ears
Lay Struggled and fast asleep
Such soft, warm bodies to cuddie,
Such queer little hearts to beat,
Such swift round tongues to kiss,
Such sprawling, cushiony feet
She could feel in her cisspiDg fingers
The touch Of the satiny skin,
And cold. wet nose exploring
The dimples under her chin
Then sudden ripple OF laughter
Ran over the parted lips,
So quick that she could not catch 10
With her rosy finger tips.
The people whispered: Bless the childi~
As each one walked from nap:
But the dear wee woman hid her face
For shame In her mothers lap
IN. o. Times Democrat.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
Hot weather and Hard Times.


About all the mainest news that you
can hear down in this strip of country
nowadays is hot weather and hard
times Everybody you meet up with
has got somethin to say in regards to
the hot weather and the hard times. If
/ strike up with one of the neighbors
in town or along the big road he may
give the crops and religion a lick or
two in passin, but the mainest things,
you understand, is the monstrous hot
weather and the orful hard times. 1t
makes me plum weak and weary in the
legs, and it puts me in mind of a story
have heard Aunt Nancy Newton tell,
about the time when Jake Ballentine
got struck by hghtnin and killed.
That was years and years ago down
In the Panther Creek settlement. One
day Jake was plowin down in his new
ground. A thunder storm come up and
he run under q big tree to keep out of
the rain. About that time a streak of
blue lightnin struck the tree, and when
the dust settled and the smoke blowed
away, you understand, Jake Ballentine
had went tho way of all human flesh.
The news spread fast and furious
through the settlement and the neigh
bors come pilin In one by one to see the
sad sight.
Now it likewise also come to pass
that old man Hiram Lucas was about
the Hxst man on the ground. he was
on his return back from town and
thanked up" you understand, to about
six bits in the dollar. He stood there
over the shattered remains of Jake Bal
lentine and saw the neighbors come
and 20.
One man would come up with sad
face and a solemcholy voice and say
s'Poor Jake, he's dead"
Then another one would come along
and gaze down at the dead body and
then bresh away tear and say:
poor Jake, he's dead"
And another one would come up and
heave long, deep sigh and shake his
head and remark
Poor Jake, he's dead"
Well, things went on about that way
for an hour or SO till finally at last old
man Hiram got sick and tired listenin
to the same thing over and over and
over. By-and-by another man come up
cryin and sighin and remarked that
poor Jake was dead, and that was Jest
one more than the old man could stand.
''Of course Jake is dead" says old
man Hiram. ANY blame fool would
know that Hedied most tremendous
c,f,,l dna<h and ho fe load daod daod
But who in the thunder is disputin OF
It %
So that's what makes me tell you
what do about the hot weather and
the hard times. We are moro than
probable to have hard times about this
time of year. and we most in generally
have some hot weather along in the
summer. But who in the thunder is
disputin Of itf
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24

the patience of that very important in.
dividual-in his own estimation.
AS he was about to close for the day
the vestibule doors swung open, as ii
propelled by quicx, strong hand, and
hasty footsteps soon followed.
Young man, you made mistake
this morning when you cashed that
check for me-"
Resenting quite as much the famil-
iarity of this address as what The words
implied, Mr.. Joslin glanced severely at
the speaker, middle-aged man, in
plain, farmers attire, with whip in
his hand
1--WE never make mistakes. sir"
"You never make mistakes'?" re-
peated the farmer, removing his hand
from his breast-pocket, and regarding
the speaker with keen, critical eyes,
which seemed to be taking a mental
measure of the man on whose face they
rested.
mo, sir. Ii there was anything
wrong you should have mentioned it
when you drew the money"
"Just so; but, you see, | was in some
thing of hurry. / glanced it over,
and thought it was all right; but when
j got home found"
I'VE can't help that" interrupted
the cashier; '.you might have lost or
spent it, for all we know. If there has
been any mistake it is yours and can't
be helped now, it being our infiexible
rule not to rectify such after leaving
the bank"
''All right" said the farmer, button
ing up his coat and turning to the door
my name is johnson. l live on the
turnpike. just at the foot of what is
called Strawberry HILL five miles
out. 1t is long way to come, but
don't mind it. feel more than repaid
by the opp ortunity it has afforded me
to see, what never expected to look
upon in this life. man who never
makes any mistakes"
Despite the speakers plain, coarse
garb. there was something about him
which led Mr.. Joslin to think it possi-
bic that he had made a mistake in
treating him with SO little considera-
tion--if he had never made one before.
Stay" he called out as the visitor
turned from the window. at is too
late to-day, past banking hours, you
see; but if you will give me the amount
and particulars, Tomorrow"
''Oh, no, young man." interposed the
farmer, glancing back through the
partly closed door, IF you not only
never make mistakes-but, supposing
such thing possible-never rectify
any, 1t would be only an additional
waste of time to say more. live on
the turnpike at the foot of Strawberry
hill, five miles out, should you have
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24

the leaves OF which he had placed II
on his return from his second visit to
the bank, the day before. a merry
twinkle in his eyes as he did SO.
Mr.. Joslin's fingers closed over II
with feelings of joy and thankfulness
that he vainly strove to put into words.
Zone moment, young man." said Mr..
johnson, as his visitor turned towards
the door. Solomon says: He who an
swereth matter before he heareth it
it is a folly and shame unto him. II
You had heard what / had to say yes
terday. you would have been spared
all this modification and trouble. To
this counsel let me add something OF
my own: Don't be SO sure, again, thai
you never make any mistakNs!"-Dem
orest's Magazine.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
Where could the money have gomez
and what would be do about it?

Where could the money have gomez
and what would he do about it?
Suddenly there flashed upon his
mind the recollection of the man who
had called the day before. Could it be
possible that the mistake he mentioned
was in favor of the bank, and of SO
grave a nature? Yes; 1t must be so.
There was no other way to account for
it. Selling his hat, out of doors he
rushed.
The evening of the same day Mn
johnson was seated in his pleasant
home, his wife on one side of him and
his youngest boy on his knee, when Mr..
Joslin entered.
my name is Joslin. am cashier OF
the Bloomingdale bank" said the new-
conner, almost breathless with haste
and agitation.
Putting the child from his knee Mr..
johnson stood up.
''Oh, yes; remember. The man who
never makes any mistakes. Proud to
see you under my humble roof, sir.
My DEAR" turning to his wife, 'this is
the young man was telling you about.
A most extraordinary person! Survey
him we'll; you will not be apt to look
upon his like again"
Mr.. Joslin turned very red. Drop
ping into the chair that Mrs. Johnson
considerably placed for him, he wiped
the moisture from his forehead.
MIR. johnson, / am forced to &C.
knowledge that made very serious
mistake yesterday morning when
cashed that check for you, giving you
a five hundred dollar bill instead of a
FIVE"
THAT was what I supposed after !
got home and counted the money over.
Thinking you would be uneasy, lost
no time in going back to make the mat
ter right. should hardly have taken
SO long ride, however, at . season
when those of my calling are especial
ly busy, had l known your rule to be
SO infiexible as to the rectifying OF
such"
But expect to have it rectified, "
was the alarmed and excited response.
UNLESS you do, it will result in the
loss of my place and the ruin of my
prospects. 1t is no joke, but a serious
matter"
II am far from regarding it in the
light of joke" said the farmer, coolly.
Still I see no reason why any differ.
ence should be made because the mis-
take happens to be in my favor"
Come, father" interposed Mrs.
johnson, in low voice, why do you
torment the young man so? You know
you put the money away for him. Do
go and get it."
Thus adjured, Mr.. johnson took the
money from the family Bible, between
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
Force Of Habit.

The genial captain of steamer ply.
ing on one of our American rivers was
appointed vestrynan in an Episcopal
church in city which lay at one end
of his route. One day shortly after
ward it was reported to him. when on
shore, that there was leak in the
church He was accustomed to prompt
ness, and on receipt Of the message he
went to the church, took candle and
started down into the cellar to ind the
leak. evidently thinking of the base
ment as the hull Of the good ship zioni
The captain himself tells the story,
with much apparent ENJOYMENT Of ~
|humor, Youths Companion.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
Most r.rrlbl..s confu.,onm.n..

They had the gonebyest time and the
most terriblest confusionment you ever
heard tell of over at the Cross Roads
one day last week, whereas the Rocky
Creek Academy is now split and busted
from Dan unto Habersham, as it were.
It is all past and over with now. The
devilment is done, and don't mind
givin up the general facts in the case as
they have leaked out and come to pass.
Some two weeks ago it seems as if a
gang of the school boys got together
one Saturday night and went out on a
little wayside frolic. They had plenty
of music along with them, and by some
unhappy hook or mercrook they run
into o wildcat still somewheres over In
the hill country. Consequentiallly you
understand. there was one boy in the
gang that got more than his share of
the spoils and didn't show up no more
till late Sunday evenin. And that boys
name was Billy George Randle, which
up to that time he was way yonder the
most brightest boy in school and stood
way up head in all his classes.
BIT Professor Castleberry, the gen.
eral ooss of the school, is monstrous
nice man and the most allfiredest tenn
perance epistle you ever heard tell Of.
He don't SO much as use tobacco and he
wouldn't even drink cup Of coffee for
the headache. The other boys didn't
give Billy George away, but whensom-
ever there is any devilment In tho air
the Professor can smell cold trail two
miles Oh. and 80 finally at last the facts
In the case leaked out and come to light.
Then the Professor put right in and
called . meetin of the school board to
take up the case. And right along
there, you understand, Il where the
Professor dropped the jug and split his
molasses. When the board come to-
gether he lit in aud brought up the csaN
agin Billy George right there before
the whole entire school and the Trus-
tees to boot He pitched In he did and
made one Of these blood ard thunder,
sky-scrapin Temperance speeches and
wanted TIE Beard y take Dilly George
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24

The Old Horseshoe for Luck Tradition.
One custom is common all the world
over, and that is fixing old horseshoes
over, under, upon, or behind the doors.
In the south of England the shoes are
nailed on stable doors, hung up to the
ceilings above the horses, or fastened
to the walls of the cowhouse to keep
of the pixies" those malicious sprites
who are said to come and ride the
horses at night Sometimes the shoe
is found in combination with other
amuletA At one place there is house
with q horseshoe nailed behind the
door, and above it what appears To be
q book wrapped in black cloth. Tho
present occupant cannot say what the
book is, but nothing would induce him
to have it disturbed or examined. He
believes devoutly in its power TO keep
of the witches. THAT the horseshoe
may never be pulled from your thresh-
old was one of the good wishes or
sentiments of the last century. The
horseshoe has also been used rs tails
man as well as an amulet, 1t being be-
lieved in some countries that stolen
horseshoe placed on the chimney
hearth would bring good luck to the
house. Philadelphia Press.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
FORBIDDEN FRUIT.


Popular.
It IL q very fortunate circumstances
that there is such thing as forbidden
fruit, although nowadays too many Of
as are inclined to protest that nothing
ought to be forbidden, and to desire
not merely liberty but license.
For our part we think that there Is
too much nibbling of fruit that ought
to be forbidden, and many Of the
modern nibblers are woman. A great
many perfectly pure, perfectly honor.
able women. and women more especial.
" who are in good society, are begin.
ming to confuse liberty with license.
They continue to act respectfully. but
do they continue to talk respectably2
That is the question to which, in
many cases, we should feel bound to
give negative answer. To modern
conversation mo subject, however un-
pleasant. seems to be tabooed. It is
the fashion of the moment to parade
what is euphemistically called care
lessness, and to declare that any topic
may be discussed, provided that the
discussion is carried on for the benefit
of humanity. All things in life are to
be observed. Every insect must be
popped under the microscope.
Let us have no secrecy, we cry.
Away with hypocrisy! 1t is the deadly
sin!
Now venture to deny this. Certain
hypocrisies are for good society. Tho
hypocrisy of the sinner is benefit to
the saint very often. Those who un.
fortunately possess vices often do we'll
to carefully conceal them. Poor poo
pie are passionately fond of exposing
their physical diseases. The old rustic
who is afflicted with sore delights to
show it. Society is becoming rather
like the old rustic, and if society does
not always go SO far as to actually
show it's sores, nevertheless it talks
perpetually about them.
All this scabrous conversation is very
disgusting, very loathsome to right
minded people, and we should not be
sorry If a crusade was undertaken
against it Respectable women ought
not merely to act respectfully; they
ought to talk respectfully. They ought
to feel that even to mention certain
subjects is degrading. The lips can be
soiled by words. How many OF us think
of that when we are chattering? And
if we pluck forbidden fruit in CONVEX
sation we soon go a step further. A
sage once remarked: "What men talk
they do" The statement is tribe
blatant, but what people think about
perpetually they very often do commit
in the end.
Familiarity breeds more things than
contempt. Sometimes it breedsdesire.
Women should pull mp Society should
take care what it is doing. Converse
ton may often be heard in the draw
ing-rooms and boudoirs of the correct
which, If written down, word fo1
word, would be emphatically unfit
for publication. Yet women say il
| and young girls hear it.
| Let us learn to talk purely, as well
as act purely. If we cannot entirely
govern our thoughts, we can surely
| govern our tongues.
| Just now we seem to have Loss the
art of blushing, otherwise too many o.
us would flush scarlet at the remarks
we permit ourselves to make abou'
certain things that, though much spo
ken about. can only be described u
/ unspeakable.-N. Y. Recorder.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24

err" said Uncle
Dan'i Ruther-
+ or + o t h Q
crowd over at
the Cross DIS
one day. And
the good oil d
man was plum
right a b o u t
that. 1t is more
than probab BILE
sto be cold in the
! winter and chill
ly in the spring
and hot in the
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
SQUIRE RUFUS SANDERS
Tells Stories and Gives the News
From Rocky Greek.
They Talk About Hot Weather and Hard
T1meA-"I3ut Who In this Thunder 10
Disputin of it7"-A Mighty
COnfusionmont.
(Oopyrisht l0A)

~ have took notice all nv life that
hlong about this time of year we most
In generally have Some sort of wealth
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
..Yeuxe MAx, You MADE 4 usrAKE. !"


anything to say to me OF suficlent I'M
portance to repay you for as great an
effort as 1t has cost me this hot day TO
come such distance. ~ be late
now before get homes 9ood after
noon, sir.
The following day the cashier sat
examining his balance sheet, look OF
perplexity and dismay IN his conn
tenance, such as had never been seen
there before.
Every check taken By The bank was
before him. every dollar paid OUT nad
passed through his hands, and yet, IN
spite Of all HE orts there was 2 Gen s1.
cit Of near1 give hundred dollars.
loid 81 s. y and wiped the per
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
MR.. JOSLlN'S MISTAKE.
BY GRACE TERRY

I was with q feeling
of relief that Mr.. JOS
lin, cashier of the
Bloomingdale bank,
saw that the hands OF
the clock, at which
he had glanced SC
frequently during the
last hour, were with
in five minutes of the
time for closing. Va
rious things, aside
from the intense heat,
had conspired to try
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-08-24
THE ARCTIC MUSK OK.

One Big Animal Which II Not Likely -
Become Extinct.
There is one large bovine animal on
our continent which is not destined to
be snuffed ont of existence like the
unfortunate bison, and that is the
musk OK. He is under the protection
of the Frost King, whose game pas
lures are seldom penetrated by white
poachers. On the map of Arctic Amer
lea you can put your finger down al
most anywhere, SO that it be on hand
north Of the Great Slave lake and east
of the Mackenzie river, and say, There
lives the musk OK" without fear OF
successful contradiction.
just beyond the limit of trees and
bushes, even the smallest and scantiest,
on the silent, desolate and awful Barr
rem Grounds northeast of Great Slave
lake, at sixty-four degrees north lati-
tude, the musk OK draws the line mark.
ing his farthest south.
A man who can endure cold like an
Eskimo, travel like caribou, live for
weeks on frozen caribou meat, starve
rs cheerfully as = Yellow Knife Indian.
and endure the companionship of vcr-
uncovered natives can reach the
southern border land Of the musk OK.
and possibly get back alive with two
or three skins. Mr.. Warburton Pike,
Englishman, can do and did do all
those things no longer ago than 1890;
and his book on THE Barren Grounds
of Northern Canada" is most inter-
esting and valuable contribution to
our knowledge Of that very desolate
country.
The musk OK is perhaps the rarest.
and to white men the most difficult to
secure, of all our land quadrupeds.
Robes are by no means uncommon, and
often sell for as little as fifteen dollars
each; but of mounted skins there are
in our country exactly seven. Three
of these constitute q group in the Ma
tionsl museum; two are at the Ameri-
can Museum of Natural History in
New York. and the museums of Phila-
delphia and Cambridge have one each.
Although during their long soiourns in
high ATTITUDES Gen. Greedy and the
members Of his expedition party killed
many musk oxen, you will notice that
they were unable to bring back even
% much Is single horn st Nicholas