davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
LOUISIANA'Ss UNSTABLE SOIL.
A Channel Four Miles Wide that wa.

A Channel Four Miles Wide that was
Started by a Man with u Paddle.
A committee of Louisiana engineers
has been Investigating the Baptist Collet
Canal, which has become an outlet of
the river, in order to determine whether
it is a work Of nature or of man. The
committee was unable to get any definite
information on the subject, but leans to
the idea that it was originally a ditch,
which has been magnifed by the work
of the river into pass OF outlet of the
Mississippi. An attempt will be made
to determine which of the streams of
Louisiana are natural and which are ar
ti6cial. so as to guide the river and har-
Dor committee in providing for them.
There is great deal Of confusion on
this subject, and nearly all the maps of
Louisiana are erroneous because of the
frequent appearance of new streams and
the disappearance of old ones. 1t is well
known that Bayou. Plaquemine is arti-
ticial, although the government has treat
it as a natural waterway; and even the
Atchafalaya, the largest river in Louisi-
ana after the Mississippi. is more arti-
fetal than natural, having appeared on
the original map as an insignificant
creek, Bayou Opelousas or Apelosa. A
still more important stream that is pure
ly artificial and due to an accident is
known as Morrison's cutoff, in St. Mary
some forty years ago man named Nor
rison, finding that he had to 20 a long
way around to reach St. Bernard bay,
jumped ashore. and, with a paddle, made
4 ditch through which he was able to
float his boat. When he returned two
weeks after by the same route he found
that the water of Bayou Sale and st.
Barnard bay had taken the new channel,
and that the ditch was 200 feet wide.
1t is four miles wide today. aud the land
he cut off has been gradually washed
away until it now consists only of a
string of small islands. Morrison's cut
off is now the route for numerous YES
sells running along the coast of south
Louisiana It WAS made in the course
of a few hours with an ordinary perogue
paddle and by one man, but would prob
ably have cost the United States thou
sands of dollars if it had been under
taken as an engineering enterprise, and
If the Gulf waters had not done the work.
New York Sun.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
Wanted Snowy COIors.

Primitive man, the scientists say, de-
lighted in loud and snowy colors, and
in spite of the combating influences of
education this taste has been handed
down through the many generations. 1t
shows itself this year perhaps more than
usual in the fad for waistcoatsaand neck
wear that shout In speaking OF this
fad the New York Sun says: ''Such a
burst Of color. in mems clothes hasn't
been seen in this town for years, and
from London comes word that it. is ali
right. a Franco-American man of fash
ION, who has spent much Of his time
in this city for several years, appeared a
f e: g ago in a crimson waistcoat
that was binding. 1t wasn't mild, in
offensive garnet, but bright obtrusive
crimson, and his scarf was just as con
splc,11ous. This exhibition was made ON
g !. rae. track, but his example has; been
followed by many young men. Volumin-
Gus green and red neckties are hoisted
above waistcoats that make the unsophis-
tlcated observer blink. These waist
coats are sometimes in solid colors. but
more frequently in loud cheeks
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
Carving q Fine Art.

Carving is one of those arts which re-
quire practice for perfection. In the
hands of the novice the knife has way
of sliding off the meat, no matter how
firmly one seems to hold it, and slices
grow thick, toward the end or vanish
time when they should, or the fork en-
counters bone where bones ought not to
be. In short, there is no royal road to
learning how to carve. any more than in
learning geometry, and the. man who
thinks himself a born carver had better
get right down to first principles, if he
wants anyone else to think him one.
First, there must be a sharp knife. Fol
lowing close is knowledge of the anat-
omy Of the animal whose meat YOU in
tend to carve. One turkey is made OH
ton do not develop new bones lust for
the carver's benefit nor is it in the na-
ture of roast beef to throw out osseous
ramitications where before they were not,
A little knowledge on this very important
point would be a great gain.
70 Of all the meats which do present any
difficulties to the carver, roast beef pre-
sents fewest. When it comes from the
oven it should be placed OH the dish
ribs down. If there is great deal of
fat on the top some of it should be re-
IllONeu. llueeu, LilIuIuluS is ROOQ
thing to do in the cast of all roasts; for
the fat grows hard on top, and is only an
unnecessary hindrance. Put the fork
firmly in the meat about two inches
from the knife. Let it slant slightly so
as not to prick the meat any more than
is necessary, as thereby much of the
juice is lost. Press evenly and firmly
on the knife as it is drawn toward you,
for that makes the chief cut. The knife
should not be drawn back and forth
more than three times. If the slices are
to be very thin, rs they should be, if the
roast is only one course in long,
heavy dinner, six or seven slices is only
a fair allowance to a rib. Otherwise
four is the usual number.
Some. persons have very bad habit
of cutting slices from both sides of the
roast. But it is a very poor. plan, spoil
ing the appearance of the dish and cans-
ing the meat to dry UP. 4 Always keep
on one side of the roast, md cut well
down to the bones, being very careful
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
Fought with Keenan,,

Ira Shafer. who died last night, was
a picturesque figure at the New York
to a degree that made him ceiebra nssin in
the legal fraternity all over the United
States. When a young man Mr.. Shafer
was n good deal Of an athlete, and once
lndnlged in friendly bout with John
9: Heenan, who broke the lawyers nose.
He, was g born fighter, and a money
maker. These chara cteristics gained
him notoriety, and additional clients, who
had to pay big fees. which in their turn
helped him gain more of the notoriet =,
which he. loved SO well. When he de-
Tended /. Thomas Cleary, one of the SO.
called doodle aldermen in 1887, Mr..
Shafer was much caricatured BY d Ger.
tain newspaper in New York. The law
yer publicly threaten that he would
shoot the editor on sight. When asked
# he did not fear prosecution for murder,
Shafer replied that no man with $500, 900
could be convicted of murder in the
city of New York.-NeW York Letter.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
NIGHT AIR.
A Few Timely Suggestions About 1 I
Effects.

Effects.
In summer. when the rays of the sun
fall almost vertically upon the earth's
surface. the gradual fall in the ten1pera-
ture at night comes as a welcome relief
from the heat of the day.
During the rest of the year the suns
rays strike the earth more obliquely, and
at the surface, which loses its heat rap
idly after the sun has set. and the tenn
perature of the air falls abruptly. I'm
der these conditions night air may be-
come = source of danger. The sudden
change in temperature calls for extra
protection for the body. and one should
never think of setting out Oh even Z
short journey without extra wraps.
Except i'll severe weather it is not
necessary to care so much for the ex-
trcmities. as the circulation of the blood
is maintained in these parts by their con-
slant motion. But the chest. as the seat
of the bulk of the blood and the vitality
chill. The so-called chest-protectors arc
useful: but nothing is simpler than to
habituate ones self to wearing wooden
undertaking. suiting the weight to the
season of the year. Wool is poor con-
ductor of heat. and when worn next the
skin absorbs the perspiration and pre-
vents too rapid loss of the body heat.
moreover. WEcil liie temperature iailS
suddenly at night. the moisture present
in the air is condensed ana falls to the
ground in the form of dew. The damp
ness and chill form an additional source
of danger. against which it is necessary
to guard. especially in the matter of
footwear. Thicker shoes and warm, dry
stockings should be Worn.
The direct rays of the sun kill many
of the microbes that are the specific
causes of disease. Consequently night is
the favorite time fer the evil gnomes of
disease to collect their forces and make
their plan of attack against mankind
PowcrlesS against the warm. bright rays
of the sun. they succumb in the unequal
contest: but at night. aided by the slight
dampness. they raise from their hiding
places and are borne away by the con-
stantly shifting currents of air upon their
errands of sickness and death.
Though this may seem to be more or
less fanciful. the study of the origin and
life of the various germs of disease has
proved that the idea cmbodieS truth.
and that night air is favorable to their
propa gation.-Youth's Companion.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25

The shape Of the core and shaft of the
armature is shown in one Of the cuts.
The core proper was an inch long and
about one and :seven-e ighths Of an inch
either end was passed through holes in
the front and back cross pieces of the
frame, which served as bearings; the
front piece, of course, had to be removed
IN order to put the shaft in position and
then screwed in place again. John was
culiar shaped piece Of iron needed for the
armatnre core and shaft, but his black
smith friend finally came to his aid.
Before he put the armature in its place
he, had to wind it with silk or cotton
covered wire. He chose the silk COW
ering, though it cost d little more. be-
callse it is better and the difference in:
price was not enough TO count much OH
so small q Quantity. The wire he used
was about as big around as 4 fine needle.
"a 4 y. ~
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
The Use and Abuse of Cards,

The visiting card has been described
as the badge of civilization. The know[
edge of when and how to use the bit of
pasteboard that represents one marks the
social evolution of woman from a
household grub to a butterfly of fashion
and not so far back, either. that people
were supposed to respond to all invita-
tons in person. but. with the widening
of society and the increasing of the num-
Der of functions, this has become i'm
possible, and now on many occasions
ones visiting card is taken as very
satisfactory substitute for ones pres
cnce.
One of the. questions that puzzled the
woman ignorant of the fine etiquette of
cards, is how many cards shall she leave
when calling. Shall she leave |. card
for Mrs: Jones and each of the Misses
Jones? And she will be relieved to learn
that the latest decree of Mrs. Grundy
makes two cards all sufficient, one for
Mrs. Jones and the other for the daugh-
tiers and the guest who happens to be
staying with them. For an invitation to
tea or afternoon reception, which she
finds it impossible to:attend, the fashion
able woman sends her card by mail, so
that it reaches the house of the person
giving. the entertainment on the day of
the function.
Or course, well-bred woman is not
guilty of the vulgarity of ANSWERING an
invitation by scrawling accepts" or ire
grets" on a card. A formal invitation to
dinner or ce"demands an immediate
and definite answer. A visiting card
will not balance a dinner table, and hav-
ing accepted an invitation to dinner, it
becomes Il debt of honor to appear III.
person OH time.
An memorable rule is that cards should
only be sent to the person from whom
one received, an invitation If une re-
ceives wedding announcement one does
not send ones card to the bride, lis the
most important parsonage in the affair,
but to the mother. or person from whom
one received the invitation. If the invi-
tation, however, contains cards FOR the
reception, and for the brides 'at home"
then ones card must be sent to the
mother, or whoever gave the reception
on their day, and also to the bride on her
at home day.
In times of grief or. joy among ones
friends ones card is still supposed to
represent them, only in this case, it must
not be sent through the mail. but deliv-
cred at the door in person.-Exchange.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
"A New Mining Tool.

4 new tool for mining use has been
brought out in England. 1t is in its pri-
mary conception pick. but it can be
converted readily into a variety of other
tools that are formed for use on the end
of wooden shaft. The head is simply 4
T-shapcd forging of three sockets. one
for the fixed shaft, and in the other two
for pick points. or tools of other shapes.
such as a hammer. an adj. an AK. or Il
hammer. BY using one point only
miner can work in a more confined stu
alton than with an ordinary. douhl',,-end,
ed pick. The points are easily fixed and
released. and it is claimed that they
strike a more solid blow than a common
pick, without tingling the fingers. 1t
has several other advantages. one of
which is that i: has pick point of Il
quality of steel that cannot he forged on
an ordinary pick-head. There is ESQ
economy in respect of renewals, for one
and the same pick-head will serve for
MANY sets of points.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25

ing, among them the stereotyped, but
none the less important, one of fuel con-
venience. The water supply question,
also, is easily disposed of. since the same
water-and small quantity, too-can be
satisfactorily used oyer and over again
to cool the engine, while it's quality needs
10 consideration 80 long as it will not
ty Of even fainy good water that isaex
perienced in many mine localities. this
feature of the gas or oil engine outfit will
be specially ppreciated.-Crosier's Maya
zinp
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
Getting Revenge

a Turkish slater, being at work ON
the root OF a house, fell into the street
upon a wealthy old man, whom he killed,
W without any serious injury to himself.
me son OF the deceased caused him to
be arrested and carried before tho cod;
with whom he used all his influence to
nave the poor man condemned AID.
though the Innocence of the latter was
clearly esta blished, nothing would serve
him but.5th law of retaliation. The
cadi accordingly sentenced the slater to
be placed exactly upon the spot where
be was ut the moment Of the accident,
and, You said. he to- the son, twill 20
on. the roof of the house, fall down upon
the slater and kill him f:;you cal. "sAt-
lanta Constitutions: !. ~ e., >:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
Riches and Miserv

Marion Crawford in December Cen
fury writes: Then there were children.
conspicuous among them the vulgar lit
tie children of not LONG RICH, repulsively
disagreeable to the world in general, but
pathetic in the eyes Of thinking men and
women. They are. the sprouting shoots
Of the gold-tree, beings predestined never
to enjoy, because they will be always
able to h'ly what strong men fight for,
really to be had only for money; and:
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
American COcEtIii.

There has been not INSTRUMENTATION
as to the derivation of the name of that
seductive American drink, the cocktail.
One exDlahatio1 is offered by: the Phila-
BILE. The old doctors. it seems, had a
habit of treating certain Diseases of the
throat with a liquid mixture applied
with the tip Of long feather plIcked
from Il cocks tail. In time this LIQUID
came 20 be used as u gargle, the name
OF. cocktail" however, still clinging to
it. III the course of further evolution
the gargle became a mixture Of bitters,
~ developed into the beverage SO highly
esteemed by the patrons Of American
bars :, :z ~ s. T. srs'..s. -. -
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
SunnYsfde.

sunnysidee. formerly the home of Wash
ington Irving, has been closed to the
public. The present owner of Sunny
side declares that the worshipcrs of Irv-
ing have tramped over his grounds,
Clipped corners from his house, worn out
his carpets. carried off his bric-a-brac,
and so disturbed his household that his
patience is exhausted, and he has de-
cided to fence them out. ..>..<%
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
The Curse of South Africa.
f>hn nnID,, nos11, Now. ~,o&,., !
Growing Use of Gas Engines.

widening field of usefulness. Among the
latest applicatio are those to mine hoist
ing and mine haulage, and for both serv-
ices designs have been put on the market
which will probably help a good deal to-
ward still further popularizing engines of
this class. For hosting work particular
IT,, and especially in the case of small
mines where the hand windlass or the
horsepower machine will no longer give
satisfaction, the gas or oil motor offers
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
"A Mammoth Pulley.

The largest two-piecc pulley in this
establishments at Pittsburg. 1t was
made in 1893, and is looked upon as 4
marvel in the wheel-casting line. None
of the great casting works Of the country
would undertake the contract for making
the gigantic wheel and the necessary
apparatus to accompany it, so the firm
desiring it although it was out of its
As it is VOW the wheel is "a feet in
diameter. has face 4S inches wide and
weighs $4,000 pounds. The whole pull
ley. clamps. side pieces, bolts, hooks, etc.
weigh 61,000 pounds.-St. Louis Repub-
In
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
just Keen at 1t.

what kind of weather had we bet
ter predictT inquired the clerk at the
his superior promptly. "But we've been
saying that for the last three @or four
days, and every time we predicted much
colder the: weather has seemed to get
much warmer Ny boy, never forget
that to this business as we'll as to any
other the old motto applies Keeping
eyerlastingly at it brings success.''''--
Washington STAR .sz~z 7,
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
AX-HANDLES FROM MAINE.
How the Expert Makes His Living in the
Woods.

WOODS.
| The ax-handle man is another peculiar
worker in the Maine woods, and he lives
just as unconventionally and has lust as
good time as the hoop-pole man or
gum-picker. He frequently accompanies
the hoop-pole man in his tours through
the woods in the wake of the loggers.
The saplings needed for AK handles must
be larger than those the hoop-pole man
is looking for, and consequently their in
terests do not conflict, unless it is that
the hOop-pOle man denudeS the forests
so thoroughly that he leaves very few
saplings behind to grow up for the az
handle cutter. The ash saplings are
about the only ones that the latter looks
for, and he goes into the woods in the
fall and chops down every sapling of the
desired size. The young tree is then
split. and the chopper blocks out the
handle in rough way. When good
collection of handles is thus blocked out
they are buried so they may season with
out cracking. If the sun is allowed to
shine upon these ash handles for any
length of time while seasoning, the fiber
loses its tirmness. In addition to this
precaution, the large ends of the handles
are smeared over with a greasy paint
that tends further to hold the grain to-
gether. In the winter the ax-handle
men collect their handles that have been
buried throughout the forest Mt con-
vcnient places. and send them to the
railroad station, and thence to the fac
tory where they are finished off.-Corre-
spondent New York Evening Post.
The Curse of South Africa.
The London Daily News quotes the
following description of Cape Town
from Il private letter: This place is going
ahead very fast, and all the business
streets are being rebuilt in the modern
style, in several stories. with ornamental
fronts. Electric trans are running in
every direction. and we are to have
pier and an esplanade at last, like an
ordinary British seaport. AS for BIZ
cycles, their name is legion, and there
are several 1ourishing clubs of wheel
men and wheelwomen. But, alas! the
dreadful cattle plague is advancing rap
idly upon us, and cattle in thousands are
being shot all over the country. How it
will end God only knows. 1t is by far
the greatest misfortune that has ever
overtaken South Africa. The govern
ment has already spent more than mil
lion sterling in trying to keep it nut of
the colony. as, if it once gets foothold
here, it will mean ruin to thousands of
country people
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
Simple Remedies.

We often laugh at old-fashioncd Deo-
pie who keep a regular stock of rene
dies, and seem able to offer a cure for
almost every ill; but these same homely
medicines have often done much good
while waiting for physician, or in case
of an accident when, to wait, might
have been fatal or have caused perma-
Eent injury.
The following are only few hints
whose merits are known to the writer
and may be of service in an emergency:
For cold, for hoarseness, or when
pneumonia is threatened, take equal parts
of dried hops, pennyroyal and sage,
place in kettle and pour about a quart
of boiling water upon them; let these
spout and place cloth about the lid,
opening in such a way that it can be
brought up over the patients face; let
the fumes be inhaled as hot as possible.
When not using it, it should gently SIM
mer in the same rOom and will make
the atmosphere moist and grateful to
the sore lungs. At the same time the
chest and soles of the feet should be
rubbed with turpentine and sweet oil
alternately.
For Unframed eyes, take piece of
alum and with it stir the white of an
egg until it becomes Of creamy con-
sistency; then spread between a fold of
thin linen, and lay upon handkerchief,
after which bind it over the eyes.
For burn, take one part fresh lard
and two parts baking soda; mix together
and spread upon pieces OF white or cream
tissue paper. lay these gently upon af-
fected part and bind on with muslin
strips. While waiting for the lard and
soda the burn should be bathed with
witch-hazel.
For earache or toothachc, put a large
cup of salt into skillet, and heat it
until very hot, stirring all the time. Put
it into a cloth and tie with string into
a loose bunch, hold this as hot as can
be borne over the ear or cheek. If COW
cred with thick piece of flannel the heat
will be retained longer.
For bruise or sprain, battle with hot
water and afterwards bind ON cloth
saturated with hot witch-hazel.
These remedies are so simple and harm
less in their nature that they can be
used by anyone, and are sure to help
if they do not always cure.-The House
keeper
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25

Southern California has over $3.50
mines and liz mills. including the told
OF $547, O65.655 increase over 1894. tss1.
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25
THE BIRD OF DEATH.

Its Venom Is More Deadly than that of
Rattlesnake.
New Guinea lis. the home of the most
wonderful feathered. creature known to
the student of ornithology-the awful
rpir n'doob, or ''bird of DEATH" The
venom of this bird is more deadly than
that of any serpent except the cobra. In
fact, no antidote for the bite of the
creature is known. A wound from it's
beak causes excruciating pains in every
part of the body, loss of sight, Speech
and hearing, commissions, lockjaw and
certain death. -
The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-12-25

"A stamp collection containing nearly
1000 unused specimens was sold for
$3640 recently in London, this being the
largest price, ever paid for q collection
at auction.