davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Hazardous Employment.

A general impression prevails that
mining is the most hazardous OF all
occupations, but on examination OF
statistics relating to the matter in the
United States shows that railroading
is in reality three times as dangerous
as coal mining. The number OF people
employed by railroads in the United
States in 1895, according to the report
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, was 7S5, 1884, including officials,
clerks, telegraph operators. OF this
number 1911 were killed and 25, 696
injured during the year. 1t, therefore.
follows that one enploye was killed
for each 433 employed, and one en-
ploye injured for every thirty-one
employed. II only the men actually
employed on the trains be considered,
known as the train hands. including
engineers. conductors brakemen and
others, which are comparable with the
actual miner, one employe was killed
| for each los in the service. and one
| injured for each eleven in the service
For purposes OF comparison the
| Pennsylvania anthracite regions msy
be taken, as they are admittedly thu
most dangerous mining districts in the
world The mine inspectora' stats
tics of Pennsylvania for 1895 repor
143, $40 employees. The fatalities mum
bered 400, and the number Injuries
1920. These figures show that ther
was one person killed for every "a
employed, and one injured for ever
12S employees. In the bitnminou
fields of this State there were $3.50
persons employed. The fatalities nun
Der 155 and the injured 419, or Oh
person killed for each 54S employees
and one injured for each 2O3 employees
Combining these fguresit viii be see
that one miner lost his life for eae
410 employed, and one person was Il
iured for each 148. These ratios,
before stated, show that railroading
almost three times as dangerous
coal mining.--The Colliery Engines
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Freaks for the Paris Exposition.

The freak exhibitors are just now
besieging the managers of the coming
Paris Exposition for space to exhibit
their wonders. One man has pair
of hairless horses, each OF which has q
horn in its forehead and skin OF the
color of ripe banana. Another wants
to exhibit woman who has two faces
and three tongues, but who Is per-
fectly dumb. Another writes toI
space in which to exhibit winged
sheep, which only has two legs. and
horse which has eight perfect hoos
in his four legs. An Austrian wan,
to send hen that always walks back
ward, and an Italian banker thinks
that he ought to have room enough il
which to exhibit pure white Shet
land pony eighteen inches high ant
"shod ali around with gold. SIT
Louis Republic.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Facts About Sponges.

Some of the finest kinds of sponges
are found in Florida waters, and the
culturist would find profit in raising
such species as the ''shesp WOOL" the
"yelvet," the ''hard head" and the
sgrass'' sponge. Some OF the kinds
recognized as quite distinct are. never-
theless, so much alike in appearance
that only an expert can tell them
apart. The sleeps wool sponges are
best of oil for the bath.
It is a fact worth knowing that it
pays very much better to buy un-
bleached sponges. The bleached ones
look much prettier, but the chloride
of lime employed in the process in
iuries the skeleton, and lessons its
strength SO that it soon comes to
pieces. When you find sand in q
sponge, you may know that you are
indebted to trade dishonesty. Sponges
never grow on sandy bottom. The
sand is added in the bales to make
them weigh more.
The sponges are gathered by small
boats. In each boat are two men; one
souls. while the other leans over the
bow. When he seesa sponge, he spears
it and drags it aboard. If the water
is rough, he uses "water glass, "
which is simply an ordinary pail with
glass bottom. The pail is hung
around the neck of the fisherman. who
sinks il below the surface when he
wishes to see. In this way he can gel
a perfect view of the bottom. In the
Mediterranean sponges arc collected
usually by dredges, but sometimes b.
naked divers.
The sponges OF commerce are war;
water animals. They come cnieh,
from the Mediterranean, the Red Sea
the Bahamas, and Florida.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
A Fight With a Fish.

The 1l0-pound blue channel catfish
that has been one OF the many attrac.
lions in the fisheries building OF the
State fair was removed against his
vigorous protest to the hatcheries
Sunday afternoon, and John Mere
dith. Of the hatchery, has three broken
ribs. State Fish Commissioners Lew
Nav carries several bruises. ana
Superintendent O'Brien study III
moonlight coloring under his lett eye.
The ponderous fish has been con-
fined in q narrow tank at the exhibit.
He is o wicked fellow, and this Is
pretty we'll known. SO q cloth was
folded about his head before an az
tempt was made to remove him from
his tank. In lifting him out he
struggled loose, and then began as
exciting q three-round fight as has
been seen hereabouts for many
months. =, ~.
The fisheries men lsbore1 with the
big fish and the big fish laborea Win
the fisheries men, and for wniie ~
looked as though the reserves OF tne
metropolitan police would have to DC
called out to quell the disturbance.
| The men and the fish rolled over OF
the floor, AMI every now and then .n'
monster would swing his tail with thu
viciousness OF Corbett's right. When
ever he "landed" one Of the men wen
down. he used his mouth, too, ane
Mr.. May says that it looked like tn
entrance to the Sub-Treasury vaults
SO large was it.
| Meredith, during the melee, wa
struck by the tail and crushed agalns
| the side of tho building, breakln
three ribs, and was removed to tow
for medical attention. O'Brien got
corner of the tail in the face that CAV
him a souvenir decoration, while tn
others were more or less bruised ]
the struggle.
The fish was finally conquered an
rolled into his tank and sent to III
', fisheries. The blue in the bulldin
: caused by the exclamatiors OF tn
!, gentlemen will have faded into IL
|. world in the course of couple
/; days. This is the first time that n
fish has ever given any serious trouoi
!. although he is always more OF ie
difficult to handle. Omaha Wori
= Herald.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Young Ira thought he could get the

Young Ira thought he could get the
hat. and started out. The snow on
such high mountain is deep and very
slippery, and Ira had scarcely started
after the hat before his feet slipped
from under him, and away he went
down the mountain with the speed OF
o toboggan slide. On he went, quite
unable to stop himself, to the very
edge OF deep precipice, when he had
the good fortune to get struck IN the
snow. Had he gone six feet further
he would have fallen 1000 feet on the
rocks below, to meet with terrible
death.
His friends on top of the mountain
could see him clinging to the snow Tor
dear life. His two sisters, Alice and
Villa Crum, were in the party and were
terribly frightened. His friends at
once began thinking OF some way 70
save him. At first they thought OF
returning to camp for rope long
enough to reach down from the top OF
the mountain, but it MAS feared thas
Drum could not hold on in his peril
GUS position for the length OF time IL
would take to make such O long jour-
ney.
At last E. B. Collins, OF Chico, and
DR.. De Haven, of Red Bluff, conceived
an idea. This was to take couple OF
short sticks. and by starting on Level
with the clinging boy. dig trail along
the hanks of the precip1ce to where he
was. This was an exceedingly slow
and dangerous undertaking, as one
m,sstep would have hurled them to
instant death. When the rescuers
reached Orum they found him nearly
unconscious from the cold and his
hands and feet were nearly frozen. Ira
was finally released from his perilous
position, but Collins and the doctor
almost had to carry him out, so Daaiy
was he used up by his rough expert
once.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
WISE WORDS

Our friends may overlook our
faalts, but they see them Just the
same.
1t adds greatly to our comfort not
to realize what an ass we make OF our
selves.
Keep your eye on the. man who Sc.
lects his friends before he forms their
personal acquaintance.
1t is when man has plenty OF wor-
ries OF his own that he is most in
clined to borrow trouble.
The last infrmity OF noble minds is
ignorance OF the difference between
talking much and saying much.
When a woman becomes so sick
that she doesn't care how she looks,
it is high time to sendffor o doctor.
We are all likely to have sympathy
with the under dog, but we keep our
hauds in our pockets SO they won't be
bitten.
Amateur theatrical performances
will never be popular SO long as per-
formers insist upon having auuIenoes
attend them.
There are lots of people even now,
who would not object to the burning
of witches if they were allowed to
select the witches.
Very often when we think we are
impressing people with our smartness,
we are only making q reputation fol
being disagreeable.
The reedle is true TO the pole; but
that is only natural. That which has
never been reached is always apt to be
an object OF desire.
The reputation of many men fol
truthfulness is due to their lack OF i'm
a3inatioE. Truth.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Two Brothers United.

8. J. EIsey, veteran OF the Mexican
and Civil Wars, who for the past de-
cade has lived at the Soldiers Home
in Leavenworth, Kan, and for the
best part of lifetime has believed
himself alone in the world, was re-
ioiced the other day when brother
who he thought bad been killed IN
the war found him and offered hmm
home. He and his father and two
brothers had entered the Mexican war;
He had helped to bury the fatner ana
one brother after q battle and he had
heard that the other brother also was
killed. After the Civil War he lived
only for himself and brought up at the
Soldiers Home; but the brother, who
had not been killed, married. toiied.
and prospered at billiard Station,
Ohio, and at last came to Leaven-
worth. New York Sun.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Cool Water.

The Mexicans do not use ice, but,
nevertheless, there sno other country
in the world than Mexico where man
can get sweet and ct the same time
cool glass of water. The water jars
are made Of porous pottery. which
allows the water to ooze through the
material of the tanks, and the evapor-
alton keeps it always cold.
1t Is not cold like iced water, bat 1t
is all the better on that account. IS 9
man can drink twice as much and
never feel in the least injured, no mat
ter how large his draughts.
Australian ranchmen frequently put
water into skin bottles, which they
suspend from the veranda, and the All
swaying the skins backward and for
ward cools the water and renders i
more palatable. New York Journal
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
A Dogs Expensive Appetite.

A dog who has eaten MP farm and
Get of buildings has been found IN
Eastern Maine. This dog killed
neighbours sheep. The neighbor of
fered to call it square If the dog was
killed. The dogs master refused to
agree 10 this, and lawsuit came next.
TO pay the costs and damages assessed
nv the Court the owner OF the dog had
to mortgage his farm for Sl0o. Ina
mortgage had a bigger appetite than
the dog, and soon his farm was gone
and the owner had to move away. The
dog is now dead.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
LOVES WAY.

Where Love builds his nest, dear
Where his steps incline,
Rosy east or west, dear,
That sweet way be thine.
That sweet way,
Where dwells the May
That sweet way be thine.
Where Love reaps the blooms, dear,
Where his bright stars shine,
Sheltered from the glooms thsre.
That sweet way be thine.
That sweet way,
Until Gods day
That sweet way be thine.
And still for thee, the light, dear,
Though never light be mine;
And thank God for the night, desx
II mornings rose be thine.
Aud Loves depr way,
Until Gods Day
AMI Loves dear way be thinc.
Frank L. Stanton, in Atlanta Constitution
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Immersed in q Sea of Fire.

One of the ssrangest accidents thnt
could happen gasoline launch caused
the wreck of the launch Henrietta at
San Francisco.
Her owners, Frank Darling, Charles
Darling and John Durney, had just
secured contract with a grocery hrm
and laundry company to do their
shipping, and Frank Darling rowed
out to the launch where she lay oil
Long Bridge to zee that she was IN
good order. He made fast his boat
and stepped below, but as he opened
the cabin door there came an explo-
sion that blew him backward into the
water and wrecked the launch.
Darling, though badly shaken up
by the explosion, rose to the surface
almost Immediately, only to find that
| the surface of the water had been GOV.
cred with burning gasoline, and tina,
he was swimming about in the mIdsl
of it. He dove at once and swan un
der water for some distance, but ~
had to come to the surface twice be-
fore he got outside the circle OF liam
ing oil. Then boat, which attracted
by the explosion had put OF from
shore, picked him up.
II In the meantime the launch hat
been burning merrily and to save he
the rescuing boat came alongside ant
knocked hole in her.
II The explosion without doubt wa
caused by the gasoline tank. 1t wa
! situated in the bow of the boat an.
had been filled only the day before. !
is supposed that some leak allowed tn
oil to escape, and this, generating ga
in the cabin, caused an explosion
when the door was opened. Or IT ma
be. the sun shining through the cabi
windows had heated the fgas, general
ed to such degree that it was expioc
ediust in time to catch the boatman q
he opened the door.
The cabin was blown to atoms an
the launch was set on FIRE. The o
from the tank had been scattere
through radius of twenty feet an
being slowly borne by the tide towar
, some valuable yachts lying near D.
, the little patches of greasy fluid blal
ING merriIy as they danced along. III
l Yachts we're quickly moved out
harms way, however, and the iiamir
oil burned harmlessly until it wei
mt
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
Fine wire.

The finest wire in the country il
made at Taunton, Mass. This metal
ccbweb of minute diameter is exactly
10000 part of an inch in thickness
much finer than human hair. Ordi-
nary wire, even though OF small de
ameter. is drawn through holes,in
steel plates, but on account OF the
wear such plates cannot be used IN
making the hair wire. The Taunton
factory uses drilled diamonds for the
dva plates. -Industrial World.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
A Boys Frignsful Slide.

Ira Drum, Western boy, has Just
had terrible experience that nearly
resulted in his death. With party
of men and women, the boy was climb
ing Mount LasseD, steep and dam
gerous mountain in California. They
had got to the top in safety when
member OF the party lost his hat. the
Wind carrying il along on the snow to
the edge OF the mounia'H.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
The Stair Cure New.

Anew form OF regular daily exer-
else that is being prescribed by more
than one London physician. is stair
climbing. 1t is recommended Tor
STRENGTHENING the heart.
This can only be done by taking
regular, systematic and sufficient mus
cular exercise. Let a person who
finds his pulse increased fifty to sixty
beats in q minute after mounting a
staircase, climb hundred staircases
day after day for month or more,
and, it is said, he will find that the
exertion does not add ten beats to the
normal number of his heart throbs.
The exercise has acted upon this
vital organ just as it does on the
biceps Of a prize6ghter or q black
smith, and strength and the capacity
for endurance have been the result.
But this is not all the good to be
gained by climbing hundred stair
cases day, say fifty in the morning
and fifty in the afternoon. Doubtless
the person with weak heart has sui.
fered more or less from what Is called
nervous dyspepsia. His food, instead
of being properly digested, has been
mainly fermented in his stomach, and
has caused him various uncomfortable
feelings, which he has been in the
habit of attributing to everything but
their proper cause.
It is claimed that not only have the
hundred minutes SO spent in climbing
staircases put strength into his legs
expanded his chest, and saved nj
heart from fatty degeneration, bu
that they have given tone to his aodo
minal muscles and to his digestive or
rans.-New York Journal.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
A Bicycle Somnamhnlist.

ia Sonnambula' up to date was
seen at Bath Beach, N. Y, Sunday
morning, when q young lady, beauti-
ful. OF course, was discovered riding a
bicycle, and yet sound asleep. This
particular young lady was rudeiy
awakened by her bike striking stone.
When she realized her situation she
showed herself perfect lady by I'M
mediately faintiDg away.-bossan
Transcript.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
London Assessments.

Tho rateabie value OF London has
increased during the last Eve years by
two and three-quarters millions, max
ing a total OF nearly $3.50, 900, 900.
While the rate remains the same the
London County Council will get 5000,
900 more than last year, the London
School Board 800, 900, the police
$500, 900 and the wafer companies
$685.. coo.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
MY OWN DECEASE.

THOUGH undoubt.
eddy I had been very
i'll, I am by no means
certain OF my facts at
about this time; SO
whether / was the
victim of a lively i'm
agination, or OF a
hypnotic trance, I
really cannot say.
Any way, one morning
/ seemed to be con-
scious that I was talk
ing with q demon,
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19

"Willie Taddells," said the school
teacher firmly, 'syou have . piece OF
chewing-gum in your desk. Bring It
to me instantly" "Yesn1," replied
Willie, s'but 1t amt the favor. you
use. Yours is orange, an this is win-
tergreen. -Harppsr'a Bazaar.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19
THE FIELD OF ADVENTURE
raRILLING INCIDENTS AND OAR
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
Desperate Battle Between Hunters
and Bears-Immersed In Sea Of
Fire-A Erlghtfui Slide.

desperate Ddttlo DotWccu A1uAtVAS
and Bears-Immersed In a Sea Of
Fire-A Frlghtfui Slide.
TRANK AND ENOS CLARK,
~ of Olympia, Wash, their
y cousin, Henry Walker, and
Elsen Hoffman, of Astoria,
Or, had fight with two large brown
bears which they are not likely to for
get.
They went down the Columbia
River and put in few days shooting
big game. For miles back of Oak
Point the country is pretty densely
timbered with somewhat heavy un-
dergrowth. That section has the rep.
utation of Astounding with deer, and
that is oil the sportsnen were looking
for.
In the forenoon they were fortunate
enough to bring buck to grass. At
ter cleaning and sklnning the game
they left and went in pursuit Of more
deer. After hunting q couple OF hours
without getting another glimpse OF q
deer, Henry Walker remarked that
some one had better look after the
slain animal to guard against its being
carried off by a bear, as bruin also
thrives down there. Enos Clark and
Hoffman volunteered to see to the car
cass, but it had disappeared. They in
stituted search IN the underbrush
and found their venison in the posses
sion of two cinnamon cabs, which
were feasting upon sit. Clark dis
patched one OF the cubs with a rifle
| ball in its head. The report had moi
died away when two huge cinnamon
bears rushed upon them.
Hoffman, whose back was. turned tc
the brutes, was knocked down with
one stroke of a paw, landing on his
right side and fractnring four OF his
ribs. The brute turned from the pros
trate man, who was rendered uncon
scious, and the two bears conferred at
tention upon CLARK, who, being armef
with magazine rifle, shot the animals
every time he had q chance to shoot
Both were wounded in several places
when MIR. Clark's magazine gun wa
empty.
Young Clark's rapid firing attracted
the attention of his brother and hi
cousin. They reached Enos not a mo
ment too soon. At the same instan
that Frank and Henry appeared tn
female bear had caught up with Emo
and, rising upon her launches, SD
threw her whole weight upon him
She was on the fallen man, chewin
away on the clothing covering hi
right shoulder. While Frank we
keeping the huge male bear at ba
Henry, in rapid succession, sent tw
rifle balls through the head OF th
brute covering his cousin, thus savin
his life. Enos, however, suffered
broken collar hone and the loss OF ii
tip of his nose, which greatly disil
ures him.
Meanwhile Frank also had the lie
side of his face crushed and his rigl
arm broken by stroke of the remai
ing bears paw and his fall from Il
blow. At this stage Of the procee
ings bruin was frightened away fro
the scene by the TWO volleys fro
; Henry's rife and disappeared in Il
brush. San Francisco Chronicle.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-19

hereafterp the punishment OF early
yanlties and sins? TO see things Just
as they are, and yet to be so miserably
impotent to alter them; to see, too,
what might have been, and to beat out
my wearySspirit On into eternity In
vain longing for fruition that can
never come.
MY funeral was appointed to take
place the next day. It was a very grand
, affair altogether, and cake and tea had
been laid in the parlor to entertain the
guests upon this festive occasion.
As I accompanied the mourners
, down the steps. I suddenly perceived
. nv friend the demon by my side.
yainly I sought coach. bat could
find no room, / turned to him some
what angri'y and remarked:
81 say, you promised ! should go to
!. nv own funeral, but ] don't seem to
have been considered in the arrange.
/ ment at all"
.sYou forget that oorporeallY yor
hold the place of honor at the head O
! the procession but lin the spirit yot
!. ran get in here. There's only tn
1 doctor and the clergyman.
4 ssBetween the doctor and the par
: aonl Really my dear demon, you ar
: remarkable for . most sardoni
L humor.
II Well, the men Of medicine and r
!. licion talked politics all the way, whlc
/ thought inappropriate; but as the
- were both conservatives they did nc
: disagree. Tam Liberal myself. an