davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
out a ne MOONLIGHT.

There was then at that time q little
s~hort-coupled, l~ong-legged horse on the
place which I called mine, Accordin to
the family dnderstandin lie was mine
to feed and curry and ride and claim as
my own, but still he didn't come In for
no exemptions under the general law
agin horse racin. 1 told Jerry that no
would have to ride the preachers horse
whilst l would back the little bay as
usual. Up to that time r never had
run up agin but one horse that could
pass by the little bay, and that was u
roam mare which belonged to Hamp
Weaver, o younger brother to Ben Chris.
II is about the anne way, / reckon, with
most all country boys, butin them days
I would ruther take a lickin any time
than to ride a horse that couldn't lead
the pack. 1t is human nature with
everybody-but boys in particlar-to
try and keep ahead and, work in the
lead. You can take notice of the same
thing in old men, They most in gener-
ally pull for the amen corner, or take
the first seat in the front row Of the
dress circle.
So in pursuit Of adjournment, me and
Jerry reassembled ourselves together
down there in the horse lot at mid
night, and now presently we had took
the horses out and OFF down the old
stage road lookin for a level stretch TO
u the race. The moor hit was shinin
bright as day, and when we got out in
a clear openin we dismounted and got
down so I could take q good look at
Timber Jim.
And as / am a farmer from Farmers
vile, and a n~atural-born southern gene
tleman, that horse was the most ugliest
and %unpromisin plug 1 had ever saw in
all of my born days, He was sway
backed, and bench-legged, and box
ankled and yew-necked, and slab-sided
and ragged and raw-bony. Blamed II
| couldn't hang my hat on his hip bone
and count his ribs by the pale light OF
the moon. He was sluggish and sleepy
and looked like he would break up and
fall to pieces at every step he took
Finally at last l come right out and
told Jerry IL he wanted to run a race on
that old horse he could do it, but as to
me I wouldn't ride him in a race for love
nor money, cause I was plum satisfied
he would let loose and fall down and
break his neck or mine-and maybe
both. And Jerry he was ruther skittisf
about it, but by this time Timber jim
had his ears topped and his head hung
down like he was fxin of to sleep, and
Jerry lowed he'll be smeared if he wan
goin to wake up the old crowbait If 4
brung ON q funeral in the family-whicl
at that time likely young bucks such Al
him was worth q thousand dollars
head.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

non. The way 4 most Ia genefslls win.
the face was BY gettin two or thra3
quick long leaps ahead before the other
horse knowed what waa comm. I
worked the same game on Limber Jim,
and the little bay went of two full
lengths ahead. The run we picked out
was q mile dash, and before we had
covered the first quarter my little bay
had left Timber Jim by fifty vards. 7
was Just thinkin about puliin up so as.
to tdn G waitiH race when by gracious
I heard Jerry sing out to me.
30 your best, Mnfse Rufe, for we are
s cominl"
The next mint he shot by me Ike q
pun Of wind, and through the cloud Of
dust I could see Jerry and Timber Jim
All tangled up there together and goin
at the rates Of about 40 feetto the jump
and ten jumps to the secont run the
little bay on out to the end Of the
stretch KNOWN that he was way yonder
the-worst beat horse 1 had ever flung q
leg over. But when we got to the stop
pin place I couldn't see neither hair
nor hide Of Jerry and Timber Jim. i
reckon the old horse must have thought
NE was In for q ten mile race in three
straight heats. He run on down the
road about three miles before Jerry
could pull him in, and I had mighty
nigh give them both up for lost before
they got back. Timber Jim come up In
that loose double-shufie fox walk Of his,
and whilst me and Jerry was talkin over
the race hang my cats il he didn't go to
sleep right there in the big road.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

to the show window and hsndeao out the
best he had.
I haven't got mulch time, but / sup
poae-why, hellol Say, that dog Is .
bulgarian setter. I didn't notice him
before. Where did you get hifh7s'
"Oh, ] hat him here for a customer. :
"Yeu have2 Wen, he's a prize beauty.
What do you wantfor himq.
Il am not selling him."
''Well, 1 thought you said you had
him for a customer. I'll give you $50
for him.
"Ididn'tthink he was so much WORTH =
said the halter.
you didn'tln tehementiy exclaimed
the customers swhy, just say the word
and I'll strip a $50 wrapper from my
roll and take the dog"
Herr zuckermeister smiled, and, with
a funny little twinkle in his eye, saidl
"Vell, / hat 80 ask meih frau Rboutit.
IL sou come round in q hour or two
maybe I sell him"
can right. I'd like to get that dog
very much. He's a valuable animal and
2 AAAS ABCGAAC4 VI HIS DECcQs Sdlu t8o
sporty customer.
Keeping up q running fire of COM
ments about the dogs fine points the
sporty customer turned his attention
to the ostensible object Of his visit, the
purchase of a silk hat. He finally Sc
lected one for Sc, and pulling out a roll
of bills laid down 81 with a card bearing
the name Richard E. Devere." Then
he HAids
"Just keep that for deposit, and I'll
come back at 1--WE o'clock for the hat and
the dog, if you want to sell them"
Mr.. Devere hustled out, and Fucker,
meister stared after him. The sporty
customer had made quite an impression
on the little German halter. Half an
hour afterward Red Gallagher came
sloping down the street with his new
hat tilted over his right eye and a big
cigar tilted up to meet 1t.
"Halloo, Zuckeri Say, I'm back fol
that pup O. mine. He's ell right, isn't
hep"
"Yep. I guess he's able to eat vor
square meal" laughed the halter, as hi
gazed at the lanky dog.
"He don't need q meal. OATS his nat
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
nriad nliuaa fnr rood.

Manager J. A. Filcher, of the Califor-
MIA board Of trade, has received a com
m~unication Of rare Interest from south
ern California regarding the raising Of
olives for drying purposes. II dried
olives possess all the qualities claimed
BY their advocate a new industry may
be- developed in this state and econom-
teal persons be furnished with a food
product, palatable and highly nutri,
tisus, which viii cost not more than
five cents q day. Nv. s. Manning, Of
Ballard, Santa Barbara county, has sent
a sample Of the dried fruit for the in
spection Of the board of trade. BE con-
tends that no product on earth contains
as much Of the elements Of nutrition
necessary for the ~sustenance Of the
body as a ripe olive. The dried fruit
will, Of course, contain all Of these
qualities, and all that Is necessary tc
render it pleasant to the taste is soak
ing and sailing It. The oil Of the olive
is equal tcumeat and the pulp is as good
rs bread.-San Francisco Call.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18


zell- haf Eli atcNt
ass = hie sang f
ci corposed
Shan anyone can say If hi
Philadelphia Hecora
-skaAeWfat j ob b 81 toA
inf house Is the Jack e ten
ha: xon haven't heard the eirIln
nsxt room ngine Nheo ~
Comes AGAIN. 5udv
-0enorslly THAT'S The Harae4 ~
Work@unela Tom. what
ability7 SITS knowing how . m1
other people work without doing ang
thing yourself hieaeo Record.
Our Baf1hies ehsiaren. / hoes
You peeled TIE applss hefore eaS
Them p "Yes. mother. dear. NFhaf.
have you done with the peeHan
eOh, we ate them after. -FafnHlen
biatt.
-Hiopins-eDo Won think Il possible
for an educated man Is live. 81 az ts
be respected IS his nef0hbors So q dol
lar a davqg Wirpfns-"Weli. possibly.
Bat his EMPLOYER somerviIls
Journal.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

etM c0ndfsn. Observation-Disclosures
took him out"
do you want to sell him r. asked the
halter, i%nnocently.
"Well, I'm not stuck on gettin' rid
o. him. Why?"
"Oh. veil. 1 on'tknow. Ichust asked
you. Maybe / knows somebody who
buys him."
"Buys himP Do you know how much
he's worth2"
The halter shrugged his shoulders.
Hes worth every cent Of a cool hum
dred plunks IL he's worth a cent"
"But you said you would sell him for
$25."
'Well, what If 1 did,"
II o thinking that I would like to
hat a dog myself, and maybe / gif you
$25 for him."
Red appeared to deliberate for some
time, but after a few minutes Of sus-
pense, said:
Well, nobody but you could have him
for that money. He's dirt cheap at
that"
Zuckermeister hurried to his money
drawer and, counting out the amount
agreed upon in 81 bills, handed it over,
Red tied the dog to the counter leg
again, and with a sigh said:
II hates ter part wild him. Be sure
you'll good take care Of him, Won't
yer2"
"oh, yes" said the halter as Red van.
ished with the $25.
That occurred two weeks ago,a and Mr.,
Devere never turned up. Zuckermeis.
ter nearly lost his eyesight looking fol-
him OF the afternoon that Red sold the
berg, the butcher, who is an expert on
though he kept his shop open until
nearly midnight he saw no sign of De,
we're. The next day he called in Stntzen,
berg, the butcher who is an expert on
dogs, to look his bargain over and give
his opinion.
What kind of q dog is ft?" asked the
halter, anxiously, after S~tutzenbers
had examined the brute.
II don't think it is a dog at all unlesi
you call a sooner a dog"
"What is a sooner2"
why, a beast that would sooner ca
and sleep than do anything else"
How much is he worth ~ asked luck
ermeister.
well, / should say that anybod,
who paid more than Is cents for hin
had bought a gold brick. How mucl
did you give for him?"
Zuckermeister was speechless by thi
time, and the next moment he had al
attack Of what Stutzenberg caIIet
rabies. He has not been feeling vel
since, but he thinks he will improve i
he catches q sight Of Red Gallagher Q,
the mysterious Mr.. Devere.-N. Z. Sun.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
STORE.

bite q spring broiler if yer showed it at
him, sc don't be afraid Of nuttin' like,
dat"
Well, / keep him." said the hatterb
resignedly.
Take good are Of him now, VIII
yer2" was Reds parting remark, as he
strolled out with a new derby.
The little halter gazed ~cu1iousIy at.
the Bulgarian setter. and even yentured
near enough to stroke him. He was en-,
gagged in doing this when a prosperous,
looking Individual with plenty Of Jews
elry hustled in,
How are yop,e exclaimed the new
customer, in a hearty tone. as he looked
Zuckermeister from head TO foot. With
out waiting for q reply he continued:
81 want to get a silk hat. Have you got
any good ones2"
"Oh, yes. How much do you want to
paygg
Hang the expensei Trot ont the
best you got
The halter hustered somewhat by
the b~rusqueness o. his customer, went
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
Il was ..put Up Or Shut Up.0

We'll, Hamp he kept on pokin fun at
me and Timber Jim so till presently I
got sick and tired Of 1t and told him I
was ridin the fastest horse in the settle
ment, He took another laughin spell.
then, and laughed till the water backed
up In his eyes. But when he got through
and quit / bantered him for a race and
proffered to bet him.ny fiddle agin his
watch, even Steven, that the old horse
could beat his o mare in a runnin
race-one mile dash. Hamp thought T
was jokin at first, but when / laid my
fiddle down and told him to put up or
shut up he covered 1t with his watch
and went off after the roam mare.
When we galloped up to the startin
place both Of the horses was movin
along neck and neck. But when they
got the word to 90 the mare made a
squirt and shot out ahead exactly like
my little bay had done when me and
Jerry run our midnight, moonlight
race. Il was some time before Timber
Jim could pull himself up together in
runnin shape, but after that every time
he punched his feet he would cover
three OF four lengths, and he punched
en- tremendous quick and fast. Blamed
If he couldn't go and come quicker and
do mor rurnin and make less fusA
about it than any horse / have ever saw,
Now, then, to cut the story short,
when the race had been run to q finish
Hamp Weaver's roam mare was the
worst beat horse IN all that country ex-
ceptin my little bay. Tputi IN and tried
my level blamdest to git my father in
the notion to trade for Timber Jim
and let me handle him as tradir
stock. But he didn't know nothing
about the strong pinta Of a raeehorse
and when the preacher come back Iii,
own nag was ready and waitln for him.
RDTUB 6ArDERa
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
Timber Jim shows Up.

At that time l was nothin but Q year
lin boy-the onlyest one in the family
and my mainest runnin mate was
a niger youngster which belonged to
my father. The other boy was name
Jerry, and as we was one years chill
dren, both born on the full of the moon,
the general -understandin was that he
would fall to me when I got old enough
to branch Off and set up business on my
own hook.
One pleasant summer day, late along
il the shank of the evenin, a preacher
~travellin through the settlement
stopped over and put up for the night
at u house. In the main time me and
Jerry we made 1t our personal ard par
ticlar business to try every strange
horse that come along. We had to tend
to the stock and see to it that there
was plenty of corn in the troft and fod-
der in the rack, and so we reasoned to-
gether with ourselves that no strange
horse could get his board and lodgins
in lot free gratis for ncthin, The
general fact that the horse in this case
belonged to q preacher didn't jar our
hands o blame bit. He had to show
down in regards to his wind and his
speed il he had any in him. The preach
err which we had with us that night
called his horse Timber Jim. and as we
led him down to the lot me and Jerry
made it up between us that he would
have to unite them legs and unlimber
himself generally somewheres before
daylight the next mornin.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
rhe Mianirht Rnee va Rnn.

In that midnight moonlight horse
RAGS we didn't have any starter aud no
judges to speak Of, and so consequent
tally we had to make our own rules and
arrangements. The way we managed
was to start even and gallop along
neck and neck till we come to . little
turn in the xoad. Thea / would holler
60. and away we went Whilst gall
lopin up to the stretch / helt the little
bay back all / could 80 a. to let Timber
Jim come up for . good wen start, and
when I give out the word gomy horse
got away like he was shot out Of q can
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

There is an awful warning TO those
parents who continue to name children
after their relatives. Upin Knott coun-
tn, on Caney creek, the practice has been
carried to an excess, and the result Is
that the Sloan family numbers among
Its members the following: big IAom
Sloan" lizards Isom,' Sons Isom.'
"Tsom's Ison,' ,Jaller Isom.' sSorrel
Head Isom," "Jim's Isom," Little
Fscm." sAndyss Isom' Summ's Isom.'
"Jimbo's Isom," 'sBig Isou's Isom" and
.Sorrel Head Isom's Isomr-Louisvill.
Post
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
nc qane Thav PlaYod.

wy EOO NAQ n1AoC6 DuCA AA%0 WAAC A0Ns
and rubbed of the saddle marks and
sneaked off to bed without raisin any
d~isturbment around the place, and the
next mornin everything was rs smooth
and lovely as q summer day. I man
aged somehow to toll the preacher off
down to the lot before breakfast and got
up a private Capitalization with him in.
regards to old Timber Jim. In the final
windup / told him If he would borrow q
horse from my father and leave his old
plug in our lot I would try and put some
weatherboardin on him and round him
up a little agin he come back that way.
The preacher he took the bait like q lit
tie man and had a talk with father ac-
cordin at the breakfast table.
climber Jim Is all right and sound as
q dollar" says he, "but right at this
particlar time he is somewhatly under
the weather from hard and constant
ridin'. This boy Of yours, Brother
Sanders, is a natral-born horse master,
and / would love to put Timber Jim in
his hands for n few weeks, or at any
rates till I pass along this way On my
return back from the hill country"
Well, bein as they was both brothers
in the same church it was all right with
my father. You know how that is.
when the preacher went of that morn
in he was ridin the best saddle horse
on the place, and up on three legs and
chawin his corn and fodder between
maps.
The crops was laid by then and all
the stock was idle, so I had a good
chance TO take some OF the kinks out
Of Timber Jim's hide. Igive him two or
three days to rest up in, and then !
straddled him one mornin and put out
up the road to see Hamp Weaver. I
had a tolerable good fiddle which I
wanted to swap 20 Hump for his open
face, ~silver-case watch and some boot.
Anyhow that was the story which I
give out to him when I got there, but
to you, / was playin for ever with Linn
Der jim as my winnin card, Iset my fig
gers too high on the watch and fiddle
trade and was Akin of 10 start back
home when Hamp up and says to me,
says he:
"Rufe, wherein the thundcratiOns did
you run mp with that old boneyard?"
responded back that / had picked up
the horse from q preacher that was
passin through the settlement, and
then went on to remark in a scatterin
way that there was some good blood
in him and a right smart speed il
could but only bring It out where II
would show.
Hamp he laughed At to kill himself
and lowed he wouldn't be caught dead
and ridin such a razor-back. "Aint you
skeered, Rufe, they will arrest you for
cruelty to animals?"
1.-THE next thing you know the buz
yards will come down and close their
mortgage. and you will have to tote
your saddle home" Hamp went on t.
say.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

have seen The day n hour When
( could ride a horse-race, or play the
fiddle, or jump a Jig or run a reel with
sny youngster In the whole discovered
country. And till this day Inever hear
tell Of fast horses but what I r~ecollect
amidnight, moonlight h~orse-race which
I took q hand In oncst upon q time
years and years ago.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

she-Darling husband, look at III
sweet baby; amt he sweet9 Which de-
you 'spose he loves most his papa or his
mammal?
He-Why, his mamma, 20 be sure
She-No, he don't; he likes his papa
best.
He-Well. have II your own why 3
really think he does myself
1t was then the trouble hegan-iq
nate.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

Ills cog A0&AUM
Kuckermeister only smiled and hand
ed Red a derby. Red tried several, and.
finally decided on one which was
marked $1.OO, but which zuckermeister
let 60 at $I.75. Red pulled out a two
dollar bill, paid for the hat, and in the
meanwhile conversed with the halter.
Say, what dyer fink Of dat dog,
Zucker2" asked Red.
"Oh, he looks poorly goot. Vat kind
Of a tog it isl"
He's a new breed. Dey calls 'em
Bulgarian SETTER cross between a Cor
don and Irish setter. Dis one took
6rst prize at de dog show, an I'm takin'
him down ter have him trimmed fer
mother show. / wouldn't sell him fer
less than $25."
HE must be a goot tog," remarked
Zuckermeister.
Yer kin betcher last calooper dat he
is. Say, I'm goin' ter leave him here fer
an hour or so while i goes down an vets
me new topper wild de gang. Will you
take are of him2"
do he bite2 asked the halter, glanc-
ing at the lean chops of the brute.
"Bite!" exclaimed Red, in disgust.
"Why, dat dog is a thoroughbred. Why,
he's trained SO fine that he wouldn't
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
Low bridges Il 0uesneiand.

The Queensland rivers are subject to
sever floods, and low, level bridges,
therefore, have been found advisable.
The cost Of high level bridges is exces.
sive and those Of moderate height are
very liable to be carried away. The low,
level ones are submerged before logs
and driftwood are brought down In con-
siderable quantities, and the dangerous
debris passes harmlessly over.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

day but when 4
was young and
~sprightly and.
supple-iinted /
W ould ruther
ride the fastest
horse in 4 haaf
mile dash than
to eat when 4
was And
whilst it
not look prob
able to you, i
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

Jnne bugs are 9 plague il eenkfa
france. The government pays eea1
a pound for them, and 81 Means where
10 ions 81 Of June bugs destroyed
IN 1892. only "a were psia tor last
s-chicago Tribune
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
THE LONG STROKE.
How an Expert Swimmers Good judge
ment Won . Race.

AWW AM AAW4AH 2 49,
ment Won q Race.
Two men living in an American city
were expert swimmers, whose powers
Of endurance were the subject Of admir-
ing comment among their friends.
They were induced to compete in q
swimming match.
There was neither wager nor prize
but only a friendly contest to determine
which was the better swimmer, there
being an understanding that the baelx-
era Of the loser should pay for q dinner
for the whole company Of spectators.
When the trial came for long-distance
swimming one Of the contestants de-
cided that he would force -
from the outset.
vigorous, powerful
antagonist some
friends cheered Hi
shore, and shouted to him to keep up his
good work. Excited by these outcries
be redoubled his exertions and increased
his lead rapidly.
Meanwhile his competitor was swim-
ming with steadine switha stroke which
he could easily maintain for the whole
distance. He was not Disconnected By
the frantic appeals Of his friends to
quicken his stroke. He was confident
that his competitor was exhausting
himself by ov~erexertion at the outset,
and that the race would be won before
it was much more than half finished.
The two swimmers kept on without
changing their tactics until the half
distance stake was not far AWAY. The
leader had ceased tolgain upon his rival,
who was beginning to lessen the dis
lance between them. One man was
showing signs of distress whiIethe othg
ar was swimming easily, and wal ap4
parentIy as fresh as when he started.
At the stake the leader threw up his
hands and cried out to his rival to come
to his aid. The second man, calling up
on his reserve power, forged ahead with
a few strong strokes, and came up in
time to save the exhausted leader from
drowning.
sHelp me ashoreip gasped the ex-
hausted man. ''The race is yours. You
need not finish the course"
The weaker man was kept at1oat until
a boat could be sent to rescue him.
Then the stronger man turned the stake
and completed the course, swimming
with the same long, deliberate stroke
with which he had set out.
When be went ashore to receive the
congratulations Of his friends he was
apparently none the worse for his pro-
longed exercise in the water. His sue
cess had been 3 triumph Of judgments
rather than Of expert skill or physical
endurance. The two rivals were equally
good swimmers, but one knew how to
reserve his strength for a prolonged
test of endurance, while the other ex-
hausted himself by overwhelming I'M
necessarily in the first half-mile.
That swimming-match Is a parable
of many a failure Of life and Of many a
successful career. Nothing is more
dangerous than o~verwrought exertior
of body or mind.
II is the long, steady, deliberate
stroke, with unused power in reserve
behind it, that wins in every field Of hu
man effort-Youth's Companion.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

"Poor little babyl" said Ethel, aym-
pathizfngly, as her new brother wepk
.Mamma, why don't you give him some
Of that smoothing aEup -HaTper'e
Round Table,
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18
LIMBER jim.
A Midnight Moonlight Horse Race
ct Rocky Greek.
The Preachers Horse Had speed and
Staying Quaiities-Can't Always Mena-
ure > Man or 3 Horse by aGens
ercl Approximately

You maybe mought not think Il from
the general outward appearmenta to-