davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
PERsoMAL ANp lMPERsoNAL.


Admiral W. T. Evashintof. of the
Russian imperial navy, who is travel
ing on "a years leave of absence, is
visiting his brother-in-law, Theodor
Barker, of Portland, Ore.
"A Viennese amateur faster who
tried to initiate Succi was found in a
dying condition on the 21st day of his
fast. He was a rich maj and was en-
dcavoring to establish a record of 81
days without eating.
Queen Victoria has been much
more benefited in health and spirits by
her residence at Gimiez than by any
previous continental trip. Her majes-
ty was entirely free from rheumatism
during her stay on the Riviera.
The London Chronicles represent
alive at Moscow writes: 81 could not
help noticing that the emperor is look
ing very thin, but the empress, on the
other hand, has got wonderfully stout
and hearty looking in the short time
that has elapsed since her marriage"
DIR. Kate G. Horner, of Pender,
Neb., was recently elected coroner of
the town. The cowboys call her an
angel because of her self-sacrificing
life. Whenever she goes on a trip yer
the prairie to visit a sick person some
gallant but bashful cowboy follows at
q distance to see that no harm over
takes the pretty young doctor.
George Mence Smith, a self-made
Scotchman, who died recently worth
over e~3,OOO.OOo, possessed over 20
stores in London for the sale of lamp
oil, kitchen brushes and other necessi-
ties of housekeeping. He leaves no
less a u than 81, 300, 00O to be divided
among the employees of his different
businesses.
The richest man in the world il
said to be John B. Robinson, of South
Africa. Eighteen years ago he kept
a grocery store in the Orange Free
Slate. AMI was in debt. He and his wife
begged their way to Kimberley, where
Robinson picked up a rough diamond
worth S1,216. This was the foundation
of his fortune, which is now estimated
at $340,620,o00.
-Penrose Fitzgerald, the member of
parliament for Cambridge, is a breezy,
popular Irishman, of whom many good
stories are told. He is rather near
sighted, and seldom remembers names.
"A few days ago he met a fellow-mem.
Der of parliament, Viscount Kilcoursie,
who had just become Earl of Cavan.
The new earl spoFe to Mr.. Fitzgerald
in the lobby, and, observing a puzzled
look, was good enough to say, pleasant
ly: 81 see you don't know who 1 am.
My names Cavan.' "Of course, of
course, my dear fellow" was the an
swer, 'but for the moment, / admit,
I took you for that ass Kilcoursie."
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

forest and came out on the mountain
road a couple of miles above the jungle.
There he awaited Castro, determined OF
making a sudden coup. He had not
long to wait. AS the three desperadoes
rode past, Castro ahead with Miss Gun
Dingham before him on the saddle, La
fague's Winchester flashed twice and
the two hinder menreeled to the ground.
Then began an exciting chase. Tho
Frenchman had calculated on shooting
down the three bandits ard rescuing the
girl without more trouble, but her po-
sition prevented his risking a shot at
Castro. The latter, finding that he had
fallen into an ambush, started off at a
gallop; and away went Lafague pelting
after.
Unable to release his hold on the girl,
Castro could not use his rifle, and 50
mile after mile the splendid mountain
ponies dashed IN, Lafague slowly gaiD-
ing ground. AT length came the critical
moment, when sword, bayonet and ma
chete flashed above the heads of pur-
suer and pursued, making the light
ming to the storm-cloud impact of tho
rushing steeds. But the deadly weapons
only clashed together to be violently
hurled asunder Is riders and horses
went crashing to the ground. For
through Lafague's want Of skill and
Castro's left hand engaged both with
supporting the girl and handling the
rejns, the animals crushed together in
full career and fell headlong with their
own impetus. Miss Cunningham was
hurled to some distance, but was UNI
injured. Both horses rolled complete
" over the bandit chief, crushing the
life out of him, whilst Lafague, falling
on top, escaped with a severe shaking
Fortunately for our friends there WAS
a native "jacal" perched On the hillside
not far of, and there they were hos
pitably entertained for the night, and
poor Miss Cunningham, who had been
abducted as she stood, in her night
garments and slippers, was provided
with a more becoming outfit Of cloth-
ing.
The romantic, If withal tragic, adj
venture had a fitting sequel, for M. La.
fague won the heart and hand Of the
bereaved. but far from destitute, orphan.
T. p. PORTER.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
having met his death, the daughter wa

having met his death, the daughter waa
taken instead.
We were all pretty well paralyzed by
the horror of the incident, and quite
b~ewildered as to what steps should be
taken. To follow the bandits was inn
practicable, for they were well enough
mounted, while, although we had mules
enough, there was but one horse on the
place. To sit down and wait until the
demand for the ransom came appeared
to our excited minds both cruel to the
captive girl and cowardly. But what
could we do? The question was solved
by CASTOR Lafague, ayoung French civ
il engineer, who volunteered to ride to
the nearest Town and get a detachment
of soldiers to go after the bandits. He
galloped off, leaving us all too excited
to turn to work, and wondering how we
would get through the weary hours
that must elapse ere he could return
with the soldiers.
But the time came and brought
neither soldiers nor Lafague. The
next day after the tragedy had dawned,
and many Of us were preparing to sad
die up the mules and ride over to the
town after news of the Frenchman
when thaa individual appeared, on foot
end accompanied by Miss cunningham
dressed in the native Peruvian costume.
They yer both SO fatigued that they
could scarcely stand, especially Miss
Cunningham, and it was fortunate In
deed that they had no farther to travel.
OF course, there had been a rescue, and
as it turned out = most gallant one; but
Lafague was very modest on the sub
ject and it was some time before the
rest Of us learnt what had happened
during the interval of our waiting and
anxiety.
Lafague never reached the town.
Whilst still some miles from it the road
traversed a deep forest in the middle OF
which he rode right into the camp of the
bandits, who had halted there for din
nere OF course he was made a prisoner,
and that incident turned the whole tide
of the affair. There were in fact blu.
four of the band with Castro, and it was
now decided that the latter, accom-
panied by two men, should at once &c
forward to their mountain haunt whilst
the other two remained in the fores;
until Lafague could return to the mine
and secure the required ransom. OF
ours they held all the trump cards,
as any attempt to outwit them would be
visited on the unfortunate prisoners.
So they thought, but they did not count
on the young Frenchman's wit and
pluck.
Crying out in French to Miss Cum
ningham to be of good cheer and ready
for a surprise, Lafague started on his
mission. So soon as hegot out of sight,
however. he made a detour through the
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

the following morning, it was found
that during the night the house occu-
pied by Mr.. and Miss Cunningham, and
which stood at some distance from the
quarters" had been quietly raided and
a bloody tragedy enacted. Mr.. Cum
ningham and his man-seryant lay dead,
hacked to pieces with machetes, and
Miss Cunningham's maid was found
gagged and bound. The young lady
herself had disappeared. The maids
story was short and tragic. Several
men, brigands, had broke into the house
in the dead Of night and attempted to
bind her master, but both he and his
man resisted 10 stoutly that at last they
were cut down where they stood and
the cords intended for the father were
bound about the daughter and her
maid. The young lady was then taken
away, and a message left with the maid
to the effect that Castro had done the
deed, and IL = heavy ransom to be de-
manded in due course was not paid the
young lady would be killed. The inten-
ton was to kidnap the father, but, he
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
N
System of Courts Practically Unchanged
from King Alfred's Reign.

System of Courts Practically Unchanged
from King Alfred's Reign.
The most ancient court in England
is that of the kings bench. The great
Alfred sat upon its seat of justice, and
following monarchies copied his exam
PIE until the busy functions of the
rcigning sovereign and his Office were
delegated to his representatives, the
judges.
The other venerable court, the court
of chancery, is almost as old as the
kings bench. One thousand years after
Alfred's accession the ~judicature act Of
1871 destroyed the independence of
these two courts and made them apart
OF five departments, the remaining
three being the common pleas, the ex-
chequer, and the probate, divorce and
admiralty divisions.
At the head of these departments is
the supreme legal official of the law
Of Great Britain and Ireland, the lord
high chancellor. He is appointed by
the crown, upon the motion of the
premier of the realm, and changes Of
fee with his political party. He sits
upon the woolsack, the presiding Off
GERS chair in the house of lords, and
is also a member of the privy council
and the chief judge of the appellate tri-
bunals.
Next in rank is the lord chief jus
tice of England, who rules in the
queens bench division, and after him
comes the master of the rolls, who
presides over the court of appeals.
Lord H~alsbury is the lord chancellor,
Lord Russell, of Killower, is the chief
justice and Lord Esher IS the master
of the rolls, and he will be the last
judge to hold that time-honored title;
it dies with him. Among the wearers
of the judicial ermine, the late Chief
Justice C~oleridge was conspicuous for
his liberal views, since liberalism is
not a prevalent creed with judges in
England. His elocution, beautiful voice
and distinguished presence, his lucid
exposition, social brilliancy and wide
reading gave him a better title to fame
than Disraeli, the past master of caustic
phraseoiogy, was inclined to allow him.
The latter gentleman once spoke of him
as 'silver-tongued mediocrity."-Chau-
tauquan.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
Costly Finger Ring.

The most valuable finger ring re-
corded in the history of jewels and jew
elry was the jewel presented by Shah
Jehan to Moor Mohal, his favorite wife,
the heroine of one of Moore's stories.
According to tradition, it was set with
q diamond Of 76 carats in weight, Of
such purity and brilliance that its esti-
mated value was $5oO,OOO 1t is said
that she wore this precious gem all her
life, and when she and her husband
were buried side by side in the Tai
Mahal, at Agra, it was on her finger.
How true this story is cannot now be
determined, as the British government,
which has charge of the Tai, has stead
lastly refused to allow the tombs of the
royal pair to be disturbed, out of re-
spect for the reverence felt for this
noted monarch in India. - Chicago
Chronicle.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

tie one is taken TO st. AIMS infant or
phan asylum. Life Is preserved, and the
children are raised to be good men and
women. / would regard it as inhuman
TO refuse aid to such a charity"
Congressman Grout, of Vermont, hay-
ing charge of the bill for the house Of
representatives, met the senator's again
and again, daily and almost hourly,
for more than q month. He insisted
that it is unconstitutional to appropri-
ate money from the federal treasury
4Or ~sectarian schools or institutions OF
any kind. Time and again the house
Of representatives voted to sustain Mr..
Grout, and Just as often the senate in
SISTED that the charities must be pro
vfded for. Finally, on the last day OF
che session, the house of representatives
agreed to permit appropriations for one
gear more, extending until June 30,
1897; and thereafter it is decided that
the charitable institutions must get
along without government aid. This
e~cmpromise was regarded as proper by
an parties; but It is not final legislation.
The friends Of the charities viii bring
the subject before the congress again
next winter, and the whole contest viii
BE- fought over.
One Of the Institutions which has re-
eaived government aid for mauF years
s. Howard university, an institution
sounded soon after the civil war, by
nngregationalista, for the purpose q
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

educating colored young men. The
principal object Of the university has
been. and is, 10 educate colored men
for the ministry. Gen. o. o. Howard.
for whom the university was named,
said: In teaching the colored people
religion these young men are educating
their people and making better citizens
of them. Therefore it is a wise princi-
pie that the government should foster
the institution. We want to make all
Of our people better citizens, and money
90 expended is well expended"
Providence hospital, which is under
Catholic management is int Of the
finest institutions of that character in
Dur entire country. Fortunately I
have never been i'll, nor under treat
ment there, but a number of friends and
acquaintance who have been cared for
in Providence hospital say that it is q
glorious place, and that Sister Louise,
in charge of the institution, is as sweet
as an angel in her tender ministrations.
Three of the attending surgeons are
Protestants, and are regarded as leaders
in their profession in this city. But
the Catholic church has control of the
hospital. and therefore it comes under
the head Of s~ectarian charity, aud will
be sadly injured if the government APP
preparations are entirely cut of.
Garfield hospital, named after the
martyred president, was founded and
builded by the Christian chruch, COM
monty known as the Campbellite de-
nomination. 1t is not more than ten
years old, but much good has been ac-
complished there. Providence hospital
is located east Of the capitol, near the
navy yard. Garfield hospital is north
west of the capitol, the two institutions
being nearly three miles apart. The al
most universal opinion of the people in
the national capital is that both of these
institutions should be aided by federal
appropriations.
There appears to be considerable
legal merit, however, in the arguments
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
ONE TOUCH oF NATURE.
All Men Are Not Altogether Bind wh,
Canhos See,

All Men Are Not Altogether Blind vino
CanhOs See.
There are tricks and turns of human
nature none of US know anything about
until we run jam up against them. Even
then it is pretty hard to comprehend
their full scope and significance. Now.
| am a great lover of nature, human ma
ture with the rest, and anything really
new to me in that line is worth record.
ing. ,
Coming through Thirty-third street
the other day I noticed a poor old blind
man squatting on the curb, pouring
out a mournful ditty to the accom-
paniment of a dilapidated barrel or.
gan. 1t was about the worst tune / had
ever heard, and the soloist accurately.
fitted the alleged music. Almost at the
same instant I discovered that he
houses in front of which he Va PLAYING
were vacant. Other people noticed it.
and most of them stopped and gave tho
old man a penny or something better.
There are some very good and naturally
benevolent people who draw the line
on street beggars. but here was real
pathos. There were no little children
at the windows, no good-natured sery.
ing women at the area ratings. But the
melancholy blank was amply filed By
the passing crowd, It was a beautiful
thing to witness.
Somebody ought to tell him." re-
marked a sympathetic lady near me.
"Poor old mani"
Don't you fret, ma'am." coldly sug-
gested a bystander. He is up to SNUFF
He always sits down and plays before
empty houses. It's his little game.
See?"
All men are not necessarily blind be-
cause they cannot see.-N. Y. Herald.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

MISUNDERSTANDING ON HIS MISSION.
ical Darien to the icy regions of the
Antarctic sea. These are indeed still
lands ofwild adventure, albeitits echoes
seldom reach to ears that are deafened
by the din and turmoil of modern civ
ilization.
My W life, connected IS it has
been with the carrying of civilization
into the penetralia of those distant
countries, has not been devoid of those
experiences on the plane of fact that
time and again discount the con-
ceptions of the 1ctionists, the only
difference being that the element of
romance" as we know it in fiction, is
almost invariably conspicuous by its
absence. Of adventures, thrilling
enough in their way, my life has been
as full perhaps as that of any man liv-
ing; but OF n solitary occasion only
did the element of real romance, natur-
ely worked out to its denouement, add
its interest to the bald outward facts.
The story, both as a narrative of wild
life in South America and as an illus
,ration of romance in real life, is we'll
worth the telling. For obvious rea-
sons, however, fictitious names of per-
sons and places are substituted for the
real ones, the facts not being personal
to myself, but relating to parties who
are still living.
To begin at the beginning, the story
/ am about to relate with
the arrival of Miss Eva Cunningham at
the Playa del Orc mine, in Peru, which
was chiefly owned by her father, Frank
Cunningham, and, as may well be sup
posed, the apparition of a hearty and
withal beautiful young American girl
at that out-of-the-world spot created
quite a commotion among the engineers
and other white employees at the ''dig-
gings."
The time was not well chosen for a
young girl to travel through the inte-
rior of the republic, for the war with
Chilli had not long been over, and the
country was overrun with bands of
brigands hailing from the disbanded
national army. However, the party
arrived safely, and we gave them a righ5
hearty reception, little dreaming of the
tragedy that was impending. So far
the brigands had not nolested any of
the mining settlements, combining their
attention to travellers. Even Castro, an
old professional brigand, who had late
ly raised a gang and was then terroriz-
ing the country, had not attempted any
thing of the sort.
The discovery came upon us like a
bolt from the blue, therefore, when, on
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
NECK-OR-NoTHINGRACE
Thrilling Experience Of an Ameri-
can Girl Among Brigands
Modern chivaEry In the wind Southern
Continent Frenchman's Innate
Heroism wins Him Renown and
3 Wealthy American Bride.
IspecIal correapondence.l

However true it may be that the
Eteam engine and electric telegraph
have put out the camp-fres Of adven-
ture and sounded the knell of romance,
there r nevertheless odd corners Of
the world still remaining in which may
be seen the glow Of the one and are
sometimes enacted the thrilling Incl
dents of the other. And nowhere is
this more the case than in the interior
regions of that vast continent that
Ntretehes away southwark from trop-
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
Loose Goats Populay.

Loose coats seem to be the prevailing
style for outdoor garments. They have
been seized on as a relief from the mo-
notonous cape, and promise to be Il Of
the principal expressionReof chic for the
summer. The loose coat is a little
longer than the waist, quite loose ali
around, and is plain or plated, accord
ing to the material Of taste. 1t win be-
seen o~ftenest as a part Of serge, cloth
and flannel gowns since these have
always a jacket, but it is made also III
taffeta and lace as a part Of afternoon
iress, with delicious efect.+Trov
Times.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
Rled Again.

You want to watch out for Sharpe.
Since he heard that you intimated that
he cheated you at poker he is thirsting
for your gore"
"Great Scott Have I got to be bled.
by that fellow again "-Cincinnati En-
quirer.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15
H. nremor,am.

Finale to q Criminal lawyers Plea.-A
And I beg you to bear in mind, gentle
men Of the jury,that the defendant was
fairly urged to take possession of the
spoons, since they bore this inscription:
.Remember me.-Fliegende Blaetter.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

Lets go out and take something
aaid q narrow-gange prohibitionist Is
! broad-gauge prohibitionist.
"pm with you.r
Then they went ont and took 3 wax.
pittsburgh Observation-Disclosures
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

Ricardo hear you are going to
move, Mr.. Ringway?
Ringway-Movei / should like to
know where you heard that?
-YOur landlord told me."-Tlt-Bits.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

st's a rule that holds good throughout the
entire race,
That a pinched p~oeketbook shows ITSELF
-up-tO-Data.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-18
WEST SHQRE RI.

Trans West +2d siat;cn y. ~ as foiio"' AZ"
- minutes earlier from foot VI Franklin ST.
BRO a. VI. Daily l0ca. 10 Buffalo. go, ,,,.t,.
$50 4. ". Daily local albany for Caskll Mountains
and Saratoga Paror Albany. sundays vhiy.
O5 A. ~. Daily for Albany Utica SYRACUSE ESGnes,-''
Ruffalo Niagara Falls To.eGo. Cl yeiand an nlcs".
~, " Daily. except sunday. = tatsklll noun
tains New Taltz. lakes Mohonk and MinnrwasNn IA
hGny, Saratoga, Caldwell Lake George Patiof car
4,OV +. VI. Daily :ept sunday. for Albany. c,,,.
Rochester Buffalo Niagara Fails. Toronto DETROIT
Cleveland Chicago and -. Louis . - Aha.
G::,O r. II. Daily except sunday. for NewbuFg Albany
,.f5 y. Vi. Daily Except sunday for Utica. Syracuse,
Rochester and Buffalo. r,..o.
S:i5 r. W. Daily f1r Albany Utica. Syracuse Roc ester.
Buffalo Niagara Falls Toronto. Detroit Cleveland CH'-
cago and 81. Louis -
For tickets time tables parior and sleeplngcar accom-,
nodatlols app.y city Brooklyn and Few orH aHi
at stations Time tables phaclpal hotels for 9'he'
fnf,rn,afinn address =. r. LAMBERT
Gen Passenger Agent. Nandcrbi.t-ave.. New-forH