davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
DID IT PAYi

We find the following poem in that
unique monthly, the Coiled Spring Hust-
Ter, published by the Page Woven-Wire
Fence Co.. Adrian, Mich, and sent
without charge, we believe, to all APP
plicants:
Nc. don't want any fcncin', though las good, |
haven't doubt.
But hsint agoin' TO buy 1t. an 40 you can jist
clear out.
haven't got time 20 palaycr. ncr the boys haint,
as yoa may see,
belongs 10 me-
tell you DO not want 1t, you may as well LET Il
drop,
hayen't got time TO stop.
cleared this farm from the woodland and made
u lust what YOU see.
fenced u with rails the fust time, aud they re
good enough We; fer me.
you u haint M use,
Your tongue Is hung In the middle, anu both oi
the enis 4 loose
You think YOU can make ue b'lieve Il, cause |
haint been 90 school,
Thet havtn' l. cheapern maxim. but tell You l
haint no fool
bought the plsce In September. we finished the
house thst fall;
Built IL OF loss an saprn's. It cost me mos,
nEthin' at all
MORN hundred scre-, he'd u all fenced 10y
spring, .
Make, not bay. Ia my maSim-ths fence uun
cost me thing.
Work WHY We worked like devils, but that's
what we're for. you know.
rhcTc was school the, winter. the boys all
wAntc,i g. 20,
But couldn't sparc them They've never hal
time fer school.
But never he'll book lcarusn'. an. l tell you. 1
hAint no fool
We finished the fence In April. mini Il IKE
cause Joseph. he was my eldest. be ran away In
Tie said he wouldn't stand H. an laid II all to the
fence.
Zen amos, Killed hts mother. she hasn't been
ust right senoe.
Heyi You think tina, my eldest was aprc'ty
hlg price 20 paw
For the fence Why. stranger. | never he'd
thought OF Il thct a way,
but then, we hey lived without him, and two or
threc times since then,
As fast as the obi rails rOtted. We have built u
over again.
Cost Why Il cost no,hin' the timber wus on
~ We hadn't cu, IL fer fcncin' twould only hev
gone - waste.
What's thetg IL cost my ehihlrcn's respcc; aud
love fer their par.
An made 'em ashamedF Come, stranger. that's
goln' n leetlc To far.
Made 'em ashamed Of mec;in' the folks In the
one ho-s town
Thct Know am with my thousands. and call
ne ole Rail Fence BrowE'
Cost my children's schoolin', an cost me my
eldest boy.
Cos, the others ther brother an ther mot her her
hope and Joy
Well. stranger. l'yc got no schOoln', but
thought he'll common sense,
never dreamed was usin' quite such an eN
pcnsiyc fence.
'Tis late 70 be chAngin' maSims, but perhaps
4 better 10 Try.
guess thcrs few things. mebbe, thetsA tsc''s
cheaper 10 bas.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
Tn. Father Of the Cocktail.

The cocktail was the invention OF
Colonel Carter Of Culpeper Court House,
Va. Many years ago in that locality
there was wayside inn named the
Cock and Bottle, the semblance OF an
old Eng lish tavern. and which bore upon
its swinging sign a cock and bottle.
meaning thereby that draft and bottled
ale could be- had within 1.-The cock, " in
old vernacular, meaning the tap. DE,
therefore, who got the last and muddy
portion OF the tap was said TO have re-
ceived the cocktail. "
Upon one occasion, when Colonel Car
ter was subjected to the indignity OF
having this muddy beverage put before
him, he threw it angrily upon the floor
and exclaimed, Hereafter | will drink
cocktails Of my own brewing, and then
and there, inspired evidently by the
spirit Of Gauymede, he dashed together
bitters, sugar, the oil Of lemon peel and
some old Holland gin. and thus and then
and there was the original cocktail con-
cocted. Phi ladelphia Times.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
THE END.
sn.eehle.. and sxolI1n.

A story at the expense OF Sir william
Harcourt Is worth repeating. Before his
recent departure for the continent the
ex-chancellor Of the exchequer spent
some time ut the seaside, and on one oc-
casiun visited a man-of-war lying ON the
Hampshire coast
After dinner, the weather proving
rather rough, the captain, an unusually
small and dapper man, suggested that
Sir William should sleep on board, and
thoughtfully surrendered his own berth
for the night TO his distinguished guest.
Next morning. at the early hour when
the captain usually rose, the latter's
sailor servant, who knew nothing Of the
change Of berths, brought a cup Of coffee
20 the cabin door and knocked once
or twice without receiving an answer.
Somewhat alarmed, the servant popped
in his head and asked:
Don't You want your coffee this
morning, sir!'
The only reply was in the nature of a
growl, and the terrified sailor beheld u
gigantic figure turning over under the
bedclothes. Dropping the cup Of coffee,
the faithful servant rushed TO the ships
surgeon, exclaiming
"For goodness sake, sir, come 10 the
captain at once. He's speechless, and
swollen 10 ten times his natural Size.
Strand Magazine
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
SUIT DROPPED.
WESTERN CREAMERY AGENT WHO SUED
SECRETARY MCKEES wITHDRAws
FROM CONTEST.

The suit for libel begun some time
ago against Secretary Mckeen Of the
state board Of agriculture, by the agent
Of a Western creamery supply house,
has been dropped.
Upon pushing the defence, 1t was
found probable that the party who
brought the suit did 1t for purpose
other than to secure damages for loss OF
his business or his personal reputation.
Ii is certain that when he found that
Hon. A. NJ. Spear, Mr.. McKeen's counsel,
had fully prepared defence, and that 1t
was proposed to fight 1t to the bitter end,
he Immediately concluded IL was time
for him to pull out.
Ii Is without doubt true that the let
ter OF Mr.. Mckeeu's, on which the sc-
tion was brought, was privileged com
munication. IL was written In reply to
inquiries sent him by party about mat
ters which he had right To know, and
which IL was MIR. McKeen's duty as
public officer to answer. This he did,
fearlessly but without malice, and to the
best Of his ability.
Subsequent events have conclusively
proved that he was correct In his opin-
ions. These sgents first struck the state
at Dsmsriscotta Mills, where they pro-
posed To establish 5000 Creamery.
Not succeeding there. they went TO Dam
ariscotta, where they began canvass for
one, to cost $1,000, and actually got quite
an amount Of stock subscribed. It WAS
then that Mr.. Mckeen began To make the
influence Of the board OF agriculture felt.
4 public meeting was arranged and held
at Damariscotta, In which j. NJ. Win
slow, the local member Of the board.
heartily assisted, aud the promoters were
checkmated.
II isa pleasant fact TO record that
now. the citizens OF this place have n
ilrst-class creamery, fully equipped with
all modern machinery for handling
cream and manufacturing butter. which
cost them. all told, something less than
$500. IL Is needless 10 repest what Is
most generally known, that this West
ern creamery supply concern has since
failed for large amount, and that II
l. currently reported that there were
some very crooked transaction: connect
ei with the failure.
roi iic SeaWciN fiaHe, "Hh'u 'uN''
agents did succeed In placing In Maine,
nov that they have been built and paid
for, Mr.. Mckeen expresses the hope that
ut no distant date they may be started
up aud so handled that they may he run
with profit 10 their owners and patrons.
The influence OF the board Of agriculture
will be used as far as possible in promot-
ing this end.
IL may, without doubt, be done, by re-
capitalizing, and starting with capital
stock SIN Ill enough To enable the man
AZ, ment To do their business successful
ly aud pay reasonable dividend. At
the present time, IL Is the creamery which
has no unnecessary expenses, either
along lines OF working capital or OF the
original cost. that succeeds.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
A brilliant Confederate.

A prestidigitator, in the course OF an
exhibition in New York recently, bad
one Of the audience select one card from
"A pack and then he handed a sheet OF
paper 10 another spectator. a timid look
ing blond man. The professor, who did
not see the card, announced that after IL
had been returned to the pack the de-
scription Of it would be found written
ON the paper. The card was the eight OF
hearts. 1t was taken out by the profess
or. lis that 1.-THE eight Of heartsr'
asked the professor. That's all right, J"
answered the timid looking man. But
he was a very conscientious man, and
later he insisted on telling the audience
that the professor had written ON the
paper, "Please say, That's all right ="
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
CHAPTER I'LL

Nankce-e-e-c-e, ak kNrunner-r-r-rl
| The tones were feminine and rang out
shrilly in the morning quiet
Mrs. Gunner came to the door Of the
shedroom, late the haunt Of the born in
ventor. She had been washing clothes,
and her sleeves were rolled up. exhibit
ing short, fat, red arms
''Howdy, Cis'ly Toomer, howdy.
Light" she answered back. Cis'ly
Toomer guided her thin plow horse un-
der tree and slid To the ground The
breeze was swaying some garments
hanging on the clothesline that she had
to stoop TO avoid as she approached
Nanky wiped her hand upon her apron
and welcomed her
Come in; come in, she said.
"Hearn ye war done gone back TO Put
mum. Lemme wiring out these hyah
shirts, an III be done. She resumed
her position at the tub, and from time
Ia time turned her head rs the converse
ton went on. Cis'ly looked about her
as she took her seat and got out her
MufFbox and mop.
La. Nanly, wat ye done 'ith Bill
things
"Bill, " said the woman ut the tub,
shaking her fat sides little, "ain't er
inwentin much these days.
''How Gomez
We'll, Cis1y Toomer. hits er long
story. Hit all come Nv ther cycleone
erwhile back an Bill tryin ter invent
suthin ter beat hit. "
La salles, an wouldn't hit work"
Work" Nanky Gunner rested her
hands on her tub and looked around
quickly II reckon &c never seen nuthin
work like hit. Hit mighty nigh worked
me IN pa ter death. p"
"Nanky, hushr
Fact Hit, piled up thar benin ther
house now, but hit amt nuthin like 1t
war wen hit war fixed up All ready fur
cyclones. y
She described the invention a. II had
existed. and as she became conscious Of
the rapt attention Of her visitor she ex'
ertcd her full powers.
Now" she continued, "haint no.
BODY on yurth skeer,ler n me Nv win.
| One night after hit he'd ben or-rainin
| fur or week an ther win war blown
pow ful, war set,in up, an pa he war
en- bed er-tryin ter git ter sleep, " IN
| hearn er beomin en- ther ar OUTSIDE.
| She laughed NJ the recollection, art. ~
phe wrung the last drop Of moisture
| from shirt faced her visitor Ever
hyah one NV 'em thar injines wat burn
coal 'stidder woOd-boom m-m:' she
| initiated the sound Us best She could.
well, they done got ter runnin en-
on ther railroad out thar back NV ther
house, an ther first one come eIlong
thet night. an ther boomin started bout
ther time hit got en- ther big cut | new
er war skeered ~ bad since ther Lor'
made me. / run cross ther room an
jerked pa up en- bcd. Git up; git mp! |
| hollered Jos then Bill an Tom come
er-runnin en-. too, yellin out, 'Cycleone,
| cycleoner loud as they could was
| mighty ready ter drop. Save pa; save
par / hollered PA he half knowed W at
war gwine on, an he hollered, 'Hel. q,
helpr an war gittin out, wen ther boys
| got i'm back NV is shoulders an mnner
is legs an run cross ther room an Shoy-
ed i'm foot foremost inter thcr inwcn-
ton. Pa he hollered, 'Heigh! no!
Nankl Toni IN war gone. | got thar
jes' Ell time ter see is white head -
round ther ben, an then hearn er ker-
chunk an pa holler, 'Hoo-oo-ooF
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
HAS IT COME TO THlSl
WILL SOME oNE or OUR MANY MODEST
AND RETIRING WASHING MACHINE
AGENTS PLEASE READ.
Editor Democrat:

Editor Democrat
have a grievance. With your kind
permission will air Il In the columns of
your paper. wish to know why wash
ing machine agents so persistently shun
the rural districts, at least the one In
which live. All winter and spring
have been anxiously watching for the
appearance OF one of the brotherhood,
and all winter aud spring have | watched
In vain. Perhaps they think that women
on farms have no use for the article.
Well, we have. We can gild them and
use them for parlor ornaments II for
nothing else.
Three or four weeks ago got desper-
ate and wrote TO one OF the agents for
the Paris Washer-that being the one !
have set my mind upon-asking him to
call. but what good did il do? Not any
at all. Last week two OF my neighbors
told me that they wanted machines, but
il seems that We must want or go TO
headquarters, a thing which have made
up my mind To do, and should have done
before could have gotten there.
But will not grumble any longer, the
day Is too pleasant. | am going down
into the orchard, which Is bower OF
beauty. The trees are mostly one sheet
OF bloom, and the perfume is simply In
toxicating. do not know really but
what Friend Tilton was In the right when
he advocated the setting OF apple trees
by the roadside AS shade trees. just for
few days each year, street SO shaded
would seem like pathway 10 Paradise,
but before and after would prefer the
elms.
And that reminds me that | sent a
trifle OF hard-earned cash 10 John Lewis
Childs the other day and got In return
double, and more than double what sent
for, and not noxious weed among the
whole lot. Not q single one, Friend I'll
ton. Friend Irilton had better change
his florist. When a Buckfield boy leaves
his native town and sets up In business
he is to be depended upon ecery time.
IsA GERTRUDE WHITMAN.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
NUMBER ~.

Iwar full NV splinters, fur pa lef' some,
an wen slid roun like er gourd over
ther milldam an him en- two feet NV
water down thar | war screamin ter be-
hcarn a mile. Tom an Bill like ter not
come, hit skeered them 50, but ther III
jine war then er mighty nigh shakin
ther pans often ther shelf, and down
they come, too, kerchunk en- ther water.
You see, they he'd stopped up ther old
dairy 18th planks an dirt tell il he'll wa
ter like ct well. an ther rain he'd soaked
down. Their place war dark as pitch. an
wat 18th me er-screamin an pa er-settin
over en- ther corner hollerin, Don't
shoot; don't shoot hit like ter skeered
ther life outer Bill, an erbout thet time
il come ter i'm thet he hadn't invented
no way ter git outer ther thing. / war
screamin, Cit me outen hyah an open
ther dol an oh, Lordy, my backP till
ther boy war mighty nigh crazy"
Cis'ly Toomer had been rolling around
her chair conyulsed with laughter.
"Nank. how en- ther worl did ye git
out?" she gasped.
TON cluln back up ther spout after
mighty hard work an took or AK an
busted thcr uaiIy open. Ne an him pull
cd pa out AN put i'm en bed Yer never
seed sech cr sight en- yo' life like pas
back We pick splinters outer hit tell
broad day IN all time i'm er-hollerin,
Don't shoot. don't shoOtr Pas back
he'd or heap or little white scars ON hit,
an rcckGllcck hcarin tell as how some
body caught i'm en er watermelon patch
wen he war CT boy an filed i'm full
NV shot jes a. he war crossing ther fence.
/ reckon ther splinters sorter brought
hit all back tor i'm. He's mighty wan
d'rin en- is min nowadays. "
She took an armful Of clothes and
went out "a the line. where She cOntin.
ued, elevating her voice: me an Bill
he'd it out in the shcdroom thar, an wen
got done 18th m | kicked all ther in
wentions ter pieces. 'Nomore inwentin
an this house, says /. Hits as much as
nv life - wuth- An Iput i'm ter work
mex day. See them two boys over yon-
der On the cotton by the pint of woods
Cis 'ly stood up and shaded her eyes in
the direction indicated By Nanky' hand.
zone Nv them O. ther 'borned inwen-
ter " And Nanky laughed lightly.
But hit ain gwine ter do no good; not
er bit. Hits still er-workin en- i'm, an
Tom let ont yestiddy that Bill done in
vented er thing thet'll pick mo cottt
IN or day than ten niggcrs Ircckon time
ther cotton es all GA III hev ter move
them tubs ont ther shedroom ergin.
Boys got ter hey ther day, yer know, an
Bill es thor baby.
TuU ENn
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02

"NhnkD Gunner. / mus see tibet mule"
'eml Some NV 'em won't work, to be
shoJ but Bill allus Knows wat ails
'em! al sats 'em by ter fix up Wen e
gitsItime He's er inwentin er spring
bucket now thet'll slide down hill an
fetch er full an back ther same time
us e inwentin hit right now?" Cis'ly
rooher's voice was lifted in an impress
sive whisper.
Right now"
"Lor', how | 'u'd like ter see i'm er
doll hit"
Nflnky Gunner replaced her iron upon
the hearth and waddled out from behind
her board. She touched her guest upon
The Ehoulder "Sh-h-h-h!" she whisper
ed, tnd motioned her to follow. They
pass ID ont across the doorless hall into
the bther room, the boards groaning un-
der Nanky's tiptoe gait, until they
reach he'd the wall by the fireplace. There
Mar ky placed her eye to crack and
peel ed through into tiny shedroom
pdjdining, then made way for Mrs.
Tooher. A barefooted boy sat on a
rough workbench, his elbows on his
knets, his cheeks in his hands. His face
aslfreckled, his hair tousled and his
trouE Eers, cotton shirt and one knit sus-
pen, |er rather dilapidated. Before him
was|a framework Of strings with two
littlt boxes to represent buckets The
Framework extended from the work
benth down to the far corner OF the
rooib. The boy seemed to be carved
stathe, SO still was he and 50 fixed his
gazi :.
Ef ye he'd er SO much as sneezed. =
said Narky Gunner to her companion
whh they rc-entered the first room,
"hii 'u'd er BEN gone. Bill war oncst
on lher p'nt NV inwcntin er thing ter
tie jr ther calf thet 'u'd keep i'm f'om
sucl&in whilst war er-milkin an at ther
samb time keep ther flies of er ole
Britdle, too, Wen en- warks Tom an
spoiht hit all. Bill war thet disapp' 'inted
he liked ter cried, but e tried ter patch
up ,uthin anyhow thet 'u'd work; but,
blek yo' soul, e tied hit ON ther calf
an the first hunch e made at ole Brindle
the,| thing tickled her en- the ribs an
she kicked me an the bucket erway
yonAer. Sech terdo We never did see.
HIM, not cr-knowin W.T. en- ther worl
warl ailin NV tn cow, nd trot up to
sucli, an US soon as ther invention nd
tect| 'er in the ribs she'd carry ON re-
diclklus, er-IunIlin an jumpin like thei
hor3ets he'd 'cr. like ter laugh my
se'f ter death wen got my win f'om
tn lick she gin me. "
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02

planks and creased the doorway 10 the
bottom Of the hill until squirrel would
have found it difficult to navigate it.
Then they restored the planks and wait
ed But no cyclone came. Nanky Gun
ner surveyed the structure many day
curiously, but she asked no questions
To n neighlpr she said once: II CANT
say thet see edzactly as how ther thing
es gwine ter work, but Bill es er invent
er, an he knows. He says that amt no
use en- gittin sl1eered Nv cyclones an
ther like" II is probably not true that
the boys prayed for storm. but every
wind raised hopes in their bosoms, and
not cloud passed but brought sugg, 5.
tions.
"Bill, said Tom one night as they
lay awake. II reckon hits all right,
bat pears ter me we hedn't oughter
take no chances; we oughter know" +"
Bill was silent, trying to catch the
line Of Toms thought IL was beneath
the dignity Of an inventor to ask sug.
gestions.
Tom continued: "W'en we war over
ter Macon las yer 18th ther cotton, ye
ricolleck how they used ter ring ther
bells an turn out ther thing ter put out
fires 18th wen ther warn't no fire ter
put out? Er feller tole me they war
er-practizin ter know jes' wat ter do ef
er sho 'nough fire war ter come erlong.
Looks like we oughter practiz fer cy-
cleones. Ye know grandpa es contrary,
All ma es pow'ful hefty"- Bill was all
excitement in an instant and sitting up.
Tom" said he, lets try hit ter
night " But Toms Judgment was cooler.
Hit won't do ternight Thar ain I
no win an ma 'u'd never let Us practiz
on 'er lessen she war pow'ful skeered.
Wait tell or big win comes. p"
Fortune favored the inventors. There
came week ~ heavy rain and finally
one night terrific wind.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02

"Pa es sorter wand rim en- Is min,
said Nanky simply, ian q can't hyah
ther hes on ther worl, nuther. Bill says
es how some these days he's goin ter in
went er thing that or man kin hyah
with II e ain even got or yer on 'is
head. " Nanky set her iron aside and
walked 10 the widow.
"Cis1y Toomer, she said, ''did &c
ever en- all 20 borned life hyah tn win
blow like thet:''
"OncSf, said her visitor, joining her
and scanning the heavens anxiously,
ian hope to God III never see sech
another day. Hit war over On Putnum,
time nv thcr cycleone"-- She stopped
short. Beyond the little valley below
them stretched plain two miles wide,
dotted here and there with negro cabins
After freedom the slaves, when permit
ted, rebuilt their cabins near the partic-
ular pieces Of land they cultivated, and
50 il was with the great plantation be-
fore them.
What broke Cis'ly Toomer's sentence
was a fearful cloud that swept over the
woods in the distance and seemed Ia
write upon the plain with It's long fix
ible finger. As il passed along il gath
cred up trees, fences, cabins, cattle and
dust into one vast mass and strcwed
them over its track A sudden darkness
fell upon the two awestricken womcn-
darkness rivcn by incessant flashes Of
lightning that darted through the center
Of the storm from all quarters There
Vas no thunder, for the roar Of the
tempest ~ it rolled was like Niagara in
it, fall, drowning all other sounds The
wind about the cabin increased 10 Il hur-
ricane. but the cyclone had passed.
When this fact became apparent, with
blanched faces they made their way 10
the hall Grasping his chair with both
his hands, his eyes riveted upon the raw
ished plain, his chin still trembling, sat
the old man
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
.Es Tom er inwenter tool"

''Tom? Lor', mol Tom an Bill es
twins but ye wouldn't know they war
blood kin. Tom runs ter huntin al ther
likes, but q lows Bills got more sense
en- er day than ther w'ole Hepzibah set
tlemmt got en- ery'er. Hyah comes pa "
The conv, rsation was interrupted by
the entrance Of barefooted man, who,
walking with the aid Of his staff, slowly
made his way into the room. He was
old and feeble. His bent form was half
clad in rough homespun, and he wore no
coat He paid no attention to either
woman. but pulled chair into the hall
way and sat down to chew his quid OF
tobacco.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02
Nature No Sabbatarisn.

The Rev. David Macrae has brought
together in a most interesting little vol
ume, entitled Quaint Sayings OF Chill
dren," number Of stories, many OF
them old, but nearly all Of them good.
There is one, evidently told in print for
the first time, of a little girl in Aber'
deem who brought basket of strawber'
ries to the minister very early ON Mon
day morning. Thank you, my little
girl" he said; they are very beautiful.
But hope you didn't gather them yes,
terday, which was the Sabbath dayT
"No. sir. 4" replied the child. II pulled
them this morning. But they was grow
in all yesterday"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-06-02

TO the Honorable Poari OF County Commis
oioncrs within and for the County of oxford:
The undersigned citizens and tax payers In
the town Of Hebron. respectfully represent that
pnoiic convenience and necessity DO not require
TIE continuance OF the highway In said town.
known a. tbs "Pratt roasl.' beginning NJ a point
opposite the soafhcrly line OF Ellsworth Cush
mans house, or one occupied by him, on said
r0ad, thence running soHiherly 10 the Green
SOOd tiili road. 50 calie-l. near the dwelling
house ~ Henry Howard, In said Hebron. They
therefore pray that the aforesaid road lying be
tween the sail kllworth Cushman's house aad
Greenwood Iiili roaa a. above described be dis
ccntinaed. and a. In duty bound win ever pray.
Hebron. April 2 lsssS
i'll. BUMPUs ct ais.