davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
The Belief in Water Finders.

While the continent OF Europe has
renowned, if it ever adopted, the
superstition of the divining rod, the
Anglo.Saxon OF these islands and o.
North America has confidence in set
of ignorant men who pretend to be
able by the use of forked stick to
discover hidden sources of water, of
metallic ores and OF other treasures.
The faculty is said to be transmitted
from father to son, and in order to
test the presence or absence of the gift
all that is necessary is to hold the
stick IN the open hand over basin of
water, when the stick will move for
the adept and not for an ordinary
mortal. Why forAed stick OF hazel
should have this secret power not pos
sessed by other woods is not stated,
but it is admitted that incredulity will
destroy the charm, and that the great
est success is to be expected from
peasants, women and children, who
hold the rod simply, without puzzling
their minds with doubts or reason
ings.
In America the employers OF the rod
profess not only to discover water, but
also to ascertain the depth at which it
is to be found. Having pointed out
the spot beneath which water is said
to be, the diviaer. rod in hand, moves
from distance toward this spot, but
stops as soon as the slightest effect is
nroducod On his rod. ha then marks
the place, and the distance from this
mark to the spot is supposed to indi.
cate the depth at which the water is to
be found.
1 have been met by educated nom
scientific men VINO give credit to the
water finders, with the assurance that
facts are stubborn things. My answer
is that verifcation of facts is still more
stubborn. Notes and Queries.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Tree That Grows From Tree Tops.

The cupey, or, as it is sarcastically
called in the English possessions, "the
attorney" is one of the most curious
as it is certainly the most picturesque
denizen of the virgin forests of the
West Indian Islands. 1t belongs to
the parasiticalf family of trees or plants,
but, terrible to relate, it invariably
with the basest ingratitude destroys
all life in the unfortunate tree that
cherishes it in its early growth. The
seeds are borne on the wings of the
wind, and deposited on the branches
of other trees, when they burst into
roots, which are dropped toward the
ground all round the "nurse" tree.
In time these roo is reach the ground
and strike into the soil.
From this moment the roots grow
stronger and stronger, until they re-
semble lot of rope ladders thrown
over the tree. Next the parasite sends
down great cord, which twines round
the trunk of the supporting tree, at
first as though in loving embrace, but
it grows tighter and tighter, eventual
ly strangling its benefactor out of ex-
istence. The ''nurse" tree. thus
killed, rots to decay, and from the inn
mense fibrous roots of the destroyer
now springs great trunk, which
rises high into the air. When the
cupey is full grown it presents mag
niticent spectacle, for the cord-like
roots rise often to fifty or sixty feet,
and support in midair the vast tree
itself. -Tit-Bits
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Passengers Travel in a Tube.

The failure of The effort to furnish
New York with an acceptable plan of
rapid transit has drawn renewed at
tention to the suitability for that pur-
pose OF the Greathead system, now
operating in London. This consists of
a circular car, which travels within a
tubs running sixty feet underground.
It has been running so successfully for
four years that another line on the
same principle is being constructed.
The cars can be made as light as day,
the motion is smooth and the supply
of pure, fresh air is perfect. Acct
dents are made impossible by auto.
matte appliances. The passengers are
carried up and down to the stations
by electric elevators. Since the sys.
tenn has been in operation there have
been no accidents and no serious stop.
pages of trains. 1t has proved sue.
cess from both financial and an en-
cheering point of view, and London.
ers are convinced they have the sim,
plest and best system of rapid transit
in the world.-Pittsburg Dispatch.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
WORDS OF WISDOM.


Employment Is Natures physician.
IGalen.
He is good that does good to others.
--Bruyere.
Paradise is open to all kind hearts.
-Beranger.
Striking manners are bad manners
Robert Hall.
Heaven must be in me before lean
/ be in heaven.-Stanford.
The most profound joy has more OF
gravity than of JOY in it. -Montaigne.
Laughter may not improperly be
called the chorus OF conversation
Steele.
The most enviable OF all titles, the
character of an honest man. Wash
ington.
He who goes no further than bare
justice stops at the beginning of vir-
tue. Blair.
Idleness is only the refuge Of weak
minds, and the holiday of fools.
Chesterfield.
Give what you have. To come it
may be better than you dare to think.
-Longfellow.
The law is without depth to those
who, without heed, do plunge into it
Shakespeare.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
TIMELY SERVICE is NOR SERVICE.

1t is noteworthy that while David is well
spoken of for having "served his own
generation" and while we sing of our pur-
pose to "serve the present age" it is not
thought complimentary to call a man a
"time-server." This latter appellation has
come to designate trimmer or temporizer,
who yields to the demands Of the hour with
close reference to his own advancement,
but without much of any concern for con-
sistency or principle. 1t is common in poll
itics, both civil and ecclesiastical, and has
been known to taiat things that should be
most sacred TiIne-serving religion is des-
picable. Yet religion should be both timely
and serviceable, adapted to the age, not in
opportune or outworn In its methods, up to
date and wide awake. To be all things to
all men is right, provided it be not for per-
sonal gain, but in order to save the more.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Strange Story Of a Bird.

A Glasgow gentleman has in his pos.
session very large stuffed albatross,
with which o rather curious story is
connected. Some years ago he was
mate of sailing ship, trading among
the Fiji Islands and adjacent groups.
One day Kanaka sailor was sitting
on the quarter rail. when the man at
the wheel accidentally let go the
spokas. The vessel gave lurch, the
Kanaka lost his balance and fell over.
board. A boat was lowered as soon
as possible, but by that time the man
was several hundred yards astern. and
those in the boat saw to their horror
q huge aibatross flying straight for
him. Though q powerful swimmer.
his efforts at defense were useless, and
before the boat could reach him the
bird, with vicious dig of its beak,
killed him. It was scared off from the
body by the crew. and the mate shot
it as it few past the vessel. Weekly
Telegram.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
An Enormous Pie.

Under different skies jubilees and
celebrations partake of varying char
acterics. In Yorkshire, and in some
other parts of England also, every oc-
casion for rejoicing is marked by the
baking of huge pie, which, after be-
ing exhibited. is devoured by all the
inhabitants.
At DENLY Dale, yorkshire hamlet,
for instance, the other day, the peo-
pie celebrated the fftieth anniversary
of the repeal of the Corn laws by con-
structing an enormous pie, six feet
six inches wide and ten feet six inches
long. Tho dimensions of the indiges-
ton which followed are not given.
This is not so large as the pie that
this same village built on another an
niversary some years ago, which was
drawn through the place with thirty
ono horses, headed by three brass
bands, and was afterward put away
under the waistcoats of the DENLY
Dalers. New York journal.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Mending a Truck.

When light vehicle breaks an axle.
the rear one, which is usually the first
10 go, is likely SO break near the hub.
If the driver is in the country and has
his wits about him, he looks for long
and slender sapling, cnts it down,
trims of q few branches and passes
the large end under the broken rear
axle and up over the front one, secur-
ing it either by hook made from a
branch of the tree or by stout cord.
This device keeps the broken axle up
OF the ground and allows the driver
to get home or to the repair shop |;
but when one of the large trucks
chances to take off wheel, it is very
different affair. Saplings and strings
are of little account. An ingenious
driver, the other day, found a couple
of pieces of thick plank and nailed
them one on each end of some blocks
OF wood about ten inches long and
five or six inches in diamater. Two OF
these blocks were used, then holes
were bored through planks and blocks
and heavy bolts were put in and Sc
curely fastened. These planks had one
end slightly curved off in the shape of
a sleigh runner, the other end had
small notches cut in it to give them q
little purchase on the front axles. to
which they were firmly attached.
Then the big truck, with its ponder
GUS load aud the detached wheel atop,
went on its way, if not exactly re-
joicing, yet tolerably confident of
reaching its destination.-New York
LEDGER.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Snake Bite Turns a Boy Black.

At Burlington, Iowa, rattlesnake
nearly five feet long bit Charles Baker,
lad fifteen years old, who was at
work in e wheat field. and in turning
over some grain stepped upon the
snake, receiving its fangs in his leg.
His entire body began to swell and
soon reached immense proportions.
the skin being stretched almost TO the
bursting point. He has turned black
in the face and over the greater por-
ton OF his body, and no remedy seems
to stop the spread OF the discolorasion
or ease his pain. Farm hands killed
the snake after fight of several min
utes, in which one of them had mar
row escape from being bitten. Chi
cago Times-Heraid.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
George Francis Trains Peculiarities.

George Francis Trains hair is q
little whittier and his eccentricities q
little more pronounced, and he has
even increased the size of the bouquet
that he wears pinned to the lapel of
his white coat. He is the most pict-
uresque character to be found in Mad.
ison Square, New York, on warm
day. 1t was good many years ago
when George Francis Train announced
his determination to shake hands no
more and expressed the opinion that
the friendship of children was worth
more than that of their elders. He
has cultivated the acquaintance of the
children who play in the Madison
Square, and every one of them knows
him to be good fellow. People who
see him regularly have come to look
upon his eccentriclties with little in
terest, but he is one of the sights of
Broadway to visitors who know any
thing about his career. He is not
averse to notoriety, and willingly talks
with any one who addresses him.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
WHAT SIXTY HENS DID.

We have about sixty hens, writes j.
T. Parsons, which are cross between
the Plymouth Rock and Buff Cochin.
All of these are pullets, except, perhaps,
a half-dozen, which will be two years
old this spring. On January we be.
gan keeping systematic account Of the
receipts and expenses from our poultry,
and find that even in the winter months
we are able to realize fully 60 cents n
bushel for corn, oats and buckwheat.
We feed our poultry twice day two
gallon feed of corn, oats and buck
wheat in nearly equal quantities, the
two former varieties of feed being lit.
tie the stronger. We give our chickens
plenty Of fresh water, lime and gravel
mixed, and occasionally warm Stops,
and in real cold weather the prepon-
derance of feed is corn. Our hencoop is
not nearly SO warm as it ought to be.
but the fowls have good run and
plenty of opportunity for exercise.
With this brief synopsis Of our perhaps
imperfect methods of keeping and feed
ing poultry, we sum up this brief article
by stating that we have received from
these sixty hens from January ! to
March is, period of two and one-half
months, 1880 eggs. or 165 dozen. At
one cent each this amounts to nearly
$40, and we consider that we are well
paid for our trouble and expense in
caring for our fowls. Many people fail
in egg production in their neglect to
give the hens proper supply Of water,
lime and gravel.-Interstate Poultry
man.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
HER FEAR.

Mother-"Mary, that young Spin
ners has been paying a great deal of
attention to you of late. Do you
think he means business?"
Mary with far away look IL am
afraid he does, mother. He is the
agent for bicycle firm, and he has
done nothing but try to sell me BIZ
cycle ever since he has been coming
here. Puck.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24

tell the one story OF physical salvation
gained through the aid of her vegeta-
BILE Compound
The horrors born of displacement
or liberation of the womb:
Backache, bearing-down, dizziness,
fear of coming calamity, distrust of
best friends.
All, all-sorrows and sufferings Of
the past. The famed Vegetable
Compound" bearing the illustrious
name, Pinkham, has brought them out
of the valley of suffering to that OF
happiness and usefulness.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Monksy skins.

Monkey skin is the latest of tho
Ieathers-it is new this year-used for
making pocketbooks, card cases, mem
orandum books, belts. etc. 1t tans O.
drab color, and articles made of it cost
about the same as similar articles OF
sealskin.-New York Sun.
The laborers didn't know what q
mean trick had been played on them
Chicago Record.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Lendon,s New Town Hall.

A plan for 50. 500, 900 town hall on
q 81, 600.0 900 site is now before the
London County Council. The site
proposed lies in Spring Gardens, be.
tween Trafalgar square and st. James
Park, on both Of which open spaces
the new building would face. II would
finish a continuous line OF public
buildings from the Parliament houses
to the Nelson monument.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
How'e This?

Z We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward for
any case OF Catarrh that cannot be cured by
Halls Catarrh Cure.
We, the undersigned have known f. j. Che
ney for the las Is ears, and believe him per
fectly honorable in all business transactions
and financially able to carry out any oblga
ton made by their firm.
WEST & TRUAx, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo.
Ohio.
WALDINa. KINNAN G. MARVIN, Wholesale
Dru sgsts. Toledo, Ohio.
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken internally, act
ing directly upon the blood and mucous sur
faces OF the system. Price, 75c. per bottle Sold
by all Druggists. Testimonials free.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Tell n Friend Good News.

PROVIDENCE. TX. L.
please forward six boxes of TETTEnIYE,
2. o. d. think it strange that it is no. soli
here In New England, as 1t is theb st cure or
eczema ringworm and all eruptions of the
skin ever saw. / got box from Cincin-
natl drummer, and gave part of it to young
lady who had tried almost everything to re-
move pimples and an eruption from her face.
Two applications of TETTERINE completely
cured her. / know also gentlemen whose
body had been covered with eczema. Two
boxes of TETTERISE cured him completely
and now his skin is as smooth as a babys."
p 0. HANLoN,
With SilverSprings Bleaching Co.
! box for Soc in stamps.
j. T. SHUPTRINE Savannah, Ga.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
SAVED.

Flowery Fields-''Is dere any de-
mand fer farm laborers between here
an Squedunk?"
Farmer Jones-''Naw; reckon TIL
farmers hev hired ell TIL help they
need by this time"
Flowery Fields shaking his part
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
THANKFUL!

"H'm!" returned the Justice.
thoughtfully, "but why celebrate each
recurring anniversary, Mr.. Smith ?
Your wife has been dead for q consid-
cradle time, has she not?"
'Mrs. Smith died eight years ago,
your Honor"
'"Then why"
..She is still dead, thank you'll
Pick Me Up.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
A QUESTION OF DEGREE.

ga man who is versed in Theology
gets the degree of D. D., does he
not?"
81 think he does. A great legal
light gets an LII. D."
Sand what degree do they confer
on great musician?"
81 don't know. Fiddle Dee Dee, I
guess. "-Harper's Bazaar.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
LIMrrEp pEspoNsIpI1,ITy.

Mechanic-'I've just been married
and would like raise in my wages :"
Employer-"I am sorry, but the
company is only responsible for acci-
dents that happen to the men while in
the factory. Brooklyn Life.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
JUST LIKE WOMEN.

Manshun Howe s'Money talks,
you know, my boy"
Westside that's true. But
it doesn't always think before 1t
speaks. Buffalo Times.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
Gludncss Comes

MTith better understanding Of the
w transient nature of the many phys
ical ills which vanish before proper eff
forts-gentle efforts pleasant efforts
rightly directed. There is comfort in
the knowledge that so many forms of
sickness are not due to any actual dis
ease, but simply to a constipated condi-
ton of the system, which the pleasant
family laxative, Syrup of Figs, prompt
ly removes. That is why it is the only
remedy with millions of families, and is
everywhere esteemed SO highly by al.
who value good health. It's beneficial
effects are due to the fact, that It Is the
one remedy which promotes internal
cleanliness, without facilitating the
organs on which it acts. It's therefore
all important, in order to get its bene-
fetal effects, to note when you pur-
chase, that you have the genuine article,
which is manufactured blythe California
Fig Syrup Co. only, and sold by oil rep
utable druggists.
II in the enjoyment of good health
and the system is regular, then laxar
tives or other remedies are not needed.
If afflicted with any actual disease, one
may be commended to the most slxillful
physicians, but if in need of a laxative,
then one should have the best, and with
the well-informede everywhere Syrup OF
Figs stands highest and is most largely
used and gives most general satisfaction.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
ON A SEASIDE PLAZA.

"You do not join us in any OF our
little parties, Mrs. Sohermerhorn.
Are you outstanding your time here?"
"No; but I'm outstanding my three
daughters. Town Topics.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24

Better to be despised for too anxious APP
prehensions than ruined by too eonfldeL.
security.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
VARIABLE.

Tommy-"Paw, doesn't precipita.
ton mean the same as settling?"
Mr.. Figg-'1t does in chemistry,
but in business you'll find that most
men in settling don't show any pre-
cipitation at all. indianapolis Jour.
nal.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
NO DANGER.

Snark-"The anarchistic tendency
of the modern novel is deplorable."
Boojum-"Well, If the Anarchists
haven't any better plot than the
novels, there's no need to worry
Puck.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
DEPLORABLE,

Excuse me, my poor fellow, for
not before offering few words OF
coincidence. I didn't hear of your
loss until to-day. How long have you
been a widower ?"-
'Since the death of my dear wife. :"
-Fliegende Blaetter.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
UNNECESSARY,

"Come, dear, kiss my cheek and
make it up" she said, forgiviugly.
''I'll kiss it, he answered, shut /
don't think it wants any more making
up. "-Tit-Bits.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
THE REAL WORD.

We ourselves are the real word, the iifc-
utterance which speech often falsifies.
There are faces that never deceive or mis-
lead US. A spiritual nature can but be
frank and honest because its foundation
stones are laid in the truth and it knows that
nothing else holds. 1t is in us as human
beings instinctively to recognize and hate
insincerity. Nobody is in the end deceived
by expression that is merely outward and
perfunctory. Our inner life is transparent |;
it cannot conceal itself if it is true life. it
has 10 need or desire Of concealment.-
Lucy Larcom.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
WHISKY MAKES THE pk, INDIAN.

The bad Indian is, In nearly every in.
stance, fond of whisky. Keep whisky away
from him and he would give very little trou-
Bile to the white people. And what is true CT
bad Indian holds good with the bad white
man with very rare exceptions
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
CURIOSITY.

Lady-"Is it true that you have
fallen in love with the Princess?"
Lieutenant-"Quite right. just
wanted to see for once how hopeless
love feels. Sketch.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
DESTITUTE.

Reporter beggared description,
SIR"
Editor-.'So I should imagine. Your
description is very poor, at least. -
Omaha Bee.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
FAME.

"Was he famous man?"
Famous Why. my dear sir, they're
even talking of naming new bicycle
after him. "-Chicago Post.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
FoRGETFUL.

Professor "Give me the names of
the bones thai form the human skull. "
Medical Student-'I've got them all
in my head, but I can't recall their
names. Texas Sitter.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24

There is a point beyond which medication
cannot 20. Be ore II is too late to mend. per-
,ons of a rheumatic tendency. inherited or
arddfrst the further progress of the sup r
tenacious malady The name
of This proven rescuer is Hnsietter's stomach
Bitters, which. Il ahouid also &c recon. cte ss
cures dyspepsia. liver complaint, FEVER ana
ague. debility and nervousness.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
ner)-"WAke up, Wearyl We've
struck de right road at last. Judge.
SIMILAR.

She-sO, Jack! Do You knew,
Mr.. Gibson punctuated his tire yes
terday?"
He lyon mean punctured, my
dear"
she-"Well, any way, he came to a
full Sketch.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-24
A REALIsT,

Willie-''Grandpa, tell me story"
Grandpa-"Once upon a time, be-
fore people thought of marrying for
money"
sob! 1 don't mean a fairy
story. "-Norristown Herald.