davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
IHE ANIMALS SuEEER.
Curious Accounts of the RsvaEes Of
h Plague In Bombay.


Evidence of the intensity and viru-
lence of the plague in Bombay is given
by the curious accounts t~etegraphed to
this country of the deaths of animals
from the pestilence. Some weeks ago
it was reported that the pigeons were
dying of the plague. Now the rats are
said for some time to have been plague
stricken, and to be dying in thousands
in the native towns.
If those who are fighting the plague
have time to attend to anything but
the work of saving human life, We may
expect more curious information on
this point; for there is evidence that,
in Florence, causing the death of $4,000
persons, the pestilence acquired some
kind of cumulative energy by which it
went on from nal to animal. and at
last involved the latter in common de-
struction with their masters. AS it ad-
vanced not only men but animals fell
sick and shortly expired. if they had
touched things belonging to the dis
eased or dead" Boccaccio himself saw
two hogs on the rags of a person who
had Gied of plague, after staggering
about for a short time. fall down dead.
as if they had taken poison.
In the Lives of the Roman Pontiffs"
it is stated that in other places multi
tudes of cats, dogs, fowls and other ami
mails fell victims to the contagion.
There is little doubt hat the concur
renee of human and animal death took
place in other countries than Italy.
though the chronicler, appalled, by the
loss of human life, only alludes to ''mur-
rain" among the cattle as a concomitant
of the plague. "At the commencement
of the black death there was in Eng
land" says Hecker, ian abundance Of
all the necessities of life; but the plague,
which seemed to be the sole disease,
was soon accompanied by a fatal muir.
rain among the cattle. Wandering
about without herdsmen, they fell by
thousands" 1t is not known whether
this murrain was due to plague itself
or to some special animal epidemic. But
it did not break out until after the
plague was rife, and added enormously
to the loss of life, because it was i'm
possible to remove the corn from the
fields, causing everywhere a great rise
in the price of food, although the har-
vest had been plentiful.-London Spec.
tator.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
Cream Cookies,

Use two eggs, two cupfuls of sugar.
one cupful of butter, one cupful of sour
cream, one teaspoonful of soda, a pinch
OF salt and nutmeg fiavoring. Sift some
-four into the mixing pan; make a hole
in the center, add soda and salt and stir
well into the flour; add sugar and stir
again; then butter, eggs and cream.
Beat hard and mix with as small an
amount of flour as will make the dough
roll out. Roll to one-half inch thick
ness. cut out, lay cookies in a pan net
touching each other, and bake in a
quick oven. If you fail. it vii! be be-
cause the dough is made too stiff. I
have used the recipe successfully Cor
II observation-disclosures
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
WHEN TAPE WAS HANDMADE.
Women of Colonial Times Had to
know How to Spin Thread.

Women of Colonial Times Had to
know How to Spin Thread.
Among the many household industries
CT colonial housewives, which include
spinning, pen, ink, wine, glove, shoe
and lace manufacture, was the making
of tape, though this was considered Of
minor Importance. The preparation fol
weaving tape on the small hand loom
was the same Is for making yards OF
linen cloth OF the great looms that stood
in the weaving room attached to the
kitchens of colonial farmhouses.
The flax when harvested "A rip
pled'' on the field, the rippler being a
large comb fastened on 4 plank. The
fax was beaten on the comb to remove
the capsules containing the seeds. Then
it was ''rotted" 10 make the fiber soft
and flexible. This was generally accom-
plished by laying it beneath the waters
of the meadow brook or pond. Some
colonial farmers laid it on the ground
for the winters now to render it fit
for the scutcher, the machine that
whipped out all the particles of bark
and stalk adhering to the fiber.
The next and last process before it
was ready for the spinning wheel was
hacking to straighten the flax, free it
from :tangles and bring it to the requi-
site ~fineness. This was done by a very
primitive machine called the "hatchel,"
an immense comb. whose long iron
teeth were set perpedicularly in q
board.
The operation of hacking requires
much skill. and this part of the long
preparation was particularly womcn's
work, rs it needed delicacy of touch.
After the fax was hacked it was care
fully sorted, according to the degree of
t%ineness. This process was called
spreading and drawing" Then it was
ready to be wrapped in its soft, fluffy
fneness, about the spindle.
The spinner seated herself at the
machine and soon the music of the
Wheel and the deft fingers of the colo
NAL housewife brought the fiber into
long. even thread. ready for the small
loom and shuttle. to be converted into
tape.
The shopper of to-day little realizes
the long and tedious processespracticed
by the woman of colonial times before
she could wind her linen tape into a
neat roll for the workbasket's uses.-
n. I. Tribune.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
FIRST METHODIST SERMON.
Preached by John Wesley Over @
Century and n Half Ago.

treached by JOhn wesley Over n
Century and a Half Ago.
On the 18th of March. 1876, John IVES
ley preached the first Methodist sermon
ever preached on this continent. 1t
was delivered not far from the site of
the present Christ church, Savannah, of
which he subsequently was the third
rector, and was addressed to a mixed
assemblage. His congregation hardly
exceeded 400 persons, including chill
aren and adults, reinforced, however,
by 100 or more of the Deighboring In
dams. Wesley. discussed in a most elo-
quent manne the principles of Chris
tan charity as argued by Saint Paul in
the 18th chapter of First Corinthians.
He made a powerful appeal, and many
of his audience were in tears. While he
was not so impetuous in his delivery
as in after years, his abilities at that
time bespoke the great preacher and
reformer.
If he was more scholastic in style than
in after years, the fervor and force of
his appeals were none the less felt by
his hearers. Especially was this strik-
ingly true when in the course of his
discourse he adverted to the death of his
father, who for 40 years OF more had
been the incumbent of the Epworth rec
tory. This venerable man was asked
not long before his death: "Are the
consultations of God small with you?'
mo, no, mol" he exclaimed, with up
lifted hands, land then" continued
Wesley, calling all that were near him
by their names, the dying patriarch
said: Think of Heaven, talk of
Heaven; all time is lost when we are not
thinking of Heaven!'" This was spoken
by Wesley in a tremulous voice. and his
new parishioners at Savannah Were for
the instant almost swept off their feet
by a tidal wave of religious enthusiasm.
Tradition has it that several Indians
who were present became so greatly
excited, not only by Mr.. Wesley's i'm
passioned oratory-though they did not
understand a word he said-but by his
gestures, that one old warrior ~nerrously
clutched his tomahawk, fearing an out
break in the straightforward audience.
Rev. ". J. Scott. D. D., in Ladies'
Home journal.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
VENTURES IN REAL ESTATE.
One Way of Buying Houses and tn
Risks That Purchaser Has to Meet.

One Way of Buying Houses and the
Risks That Purchaser Has to Meet.
This comes in handy" said the me-
chanic, as he pocketed the SIS due him.
In need of money!" asked his en-
pIoyer.
We'll, I've been buying another
house."
Another house,"
Yes; it's the second I've bought
Of course SIS don't go very far toward
paying for a house, ever the style ]
buy; but seeing the money is like max
ing a good start toward paying for it"
Belong to a building loan associa-
tion?"
No; I'm doing this on my own ac-
count. You see, a few years ago ]
had a little money put by, and 1 paid
it down for my first house. 1t was
a two-story house built for two fami-
lies, and the reason l bought it was
that l found a friend who was willing
to take the second floor. He paid me
S12 a month rent, and l paid out less
than $50 a month, and in six or seven
years / had paid for the house in full.
Now I've got a couple of other good
tenants, SO I've bought another house
like it and they're going to pay for it
for me-"
Easy way to get rich, that" said
the employer.
YES" replied the mechanic, with q
grin. But there is considerable risk
,lo,,k : ~ Tha rrlol zoora% To.
in knowing how to get good tenants.
After you've bought the house and have
made some payments on it you're liable
to get the cold shivers any time. Sup
pose your tenant should suddenly learn
as much as you knowP Why, he'd go
right off and buy a house of his w
and get somebody to help him pay for
his house, instead of continuing to help
you pay for yours. If you lose your
tenant, there's all that money extra for
you to pay. I've known more than one
poor fellow who has lost every cent he's
saved just by going into a speculation
of this kind. That's why 1 felt good
when l got my money. On the other
hand, there are lots of men like myself
who have accumulated quite a hand
some little property in this way. Some
of them are policemen, and they are in
a specially good position to do it, be-
cause they have steady employment
and good pay"
Houses of this character have been &.
favorite venture of operators in low
priced real estate about New York in
recent times. Itis estimated that along
the lines of our street railway system
more than 1000 of such houses have
peer built within the last two years,
and whole blocks have been erected
here and there in other sections. Some
solid blocks may be found now stand
ing on ground where crops of potatoes
were dug a couple of years ago. The
cheaper of these houses are of frame
construction, but there are others of
a more elaborate construction, with
fronts of brown stone and other decora-
tive effects. They are superior to fats
or tenements, while not costing much
more, and each improvement in rapid
transit makes them more accessible
y. Y. Sun.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
THE AFRICAN PIANO.
Playing the Msdimba Is an Art Prac-
ticcd by a Few Specialists,


Among the musical instruments used
on the Congo we notice the long and
short drum. Some drums are used to
beat the time of the dance. Some other
drums are used as telephones for the
transmission of messages to neighbour
ing villages. The string instruments
represent the African harp. The
ivory horns are used for the convoca-
ton of popular assemblies. The
double bell is used to call the attention
of the people to some proclamation of
the chief. The Africans everywhere
are very musical, but their music does
not always suit European taste.
The African dance is rot always in
dulged in for amusement alone. Dane
ing enters into some of the most
solemn ceremonies-as, for instance,
the Inauguration of 4 new king. Then
the chief-elcct of the tribe dances very
gravely before the assembled elders
and the people.
The madinba has been called the
African piano. 1t is made of Gala
bashes of graded sizes. which are sur
mounted by boards. of graded size. all
being attached to a semicircular frame,
Each board represents 4 note and emits
its appointed sound when struck by
one of the two rubber balls 1T the end
of the two sticks which are cleverly
handled by the musician. While al
most every native can heat the drum or
play some of the minor musical instru-
ments, the playing of the mac-mba is
an art which only n few specialists
learn. They must be psid for playing
at festivals or ceremonies and their art
supports them. either partly or entire
lr-Inurnal of American Eek Lore.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
wou,d Have Been Unfortunate.

She was somewhat ofa student of his
tory. but she also had the reverence of
a fashionable woman for a title.
did you know that we C came
very near getting a monarchy saddled
on this country with all the attendant
mobiles and titles and court e~tiquette?'
she asked one day; and her brother
looked at her in a quizzical way and re-
piled:
Fortunate we escaped it, isn't it?
Some people would have had no pos
sible excuse for going abroad then,
would they?"-Chicago Post.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26

Many years have passed AWAY, and I
am living in London again. My name
is n household word in the world of
medicine. Oracle and my daughters
and sons are received with pleasure and
respect in many a fashionable draw
ing-room. There are times, however,
when, seated alone in my study, my
thoughts wander back through a vista
OF years, and my conscience tells me
that my success was founded on the
compromising of a felony: that I am
still, in spite of title, wealth and re-
spectability, the a%ccomplice of that
strange man. who passed out of my life
forever on the night I babe him fare
well at Rose Villa so long, long ago
Tit-BitS.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
In The DINO Museum.

Borneo Chief-Say, fellers, the bald.
headed bearded lady lays over us all
she's a freak.
Circassian Snake Charmer-Freak
nothin'! Jist accidental; got her face
lotion mixed up with her hair restorer,
and the result was mortal.-Philadel-
phia Press.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
Lost His independence.

They had met after some years.
"How's Brown"
"Pegging along the same old way"
HE isn't his own boss yet, then"
We'll, l should say not. Why, man.,
he's married."-Chicago Post.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
Could Not Go C:Gt Tar.

"You wait till l come out" said the
farmers wife. "Tvc got n big deg IN
here"
Thanks" returned Rural Rares
pleasantly. But I amt hungry enough
to eat dawg."-BrooIlvn Life
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26
COnEentaI.

THE Bizzlers seem to be a very happy
couple"
Yes: he shutters and she is deaf
"hicaeo Record
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26

When you see Il girl reading a book
on etiquette you may know size is verr
basiiful and is trying to fad a cure Tor
it.-W2sLiEgtpn Democrat.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26

\ Believer in the Fitness of Things.
Teacher-Spell kitten.
Bcbby-Pooh. I'm too big to spell kit
ten. Try me en- cat.-N. p. Truth.
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26

The wedding passed off very quietly
Only a fortnight had elapsed since my
queer interview with Mr.. Sharp, but
in hat short time a marvellous change
had taken place in my affairs. l had
purchased a share of DR.. Jordan's prac-
ticc in birmingham, had cleared my
self of debt and was now the happy
husband of the beautiful girl l loved.
L could scarcely believe it all. Why
had this mysterious Sharp done so
much for me? l was soon to be en-.
lightened. The breakfast was over.
The company had consisted of Oracle,
her uncle and myself; we had enter
tanned no wedding guests. My wife
had gone upstairs to prepare for our
departure. We were going to Paris
for a fortnight, and then should pro-
coed to Birmingham, our new home.
81 want to speak with you, Hard
man." said Sharp. 1--WE will go into the
study"
He took my arm and we strolled into
his snuggery.
you think I have been very good to
you, then?"
He vas leaning back in an arm chair
and smoking the stump of a half-fin-
ished cigar.
well, why have 1 been good to you?"
He paused. and / said that l could not
tell.
81 have been good to you for Gracie's
sake. I have been looking out for a
husband for her for some time. but in
u position it was not an easy task.
l required a man l could trust, a gem
tleman by birth and nature, one who
would love her and be good to her, one
who had no meddlesome relations to in
terfere or advise. I think I have been
successful"
1 assured him that I should do all I
could to justify his selection. He
nodded. and went on speaking:
Il had no friends; although l had
some money, it was not easy to find the
man l wanted who would marry her.
having only my word for her past and
knowing nothing of my career; who
would marry her without asking ques-
tons, as you have done. heard about
as a struggling practitioner. new
ly started; I took stock of you. as I have
taken stock of others. who were found
wanting in some of the qualities l re-
quired. l made inquiries about your
past, and then I took you on trial. You
have satisfied me and I don't think YOU
regret the step you have taker."
I told him hat 1 was more than sat
Il am glad to hear it," he said. And
now you must promise.me that Oracle
shall never know what 1 am going to
tell you"
l gave him the promise.
Swear that you will never tell her.
and that you will be the same to her
rs You are to-day. She is a
lear, good girl. the one person in the
world who believes in II, and cares
Tor me. You are both provided for, and
The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-26

you are looking gloomy tonight,
Hardman," he remarked, after we had
selected chairs and relapsed into COM
Portable attitudes. You are in trouble
in trouble financially, Ell? 1 know it,
and you will find it to your advantage
to be plain with me-"
1 hardly knew how to express my.
self, and confessed lamely enough that
l was more or less on my last legs. He
continued, without comment:
you are, also, 1 think, in love with
Oracle. Is it not SOP"
1T is quite true, Mr.. Sharp"
Then why don't you marry herr"
Ny companion gazed into my face, n
comical smile playing about his lips.
His bluntness positively amazed me.
II fear that what cannot support
one would Zoe a poor living for two"
/ said, after a moments thought. "If
l could afford to marry your niece, !
would gladly do so tomorrow"
You mean that?"
Most certainly l do. / love her"
He arose from his chair and stood be-
side me, looking into my eyes steadily.
Listen, Hardman. Oracle is a lady
by birth and education, she is also as
good a girl as ever breathed. She has
no relations in the world saving myself,
and l may have to leave her at any time.
l have made inquiries about you, and l
know your past to be a clean one.
Given a helping hand at the start, you
would succeed at the finish. Tell me,
how much would you require to buy a
good practice, or to start in a fair way
against ordinary opposition?"
was becoming o and more aston
ished. Was the man going to adopt
me?
1T would be possible to do the thing
decently for $4,000, would it not?" he
said, presently, for 1 had felt too taken
aback TO volunteer any suggestion. He
waited for a reply.
Il could go into partnership with an
old friend of my father for less than
that" | answered. "Dr. Jordan offered
to give Inc a share for e1,5GO, when l
passed my final but 1 could not find
the capital"
Where does Jordan live?"
I'm birmingham"
rs the practice a good one, and can
you trust him.
There is no doubt about the prac-
tice, and Jordan is an excellent fellow,
an old bachelor, and if he had not lost
a lot of money when we did, in the same
concern, would have been a rich man
to-day"
Sharp laid a heavy hand on my Shout
der.
Go and ask Oracle to marry you"
he said. in a low voice. Il am sure that
she will do so. On your wedding day
1 will give her $4,000, and l will give
you $4,000 tomorrow, with which you
can settle your affairs here and arrange
with Jordan, the condition being that
you ask no questions and undertake
to marry this month"
But, Mr.. Sharp" I cried, "such mag
uaniInity, /"
go and ask Oracle"
He pointed to the door, waving aside
my remonstrance, and I followed the
of his finger as one in a dream.
That evening 1 left Rose villa the bride
groom-elect of Grace Farleigh, and with
a check for $4,000 in my coat pocket.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-05-16
City Council.

TheVpuncil met in regaar session
Friday light, Mayor Adams presiding;
Messrs. Harris, Howell, wyse, and
Tabor aldermen present r. NJ. Wilson
absent.
Minutes Of last regular aud .pecial
meetings read and approved.
Reports Of officers we're approved and
ordered filed, and the usual batch ofbills
approved by the finance committee and
ordered paid by council.
A petition from W. II. Bowman for
permission TO put in scales for public
weighing was deferred for further info &.
nation.
Upon petition II. II. Jones was maze
a special policeman for the better pro-
lection Of the city cemetery from depre.
dations.
A petition for an arc light near Gooch' =
stable was laid aside for future action.
petition for permission to construct
a bicycle track In the city limits was re.
ferred to street committee and granted.
The contract for the new arc lights
was received by council and ordered a..
ed.
The report Of the committee app lint.
ed Ia prepare suitable resolutions re-
garding the services OF EX.Secfeiary A
d. Carr Was read and adopted and will
be published in the city papers. The
report was lengthy and most compli.
montaTy.
DR.. Tabor, city health officer, made
verbal report Of sewer. and other places
which are In bad condition. The report
was referred TO the health officer and
marshal with full power TO act In abat.
Ing such nuisances.
An amendment vas adopted to Art..
Gle 81 Of the city ordinances extending
the terms Of office u fiscal agent health
officer, city sexton, policeman, etc, from
one year to two years, 10 take effect at
once.
An ordinance was presented by Al.
derman Howell and duly passed making
the practice Of hypnotism within the
city limits a misdemeanor. and upon
conviction any person may be fined not
less than s. nor more than $50.
An order was passed providing that
The fiscal agent shall receive no funds
except from the city secretary.
The finance committee was gran ted
further time on the retiring tiscal agents
report.
The report Of the special committee
on water rates WAS read aud precipitat.
ell a spirited debate between Mr. l.. T.
Fuller and the members Of the commit.
tee. The report vas finally Withdrawn
and the committee granted further time
They will make a final report at spec.
ial meeting " the council 10 he held
next Tuesday night at which time. Mr..
Fuller will be present, and Il IL hoped
the matter will be- definitely settled
Mr.. Fuller also requested tina, this
committee make a report u the bonded
Indebtedness OF the water works plant
Ia the city, and asked that he he inform
Ell whether or no, the council would r..
lease the said tifs'.mortgage bonds upon
tender Of the money for their liquida.
ton.
The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-05-16
n. a 4. G. Time Card.
Miss Kyle is visiting in Waco.

Miss Kyle il visiting In Waco.
Lemons l5c per dozen at I'd Halls.
DR.. West returned home yesterday.
Try the Perfect" Baking Powder Jt
Chas. II. Edge, dentist, Bryan Ter.
Call for Honey Boy"At FL Halls. n
60 to Levy Bros. f5r your mating. II
Mr.. Waldrop il visiting relatives in
Calvert.
Miss Marion Fooie went to lieArne
yesterday.
There being no further business the
council adjourned.
Constable J. D. Gilpin OF Hurten, was
In town yesterday.
College Creamery Butter 25c per
pound Al IA Halls. g6lf
IA. Palmer Of Madisonulle, was IN
the city yesterday.
Try Perfect" Baking Powder. Il
does such lovely baking. q
Miss Anna podson returned TO Waco
yesterday after a visit to Misses Board.
one yard Of the best periumed toilet
soap for % cents al Halls drugstore. li6
}, W. Brownlee Of Madisonyille, pass
ed through the city yesterday en- route
home from Austin.
Buy a cypress cisiern Of Otto Boehme
and prepare Tor summer with a good
supply Of pure water. 1874 I'm
A. VI. Rhodes has been Of on a TIP
through Madison, Grimes aud Leon
counties the past few Gays.
A. Emden says he has been requested
10y many Of bic customers 10 extend
hi. cheap sale q cold drinks, and has
concluded TO do 20 or few days lon.
ger. Look at his big AL. las
Commissioners court has been in Sc.
sion this week engaged with County
road business, officers reports, bill, etc.
The ession will continue next week.