davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
A woMAN OF COURAGE.
She Digs Fame and Fortune Out of
Nina

Gho AASb I'LL OHbOA OuD OF y
Mine.
Bloomers have brought about the for
tune of at least one woman. She is
Mrs. Arthur Rigdon, of Pearl, Idaho,
who owns the ''Woman's Rights Claim"
a mining ledge which has proved a
bonanza.
Mrs. Rigdon is the only woman in the
camp. The "Woman's Rights Claim"
was secured by Mrs. Rigdon by location
that is by stalking off" This claim
is 1900 feet long, 600 feet in width, and
is the most valuable piece of property
in that region. Mrs. Rigdon secured it
i've years ago. The Groupings we're
plainly visible and at the time there
were comparatively few miners there.
Experts who have examined Mrs. Rig
don's claim assert that she will be a
millionaire in a years time. The for
tunate woman miner is the widow of a
British army officer. She is highly in
~tellectual and has made a thorough
study of mining. She was left a widow
seven years ago, and it was then that
she conceived the idea of putting her
knowledge to some practical use. Her
decision to settle at Pearl was made
after she had visited several other
western mining camps, and as soon as
her claim was ''staked" she had it re-
corded. Then it was that her hard
work began.
Day after day this strange woman
may be seen descending into her mine,
only to come again to the earth's sur
face covered with dirt, but always with
a face glowing with enthusiasm.
When the report was spread about
that Mrs. Rigdon was wearing ''trous-
ers' and working in the mines like a
nan the women folk of the surround
ing country were shocked, and many
were the stories that passed from lip
to lip. Now all this is changed.
While there is much jealousy over the
rich find in the "Woman's Rights
Claim" there is at least one man who
is delighted with the widows prize. He
is known as Creeping Jim and was a
short while ago n Of the biggest bull
lies in this section. He was shot into
better manners. This happened over a
year ago.
Mrs. Rigdon was about to lower her
self down the shaft of her mine when
Jim approached and asked permission
to make a descent. Mrs. Rigdon con-
scented, and the two were lowered to-
gether. Hardly had they reached the
bottom of the shaft when Jim rushed at
the widow and attempted to overpower
her. Mrs. Rigdon always carries a re-
yolver. Quick as a fash she stepped
aside, and in another instant she had
sent two bullets into the big miner.
He dropped like an OK, one bullet hav.
ing penetrated his brain. the other hav-
ing taken effect just below the right
knee. Mrs. Rigdon was hoisted to the
surface, and later Jim was hauled up,
Since that time he has been one Of the
widows most ardent admirers.-N. Y
Journal.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
Corn Hunlx Bed.

For an under bed cornhusks are
much to be preferred to straw, for they
win not become so compact after use
and will wear much longer. One inn
portant feature is to secure the husks
in proper condition. AS soon as the
husks are taken from the corn, before
any mold or other harm comes 10 them
take the latest and best leaves. free
from stalks, silk, etc, and spread them
out to dry in some large. airy room.
stirring them well every fair day for .
month, or till they are perfectly dry.
AS they shrink somewhat, d good sup
ply should be secured Of fresh husks
Don's split the leaves; they do not be-
come fiat and solid, as many suppose
but curl up and make the mass light.
A husk mattress is suitable for both
summer and winter use, and at all
times healthy. Wool mattresses ara
liable to become infested with moths.
| Where feather beds are used they may
be put above the husks in cold weather
and below in hot.-Western Plowman.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10

Smart little coat bodices, made Of
satin brocade, in various dainty color
ings, are worn by fashionable young
women, with afternoon gowns Of black
or ~dark-colored material in silk and
wool, MORE or figured satin. The bod
ice opens over a full vest Of some airy
fabric, shirred or plated over cOlered
silk and banded with lace insertion.
The short frilly basque is lined with q
matching color Of silk, and is belted
at the back and on the sides where the
belt disappears, leaving the front ofthe
coat bodice free, banding only the GLOVER
edge Of the full vest in f~ront.-Phiiaa
delphia PresA
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10

-
h%appenedi for the next instant, to her
disgust, she found herself overheard,
ard Laundering about in the water,
booking as little like her ideal heroine
AS could well be imagined.
Mr.. Severance fastened at once to her
rescue, and when he had brought her,
pale and exhausted, to the shore, Rose,
glancing shyly upward, saw those
brown eyes, no longer laughing at her,
but full of a grave anxiety that thrilled
her heart.
Il am not at all injured" she said, re-
plying to that look, "and I hope my
boat isn't, for 1 must try my luck with
it again by starting home at once"
"Rut your strength is quite ex-
hausted," he said, decidedly, as she rose
slowly to her feet. ST shall row you
back TO the point from which you
started, and then, if you win permit
me, 1 shall accompany you to your
home. 1 really think it unsafe for you
to go alone," he added, seeing the tide
Of cyimson that swept back suddenly to
her Wh1te cheeks.
Rose offered but faint objections; and
thus began the acquaintance which was
destined to prove so eventful to both.
And Rose was happy.
It was Just in the flush of her happi-
ness that Rose met at a village hotel,
whose landlady's daughter wa one of
her friends, a lady who had come there
I I--.--~ ---.t- -. 11,k LA1lAH ~
Pale and delicate, but still very love
", was Caryl Stewart, and very soon
she and the village belle were fast
friends.
"My physicians say hat my ailment
is consumption" said Caryl Stewart
one day, smiling a slow, sad smile that
went straight to Roses heart; ''but L
know better Than they, Rose. know
that I am dying of a breaking heart.
Some day l will tell you. You will
come in again tomorrow" she ques-
toned, lifting her dark eyes with a
wistful look.
"Oh, yes" returned Rose, with a
bright smile. 81 will come in any day
every day, Miss Stewart"
She was thinking of hat conversation
when Wilbur Severance came to see her
later in the evening.
But she could not remain melancholy
long in his presence now, particularly
as he had come for the express pur-
pose of asking for her heart and hand.
Rose had often pictured this moment
to herself, and she had honestly re-
solved to be all sweetness and sincerity
to this man whom she loved with all
her soul.
But-how it was she could never tell
somehow her old willful spirit of
coquetry seemed to take possession of
her all in a moment, and she laughed,
leased and evaded her lovers ques-
tioning with a persistent w~illfulness
that amazed herself.
81 will answer you tomorrow even
ing" vas the reply he finally coaXed
from her saucy lips. 81 must have a
little time to reflect upon so dreadful-
ly serious a matter, Mr.. Severance"
But there was that in the happy,
laughing blue eyes that belied the will.
full lips, and Wilbur Severance went
away with a cheerful heart in spite oil
all.
The following day Rose paid hNs
promised visit to Miss Stewart, and ii
was then that the invalid made her a
c~onfdante.
Caryl Stewart had been betrothed
when scarcely more than a child, to 9
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
0 N OF The PINES.

Drear forest. harkl
From pine trees dark,
A whisper comes to thee: 49,
"A sweet, low song
Is borne along
To each bare, denuded tree.
The needles fine
OF kingly pine
Are tuned to sweetest key,
An organ note
From north winds. throat
Floats from the Polar sea.
"A countless train
Takes up the strain
Among the forest band;
In hearts forlorn
New life is horn
With the pine trees chorus grand.
Their heads bow low
Meath winters snow,
Submissive to the power
That knoweth best.
The winters rest
WI bring a brighter hour.
Drear forest, walt?
The frozen gate
win soon unbar the spring.
Then through the pines
And swaying vines
The warm south wind will sing.
MARY s. Hopkins in Ladies' World.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
A GOOD had Dee.

The Indian certainly shows a fine
of propriety when he named the
bull dog "a good-bad dog" The name
fits very we'll. Maj. Peter Roman, agent
of the Flathead Indians in western
Montana, purchased a fine blooded and
ugly-faced bulldog, not to guard his
pleasant quarters at the Flathead
agency, but to give his Indian wards
a new subject for study in the animal
kingdom. The appearance of this
strange q~uadruped caused as much ex-
element among those ~untutored sons
of the forest as a behemoth of the paleo-
Eoic age would arouse by a sudden APP
pearance on Main street. The chiefs
held a long consultation over the char
acteristics Of the animal, and finally
decided to call him ga good-bad dog"
The first adjective is doubtless caused
by a certain Indian sense Of diplomacy
TO be exercised in addressing the ami
nal, while the latter is evidence of the
red mans regard for truth at all times.
At all events, the name is worth study
ng.-Helena Mont. independent.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
ideas About FIneer Nam.

The Japanese have some curious ideas
about their finger nails. One of them
Is to the effect that they must not be
cut before starting on a journey lest
disgrace befall the person before he
reaches his destination. Neither should
they be cut of at night lest cats claws
should grow out. To throw nail par.
ings into the fire is to invite some great
calamity. If, while trimming the nails
a piece should fall into the fire tbs
person wili soon die.-N. Y. Herald.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
Walnnt shell Lore.

In Lithuanian folklore a walnut shell
plays the part of Noah's ark. "Once
the great god Pramzimas, while eating
walnuts, looked down from his castle
in the sky and the two giants, Wind and
Water, were having a high old time.
Pramzimas saw that If the foods con-
tinued the people would be drowned;
so he was kind enough to throw half
of a walnut shell, which he had in his
hand, into the flood, and it fioated to the
mountain peak where the people had
gathered for refuge. Now, this wal
nut shell was large enough to hold ali
the people and to float them safely till
the deluge had subsidized
Enquirer.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
Weighing Lixa Fiah.

A visitor at the aquarium who had
wondered how they managed to get tho
weight of a live fish accurately learned
that thai was really a very simple
thing to do. The fish is put into a pail
Of water which is weighed with the
fish III 1t. Then the fish is taken out
and the pail and water are weighed
without it.-Chicago Record.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10
ROSE P%EMBERTON'S TEST

q, DEARl I wish
I could be a hero
inc myself" pout-
ed Rose Pember-
ton, tossing aside
the novel which
she had just fin
ished with a deep
sigh of discomfort.
"I'm p e t t y
enough, I'm sure.
casting an ap-
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-04-10

Nothing make a man mad quicker
than for his wife to criticise any bar
gain he has made.-Washingtoa Demo
crat.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
New Rails for the B. & o.

The new S5-pound steel rails that
the receivers of the IS. & o. purchased
several months ago, at an exceedingly
low figure, are now being delivered at
the rate of 5000 tons a month. AS
fast as it comes it is being laid, and
If the weather continues good at least
10000 tons of it will be in the track by
Christmas. Nearly a million cross
ties have been bought in the last year
and placed in the track ready for the
new rail. Ballast trains have been
kept busy up and down the line, and
the work has progressed with such
rapidity that when the new rail is
down the tracks will be practically
new from Wheeling to Baltimore.
There are lots of good rail in the old
tracks, not heavy enough for the new
motive power, which will be taken up
and laid on divisions where traffic is
not as great as it is on the main line.
About ten thousand tons of new steel
will be laid on the lines west of the
Ohio river this fall, if weather permits.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
Clover with Spring Grain.

1t always pays to SOW clover with
spring grain. In a favorable season,
as the present has been, there will
probably be good seeding of the
clover. In that case it will be well in
September, or perhaps earlier than
this if rains continue, to SOW timothy
SO as to make with the clover per-
manent seeding. But even if the
clover seeding has been partial fail
ure, enough of it will have rooted to
make growth that will much more
than pay for the cost of the seed, even
if it be plowed under as green ma
nure. There is probably no such in
crease in manurial value anywhere as
from the clover seed put into the
ground and the plant that comes from
it. In bulk, the grain of mustard,
which grows into tree large enough
for the birds to lodge in its branches,
may surpass the clover. But in ma
nurial value, counting the fertilizing
effect of the clover roots in the sub
soil, grain of clover is worth more
than the biblical grain of mustard
seed.
It was a good farmer from whom we
learned this advice to always SOW clo-
yer seed in the spring, even though
there was reasonable certainty that
that spring grain stubble would be
plowed in fall for some winter grain.
In one season out of three, the farmer
said, the spring grain seeding will be
too good to be plowed up for any
further chances. In the other two
seasons there would still be enough
clover to much more than repay the
cost of seed, even if it were plowed
under as green manure. In every
case the clover growth took the
place of some weed that would be
worth less than itself as fertilizer.
So every time the farmer sowed clover
seed it was with the result of increas-
ing soil fertility, which is the capital
on which the farmer must rely for his
profits.
The fact that to have plenty of clo-
yer seed in the ground is the best as
surance of successful farming has only
lately become known to many farmers.
In this, rather than from their direct
profits, is the greatest gain from the
practice of growing clover seed. 1t is
inevitable that wherever clover seed is
grown, more or less of the seed fails
to be gathered. 1t falls to the ground.
But it is not thereby lost. Usually
the clover ley is plowed early next
spring, or possibly in the fall, SO that
the seed does not have good chance
to grow the next season. But it is not
lost. Year after year as this field is
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27

The b. & o. officials are very much
pleased with certain statistics that
have recently been prepared of the
performance of freight trains on the
Second division, which handles all the
east and west-bound traffic between
Baltimore and Cumberland. Before
the new freight engines were pur-
chased, and the improvements made
in the track, in the way of straighten-
ing curves and reducing grades, the
average number of cars to the train
was 2Sla. Now, with more powerful
and modern motive power and a better
track, the average is 40 cars per train,
an increase of Il per cent. The ave-
age east-bound movement per day for
the first ten days of August was 1,123
loaded cars. On the Third division,
Cumberland to Grafton, where there
are grades of 125 feet to the mile, the
engines used haul 1879 loads to the
train. Now the average is 2525 loads
per train, an increase of 81 per cent
1t would certainly appear that the
money spent in improvements on the
b. q o. is being amply justified and
that the cost of operation is being very
materially reduced.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27

A Greenfield (Mass.) subscriber
writes: 81 have several peachtrees
which at the present time are full of
that many had holes in them and 9TH
ers were being eaten by the common
rose bug. Sometimes the bugs were
almost hidden in the holes they were
eating. Is this unusual or is it only
that have never noticed it before?
Is there anything that can be done
to prevent it? This year there are so
many more peaches than the trees can
bear that 1 am not sorry; but another
year it may be different. Peaches are
now about an inch long and one-hali
to three-fourths the other way"
In years when the rose beetles are
abundant in alocality it is not unusual
to find them eating the fruit of peach,
apple and cherry trees. They are
very destructive to bearing grape
vines, eating the blossoms as well as
the leaves. Their first choice seems to
be white roses and grape blossoms, but
green apples and peaches are very ac-
ceptable. No better method than
hand-picking has yet been discovered
for combating this insect. They are
most easily caught by holding dish
of water under them in the cool of the
morning. On touching them with the
other hand they will let go their hold
and drop into the water. Soapy water
is better than clear, and little ker-
osene on top of the water is better
still. Vines and trees are sometimes
protected by covers of fy-netting, and
for few small trees this is cheap and
sure.-A. W. Cheever. in New Eng
land Farmer.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27

Journalistic enterprise has led to a
curious insurance case in Paris. M.
Henri Martin, chief editor of the Cour-
ier de Lyon, was found dead in his
room hanging from cord passed over
hook in the ceiling and attached to
dog collar round his neck. His life
was insured for $4,000, which the in
surance company refused to pay on the
ground that he committed suicide. He
had, however, been publishing articles
on the scientific side Of hanging, and
was preparing one describing the SEN
sations of a hanged man. The coun-
sci for his family will contend that he
was making experiments on himself,
and that his death was accidental.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
Burdock Leaves for Horses.

1t is practice of some farmers we
know to let few burdock plants grow
so as to furnish green bite for horses
during the early summer. The orses
are almost crazy at this season to eat
something green, and the slightly bit
ter taste of the burdock leaves does
not prevent them from eating them
greedily. This will not interfere with
eating dry feed as green grass would
do. In fact. some horsemen regard
the burdock leaves as valuable tonic,
and declare that horses eat more
heartily and do more work after they
have been fed thus.-American Guilt
yatOr
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
Summer Care of Berry Bushes.

All berry bushes should be protected
from summer heat and drought. This
may be done in two ways. First, by
frequent cultivation and hoeing, thus
forming an earth mulch, which pre-
vents the rapid escape of moisture
from the soil. Second, by covering the
ground around the hill with coarse
manure, straw and other material,
which prevents evaporation and re-
tains the moisture about the roots.
One Of the best and cheapest mulches
for the farmer is green clover, cut in
blossom and applied same as manure.
1t is easily applied, retains moisture,
enriches the soil, keeps the berries
clean and contains no germ of noxious
weeds. A good mulch well applied is
one of the great necessities in success.
full fruit growing. When new canes of
the blackberry and black raspberry are
eighteen inches high, nip the top of
about two inches; this will cause sew
eral new laterals to grow, which should
be trimmed severely in the spring.
The pinching back of new growth is
important. 1t largely increases the
bearing surface, keeps the bush low,
strong, we'll formed and less liable to
injury from severe storms.-M. A.
Thayer, in Nebraska Fanmer.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
GIadstone's Denial.

There was report not long ago that
Mr.. Gladstone was learning to ride the
bicycle, and its contradiction is the sig
nal for Mr.. James Payn TO drop into
poetry:
Mr.. Gladstone denies he has taken to
hiking;
Nor are we surprised it was not to his
liking.
Though from Office and power he be a
recedcr,
He will ne'er be a Wheeler who has been
Leader.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.


Potash is the mineral that is most
needed for the potato crop. But it is
much better distributed as a top
dressing over the whole surface than
applied with the seed potatoes in the
hill. The potato roots very early in
their growth fill the soil between the
rows. When mineral manures are ap-
piled in the hill, unless care is taken
to mix them thoroughly with the soil,
they may eat into the cut seed, and ef-
fectually destroy the germ. When
used broadcast on the surface there in
no danger of this.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27

At convention in Minnesota, J. X.
Bennett said, among other things: In the
care of cans, they are to be kept clean
and free from rust. They should be
washed as soon as possible after being
used. Rinse first with cold water, then
scrub thoroughly with brush both in
side and outside, using warm water, al
most hot, or better a good soap suds;
use it often anyhow. Give particular
attention to the seams and don't forget
the outsides You know the inside is
often judged by the outside. Finish
with scalding water. Turn your cans
upside down long enough only to allow
them to drain; then leave them right
side up, or on their sides in the fresh
air, and you will have clean, sweet
cans. 1t is very common error to
leave them over stake, or on a board.
This is a serious mistake, as invariably
the cans will sour thereby. The hot
air or steam rises and has no escape,
consequently condenses in the cans
and sours. Much milk otherwise well
cared for is often tainted from no other
reason. A rusty can should not be
used, as it imparts foreign favor to
milk. Dairy World.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27

Camphor Is now exclusively
product of Japan, since the annexation
Of Formosa to that country. The cam.
phor tree thrives only in particular 10.
calities, where the average yearly tenn
perature is above 10 degrees G. 1t is
found in Shikoku, Kinshiu and por.
ton of Izu and XII provinces. A cam
phor tree grows at the rate of about
Dne and half inches q year and at.
tains great size, forty feet in circum.
ference not being unusual. The guam.
tity of camphor produced by a tree ir-
creases as the tree grows older, and
as much as eight pounds of camphoi
has been obtained at one time from
trees between 90 and $50 years old.
Crude camphor is made by steaminG
the thin chips of the wood in a wooden
cask set over an iron pot, the camphor
in a gaseous state being conveyed
through bamboo pipe to Il set of tive
rectangular wooden receptacles placed
one within the other. In these the
stream is condensed and the camphoI
solidified. The chips are steamed fol-
twenty -four hours and then replaced
by fresh chips, this process continuing
for from ten to fifteen days. When
the receptacles become thoroughly
cooled the solid camphor deposited in
the lower compartments of the upper
receptacle is scraped off and put into
4 dripping tub, where 1t is left for three
lays to separate water and oils from the
crude camphor. According to informa'
ton gathered by the National Associa
ton of American Manufacturers, the
cultivation of camphor trees is con
sidered very profitable in Japan.-
New York Times.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-09-27
WATcHWoRDS' OF LIFE.


Hope,
While there's hand to strike;
Dare,
While there's n young heart brave;
Toll,
While there's task unwrought;
Trust,
While there's q God to save.
Learn
That there's work for each;
Feel
That there's a strength in God;
Know,
That there's crown reserved.
Wait,
Though meath the cloud and sod;
Love,
Where there's foe that wrongs;
Help,
When there's n brothers need;
Watch,
When there's tempter near;
Pray,
Both in thy word and deed.