davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

section Of the world like ours, compact
ness and convenience is a serious de-
sideratum.
An artistic house goes beyond being
a pretty one, having in it the elements
of large comprehension, a fullness of
refinement, a combination of beauty
and sense.
These plans represent a compact and
tasteful house. 1t is modern in style
and arrangement and contains a fair
share. of modern improvements. Home
means rest, quiet and simplicity. Not
that a house must be bare and simple
in every part, but simplicity must be
the keynote. Certain parts, both inside
and out, can of course be deliberately
treated. But it must seem natural and
not an isolated piece of work, and the
reason for such elaboration must be APP
parent. Certainly we do not need to
speak Of the convenient arrangement
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
eRAY MANS PArH.

suDerStitioRs Associated with q
Singular Freak OF Nature
Near Ballycastle in Ireland, cleft
through the massive and PERCEPTIONS
rocks which wall the coast, is an ex-
-traordinary assure called .The Cray
Mans Path" Viewed either from land
or sea, St is a sight never to be forgot
ten. One could easily imagine that
some supernatural power had hewn for
itself a private pathway through these
towering cliffs, so that it might at will
visit or summon the spirits of the
deep; it is a grewsome place. particu-
larly at night.
The passage is at first rery narrow,
but widens somewhat below. 1t ex-
tends through a basaltic formation
and the rocks on either side have
| something of the coiumnar structure
seen at the Giants causeway and at
FineaTs cave. At n point a mon
htrous shaft Of stone has fallen quite
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
BIRD Hangs ITSELF


strange Event atEdisOn's Laboratory
al Orange, Nj.
A strange event happened at the Edit
son laboratory in Orange, N. j., recent
ly, which puzzled the great inventor
and left the question as much in doubt
as ever. 1t is thought by some Or
Rngeites that an English sparrow com
mitted suicide on the walls of the lab
oratory; by others that merely an ac-
eident occurred. The facts are as fol-
lows: In the end of the loft in one of
the laboratory buildings is a diamond
shaped arrangement of holes. These
holes were left there for ventilation
purposes and were made by leaving out
certain bricks in the end wall of the
house. They proved capital nesting
places for the sparrows, and several of
the birds were not slow to make use of
them. One day the workmen around
the building noticed a sparrow which
was making a great to do over the re-
pairing of a nest. The little fellow few
in and out of the hole, collecting all
kinds of shreds and patches and inter
weaving them with the old work of the
nest. Finally the bird secured a long
piece of gTocer's cord, such as is used to
tie up small packages, and flew with it
to the nest. The workmen saw the bird
enter the hole with the string trailing
after it. Then as the part of the cord
still hanging out of the hole was sub
mitted to several continued jerks they
concluded that the bird was interweav-
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

across the chasm, forming a rude nat
Iral bridge. Few, however, would
care to attempt to pass over it; even
to pass under it is enough for the
nerves of most people.
From the natives of this wild coast
you will hear none of the quaint and
dainty fairy tales 81 often met with in
other parts of ireland. It is not that
the people of the coast r less super
stitious but their legends are like
those of the old sea kings, awful and
terrifying in their character. Ghosts
rise from the waves in the paliid
light, stalk over the cliffs, and stand
upon those mysterious pillars of rock,
calling to each other. Then the fisher
men say: at thunders." And then, as
they believe, the 'Gray Man" issues
forth, and stalks in silence up his dark
and fearsome track.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
Dancer of Water Gas.

In Boston "a people died from as
phyxiation by gas in 1896, which is over
one-third the total number of such
deaths in the district for IS years. This
mortality is believed to be due to the
use of the cheap water gas, which is
comparatively free from odor. 1t con-
tains about 30 to 40 per cent. carbonic
oxide, a most active poison. producing.
when inhaled, speedy death. It is esti.
mated that one volume Of it diffused
through 100 volumes Of air units it t.
sustain life. 1t is proposed that gas
corporations be compelled to add sufi.
cient petroleum gas to water gas to PRO
duce an odor easily detected.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
CHILDREN.
Usually Their System Has Been I'm
dermined in Infancy.

Usually Their System Has Been Un-
dermined in Infancy.
Intelligentpeople are beginning to un.
derstand the Importance of protecting
the ervou system in infancy and the
danger of a shock to childish nerves,
AS a rule, the more quiet a baby is kept
during the first year of it's life the bet
ter chance it has for a life of health and
happiness. The fact that SO large a
proportion of the human family die in
infancy is due largely to the folly of
nurses and the ignorance of mothers.
Overnight babies do not commend
themselves to physicians, who know
that the first year of the child's life
should be spent largely in sleep. All
efforts to arouse the dormant mind OF
a -atthisper8od4Are attended with
danger. The foolish practices sf-4ass.
ing a helpless baby in the air, while it
screams both with alright and de-
light, is a most dangerous one. A ply
stefan with a large practice tells the
story Of a precociously bright child
which showed evident delight when
tossed in this way by a doting grand
father, who was accustomed to play
with it in this way every evening. The
child trembled with delight when the
nights frolic was over, but one evening
from this trembling it passed into 8
spasm, the first indication of one OF
those fatal brain diseases against which
medical science is helpless. Nothing
could be done but TO wait until the little
lie had flown to a happier land.-N. Y
/ h
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
a WONDERFUL TIE.
II Produces Glue, Towels. oth, TIM
der md Rrend.

II produces Glue, towels. 6sh, TIN
der and Bread.
did you ever hear Of a II bearing
glue, towels, cloth, finder aIbread2
There Is just such a wder. 1t is
found on the Pacific islam and it is
called the bread-frpit tree.
1t is about as tall as ~shree-story
house and the brancheeome out
straight from the tree 50 many
arms. They are coyeredith leaves
nearly two feet long and Ply gashed
at the edges, while half Hen among
them are the fruits, growilike apples
oil short stems, but largAnd having
q thick yellow rind.
This fruit is like bread. | it is in sea-
son during eight months he year, the
natives finding a good Liz in it. They
gather it while it is GRAND bake it
in an oven. Scraping offouter black
ened crust they come to loaf, which
Is very much like niFhite bread.
| But it must be eaten softer baking,
else it grows harsh aIses its pleas
ant taste.
AS for glue, it oozes the trunk Of
the tree and is foundful for many
purposes; the leave$ke excellent
| towels for the few Ees who care
to use them; and frof inner bark of
the tree a kind of cS cloth can be
made. Besides this ried blossoms
are used for finder lifting fires, and
the wood is in greenland for build
ing purposes.
With a few of thFonderful trees
In the front yard hofeplng ought to
be an easy matter eago Record.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
DOG WITH A HISTORY.
He Has Covered 10000 Miles In a Lite
of Four Years.

He Has eel 10000 Miles In a Life
of Four Years
One of the most travelled dogs IN rec
ord is Donnie III. a black-and-tan dachs-
LN ~shisAexhihited at Cruft's
show in London. Donnie is the prop
erty of an officer in the English army,
Capt. MacMahon, and in a life of d lit
tie more than four years has travelled
some 10000 miles, 5000 of them on
horseback. He has traversed land and
sea, crossed deserts and mountain
ranges, and been, with his master, a
participant in many deeds of endurance
and adventure.
Donnie was born September IS, s
in England, and when seven months
old was sent to Capt. MacMahon ia In
dia by friends. The journey, first bv
sea, then by land, through Sind to
B~eluchistan, during a time of great
heat, was the first test of the puppy's
endurance. He stood it well and soon
began his journeys on horseback. a
mode of travelling to which he seemed
to take naturally. He accompanied his
master on long riding tours through
Ahob and other parts of Beluchistan Ia
Slmla, and from P~eshawur.to Cabul.
In the spring of 1894 Capt. MacMahon
was appointed British commissioner 81
the Beluch-Afghan boundary commits
sion and took Donnie with him
through the Gomal valley to the Afghan
frontier. Here dog and master re-
manned for more than a year, endurinp
together extremes of heat and cold
hardship and privation. Then came an
other horseback journey through India
and a voyage from Bombay to England.
Later a return to India again and a iopr-
ney through the southern part ~ ia
something of a pleasure trip
time, Capt. MacMahonS BEING on tbe
staff of the yiceroy. This was foIlowed
by more travels and hardships n tba
wllds of A~fghanistan and a trim ~ ths
Persian boundary. Dog and mast
are now both in England.
Donnie is q most expert equestrian
With his headquarters against his mas
fer's thigh, and occasionally ean;na
against his body for support. he ridas
without even q steadying hand. Tb@
horse may walk, trot, cahter ~ osfor
out the dog is not disturbed. r svar
maintains perfect equanimity dursng
reasonably difficult jump.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

OF the house. OF course it must be con
venient, but that alone is not sufficient
This plan has four principal rooms
on the first floor. besides hall, pantry,
bathroom and closets. and on the sec
ond floor three main rooms. The con-
venience of the interior is apparent on
examination Of the floor plans. In the
first story are the staircase ball, parlor,
sitting-room. dining-room, Kitchen,
pantry, bathroom. store closet, water
closet, etc. The four front rooms are
connected by wide sliding doors. The
entrance is at the front or either side.
AS you pass through the front door you
enter a handsome reception and stair
hall, abundantly lighted and with a
prettily designed staircase. all in red
oak. The main stairway terminates in
a large hall above, from which the
ooms on the second floor are easily ac-
cessible. At the left in the first story,
il the parlor. and to the rear IS the din
ing-room. Back of the parlor IS a large
sitting room The parlor and dining
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
the SHE'LL 4 B

beautiful Novelty That Is Used foF
Play ms Well ms Sleep.
Babies should be healthy, for there
were never SO many things made for
their health and comfort. The new
est of these is a shell cradle, that can be
used for play as well as for sleep.
This cradle is all in one piece, the
material being either silver plate OF
white metal. There are solid silver
shells for the goldspoon baby and
aluminium shells for mothers that
want a very light cradle, n that is easy
to lift from room to Dom
The shell is hungfrom two rods, one
at either end. Its pivot is such that it
swings at q touch. When baby is awake
he can amuse himself by swaying his
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
PICTURESQUE N WELL ARRANGED corTAGE.

parlor and hall, containing furnace and
fuel rooms, and other necessary apart
Inents. The outside walls are of two by
four studding, sheathed outside with
shiplap sheathing, covered with a good
buildingpaper and weatherboardedwi will
good clear siding or clapboards. The in
side of the outside walls, and all interior
walls and ceilings are plastered three
coats. The timbers are sound and well
seasoned; sills six by eight; the first
and second floor joist two by ten; raft
ers and studdings two by four. All to be
spaced 16 inches from centers. The floor
4joist are well bridged. The floor
throughout is to be of selected pine
flooring, except kitchen and pantry,
which are to be of yellow pine or maple,
all well seasoned and dry when laid. The
doors are all well made and paneled in
modern style. Outside and sliding
doors one and ~three-fourths inch thick,
all others one and three-eighths inch
thick. AllprincipaI doors have transoms
over, them. All two-sashed windows are
to be hung with weights. The interior
finish for hall, parlor, sitting-room and
dining-room is to be of red oak wood
neatly worked and put up. That for the
rear part of the first floor is to be of yell
low pine, and for the second floor to be
Of white pine; all finished natural color
in hard oil. The hardware is of good
quality and workmanship throughout.
The painting outside is three coat work
done in best manner of best materials.
The house is heated by a furnace and
CRATES, and well ''~plumbed." 1t can be
erected and finished complete as de-
scribed in most places for $4,000.
n ATT Any ID WIN
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
A HERO.


He was perfectly certain, he always said
(And story books must be true),
That somewhere over the meadows led
To the den of a robber crew.
So adown the lane with his sword and
shield,
One beautiful summer day,
And over the fence to the buttercup field
He merrily took his way.
And he laughed no! hoi as he went along.
n put on his fercest looks,
And he made up a kind of battle-song,
AS they do in the story books.
But the dragon that lived in the buttercup
field
And guarded the robbers den
Came up and sniffed at his sword and shield,
And opend his mouth-and then,
so somebody tells me, this brave little man
(Oh, sad to relate, but trueD
Dropped helmet n all, turned tail and Iran,
At the sound Of hat terrible "MooI"
. Still. robbers there must be left to fight,
And dragons there are, no doubt;
And it's glorious fun If the weatheris bright,
And-there rem any COWS about
Little Folks.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

Fernaps few people know thatour ma
tional ain, Hail, Columbia vas 60
inally called Washington March, 81
was played for the first time % IRE
Ton bridge as Washington rode over ii
on his way to- be inauglrated # Na,w
York; and during his administrator /.
was always played onstate occasions ~
whenever Washington appeared 81 ~
box at the theater. It twas composed ~
Pfyies, the leader Of the. few vioI,rs
and drums that passed for the orchea-
ira. The air had a martial rihg tbat
caught the a of the multitude ard
soon became very popular. When Aa-
AIMS was president, in a momens of great
party excitement Judge H~oplinson
wrote and adapted to the music tba M
moushnes ofeHail, Columbia. Thence
iortn u ceased to be known as wash
ington's March" and under its present
name became the most stirring 81 na-
tional ARA
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

Many Excellent Reform Designs
Have Bee Exhibited Recently.
A great many designs have been
brought before the world of mothers
for infants clothing. Several of these
deserve full approval, as from ahygieniC
point of view they possess double the
value of the old-fashioned patterns,
Particularly is this reformation to be
commended in the exclusion of the linen
day shirt for the vest of finest hand
knitted or woven wool. The former tiny
garment is no doubt pretty and dainty
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

peeted that o full suite Of rooms must
be had on the first floor and several
chambers on the second floor, closets,
etc, and generally several other lux
uries not possible for the money.
To one not experienced in the art of
building it is no easy task to decide
upon the best arrangement of rooms in
a house and the style of architecture
most suitable for a particular locality
which may be built within a stipulated
limit of cost. A great many people de
lay building because they do not know
what may be done through economical
and careful planning. By this is meant
economical and careful planning in the
arrangement of the floor plan. Com
pact floor plans save labor, and in the
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
ART IN ARCHITECTURE.
- - =
DESIGNED AND WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PAPER.

II IS a credit to anyone to dress well
and make a good appearance; in fact,
It is a duty we owe to our fellow
There is quite as much reason that our
homes should make a COOL appearance,
as well as being comfortable, for there
we spend the greater part Of our time,
and the moral influence of living in
comfortable quarters among pretty
Surroundings cannot be otherwise
than good.
The construction of the American
house IS greatly governed by climatic
surroundings and the location (which
it is to be built. AS 1nuch room and con-
venience for the money, with an at
traetive exterior, IS what all want who
ere going to build, especially the person
with moderate means. who has perhaps
from sso to 5000 to put into hoane;
dnd for that cost 81 a cottage e ex.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

icg the cord with fabric d the nest
They dismissed the matter Sr the time
being and went about t%heiTwork.
Later in the day the BID was seen
to be hanging dead outside ghe hole. A
slipnoose on the end of the firing which
IL had been using to build he nest was
tightly drawn around it's nick and part
of n wing. A photograph was taktn
on the spot and an e~XamAation MADE.
1t was evident that the bid had drawn
the string into the hole Until nothing
but the s%lipnoose remainedoutside, hen
for some purpose had flown quicklyout,
and in so doing had pissed itShead
through the moose. TIE fore with
which the closed aIoundts neck
must have strangled the bird iBtantly.
It hung limp, the interYeayiE of the
other end of the string il the Tst keep
ing it from falling to the groud.-Chi-
cago Inter Ocean.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

room have freplaces provided with pref
ty wood mantels. The dining-room
communicates with the kitchen through
the pantry with doors on spring hinges
to swing both ways. A large china
closet is placed between the dining
room and pantry and is accessible from
either side. From the back hall a stair
way leads to the second floor, and there
are stairs to the cellar under this
fight. The back door is under a warm
porch, off Of which is a water closet for
outside use. The kitchen is intended to
have a good portable range with hot
water boiler. The pantry is fitted up
with sink, shelves, drawers, bins and
pastry table.
This house IS built in a thorough and
SUBSTANTIAL manner The foundation
and teIlar wall is ofgcod stone laid UP
"a lime mortar. Cellar under all bui
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
BRUSHING The TEETH.
The Proper Way In which to Perform
This Important Operation.

The Proper Way In Which to Perform
This Important Operation.
The upper teeth should be brushed
downward and the lower teeth upward
from the gums. Do not brush the teeth
crossways, as they are apt to become
loosened and the gums will also suffer.
The inside Of the teeth should be
brushed III the same way. Tepid water
is the best to use both for cleansing the
teeth and rinsing the mouth out after
ward.
The tooth brush should be small and
curved, so that the bristles can get in
all the interstices of the teeth. 1t should
not be too hard, and, when a new tooth
brush is purchased, it should be soaked
in water for several hours before using.
If the brush is dried on a towel after
being used, and stood up on end in the
air, it will last much longer. Tooth
brushes should never be kept in closed
receptacles.
Tooth powder should be chosen with
great discretion. For general use The
following will be found very GOOD
powder: Mix together half an ounce
Of powdered bark, a quarter Of an
ounce Of myrrh. n drachm Of cam
phor and one ounce of prepared chalk
Another simple recipe is as follows
Add two ounces of camphorated chalk
two drachms of very fine powdered
borax, half an ounce of powdered orris
root and half a drachm of powdered
myrrh; mix the ingredients thoroughly
together and keep the powder in a stop
perd bottle.-San Francisco Chronicle
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

cradle back and forth. A wire frame
work supports the canopy, which is Of
lace upheld by metallic cupids. The laca
can be drawn entirely over the sleeping
baby.
Wicker clothes baskets can be used in
the same way, but a carpenter must be
employed tofasten the baskets tothe up.
rights, or baby will be startled from his
slumber by a fall. Cradles of metal are
best because they can be kept thorough.
~ clean. When the small springs and
bedding are removed the cradle can be
washed like a dish.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat,
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
The Cnnrina,n Coronet.

1t is said by the authorities on jewels
and jewelry that the coronet of the
Russian empress is the most beautiful
collection Of diamonds ever gathered in
one ornament. 1t is composed of four
very large diamonds Of the purest wa.
ter and is others Of slightly smaller
size, together with a multitude Of lesser
diamonds of exquisite water. The fash
of these beautiful gems reminds the OBJ
server of a collection Of rainbows.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08

N ~
In appearance. but its COMFORTS much
to be questioned. The woven vest may
be described as an ideal shirt, as il con-
tains the minimum of weight with the
maximum of warmth. Its silky smooth
ness is comfortable to the tender skin,
and it never falls into the chatting rucks
and wrinkles of its linen companion.
The design for the long flannel is a
thoroughly comfortable one. It is made
with a little straight bodice cut from
one piece of flannel and nicely orna-
mented with a trellis work Of fine coral
stitching worked in white working silk,
which stitching also is carried around
the rest Of the bodice, giving a pretty
effect. The armholes are merely hol-
lowed out and secured by r straps
of flannel. The entire bodice is bound
with white lutte ribbon. The depth Of
this little bodice when madeshould be
five inches. the width about twenty.
five inches, this allowing for !,
comfortable wrap over in front, the
points Al the back fastening neatly with
silk strings. The skirt Of the flannel
is merely a straight piece some % inches
in length and about Al in width.-Chica.
60 Chronicle.
Gle allows himself considerable lati-
tude in telling stories.n
Yes. All of .aem are long md some
are quite broad brooklyn Life
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
OMA AND HOME.
How 10 PoLIsH sILVER.

~ - -"
Dear friends. a tale I'll tell Though per-
haps you know It welD.
How to polish up the silver till 1t shines.
Without labor when you're tired, house
keeper or help that's hired.
I viii tell you all about it In these lines.
Peel potatoes three or four-though Il
small you might peel more
Boil them just about three-quarters Of at
hour;
While they're boiling al ome SALT or the
whole viii be In It,
And your temper turned from sweet to
awful sour.
Take a furnished silver mug, spoon OF
sugar bowl, or jug,
Put them in and let them boil q little
while;
When you take them out you'n find that
the tarnish stayed behind,
And their brightness, I am sure. WILL
make you smile.
Good Housekeeping.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-05-08
Grow Your own Parsley.

Plant a box of parsley and place it on
a window sill. You have no idea how
many pennies may be saved by having
parsley growing in the house. Thyme
may also be plated for kitchel deCOra,
ton.
The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-04-24
Four Big Successes.

Having the merit to more than
make good all the advertising
vertising claimed for him, the fol-
lowing four remedies have reached
a phenomenal sale. DR.. Kings
New Discovery, for consumption,
Coughs and Colds, each bottle guar
anteed-E Electric Bitters, the great
remedy for Liver, Stomach and
Kidneys. Bucklen,s Arnica Salve
he best in the world, and DR.,
Kings New Life Pills, which are
perfect pill. All these remedies
are guaranteed to do just what is
claimed for them and the dealer
whose name is attached heaewith
will be1Elad to tell you more Of
themoH gtdaat Geoage & Mont
gomyfT brug Store. 1