davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
History on a Watch Face.

Almost the last work Of the Belgian
astronomer, Houzeau, recently de-
ceased, was an article in which, while
arguing in favor of q decimal division
of time. he pointed out the origin OF
the double set of twelve hours repre-
sented on our watch and clock faces.
The ancient inhabitants of Mesopo-
tamia chose the number twelve as an
arishmetical base because it has four
divisors, viz. two, three, four and
six, while ten has only two divisors,
viz: two and five. They counted
twelve hours in the day and twelve in
the night, measuring the day by the
progress of the sun, and the night by
the progress of the stars across the
sky. This system, prevailing over all
others, has come down to us, and so
our watches bear on their faces SOU
venir Of those ancient days when the
sun served as clock hand half of the
time and the stars the other half
Youths Companion.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
Romance and the Law.

An interesting law case involving q
love affair enacted in Samoa and this
country will be called up in the United
States Circuit Co-rt. in Brooklyn, in
a few days. The etory of the incidents
leading up to the case is long one
and contains many elements of TO-
nance.
Edward Boutdois, a resident Of
Brooklyn. whose business is in New
York, married on July 16, 1895, Miss
Hattie Won Rafford, niece and ward
of David Street Parker. Mr.. Parker
was an American trader in Apia,
Samoa. Some years ago he became
the guardian OF Miss Won Rafard,
whose mother was dead and whose
father had left Samoa on trading yes.
sci and never returned. Mr.. Parker
sent his ward to New York City to re-.
ceive her education, and while there
she became acquainted with Mr.. Bour-
dois, a son of a Wall street broker.
The acquaintance rapidly developed
into love affair. Finally Miss Won
Raffard returned to Samoa, but not
until she had promised to marry Mr..
Bourdois. In the summer of 1895 Mr..
Bourdois went to Apia to marry the
young woman. As the story goes, Mr..
Parker had become greatly disappoint.
ed because his niece refused tho hand
of many Samoan sutton, but persisted
in her devotion of Mr.. Bourdois.
No obstacles were placed in the way
of the wedding, however, and the cere.
mony was zone of exceeding splendor.
After brief sojourn on the island,
Mr.. and Mrs. Bourdols returned to
this country and became residents of
Brooklyn Not long after reaching
this country the trouble arose which
must now be settled in court. Mrs.
Bourdois says that she gave once to
her uncle for collection two promis-
sorry notes worth about $4,000. Later,
she says, she demanded the money
and he refused-to give it to her. 1t is
said that quarrel arose, as result of
which Mrs. Bourdois brought the suit
for $4,000 and accumulated interest.
Mr.. Parker brought counter suit
against Mr.. Bourdois for $40, 200 for
damaging his affections and feelings
by wooing and winning his niece. 1t
is this combination. OF suits which the
court must untangle.
The tale further runs to the effect
that Mr.. Bourdois's mother was Sa.
moan woman of royal blood, whose
sister was married by Mr.. Parker, but
this particular could not be verified
New York Tribune.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
Fnlton,s First Fare.

There was one little incident IN
Robert Fulton's life about which few
people know and which Fulton never
forgot. It took place shortly before
the return trip of his famous boats
voyage by steam up the Hudson River.
At the time all Albany focked to the
wharf to see the strange craft, but 30
timorous were they that few cared to
board her. One gentleman. however,
not only boarded her, but sought out
Fulton, whom he found in the cabin,
and the following conversation took
place:
ssThis is Mr.. Fulton. ! presumed"
eyes, sir. )"
'sDo you return to New York with
this boat?'
eve shall try to get back, sir. ~
"Have you any objection to my re-
turning with your"
ssIf You wish to take your chances
with us, sir, / have no objection"
sWhat is the farsr'
After q moments hesitation Fulton
replied, 's3ix dollars" And when that
amount was laid in his hand he gazed
at it long time, and two big tears
rolled down his cheeks. Turning to
the passenger, he said
Excuse me, sir, but this Is the
first pecuniary reward have received
for all my exertion in adapting steam
to navigation. I would gladly COM
memorate the occasion with little
dinner. but am too poor now even
for that. If We meet again, trust it
will not be the case"
As history relates, the voyage term.
mated successfully. Four years later
Fulton was sitting in the cabin of the
Clermont, then called the North River,
when q gentleman entered. Fulton
glanced at him, and then sprang up
and gladly shook his hand. It was his
arst passenger. and over q pleasant
little dinner Fulton entertained his
guest with the history of his success.
and ended with saying that the frat act
ual recognition of his usefulness TO his
fellowmen was the six dollars paid to
him by his first passenger. -Harper's
Round Table.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
WORDS OF WISDOM.

A friend is most friend OF whom
the best remains to learn.
1.-THE foolish and the dead alone
never change their opinion, once said
Abraham Lincoln.
There il hope for the man who
doesn't have to fall down more thar
once to learn how to stand up.
Every where and always a mans
worth must be gagged to some extent,
though only in part by his domes-
ITCHY.
The most exquisite times in most
peoples lives are those when they are
perhaps unconsciously) expecting
something.
The intellectual worker should have
at least two seasons of complete rest
every year. The freshness OF his work
will soon show the advantage Of fol-
lowing such course.
The love of God does not consist in
shedding tears, nor in experiencing
sweetness and tenderness OF heart, but
in truly serving God in justice,
strength and humility.
1t is interesting to notice how often
a man becomes that which his friends
or society expects him to be. He will
rarely disappoiDt us when we show
him that we have faith in him, and
anticipate good results; and this fact
is full of suggestion to those who seek
opportunities for doing good.
A golden rule which will often save
us from petty worries is to strive reso-
lutely to allow only our own conduct
to affect our mental condition, to rest
satisfied with doing our very best,
and, having done this, to disregard as
far as possible the failure of others to
attain our own particular standard.
If you wish to be miserable, you
must think about yourself, about what
you want, what you like, what respect
people ought to pay you, and then to
You nothing will be pure. You will
spoil everything you touch, you will
make sin and misery for yourself ont
of everything which God sends you
you will be as wretched as you choose.
Accepting gratefully the many ben
efits it freely gives, an honorable man
will feel himself bound to do what he
can for the worlds welfare, to leave it
better off in some respect, ct least, for
his having lived in it. The whole
past progress of mankind has been
thus brought about, and future prog
ress must depend upon the same
means,
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
Lighthouse Improvements.

An article about lighthouses, enti-
tied ''The Lights that. Guide in the
Night" is contributed by Lieutenant
John NJ. Ellicott to st. Nicholas. After
telling of the growth in the number of
lighthouses, Lieutenant Ellicott says !:
Meanwhile the means of lighting
was being steadily improved. The
open fire gave place to the oil lamp !;
then a curved mirror, called para
bolic mirror, was PLACED behind the
lamp to bring the rays together next,
many lamps with mirrors were grouped
about central spindle and some such
lights are still in operation. The
greatest stride came when an arrange.
ment of lenses, known as the Fresnel
lens, in front of lamp replaced the
mirror behind it. This lens was rapidly
improved for lighthouse purposes,
until now cylindrical glass house
surrounds the lamp fame. The house
has lens. shaped walls which bend all
the rays to form horizontal zone of
strong light which pierces the darkness
to great Distance.
The rapid increase in the number of
lighthouses has made it necessary to
have some means of telling one from
another, or, as it is termed, of giving
to each light its characteristic I"
Coloring the glass made the light dim
mer, but as red comes most nearly to
white in brightness, some lights have
red lenses. The latest and best plan,
however, is to set upright prisms at
intervals IN o circular framework
around the lens, and to revolve this
frame by clockwork. Thus the light
is made to fash every time prism
passes between it and an observer. BY
changing the number and places of
the prisms. or the speed of the clock
work, the flashes for any one light can
be made to occur at intervals of so
many seconds for that light. Putting
in red prisms gives still other changes.
Thus each light has its characteristic, -
and this is written down in signs on
the charts, and fully stated in the light
lists carried by vessels. Thus, on q
chartfyou may note that the light You
want to sight is marked "F. W., '. W.
FL, 10 sec. >" which means that il ~
''iixed white varied by white flashes
every ten seconds" When q light is
sighted you see if those are its charac.
teristics; and. if SO, you have found
the RIGHT one.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
PRESENTATION Of Timber.

The kyanizing process for the arti-
hcial preservation of posts, stringers,
railway ties, etc., has been practiced
in the country for many years. Its
value is not generally understood by
farmers. although Its used is apparent
~ on the increase. The process con.
sists in sleeping the wood in solu-
ton of bichloride of mercury, com.
monty known as corrosive sublimate.
This is very poisonous article, but
this fact offers no interference in the
use named. It costs about So per
thousand feet to kyanize lumber, and
where farmers can secure cedar. chest.
nut or other woods at q moderate
price, it is probably not advantageous
to use kyanlzed lumber, as either of
the two woods named make very good
and durable fence posts. A number of
bridges and mills at Lowell, Mass, .
contain quantities of kyanized lumber,
some OF it in use as far back as 1885,
New England Homestead.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
POPULAR SCIENCE.

Each salmon produces about 90.
100000 eggs.
It is said that the Greenland whale
sometimes attains the age OF 400
years.
The horse, when browsing, is guild
ed entirely by the nostrils in the
choice of proper food. andblind horses
are never known to make mistakes in
their diet.
The cries of sea birds, especiallyssea
gulls, are very valuable as fog signals.
The birds cluster on the cliffs and
coast, and their cries warn boatmen
that they are near the land.
Plants that grow near the sea have
thicker leaves than those growing in
land. Apparently the sea salt is the
cause of this phenomenon, as plants
cultivated in artiicially sailed soil
yield thicker leaves.
For use a. fire extinguisher and
alarm quick fuse runs around the
room and ends in the bottom of q
water tank, where quantity of explo.
sives are stored, the explosion giving
the alarm and breaking the tank SO
the water flows out.
Statistics OF life insurance com.
panies show that in the last twenty.
five years the average woman's life has
increased from about forty-two to
fifty-six years, or more than eight per
cent. In the same period mans life
on the average has increased in length
five per cent.
1t has been pointed out by natur-
alist that the irregular shapes Of trees,
their "anyhowness, if we may use the
word, fulfils mostimportant purpose.
When gale is blowing the branches
will be seen to sway in ali directions,
and their movements tend to balance
each other. Did they all swing to-
gether, the oscillations would either
uproot the tree or despoil it of its
branches. -.
: The rapid rise of the md about
Hudson Bay is said to be the most re.
markable gradual upheaval of an .ex.
tensive region ever known. Driftwood-
covered beaches are now twenty or
sixty or seventy feet above the water,
new islands have appeared, and many
channels and all the old hart0rs have
become too shallow for ships. At the
present rate this shallow bay will dis
appear in few centuries, adding
vast area of dry land or salt marsh to
British territory in America.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
CHAPTER xIIr-Continued,

CHAPTER XIIf-Continued.
She bent her head, pretending to ex.
anime the cleaning stones, but raised
1t Immediately, to say rather slowly
Tell me what you wish most, and you
shall have it.
Brian gave questioning glance al
her half-averted face. He hesitated
but only for second. The next he had
caught her in his arms, and holding hel
against his beating heart he pressed q
long, passionate kiss upon her passive
lips.
She made not the slightest resistance,
though her face had grown very white.
He laid his own Interpretation upon
this sign. You are angry" he said,
allowing her to go at last.
No, no, not angry; that was your
Christmas gift.
She spoke with an effort and once
more fell to admiring her pin. Brian
watched her with longing she felt
rather than saw. To avoid his eyes she
drew her chair closer to the fire and
buried her head in its cushioned back.
1T is odd, remarked Brian, after an
awkward pause. Il think the world
would smile to know that husband is
only permitted to kiss his wife ON
Christmas day."
Some other time we will talk of that,
Brian. Not now. 1t will only stir up
old discords."
There is always the shadow of dis
cord between us, was the answer given
like to be different man; but as / must
be what am, why can we not be happy
together?"
ro x-<>,, ,,nb oo,x-c.
You know 1 am. What pleasure can
know your love is the one thing long
for. Yet you will kill yourself In the
interest of others, while for me-"
He paused with passion more elo-
quent than words. Margaret could not
reply Immediately. A strange, nervous
weakness benumbed her faculties, and
she waited for a stronger moment 70
answer his reproaches.
You speak unjustly,' she said ut last,
with great effort. Il do not take pleas
ure in your unhappiness. If you knew
how utterly exhausted i am, you would
spare such remarks. They pain me.
Il can't boar them now"
She had risen from her chair with the
last words, and with sudden trembling
swayed as though she would faint.
Margaret" he cried, catching her in
his arms, tell me the trouble"
Il am only tired was the answer.
with half sob as her head rested for a
second on his shoulder. only very
tired"
Il have been BRUTE he re.oined,
penltently. Il should have seen you
were i'll. Let me do something for you,
darling"
AOh, no, Bran; thank you. shall
be better when l have slept. need
only that, think. must say good
night now"
With sigh he let her go from him,
and she moved away unsteadily; but
coming back under the impulse OF an
after thought, she said, very slowly:
Brian, won't you try to believe that
want to see you happy and contented.
and that I try very hard to make you SO?
II am not better woman it is not be-
cause do not strive to be-.
NO MORE" cried Brian, with much
warmth. Margaret, you hurt me. Not
to win your love, but to be worthy of it,
that should be my ambition. You are
too good for me, l. Goodnight.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
Americas Common Roads.

The total length of the common
roads in this country. good, bad and
Indifferent, is estimated by General
Stone, of the Road Bureau of the De.
partment of Agriculture, at something
over 1900, 900 miles. The majority
of these roads have been opened by
common laborers. hired by local su-
pervisors, and no engineering prin-
ciples have been observed in their
construction. As result, it costs
more to keep them in repair than if
they were as many finely macadamized
roads. Keeping these poor roads in
repair and opening new thoroughfares
cost Massachusetts in 1898, outside OF
cities, 81, 1876, 944 or 5000 per mile ;
New York, 81, 500, 900 or $50 per mile,
and New Jersey, SITS, 407. so, or $40. Is
per mile. The total expenditures for
roads in that year amounted to about
800, 900, 600. As a greater part of the
enormous sum was spent in repairing
poorly constructed roads, that would
need exactly the same attention next
year, it is not exaggeration to say that
most of the money was wasted Fine
roads can be constructed all the way
from $500 to $500 per mile, according
to the nature of the country through
which they pass, the cost of crushed
stone and other engineering problems.
The cost of keeping these roads in re.
pair is infinitely smaller than that re-
quired to repair the ordinary dirt
roads each winter and spring, when
great gulleys and ruts are washed into
them by rains and foods. The Manu-
facturer.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
CHAPTER XIV.

BITTER REVELATION
The old year died amid the festivities
incident to the season, and the new year
was already week old; but still Mar
garet had not regained her old-time
spirits.
Brian was at first anxious and then
annoyed. 1t was too bad of Margaret
to look SO pale and thin, when he liked
to see her strong and well. Thus he ar
gued with mans sublime selflshness.
Il wish you would tell me what is the
matter with you, he said. rather sharply,
at bre akfast one morning. You say you
feel strong. You will not allow me to
prescribe for you, nor will you see DR..
Philips; and yet you go around looking
like ghost. / can't understand 1t.
There Is no necessity for trying.
Brian. l was never rosy in my best
days, and people often grow thin from
very simple causes. Will you pass me
roll, please?"
you need not try to deceive me, put
in Brian, complying with her request.
1T Is well enough to talk of being pale
and growing thin from simple causes.
know there Is a reason for your indispo-
sition. The place is dull enough. dear
knows. / think you might try to be
cheerful, If only for my cake"
Margarets lips twitched. Her temper
had been tried by several circumstances
that morning, and now Brian's COM
plants Gaping the climax, put her In o
mood for retaliation.
Il wish you had thought OF the dull
ness before you married me, she re-
torted with the bitterness that filled her
breast.
Il suppose you are angry now. /
know you'll drive me mad. ] wish l
could hate you.
Don't quarrel, please. / don't like
it. II you do not find sufficient to in
terest you at home, it is not my fault,
and will not bear the blame.
Her eyes flashed as that determined
will passed her lips.
Are you going to the city againP
Eyes, tomorrow. I can't stand more
than little Of this life at time. !"
Nor of my company, added Mar
garet, rather bitterly. You are COM
plimentary, decidedly.
AS to standing your company, Mar
garet. you know my feeling perfectly
well. 1t is OF the place, not you, COM
plain. What under heaven can sane
man do here?"
what can he DO in the cityi What
do you do there?"
Margaret asked this question very
quietly
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
Making Needles by Machinery.

The making of needles is accom-.
plished entirely by machinery. 1t il
an, interesting process to follow the
developing" of needle out of rough
steel wire. the piercing of the eyes
being very delicate operation. After
the needles are FURNISHED the same
machinery counts them and sticks
them in the papers and packages in
which they are sold. York Tri.
bune.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03

Water buckets saved Mrs. j. 81.
Davis. OF Buckingham, Va. from
drowning while she was on her way TO
. spring. The path led over tunnel
Of an abandoned gold mine, and some
rotten timber giving away just as Mrs.
Davis got above them, the tunnel roof
collapsed and she fell into thirty feet
of water. An empty bucket on each
arm buoyed her up until she was able
to grasp floating log.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
A Forest ON Ice.

One of the largest forests in the
world stands ON Joe. It il situate be-
tween Ural and the Okhotsk sea. A we'll
was recently dug in this region. when
it was found that q depth OF $40 feet
the ground was still frozep-
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03

The art of printing. according to
DR.. Halde and the missionaries, was
practiced in China nearly fifty years
before the Christian era. IN the time
Of Confucius. b. G. 800, books were
made of bamboo and about $50 years
A. ID. paper was first made.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-07-03
Mexico's Cathedral.

The cathedral in the City Of
Mexico is the largest in America, and
cost nearly 100000
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-10-08
WITHIN CHAM.

NJ. L. Fox is attending the fair at Athol.
Lottie Allard is at Charlemont for few
weeks.
Minnie Reed visited at Morey Lynde's
last week.
Frank Hicks was at T. G. Marsh's the
first of the week.
Bradley Newell has returned from bus
mess trip to Troy.
Eva Reed is at home, having finished
work at Stamford
Dr. and Mrs. 5. p. Pike of Bennington
were in town Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Allen Howard are visiting
at Baldwinville, Mass.
Mr.. Wood is expected this week with
another load Of cattle.
Thomas, the Polander, is rejoicing over
the birth of a daughter.
Frank Jilson has built an addition on
his barn for a wood-shed.
The Wheeler brothers are making ex-
tensive repairs upon their mill.
The ball game at Rowe resulted in a
victory for Nottingham, 26 to 10.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. A. Wheeler started
Sunday on carriage drive to Athol.
MIS-, Lillian Dplu NtIO w IlNNhbui :
Monday to have her child's foot operated
upon.
Mr. and Mrs. Herrick of Williamstown
spent Sunday with Mrs. Herrick's sister,
Mrs. Cook.
Bradley Newell has bought his father
farm in Rowe and will move his family
there next week.
II. n. Brown has dug well six feet
deep on his land beyond Marsh's to supply
his tenement house with running water.
Mrs. Effel Ford Rice died at the home of
her sister in South Adams Monday. The
funeral was held Wednesday, the burial
being at Wilmington Thursday. She was
daughter OF Wells Ford of this town.
Another be'r was shot last Saturday,
this time by Mr.. Robinson, who lives at
Orlando Dckinson's. He brought it in on
his back. Prescott Wheeler found his
bear trap sprung and piece of fur in it
recently.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-10-08
OIcott to be wilder.

The village of Olcott is now receiving
bids for the erection of a library, COM
bined with a club room, reading room,
billiard hall and bowling alley, the result
of $780, bequest from the late Charles
Wilder. The site of this building will be
just north of the post-office, and the struc-
ture will be one of the best appointed in
the state. Work will also begin at once
on the abutments of J. new iron bridge
across the Connecticut, at point near the
present mill of the Olcott Paper company,
Mr.. Wilder having left 1000 for that
purpose, with the stipulation that the
town change its name to Wilder. The
railroad has offered to comply with these
conditions, and it now remains to get the
approval of the government. The bridge
will be great convenience, since the only
structure over the river now is a small
foot bridge, teams being obliged to go to
White River Junction or to Hanover, a
distance of two miles.