davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
TO 90 OR NOT TO DO.

Editor Democrat:
As there seems to be great diversity
Of opinion In relation TO carrying out
the provisions Of the Australian ballot
by the voter, even at this late day, |
wish for the good Of all c0ncernet to
make some inquiry through the Demo
crst. To be brief, will state \ case a.
It actually occurred.
A and B say that 1t IA incumbent or
the voter, to frat make q \ 10 the squar
at the head Of the column selected, the
for all changes the voter nav wish T.
make he must cOnfine himself to th
column thus marked, erase the nam.
then write the nsme Of the candidate OF
his choice beneath the erasure.
& and d say no, make the cross or
not inst as you desire, then move around
In other columns to your hearts con-
tent, and msrk the names you may de-
sire.
Which are right, II either! Now II In
telligent men are all at sea, as the above
would indicate, how can we know that
our votes are counted? The judges are
liable to vary In their opinions as well
No other men, and sometimes, perhaps,
more 90. G. T.
INSTRUCTIONS posted 10 every voting
booth and about every polling place give
explicit directions for marking the bal.
lot, and the ballot upon which the voter
makes his mark, as well as the sample
ballots posted about town aud published
10 the papers week or two before elec-
tion, has this instruction: ITO vote q
straight ticket, mark q cross \ 10 the
Square over the party name Y. To
vote . Split Ticket, mark \ In tn
square over Party name. Erase printed
name In list aader X and oil In new
pame." II @ and ID will read the three
lines 1t the top Of the ballot, there will
be no occasion for difference Of opinion
among intelligent men.-ED.1
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

The wsnaa saA the Directory.
81 have been amused many . time. I"
said clerk in drug store, ito note
the way women consult the directory.
They never turn swiftly 10 name like
4 man, skipping down through the al
phabetical subclassi sificstion, but pore
over II by sections. ss il il were Q novel.
II man doesn't find q name exactly
where it ought 10 be, he stops instantly
aud walks of, but woman will exam.
inc everything under that letter before
she gives up. Moreover, she Is cure to
be- reminded Of other people in the
course of the search and never fails to
look them mp also.
"a lady came in one morning, sat
down and opened the book. She would
linger over ono part for awhile and then
turn 10 another, keeping the places
with her fingers and bent apparently on
reading the whole thing. Meanwhile at
least half dozen men collected behind
her. all waiting impatiently to get .
chance at the volume. At last she turned
around and was startled to sse the
crowd. Are you quite through, madam
asked one Of the men. oh, yes, she re-
piled. Il was just running through 1t 70
SEQ who was there. It's an everyday
occurrence for women TO come in 20
wait for car and get so interested in
the directory that they miss a dozen or
so. The book seems to have weird fas-
cination for the sex. New Orleans
Times Democrat.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

Here IL a story illustrative Of the
ignorance of the colonies that once pre-.
vailed in the colonial office and 10 not
yet entirely banished from Downing
street. As We all know, the late Lord
Carnarvon, when colonial secretary,
officially recorded his opinion Of Sir
Gorge Grey asa dangerous man." Sir
Charles Gavan Duffy, ON one Of his
visits from Victoria. called upon Lord
Carparvon In Downing street. and In
conversation chanced to introduce .
reference to Sir George Grey.
"A very strange and oompreheosible
character, said Lord Carnarvou, with
q shake of the head. ~ hear he has
now withdrawn to an island OF the
coast of New Zealand and surrounded
himself with number Of wallsbies.
"Oh, yes; think that Is not at all
improbable, replied Sir Charles.
"You surprise me-" rejoinsd Lord
Carnarvon. what must be the state Of
morality in q country where you make
light of such proceediDgs"
"Why, my lord. what do you sup
pose wallaby 10 beF'
"A half caste female, Of oourse. Is
that not so."
Certainly not a wallaby IL simply
. small kangaroo. London Chronicle.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
mean of ar Joh. Moore.

Fearfully mangled by the round shot
that struck him full on tho left breast,
he was the same John Moore that We
have found him in l79s. Are my aide
de-camp all safe:' was his inquiry.
Colonel Anderson. who was on his stah
ut the fierce fight Of Foulke's Mill. had
70 signal with his finger for silence, for
one Of them, Captain Burrard. had
fallen. IL hope the people Of England
will be satisfied. hope my dear conn-
try will do me justice. Anderson. you
will see my friends at home; tell them
everything. My dear mother; my dear
motherp and then at last he broke
down. and, evidently unable to trust
himself further. tried to speak Of Hope
(afterward Sir John, and finally Lord
Hopetoun). who succeeded him in com
mand.
The last words that passed his dying
lips were q message TO Lady Hester
Stanhopc, the niece Of Pitt, afterward
90 famous for her eccentricity. as her
father bad been before her To her, to
whom he is said TO have been deeply at-
tached, il not engaged, he sen. his dy-
ing remembrances by her brother. one
Of his aids do. camp and then passed
peacefully into the presence Of his God.
-Cornhill Magazine.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

/ sat behind two women in Four.
tenth street car when a funeral process.
sion, made up Of members Of some Sc.
cret society in full regalia passed upthe
street. The sight Of the plumed hats dis
pleased one of the women in front OF
me.
.'Did you ever see anything sillier than
that?" she shifted. "Look at those men
dressed up in all those gewgaws just
to let folks know they've got secret.
Where would Jon find women willing
10 parade around the streets logged ont
like stage soldiers: Who ever heard OF
women doing it? Imagine the Daughters
Of the American Revolution riding
around in cooked hats, or the Women's
Christian Temperance union with gold
laced aprons. Women have more sense.
They wouldn't deliberately make them.
selves ridiculous that way.
"Look at those sashes and look at
those awful hats and those NANCY
plumes. Ny husband g got them all. He
paid s75 for his outfit He paid ei6 for
astringy ostrich plume for his hat. and
then''-here the true inwardness Of her
contempt for secret society fegalias came
out-"aftsr paying al that for plume
he doesn't wear oncs In six monthA be
almost dropped dead beoause paid d
for q feather I've woen every day for Z
year. A mans just natural born
we'll. ! won't say Il. !"
But You could re that shs thousht Il
jssk The ams. ~ Wa1hinatca Pesa
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
s,.,l.t,c, of MARRIAGE.

The chances at birth that baby will
eventually marry are 9 In 20, or rather
less than one-half. This result may seem
surprising, but 1t Is largely accounted
for by the great mortality Of persons IN.
der msrriageable age, especially Of in
fants up TO the age Of 8. No fewer than
3s per cent Of babies die before they are
years old. aud A per cent Of the
whole population before the age Of IL.
In England. as In this country. accord.
ing to belief, the females outnumber the
males.
Out Of every 100 persons now living,
90 are single, 85 are married and are
widowed. So that on the average per-
son in every go you meet in the streets,
in the train. or wherever it may he,
will be either a widow or q widower,
aud 8 out Of will BIZ unmarried. In
England al average husband and wife
on their wedding day may expect 10 live
together for ~ years. in France only 26.
in Holland and Belgium 20, but In Rus
sia 3O.-New York Home Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

The laym who is introduced to the
mysteries Of cutting glass for the first
time is amazed at the amouIlt Of work
that the workman does entirely by his
eye. The fret stage of the bowl which
is TO be cut finds it In perfectly plain
condition, not scratch upon IL and
only half dozen OF more marks in red
chalk, which mean absolutely nothing
to the Impractical eye. Pit to the
workman they mean the whole pattern.
Perhaps the dish is q salad bowl. The
marks in chalk will run from the edge,
FIVE intervals apart, down 10 the center
OF the bowl at the bottom. In one OF
the divisions of the bowl thus marked
there may be little further marking
in the shape perhaps Of diamond.
This indicates the pattern into which
the bowl is TO be cut, and it will be re.
peated in each Of the five divisions. All
the intricacies Of the design the work
man has in his head, and they develop
OH the glss in way which seems TO
the lookei on absolutely marvellous
New York Times.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
southern Dialect.

The southern dialect continues to re-.
veal its quaintness. Mr.. Torrey has re-
corded this Florida dialogue:
"What time might II be-"
"Six o'clock.
"Lan sakes! didn't know 1t was 70
sune n that.
''Soou" in this case probably meant
early. He has also put on record the
answer of the North Carolinian who
was asked il he had been mt the World's
fair:
"No. | lowed for to went. but ]
didn't git to GO"
have lately heard bit Of genuine
negro English which may do to go with
these examples a young woman Of IN
acquaintance was visiting Ut q house
where colored lad was kept as u soIt
Of boy of all work. After she had been
there a day she overheard a converse
tion between the cook and this boy:
"How do you like the companyF
asked the cook.
81 like her right we'll. " said the boy.
"Do you think she's pretty?"
"Well," said the lad. "she ain't
'zackly pretty, but she'll dew we'll
'nough whar dar amt no better at"-
Boston Transcript
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
u Made Her Hue.

The bride was showing her wedding
presents with great delight, but when
her visitor paused before fine etching
Of 1.-THE Angelus" her face fell.
"How beautiful" was the exclama.
tion.
"Yes, the bride responded, "hut it
is 60 cad! II it hadn't been given to
Henry by his favorite uncle. should
propose having it taken out and some
thing else put into the frame. The
frame is lovely! But it makes me blue
every time look at the picture. There
that poor young couple have just bur
led their little baby-their firsiborn.
liksly-oh, can't bear to see it
And the bride wiped away tear
BROOKLYN Life.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

Perk aud Quirk were walking along
the csnwded street. feeling very kindly
toward themselves and the rest Of hu-
manity. just as they reached the mid
die Of a crossing one OF those aggrayat-
ing individuals who walk one way and
look another stepped directly in front Of
q cable car which was rounding the cor.
ner. OF course the car had no fender ON
IL. Nearly everybody In the vicinity
yelled, and naturally the bewildered
man looked in the wrong direction.
Quirk didn't yell. though. He jump.
ed to the side OF the track. grabbed the
man by the collar and yanked him clear
Of the tracks and almost out Of his shoes.
Then he gave him another ferOoious jerk
70 get him ont of the way Of an express
wagon, and, getting him at proper range
at the same time, he gave the poor man
kick that must have driven his spine
up into his hat. And with the kick
Quirk roared:
"Confound you, keep your eyes opcn
when you are on the street.
Quirk looked unutterably savage, but
Perk tottersd to the curb, sat down and
laughed until the tears came. Then he
said:
"You are the only big enough idiot
ON earth to save mans life and then
kick him for it. Chicago TimesH Her.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

al have not waited your permission
to pray for you" said she, smiling, and
walked on. light breeze causes the
yellow leaves TO come showering down.
Cyrano watched Roxane's fingers over
her embroidery.
"l'll never see it finished" he said.
"Ah! | knew that time worn jest
would come" laughed Roxane. Then
silence fell between them, broken only
by the swirliDg Of the leaves.
my Court Gazette seems dull to-
day" she ventured finally.
With a great effort CyranO forces
back bis faintness. "Ah, yes, to be
sure, he laughed "Well. listen. On
Saturday, the 10Th, having eaten to ex-
cess Of peach preserves, the king felt
fey erish. but the doctor, with his lancet,
! soon quelled the reasonable revolt. The
august pulse now beats normal. At the
queen : ball on Sunday thirtyscore OF the
very best Whit wax rapers were burned
up Our troops, they say, have chased
the Aus,rians. Four sorcerers were
banged. The little dog of Nine. d'Athis
took dose
an. de Bergerao!' cried Roxane,
with neck sternness. ~ bid you hold
your tongue, sir!'
Monday" went OH CyranO, growing
whittier and whittier, mot much took
place Claire changed protectors. Tues
day the court repaired to Foutainebleau.
Wednesday the Montglat said to Comte
dc Fiesque"--
But suddenly his eyes close; bis voice
breaks, and his head falls forward. He
had tainted in ais chair. In alarm Rox-
ane ran toward him.
Its nothing" he said. recovering
himself. my cd wound-got at Arras
it still troubles me-" He smiles with
an effort.
"Ah, both of us were wounded there,
and both still bear the marks OF our
hurt" said Roxane. II have his letter
still above my heart. F"
"You said that some day should
read il.
"And SO you shall today. See, here
| il is, hung in this bag. Open it and
read.
II have your leave to read il now:"
be asked, holding 1t tenderly with a
queer smile abont the corners Of his
sshy lips.
II should like to hear you read 1t, .
she said softly
The smile deepened. but il was not
all smile 1t was long regret, a
memory and an alteration blent in one
Look. He opened il and looked on Chris.
tian's last words to his wife.
On Cyrano's face the tender light
deepened. Roxane watched him with a
curious eagerness. From the chapel
came the full notes Of the organ. The
purple twilight began to gloom among
the golden tinted leaves.
''Roxane, farewellp' rad he in a
voice that pulsed with feeling. Then
he repeated Il:
"Roxane, farewell! Death waits for me-
This very night he claims me, dear,
And all MY soui, bowed with the weight
OF love untold. feels him draw nsar."
"How you read iti" cried Roxane.
But Cyrauo did mot hear. He was read
ing with his heart fall of the stored
love Of years: eeefk
81 die. incver more shall watch g"
With wis frl eyes the quiet sr1cs
| With which ycu move yorr hand TO brrsA 4
n - ---.H - a
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20

required TO comply with rules and
regulations similar to those under which
they are working.
Let rs all start into the season OF 1885
With purpose to improve our methods,
and to do better work than We have ever
done In the past, remembering that II u
necessary for Us also, II we are satisfied
that dairying 10 the branch OF farming
that We desire to follow, to increase the
amount Of our output until our COW
population shall be dense enough so that
the creameries will be enabled 10 collect
cream at such times and 10 such con
dition that the very best article OF but
ter can be made from IL. Let us remem-
Der that through all the depression in
prices that the business world has been
called to face the past few years, the
products Of our dairy herds have MAIN
tsined their prices In the market better
han any other manufactured ioduct
We will not except those OF the hner
manufactures, even. Remembering this,
and with the Increased Information which
we are hoping TO receive from this meet
ing, and from other sources, let rs all
tske courage for the future. Our barns
are filled to overfiowing With the fod-
ders which we produce to advantage,
and the markets are Visiting for our
goods. Let US all see 10 II that the year
1899 marks the beginning Of new era
In Maine dsirying BY Secretary b. W.
Mckeen.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
The Hebrew Flag.

One of the results Of the Zionist con-
gress at Basel is the reappearance OF the
Hebrew flag. At the meeting place OF
the delegates q flag was hoisted which
had two blue stripes on white field.
and between these the six pointed star,
or sign Of David. II was explained at
that time that similar flag was used
as the standard Of the Hebrews in the
days Of the Hebrew nation. Pictures
and descriptions Of the flag came to the
United States with accounts Of the pro-
ceedings of the congress, and dwellsrs
in the New York Ghetto began to look
for Hebrew hags. The consequence was
that the American Flag company turn
ed out u quantity. for which there was
ready saIe.--New York Tribune.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
CONE 4 urrLE WHILE eefoRe.

The hne tribute TO the memory Of the
late Nathan 8. Baker, some weeks since,
BY the editor OF the Democrat, found an
echo In the hearts OF . wide circle Of
friel ds-not those alone who were privi-
legged to know him intimately and u
whom he was near aud dear, but the
many, as well, TO whom he had endeared
himself by his writings, and who highly
esteemed him for the noble qualities
which make the true man.
By the death Of Mr.. Baker the COM
munity loses an honest, reliable, upright
man---a man Of high mental powers, and
Of rare poetical gifts.
lie was born In Mexico, January, 1885,
his parents moving to Rumford when he
was small boy. He attended the
schools 10 that town, and later attended
high school at Dlxfeld, South PAris and
Hebron. When nearly fitted for college
his health failed, and his physician ad-
vised him to leave study and work tn the
open air, and his hope for college edu-
cation was never realized.
On Feb. 2S, 1858, he Was united in
marriage to Mary Bryant. They lived
10 Rumford until 1867, when they moved
70 the farm In Newry which has since
been their home. Nine children were
born to them, Ave Of whom, with the
widow, survive him.
He has always been an earnest, uutir-
Ing worker for the town In which he liv-
ed, faithful to the highest confidence and
trust rep0sed In him. He has always
been in town Office, and died with his
armor on, being collector, constable.
and chairman Of the school board, ut the
time OF his death.
For many years great sufferer, never
free from pain, yet with indomitsble
will and perseverance he kept about his
daily work. OF practical turn OF mind,
he attended with faithful care 10 all the
minutin incident to his business. Yet
Into his busy life his gentle muse would
come aud find an ever readv welcome.
IL WAS beautiful TO see the fiue light OF
poetic genius which ran through and
irrsdixted his nature, ss the glow Of sun-
light shines upon and iilumines the
rugged heights Of the mountain.
We have been frequent guests Tor
many years In his ever hospitable home,
and Il always seemed wonderful that he
could write and compose his poems with
such apparent ease, with the noise OF
conversation all about him. Aud ] well
remember the evenings when he would
read rs poem after poem OF his compos-
Ing, and we were thrilled By their pathos
and amused by others which ran In
lighter vein. We laughed and wept by
turns, and said that his talents ought to
have broader field.
That Was in tho past, and now he has
gone beyond these mortal shores, gone
beyond our mortal sight, gone tO the
land Of light and love and joy, where the
mysteries of life and death, which sore
" weighed upon him here, now lie an
unsealed, open book before him.
Dear and houored friend, for q little
time goodbye.
ANGELA w. FARRAR.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
De Bergerac
From the play BY Edmond Rossand.
CHAPTER X.

In the garden Roxane waited for her
friend She bent over her embroidery
frame and watched the sisters bring the
armchair where he wss wont to sit be-
side her. fs
"He's late, !" she said. "What can II
bes Ny faithful Court Gazette behind
his time after 80 many years? The por-
tress keeps him-preaching how to save
his soul Ah, yes, that must be it"
She played with her needle, scanned
the sky, mused, smiling. on his good.
ness to her, fumbled in her workbag for
her thimble, frownsd at her pattern,
tapped her foot impatiently. then re-
solved 10 work and began her stitching.
Still the minutes dragged by. and he
did not appear.
IN. de Bergerac. 1t last announced
O little sister. coming up behind her.
"At last" said Roxane. She did not
turn or raise her eyes Some faint co.
quetry even in that she called her
friendship babe her play thus with him.
Besides his coming was the punctual
coming of the sun. and she took il with
the same calm habit. She searched
among her silks as she spoke 60 him.
You're late! The first time in all
these years
Cyrano's face was very white. Ho
had walked toward her stitiiy. as one
holds himself who fears to fall. Each
step was taken with q pulling at the
legs. His hat, jammed low upon bis
face. concealed bandage round his
head.
~ was staid." he apologized in "a
voice he cJuld control with difficulty.
"by most unwelcome visitor. lie
spoke jokingly aud with assumed play
tulpess, but he seeIned to wrench the
words out from his chest by jerks, as ne
had pulled himself along to where she
sat.
'Some creditor" said Roxane lightly.
1.-The last creditor who has debt TO
collect from mel
"Ah. fortunate man, 81 nearly clear
al debt And is il pa'd?'
Not yet bade him wait. said
had rendezvous which nothing should
defer. ! told him TO call again IN just
IN hour.
"A creditor can always wait" said
koxane airily. lyon shall not leave me
until twilight time. But what's the
matter? You have not teased Sister
Martha!"
Sister Martha was walking by. Cyra-
no called to her. Then he RACES at her
with burlcsqued fury for her 80 called
preaching at him. But his teasing lack
ed its old ring. and suddenly he said:
Listen, sisteri / give you leave to
pray for me tonight ut chapel tine. "
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-20
w. C.. T. U. NOTES.

The notes this month will be upon the
late memorable national convention
which has just passed into history. IL
was unlike any ever held before. Miss
willnrd's death In the early part OF the
year left the work In our own Mrs.
Stevens hsnds. With sorrow she took
IL and carried IL on.
Ii was In reality q memorial conven-
tion. There was no presidents address.
The time which was always assigned
Miss willard for that, was filled with =
service In memory OF her and other not
ed workers who have also gone this
year.
The Temple matter, which has been
such source of discussion and disagree
ment, had reached crisis. For some
years the writer has known OF the opin-
ion of the executive committee that they
had not approved Of raising so much
money to put into Il, which was like a
bottomless well, but the rank and file
had not come to understand the matter
As Il really was, consequently the subject
had 90 much favor, that Miss willard de-
cided to give her fifty-ninth year to rails
Ing the debt, but her life went out before
she had been able to secure anything.
This left the task insurmountsble and
at meeting OF the executive committee
In July they recommended the abandon
ing Of the enterprise.
This caused five hours debate in the
convention, and II was at times rather
exciting, but II carried, aud the sweet
spirit which had pervsded the conven-
ton gained the ascendency and II con-
tinued to the end. IL Il said by many,
that Mrs. Stevens was msgnsnimous
almost TO offence to the minority.
The almost unanimous choice on hrst
ballot OF Mrs. Stevens for president was
\ most sppreciative expression OF Mis-.
Willsrd's wisdom in selecting her for so
many years as yice-presidrnt nj large.
also bv change 10 the constitution ensb-
ling Mrs. Stevens 10 select Miss Anna
Gordon "a vice -president-st-large nov.
An enthusiastic Invitation from Seattle
to hold the next convention there, sn !
the pledge of such financial aid II IL did,
was complimentary and encouraging.
Amid all the sorro vs. and discours ge-
ments of the past year, the prospects for
faithful, earnest work were never
brighter. The fear that Miss willard's
death would cause sn abatement OF in
terest and lead TO disintegration has
been dispelled. Miss willard was q
great leader, but she was led by the
Great Leader who still guides the forces,
and while He leads the worl will 90 on.
The year has begun full Of hope for
the cause Of God and Home and native
lsnd-yes, and every land.