davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01

constituted and equipped for the duties
peculiarly devolving upon them there
is perhaps no sphere of action in which
men have engaged that has not been es-
sayed by women.
Exempt as woman has been by both
tradition and custom from military
service, she has nevertheless taken an
active part in nearly every war that was
ever waged. Not alone in ministering
to the sick and wounded, but also as
combatant and sharer in all the dan
gers and the fatigues Of warfare.
In this capacity her position has been
by no means subordinate one. Wom-
en- have commanded victorious armies
and displayed a genius that would
place them almost on par with the
few really great military leaders known
to history.
The fame of Semiramis, queen of
Assyria, both as a great civil ruler and
military leader. has survived the lapse
of 4, 900 years, and the beautiful but un-
fortunate Zenobia. queen of Palmyra, led
victorious armies and defied the power
of Rome itself until treachery left her
to march in golden chains to grace
Aurelian's triumph.
When the spirit of the ancient Britons
had been crushed by the Roman legions,
Boadicea raised their tagging courage
and melted the tribes to revolt. She led
them i'll battle, and 20, 600 Roman sol
diers were slain before she was over
powered by numbers. Too proud to
yield and grace a Roman holiday, she
took poison after her defeat
The history of Joan of Arc, the in
spired Maid of Orleans, is too we'll
known to require recapitulation further
than to state that she drove the English
out of France and saved that country
from becoming an English province.
These are only the most conspicuous
examples of women in war, but many
others might be introduced who took a
prominent part in warfare in all ages
and largely determined the result by
their active aid and participation.
In our own country if women have
not commanded armies they have at
least worn the soldiers uniform and
AOuSllU III tAS IdHAS Will stS ultI4l SOuI-
age and resolution as the bravest of the
troops
There may have been other women
soldiers in the war of the Revolution
than Deborah Sampson, but she is the
only one that has come down to us in
the pages of history. She was born in
Middleboro, Plymouth county, Mass,
Dec. II, 1850; was the twelfth of
family of 13 children and was directly
descended from Governor William
Bradford. She had no early advantages
of education, but by study fitted herself
for teaching school and taught for some
time in her native place. There she de-
ternined to enlist and did SO under the
name of Robert Shirtlieff.
She was placed III Captain Webb's
company of light infantry, Colonel Shep-
ards regiment and General Pattorson's
brigade. She shared i'll all the hard
ships as we'll as the glories of York
town, labored in the trenches and bore
herself with resolution, firmness and
patient endurance which are often
thought enormously to belong exclusive
ly to the stronger sex. In the absence
of noncommissioned officer Deborah
Sampson, alias Robert Shirtlieff, was
appointed to the position, and she was
ordered with a small party to work on
battery the completion of which had
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
Gagged Like wild Iseasts,

After tho Chinese war in the forties
Lord Loeh had while attached to the Brit
ish embassy there, the misfortune to be
captured by band of infuriated and ig
norant Chinese. They were savage at the
losses they had suffered and were ready
for any brutal acts of revenge on the hated
English. They took Henry Loeb, as he
then was, and his companion and put
them both into narrow cages just like wild
beasts in a show, and they carried them
up and down the country, exhibiting them
to the enraged Chinese, who jeered them,
Knocked them and tortured them in every
possible way. Happily for the two unfor-
tunates, British soldiers were not long in
coming to the rescue when the news be-
came known, and they, quite contrary to
their own expectations, thus managed to
escape an awful fate. London Globe
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
HOW MICA is OBTAINED.
Getting Out This Valuable Mineral Is the
Poetry of Mining.

The mica trade is controlled practically
by three or four large concerns in New
York, Chicago and Boston. These houses
have an agent who buys for cash whatever
mica is brought by the miners. They con-
troll the market and fix the prices to be
paid to the miner as well as the prices for
which it is sold in the markets.
Mica, it need hardly be said, is very
valuable, almost precious mineral, as those
who are obliged to buy small strip for
their stove doors will testify. A package
worth hundreds of dollars can be carried
in basket slung over the arm or in a
pair of saddlebags on horseback When
prepared for the market the solid block as
taken from the mine is split into sheets,
These are cut into squares or rectangles
of almost every possible size, from 2 by 2
inches up to by 10 inches, and sometimes
even larger There are no less than 1888
regular sizes kept in stock by dealers.
The mining of mica is the poetry Of
mining 1t is impossible to conceive of a
more exciting and fascinating employ
nent The vein of mica bearing quartz,
lying between rocks of different forma-
tion, has been found. The cap rock has
been blasted away. Little ''niggerheads"
small Jumps of crumbling mica mixed
with slate and other rock-are growing
plentiful. The rock is carefully examined
by the experienced MINER and all indica-
tions are that mica will soon be found. A
blast is made The rock and debris are
cleared away, and there in the bottom is
block of the precious stuff, ragged cor
ner showing itself black and glittering in
the white quartz in which it is iinbedded
With the tips of the fingers the miner gen.
tly and affectionately brushes away the dirt
and small stones which partly cover it,
Its thickness is carefully noted it's posi-
tion in the rock is learnedly discussed, and
many speculation INDUCED in as to it's
size and quality. The hole is quickly
drilled, the small blast is made just loos-
ening the rock, and all eagerly crowd
around as one of the men with his pick
pulls away the broken stone There it lies,
a black, glittering mass nine or ten inches
across its face 8 or inches thick and ir-
regular in shape, as all blocks of mica are
A good sized block, if solid and of per-
feet cleavage will be worth several dol
lars. The excitement is not allayed, how
ever, and will not be until the block is
split open and we know how it looks ON
the inside. 1t is a very bad thing to split
open block at the mine and contrary to
all rules, for there is danger that the fine
polished faces will be scratched.
Magazine
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
THE COOKBOOK.

Don't cook oatmeal in hot weather.
Substitute rice, cracked wheat and other
wheat preparations for oatmeal which is
too heat producing. Oatmeal contains
three times as much fat as cornmeal.
Peas should always be shelled the same
day they are to be used, as otherwise much
of their sweetness is dissipated Save the
water in which they are cooked, add milk,
season and serve with croutons for soup.
Do you love to have your meats tenderP
Then never allow them TO boil when cook
ing in water. Tough meats become tender
by proper cooking, while the reverse of
this is equally true Indeed hard boiling
in salted water will tougher the best piece
of meat ever sold Consequently always
let the kettle simmer ON the back of the
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01

The most common mistake in prepar-
ing ground for fall grains is waiting
until just before seeding time OF about
the last week in August and the first in
September, according to Orange Judd
Farmer, and there are the following
reasons why early plowing is the best :
The weeds that have started after the
cutting of the small grains are turned
under and kept from seeding. This is
no small consideration where the ground
is at all foul. If some of the seeds near
the surface should start after plowing,
go over the field with a harrow of some
kind or a cultivator and allow none to
develop. The chief value of early plow-
ing is that the land has all opportunity
to become we'll pulverized and compact
ed before seeding time. If the land is
hard when plowed, the numerous work
ings which should be given it with the
rains of late summer and early autumn
will dissolve the clods and obliterate
damage if present when the seed is
sown. Many failures with winter
grains can be traced to late plowing
and imperfect preparation of the seed
bed. Begin plowing as soon as the shocks
have been removed from the field This
will vary from the first week in July
to the second in August.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
LESSON OF TIE LANTERN.
How It Came to the Assistance of Its
ScornfuI Companions.

How It Came to the Assistance of Its
ScornfuI Companions.
There was once tiny Japanese lantern.
1t was so small and homely that no one
wanted to buy it. 1t happened by mistake
one day to be sold in an order of costly
and beautiful lanterns. The little lantern
was Knocked by the large and handsome
ones. 1t said nothing. but it felt very
badly.
The man who bought the lanterns want
ed to use them to decorate his seaside villa
in honor of great procession, The night
came for the procession, and one after the
other the lanterns were taken out and
strung around the house They were all
much admired except the homely little
lantern, which when first seen was laugh
ed at by every one. From its obscure cor
ner it looked out upon the gay scenes and
said nothing, although it felt very badly.
The lanterns were all lighted, for the
grand procession was soon to go by. They
all danced gayly around in the evening
breeze.
Suddenly there was a.cry. 1.-the process
sion is coningf' just then there was a
quick gust of wind, and, to the dismay of
every one, one after the other each lantern
went out--every one excepting the homely
little lantern, which shone steadily on.
"Quick Matchesl" the master shouted.
But for some reason none was to be had
What shall we do?'' he shouted again.
The procession is just around the corner
and here all is darkness +"
The master glanced at the homely little
lantern. The music from the procession
was coming nearer.
He glanced at the little lantern once
more Its light was small, but still it was
burning.
Quickly he took it, and. carefully going
from one to the other, he relighted the
darkened lanterns by its aid and was just
hanging up the little one again when the
procession appeared
'The homely little lantern by its faith
fulness has done more than all the rest,
the master said.
The little lantern said nothing, but was
very happy,-Zion's Herald.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
NUMBER 4
AMERICAN SAYINGS.
tonne Phrases That wni Live as Long 40
the World Lasts.

the world lasts.
oDon,+ s,.oar. foh+p, Tba ,,h,..sa bas
.ha 49,. - ae,.,,d p''As''0 ''''0
M S1air'' ,,,.,.
= go, - =. s.s.o s.s
~ ~, 80 ,s'sb ~ ' S5do,'1 go 80
y = lo"e -, l..; sS siL'
AL 5na5l.. -. ~ .+,.l1,.3
-, az -
cyrses sno,,,t s,rear tisb+,si calIed C,,o-
na1 Wood Tha 49,, 4.s En- H.
America - ~. 'a,,Tu ~ ;s das+,ra,,
to baco,,o ,r,..t f 49,, =,
,ranI;,,ass and ,.,ro, -, ~ ,,,a,,,s,.o,,i
,,b,ase ,,,a,,
Tt C+orLa,, -
tbo to,et :. On e,ht -
uo,,r,, Csian .,aia ,,s,,,Id
ba r;s,ht tban -, h,' rr,s;,1ost y % Tba 1ast
words Of Nathsn II ua,a I, Srora at onIv 't-es 10
oret that h,,t oa I;fa - losa fs ~,
Country y W,l,is,s, pen,, oo;,,ad +h,
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
Whv.

There is something almost plaintive in
the truly English word ''why." 1t may
be indefinitely prolonged upon the lips.
why" is almost poetical in itself and fit
ly introduces the best hexalneter in the
language:
"Why do the heathen rage and the peo-
pie imagine vain thing?"
Its uses in poetry are almost infinite
and one modern writer makes almost a
line of it alone:
Why do the night winds sigh,
The sea birds wildly cry,
The summer clouds pass by,
The lilies droop and die,
The light fade from the sky?
Why-oh, why2
TO most of the why's there is not G cod
because. The inquiring mind is puzzled
to account for many things besides its
own existence. Hundreds of such ques-
tions occur to us at every step, and no sat-
isfactory reply can be expected. Life is too
short. Socrates was always saying Why, !"
and we have all heard of the man who
called Pope the little crooked thing that
asked questions. Exchange.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS.
Strange Ideas of Economy. Politeness. Gem
erOsity and Gratitude.

Strange Ideas of Economy, Politeness, GEN.
erosity and Gratitude.
The spirit of economy in the Chinese
race transcends all that can be imagined
The smallest particle of matter is utilized.
The old cast off account book of the mer-
chant is cut into pieces and oiled to serve
instead of glass in windows or lanterns.
A cody who has a six hours march with
heavy burden will return to his point of
departure without having broken his fast
in order to save the 2 cents his breakfast
would have cost away from home Moth
ing is more curious than to see them eat,
although with their famous chopsticks
they do not perform all the wonderful
feats generally supposed. Everything is
served them in bowls or saucers, and with
the chopsticks they raise the pieces of meat
or fish to the mouth with sufficient grace.
Each one has bowl Of rice, which he
holds near his lips, and with the aid of the
chopsticks he pushes the contents into his
mouth. 1t is curious to see them pick up
with their chopsticks the grains of rice
that fall on the ground. The children are
taught this art from their earliest years
Nothing must be lost, not even the small
est grain. Here is an example of their po-
liteness: A Chinese arrayed in his most
beautiful costume who presented himself
at a house disturbed rat which was en-
joying himself in jar of oil. The rat in
his fight overturned the jar upon the Wis.,
itor, whose dress was ruined While the
unfortunate visitor was still pale with
rage his host entered the apartment and
after the usual salutation the visitor ex-
planned his misadventure: ''As entered
your honorable apartment had the mis-
fortune TO alarm your honorable rat, which
in taking flight overturned your honor
able jar of oil upon my miserable and in
significant clothing, which explains the
contemplate condition in which you find
me in your honorable presence. !"
To determine your conduct when Chi
nese offers you present is the most diff
cult thing in the world. Certain things
are not offered to be accepted, and others
may not be refused peremptorily. In a
general manner nevertheless one may ac-
cept, understanding perfectly that the gift
must be returned hundredfold. st.
Louis Republic.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
Charity For Publication.

A woman-she said she was a promi-
nent society woman, and her name had a
familiar and distant sound-came into
this office one day last week to have print
ed notice that she and group of her
friends, all prominent women, were about
to do something for the soldiers 1t was
charitable scheme, just like score of
Others, but it happened that reporter
had just been telling about case he had
come across of soldier in need The
woman was invited to hear his story 1t
did not touch her apparently
Would she attend to the caseP
"Well, ii we take it up, will you put it
in the papers"
The reporter took care of it.-New
York Commercial Advertiser
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
Some Lawyers Bills.

A London solicitor recently rendered a
bill in which the last item was thus stated
'sTo dining with you after the case was
lost" A Gotha lawyer once threw a peas.
ant out of doors because he did not wish
to take up his case. He afterward sent
him bill for 2 marks for his trouble. !"
Another on receiving the present of hare
from one Of his clients, wrote to thank
him and then charged 4 marks for the let
ter. On the Hamburg exchange a stranger
once asked lawyer, Is this due;lt worth
10 shillings9' Yes, replied the lawyer
as he put the coin in his pocket and took
out IS. 4d. Here your change, IS Sd
is my regular consultation fee, you know =
Chicago Post.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
A Neglected Leader.

"That goes to show, said the man who
rolls his trousers up and wears monocle,
how unpopular the royal family is in
Spain. l didn't 4slieve such absolute In
difference is possible. .
What are you talking about9"
he way those people refuse to follow
the fashion. Here member of the royal
family down with the measles and not an.
other case reported in Spanish society. -
Washington Star,
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
MERRY MOMENTS.
Our Worst Addiction

OuF w OrBD AknlCk1Ons
Oh, the man who tells his troubles
Now appears upon the scene,
And each grief he more than doubles
By his melancholy mien,
For he sighs
With surprise
AS his talent he applies
To destroy hopes gilttering bubbles
Which were floating so serene
As he drops into chair
And exclaims in blank despair,
Great Scott,
Amt it hote'
When at last you are forgetting
How the perspiration glides,
In he comes, your mood upsetting
Like freight train which collides,
And his gloom
Fills the room
With the sadness of a tomb
When he howls all unregretting
As your patience he derides,
And he's hardly said Farewell"
Ere another comes to yell.
"Great Scott,
Amt it hot ~
Washington Star
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
REMOVING ROCKS.
An Insxpensive and Labor Saving Per-
formance With Dynamite.

1Ormance Win Dynamites
The description of any process for
Tightening the task of getting rid of
rocks on farm is sure of an interested
audience, for which reason the story of
a rock Shooting told by a CORE
spondent of Rural New Yorker, is here
repeated:
This especial line of economics did
not take place on this farm, for / have
been fortunate enough to have the rocks
removed by former generations. but
neighbor was not SO fortunate, and
hearing the reports of his 'shootings''
went over to see him. I found him
about to begin operations ON an ugly
looking rock that showed about six
inches above the surface and which was
botheration every time the field was
plowed, cultivated or cut. With an iron
bar he sounded around it until he found
the straightest side. then with the bar
hole was made about two feet deep
slanting enough SO that the end of it
would be under the rock. A stick" of
dynamite (one-half pound), was crum-
bled in the hands, let run in the hole
and pressed lightly down with broom
htadle. Then piece of fuse two feet
long was put in, having cap on the
end. and another stick" was crumbled
on top of the first. This was SO that
the cap would explode in the dynamite.
Then earth was filled in the hole and
tamped lightly with the broom handle,
match applied and we all set out on
a brisk walking match until we got out
OF reach. There was report and hole
in the ground and pieces of broksn rock
scattered about the field were all that
was left Of the troublesome rock. The
cash outlay was about cents and the
time of making the explosion was about
Is minutes. There was the broken stone
to be hauled off, but in this case be sold
the stone for so cents a perch, so that
what he got for the stone more than re-
paid him for hauling.
Often a small rock, say three or four
feet in diameter, will be turned out of
the hole but not broken, then stick OF
two is laid on the top of the rock and
bucket of mud with all the small stones
carefully taken from it) is placed Oh the
dynamite, the charge fired as before and
a broken stone is the result. The thing
wherein most failures by beginners are
made is by not putting enough dyna
mite under the rock. One blast saw
was a case in point; after the blast the
stone was i'll almost the same position
as before, but we saw by the impression
on the soft earth that the stone had
rolled to the top of the hole and almost
rolled out, and then for want of half
stick more had rolled back again Put
enough under to do the work or you lose
all that you do put under. Another eau
tion is to get as far away from the rock
as the fuse will let you or else get be-
hind some tree and close up to the trunk
saw shutter of house broken by
blast that was fired fully 100 yards
away. This was of course, an excep-
tional case, but one does not want to
get hit, even by an exceptional piece of
rock.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
His Gun Of Woe.

Gayboy-W What's the matter, old mani
You look worried
Bashful--I am. kissed the bride at
wedding last week and
Gayboy-And the bridegroom resented
it, eh2
Bashful-No, not that, but every mail
since has brought me in a dozen wedding
invitations Vim,
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
An Experiment.

Mr.. Billus calling down the stairs)-
Maria, have the children gone to school?
Mrs. Billus-Yes.
"Ihis is the girls day out, isn't its"
"Yes. She's gone"
'This is not the minister's day to call,
is it?''
mo"
Amy of the neighbors likely to drop in
during the next hour or so9''
81 think not. y
You're alone, are you9"
"Yes. What do you
"Then put some cotton in. your ears,
Maria. / am going to shave myself with
that new razor you gave me the other
day London Tit Bits.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
His Insniration.

Among the many traditions concerning
William Lee and the stocking frame is
one that he was expelled from the uni
yersity for marrying, and that, being very
poor, his wife was obliged to contribute
toward the housekeeping by knitting l.
was while watching the motion of her fin
gers that he conceived how to initiate those
movements by machine.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
Preventing Corn Smut.

For most of the smuts of the other
cereals there are methods of treating
the seed prior to sowing that, to great
degree, prevent the subsequent attack
of the fungus, but there appears to be
no such means for preventing corn smut.
A farmers bulletin says experiments
have shown that the frequent spraying
of the plants and ground with any Of
the better known fungicides will pre-
vent a serious spread of the disease, but
in practice this will hardly be warrant
ed on account of the expense of such
treatment. Possibly more economical
and as efficient means to be recommend
ed is the collection and burning of all
smut masses before they ripen and scat
ter their spores. Much could be accom-
plished in this way by keeping a sharp
lookout for the smut boils at every cul-
tivation and at the harvesting of the
crop. If attention be paid to the manure
and the smut be collected and destroyed
as recommended, but little loss will be
occasioned by corn smut.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
PntrIotisn.

"Have you rendered my services to the
secretary of WARP asked the forid mil
lionaire
'.T have. sir. answered the wan clerk.
I'm any capacityS'
In any capacity, sir. .
every we'll What next? Oh, is there
no way to combine all these checks into
one and save stamps" Exchange
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01
A Big Burst.

Gadzooks-Has the Boom company
made its report yeti
Zounds-Oh, yes, and very loud one
too. But the stockholders think they may
get 10 cents on the dollar.-New York
Tribune
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01

81 don't see wot you're grievin so
about, said Plodding Pete. Tain t no
disgrace to have de dyspepsia. .
81 don't know about dat, answered
Meandering Mike. Dat medical student
said it come from overworkin me stom-
ach ''-Washington Star.
Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-09-01

The Chief Burgess of Milesburg, Penna.. saye
DeWitt's Little Early Risers are the best pills he
ever used in his family during forty years of
house keeping. They cure constipation, sick
headache and stomach and liver troubles. Small
in size but great in results. A. S. Marshall
Woodbury.. N. ].