davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
All About the Supper.

One who meets with a disappoint-
ment is fortunate indeed il he can
make somebody else responsible. Wit
ness the Italian farmer who decided
that, better late than never, he would
hear one of Verdi's operas. He took
his ticket, travelled up to Milan from
the very depths of the country, and, Sc
curing a good seat, listened to Aida"
but he did not like the music at all.
and he wrote to the composer to say
10. Under the circumstances, the far
mer added, he hoped that Verdi would
see the reasonableness of at once no
turning him his money. There was
his railroad fare. his ticket of admis-
sion. and his supper at Milan, for
which he Enclosed the bill The macs
tro entered fully into the humor of the
situation. He. wrote back a polite
letter reeretting that his music had
failed to please, and inclosing the rail-
way fare and the price Of admission.
But he added that. as the farmer would
have had to provide himself with sup
mar It home, he could not admit the
iustice Of that part Of the claim, and
hs absolutely declined to pay Tor the
supper at Milan.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20


On q bright, sunny day visitors are
often puzzled at the numerous colors
visible on the surface of the sea.
There will. perhaps, be some four or
Ave streaks of green, blue, yellow,
black, and so forth, making the water
appear as though it were painted in
color stripes of mathematical preci-
sion.
To the initiated these several stripes
have their meaning. They are nearly
ell produced by the character OF the
ocean bed, and as rule are only seen
In close proximity to land.
II you see deep blue or green
patch, you may label it deep water,
the blue usually being deeper than
the green. A yellowish tint signifies
q sandy bottom, and, if it is very pro.
nounced, indicates shoal or sand
bank.
Black indicates rocks, although sea-
weed or cloud shadows will sometimes
produce similar effect.
On the east coast it is no uncom.
mon thing to see a patch of bright
red where the sun has reflected the
color of the deep brown sand on the
surface.
Where the bottom is muddy q
streak Of bright silver-gray is often
seen.
Many people who cannot claim in.
timacy with the sea imagine these
colors are in the sea water itself.
whereas its intrinsic tint is blush
green.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
ABOUT PEOPLE.

Paul Villars, the correspondent in
London of the Paris Figaro. has re-
ceived the order of the Legion d'Hon-
neur.
King Humbert of Italy has conferred
the title of duke of Apulia upon the
infant son of the duke and duchess OF
Aosta.
Mr.. Watts, R. A., who is over 80, Ia
going to devote himself to sculpture
for a time, the subject to be life
size statue of the late poet-laureate,
Lord Tennyson.
Mr.. Walter Roper Lawrence. C. l. E.,
who has been appointed private Sec
Rotary to the new viceroy of India, Is
one Of the most brilliant men who
ever passed into the Indian civil SER
vice. He passed in first and rose from
one high position to another, until in
a few years time he became ofiiciat-
ing secretary to the government OF
India. He gave up his splendid pros
poets in India to become agent-in-
chief to his grace the duke of Bedford.
with whose consent he is accompany
ing Lord Curzon. The duke. the vice.
ROY and Mr.. Lawrence were all con-
temporaries and friends at Ballot.
Sergey Friede, the explorer. who Is
buying all the supplies for the build
ing Of the great Manchurian rail-
road in China, came to America not
long ago with orders for more than
1000, 600 worth Of materials to be
used in the construction Of the rail-
road. He believes that the United
States will supply all the materials
that win enter into the construction
of the great railroads that will be
built in Siberia and European Russia
He also predicts that San francisco
win be one of the great commercial de.
pots Of the world
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
TRAVELS OF A THIMBLR
Found IN q Mans Shoulder Forty feao
After II was Swallowed.

After Ii was Swau0Weo.
Lucfllius Miller, who for long time
resided In this city, believes ne 10
.arrying in his left shoulder silver
shimble that he swallowed forty years
ago. He will soon submit to an opera
ton to have the supposed thimble re-
moved, according to the San Francisco
Cali.
Forty years ago Miller was q very
little fellow. He was playing around
his mothers feet while she was-doing
some sewing. A knock was heard at
the door. Mrs Miller answered 1t, and
when she returned her silver thimpie
could not be found. The little boy said
he had swallowed it, but his story
was hardly credited, although nothing
more was ever seen Of the thimble.
A generation passed away, ana
Miller began to be troubled with
slight swelling at the back Of his LETT
shoulder. Little by little the swelling
grew and hardened, and 1t was sup
posed that a cancer was growing. he
was examined by some doctors, and IL
was suggested that the trouble might
be caused by the long-lost silver thin
BILE. During the last three months
1t has been possible to move the source
Of the trouble between the fingers AND
to be assured that 1t Is thoroughly
hard substance. Mr.. Miller and his sis
ter, Miss Lavonia Miller, are now stay.
ing in Treat avenue, San Francisco
and they are both convinced that the
silver thirnble has worked up into his
shoulder.
"There can be no doubt" said Miss
Miller, that the little thimbie so long
lost has been found, although we can
not understand how 1t could get into
his shoulder. The thimble was very
small one, and we believe that my
brothers trouble is caused by it,
Not long ago Mr.. Miller decided to
have the thimble-or whatever 1t is
removed. He decided to 60 to the
Cooper Medical college and have 1t
cut out. He went to the college, and
as soon as he entered he heard the
groans Of a man on the operating
table. Miller at once concluded that
1t was more comfortable to carry the
thimble around in his shoulder than
to submit to the knives Of the sur
geons on the operating table. He
walked quickly to his Wheel dew
away from the hospital, and now his
relatives are persuading him to make
another attempt.
Some doctors to whom the incident
has been told declare that II the thin
bic shall be found in Miller's shout
der 1t will be one Of the most remark.
able things ever chronicled in surgery.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20

Next he went to an old-fashioned
church. The minister was holding
revival meeting. and some men and
women were actually confessing that
they were sinners and asking the Lord
to forgive them. The tears melted him.
the fervor thawed him out, the music
broke him up, his heart Embossed, ana
he said, Amen" Praise the Lord"
He was doing good and getting good.
He saw a young woman going away
to China. She was talented and con-
secrated. He gave her q check. He
was doing good to the heather.
He went to see a sick brother In the
church. He got down on his knees
and prayed with him. The brother
looked scared, but he was doing good.
He was under full Roadway now. and
he didn't care what people said,
whether they called him crank or
Christian. He was doing good.
GRAPHIC.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
duty TO give to every beggar I meet.
l will be more generous with the next,
that Is ALL

duty to give to every beggar meet.
| will be more generous with the next,
that Is ALL
But all my arguments did not sue
coed In convincing me, and my inward
discomfort ncreased-became a sort OF
| anguish, so that ten times felt wish
to turn back to the spot where we had
met that man. Will you believe it? 1t
was a false sentiment of human re-
spect that withheld me from doing so
in the presence of my little daughter.
We are really worth nothing more the
moment we act in view of the 5udg-
ment Of others.
I'VE had nearly come to the end OF
our walk and were going to turn the
corner Of the Rue Lafitte when Suzon
pulled gently at my dress to stop me.
Mammal she cried.
what do you want, darlingr
She fixed her great blue eyes on me
and said, gravely:
Mamma, why did you give nothing
to that poor man in the Champs Ely
sees?
Like me, she had thought of moth
ing else since our meeting with that
man; her heart was oppressed like
mine: only, better than her mother, or
more sincere, she confessed quite SIM
ply her uneasiness.
i did not hesitate an instant. You
are right. dearest said to her.
I'VE had walked more quickly than
usual. under the obsession OF our fixed
idea; twenty minutes or so still re-
NAMED before the class hour. I called
cab, jumped into 1t with Suzon, and
the driver went up the Champs Ely
sees at quick pace under promise Of a
generous tip.
Suzon and held each others hand,
and beg you to believe that we were
far from treasured. If the beggar
should have gone away? Suppose we
could not find him again? Arrived at
the Rond-Point, we jumped to the
ground; we examined the avenue, there
was no beggar. questioned one Of the
chair hirers. She remembered having
seen him; he was not, she said, one of
the habitual beggars of the Rond
Point; she did not know what side he
had taken. We were pressed for time,
we were going away quite distressed,
when all at once Suzon perceived the
man sitting on his heels behind tree;
he was sleeping in the shade, with his
hat between his knees.
"Suzon went up to him on the tip of
her toes and slipped a piece Of gold
into the empty hat, and then we went
back to the Rue LATTE. 1t was ab-
surd, know quite well, but We en-
braced one another as II we had just
escaped from a great danger"
The young woman stopped in full
silence, blushing rose all over to have
spoken at such length about herself.
AS for us, we had listened to her re-
ligiously. We seemed to have breathed
very pure air and to have drunk a
very cool water at the source ITSELF
The Academy.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
mexIco's aUegaEsT CITY.
Caeofcs, 90 Named Becauss IL Wa tn
Stronghold Of Fourteen Robbers.

Caeoros, 90 Named Because II Was the
Stronghold Of Fourteen Robbers.
Eight miles due east over the noun
tains from Catorce Station, on the
Mexican National Railroad, 10 the
Mexican city of that name, . city
along whose steep. winding streets
neither wagon nor cart, neither stage
nor bus, nor any other wheeled vehicle
was ever known to pass, although il
has often boasted of population Of
$1,000 souls.
The city takes its name from once
being the stronghold and the property
of band of fourteen of the most dar.
ing, desperate, dangerous and suc-
cessful robbers that ever laid tribute
on roads Of Mexico. They discovered.
and for many years worked, the rich
deposits of silver that abound in this
entire section of the countryside
posits, the value of which, if current
report be true, for hundreds of years
out-rivalled the mythical riches re.
lated of Ophir. Strange to relate,
every piece of machinery, every pound
of freight, and every passenger to and
from Catorce is transported to-day, as
for centuries past. either on the backs
Of men or mules.
Catorce is one of the most interest
ing places in Mexico. Here are found
the customs of Mexico in their purity,
unaffected by the influence of the
stranger. Difficult Of access, the town
Gan be reached only by horseback or
On foot. Catorce has seldom been
visited by any except those making
business trips. The ride up the
mountains into the town is something,
once accomplished, always to be re-
membered, partly from its element Of
personal peril, but more because Of the
beauty of the landscape encountered
1t every turn. CHANGING down, as you
near your journeys end, you catch q
CLEAN of the white walls of Los o.
torce outlined against the green OF the
mountain side. Thousands of feet be-
low simmer the waters of mountain
stream. The shifting coloring Of the
mOuutbluS hS iASup uAu oAoNO SA~Ss
each other over their rugged expanse,
the browns and greens of the valley
below, and the hills in the hazy dis.
tances are beautiful exceedingly"
The Real de Catorce is built OF the
ride of a ravine near the top of the
range, and has a varying population
Of from 5000 to 10000. rs the mines
are paying well or poorly. Here are
found all varieties Of silver ore from
carbonates to refractory ore, assayine
e15, 900 to the ton. Catorce has a fine
cathedral, richly decorated, and a
pretty plaza, the only level spot in the
place. To use railroad phrase, it is
q combination of cut and fill. so that
to tumble into it on one side and out
the other would be extremely disas-
trous. The streets are neatly. paved,
and run up and down hill, many Of
them at an angle of forty-five degrees.
Altogether this is one OF the show
places of Mexico.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
ARMY AND NAVY.

. OF the 1851, 100000 appropriated for
the war there will, it is estimated, re-
main unexpended Jan. /, 1899, a total
of $61, 0OO, coo plus for the army. and
500, 600, 600 plus for the navy; in all
$94, SIG. 165.03.
Spain, with her population of less
than 100000, asks for an army of
140. 900. while the American congress
questions whether 100000 is not too
many for a republic of $4,000, 600, which
has fallen heir to the distant provinces
which Spain is no longer compelled to
provide for.
The proposed institution of honor
medals in the navy and the list Of
promotions for meritorious service
may obscure the fact that the United
States IL really very charry of gifts OF
this kind. The Military Gazette OF
New South Wales says that the Vic
toria cross was given to ITO men in
the Indian mutiny. 100 In the Crimes.
Is In the Zulu war and Is each in Az
ghanistan and New Zealand. The
crosses given for other campaigns do
not run into two figures. None Of
these affairs, except the Indian mu-
tiny, compares with our civil war in
daring adventure. and of course all OF
them put together do not approach the
number Of men We put In the field. saya
the Army and Navy Journal. but the
honor medals recorded In the last ar
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
ONE GLASS OF WINE.
Many Think 1t Changed Course Of Fen
tics In This Country.


tics in This Country.
1t is said that single glass OF wine
probably wrecked the Democratic par
ty in 1860. The. story is worth tell
ing, says the Atlanta Constitution.
After the breaking up Of the national
Democratic convention at Charleston
the party in Georgia held state con-
vention. Great excitement prevailed.
The leaders Of the party could not
agree. 1t was critical period.
The majority report Endorsed the Sc
ceders or boilers at Charleston, while
the minority report opposed their &C
ton. The leading champion OF the
minority was Herschel v. Johnson and
his followers were confident that his
eloquence ard logic would carry the
day.
It Is quite likely that such would
have been the case but for an unfor-
tunate mishap. Ex-Gov. Johnson be-
gan his speech before the noon ad-
journment on the second day and con-
cluded after dinner.
Old men who remember that speech
say that it was a powerful argument
and the impression gained ground
that after the noon recess the speaker
would demolish his opponents with a
few sledge-hammer blows.
But the overconfident friends of the
minority report were doomed to dis
appointment Johnson felt the strain
of the morning session so much that
he was unable to eat anything, and he
took a glass of wine upon an empty
stomach to strengthen himself This
was fatal mistake. That one glass OF
wine perhaps changed the destiny OF
the nation!
The great orator resumed his speech,
but the wine had nauseated him. He
was hazy. verbose and unintelligible at
times. His style and argument lacked
vigor, consistency and positiveness.
His friends looked at one another IN
despair. The men on the other side
were exultant 1t was evident that the
speaker had damaged his own case.
Then Howell Cobb and Henry r,
Jackson followed each other for the
majority report. They spoke with an
air of expectant triumph and captured
the convention.
The majority report was adopted. 1t
Is unnecessary to follow the history OF
the next few weeks. The national De-
mocracy was completely disrupted and
put two tickets in the field. Lincoln
was elected and the country was
plunged into civil war. Had john
son succeeded In inducing the Georgia
convention to adopt his conservative
ideas, 1t is safe to say that other
southern states would have fallen into
line with our commonwealth and the
national Democratic party would have
remained united
This is the story OF what little
glass of wine did. 1t ruined a great
party, caused disastrous war, and,
besides the loss of life, cost the south
over $4,0O0,OO0,0OO. Perhaps this is
rather speculative, but there are many
who believed 1t a generation ago.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20

her head: "No, no." We felt that she
spoke the truth, SO much did all that
we saw and knew Of her, her restful
bearing, her renown as an unblemished
wife, lift her above the fashionable
dolls who had just been confessing the
unsettled state OF their systems.
Doubtless her modesty feared the
boast OF so complete an indemnity
when everyone around her had ac-
knowledged all sorts Of little troubles.
She corrected herself:
Good heavens! / can't say that I
habitually add up the cab numbers, or
that l make an inventory Of all my
dresses before going to bed. Still, the
other day / experienced something
that sufficiently resembles what you
have been describing. II have under
stood you quite-a kind of interior i'm
pulsion, a force which compels you to
accomplish an Indifferent act on the
SPOT. as IL it were a matter Of life or
death"
We insisted on hearing the story.
and she told 1t most graciously, with
the air of begging pardon for the claim
ON the attention of others by so slight
an adventure.
''In two words. this is what happened
70 me. Five or six days ago had gone
ont with my little girl, Suzon-you
know FER, she Ia 81 was taking her
10 her class, for this big girl already
follows classes. AS 1t was very fine
we had decided On going on foot by
the Champs Elysees and the boule-
Yards from my home to the Rue La
ntte. And so we were walking along
ouits gay, chattering together. when at
the top Of the Rond Point lame man.
rather young. limped up to as holding
ont his hand without saying anything.
! carried my parasol in my right hand:
With my left hand / held up my skirts:
I confess had not the patience to stop
ana hunt for my purse. went on and
nave nothing to the beggar.
sssuxon and continued to walk
a,onr the Champs Elysees. The little
one had suddenly ceased to talk. and !
ALSO. without quite knowing why, no
longer felt any wish to talk. We were
At the Place dc IL Concorde. and yet
We had neither Of us opened our lips
since we had passed the beggar. And
little by little felt stir and increase
Kind OF inward disQuietude. and uneasi-
ness. the feeling Of having accom-
nlished an irreparable action. Of being
threatened, for that very reason. With
vague peril in the future. In general. l
strive to see clearly within myself. a.
fsr = possible. And thus. al IN walk
inn. began to examine my con-
science.
~sIet u see,' l said to myself. have
ahmed very grieyously against char
~ IN giving noth:ng to that hesgArs
/ nefet pretend - Fefsed = = ~
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
Modified.

He kissed her boldly on Market
street, opposite the Phelan building.
"Sir!" she shrieked, you are an
utter stranger to me. What means this
familiarity"
Miss" he replied, bowling low,
though we never met before, you
must excuse me. ! bet my friend that
1 would kiss the prettiest girl 1 saw on
the block"
A soft, forgiving smile replaced her
wrathful glance.
"You are forgiven this time" she
said, sweetly, "but please don't let it
occur again" Francisco News
Letter
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
STORY OF A BEGGAR.

n 's quite little story, slight and
1nm; so thin even, so slight, that l
1ear, in fixing it on paper with written
words, to rob 1t Of its frail grace, its
Iight SAVIOR. Why. then, when it was
related to us one evening. in all the
complicated and decorated luxury of
Ilodern talk, by the charming woman
VINO was the heroine of the episode
why did 1t make such tenacious i'm
preston upon us all that 1t has become,
In one little corner Of Partisan life, one
OF those classic tales, patrimony OF
eacn group OF society, to which allu-
SION Is always understood and well
coined? Perhaps because 1t was clear
gap In the chatter of infidelity, In the
nacKneyed gossip OF politics and liter
allure. Perhaps because, as an attitude,
gesture at times may suffice to reveal
20 US whole feminine body beneath
ats clothing-at times 1t also needs but
Few sincere words uttered by a
woman to disrobe her soul completely.
we had been talking of mysterious
solicitations, today classed and named
oy science, from which SO few of us are
exempt, which invincibly compel some
20 add UP the flowers of a wallpaper,
the volumes of library. everything
tnat is additional, under their eyes;
others to impose upon themselves the
task, walking along the side path of
street, to reach such gas-jet before
the cab rolling up behind them Is
ABREAST Of them. or a public clock. has
struck its last note. and others. again,
each night before going to bed, to prac-
tice strange habits Of disposing of OBJ
1ects, visiting cupboards and Golfers.
we discussed all the light diseases of
our contemporary brains, crumbs of
monomania and madness transmitted
by Inheritance after inheritance. and
finally dispersed throughout the whole
OF our worn humanity. And we all
confessed our weakness, the absurdi-
Ties OF our manias, treasured by the
confession OF the others, delighted to
md them like ourselves, worse even
than ourselves.
A young woman had said nothing.
She listened to us, touch Of surprise
on her peaceful, pretty visage, which
iframed by even, black coils.
pmebody asked her: "And you,
lam. are you quite free of our mod
manias? Have You not a single
lie nervous habit to confess?"
Jhe appeared to search her memory
nail sincerity. She made sign with
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
More for Her Money.

81 hear that your daughter has
broken off her engagement with the
count. Is it true?" Eyes; she ran
across chance to get a duke at the
same figure"
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
A Foolish Question.

The Preacher-And do you go to
Sunday school, my little man? The
Little Man-No. Christmas is past
amt it?
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20

Tommy-"Paw. what Is the divorce
question:" Mr.. Figg-"The first d.
vorce question is, will you be miner "
Indianapolis Journal.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20
m Disabislty.

ssThe new boarder has not said .
vord about the meals yet" said the
hoardine-house mistress. mo: ! be-
lieve he's I very religious man." re-
MED one Of the victimA--yonksrs
statesman
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20

TITS an internal shame! They've
assessed my new house at $1,000. and
I'll have to pay nearly $500 taxes on
it. Paying taxes and insurance on
my property is what keeps me poor. +"
Insurance? How much have you
got the house insured for?''
"Only SIS, 900. That's oil can If.
ford to carry on it. and If it should
burn down I'd lose SIC, 900 clean. -
Chicago Tribune.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-05-20

Itss bsttsr to accept some state
ments thar a hothsv hpatinx " The
proets.