davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
ynlue Of n Com ma.

A Prussian school inspector appeared
at the Office Of the burgomaster Of lit
tie town to ask him to accompany him
on a tour of inspection through the
schools
The burgomaster was out OF sorts,
and was heard To mutter to himself:
what is this donkey here again
fort'
The inspector said nothing, but wait
ed his time, and with the unwilling
burgomaster set ont on his tour.
At the first school he announced his
wish to SEQ how well punctuation was
taught.
"Oh, never mind that" grumbled
the burgomaster 1--WE don't care for
commas and such trifies
But the inspector sent boy to the
blackboard and ordered him to write:
"The burgomaster Of R. says. the In
spector is donkey"
Then he ordered him to transpose the
Comma, placing it after R.. and to in
sert another one after inspector, and
the boy wrote:
"The burgomaster Of R.. says the in
spector, is donkey"
1t is probable that the refractory OH
cial gained new idea Of the value Of
commas and such trifes. London
Tit-Bits
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
TIE UllDOING OF A4DUBLE
Wy HUGO 81 5JEIk5THRRE Me
AUrHOR OF MHO3 WHO6ETC, ETC.

I clumsy STRUCTURE clear, picked up tne
paddle and balanced myself within.
The boat was Of awkward build. but II
was easy to paddle through the water
with its languid current. Being con-
vinced that by going mp stream I would
enter deeper into the swamp. headed
the craft in the opposite direction. !
was determined to reach the open coun-
try, instead Of hiding in the wood to
perish of starvation.
For some minutes padded rs vigor.
ously as possible consistent with silence.
could not forget that my relentless
enemy and the owner Of the craft were
but few rods away and were liable at
any time TO notice its departure. II
was evident that the two would soon
visit the cabin with the purpose Of
making me prisoner while slept.
Finding had gone, they would suspect
the course taken, while the absence Of
| the dugout could leave no doubt Of the
means used
Thus, with every incentive for haste,
l swayed the paddle first on one side
and then on the other and with the
slight help from the current made good
progress. IL was not TO be forgotten,
however. that ! had doubled on my
own trail, so to speak. and was ap-
preaching the curved tree which had
served me as bridge in crossing the
stream. Ny pursuers must use the same
means, and IL would be an awkward
complication IL we should arrive at the
same moment. Because Of this feature
slowed my progress as drew near the
spot.
Ny calculation was well made. for.
upon creeping around the bend l had
fixed upon in my mind as affording the
view, the odd looking tree came into
sight, resembling "a gigantic sleigh run
ner, pointing toward the sky. Backing
water, held the boat motionless and
listened.
The stiffness was unbroken. But for
that one cry Of the distant bloodhound
and the voices Of the two men might
have believed was the only inhabitant
Of the hundreds of miles Of dismal
swamp. Prudence required that should
run the boat under the bank and keep
out OF sight until my pursuers had
passed to the other side, but time was
too precious ~ do SO. My dread was Of
Cy Walters and the negro Pete. They
must soon discover my flight and would
hasten along the bank in pursuit. True.
they would have no means OF telling
which direction bad taken, and there
bore would probably separate. Whether
they could travel rs fast as could pad
Gle was doubtful, though both were ac-
sustomed to life that made them ex-
perts at that sort Of thing.
Hating for only few seconds. de-
cided to push on and gain all the dis
lance possibm while the opportunity
was mine Ny heart beat fast Is drew
nearer. with my nerves keyed to the
highest pitch and my sense Of hearing
strained to the utmost. Nothing alarm
ing was seen or heard, and | shot be-
meath the misshapen trunk. holding my
breath aud with compressed lips.
But the danger was imminent until
the next bend OF the creek should be
passed and the natural bridge was out
OF sight behind me. | had not far TO go
and bent all my energies to the task,
not looking back until was almost on
the turn. Then turned my head. and
as did so saw that had been discov-
cred.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
CHAPTER XVI.

had been discovered not by man,
but by one Of my four footed pursuers.
The bloodhound had trailed me straight
to the curving tree. along whose trunk
he trotted with a sure foot, when he
caught sight OF the dugout and myself.
He stopped, and without emitting any
cry stared wcnderingly ut me.
II ever there was puzzled dog, it was
that particular specimen. As have re-
marked, the species ranks low III intel
ligence, and there was something in the
situation that was beyond the compre-
hension Of this brute. He had been put
ON the trail Of fugitive fleeing on foot
and had done his work 30 well that he
speedily reached the place where
crossed the stream. When in the act Of
following up the scent, he caught sight
of me.
No doubt he asked himself whether
it was possible was the gentleman
wanted. Marvellous as is the power OF
those animals, it could not have reveal
ed to this one that was the man whom
he was trailing, because Of which ne
stared ut me in mute wonderment,
while he pondered the question. What
he ought TO have done was to announce
his predicament by some sort OF howl
and brought his masters to the spot, but
the animal didn't know enough for
that. He must have decided that his
duty was to attend strictly to the bust
ness on which he was engaged, for,
withdrawing his gaze, he trotted the
remaining brief distance and jumped
heavily to the ground. At that moment
he emitted howl and pressed his pur-
suit of me by taking course directly
the opposite Of the true one
Having thrown all my enemies to the
rear for the time being, I must quickly
decide upon my future course.
Anxious as / was TO get out OF tho
swamp and reach the open country, 1t
was manifest that ] would surrender
an immense advantage when | did 50.
The news of the escape Of the supposed
horse thief, Hank Boyer. had spread
through the country by this time, and
doubtless searching parties were scat
tered over . space Of many miles.
Nothing rouses the bloodthirstiness OF
q mob more than the hunt for a victim
with success delayed. II the fugitive
can remain beyond reach for several
days, their passions are likely to cool,
but for time il is raging volcano.
II will be noted that there was no
possibility Of following me even with
the help Of the finest bloodhounds that
had ever been trained. So long as re.
mained ON the water the brutes were
powerless. I could land at any point 1
chose, and the dogs might grope for
hours before finding me, or they might do
% in much less time than that. To dis
embark and leave the dugout to show
where / had done 80 would be to surren.
der all chances Of ultimate escape.
The plan I fixed upon while padding
down stream was simple. II to land
at what seemed to be . favorable point,
and then set the host adrift. Il would
iloat greatsr or Iea distance without
betraying the spot whefe It and ! had
parted company.
The problem, how0vef, remained to
decide upon the bsst place TO do this,
for it will be remembered that / was
wholly ignorant of the ina and outs OF
Black Mans swamp Bat reasoning
- 49, s.~sk k~n<puwIa3mn aanxr~6 m 49,
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
SUNDAY IN xExico.

ANY unfortunate citizen OF the United
States, who, from an unwillinRness TO
wori or TO take part Ia the various con-
Germs OF life, has acquired reputation
among his neighbors for being trifling,
should emlgrate at once TO Mexico. Life
there seems 10 wear about as serious an
aspect rs comic opera, and such citi-
zen would be looked upon rs worthy
addition to the chorus. One OF the i'm
portant things in Mexico Is to own
game-cock, and on Sunday morning II
you leave him tied by the leg to con-
venient awning-post, while you attend
service In the church, you will excite no
comment among your neighbors. In
fsct, the voice of the priest Ia often al
most drowned by the Growing out on
the street. Cock-fighting and bull-fight-
ing, AS every one knows, occupy the
same relative places In the affections OF
the Mexican as baseball and football
bold in the American heart, and Sunday
afternoon Is reserved for them.
The policeman In & Mexican town Is
an official of Importance and dignity.
His uniform may be dirty and ragged,
but he wears csrtridge-belt and six
shooter In addition to his club, and IL
usually seen with cigarette 10 his
mouth. Five or six Of these WORTHLESS
will drag poor trembling wretch to the
police station with flourish worthy OF
the capture Of brigade.
The Mexican wears hat covered with
gold and silver braid, that Is usually
worth more than all the rest of his and
his famiiy's wardrobe; and II Is this,
together with the gay striped blanket
and the swagger Of the fellow, that gives
him such an air Of stage makeup.
Ii is always dangerous to judge the
people of town by those most in evil
dence on the street; but II | were called
on to set valuation on the people saw
In some OF these Mexican towns, should
be tempted TO make my calculation by
the dozen or hundred, rather than by the
single native. With all their love OF fin
cry, neither the men nor women are
much given to gay colors. Black and
white predominate; but the bright sun
makes 1t all gay and fetching.
When a Mexican grows old he seems
to shrink up until there Is little to be
seen OF him but big hat, and scrap OF
blanket pulled tight over his meagre
shoulders. His beard and hair stand out
white and distinct from his dark shrivel-
led face, which looks like that Of q num-
nv In its frame Of white. Life In one OF
these towns is as absolutely different
from what one sees in an American VII
lage, as though It were bit OF Egypt or
India. Yet it may be seen at the end OF
three days. journey from almost any
Of the Eastern and Northern States, and
is well worth the journey.-Hsrper's
Weekly.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
Ont of Sight
Out of Mind"

In other months sue forget
the harsh vinds of Spring.
But they haVe their use. as
some say. to blow out the
bad afr accumulated after
Winter storms and Spring
thaSus. There Is far more
important accumulation OF
badness IN the veins and ar
teries of humanity whieh
needs Hoods Sarsaparlla.
This great Spring Medicine clarlhe'
the blood as nothing else can. IL cures
scrofula, kidney disease, liver troubles,
rheumatism and kindred ailments ihos
n gives perfect health, strength ana ap-
petite for months to come.
kIdneys My Kidneys troubled r.n. me
,nS no ADVICE took Hoods Sarsapariils
,.nics ave prompt relief. better appetite
NJ siss,, "a refreshing. IL cured my wife
also" MIcHAEI BOYLE 3a13 Denny Street
Pittsburg. Pa
nx.s,enaaa - Complicated with Hvtl
and Sidney trouble, I suffered for years
with dvspepsia. with severe pains. Hood
Sarsaparilla made me strong ana nearly
]. b. ExrKroS, Main Street, Auburn NE.
~, rsaasaA-. Five running sores OF
ss.---.-s ma so uSe crutcheS. wa
ranf,ned TO bed every winter. Hoods sSr
ssnarilia saved my life, as Il cured me per
fectly. Am strong and welt AMI
RosSx- 40 Fourth ST.. Fall Eiver. MASS
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
NUMBER 13.

turned toward me il was evident he was
making some kind Of signal for my
benefit.
So Ear as could ascertain, he had no
companion. and nothing. therefore, was
to be apprehended In approaching him.
Iwalked forward at q rapid pace. while,
donning his old hat, he came forward to
meet me. He black couDtenance glowed
with pleasure, mixed, rs it seemed 10
me, with some misgiving. He had no
weapon, but carried Q basket In one
band. and / recognized him 40 Erastus
Brown, Colonel Mansley's servant
"Hello, Marse HANK" he said when
within speaking distance. "Pze been
lookin fur yo'."
"What do you want Of mel"
"I'ze got letter for yo'. Hole on .
minute"
Setting down his basket, be began
hurriedly searching his clothing for the
missive, while looked on more perplex.
cd than ever. A letter for me! Who
was the writer, and what could IL meani
As the search progressed IL became al
most furious. He jammed big hand
first under one shoulder, then under the
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
csOp PROSPECTS


The Chicago Tribune prints dispatches
from states Ia which the crops have been
injured hy the severe westber OF Fehru-
ary. The statistics show the following
conditions:
nlinois-whest not damaged in central
section, hGt injured in southern section.
Iowa-Peseh crop destroyed; pears
and apples damaged.
YiseOnsin-winter whest crop injur-
ed potatoes in pits frozen.
Michigan-Pntstoesi Ia pits, 80 per cent
crop: peaches 80 per cent crop.
NebrsskA-Peaches, pears and apples
badly damaged.
Nissouri-Mesgre fruit prospects.
Kansas-Small apple crop; strswber-
ries killed.
Georgis-Pesches, prunes snd pears
all killed; early vegetables ruined.
Fiorids-Ciiron fruit and trees dam
aged Is per cent; general frait crop 3O
per cent better than last year; 30 per
cent OF vegets ble crop destroyed.
virginia-Full yield in apples; early
vegetables and berries damaged.
LOrisians-Lnss 10 orange crop $500,
600 "a 81 GOO, 600; truck farmers lose
500. 600; sugar cane damaged.
West Yirginia--Whest crop all right /,
potatoes 90 per cent crop; spples 10 per
cent crop; live stock suffered severely.
Alabsma-Msrket gardens complete
lose, wheat prospects fine.
south Carolina-whest, oats and fruit
trees safe; damage 10 vegetable and
fruit blossoms iu state, 100000.
Kentucky-Peach crop killed; wheat,
s. per cent crop; apples all right.
North CarOlins-Growing vegetables
safe; peach buds injured; snow saves
whest crop.
Californis-Lemon and orange crop
short; aprieots damaged; rain needed.
Delswsre-Peach crop almost total
loss; pear crop short; plums, rsspoer-
ries and blackberries killed.
This Is one of the years when the COM
pensations are with him who lives IN
New England and especially In Maine
Maine Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28

white hair on his body, and his big ears
hung like flaps Of ink colored silk The
massive jaws, with their prodigious
strength, were parted sufficiently to
show the blood red mouth and tongue
and the white fangs, which perhaps
had been sunk into the throat Of more
than one painting fugitive. The glitter
of his eyes was like that Of a rattlesnake.
He emitted cavernous mutter in
stead Of baying, and the twitching Of
the iron muscles over the broad chest
and legs showed that he was gathering
his mighty power for leap at me. II
the other brute was mistaken as 10 my
identity, there was no hesitation on this
ones part.
He leaped, but instead Of striking me
banged against the side Of the dugout,
almost upsetting il. and foundered.
The temptation was strong to do SO,
but, though had exchanged shots with
him, was still guiltless Of his blood
as well as that of all others and l al
lowed my hand to loosen its grasp upon
the revolver at my hip.
"Not yet but something tells me the
day of reckoning is near"
Seeing nothing Of the dugout or my
self in peering up and down stream, the
man fixed his gaze on the spot where
actually was. My heart throbbed fast,
for it looked as if he must penetrate the
leafy curtain and force the crisis, but
he did not, and, withdrawing with the
same stiffness as before, passed from
sight. The listening ear could not de-
tect his football as he moved farther
down stream in the continuance Of his
search.
The incident suggested change OF
plan on my part. My intention. as
have explained, was to set the dugout
adrift after stepping ashore. in order to
hide the point where my disembarka'
tion took place. but there was risk In
this, since the boat was liable to be dis
covered 80 near its starting point that
il would be easy to find the latter.
whereas it was now 20 effectually con-
cealed thak hours were likely to pass be-
fore the boat was located, II indeed II
were found at all.
Itwas too soon, however, to act upon
this conclusion. had just received EVIL
dence that my most dreaded enemy was
within o few rods and probably others
were on the same side Of the stream
with myself. They would be passing
up and down, and the bloodhoundl
were not TO be forgotten.
That this decision was wise wal
demonstrated within the same five min
utes that it was made. Cy Walterr bad
hardly disappeared when q second rus.
Ting warned me that others were neal
ct hand.
Something in the faint .rustline
sounded different from the other. and Il
was on the same side Of the stream with
myself. What mysterious instinct pos.
sessed the black demon ID beyond my
power to understand, but it came about
that. the largest and most fsrocioul
bIoodhound on which had ever looked
came through the undsrgrowth 1t that
moment. and, pausing within six feel
Of where mt in the dugout, 6xed hil
devilish eyes on my face with purpos'
that could mot be mistaken.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28

previous night. inferred that ] was
near the boundary OF the dismal tract.
The time had not yet come for me to
leave it altogether, and since each side
Of the creek was overhung with under
growth carefully ran the dugout close
to shore and under the impenetrable
curtain. The branches were occurred and
arranged around me with care that
would have done credit to an American
Indian. BY parting the interstices i'm
mediately in front Of the screen l could
look ont upon the water with no risk Of
being observed by any one ON the oppo-
site bank or who might be navigating
another craft past my hiding place,
while behind me the dense vegetation
was equally friendly.
For the first time felt safe. Even II
my pursuers should suspect my artifice
they would have to push the search
until they came directly upon the dug
out itself. That they should succeed
upon the first attempt was out Of the
question. l could rest and mediate for
awhile in peace.
Great Cesar, but wasn't hungry
Although had missed but one regular
neal, | felt as il famishing. The plain
sst food would have been godsend. l
could devour anything edible and would
have masticated and swallowed the
leaves ON the branches and the bark on
the trees had not been afraid Of seri-
ous consequences. I was unacquainted
with the fora Of those southern swamps,
but knew they contained great deal Of
noxious vegetation that was as likely to
prove fatal as the toadstools Of our
northern states. So resolutely re-
pressed my craving, though ready to do
almost anything desperate that promised
to relieve the gnawing hunger.
Some 10 minutes Of profound silence
passed, during which l wondered at
hearing nothing Of the haying OF the
hounds. The pursuers must have reach
ed conclusion by that time and prob.
ably the means OF my flight had been
discovered long before.
Sh. Something stirred among the
bushes ON the opposite bank. Perhaps
IL was hopping bird or some animal
making his way steatbily among the
vegetation, but it was safer to set 1t
down as ono Of my enemies.
Again the gentle stir fell on my ears,
and softly parted the bushes before
my face aud peeped ont As ! did so
saw Cy Walters, who had come 70 the
edge of the creek and was peering first
down stream and then across to the spot
where | was hiding. He was SO near
that kept the peephole at the smallest
dimensions possible through fear that
those keen eyes would detect me. He
wore the same slouch hat and his griz-
zled beard covered his face and breast.
He held his Winchester in his right
hand, while with his left he kept the
bushes apart to gain an unobstructed
view. One huge booted foot was thrust
80 Tar forward that the water covered
the foot.
''Confound your was my thought.
II should be justified in serving you as
did that bloodhound in the clearing.
You are seeking the life Of an innocent
man, and he would serve you right to
take yours
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
WHERE DOES THE FAT COME FROM

WHERE DOES THE FAT COME FRONT
The COW with her milk producing Is q
problem. Perhaps 1t .s not
strange that we have not gained more
defiuire knowledge In regard to her and
her work than we have. Rather IL It not
open TO criticism that so much has been
claimed by scientific men on so slight
evidencey Prof. Soxhlet's late expert
ments in Germany have turned ray Of
light on heretofore unseen spot.
Now it seems that Prof. Jordan at
Geneva has been at work on the same
dark problem. Selecting good Jersey
COW and putting her In first-class condi-
ton for business, he fed her for sixty
days with specially prepared foods that
contained but small proportion Of fat.
Everything she ate was weighed and
anslyzed, also all the excremeut, both
LIQUID and solid, and the milk produced.
The figures show she gave forty pounds
more fat In her milk than she consumed
In her food, and added thirty pounds to
her weight. She also came out of her
trial 10 q good thrifty condition.
This experiment goes TO show there Is
still much to learn In regard to the food
nutrients fed to animals and that 90 into
the circulation. The way Of the food
from the digestive tract TO the resulting
product is dark one. We shall perhaps
in time displace present theories with Q
more definite knowledge.-The Maine
Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28

First Lady-What birthday present
are you going to give to your husband
Second Lady-A hundred cigars
First Lady-And what did you pay
for themf
Second Lady-Oh, nothingI For the
last few months I have taken one or
two out Of Jacks boz every day. Hs
hasn't noticed 1t, and will be 80 pleased
with my little present and the ons
quality Of the cigars London Fun
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28

A man ,cds leaning ,otth one arm on pss
top OF the fence.
other, then hurriedly through the ide
pockets and into his trousers. repeating
the action again and again with greater
earnestness and vigor, while his express
sion grew anxious and scared. He
crooked his finger in the sides Of his
huge shoes, took of his hat, peeped in,
and then shook it out. as IL the missive
might have been hiding somewhere in
side, but in vain, for the letter could not
be found on or about him.
Beats de debbil, Marse Hank, but /
hab lost dat letter sartin suah ''
"Are you sure it was meant for me?"
"No mistake bout IL.
"Who wrote it?"
"Miss Esther, and she'll broke my
head when she finds hab lost it. Doan'
see how could hab been 30 disrumcar-
less"