davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
A Funny Shoplifting Story.

Paris correspondent Pail Mall Gazette: A
shop thief was captured recently at the Bon
Marche in circumstances that in all probability
are unique One, of the private detectives in
the pay Of the establishment noticed a man
who. with the most barefaced effrontery was
appropriating articles of every description. The
individual indeed seemed to make little or no
attempt to keep his operations secret; he sim
ply. walked from counter to counter and filled
his pockets with whatever attracted his fancy
In spite Of the strangeness of the mans pro-
have him arrested and he was given into Gus
tody. His indignation was extreme He pro-
tested that it was most unjust that he should
be interfered with in this way when other
people who were behaving in exactly the same
manner were left unmolested, and he pointed
to a stout gentleman of most respectable an
pearance who he asserted had been laying his
hands on all sorts Of goods without resortine
to the formality of paying for them. The DO
liceman to whom he had been given in charge
had been accustomed to listening to uncon-
vincing explanations, and took his prisoner to
the station. A few minutes later the stout
gentleman, also in the of a policeman ar
rived at the same destination. The detective
whose curiosity had been aroused, had watched
the parsonage and had found it to be true that
he was perpetrating theft after theft with the
utmost dexterity. After a short investigation
he was recognized to be an expert and notori.
Gus shoplifter, whereas the prisoner first ar
rested proved to be lunatfc but recently dis.
charged from an asylum, whose mania took
the form OF initiating any person whose might
happen to strike him. The professional thief
was beside himself with rage at what he de-
scribed as the bad luck of getting into trouble
through the yaearies of a mailman. ~
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27

obeyed instructions to the letter. Our re-
naming children did not die like the 9TH
ers, and yet they had the same affection
after week or month of excellent
health"
Many of the witch doctors are old
women who have picked up various for
mulas and charms in the course of their
lives, and who practice only upon their
relatives and friends. These it is diff
, cult to- reach through the law, but those
who have a more extended practice may
be prosecuted. Curiously enough, Penn
sylvania has upon its statute books to-day
law expressly relating to witch doctors
and forbidding them to practice. One Sec
ton of the act reads: .
Amy person who shall pretend for gain
or lucre, to predict future events, by
cards, tokens, the inspection of the head
or hands of any person, or by any ones
age, or by consulting the heavenly bodies
or who shall for gain or lucre pretend to
effect any purpose by spells, charms, ne
croInancy or incantation shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor, punishable by any court
Of quarter sessions in this commonwealth
with fine and Imprisonment, or both or
either, at the discretion Of the court. The
first offence shall be punished with not
more than two. years imprisonment nor
less than fifteen days, and a fine of not
more than 500 nor less than $40; the sec
ond offence with any term of imprison-
ment and fine not exceeding five years OF
$780, as the court may deem proper
Another section of the same act has this
to say on '1ove powders "A1y person
or persons who shall advise the taking or
administration of what are commonly
called love powders or portions. or who
shall prepare the same to be taken or adj
ministered, shall be guilty of INSIDE
meanor, and shall be punished as is pre-
scribed by section one. y
Another section Of the act makes it
misdemeanor to pretend, for gain or lucre,
to be able to. tell people how to recover
stolen property, stop bad luck, give good
luck to persons OF animals, to injure
health, shorten life give success in bust
ness, lottery or SPECULATION: to win the
affections for marriage or seduction,
wheres to. dig or search for gold or vaiu-
ables. etc This isl punishable under the
provisions of this ait, and any person who
has consulted q person pretending to be
able to do these things shall be COM
potent witness.
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
S A II o R
A r E P o
T E N E T
0 P E r A
r q IT A 6

The charms vary greatly in form. Mos,
OF them contain some such written forms
as the one quoted, and some have also the
claws or hairs of certain animals, bits of
herbs or other harmless substances.
unfortunately, it is impossible to reach
some of the impostors who practise on the
superstition of their patients" continued
Dr. Bertolet, "for the reason that they
have been able to get behind the law. Of
course they do not openly avow them
selves witch doctors except to patients
who are likely to believe in such super
stlt1on. For their other patients they pre-
scribe simply herb remedies or other
preparations of their own, which are
usually, though not always, harmless
Some years ago law was passed by
the state legislature compelling all ply
sicians to register This law provided
that those who had been practising for a
certain number of years, even though not
graduates of medical college, could
register as practising physicians. OF
course these fellows who had been pre-
scribing for years made use of this loop
hole and rushed to the prothonotary's
office to register on Years of practice
Thereafter. they paraded under the title
of doctor Of course the law does not
permit this sort of thing now, but a
good many who got in under this guise
are still in practice, while others, without
even this justification are practising more
or less quietly in violation of the law.
Why, was called some years ago in the
case Of a woman at White Bear, in Ches-
ter county, who was in an anaemic con-
dition, and who had been attended by one
of these men, registered under the law on
years Of practice He had prescribed
some powders. After examining one of
these I touched match to it. Whit!
Bang! 1t went off in a sharp explosion
1t was gunpowder.' ...
I visited number of witch doctors
and ''pow-pow" physicians in and about
for the knowledge of their practice is
pretty general. Some of them dislike the
attention that they have been receiving,
and deny that they prescribe treatment
for witches or spells. One to whom had
been directed as the most prominent of
the class declared that he had never
doctored for witches. However, as I had
previously talked with others who had
evidence of such practice in the shape of
charms that he had prescribed, was not
as greatly impressed by his denial as I
might otherwise have been. sS
He was an old man who looked, from
his general proportions and the style OF
chin whiskers which he affected. as
though he might be near relative Of
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
doctors. They prescribed no drugs.

- T. . Z h-t :
doctors. They prescribed no drugs. 1t
was all puzzle to them.
- ..When the eleventh died we despaired
of ever raising ore. Finally friend
said he believed our children were suf-
FERN; under some SPELL We did not be-
lieve in any witchcraft. We are Chris
tan people. We were willing to try any
thing to keep our little ones. .s.. f.
1--WE were told Of two pow-wow doc
tors. men, and sent for them one at a
time Both said that a certain woman
was taking the lives Of our babies by a
spell, but they mentioned no name.
1--WE agreed, when one Of these witch
doctors said he could help US, to let him
20 ahead When our twelfth child was
born and seemed to be failing the witch
doctor brought piece of muslin and
needle with thread. s. He had what he
said was the Seventh Book Of Moses
pen and red ink. He looked at the sick
child, blew over its shrrnken arms and
limbs. waved his arms, said a prayer,
then copied from the book on a slip of
paper, using his red ink: : ~ x
'Trotterhead, forbid thee my house
and premises. I forbid thee my. house
and COW stable. I forbid thee my bed
stead, that thou mayst not breathe upon
me- Breathe into some other house I'M
til thou hast assembled every hill, until
thou hast counted every fence post, and
until thou hast crossed every water, and
thus dear day may come again into my
house. III IN E'.& sE "'.
HE put this writing into small mus
lin bag, which he made with his own
hands, and hung it at the head of the
cradle, and from that very. moment the
child began to improve. Our little Mabel
is now five years old. Chefs bright and
happy child. After the powwow man had
left the cradle her cough went away, her
food did her good, she slept better.
Our thirteenth child was taken sick
in the same way, but the man who at
tended MabePs case was gone, SO we had
to find another man who possessed the
power. We had three for our three chill
dren who still live. Strange to say, every
one told us we should mot accept any
gift from anybody. and of course we
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27

It seems strange that such law as
this should be needed in any part of the
world at the present day. But, as have
shown, there is plenty of evidence to be
had within the State Of Pennsylvania that
this law is being violated. We may yet
be treated to Sthe strange spectacle OF
witchcraft trials at the end of the nine
teenth century. r.. ~ ....'f.E - +.
7 Dr. Bertolet makes the following signed
statement: ~: 4-. .#s*s - s .~Z
81 have in my possession convincing evil
dence that widespread belief in. witch
craft still exists. in this locality. This evil
dence consists of charms which ] have
taken from the persons OF patients whom
I have been called to attend, and the
statements of those who have employed
the so-called witch doctors. A few weeks
ago I became acquainted with the cases
of two women on whom a commission in
lunacy was appointed, and who are now III
an asylum. The testimony plainly showed
that they were victims of the nonsense
preached by the witch doctors. -. "5
1.-THE first charm that found [ came
across about two years ago. In making
an examination of the patients chest I
found something beneath the undergar-
ment. On asking her what it was I was
told: The witch, doctor placed that on my
chest, saying it would drive away all my
ailments into the body of him or her who
was haunting me- When I removed the
charm and placed it in my pocket the
woman was Mortified, and said: L would
not carry that charm in my pocket for
one minute if II were you. It will bring
the spell upon you
"a few months ago I was consulted by
young man who seemed to be on the
verge of becoming a maniac. He had con-
suited a female witch DOCTOR, who told
him t.at he had Dcca Dewitcneu oy a
young woman who had held a penny in
her mouth when he visited her. The
witch doctor predicted that he would pass
into consumption and die within few
months.
This statement threw the young man
into condition Of acute melancholia. He
consulted another witch doctor. who gave
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27

ment simple herb remedies are frequent
ly given, and a charm is hung about the
invalid's neck or on the bedpost.
Anybody who is familiar with the ways
of the Pennsylvania Dutch knows that
they set a high value upon their cattle
In fact, it frequently happens that the
cattle are better cared for than the mem
bers of the farmers family. If anything
goes wrong with the herd, if the milk
sours or the butter will not come, it is set
down as a case of "hexeri" and the serv-
ices of witch doctor are called in. The
latter prescribes charm to be nailed
above the stable door. and, in fact, treats
the cattle that have been "hexed" just as
he does his human patient. In driving
through the country districts it is no I'M
usual sight to observe these charms above
the entrance to the cow stable.
Although it is sometimes difficult to Sc
cure from the witch doctors themselves
an avowal Of their treatment for the
'furhexed," it. is possible to obtain these
particulars from patients for whom they
have prescribed charms Some of these
are half ashamed of their belief even
While cl1nging to it, and while they
acknowledge that they have worn the
charms prescribed for them, they do not
wish their names to appear as believers
in black art. Other are outspoken in
their faith in the pow-wow doctors.
One of the cases which the neighbours
quote as an undo ubted instance Of "hex-
eri' was that of Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick
Carl, who live in the northeastern sec
ton of Reading The husband is a Ia
borer, and both he and his wife are intel
ligent and undoubtedly truthful per-
sons. They have had fifteen children, Of
whom all but the three most recently
horn are dead. The loss Of so many
children, all of whom died soon after
birth, convinced TIE parents and their
friends that they were .heSed." They
had not believed in witchery before that
but they determined to consult pow
WOW doctor. N
Mrs. Carl, in telling her experience,
said:
.sMy babies were all healthy at first.
but in a short time they became nothing
but skin and bone. Their appetites were
good to the last Three lived only a
week Not one became more than four
months old except those that are still
living Those that died had good APP
petites, clear eyes and apparently were
not i'll. Their flesh simply disappeared
and they passed away. We had good
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
The MOSQUITO.

A writer in the Philadelphia Times VIII; has
been looking up the record of the mosquito f1
natural history, has corce to the conclusion
that it is very useless insect. Here IS the
result of his investigations: Gust why the
mosquito bites people is not yet known. It
lis not to furnish it food. for it is an established
fact that mosquito. after gorging himself
with human blood, dies within few hours;
whereas mosquitoes that have never tasted
blood have been known 10 live very -ccn-
fortably even through the entir. winter and
into the next season. The adult mosquito doea
not need food. During its larva stage it has
stored up enough nol-ishment to last all its
life, and it is 2 normal state for it to go with
out food fer the rest of its existence. All that
1t needs is moist air, adult mosquitoes being
known to lass the winter in damp cellars, liv-
ing on nothing but the moisture. The fact
that it is estimated that only one out of
II, 900 ever tastes human blood also proves that
it Is no. necessary. Why it persists in tortur-
ing MANKIND, therefore, has not yet been
fond OFT, and scientists can only swear soft
" With the rest of mankind and make the
general statement that the mosquito is horn
with a vitiatei appetite for human gore-an
appetite that causes the death of the In
du1ger."
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27

Dom Pau. re cerraln1y wou1d never nave
been picked out Of a. crowd as being a
physician. It did not require a long con-
versation to reveal the fact that his
medical knowledge was an unusual as his
personal appearance indicated. Some
idea of its extent may be gathered from
a testimonial which he proudly exhibited
to me. .''
This testimonial was bona fide state
ment from a young woman whom he had
treated, as discovered on investigation.
It set forth the fact that the writer at
one time had lost all control of her nerves
and suffered from "spasms'' almost every
day. She consulted other physicians in
vain, and at length called in this part1cu-
lar one, who pronounced her trouble
electric magnetism" q quote from the
testinoniaD, land after three months of
his treatment I was completely cured"
The method of the cure is not detailed,
but it would doubtless be interesting to
Others, IL any there be, who are afflicted
with electric magnetism - ~ -.
s. Another man on whom called, and wh,
had been recomme ended to me as most
efficient pow-wow physician, was more
frank. This was DR.. Jacob Brown, an
other aged gentleman of German extrac-
ton. When broa ched the subject to him
he said
'@The Bible tells us that Christ cast
out evil spirits. If we believe the Bible,
we must believe that, and why should
not such spirits exist now as we'll as
then?'
DR.. Brown appeared to me to be per-
fectly honest In all that he said, which
is more than can be recorded Of some of
the others. A we'll known resident of
Reading told me that he knew Of many
cures which he had effected. One Of the
diseases that this citizen has seen treated
the doctor called "wildfire." It was an
eruption Of the skin, apparently similar
to ringworm. It had been treated by
moving a shovel containing live Goals
about the patients head, the operator at
the same time repeating certain forms.
The usual pow-wow treatment is to blow
upon the affected parts, repeating forms
Of incarnation intended to drive away the
evil spirits. In connection with this treat
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27

him a charm intended to break the spell
upon him. When he visited me his mental
condition was really alarming. He be-
lieved that he was afflicted with con-
sumption. There was nothing really the
matter with him. so far as his physical
health was concerned, but he was in
fair way to become an inmate of an in
sane asylum. There is no doubt that the
practice Of the witch doctors has resulted
in the sacrifice of lives that might have
been saved by prompt medical attend
ance."
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
A Love Lyric.

Dear. in the darkened west the sunset fades
away. ~ $50 Ne ;5
Soon from the rose tipped hills will sink the
dying day;
I need you, Q my love! Why tarry thus ATARI
You know mosquitoes fly the scent OF your
- cigar.
Chicago Record
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
HEALTH AND LIFE OF PEOPLE I'M
PERILED THEREBY

Eetiches and Charms Still Used at
the End of the Nineteenth Cen
fury to Drive Out Devils and
Disease, Just They Were Three
Hundred Years Ago-A Startling
Revelation of Black-Art Work ers
and Their Ignorant Dupes.
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
BEGGING APPEALS ADJUSTED TO
THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

changed to Suit the Season as Well
as the Time of Day as Well as the
Character of the Person AppeaIed
, Io-Thes Tramp's Wardrobe-Sun-
day the Wost Day of AII-Lady
""hO Treated a Tramp as a Guest,
Forgetting; He Was a Beggar.
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
women. Work a crba,

Fitting work for women Is scarce In Cuba.
Cooking and washing is monopolixed by men.
vana postnfhce has been received with disap.
prevail by the men.
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1900-01-27
Languages in Africa

Africa has very nearly 700 languages, and
this fact presents srea. difficulties to mis-
sionarY. effort
Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-09-13

Mrs. Laura Gof has been quite III for
few days.
Mrs. Roth Allen leaves today for Win
chester, Mass.
Horace Baker and wife arrived at Lee
Hollis Saturday.
Mrs. Chas. Lovejoy's sister OF Peterboro
y. b., is visiting her
There will be a social dance at ;. M
SHOWS Friday evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. smalley OF Bradford are
visiting Mrs. c. A. Miller.
Mrs. Homer Preston returned to bel
home in Pittsfield Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. n. Dustin OF Bethel were
guests OF Jennie Button Saturday
ID. :. Slack drove to williamstown one
day last week. returning the next day.
Jason Parkhurst and Mary Smith visit
ed her mother in Tunbridge last week.
lrving Adams, who has been working At
North Canaan, ". H., is home Tor a short
visit.
Henry Loyejoy OF Marion, Ia, who has
been visiting mis- brother, L. u LoNe!os'
has returned home.
uattie Wood went to Hanover, \. H.,
Tuesday TO accompany her brother hoihe'
who has been there for treatment,
lanes Noonan and Albert Churchill left
Monday for RoXbury. where they are 10
cork this winter in the lumber WOODS
The children and grandchildren OF Mrs,
-, Allen we're all at home sunday, IL
hsins ber 61st birthday. That was the
az fiase they had all been at home for Il
years
Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-09-13
Randolph Center.

MI. Boyden was in Montpelier last
Friday and Monday on legal business.
Rev. j. A. Sherburn OF Barre preached
at the Methodist church last Sunday.
Chester Bickford has returned from
New Hampshire where be had been at
tending fairs.
Nary Hodges has gone to New Rochelle,
y. ", where she has 1ne position as
teacher in a graded school.
Hoo. John X Parish and family started
for their home in Wisconsin last week.
They are now stopping In Chicago.
John O'Grady spent Sunday with bis
family here. He has charge OF shelDurne
station and viii move his family there
soon.
CT. Hodges is attending the State fair
AZ White River Junction this week IN the
interest OF the Desring Moving and Reap
ing Machine company.
Bessie Holden is teaching at North Ran
dolph, Jennie Hodges and Nellie Welea al
East Randolph and Josie Hodges In No.
5, 1.-THE Pember district.l
E.A. Partridge and family returned to
their home in Philsdelphia last Friday,
having spent three months vacation al
their pleasant home here.
Mr.. Lamb. who cut of his fingers about
two weeks ago, is looking after bis WORK
now. He goes to DIR. SCOTS 10 have the
wounded hand dressed. tie mixed ~
cows last Saturday night With one hand
and hopes to be milking with ootn soon.
Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-09-13
Days of Comfort, Nights of Rest
u yoa take pyny-pectoral Tor that coueh.
North Tunbridge.

Frank w. Durkea and family are visit
ing his father, 5. p. Durkee.
The Ladies' Aid society will meet at +.
ID. Moody's on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Rev. Mr.. Dickson has completed a nice
piazza on the front side OF the parsonage.
Rev. E. W. Cummings and wife ere
spending his vacation here at o. r..
Stacks.
Harley A. Giles and wife from Dover. n.
H., made short visit at his grandiather's
o. r. Stacks, recently.
Wslter whitney and wife, who have
been visiting his mother, Mrs. J.. F. Whit
ney, have returned to their home
in Boston.
Road Commissioner Flanders has been
doing a good job at putting in gravel
through Main street in this village and at
Tunbridge village also.
Quite an accident occurred las. Wednes-
day. The Ladies Aid society met ct Mrs.
Jas. Diamonds and as Mrs. Geo. Bates,
with Mrs. Joel Peavey and two children,
was descending the bill near Mr. Dia-
mond's the harness broke letting the
carriage onto the horse, causing him TO
run and upsetting the carriage. The
ladies were thrown out but no serious
injuries we're received fortunately. The
carriage was badly demolished.