davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
A Famoua sauare.

There Is said TO be no equal In the
world 10 the grand and imposing
square Of Paris, the Place de In Con-
corde. on one side OF IL Is the Tuile-
ries, on the opposite side the Champs
Elysees and on a third the river Seine.
In the center stands the obelisk OF
Luxon. a magnificent monolith OF red
Egyptian granite, "a feet high and
weighing 100000 pounds. This obelisk
was one OF two OF the same shape and
size erected in 1850 B. c., by Rame-
ses the Great at the entrance OF the
temple OF Thebes. MOhammed All.
pasha OF Egypt, presented II 10 the
French government, and In 1896 IL
was removed 10 Its present position In
the Place de la Concorde. The re-
moval and erection on the new site re-
quired an outlay Of $4,000 and the
employment OF 500 men, the obelisk
being transported to France In yes
sci built especially for the purpose.
The Place de Ia Concorde is rich In
historic interest. II was there that the
guillotine was erected In the reign
OF terror" after the death Of Louis
XVI. and IL was there that the signal
was given for the attack on the Bastille
In 1888. Louis XVI and Marie An
toInette were beheaded there In 1873,
and II was the scene OF great reJoic-
ing In is4S. when France was pro-
claimed republic. The Place de Ia
Concorde has also been termed the
Place Louis XIV and Place de La Revo-
lution
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
NUMBER 81.
One Of Forbe, scoops.


The following story illustrates the
late Archibald Forbes cleyerness In
getting his news reports In ahead OF
his fellow correspondents:
Here is little scene: Time. near
midnight, after a hard days work.
Everybody done up. Hello. Jones'"
says Smith. There's Forbes already
asleep, like brass" by Jove, yes,"
quoth Jones Gncipient snore from
Forbes). 1T would take ten horses
10 wake him up. I'll turn In" says
Jones. Time enough 20 get our stun
off tomorrow. ehY' Right you are"
responds Smith.
In ter minutes the wearied warrior
scribes are dead asleep. Forbes rises
cautiously, passing out Ike q ghost,
sits him down in a hidden corner With
the stump 0t tallow candle, writes
like a whirlwtnd for a couple Of hours,
finishes with the last flicker OF his
dip, saddles horse. OF he goes heltsr
skelter across the country, gallops for
an hour, delivers his letter, gailops
back, Is In bed BY 1, sleeps this time
like brass" and no mistake.
Hello. lazy bones" exclaims Smith
at a. M. shaking the sleeper. Time
10 be up, old man." adds Jones. What
are you up tor quoth Forbes drowsily.
I'VE are thinking Of getting our stun
OF" THE devil you are. Why hur-
ry? Let's have another snooze."
At last Smith and Jones get their
stuff of and In three days discover to
their bepuzzlement that they were "A
hours behindhand. Very provoking
to Smith and Jones. But II Forbes
had bern the victim OF the little ruse
he would have been the first 10 laugh
over II and to congratulate his sue
cessful competitor.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
RattIesnake Poison.

Years ago, when / was boy at
home" said a southern man, IAN un-
Gle OF mine, who lived near Mont
gomery. was out on his plantation one
day when he saw an enormous rattle
snake stretched In a furrow OF a cot
ton field. He seized a hoe lying near
by and made a pass at the monster.
At the same time IL struck out at him
and broke of one Of its fangs on the
edge OF the hoe blade. Ny uncle dis
patched the snake and then picked up
the fang and brought Il to the house
as a curiosity. IL was sharp as
needle, and a faint yellow stain at the
tip showed where some OF the virus
had eXuded.
"The bit OF bone lay for at least three
or four years In an ebony box on my
uncle's writing table in his study.
when one day stupid negro servant
girl, not knowing what IL was, used
IL TO extract splinter from her thumb.
In less than an hour her whole lower
arm was swollen, and she exhibited
all the characteristic symptoms Of
snake poison.
"My uncle had studied medicine and
by prompt measures saved the girls
life. but for some mysterious reason
gangrene subsequently appeared in her
arm. and amputation was necessary.
My uncle lost no time In burning his
murderous relic"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
Mad. II, ov. Funeral Toilet.

There are certain insects that have
such a respect for Mrs. Grundy and
are endowed with such an innate love
of neatness and order that not even
death. or rather decspltation, can pre-
vent them from making one grand
final toilet. which Is clearly designed
TO give them n sedate and respectable
appearance after death.
DIR. Ballion, skilled entomologfst,
discovered this remarkable fact Dur
ing one of my recent horseback rides"
he says, Il frequently caught one OF
those large dies which annoy cattle
and horses 30 much, and l promptly
got rid Of II by crushing It's head.
One day. instead Of throwing the mu-
tilated insect away, l placed II on the
back Of my hand and indolently watch
ed II. For some seconds the insect re
mained motIonless, but then. to my
unbounded surprise, II moved It's front
legs forward to the place where the
head should have been. and. after IL
had rubbed them nervously together,
apparently In anguish, II began to
brush its body and TO smooth its wings
with It's hind legs. Under the gentle
pressure Of these limbs the body grad
ually became extended and the ex-
tremity curved. while the wings grad
ually changed their natural position
and left the upper part Of the body
exposed. Meanwhile the hind legs
continued to brush each other from
time TO time.
Naturally | watched this extra
ordinary sight with great interest and,
In order to see the finale. took the
insect into my study. where II lived
an entire day, spending the time at
the ungrateful task Of making its own
funeral toilet"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07

care that was not In the least checked
because IL reversed the facts Of our
relationship.
"My baby child" she exclaimed be-
meath her breath as she first sat down
in our microscopic reception room and
looked about her. ito think Of your
trying to live In all these Yankee ways.
hope you take good care Of her." she
said to Amy. patting me softly. Amy
looked blank for an instant
She had an air Of relief as well a.
pleasure when she found me one night
dressing for reception. All her In
nate love Of the decorative and roman
tic came bubbling forth. "Ah. how be-
coming that Is to your she exclaimed.
''My father used TO say that II was o
test Of blood and raising for people to
dress up-that II there was anything
common In them II would come out
when they were In their best clothes.
And shall you see any Of the gentle
men Of your officer she asked In an
elaborately Incidental way. and disap-
pointmept was In her face when said
I hardly thought should.
"And they don't any Of them come to
zee your she went on. 81 suppose
you don't let them"
"Dear Miss Fanny. II has never come,
up. don't think any Of them ever
thought Of coming to see me-"
Dear me! Well. these northern men
are beyond me. ] never knew OF any
gentlemen before who did not think Of
paying some attention TO charming
girl whom they had the privilege Of
knowing"
Amy. who was standing behind Miss
Fanny's chair. turned her eyes and
hands 10 heaven and then for one In
stant placed her palms In an attitude
Of benediction above Miss Fanny's in
fantine old head.
II suppose you have to have your
meals according to these New York
ways, with your dinner In the evening,
on Miss Amy's account" she said.
"Yes." I replied. Amy prefers II so."
II was a safe assertion, though had
never heard her express herself on the
subject. Like the true southerner she
was. Miss Fanny never ceased to re-
gard New York as the outside phenom-
enal thing and the standards OF Wex-
Vile as the normal and accepted ones.
although In her writing she fexibly
enough assumed the other tone. That
was mental: the maintenance of an
Client standards personally was inartic
ulately felt to be a matter Of loyalty
and character
Miss Fanny and each experienced
some good luck about the same time.
The Evening Appeal found occasion
to send me abroad. and Miss Fanny oh
taIned a little regular work. the super.
intendence OF the correspondents col
umn on a weekly paper. This brought
her In only the most trivial sum. 81 or
s n week. hut II did not take much
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07

behind him. Through more years than
I had lived every hour must have been
colored to her by this heroic resolution.
II had become her reason for living.
When she had accomplished this end,
the shock Of revolution In her outlook,
the withdrawal Of the great motive,
had been too much: the light that had
been sustained so long ceased. Mrs.
Martin told me that Mrs. Overman had
been restless. had almost ceased TO
write. for two weeks before her death,
although she seemed we'll
Yes. I knew, knew how. as with a
child. the thought Of her great achieve
ment had absorbed her and how she
could not be at ease till the sensible
testimony Of II was In her hand. That
brought her ease indeed. Truly II was
o beautiful way to die.
"Where--where did you bury herr"
forced myself to ask.
~ was at my wits end. Miss Adding.
ton. Those might have learned some
thing from about her relatives were
out Of town, and didn't know which
way to turn, but at last put her In my
own plot, where / shall lie some day
myself. thought you would come
after awhile and tell me what TO DO
She left nothing but a few dollars,
seven or eight. but I had things done
decently 7 know Mrs. overman was
q lady. and that letter showed she was
something more. Miss Addington. l
was glad to pay her respect" Mrs.
Martin concluded with firm, downright
refections-God bless her!
Miss Fanny had won for herself In
her last strange need hospitality in
stead Of charity and with her letter on
her bosom she might well he an hon
dfed guest.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
TMn md Ennr.

'TwoT demanded the peremptory
conductor as he took quarter from
the woman who had just struggled TO
q place on the trolley.
mo, four" she replied.
Four fares were rung sharply, and
the conductor handed back ) cents.
That isn't rlghtw exclaimed the
woman Indignantly.
You said you wanted to pay for
four" retorted the trolley employee.
II didn't" denied the woman. you
asked II my little boy was years
old, and said no. he was 1. | sup
pose I'll have to pay for him II it's the
rule, but don't think it's right
The remainder Of the sentence was
lost In the discords that issued from
the throat OF the enraged conductor,
who thrust ten pennies into the out
stretched hand and retired to the rear
platform 10 relieve his feelings more
fully by refusing to stop the car for
any one for ten blocks.-New York
Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07

The New York Farmer well says
s.rhe American farmer treats his wife
far better than does any other farmer.
This is as il should be. The American
farmers wife Il superior 70 sll other
farmers wives and Is equal TO any
womAn in the world. In ninety-nine
out OF each hundred cases II Is the
farmers wife Who lifts up and keeps up
the family and the home, snd thus serves
"a the main factor Ia whstever success
is achieved. Foreigners, who travei
here, complain that they find no peasant
women In the United States. Well, no
American citizen would care TO see the
excellent, refined, educated women VINO
grace our farm homes superseded oy the
dull, stolid, animal peasant women oi
Europe. Our farmers wives and dsugh-
ters may be too good 10 suit the Eu-
ropesn taste, but they are just what the
American taste requires, and just what
The American system OF farming and Nv
ing produces. Even the peasant
wouen' who come here from Europe
soon begin 70 fall into the ways OF their
American neighbors. Advancement Tor
women is in the air of this country.
The grange has had much 10 do with the
elevation OF the farmers wife and the
recos nition OF her equality with maa'
There are no peasant women 10 tht
grange; the membership l. made up ol
brothers and sisters standing SIDE oy
aide. working harmoniously for the same
end.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
THE LAST
MARCHBHNKS.
By VIOLA RosEBORV.

lcopyrishs. 1900 by The Century Company.l
If you will just step over there to
Miss Addington's desk. she will talk
with you. madam" I heard the man.
aging editor say In tones little more
gentle than were usual to him.
l looked up from my half finished
sentence and saw coming toward me.
Us II propelled by the wave OF the edi-
torial hand. q little. shabby. dainty.
delicate old lady. Her white. withered
face was charmingly pretty In those
fundamental lines upon which time has
least effect.
Resentment swelled within me. The
managing editor always put II OF on
me to deal with the piteous. feminine
noncompe:ents continually trickling In
and out Of the Office.
I'm afraid I'm taking up your time
when you are very busy" said the
lady. with . gracious little society"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
Just An Ordinary steak.

"When in Hamburg, we supposed
we must do as the Hamburgers did. so
at our first meal there we asked for
Hamburg steak" said the woman.
Besides, we wanted to see how that
Wand would taste upon its native
heath, anyway. But to all our requests.
couched in our best scholastic German,
the waiter shook his head. Like many
another prophet. the Hamburg steak
was apparently without honor in Its
own country. At all events, our waiter
hadn't heard Of It. oh, WELL we said,
Just bring US an ordinary beef steak.
But, 10 and behold, when the meat was
served there 1t was all chopped up and
made into small cakes--what Ameri-
cans CALL In fact. Hamburg steakv
To Hamburgers a Hamburg steak was
IN ordinary steak New York Sun.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07

One Of the most curious finds ever
made from the sea was that which
came to the Azores IN 1858. The Is
land of Corvo was then In the posses
sion Of two runaway British sailors.
One morning there drifted ashore a
craft which had evidently been frozen
In the Ice for long time. 1t was an
ancient and battered brig. without
masts, bulwark or name. but the
matches were on, the cabin doors fast
and the hulk was buoyant. She had lit
tie cargo, and that consisted OF skins
and furs In prime condition.
No papers were found In the cabin.
but II was figured that she was a
sealer or trader. carrying crew Of
10 or IL. and that she had been pro-
visioned for year. The -four was
spoiled. but the beef was perfectly
preserved. She had been abandoned
when frozen In an iceberg and drifted
for years. The date Of the letter found
In the forecastle showed that the brig
had been abandoned nearly half a
century before. The two sailors got
out the furs, which eventually brought
them $4,000. and two barrels Of beef
and then set fire to the wreck. No trace
was ever found Of its name or owners.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
GRANGE PlcNlcs AND FIELD MEET
INGS.

GRANGE PiCNlCS AND FIELD MEET
| INGS.
The grange campaign IL now on, and
every Patron In the United States Is ex-
pected 70 do his or her full part In t,du-
eating farmers and others in the objects,
purposes and principles Of our Order.
All the State Masters, State Lecturers,
Pomona and Subordinate Grange Mas
tiers and Lecturers, and all other speak
ers In our order are In great demand TO
attend grange picuics and field meet ngs
OF farmers. Now IL the time 10 forge TO
the front, and advance the principles Of
the grange, that will improve agricultural
conditions, and promote the welfare Of
our country and add to its general
prosperity. Members can all take 4
part, and an important part. in this CAM
psigu. Let each member see TO IL per-
sonsiiy that all his friends and sc-
quaintsnces whose good opinion is
sought, and whose membership is de-
sired, are personally invited and made to
feel that they will be cordially welcomed
al these grange picnics and field ueet-
ings.
Patrons, the way TO receive greatest
benefit from these meetings IL 10 cor
daily Cooperate In arranging and In at
tending, snd have every detail carefully
thought out In advance. Do not forget
the social feature, the cordial, frsternal
and friendly greeting; the warm clasp
Of frsternsl hand aud welcoming
smile viii add 70 the pleasure and hsppi-
ness Of all.
shall be personally engaged In this
grange campaign, and ask no member 10
do harder work than propose to do.
That members and others may con-
municAte with me and receive quick re-
ply, IL they will address me as below, IL
will save time OF all letters going TO
South Bend, Ind, and there being for
wsrded TO me, and In some cases lost.
All letters sent 10 me, on or before July
27th, in care Of Hon. 5. II. Ellis, wsynes-
vile, Ohio. July 2sth TO Aug. Sd, care
Hon. Edmund Brsdock, Medford, New
Jersey. Aug. Sd to 9Th care OF Hon. A.
Tillinghsst, Kingston, Rhode Island.
Aug. 9Th 10 9th, care of Hon. y. j.
Bachelor, Concord, y. III. Aug. 9th 10
l2th, care Hon. E. B. Norris. Sodus,
New York. Aug. 18th TO 18th, care
Hon. c. J. Bell, East Hsrdwick, Yer
moat. Aug. lssh 70 30th, care Hon. o.
Gardner, Rocklsnd, Maine. Aug. 3Dth
10 Sept. 2d, care Hon. W. Z. Jewett,
Worcester, Mass. Sept. I'd 10 9Th, care
Hon. Arnold Nsldsin, Jr., Stanton,
Del. Sept. 9Th TO Sept. 10Th, care Hon.
Charles Downing, Indianapolis, Ind.
Frsternally yours,
AARON JONES.
Master National Grange.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
CouIdn't Reaiat.

An eccentric clergyman In Cornwall
had been much annoyed by the way
the members OF the congregation had
of looking around to see late comers.
After enduring II for some time he
said on entering the reading desk one
day: Brethren, | regret 10 see that
your attention IL called away from
your religious duties By your very
natural desire to see who comes in
behind you. l propose henceforth TO
save you the trouble by naming each
person who may come late"
He then began, Dearly beloved"
but paused half way to interpolate,
"Mr. s.. with his wife and daughter"
Mr.. s. looked rather surprised, but
the minister, with perfect gravity, re-
sumed. Presently he again paused.
"Mr. c. and William D."
The abashed congregation kept their
eyes studiously bent on their books.
The service proceeded In the most or
derly manner, the parson interruptihg
himself every now and then to name
some newcomer. At last he said, still
with the same perfect gravity:
Mrs. s. In a new bonnet"
In q moment every feminine head In
the congregation had turned around
Millinery Trade Review.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
The Atmo.pb.r,c oc.,,

The atmospheric ocean surrounding
the earth is frequently disturbed By
gigantic waves, which are invisible ex-
cept when they carry parts Of the air
charged with moisture up into colder
atmospheric stratum, where sudden
condensation occurs. In this manner
long, parallel lines Of clouds some
times make their appearance at great
height, marking the crests Of a ripple
Of air waves running miles above our
heads
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07
FREE RURAL DELIVERY.

The question Of free rural mail deliv-
cry is still being agitated and discussed
In many quarters, but wherever It has
been put into actual operation Il has,
without exception, given the best OF
satisfaction. The objections to this
movement are fast passing away, as
there is nothing like an object lesson to
convert men TO any much needed reform.
The only persons who win be hurt by
rural delivery are the fourth class village
postmasters who keep the Office In con-
nection with q store. These merchants
are anxious, and very naturally too, for
the surrounding farmers 70 come to
town as often as possible. 1t brings
more trade TO them. We are inclined to
think that even this danger to the village
merchant has been greatly overdrawn.
Our firmers require just about 90 many
store goods, and II they do not get them
In driblets they will purchase large
quantities when they do 20 To town. In
the long run the village postmaster
would sell about his usual amount OF
goods.
Whether this reasoning Is true or
false makes but little difference. The
greatest good TO the greatest number
should be the viii and the motto OF our
people. Our farming population should
not be deprived OF the blessings OF free
mail delivery at their doors In order to
add little more cash 10 the till OF the
village trader. 1t is neither generous nor
just. All facts now go to prove that the
post Office Is the greatest promoter OF
intelligence. Literature is now cheap
and growing even cheaper. With the
mail carrier coming once or twice each
day 10 his door the farmer is going 10
write more letters, buy more books and
take more newspapers. IL Is only In
countries Of undeveloped resources that
we lind the lowest order OF intelligence.
The savage doesn't require any mail
facilities. As he advances in civilization
these things become more necessary;
and the higher up he goes the stronger
these wants are felt. These educational
bring into activity new and
lstent powers, and the entire community
Is gradually but surely brought up 10 q
higher plane. As the intelligence OF
increases there Is bound to
be corresponding increase OF material
Viewed from any and every
standpoint rural delivery Of our mail Is
bound to confer blessing upon each
a nd ALL Iewiston Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-07

PotNts
time, and knew from experience how
happy was The change from total un-
certainty To even this sum assured.
/ hoped to see her make herself lit
tie more comfortable and treat herself
to a new gown. But when ! sailed she
came to see me of In the same over
brushed little outfit Of rusty black that
she had worn the day first saw her.
A number Of people visited me at the
dock that day. and 1t has been a bitter
ly intrudlng thought since that l did
not give Miss Fanny all the attention
that God knows was In my heart for
her, and II does not soften that reflec-
ton. but brings the keener pang, to re-
member that she was too much alb
sorbed and delighted by my momen-
tary social Importance TO have any
thought Of herself.
She went about giving my acqualnt.
ances disjointed bits Of my history.
personal and ancestral. aud telling
them, with tears In her eyes, how
brave I was living here In New York,
away from everything I'd been used
to and starting of now all alone on
this voyage. though ! was naturally Of
the most shrinking and feminine dis
position. Dear Miss Fanny!
did very little letter writing during
the eight months ] was gone. I heard
from Miss Fanny only once, but she
was one Of those who had urged that
spend none Of my precious time read
Ing or writing letters, so was not sur.
prised at her silence.
When I. came back. went to the
business woman's boarding house"
the day after landing to look her up
Amy had Just returned from four
months absence herself-this was In
September-and could give me no news
Of her.
The square was dusty and deserted.
The house as I went In seemed pecul.
Iarly desolate In its orderly gloom. The
servant was a new one. She had never
heard Of Mrs. Overman, and an indefi-
mite dread began to gather around me.
I sent for Mrs. Martin.
She came In colorless, sad dignity
and stood silently before me.
''Tell me-" I said.
"She died In this house three months
ago"
She sat down.
81 am sorry you were not here. 1t
was a beautiful. easy death. She was
not sick. We just found her lying on
her bed one day with letter In her
hand. dead"
In the midst of all the formless
thoughts and feelings crowding upon
me ! was pierced by foolish grief
that my little woman should die on
one Of those prisonlike cots. 80 strange
and unhomely to her.
'sThe letter." Mrs. Martin went stead.
fly on after a moments silence. II had
buried with her. but kept copy Of
II. This IL IT,"
l half hesItated.
81 don't think you need mind reading
It." she said.
II was very brief. In half dozen
lines Anthony Stottman acknowledged
the receipt Of q final payment Of $50
a. wiping out the principal and inter.
est Of debt Of 5000 left unpaid In
the settling up Of Judge Aarchbanks
estate.
All. II was brief. but to what ,ears