davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

Being q dignifed old gandert and
Knowing that n goose is of more
value than three hens, I have never
had much to say to the roosters and
their focks. FL
Now and then I have met an old
hen who lad other thoughts than
clucking about and rufling up her
feathers and trying to pass for a pull
let, but most 81 them ire not worth
3 gander's time.
1t is still worse with the ROSTERS. ]
can't say that I ever met one who'd
talk about the weather or the crops
for five minutes. Their idea is to
strut about and show of before the
hens and chickens, and because they
can crow and fight they try to put on
airs over the geese and ducks.
They know what I think Of them,
however. I've given many of them q
good drubbing, and they quit strut
ting around me years ago.
1t was about three years ago we
had a rooster here who was a beauty.
He was black as night, and his feath-
ers shone like silk, and if ii
hadn't been for his foolish ways the
whole farm would have been proud of
him. Because he was big and hand
some he thought himself the smart
est rooster in the whole state. The
other roosters ran from him, and the
hens all bowed down, and the chick
n held their breath as he passed by.
One day I heard this rooster boast
ing to the hens that he had heard of
a fox being in the neighborhood, and
that he was going to hunt HIM up and
drive him away, This was dreadfully
foolish talk, and I called the rooster
aside after awhile and said:
"My frienu, you should not talk such
nonsense to the hens. No rooster
ever Matched is a match for a fox"
"Do you mean that I cannot make
the fox run for his life?" he asked.
"Of course you can't. A fox would
kill you in a minute. Even the big.
gest gander is afraid of a fox"
That's because you are geese and
can't My dear old gander, don't
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13
L%IFE-sAvING BUOY.
An Invention That VIII Add Much 70
the Safety of Travellers ON the
Briny Deep.

The invention here shown speaks for
itself, and its advantages in saving lives
in case of a wreck can easily be seen.
II is designed either to occupy a place
among the equipment of a vessel or to
be stationed near dangerous rocks
along the coast, and not only provide
a means of support for those in the
water, but also carries supply of food
and water to maintain life until aid
arrives. There is a central department
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13
DOLL BERTHA TAKES 4 Nap.

Come, Bertha, I've swung your hammock
Right under the Hlac-tree,ars
And I'm going to swing you to sleep there,
For it's shady as shady can be.
There's a dear little nest up above you
Where the hu~mming-birds come and 60,
And you can look up and watch them
AS you swing, dear, to and fro.
Not all dolls own such ahammock-
I hope you appreciate this!
And you look as you lie there, darling,
AS If MISUNDERSTANDING were bliss.
DO you see the pretty cloud-shadoWs
As over the avn they creep? Il
And the roses-why, Bertha, my darling!
Sh! sh!-she is fast asleRi ,
-Emma G.. Dowd. In Youths Companion.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

The young aspirant for literary
honors took his first story to his un-
Gle, the old doctor, and asked his opin-
ion of it.
Doesn't it show some originality,
uncle?" he said.
"Y-yes," replied the doctor, reIuc-
family. There is some originality
about it, but I don't like its moral
tone. The sewers of your fancy,
young man, need flushing. Chicago
Tribune.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

When tins are hard to wash, where
food has burned on, like baked fish or
oatmeal, put the dish on the stove, filed
with cold water and a Tablespoonful
of baking powder, and let it boil, and
your dish win wash readily and the
oder Of fish viii be gone.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

ical in form, with a three-sided PROBES.
ton just back OF a broad wooden man
tel, which extends around it. The
bricks were first painted an artistic
sage green with common paint, and
afterward finished with the same color.
in enamel, while the wooden mantel.
was stained the same shade Of green
N. Y. Tribune.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

"Ah," quoth an Edinburgh gentle
man to a manufacturer Of artificial
limbs, as he was being shown over the
latter's busy factory the other day,
''these pieces Of timber" pointing
to a lot of wooden legs"-'are but so
many eloquent protests against the
horrors of war"
Exactly" answered the manufae-
turer = stump speeches!" - Londol
Answers.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

This simple and tnexper Fa ha'
tectiYe fireplace was bniit e5na
try mason ont of common ther
making the arch being knocked out 81
q point before placing them IS post non.
The projections on eifher side serve
e. seats when the fireplace 6 used 81
placing cushions upon them, "a they
hold tall jars 81 flowers 81 the summer
The upper part Of the chimney which.
shows in the room Of the ceiling s. e1ns
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

Moths fly against a candle fame be-
cause their eyes can bear only a small
amount Of light. When, therefore
they come within the light of the
candle their sight is overpOwered and
their vision confused, and as they can.
not distinguish objects they pursue
the light itself and fly against thu
flame.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

in which the food and water are placed.
to which access is gained through a
water-tight door. At the bottom of the
float is a ballast chamber which pre-
vents overturning in trough sea, and to
further aid in supporting the float at
the top of the water a number of sepa-
rate air chambers are provided around
the outer edge, with ribs to distend
them and lessen the liability Of pune
ture. Around the buoy, just above
the water line, a cable is suspended,
and the ladder provides a means to
reach the lookout at the top, where a
flag and bell are in use as signals. A
patent on this li~fe-saVing appliance has
been granted to G. F. Abraham, of
Baltimore, Md.-Cincinnati CONNER
cial Tribune.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13
~. Rrourht un An 60.

Little Mays parents had changed
their place Of residence frequently, and
one day when some older persons were
telling where they were born and
brought up she said, with a sigh; 81
was Just born everywhere Rpd brought
up all oveIs"
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

Muslins, lace and embroidery should
be washed in soap suds rinsed wen,
starched Immediately and then pulled
into shape. Embroideries should be
ironed on the wrong side over flannel.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

Grass stains should be rubbed well
with molasses, then washed. Mildew;
Cut common soap fine and cook to paste
with water; spread paste on spots and
sprinkle with fine powdered potash;
spread on grass in sun one day.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

The first skates were made out Of
the bones of animals. Sometimes chill
dren would sit on the jawbones Of a
horse or cow and propel themselves
along the ice by means Of iron slaves.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

She-It's too bad poor Jack Good
fellow failed; he has SO many friends.
too.
He G~eaectivelD-Hs hadl-BrooE
Ign Life.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13
VAINGLORIOUs ROOsTER.

Gray Goose GandeF Tel1s How the
Growing Dude was Eaten UP
~ . Hungry Fox,
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

Miss Pecks-Johnny, dear. do you
think I am the best teacher you ever
had2
Johnny-No, ma'am. Experience "a
the best teacher.-Philadelphia Bul-
letin.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-10-13

Being q dignifed old ganders and
knowing that one goose is of more
value than three hens, I have never
had much to say to the BOOSTERS and
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08
CHApTDR IX,-(ContlnuedO


80 YOU have reached this point of
successl" Maxwell continued, In his
dry way, Eyes, my dear WIN, II
doesn't always answer to run ones
head against wall; this time the
masonry remained firm. You have
tangible proof of It, since your prog
ress is impeded, You were raging up
and down like Gagged lion"
DO you want to mock me even In
this terrible situation?" cried Roland,
impetuously. you do not know how
was dlsarmed or what II Is to meet
with base treachery In the house
where one seeks happiness and love-"
Didn't warn you against this
Edward, though knew him only from
your description? He was travelling
when | called on the Harrisons with
you--luckily Had had the honor
of his personal acquaintance, the
whole plan would have been impossl-
BILE, ] pass here for the eminently re-
spectacle Doctor Blackwood and, as
that worthy man, have been received
with the utmost courtesy. Were 1t
known that instead Of medicine l was
enga ged in the iron business at pres
cnt, the courtesy would probably end
promptly-on both sdes | shall shoot
this noble Mr.. Harrison with the ut
most composure II he takes 1t into
his head to enter the corridor, Be-
sides, Ralph is mounting guard at the
outside door, to which fortunately a
second key was found, and will give
us sign II danger is approaching,
But, at least, tell me how II was
possible for you to accomplish all this
in single half hour, for you cannot
have been here longer, You went to
the outposts?"
where Lieutenant Davis had again
created an entirely unnecessary alarm
There is no appearance Of fever. Two
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

violont struggle, wrenohed II from ita
fastenings. The opening was madOi
and, after few anxious moments, Ro-
land had forced his way through and
was standing in the corridor beside
his friend.
"Herel" said the latter, lace" Ically,
handing him revolver and grasping
q second pistol himself, Nov Ill in-
struct Ralph"
William uttered sigh Of r0llef
when he found himself free and felt
the weapon In his hand.
II thank you, Johnl" he Dried on
Enthusiastically after his rotreating
friend "You are right, Wo two will
HIle the whole households"
Eyes, that Is Just to your tastel"
returned Maxwell, tartly "Tbis time
we really must run our heads against
the wall, and II 1t happens to stand
ilrmer than we expect, II will cost us
our lives. You have arranged mat
ters so that We have no choice But
keep quiet Harrison may come at
any moment; the fighting will begin,
and-you will play the principal role
again"
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

upon woman for her lack OF the power
to choose and to plead! Know ye not,
my lords of creation, that by far the
most frequently ye are the chosen and
not the choosers? II she Wills you to
come you come. II she Wills you to
speak you speak, and, more than that,
she has the added power to send you
away empty II 80 her caprice decides.
This in the common life OF every
day. What, then, might be expected
in the mystic time when love rules allY
At least, Valentine Sprite holds royal
sway. II she Wills your missive flies to
her. II she Wills she even binds o
snowy message to the wings Of Mer-
curry and bids him speed with 1t to her
chosen valentine, for who shall say her
nay? The Valentine Sprite mistakes
not-whom she chooses him she holds.
Heretofore, my brothers, / have
warned you, though the warnings were
vain, but against this enchantress l
cannot bid you steel yourself, for the
soft witchery OF her innocent smile has
sealed my lips, and | know not whether
this maiden with the childish grace
and the woman's wiles be most q bless
ing or snare TO you. can only tell
you this-ycur struggles against hor
will amount to naught but your own
complete captivity, for with each
plunge you sink deeper the arrow that
has pierced you.
This much Of the mystery, however,
l can reveal to you: Mortal maid is
the Valentine Sprite until that fateful
morning when the little winged god
files from chamber to chamber and
touches sleeping eyes with the feather
end Of his arrow, then speeds him on
his way before the white lids unclose
in wonder and the sweet glances go
forth with the wisdom that Cupid
alone can give and each one is touched
with the power of his arrow point.
Mortal maid she is not from that hour
until the going down of the sun, and
man is utterly helpless against the
subtle witchery Of this mystic, love-
created being who beckons him into
Elysium.
And you, o youth, who scoff at the
time-honored privilege Of sending to
some lady fair upon this day Of days a
plea from your heart, hidden and
shrined within some dainty, perfumed
nest OF beauty. or who turn with a
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

soon as you are at liberty, Ralph
shall announce, apparently In great
trepldation, that his young mistress
has suddenly disappeared. He has
looked for her in vain. OF course, she
can be only in one place. Harrison
Will rush here as fast as possible Ia
Illustrate the attempt at liberation
and we shall have him In our hands
Then he can occupy the place which
he so kindly selected for you, and you
can use his marriage contract-the
simplest exchange possible"
But that Is partial deception" re-
piled William. Am | secretly, craft
lily, to steal right which was prom
ised me openly in the presence Of oil
the world? Am l to urge Florence to
marriage in this terrible hour which
robs her OF a father"
stop, VIII! My patience is being
exhausted" Maxwell angrily inter-
rupted. Don't bother me again with
your German slownoss and stupidity,
or I'll leave you behind bolts and barA,
One can't lead good fortune straight
to your arms. You must first inspect
1t on all sides-subject 1t to a critical
examination-to ascertain whether 1t
is thoroughly ideal and free from
earthly dross; and meanwhile the
light, airy thing flutters out Of your
hands, In short, do you want to mar
ry Florence or not?"
"Of course l do. But"
VERY we'll, then, the matter Is set
tied. Leave the rest to me. True,
it's abominable to expect best man
first to drag the bridegroom from be-
hind so many iron bars, but you must
have some unusual circumstance con-
nected with 1t. One thing more: OF
course you have no weapons"
SHOULD have been captured other
wise? l certainly would not have sur
rendered with arms in my hands,"
II anticipated that and concealed
two pistols about me. There, now I've
finished. Try your strength and see
II you can tear out the grating"
The file had worked unweariedly all
the time, had cut through the larger
portion Of the grating and loosened the
rest, but the iron still held. William
tugged and shook in vain, and there
was no more time to lose. But the
consciousness Of danger ler-A A."
young man unnatural strength 4..suS
a few unsuccessful efforts he again
seized the grating and. with q last,
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

cases Of sunstroke, which were not even
severe, and will probably terminate
favorably. I've had the men removed
to the hospital and sent a report ia
the colonel. Davis introduction OBJ
talned for me the loan OF a suit OF
civilians clothes from the owner OF
the adjoining plantation, and, as
wanted to profit by the beautiful af-
ternoon and my leave Of absence,
rode to Springfield"
The accompaniment to this story,
told in the most matter-of-fact tone,
was the low, harsh grating Of the file,
which the speaker was diligently US
Ing. The whole affair was thorough
ly characteristic Of John Maxwell.
Any one else would have done every
thing in his power to keep his friend
from such venture, and, when all
failed, would at least have been anx-
ious and troubled about him. John
did neither. He considered the form
er useless, the latter superluous; but,
without wasting another word, he rode
straight into the jaws Of danger af-
ter his man and considered 1t the
simplest and most natural thing In
the world.
William stood close by the window,
breathlessIy watching the work Of lib
Grafton, as we'll as the dim light Of
the room permitted. He could do moth
ing to help.
Have you talked with Florence?"
he asked. Does she know your plan?
She is now alone at her fathers death
bed--alone with the scoundrel who
betrayed mel"
Hardly, for have forbidden him
to enter the sick chamber; and be-
sides, he has visitor--the magistrate
from the city, who was summoned
here for the wedding. They are In a
hurry, 1t must be admitted. Mr.. Har-
rison wished, under any circum-
stances, to become Benedict to-
day"
"The magistrate? So he has really
come? l should like to wiring his
neck!"
"You will please refrain from that"
said Maxwell, reprovingly. "Mr.
Thompson is a good friend Of mine,
whom hold in great esteem. 1t was
he VINO originated the peerless idea
Of considering me Doctor Blackwood.
WcnS hi.s his neck wrung on any
account, az. 1t would be very i'm
practical On your part A justice is
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

They say she is out of date in this
end Of the nineteenth century, but that
Us wrong. She may be more coy, more
Ireticent, more elusive, but she is still
with us, On each st. Valentines day
she peeps from her easement window,
either literally or tiguratively, with
Just as enticin3 a glance; her smiles
are no less alluring; ner sighs create
fully as much havoc.
Perhaps she no longer pins bay
leaves to her pillow to tempt fate, or
makes pretense of drawing her lot
from bundle Of names written upon
slips OF material paper-all that was
but form at best. The SprIte of the
Valentine knew well who was her fate
without such expedlents. And she
knows 1t now.
The eyes OF common mortals might
be blinded, but her bright eyes looked
clearly into the future and saw there
the chained captive who reveled in his
chains She read some tender verse
and smiled at its innocence-she who
was all innocence herself, yet gifted
with that prescient sense OF prophecy
or foreknowledge, against which the
clumsy reason of mortal swain was as
helpless as the wiles of an infant. She
smiled and no mystic rite could be
more potent. She gave one glance
from beneath the witching fringe of
her long lashes, and no other sorcery
was needed. The same Is true today.
Good St. Valentine was martyr,
they tell us, and some can see no pro-
priety in naming this lovers day for
him; but to my mind the fitness is
most striking. How many a tortured
heart has gone to its martyrdom at the
eventide of this dayl Even escaping
that, how many a soul has been placed
upon the rack by the coquetry of some
maiden sweet at this same crucial
time! For the Valentine Sprite is true
to her sex, in spite of the traditions
that hem her in and fix her place as
some meek captive awaiting the decree
that shall send her rejoicing into
whatever arms are stretched out to
receive her.
Be not deceived. She has decided
upon the arms long before, and they
are held forth at her will. She may
have spoken no word save of the coy
est, but she has willed. Ah, how de-
hAAM are they VINO cast q plying eye
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

o poor Mr., Postman, you never will
know
What fine things you're carrying
there!
What dear little doves, Just as white
as the snow,
What roses 80 blushing and fair,
What nice little Cupid's, so smiling
and fat,
What sweet little verses, all rhyming
80 pat.
o poor Mr.. Postman, I'm sorry for
you!
'Tis q very hard lot must say,
To carry such lovely things hidden
from view
Nor get one peep inside them all
day;
And when merry st. Valentines ended
and done,
To have given them all away, every
one! u. II. THOMAS.
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08
CATS CAN SWIM.
An Old FlShermnn's Story In Illustration
of That Fact.


of That Fact.
"Can cats swim?" was asked OF an
old fisherman, why, certainly" was
the reply, "and that reminds me Of
cat once tried to drown that swan
ashore. Surely there must have been
hundreds or thousands Of people who
have drowned cats In the same way,
but nevertheless this was an expert
ence Of my own. We had q cat that we
wanted to get rid Of, and as humane a
way as any to kill 1t was by drowning.
SO put couple of bricks in the bot
tom of an old grain sack and put In
the cat, and tied the bag up carefully
and securely and walked down to the
end of wharf and stood there and
swung the bag, with the cat and the
bricks in 1t round like sling until l
could give 1t good momentum and
then let 1t go, and slung 1t out to fall
and sink in the water, l should say
twenty feet away. l supposed, OF
course, that that was the last Of the
cat, but the next morning the first
thing l saw when l went out Of the
house was the cat sitting on the YER
anda. l suppose the bag had weak
spot in 1t somewhere, the bricks were
heavy and sharp-cornered, and swing
ing the bag round that way started
Il more, and the cat was desperate;
and with the bag that way 1t scratched
and tore its way out and got to the
wharf and clawed its way up and came
ashore. Can cat swim? Why, sure!"
Hutchinson gazette., 1900-02-08

an extremely important character. For
instance, he is absolutely necessary
at your wedding"
my weddlng?" repeated William,
In amazement, what do you mean"
why, | think the best plan Will be
to wind up the business on the spot
You want TO marry under any circum-
stances. The bride, the magistrate
and the witnesses are all here, 30 /
don't nee what is to prevent you ex-
cept this confounded iron grating
which | shall finally cut through. II
Florence is your wife, you can take
her with you to somo place OF secur-
ity, then your amiable cousin can keep
house here as he chooses. He can't
wholly ruin the plantation or carry
of the buildings; and, as soon as the
war Is over, you can assert your wife's
claim"
But, John, have you gone daftY
Such a plan In the house where Ed
ward rules and will summon all the
servants to his aid the instant we APP
pear. lie did so just now, at the time
OF my arrest"
"Pshaw, the servants! They are
only negroes, and not one Will lift his
hand against us as soon as we say
we are officers In the Union army, The
fellows are constantly coming In
throngs to seek protection with us
You were not known to them or elsC
they were afraid Of Captain Wilson
and Harrison. The servants are moi
to be feared. I'll undertake to dea
with the justice and his companion. 81
no one is left except your beloved fu
ture relatlve-and he must be mad,
harmless"
you mean that We are to attacl
him In his room?"
mo; that Is too uncertain, ant
will create an unnecessary stir In tn,
house. have a better plan. Al