davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
MOSQUITO DETERMINATIONS.
Each New Destroyer in Its Turn
Proves TO He n Signal
Fa allure.

Science is busily engaged in an effort
to exterminate the mosquito, with little
hope OF success as yet. No sooner has a
certain means of determination been
discovered by one scientist than another
shows that it is absolutely valueless.
states the New Orleans Times-Demo-
crat. 1t has been known for years in
India that almost all varieties of basil
POSSESS properties injurious or repul-
sive to mosquitoes, and which act as q
prophylactic in malarious districts. It
Is stated as scientifically ascertained
TACT that when great public work was
under way in Bombay the workmen
were so pestered by mosquitoes and suf-
fered SO much from malarial fever that
at the recommendation of the Hindoo
manager the whole boundary was
planted with holy basil and with other
basils which We're obtainable, with the
consequence that the mosquitoes at once
disappeared and the fever ceased from
troubling. The experience of India
with basil extended over centuries, and
the properties of the plant were so well
understood that no one thought Of
questioning them ~ <
Now comes the information that
Capt. Larymore, British officer and q
fellow of the Royal academy, has dis
covered in Northern Nigeria variety
OF basil, the ocimum viride, to which
he has given the name of the mos
quito plant" because it is utterly OBJ
noxious or deadly to the pests. The
captain asserts that by placing two or
three growing plants in each apart
ment and along the windward side of
the veranda house can be kept abso-
lutely free from mosquitoes, and that
the natives of Nigeria consider an in
fusion OF the leaves to be better rem
edy for malaria than quinine. This was
cheerful information, but as usual an
other scientist had another word to say.
DR.. Prout, the principal medical Of
ficer of the colony of Sierra Leone, has
just made report to the governor of
that colony, in which he declares that
the basil plant has no effect whatever
upon mosquitoes. He asserts that the
pests light on the leaves of the plant,
and seem to be entirely satisfied with
their surroundings. DR.. Prout has ap-
parently disposed conclusively of the
belief that the basil possesses any real
protective value. The evidence In favor
of the plant was entirely negative,
said DR.. Prout. and merely amounted
to the fact that when the plant was
present, something which happened In
its absence was supposed not to happen
On the other hand, the evidence secured
by his experiment was positive, and
did not take into account condolences.
Thus another sure cure for the mos
quito evil has proved to be worthless,
and science is as helpless in the pres
ence of the little pest as ever it was.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
,s5!t,iI,'',.i|:::,,.',.

IN THE old days, wnen our grand
mothers, or even our mothers, were
young, earning meant either rents in
gowns to be neatly drawn together or
stockings to be mended. But now darn
ing is pastime, an art, an accomplish
ment, If you will; but one need not be
possessed OF patient mind or even an
artistic soul to make for herself one OF
the new darned waists now shown in
the shops. Shirt waists are the most
elaborate of the many pretty things
made of this curious old-fashioned buck
toweling.
The material is bought by the yard at
any linen store, and costs from Is to SO
cents a yard, according to the quality
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
5.sS9Ess5sygGgNt3,leyseseyelyjtSzs!5@

The work is actually darned through
the loose threads, the color all being on
the surface, and not a single stitch
should show on the wrong side unless
there is an open space to be left between
two lines, in which case the thread must
be taken through to the other side. If
possible, the thread should be long
enough to follow out one line of the pat
tern, but in case new thread must be
taken a small but very secure knot may
be used to begin with.
The bands here illustrated, being fin
ished in points, can be adapted in many
ways, but will be found especially good
worked on the box plat Of shirt waists
from the shoulder down as far as de-
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
POTATOES A GREAT CROP.
Any Other Single Product
of the Farm.

The opinion generally prevails that
wheat or corn-in some regions one and
in others the other-constitute the crop
Of greatest value to the world. Such
is not the fact. The potato leads all
other staples, being produced at the rate
of 1000, DOC, 900 bushels year. while
the wheat yield is only $500. DOC, 900.
Europe produces seven-eighths Of the
worlds potatoes, but it is little Ireland
which eats most of them. averaging four
pounds of potatoes day per capita. The
United States is on record as the greatest
meat-eating country in the world, H.
600, 100000 pounds yearly being con-
sumed here There are psychologists who
ascribe to this her power on land and
sea. Johnny Bull has the sweetest tooth
among the worlds children, heading the
list of sugar consumers at q yearly rate
of 5000, 100000 pounds Of sugar. OF to-
bacco, however, the average in Belgium
is Ito ounces per capita, in the United
States only 43 ounces. But in the mat
ter of beer the United States again takes
the lead, showing record of 30 gallons
q year for each inhabitant.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
PARIS OF AMERICA
Mexico City Has Earned That Place
and Title.
Tho Mexican Metropolis Declared to
He . Jewel Set In the Crown Of
the Sister Republic OF the
UAited States.

Mexico City has been called the Paris
Of America, and with good reason,
surely.
Mexico City is Jewel set in the crown
of our sister republic; 1t does not shine
with light reflected from the great me-
tropolis upon our eastern shore, nor
does 1t pale in close comparison. It
CLEANS alone undimmed and with q
radiance peculiarly its own.
Set upon hood plateau, with the ever
snow-crOwned mountains standing as
sentinel. this lovely city commands
as grand view az is to be found in all
the world. To the north a never-ending
chain of verdure-hung mountains. while
to the south the glowing tints and volup-
tous beauty OF the deep valleys and
tropic gardens lie dazzling in the golden
sunlight.
Here you will find the contrast Of
splendor and squalor, following the
avenues of stately homes and pampered
luxury will be the narrow alleys and
swarming byways, the home of pesti-
lence and crime.
The aristocracy Of Mexico 10 found
among the descendants Of the pure Cas-
lillian Spanish and, with the flowing
Mantilla and Golfers Of gold, have come
the hidden dagger, the slow smile and
reacherous hand Of the Indian.
While you would miss the boulevard
cafe OF gay Paris, you will find its mate
behind gorgeous gilded pillars and heavy
hangings. Here, If you wish, fine .ob-
ster the waiter will bring a huge plat
terful Of the crimson monsters that you
may have your choice and decide which
shall be prepared for your delectation.
A long drive, through overhanging
branches of ancient trees. will bring
you to the superb Tacubaya, the Monte
Carlo Of Mexico. Here all day and all
night is the click of the wheel and the
clashing of the dice For the Mexican Is
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
Supernuous.

you've taken whole lot more
words to write up that little shooting
scraDe last night at the jumping Cata-
mount saloon than you needed" the
editor of the Cory Gulch Screameg said
to the new reporter. Were crowded
to-day"
How can shorten it," asked the re-
porter.
"You have written here that Com
anche Pete called Wild Dick liar and
Dick instantly drew his revolver and
shot him. All you need to say is that
he called Wild Dick liar, and then add
a few words about the arrangement
for the funeral. Chicago Tribune. $
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
Ants and the x-Rays.

Ants are entitled to plume themselves
as the very first discoveries of the
x-ray and its mysterious powers. Sir
John Lubbock experimental exhaustive
" as to the effect Of colored light upon
ants in captivity. He laid strips of col
ored glass over the nests, first putting
the ant eggs all under one special color.
In the end he determined that the ants
did not much mind red light; that
green light was also, in a measure. in
nocuous, but that invariably the eggs
were hustled from underneath the vio-
lent rays. In no case was more than a
single egg left there at the end OF two
hours, and oftener than not the removal
was accomplished in less than an hour.
Science.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10

washing very well. The effect of an ''old
bleach" waist, with cuff bands, stripe
down box plat in front, and stocks,
darned in turquoise blue and black, is
very good. AS the two threads are
darncd in at the same time, it is some
times the blue and sometimes the
black which shows the most. Pale
blue and dark blue, light green and
black, dark blue and green, pink and
black are all good color schemes, and II
something very extra is wished three
threads black, light blue and shrimp
pink-are very rich, all three, being
worked in at once.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
NO, MORE REVOLUTIONS.
The People OF Mexico Have Become
Good Citizens of . Progress
ing Republic.

There will never be any more revolu-
lions in Mexico" said a prominent Mex
lean recently, according to the Kansas
City Journal This condition is due In
part to the better education Of the peo-8
pie and to their prosperity, part to the
vast interests of the Americans in Mex
leo and the consequent fact that the
Americans will not allow trouble there
even to the extent, we believe. OF the
United States government intervening
In case of q revolution. But the main
reason why there will be no more rev.
olutions in Mexico is found in the iron
rule of President Diaz. He has made the
government stable, and he has gained
control there so absolute that he is not
only supreme, but will be able to place
his successor In as sure position as ne
has himself
."The Mexico Of now and of the days
before Diaz became president are dif-
ferent propositions. It was dull month
that did not bring q rumor on an in-
surrection and year without q war was
= blank on the calendar The Mexican
people are emerging from the Latin
habit OF being against everything. The
example set them by the peple OF the
United States is having its effect in bet
ter conduct and more provident manner
of living.
The people of Mexico are more FREQ
than they were, and they. are more pros,
porous than ever. They have become
good citizens of a republic. In the very
nature of things 1t has required years to
bring this condition about and the result
is worth the effort Of President Diaz and
the life that he has devoted to 1t. The
system OF peonage is going out There
are few Mexican laborers ON the
haciendas now who are in position
that is tantamount to chattel ownership
on the part of the employer. It was q
debt system, that under laws allowed
the transfer of the peon to another
employer without the consent of the
former. The laws have been modified
now, and the custom has about gone out.
The common laborer OF Mexico Is in bet
ter condition than he ever dreamed Of
becoming
my hacienda is not far from one re-
Gently purchased and peopled by Okla
homa people. The experiment Is one In
which take much interest. am not ut
this time prepared to make guesSas to
the result of these practical farmers go
ing to Mexico to engage in agriculture.
They are likely to make 1t win, however,
for Americans have habit Of doing
things in Mexico that Mexicans never
thought possible"
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
WAY OF TEE MODERN GIRL.
How to Obtain . Tempo
raFy Loan.

When our mothers lost their pocket
! books and found themselves far from
home without nickel, they boarded a
homeward-bound car and confided their
troubles to the conductor The modern
girl in such predicament has other re-
sources and shows more nerve, says the
Chicago Inter Ocean.
The first thing her penniless condi-
ton suggests is the pawn shop. It Is no
uncommon thing nowadays for the
girl who is temporarily in need of nor
ey to search out the sign of the three
gold balls and to pawn her valuables.
She finds it the easiest and surest way
to raise small amount of money in a
hurry.
It takes the superstitious girl longer
to pawn anything She knows It's a
process that hoodoos any lucky thing
one may have, and SO takes time in
making up her mind to it.
One of these girls entered a pawn
shop with much uncertainty of purpose
She wore three possible pledges, her fra
ternity pin, her grandmother's engage
ment ring, and an old Egyptian snake
ring that brought wealth to every
wearer.
AS a matter Of loyalty to her sister
hood she couldn't leave the badge of
that society in pawn, SO she renounced
that idea. 1t lay between the two rings.
It became a question of family pride
and possible lucre, and she sacrificed
the poor family and handed over grand
mothers ring to the man behind the
counter.
A girl who was bound for house
party had her pocket picked of all she
then possessed. She was changing cars
downtown and had the inspiration to
sell her coat.
She sought out secondhand CLOTH
Ing establishment, and after brief bar
gaining disposed of her covert cloth
coat for the moderate sum of seven
dollars. Then she went to the near
est telegraph Office and sent a mes
sage to her brother with full de-
scription of the coat and instructions
to go up and buy it back Immediately.
This over, she went on her way rejoic-
Ing.
Her brother found the shop, and after
much haggling got the coat back for
$40. The girl lost three dollars and the
cost of the telegram on that deal, but
she made her train.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
THIRTEEN AT TABLE.
An instance of the Correctness Of the
Time-Wern Super
stitiOn,

| .Of course, it is generally understood. =
said well-known resident to Wash
ington Star reporter, that about nine
persons out of ten are more or less tine
tured with certain amount of super
stition. confess myself to having
faith in various omens that find It
rather difficult toy eradicate. ! never
had any sympathy with people who
stand aghast at the number Is, but I
know of one event where 1t figured in .
rather grewsome sequel. s.........
Some years ago. he related, II was
visiting in New York. was there to
attend small banquet given TO- q gem
tleman widely known in this city. who
was about to visit Europe on an Inn
portant business mission. The enter
tainment was given at prominent Ital-
ian restaurant near the Fifth Avenue ho-
tel, and took place on the eva Of the
gentleman's departure. Everything was
In first-class shape, speeches were made
and bouquets Of compliments thrown all
over the guest, when along towards the
close OF the little dinner some one dir
covered that there were only 13 persons
sitting at the table. Instead OF keeping
this remarkable revelation to himself.
he cried out: Hello! there's only IL
here. That's bad luck. Some one Of M
will die within a year
Strange to say, this remark threw .
pail over the party. The guest Of the
evening was considerably Disconnected,
and to remedy the evil the proprietor Of
the restaurant was called on to swell the
number at the table to IA. But. every
body felt uncomfortable. Now for the
sequel. The gentleman IN whose honor
the little feast was given had most
abundant success in the work he had un-
dertAken and returned to America Inn
proved in health. wealth and fame. One
Of the hosts at his 'send-0ff' banquet
q man who had no more superstition In
him than has q whitewashed pump-be-
fore the end Of the year came to this
city. registered at one Of the leading ho-.
tells. went to his room very soon after
wards, locked himself UP ID the bath
room. turned on the gas with suicidal in
tent and was corpse long before the
sun rose next morning.
so this is one instance" continued
the superstitious citizen, where the
old legend of the number Is foreboding
bad luck to some person was proven to
be correct"
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
(sp1Tl-(sP1T1-(sp1T).
Specimen OF the siphon-Mouthed Or
atOr Whose WOrds FlOated
Out ON the Stream.

We will not mention time, names. or
place, but once upon time in Oklahoma
a citizen was made temporary chairman
OF a convention. He Is one of the wild
products Of the prairies, which the twin
territories would do well to keep in the
background, says the Kansas City Jour-
nal. This fellow belongs to that class
of men who are easily Influenced by an
appeal to vanity, and this was the way
to become recreant to his lifelong pO-
litical beliefs and old-established party
Affiliations. He Is q lawyer politician
who considers appearance of great inn
portance. In his youth some sweet
girl probably told him he resembled
Clay or Webster, which caused him to
devote himself ever since to trying to
look the part. He keeps his vest open
and cravat united. He affects laydown
collar to expose the supposed Byronic
curves of his neck. His hair is black,
long and flowing, in conformity with
the style OF the ancient statesmen Ofithe
oratorical epoch of our history, but on
account of the use Of modern headgear
stands out and curls,up In the back like
the perky tsil Of = strutting drake. His
face has strained look-strained by
q strenuous existence, strained by look
ing wise, and strained, oh, SO strained.
by chewing tobacco. He IL the cham
pton chewer of the territories and the
sure-shot splitter Of the plains.
This tobacco chewer manifested his
peculiarities while acting rs temporary
chairman OF said convention. His po-
sition. when speechmaking. is either
standing on one foot with legs crossed
and weight thrown heavily on his fist
resting firmly on the table. or standing
erect but head down and scowling WISE
", his arms crossed and each hand
clutching its opposite shoulder. Thus
and then he speaks: Ladies (spit),
gentlemen (spiD and fellow citizens
(spit), and members of this conven-
ton (spit)," etc. After he has talked
and spit himself out he takes drink of
water, sits down and rams home a new
quid. Before the permanent chairman
relieved him he had circumvallated his
front with an impossible arc of filth,
while all the other men and ladies on
the platform had moved away and be-
yond the zone OF his expectorating fire.
Oklahomans could well afford to dis
pense with the services Of such men
until they learn to practice the ordinary
usages of polite society.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
DEFICIENCIES OF ENGLISH.
We Have Half q DOsen Words Eek.
pressing Practically the
Same Meaning.

The English language may fairly
claim to be the most prolific in the
world. Not content with its native
riches, it possesses in special degree
the faculty OF assimilating everything
useful from other tongues, ancient and
modern.
1t ought, indeed, to be the most per-
feet vehicle of thought in the world;
and. in some respects, no doubt 1t Is.
says an authority on languages
But. curiously enough, there are def
ciencies in English not to be found in
far less copious languages. Whilst in
many cases we have half a dozen words
expressing the same, or practically the
same, thing, there are, on the other
hand, certain ideas that have no appro-
pirate words to express them.
In the words denoting relationship
some notable gaps may be found. The
most glazing instance is the want Of q
word to distinguish between a male
and female cousin.
Other languages, such as French and
Italian, have separate word for each;
but in English some addition or expla-
nation is required in order to make
1t clear which sex is intended.
The word "brother-in-law" is often
applied Incorrectly, for want of bet
ter word, as more remote relation.
Strictly speaking, brother-in-law is
either wife's brother or sisters hus-
band: but the word is frequently ex-
tended to denote the relationship exist
ing between two men who marry sis
tiers, or between q man and his sisters
brother-in-law.
We have fairly copious vocabulary
when we speak of animals, distin-
gushing nicely the male, the female,
the young, and even, in certain cases,
the aged.
But one curious deficiency appears.
The domestic fowl has no good square
word to describe it. Fowl is common
to any bird; SO is "cock" or ''hen,"
which, beside. only applies to one sex.
There is really no word corresponding
to turkey" or goose" by which to
designate ordinary denizens of the
farmyard.
Curious gaps occur here and there, in
our language. If we look into it. The
word show" expresses the idea of
making to see; but there is no word for
making to hear" 81 took the phono-
graph to my friend, and" What?
Got him to listen to it" would prob
ably be the inelegant finish of the sem
tence.
On the other hand. audience" means
those who hear, and applies very well
to those present In a lecture-hall or
But what of those who
see cricket match, for instance?
Spectators" is the nearest word, but |
It does not correspond exactly to Eau
dience."
HE said that he had offered him
which he had declined" would |
be quite comprehensive in either Greek |
or Latin; but in English it necessitates |
4 number of bracketed explanations,
which are positively annoying and de-
structive to grace and fuency.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
MISSION CRADLE ROCKER.
Unique Piece of Furniture for Moth.
ers Who Still Believe In EN-
cacy Of Rocking.

Forany mamma who is given to such
unhygienic actions as rocking herself
or her child there could be no more
quaint piece of furniture than the mis-
sion cradle rocker. It's old-timey
enough to appeal to the lover of old
furniture, and quaint enough to inter-
est anybody. Until baby grows into q
famous pedestrian it is big enough for
two. The little one may kick it's pink
toes in the shut-in end of the rocker
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
The Secret ont.

why is It," asked the Ludlow youth.
that of all the people who come to you
for advice, none ever appear to go away
dissatished?"
That's easily explained" answered
the Cumminsville Sage. when man
comes to me for advice find out what
kind he wants, and give It to him. ".-Cin'
cinnati enquirer
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10

and width. The best for the work is
quite coarse, and as the loops or threads
through which the pattern is worked
are large and loose the work will be
found not at all trying to the eyes. A
rather large-eyed needle is used, and
must be threaded with two threads of
working cotton Of different colors. Dark
blue and red are the best colors II the
article is to 60 to the laundry often, but
there are many beautiful combinations
which will stand an ordinary amount Of
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
MISSION CRADLE ROCKER.

while mamma sits at her ease in the
chair end. It is rush bottomed. The
ensemble is very complete, but just
whether mamma will take to knitting
just to be in the picture is not easily
determined. The old homemade rug
is right in line, and SO is the austere
china cat on the mantel. Mission fur
niture is delightfully."- simple for the
sitting room or for the nursery. and
this clever piece is valuable addition.
Tribune.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
Enjoying the sport.

PERKINS" languidly called Fweddy,
'tcome and take this beastly thing of
the hook"
While his man disengaged the fish
from the hook and put on fresh bait,
Fveddy yawned dismally.
ssThat's what makes fishing such
boah," he said. .sOnce il awhile you
catch one OF the slippery things. don't
You know."-Stray Stories.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-10
The 1,hermometer Scale.

The thermometer scale was really in
vented by Sir Isaac Newton. Fahren-
heit, finding that more intense cold
could be created by mixing ice and
snow, took that as his zero, and for
convenience divided Sir Isaac's scale
by four.