davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
The Last Straw.

It was Saturday night. and owing to
he temporary absence Of his wife 1t
fell to Mr.. Brown to attend to the
usual process of giving his eight-year'
old son a bath and putting him to bed
He had left his evening paper with a
mans reluctance and had hurried mat
tiers along with more speed than the
little chap was accustomed to. How
ever, he endured 1t all without pro-
test until it came to the prayer 1t was
his habit after "Now lay me" to ask
the divine blessing upon long list OF
relatives and friends, calling each by
name.
"Please God" he began, "bless papa
and mamma, grandpa and grandma and
Aunt Edith and Uncle George and"-
A pause. His father, thinking to cur
tail the list of beneficiaries, softly In
sinuated an "Amen." Not needing the
interruption, the little suppllcant drew
a long breath and continued, "And
Aunt Alice and Cousin Annie and
and"- Again his father said amen"
This was more than flesh and blood
could stand. and. lifting his little head,
he exclaimed, with tears Of indigna'
ton, Papa. who's running this prayer;
you or meY-Harper's Monthly.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Bryant's Pond.

Stillman Morse, veteran of the Civil
War, died suddenly Wednesday morning.
Mr.. Morse had been great sufferer for
years, and was obliged to take morphine
to alleviate his pain, and having been
suffering more than usual for the past
week, and in low and weakened con.
dition, he took an overdose of the drug
which caused his death. Funeral serv,
ices were held at the Baptist church a,
10A. NJ. The remains were carried to
Rumford for interment.
Dana Whitman of Everett, Mass, is
visiting relatives in town.
Norman McAllister of Fort Williams
is on furlough and stopping at his
mothers, Mrs. Edwin Coles.
Engineer Bowker and Albert Bowkel
spent Sunday with their people.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Reed of West
Paris were in town Wednesday.
The West Paris Dramatic Club pre-.
scented the drama "Under the Laurels,'
Friday evening to good sized house
The drama was interesting and well
played. From fifteen to twenty of the
School improvement League of West
Paris accompanied the club. After the
play dancing was enjoyed until about
O'Clock.
Harry Estes has been clerking for a
few days for Edwin Andrews.
The Pythian Sisterhood now hold
their meetings in Dudley's Hall.
Fred Hill is stopping with his father
and will not return to Berlin Falls as
he will attend Shaw's Business College
at Portland in the near future.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kilbon Perham went to
Lynn Thursday to spend the winter with
their children.
Frank NJ. Cole had bad spell last
Saturday night but was better in few
days.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29

Rev. Mr.. Whitaker of Mechanic Falls
preached here Sunday. Owing to the
storm the attendance was small.
The academy school is postponed one
week on account of the death of Miss
HodsdOn, the matron, which occurred
Wednesday afternoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Sturtevant, who
were married in New Sharon last Sunday,
are expected home this week.
Mrs. Bradford Sturtevant has been
very sick but at last reports was some
what better.
Mrs. Joseph Hibbs is recovering from
bronchial pneumonia.
Prof. j. l.. Pike spent Wednesday
night at Mr.. Hibbs'.
Mr.. Asa Robinson of East Summer is
visiting w. A. Bartlett.
Prof. j. F. Moody and Miss Hazel
Donham are at home from Auburn.
j. F. Moody, Jr., principal of Exeter
Grammar School, is at home for the va
cation.
Ira and Henry Bearce are at home
from Orono for two weeks vacation.
Miss Daisy Cushman has position in
a school in Winthrop, Mass.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
RumfOrd Falls.

Hon. Albert Daggett, who died Satur-
day morning, the 10th, was the con-
tractor who furnished the postal cards
for the government. He had been here
less than two years, having on his
previous contracts been located at Derby.
CT, and Piedmont, W. Va. He was a
well known Republican leader in the
state of New York for twenty years.
Since coming here he has taken much
interest in the growth of the town, and
has won many friends.
The Androscoggin rose six inches in
the rain of Sunday, the Goth.
Samuel Burleigh, the new superin-
tendent of schools for Rumford and
Mexico, arrived in town last Monday.
During his recent visit in town, Hugh
j. Chisholm was heard to state that he
should not stop until Rumford Falls had
a population of $4,000. He spoke of ad-
ditional paper mill industries which he
was endeavoring to induce to locate
here.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
GOWN GOSSIP.

Dancing gowns are made In all the
lighter fabrics. Tulle spangled with
crystal makes becoming costume.
Taken as a whole, the seasons styles
are more variegated than usual and
allow for Individual tastes as they have
never done before.
One Of the prettiest combinations is
ermine with squirrel. The latter fur
has not the prestige that 1t once en-.
joyed, but 1t is still considered modish.
Without any particular excuse for II
there has appeared singular invasion
Of military coats in blues, reds and
grays. with high choker collars and
GRASS buttons.
Silk lace. velvet and mousseline
waists will be quite popular this win
ter. Two piece suits are to be worn
extensively, and these have made one
or two waists almost indispensable.
The black silk coat. once omnipres-
ent, has suffered an almost complete
extinction. Even covert coats are out,
except for morning wear and shopping.
The materials now in favor are velvet,
heavy smooth cloth. zibeline and fancy
cloakings-New York Post.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Denmark.

Mr.. Dudley S. Perkins still remains
very sick.
Mr.. Will Ordway is running the boiler
and engine at the logging camp of Mr..
A. d. Fessenden.
There was a Christmas tree at the
East Denmark church Thursday evening
with large. attendance and many pres
ents, among them q sum of money for
the pastor.
At Odd Fellows Hall Friday evening,
there was a Christmas tree. At an
early hour the hall was packed with
people. A large number of beautiful
presents were brought for the children
and presented by Santa Claus. Music,
readings, etc., was the order of the
evening.
Rev. Fl. w. Palmer, pastor of the
Congregational church, was remembered
with an envelope containing a sum of
mOney
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
The Memory Machine

Amnesia. or loss of memory. is chiefly
interesting to the psychologists as
throwing some light on the nature Of
memory itself. \ perfect act of mem
DRY consists of three distinct acts-pres-
ervation or fiXation of certain states Of
the nerve cells, reproduction Of these
and. perhaps most remarkable Of all,
recognition of them us reproductions in
their relations. Morbid states Of the
memory may refer to any Of these
phases of IN act which is rs marvellous
as anything in nature. There are about
3,000,000,O00 nerve cells In the sur
face of the human brain. They never
die in health, and they are never re
placed or added to. This is memory's
machine
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
East Waterford,

Alton Ames is at home from Dennys
vile for the holidays.
Will Chadbourne and Harry ELL have
gone to Bethel to work on timber lot
Mr.. Chadbourne and George Stevens
bought. Mr.. Stevens will 20 q little
later. They expect to have crew OF
fifteen.
Elsie Sanderson is home on fort.
nights vacation.
The old fashioned sings have been re.
vived. There have been several pleas.
ant gatherings.
Herman Hill is working for L. NJ.
Sanderson getting of timber.
Skinner Bros. want the addition to
their barn for cows, not corn.
Mrs. Clara (Gils0n) Hodgman of Med.
ford, Mass, has been at ]. W. Ather-
toms few days.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
NeWry.

A very pretty wedding has taken place
to-day, Christmas, by which we lose one
of our most efficient teachers, Miss Effie
Josephine Thurston, who was united in
marriage to Frank Merton Stevens of
Lewiston, at 10 o'clock A. NJ, at the resi-
dence of the BRIDES parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. NJ. l.. Thurston of this town. Rev.
Mr.. Barton of Bethel performed the
ceremony, many friends and relatives
being present. After partaking of the
Christmas dinner the happy couple took
the train for Lewiston, their future resi-.
dence. The sincere wishes for their
happiness from host of friends accom-.
pany them.
Miss Perkins, from Aroostook, is
visiting her sister, Mrs. w. A. Foster,
with whom, and with other friends she
proposes to spend the winter.
Most cordially and earnestly we wish
each member of the "Bear Brigade y
your patrons and every one else, q
"Merry, Merry, Christmas.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Grafton.

We wish you all bright and "Happy
New Year."
Ernest Farrar went to Randolph, n.
H., Thursday, to spend Christmas with
his sisters and their families.
We recently called on Mrs. Brooks,
the aged lady who more than three
weeks ago was so unfortunate as to fall
and break her leg. We found her as
comfortable as could be expected, save
for the discomforts and suffering Incl
dent upon her close confinement and
lying in one position so long. Dear old
lady, she has the compassion of
the entire community.
Miss Susie Morse, who has been assist
ing Mrs. Farrar with her work for three
weeks, returned home Monday last.
We appreciate the mildness of this
Christmas time after the intense cold of
last week.
All quiet here now, the hunters having
disappeared at the close of the open
season, and the deer are resting in safety.
The weather and everything permit
ting, the circle will meet with Mrs. c. 7.
Parker on Thursday next, Dec. 81.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
BrOWnf1eld.

1t is raining hard this Thursday after
noon.
Christmas tree and entertainment this
evening at Memorial Hall.
Mr.. Peabody and daughters have gone
to New Hampshire for an indefinite
time.
Mr.. and Mrs. Rowe and little grandson
have gone to Peabody, Mass, to spend
the winter.
Nearly all the sick ones in town are
improving.
Harry Brooks is doing quite a good
deal in the lumber business.
Mrs. Linscott has been confined to the
house number of days on account of a
bad cold.
Mr.. John Bradeen of Porter was at j.
l.. Frink's office this week.
MIR. Granville, who has been quite
sick at his home in Porter, has 50 far re-
covered as to be able to common nee his
school again this week Monday.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Greenwood,

Soon after Scott Merrill got through
manufacturing apple barrels in Norway
he bought pair of seven-foot oxen, and
is now hauling wood of different kinds
for neighbor. Wednesday. afternoon
he went to Locke's Mills with a load of
bark. Mr.. Merrill says the rain last
Sunday came very near spelling the
shedding, since there is hardly anything
left in the roads but ice, and intact there
is but little snow anywhere.
The ice harvest has now commenced,
and should the weather hold favorable
everybody will find enough to do, dead
heads excepted.
A cloud of sadness came over our
mental sky on reading the death of Geo.
H. Briggs of Trap Corner. We knew
him from his early boyhood, also his
parents and nearly all his relations on his
mothers side, since the Kilbreth family
lived in our school district and the
youngest children attended The same
school with ourself for several years.
A few years ago We called on Mr.. Briggs
and spent couple of hours very pleas
antly together in talking over cid times,
little thinking it would be the last time
we should see each other this side of the
river.
John Titus commenced putting in his
ice Thursday, and two men went from
this place to assist him in his work.
1t almost seems sometimes as though
the deer know when the law comes on
to protect them, as we'll as the game
commissioner himself. The other day a
deer came into the Center road, near the
Elwell place, and after passing up some
distance he was accompanied by another,
and on they went leisurely together, as
much as to say, "ShoOt us now if you
dare" Apropos to the above incident,
still another might be mentioned as
showing how some of our young Ameri-
cans observe the game law: Recently a
six year old boy and his younger sister
were playing with couple of sticks,
when the little girl pointed hers at her
brother and exclaimed, chang" go
no." said her brother who seemed to
understand the whole situation, "you
can't bang now, the law is on And
that settled it.
Last week and the week before, in
Guiding just II days, our mail matter
was from one to four pieces every day
without an exception. Perhaps some
others got more during the same time,
but that was about all we had time to
read.
Yesterday package came here from
Albany, costing "a cents worth of
stamps; and if it had gone to Los
Angeles it would have cost no more.
That may be good economy, but some
how it is difficult to see it in that light.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Afternoon Tea.

High tea" is said to be Of American
origin. The earliest mention Of 1t, ac-
cording to DR.. Murray. goes no further
back than 1866 In fact, tea as an aft
ernoOn meal is not much older. 1t Is
thought to have originated in 1897 In
the house of Nine. de Circourt, n Rus
sian lady, whose salon in Paris was at
that time much frequented by the most
intellectual society Of the day. The
fashionable dinner hours were then
getting late. and she introduced .
o'clock light meal. at which tea was
served. Fanny Kemble in RECORDS or
a Girlhood" attributes the introduc-
ton Of the afternoon meal into this
country to the then Duchess OF Bed
ford. Fanny Kemble paid a visit 10
Belvoir castle in March, lS42, and She
relates how n mysterious invitation was
received to the duchess private rooms.
where she found small group or
friends partaking Of tea in q private
and rather shamefaced way. and dates
the s o'clock meal from this time. But
It was several years later that the prac-
tice became general.-London Chron-
icle
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Driver, WHO Throw Their Horses.

"There ought to be II license system
or some scheme to prevent such rel
low driving Il horse" declared Il lover
of horses as IL heavy truck horse fell
in Broadwar the other day. That
ignorant blockhcad made that Eors?
fall. He turned the animal so quickly
that lie simply threw ii of its feet.
Now several score OF trucks Will be
blocked until the horse gets on its feet.
and then thu driver will take it out OF
the poor az anal by Jerking ut the bit
or beating l..
az man wouldn't trust IN automo-
bile to follow who didn't know how
to run tie machine, and the law wonld
not allow E.n 10. but lie will trust his
horse to hoy who hasn't the first idea
of handling horse. Half the drivers
of trucks and delivery wagons need
some elementary lessons in how to
drive. and most OF the accidents on the
streets are due to their ignorance and
STUPIDITY" New York Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
THE OXFORD BEARS.
THE oolNoS OF THE WEEK IN ALL
SECTIONS OF THE COUNTY.
Paris Hill.

First Baptist Church. Rev. h. h. bteh0p,
s sa.sSS saacs sons sunday
afternoon al 8. Sabbath Evening Service at so
p. N. Prayer Meeting Thursday evening at
80. Covenant Meeting the last Friday before
NOT otherwise connected are cordially Invited.
Universslist Church. Rev. J. H. Little: Pastor
Preaching service every Sunday at II A. =.
Sunday School at Il u.
Ernest F. Shaw came from Kennebunk
and joined his family here Tuesday,
remaining until Saturday.
Ernest A. Perham, who now has posi-
ton in the New York navy yard, is
spending a vacation revisiting Paris Hill.
He is stopping at the Hubbard House.
Miss Gertrude NJ. Brown arrived at
the Hill Wednesday to spend the
Christmas season with her parents.
Miss Julia c. Snow, who has been
away for several weeks, returned home
Wednesday.
Elmer W. Cummings is at home from
the University of Maine for the Christ
mas vacation.
Lewis b. Brown arrived Thursday
evening to spend few days of the
Christmas season with his parents here.
Mr.. Brown is in the mining business in
Siberia, and has just arrived in America,
the steamer on which he came getting
into New York at midnight Wednesday,.
A pleasant time was enjoyed at the
Christmas festival of the two Sunday
Schools, held at the Baptist church Fri
day evening. The exercises were in
charge of Rev. Mr.. Bishop, the pastor of
the church. The programme included
hymns by the congregation, singing by a
male quartette, and recitations and sing
ing by the children of the two Sunday
Schools which were of more than ordi-
nary excellence, and a short talk by
Rev. Mr.. Little. Santa Claus then APP
peared, with his flowing beard (natural,
by the way), and delivered dissertation
of some length on the progress of 'peace
and good will'' among the Christian de-
nominations, following which he scat
tered candy among the audience, and
distributed few gifts. A fairly well
filled tree was then unioaded.
Mrs. Columbia Cole, widow of w. H..
Cole, died at the old homestead Sunday,
the goth, and was buried on Tuesday.
Mrs. Cole was daughter of the late
Scion Royal, and was 10 years of age.
She leaves two children, Mrs. Horace d.
Tuttle of this town and Will E. Cole of
Lewiston.
George NJ. Atwood and family spent
Christmas with relatives at Dixfield.
The purchasers of the Silas Maxim
estate have decided on names of family
interest to give their places. Mr.. Brown
has selected Grumblethorpe after a
Welsh manor, and Capt. Lyon has chosen
Strangleholt because of naval memory.
The homestead will be Haloheight.
Guy Bennett is at home from the Uni
versity of Maine for the Christmas vaca-
ton.
The Universalist Sunday School has
had the ''star system" in operation for
two years, and three solid gold stars have
recently been awarded to scholars who
have been present every Sunday for the
two years, unless excused on account OF
illness or for other good cause. The
winners of the stars are Miss Josephine
Cole, Howard Cole and Edward East
man
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29

The services in all the churches Sum
day dec. 20,) were appropriate to the
Christmas tide. Special music was
rendered and the attendance very good
considering the very unfavorable wealth
or.
Mr.. j. W. Dyer, a former teacher in
the academy, now of Bethlehem, Pa,
has been the guest Of friends the past
week.
The chair shop has shut down for q
short time for the annual taking account
of stock.
The streets have been lively with
Christmas shoppers the past week.
Many of the pupils of Gould Academy
went to their homes to spend the
Christmas recess.
The Bowdoin boys from Bethel and
those who are attending Maine Uni
versity are at their homes.
Mr.. Fred Merrill of Harvard Law
School has been visiting his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. E. Merrill.
Thursday evening the Universalist and
Congregationalist societies held their
annual Christmas supper for the Sab
bath School and parish. After supper
interesting exercises were given by the
children, then the we'll loaded trees were
relieved of their burden and the chill
dren and those of larger growth were
made happy, not only in receiving but
in giving.
Miss Mildred Tuell, who is teaching
home for the holidays.
Mr.. Edwin II. Smith, who purchased
the standing timber on the William L.
Chapman lot near the village, has clear
ed the lot OF all excepting the pine. He
has cut 100 cords of wood, about 300
cords of pulp timber, besides cedar,
etc. About 100000 of pine will be
drawn to the mill of j. S. Morrill, to be
sawed. Mr.. Morrill, is doing an ex-
tensive business this winter. Mr.. E. s..
Kilborn will put in 400 cords of birch
to be worked up at this mill.
Mr.. w. w. Hastings has become the
owner of the buildings at the corner of
Broad and Main Streets known as Chap
man block, having been erected by the
late r. A. Chapman. This gives Mr..
Hastings ownership of all the property
extending from the store he occupies to
the building now occupied by the Bethel
library.
Mr.. Malcolm Bean, who spent several
years in Bethel, has returned to visit old
friends after residence of several years
in the West.
Friday evening, the Methodist society
observed Christmas at their church.
The entertainment was very pleasing
and the evening will be one long to be
remembered by the children.
The remains of Mr.. Frank Smith, who
died in Gorham, N. H., were brought to
Bethel Christmas day to be buried in the
family lot.
Mrs. Fred P. Chandler and daughters
spent Christmas day with her parents.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
TIMELY TOPICS.

That European concert sounds very
much like comic brass band.-Mem
pills News.
Graft Is indeed the most imminent
peril of the day In public affairs. II
embraces all ~other perils.-Baltimore
Herald.
The enthusiasm which Japan and
Russia are showing for peace causes q
suspicion that there must be stock of
damp powder in the far east.-Wasl-
ington Post.
The sultan has had a printer execut-
ed for making typographical error.
II Abdul lived In this country he would
have to inaugurate a new series Of
massacres.-Memphis Commercial APP
peal.
The cities and towns which run their
own lighting plants pay very small
salaries In comparison with what are
paid to the managers Of private cor
porations. The result Is that the cor
porations get the best men and munic-
ipal ownership the lower price men,
Boston Advertiser.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
SPORTING NOTES.

Young Corbett's next fight takes
place Dec. 20 in San Francisco. He
meets Eddie Hanlon in a twenty round
bout.
The correct name of the fast daugh-
ter of Anderson Wilkes, 2:22H, is not
Oracle Kellar, as usually given, but
Grace Keller. 2:10h.
1t looks as If Terrible Terry" like
Jim Corbett. out of consideration for
his knuckles. will have to beg the
privilege of bandages very soon.
Barney Oldield of Detroit, Mich,
holds almost Il dozen auto racing rec
ords Of national Importance. He Is
plainly the American champion auto
mobilist.
Clarence Mackay. the New York mil
lionalre sportsman. denies that lie will
race thoroughbred stable OH eastern
tracks next year. He says. I'm too
busy to race"
Don Derby. 2:04A, driven by his own
er. james Murphy. recently stepped
half OH the New York speedway In
O:57h. How fast could he step on the
Memphis track?
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Their Climate.

"Your climate can't possibly be as
damp as ours"
Think not:"
mo. indeed. Why. our climate Is so
damp we never raise anything but
umbrellas"
But ours is so damp we never think
of raising umbrellas. They're always
up"-Philadplphia Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Gcnernus Utah Woman.

A woman doctor went to Utah to
practice. She was Il pleasant lady as
we'll as skillfu. and her patients were
very fond of her. How | wish" said
one of them that could convert you
to our religion. II you would only
marry my husband and come and live
with US
The doctor fled in horror to another
friend to whom she told the story. Her
self respect began to revive and she
felt comfor,rl. seeing how the eyes OF
her listener blaZed.
. 81 don't wonder you feel as you do.
replied the friend Indignantly. THE
idea! Why. that Mr.. - is perfectly
horrid! What you want to do Is to
marry my husband and come and live
with u.s. '-Plattsburg IN. " Tribune
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-12-29
Lowell.

The Ladies' Circle was entertained at
the village church Friday evening. After
the supper was short entertainment
and Christmas tree. 1t was very en-
joyable evening.
There was supper and Christmas tree
at the Centre at the Christian church
with a goodly company.
The scholars from away are at home
for the Christmas time. Alice A.
Stearns from Wellesley; Jessie A. Chap
man, Virgil Horn, and Bessie Knight
from Fryeburg; Leola NJ. Noyes from
Norway; Truman Stearns, Frank Cush-
man, Grace Plummer from North Bridg-
ton; Althea Farnham from Bridgton.
BY the breaking of bride chain one
of Preston Charles horses was injured
recently. He bought another to take
its place during recovery.
The roads are dangerous for man or
beast on account of the ice.