davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
THE SERPENT'S VENOM.
MOhammednn Legend of the Origin
Of the Tobacco Plant.

Mona m euuh LeReuu VI NV Sssose
of the Tobacco Plant.
The prophet was taking stroll IN
the country when he saw q serpent,
stiff with cold, lying on the ground.
He compassionately took 1t up and
warmed it in his bosom. When the
serpent had recovered 1t said:
"Divine prophet, listen. I am now
going to bite thee"
"Why. pray?" inquired Mohammed.
Because thy race persecutes mine
and tries to stamp it out
"But does not thy race, too, mako
perpetual war against mine" was tho
prophets rejoinder. How canst thou.
besides, be SO ungratcful and 30 soon
forget that saved thy lifer'
There Is 10 such thing as gratitude
upon this EARTH" replied the serpent.
"and IL | were now to spare thee
either thou or another Of thy race
would kill me. BY Allah, l shall bite
thee"
"If thou hast sworn by Allah, l Will
not cause thee to break thy vow," said
the prophet, holding his hand TO the
serpent's mouth. The serpent bit him.
but he sucked the wound with his lips
and spat the venom on the ground.
And OH that very spot there sprang
up a plant which combines within II
SELF the venom Of the serpent and the
compassion of the prophet. Men call
this plant by the name Of tobacco
COnte Arabe.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
GERMAN GLEE CLUBS.
Early Days of the saengerfests u
This Country.

Early Days OF the Saen8eftests -
This Country.
In the early days of saengerfests IN
this country they were held annually.
The third saengerfest was held In New
York In 1852, and many Newark Ger
mans attended. Below are given ex-
tracts from the Newark Daily Adver'
tiser, printed at the time:
June TO- 1852. - The German gles
clubs of New York will celebrate the
third annual festival In New York
this year ON the 10th to 22d Of June.
The New York Journal Of Commerce
states that the glee clubs from abroad
will be received by the New York
clubs and honored with a t0rchlighe
procession. The principal performance
will take place at the Academy OF
Music, Fourteenth street, when the
choruses will be sung by over 100
male voices, accompanied by an Or
chestra of 100 pieces. On the 22d will
be held picnic on the BlOomIngdals
road, opposite Strikers bay.
June 22.-Third musical jubilee Of
German singers, Saturday to Tuesday.
10Th to 22d. The execution Of the
magic Flute" overture by 1.200 voices
was very uncommon and surprising BY
the New York clubs and was received
with great applause. The Eintrachts
of Newark sang "Wallisischsr Schif.
fergcsang" In u distinguished manner.
But the most marked performance was
Martin Luther's Elm Feste Burg lst
Unser Gott," arranged by Finke. We
felt Immediately what religious music
really is-hOw grand, solemn and sub
lime such a hymn is when performed
by a large orchestra and hundreds OF
voices. 1t was something to be re-
membered long. KOssuth was present
during an intermissiOn and was cheer
| ed.-Newark News.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Frogs und q Sna ke.

One day II couple Of my friends were
sitting OH the river bank, when they
heard the cry Of frog in distress.
Following the direction from which the
sound came, they discovered snake
In the act of swallowing frog. Just
then another frog, evidently attracted
by the distressing cries Of Its mate In
jeopardy, hoped up to the scene OF
action. For moment 1t sat blinking
at the enemy; then leapsd forward,
seized the snake by the neck aud
tugged 1t into the river. The water
quickly poured between the snakes
distended jaws, and it was, of course
compelled to release its victim in order
to escape drowning. This 1t promptly
did, and the liberated frog swan away
with its plucky mate, while the bafiied
snake wriggled as best 1t could to the
shOre.-M. Albertus COverdell In WO
mans Home Companion.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
The Ring California Gave Pierce.

One Of the most curious as well as
most valuable of American rings was
presented to President Pierce In 1S1.
by the citizens Of California. 1t Is OF
massive gold, weighing upward Of
pound. The circular portion is cut into
squares, which are embellishcd witt
beautifully executed designs, the entire
group presenting a pictorial history
of California. The seal Of the ring !!
really n lid, which swings upon
hinge and Is covered with the arms o.
the state of California. surmounted b!
the stars and stripes. Underneath Is
square box divided by bars of gol,
into nine separate compartments. eacl
containing n pure specimen of the va
rieties OF ore found in the country
On the inside Is the following inscrip
tion: Presented to Franklin Pierce
the Fourteenth President Of the Unitet
States"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Sure Way to Get Bait,

The boy wanted some worms for
bait. lie had selected promising
spot, shady and low lying dell; but
though he had been digging now for
fifteen minutes, not single worm had
his spade turned UP.
"Here. sonny" said IN old angler,
take this chunk Of soap and make me
Il quart or two of soapsuds.'
The boy brought the suds, the old
NAH spri.ihlcd them over the ground
and then l. in his turn began to dig
1t was an;:....:. Here, where the boy
before la. not found Il single worm
the old man now discovered them In
dozens.
You can haI worms most any
wi!crA. So.ay." said the old man, "ii
You ,rt tie ro.:nl with soapsuds first
The #oipitIs draws them. the same
as moias - draws ilics. \ weak mix
tine OF lre vitriol and water will dc
the same thing ai|o."
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Keen the Old Sow Over.

There will be strong temptation to
market the old SOW this fall on account
of the high price of pork. Many are OF
the opinion that their hog business is
more profitable when the sows are turn.
ed off after raising litter or two and
the breeding stock chosen from the
Youngsters. In this way, one gets rld
of the expense of feeding the old sows
during the late fall and winter months.
The Young ones must be fed fairly well
in any event, whether they be intended
for breeding purposes or for the meat
market, and it certainly is the most eco
nomical from the feed standpoint to let
the old sows go and fill the breeding
pens with young ones.
We do not favor this practice, how.
ever, even under present conditions. VI
course there will be plenty of sows in the
corn belt this fall that are worth S25 to
$50 each for meat, and where fifteen or
twenty old sows are kept over 1t is true
that some capital is tied up In time:
Nevertheless we believe in the fixed
policy of keeping over the best old sows.
Select those that bring through litter
of uniform pigs. There is no question
but what the old SOW will raise more
pigs and raise them better than young
one. Therefore, by continuing the prac-
tice of breeding from mature sows it
will materially contribute to keeping up
the stamina and constitutional vigor.
There is a growing belief among
many swine men that the reduction in
stamina of certain breeds is not 80 much
due to the practice of inbreeding as it is
to the mistake of continually breeding
from young stock; that is, from young
males. Some of our best feeders have
found that by using mature stock always
and by inbreeding sensibly they can fix
desirable characteristics only in this way.
IL anyone would take the time to
examine any good pure-bred swine herd
he would find that the owner believes In
the plan of breeding from mature ami
mails. While the man who raises hogs
for meat market has radically different
object in view, yet we believe that the
same principles apply and that the
profits in the end will be larger when the
plan of keeping the old sows as long as
they are able to raise large and uniform
litters is enforced.-Swine Breeders
Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Apples Developing Rapidly

September days have been we'll for the
maturing apple crop, as we'll as corn.
The outlook is substantially ~ last re-
ported in New England Homestead,
good for q reasonably liberal crop OF
winter apples, but uneven, and In some
of our important eastern sections less
promising than In New York and farther
west.
The weather has been generally pro-
pitious during the first half Of Septem-
ber; no serious windstorms, and good
proportion of sunshine has served to
develop and color the fruit. So far no
sweeping complaint is made OF general
deterioration in apple crop prospects.
However, winds have caused some loss
by drop here and there, and excessive
hot weather brought down the promise
in parts Of Michigan, New York and
New England. A satisfactory phase OF
the apple situation to eastern orchardists
this year is the fact that the quality OF
the fruit is generally reported as above
the average. Apples are said to be
showing up unusually sound and well
colored in western New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio, New England and Nova
Scotia. This fact may have much to 90
with encouraging buyers to take hold
with energy, and also is suggestive OF
good keeping qualities.
Dealers are making contracts, espe.
cially from western New York onward
in that direction. They talk low prices,
and reports reach The Homestead OF con-
tracts which do not net the grower bet
ter than 81 barrel exclusive of the
package. In Kansas and Missouri, i'm
portant commercial orchards, apples are
in some instances selling on the trees at
75 cents and 81 a barrel. No late ad-
vices have been received of Michigan
quotations. 1t is claimed considerable
quantities of apples have been secured
in western New York by dealers, for
autumn delivery, at 81 a barrel laid
down in New York city. Some recent
contracts in eastern New York have
been made at 81 25 to $3.50 barrel for
choice winter fruit on the trees. A
German house is reported to have bought
a big lot of No. apples in ives tern New
York. Little or no buying or contract
ing is reported, up to this time, here in
New England.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Dairy Wisdom from Farm Journal.


Now is the time to put old animals in
condition to sell.
Begin to feed those that are to be
turned off.
1t seldom pays to feed old animals for
profit.
Dry off the poor cows now and fatten
them before the weather is cold.
Be wise and keep only the best.
Use the test and know which are the
best. Don't guess at it.
The best time to fatten is in warm
weather; the best way, little grain
with the pasture.
still see, in driving around the coun-
try, calves in the pig pasture.
1t simply makes me sick. 1t is loss
to the owners, to say nothing OF the
suffering of the poor defenseless calves.
Don't do it any more. Give the poor
calves chance to help you make liv:
ing. They will do it if properly cared
for.
Keep them away from the torture of
flies. Remember that the future pros.
perity of the dairy is dependent upon
these calves.
Are the cows we'll supplied with green
fcdderP II not, you can not expect them
to keep up the supply of milk.
They should be protected from the
torture of flies by the use of some good
spray, and kept in out OF the sun during
the hottest part of the day. &,
Praise your wife for the good worH
she does in the line of butter making
She will prize it more than she would
the biggest blue ribbon at the state
fair.
What does overworking butter do:
It breaks the particles which ought te
be left whole and makes the butter
salvy. That destroys its good keepini
capacity. Look we'll to this part Of
| vour work.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

man Martin would give $1,000 for him
as he stands. He has hunted the state
for him. You remember Martin-Reddy
Martin-whO used to be on the mount.
ed squad! Didn't you hearf An OLD
uncle who made a fortune as build
ing contractor died about a year ago
and left the whole pile to Reddy. Hes
got q fine country place up In West
chester and IL in the city government.
Just elected this fall. But he isn't
happy because he can't find his old
horse-and here's the horse"
Next day an astOnished junkman
stood before an empty shanty which
served rs a stable and feasted his
eyes on a fifty dollar bank note.
II you are ever up in Westchester
county be sure to visit the stables Of
Alderman p. Sarstield Martin. Ask to
see that oak panelled box stall With
the stained glass windows and the
porcelain feed box. You will notice a
polished BRASS name plate Oh the door
bearing this inscription:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

AS for Shippers name. 1t was written
on the tag tied to the halter which he
wore when he came to the city. Skip
per heard him read it. The boy on the
farm had done that, and Skipper was
glad, for he liked the name.
There was much to learn in those
first few weeks, and Skipper learned
II quickly. He came to know that ut
inspection, which began the-day. you
must stand with your nose just on
line with that Of the horse OH either
side. If you didn't you felt the bit or
the spurs. He mastered the meaning
Of "right Dress" "left DRESS" "for-
ward" "fours right" and lot Of other
things. Some of them were very
strange.
Now, on the farm they had said,
whoa, boy" and "Gid a-a-ap." Here
they said, Halt" and Forward" But
Freddy" used none Of these terms. He
pressed with his knees on your withers,
loosened the reins and made a queer
little chirrup when he wanted you to
| SlIlOl). lie lel yOu INV" "ASA ~> ''
ed you to stop by the lightest pressure
| OH the bit.
1t was lazy work, though. Sometimes
when Skipper was just aching for a
brisk canter he had to pace soberly
through the park driveways-for Skip
per, although l don't believe men,
toned it before, was part and parcel OF
the mounted police force. But there
you could know that by the yellow
letters Oh his saddle blanket.
For half an hour ut time he would
stand Just OH the edge Of the roadway
and ut an exact right angle with it. mo-
tionless as the horse ridden by the
bronze soldier up near the Mall. RED
dy" would sit Us still In the saddle too
1t was hard for Skipper to stand there
and see those mincing cobs 60 by, theil
pad housing nh a-glltter, crests on theii
blinders, jingling their pole chains and
switching their absurd little stubs ol
tails. But it was still more tantalizine
to watch the saddle horses canter past
In the soft bride path on the other side
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Nm Waal Over His Eyes.

Uncle Abe, n grizzled old negro. vis-
tied geological garden. He stood fas-
cinated before cage containing
chimpanzee and could not be induced
to move. After awhile the animal
came to the front Of the cage and Un'
Gle Abe spoke to him.
"Howdy:" he said. "HowdyT
The chmpanzee not making any re.
sponse. Uncle Abe chuckled and
winked at him knowingly.
Oats right; dats de way ter DO!
Doan' you nebber gin ter talk. Ef you
does white man put er hoe In yer han
On meek yer wuk" he said.-Asrpsrs
Weekly
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

"rhut was Il perfectly lovely gentle
man I met last night" declared the
pretty mlln2r. lie has Il good, reli'
able bu. incsS too"
What is it," asked her friend.
"Nhy, he sells farm implements"
continued the pretty girl.
What kind OF farm Implements?
Notwithstanding but buckets. lie
told ne he kept bucket shop.
trOit Free Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
When to Dig Blighted Potatoes.

When should potatoes be dug II they
are found to be rotting in the ground
from late blight? The spores OF late
hight are supposed to be carried down
to tho tuber in the ground by rains or
by insects. When they reach the tuber
they send out a mycelial thread that
enters the tuber and by developing
causes the rot. It Is well known fact
that these spores retain their vitality
but a short time. Therefore, those po-
tatoss that do not become infected with.
in a short time after the vines die will
not rot, and those that are infected will
rot whether they are dug or not. OBJ
servation has shown that rot does not
spread from one potato to another In
the ground. We should advise that
potatoes that are rottlng in the ground
from blight be left a. long as the season
will permit before digging.--E. R. Ben.
nett, Storrs Experiment Station, Storrs,
Conn.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

| on the force. clean OF ulnD
SSss;s and sound Of wind he was,
49, with not blemish from the
tip OF his black tail to the end Of his
crinkly forelock. He had been broken
to saddle by Green Mountain boy
who knew more Of horse nature than
of the trashy things writ in books. He
gave Skipper kind words and an occa-
sional friendly pat on the flank. So
Shippers disposition was sweet and
his nature trusting one.
This is why Skipper learned so soon
the ways of the city. The first time lie
saw one of those little wheeled houses,
ali windows and full of people. come
rushing down the street with fearful
whirr and clank of bell he wanted to
bolt. But the man on his back spoke
in an easy, calm voice, saying: 5000!
There, me by. Aisy wild We. So-O-o!'
which was excellent advice, for the
queer contrivance whizzed by and did
him no harm. In week he could
watch one without even pricking up
his ears.
It was strange work Skipper had
been brought to the city to do. AS d
colt he had seen horses dragging plows,
pulling big loads of hay and hitched to
many kinds of vehicles. He himself
had drawn u light buggy and thought
it good fun, though you did have to
keep YOUR heels down and trOt instead
of cunter. He had liked best to lope
Off with the boy OH his back down to
the Corners, where the store was.
But here there were no plOws or
hay carts or moving machines. There
We're many heavy wagons, it was true,
but these were all drawn by stocky
Percherons and big western grays or
stout Canada blacks who seemed fully
equal to the task.
Also there were carriages-my, what
shiny carriages! And what smart,
sleek looking horses drew them! And
how high they did hold their heads and
how they did throw their feet about
Just as If they were dancing on eggs!
frouu, stucN UP shihs''
Skipper.
1t was clear that none Of this work
was for him. Early ON the first morn
ing Of his service men in brass but
toned blue coats came to the stable
to feed and rub down the horses. Skip,
per's man had two names. One was
Officer Martin; at least, that was the
one to which he answered when the
man with the cap called the roll before
they rode out for duty. The other name
was Freddy" That was what the rest
of the men in blue coats called him.
Skipper noticed that he had red hair
and concluded that freddy must be
his real name.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Stenhen Girard, Nsro.

A tablet "in cOmmemoration Of the
courage and humanity displayed by
Stephen Girard during the epidemic OF
yellow fever in the year 1I9S' IN
Girard college In Philadelphia disclosse
n phase Of character In the philan'
throplst not generally understood. Dur
ing the fever epidemic he gave up his
business and his luxurious home and
assumed the superintendency OF q yel'
low fever hospital. He took up tns
work others recoilsd from and did the
work because It was his duty.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
PtOni aincs.

Ptomaines, according to Quain. are
alkaloids produced by the decomposi'
ton of animal substances. The word
ptomaine was ut first restricted to al
kaloids produced by cadaveric decom'
position, but it is now also employed
to designate alkalolds Of animal origin
formed during life as result OF chem
Ical changes induced by some agency
or other acting within the organism.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

They had quarreled again.
perhaps sou are not aware" she
said, that l had over u dozen pro.
posals Of marriage before ! accepted
yours"
He flushed.
And perhaps. madam" he retorted
haughtily. "you are not aware that l
proposed to nearly twenty women he.
fore I became acquainted with your
selfo
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

Much refuse often goes to waste on
farms where cereals are grown and
where bad roads or distance from mar
ket prevent frequent trips to town
This material is Of far greater value
than its market price, provided it bt
ground up and fed to stock. Farmer'
who have their own grinding mill rur
either by wind or water, gasoline Oh
other engine, have big advantage ove1
their less progressive neighbors, for be-
sides being able to sell their grain, the!
can work during weather when thos'
who do not have these appliances hav'
less opportunity thus to economiz'
their time.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Uunntu-al Finish,

Mrs. Meeds-And did your husband
die natural death?
Mrs. Wecds-NO, he died suddenly.
Mrs. Meei,-Wlmt was there unpet.
ural about that?
Mrs. Weeds-Why. poor. dear John
was the slowcst man that ever lived
Chicago Tribune.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Fortune.

Fortune is like the market. where
many times II you can stay little the
price will fall, and again 1t Is some
times like Il sibyl's offer, which at hrst
offereth the commodity at full, then
consumeth part and part and still hold
eth up the price.-Bacon.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
rh. opinion She Sought.

"Well, what do you think Of my new
hat!" she asked.
"Do you want candid opinion" he
questioned. ~
Heavens, now she replied. Say
something nice."-New York Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Youth md Pleasure.

Youth is not the age Of pleasure
We then expect too much, and we are
therefore, exposed to daily disappoint
ments and notifications. When we
are q little older and have brought
down our wishes to our experience
then we become calm and begin to en-
10Y ourselves.-Lord Liverpool.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
SKIPPER

You may meet the alderman himself,
wearing al English made riding suit,
looping comfortably along on a sleek
bay gelding with two white forelegs
and q white star OH his forehead. Yes,
high priced veterinaries can cure
spayin-Alderman Martin says SO.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Excited No Comment.

Tess-Of course, knew that May
and Bess were bitter enemies, but do
you mean to tell me they actually en-
gagged In a fist fight? Jess-Yes. Tess
Why, what scandal! l declare l.
Jess-Oh, nobody noticed 1t. They
went to a bargain store to do It.
PHILADELPHIA Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

A Waldoboro sheep-keeper, Eber
Wallace, who banks on the Lincolns,
reports four sheep that produced &C
mounds Of wool. Some Of the wool
measured one foot In length, and drag
ped ON the ground. Mr.. Wallace keeps
several kinds of sheep, but the Lincolns
head the list with him.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

Beware of the 'docile bull. !" Don't
believe 10 him. Never trust him. Don't
be caught of your guard. Lead him
with ring and staff, not with chain
or rope attached to the ring. Every
week or 20 We read Of some farmer OF
helper who has been injured or killed
by careless disregard Of this last pre-
caution.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
Scrofula

b very often acquired,
though generally Inherited.
Badhygiene. toulair. impure
water, are among its causes.
Il b called "the coll for
tuberc3es," )" and where T. b
allowed % remain tubercu-
losis or consumption =
pretty cure 20 take root.
Hood'sSal:saparma
Removes every trdeo q
ouofhla. CT nood's.
ror ssaaaueussls oef efsn9tlble ersl
- loe Dook en S9o6t1e. 10. j.
CT Hopd Co.. Iesssa. hee.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
And Insight.

"what happens when people fall In
love Mt first sightW
casually marriage and second sight"
Springfield Qll) Journal
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02
The Society Way.

Duty called.
The man looked at the card lastly.
"Just say that I'm not at home" ~
ordered the maid.-Louisvills C0uriee.
Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

Liberty without obedience Is confu.
sion, and obedience without liberty Is
slayery.--William Penn.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-02

II thou knowest how to use money e
will become thy handmade. II not :
will become thy mastsr.-HiQdorus,