davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Hindu "life Stone"

When a Hindu is cremated in west
ern India one of the mourners picks
up stone near the place of crema-
ton, known as the life stone" which
is supposed to be a refuge for the
ghost, and to which food is offered
The pyre is prepared. and the corpse
is laid on it. with its head facing the
Himalayas. Butter is dropped into the
mouth, eyes, nose and ears, and balls
of -four are placed around. When all
is ready the chief mourner walks
around the pyre in the course of the
sun and sets fire to it. When the
skull bursts the mourner pours water
upon it to cool the ghost The final act
is the collection of the bone frag.
ments. which is usually done on the
fourth day. The Hindu believes that
when the soul leaves the body it as.
sumes the shape of manikin, expos
ed to injuries of all kinds. In order to
protect it it is necessary to furnish
1t with sort of intermediate body,
interposed, as 1t were, between the
gross body which has been destroy
ed by fire and the new body, which,
under the law of metempsychosis, it
will by and by assume. II 1t be not
furnished with this intermediate body
1t will wander about in the form of a
preta, or evil spirit.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
MANY GOATS IN EUROPE.
Their Milk Is There Considered a
Valuable Product.

A quarter of century ago there
were on the continent of Europe, it is
said, 100000 goats, the goats in
Switzerland and Norway being in the
ratio of enc to every IA and 16 inhab-
ftants. Since then the keeping of
goats, whose milk is considered a val
liable product, has very generally in
creased though no exact returns on
the subject have been made even in
England, where the agricultural cen
sus makes no mention of them. Swiss
goatkeepers have long had the en-
couragement of the state to develop
the milking powers Of the flocks to
the utmost degree, and in France
also, intelligent interest is being
taken in goatkeeping. The member
ship of the Goat society is growing
and the exhibits of goats at dairy and
agricultural shows nowadays is quite
imposing. The use of milk from the
poor mans COW" by the children of
the poorer classes is said to have
excellent effects from hygienic point
CT view, and for that reason philan-
thropists recommend its employment
as an article of diet
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Comets Blamed for Much.

Has this years comet affected the
weather? A century ago the answer
would have been yes. Thus, to the
charge Of the comet of 1911 were laid
the facts not only of the excellent
vintage and abundant crops of that
year, but also that wasps were then
few and flies blind, and that a shoe.
makers wife in London had four chill
dren at birth. Besides such calami
ties as invasions, pestilences and the
like, the comets of various years were
considered responsible for many
minor tragedies, including the de-
struction of church clock by a me-
teoric stone. a fit of sneezing that be-
came prevalent in Germany, and in
1868 an epidemic among cats in West.
minister.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Care for the Birds.

During the last year the Audubon
society of Louisiana has rented some
II bird-breeding islands, located in
the waters of the gulf. Last year the
islands were watched by two wardens
whose wages were paid by the ma
tional committee Of Audubon socie-
ties. and although they were not
wholly able to prevent trespassing
and egg-stealing, nevertheless the re-
suit sattained were well-nigh marvel
Gus. On their own and the neighbor-
ing islands of Breton reservation,
owned by the federal government, by
these simple preventive measures
there were Matched and raised all of
10000 birds, composed of the follow
ing species: Common terms, forsters,
terms, royal terms, laughing gulls,
black skimmers.-Country Life in
America.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Errors Of Lawmakers.

Some absurd clauses have found
their way into certain acts of the
British parliament. One statute en-
acted punishment of IA years trans
portation for a certain offense, "and
upon conviction one-half thereof
should go to the king. and the other
half to the informer." Then there is
an act of parliament for the rebuild
ing Of Chelmsford prison which stipu-
lated in one clause that the prisoners
should be confined in the old prison
until the new one was built and in
another-an amending-clause, that
the new prison should be constructed
out of the material of the old one.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
WHY HE WANTED TO KNOW.
Had Reason for His Request fof
Information.

The steamer Morning Star, COM
manded by Capt. Brown, in the sum-
mer of 1904, while on a trip up the
Maine coast with party of excursion
lists, was caught in severe storm,
and the waves washed the decks re-
peatedly. The captain assured the
passengers that there was no immedi-
ate danger. Most of the passengers
were satisfied with this answer, but
little gentleman with an excited face
stepped forward and asked the cap
tain, time and time again, the same
question: do you think we shall be
wrecked"
After the captain answered many
times, he at last became tired at the
persistent passenger, and said: Don't
you hear what say? Look at the 9th
er passengers, they do not seem at all
disturbed. If there should be danger,
l will inform you in time"
The passenger, in reply, said: Il
want to know in time, if we are going
to be lost, because there is a friend Of
mine on board"
do you want to say good-by to
him." inquired the captain.
mo, not exactly that" answered the
frightened man. you see, the thing
of it is, he has shamefully deceived
me, and if We are going to the bottom
just want to tell him what think of
him"
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
One Result Of the Summer Girl.

minister whose pastoral duties
bring him in contact with many young
men who have become stranded in
New York makes point of inQuiring
closely into the derelicts' reasons for
leaving good homes in the country for
a precarious existence in the city. In
more than third Of the cases where
he has gained the entire confidence of
the young men he has found that the
cause of the wanderlust was the sum-
mer girl. She had boarded at the farm
for a fortnight or maybe for month
In the summertime, the country boy
had been swept off his feet by her
charms, and when she returned to
New York he followed Not once, &C.
cording to this minister. has the ac.
Quaintance begun in the country been
continued In town, but the mischief
of Turing the young man away from
home had been accomplished and one
more unit had been added to New
York's floating population.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Qod. Girl and Saloon.

A verl large mastiff at one end of
leash and very small girl at the
other end formed a combination which
attracted the attention of casual
pedestrian in a quiet Philadelphia
street.
The little girl doubtless thought
that she was taking the dog out for an
airing, but the big animal himself ap-
peared to have the impression that he
was the leader Of the expedition, and,
beyond question, the balance of pow
er was entirely on his side. He
dragged the girl along, despite her
scolding and expostulation, at a pace
which kept her breathless.
Suddenly, either from a whim of
his own or because somebody had
been in the habit of taking him there,
he darted through the swinging doors
of corner saloon. The little girl
looked Mortified, but clinging deter
minedly to her end of the leash, she
followed her charge and as the doors
swung shut behind her the casual
pedestrian heard this exasperated re-
monstrance:
"Oh, darnfound 1t! Don't you
know ladies don't go there? It's only
a place for mans!"
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
"The DEVILS Bible"

The volume which is called "the
devils Bible" is in the library OF
the royal palace Of Sweden. 1t is a
huge copy OF the Scriptures, written
On 300 prepared asses skins. One re-
port says that it took 500 years to-
complete this copy, which is so large
that it has a table by itself Another
tradition says that it was completed
in single night, due to the assistance
of his Satanic majesty who, when the
work was finished. gave the monk a
portrait of himself for frontispiece.
The illuminated likeness of the devil
still adorns the front page Of the work.
The volume was carried on by the
Swedes in the Thirty Years War from
a convent in Prague.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Horns on Horses Skull.

A recently acquired abnormality Of
the British museum is the skull of an
English horse showing a pair OF
rudimentary horns on the forehead.
Older specimens are a portion of a
similar skull with the horns and mod
els of the foreheads of two thorough
breds having horns. The skin extends
uniformly over the horns, with no sign
of thickening or hardening. Just what
these hornlike growths signify is per-
picking naturalists, as none Of the an
cestral horses or Immediately related
species were horned animals, and il
there is no hereditary influence it is
remarkable that so many freak ap-
pendages should appear in the same
place.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
CARRIERS IN MOROCCO.
Rural Free Delivery Basis Of System
-Remark able Postmen.

The rural free delivery system in
America is the outgrowth of many
years experience, says the Youths
Companion. 1t comes as late result
in the process Of development. In
Morocco, on the other hand, it seems
to be the basis of a system yet to be
formed; only there is one respect in
which the two methods differ; that
of the United States Is maintained at
an expense to the government, but
the Moroccan system is a source Of
revenue, according to the following
account given by the author Of Moor
ish Lotus Leaves:
Swinging along at jogtrot ma
tive courier-a barelegged and bare
headed fellow, with a pair of coarse
slippers thrust into the hood of his
ragged cloak and a wallet on his back
approached our party, and, hating,
leaned upon his long staff, while he
informed US that the head of Cid
Meloods oppressor adorned a gate
way in the principal market of Mara
kesh.
Mail trains and native post Offices
being nonexistent, these hardy letter
carriers represent the whole postal
system of Morocco. Superintended by
a government commissioner, a corps
Of couriers, as trustworthy as they
are indefatigable. is to be found in
every town.
Ready at an hours notice to under
take the longest journey, perhaps
through disturbed districts. always
over miserable roads, generally sleep
ing in the open air, the courier has
been known to do the double trip from
Mogador to Marakesh-about 270
miles-within five days and a half
the fee, small portion Of which
goes to the government, being just 80
This. it should be borne in mind, is
the pay of special courier. On any
additional chance letters he may car
ry the charge is something under two
cents.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
UNWILLING GiETS.
How a New England Preacher Beat
a Stlngy Parishioner.

When Elder John Malvern, the we'll
known Free Baptist preacher, was a
young man, In charge of the parish al
Gilmanton, N. H., he was rewarded
for his pastoral faithfulness by fre
quent gifts of farm produce. He once
called on rich but stingy parishioner.
He praised his crops, and especially
one variety Of winter apple. AS he
got into his buggy, he again repeated
his wish that he might have some
of those apples"
The farmer, wishing to get credit
for generosity, said: IF you had n
bag I'd fill It,"
Much to the farmers surprise, the
elder drew from under his cushion a
large bag, which the skinhint filled,
with evident lack of enthusiasm.
Then, deeming himself safe, he add.
ed: you could have more If you had
another bag"
Certainly. have another bag," ,"
promptly answered the preacher, as
he sprang out Of the carriage and re.
moved the old bag which he used un.
der the saddle to prevent the horse
from chatting his back. The second
bag was loosely filled and the minis.
ter drove off, with no additional sug-
gestion Of more bags that might be
filed.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
To Mothers.

You mothers-quit being fools. It
you are bound to bring children into
the world. for Gods sake take proper
care of them. The Italian mother of
the lowest, the middle and the high
est class wraps her baby in bandages
until its backbone is strong enough to
support the little devil. The Indian
mother in the early days of our coun-
try carried her pappoose in withes
until it could walk, and there we have
the familiar phrase, ''as straight as an
Indian" You will find among all
heather nations in every part of the
sort Of way until they can walk erect
The backbone of baby is as soft as
mush. Brace 1t up.-New York Press.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
HEAD HUNTERS OF FoRMosA.
Race Of Man Eaters Whose Cry Is
for Blood.

The mountainous interior OF For
mosa is inhabited by race of blood
thirsty savages, whose chief delight
is to sally forth on head hunting raids.
Few strangers (the exceptions being
some intrepid Japanese explorers)
have ever penetrated far into the wild
mountain country which is the home
of these savages.
They appear to be akin to the
Dyaks of Borneo, but no definite study
of their language or habits has yet
been made, though interesting de-
tails will be found In Consul David.
sons voluminous book on Formosa.
For hundreds Of years the tribes, eight
in number. have withstood their enc
mics, who have never been able to
penetrate to their Businesses. 1t re.
mains to be seen what success the
more systematic Japanese will
achieve.
1t seems almost Incredible that the
station of a military force should not
be safe from the raids of these head
hunters, but it was the case a few
years ago. At that time one of the
tribes crept in the night upon a post
of the Japanese and made off with a
score Of heads.
Their more usual method is to stalk
the Chinese Of either sex when they
are engaged in tea picking. The saw
age creeps up unobserved to his VIC
tim, transfixes him with his spear, Sc
cures his head and he is lost in
moment in the neighbOrinp inn gle -
Macmillans Magazine.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
A Mexican Boiler cIeanen

Consul General P. C. Hanna, Of
Monterey, gives the following as an in
stance of successful invention: A
fluid invented by the Monterey man
and manufactured in this city, de-
signed for the purpose of cleaning
steam boilers of scale or preventing
the formations thereof, is meeting with
great success. 1t is said to effectually
remove scale from boiler tubes and
that it works no injury to the tubes
nor the boiler shell. The compound
has been introduced into various coun-
tries in America and Europe. 1t is
manufactured wholly from vegetable
substances from plants found in Mexi-
co and is developing into large local
industry. 1t is known as "Anti-Se-
lenita."
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
MAKERS OF SAFES UNEASY.
Modern Science Seems to Have Made
Robbery a Trifle.

The confidence of German manufac-
turers Of safes in the resistance of
their wares against ordinary safe
blowing operations has been rudely
shaken by the recent achievements of
a single unaided robber in Dresden
and other cities. The details of his
last operation are as follows:
In hotel a room was secured
which was situated Immediately above
the office Of money changer. At
night hole was pierced in the ceiling
Of the office. BY the use of drill and
saw a circular piece of the flooring
was easily raised. Beneath lay thick
layer OF cement. A small orifice was
made In this and an umbrella showed
down into the space below. The UNI
brella was attached firmly from above,
and when opened received without
noise all the fragments of cement
which were dislodged as the hole was
enlarged SO as to allow of the easy
passage of a person. BY means of a
rope ladder the descent was readily
made into the office below.
Next the robber brought down two
cylinders of compressed oxygen and
an acetylene generator charged with
calcium carbide and water. With these
he was able to produce blowpipe
flame Of such intensity that steel fuses
in 1t like lead in an ordinary gas jet.
1t required but brief space of time
to melt away so much of the door
that all the contents of the safe were
accessible.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
worsh,pe-s in Old St. Marks.

THAT old st. Marks over there is
an endowed church." he explained as
they passed it. 1T is self-supporting-
Some Sunday come down here and see
the people. 1t is the strangest mix
ture of people in New York. OF course,
there are many who go to it here ON
the East Side. it being situated here,
but you'd be amazed to see the wealthy
old people who come down from River
side Drive and West End to attend
that church because their fathers and
grandfathers did. 1t is wonderful,
really"-New York Times.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Robes Of the Pope.

The outward robe of the pope is red
and made from the wool of the lambs
of the convent of st. Agnes, near the
Porta Pia. The cloak and cape are
lined with purple and trimmed with
gold lace; the sombrero, or hat. is
red, and has a gold cord and tassel.
Beneath the cloak is worn an alb,
made also of wool of the lambs of st.
Agnes, and girt about the waist with
a sash of white MORE antique, gar
nished with gold fringe. The pope's
hands are burdened with kit mittens.
and his feet are burdened with pair
of slippers worn over his ordinary
shoes. The total value of his ward
robe is said to be 150.00O.-kansas
City Journal.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
o,Annunzlo a Strenuous Writer.

Signor Gabrielle D'Annunzio is cred.
tied with having in hand simultaneous.
ly the probably unprecedented mum.
Der OF five separate works widely dif.
fering In character. Two are comedies
Of modern life. Two Others are TRACE.
dies-one, La Nave" is really an
apotheosis Of the sea power of Ven.
ice, and the other upon the legend Of
Tristan and Iseult." Then he is well
under way with short romance en-.
titled Perhaps. Yes; Perhaps, No."
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21

Canton Gilpin No. 8, I. o. o. F., gave
a grand ball at Armory hall.
Born-In Black Hawk, Colo, Nov. 20,
1887, to the wife of Harry Germain, a
son.
Died-In Nevadaville, Colo, Wednes-
day evening, Nov. 16, 1887, Patrick
Tuck, aged 3S years.
In Central City, Colo, Monday, Nov.
81, 1887, Robert Bartholomew, aged so
years.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Hollands Queen pomineerino.

Hollands queen, Wilhelmina, has ex-i
alted notions of her royal authority.
She is saio to interfere in most per
sonal way with the conduct of Dutch
foreign relations. She looks upon the.
Dutch colonies as. In some sort, the
private appanages of the house OF
Orange. Her prodigious personal pop
ularity with every class of her sub
jects saves her from some of the con-
sequences of her unconstitutional ten
dencies.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
WeIIInaton,s Dispatch Table.

Mrs. Maxwell (better known as Miss
Braddon) has many treasures at Lich-
field house, her charming home at,
Richmond-onThame One of these Isl
the remarkable dispatch table which
the duke of Wellington carried with
him throughout the Peninsular war
So ingeniously constructed is this'
piece of furniture that 1t can be made
to serve the various purposes OF a
writing table. dispatch box. chess table,
card table and dining table.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Puojlistlc Honors.

IN the days when he was at Harvard
Frank H. Hitchcock, first assistant
postmaster general, was champion
heavy weight boxer of the university.
At that time he was not quite the stall
wart. proad-shouldered chap he is now.
Many less notable athletes in Wash
ington would like to see President
Roosevelt and Mr.. Hitchcock In a
bout, which could hardly help being a
lively one.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
American Archbishops.

OF the fourteen archbishops in the
United States, Archbishop Ryan of
Philadelphia is the oldest, and he is
but 76 years of age. Cardinal Gibbons
is 73. Archbishop Ireland of st. Paul,
who comes next in point of years, is
60, Archbishop Keane of Dubuque is
6S. and Archbishops Farley and Rior.
dan OF New York and San Francisco
respectively are Go.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
No Horseshoes.

Postmaster-Yes. stranger, the
crowd of old fogies that loaf around
the post office are bitterly opposed to
the automobiles. They be afraid that
in time they will displace the horse.
Drummer-What OF that?
Postmaster-What Of It? Why.
where are they going to get any hoss-
shoes to play Quoits when the hoss
becomes extinct?
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
On Papa.

Mamma, what's the size Of dol.
lar?"
"The sighs of dollar, Johnny, is
the noise your father makes when he
gives me one."-Houston Post.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
Commissioners Proceedings.

The board of county commissioners
met in regular monthly session Monday,
Nov. 4th, 1907, and allowed the follow
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
II Catches Him.

PA" said little Willie, looking up
from his book, what does 'mantrap'
mean. anyway"
"a 'mantrap?'" repeated the old
man. "Well, my son, don't know any
more effective mantrap than an old
fashioned rocking chair In the center
of a dark room" m."-Philadelphia Led
ger.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
In Central America.

Central American porters carry
their burdens In chairlike contriv'
ance strapped on their backs.
Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21

FRITZ j. ALTvATER,
County Clerk.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1907-08-23
/ All Holmes Struts Toda,
CITY BEAUTIFUL

1t is proposed that the city fathers
place means within Mr.. Josephus
Moore's hands to enable him to occu-
py the position of street commissioner
and adopt some plans for the city
with which he has beautified his own
home and environments. This should
not be met with dissenting vote.
Among the home makers we note
that DIR. r. H Baker is to at once i'm.
prove hisnew home which Is on one of
the most spacious and beautiful corn.
er lots in the city.
Mr.. and Mrs Bliss are enlarging
and improving their home on Church
Street
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Shaddock will oc-
cupv their new South Lexington cot.
tage in the early Fall.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Nixon will
move to the Lofstrom cottage in West
End at an cary date,
Mr.. and Mrs. X. Fl. Cole will occu.
py the Hooker home on September !.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. P. Clack will be in
the Stein cottage in September.
The City Beautiful looks with pride
and pleasure on such edifices as the
Wilburn home on Depot street and the
Merchants IL Farmers corner building
now nearing completion.
Let the good work go on and not
only get the House In Order" but
the city.
FAIRFAX
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1907-08-23
PERSONALS

Mrs. Sam Gwin and children, OF
Greenwood, are visiting Mrs. Sallie
Hoskins, enroute to Natchez.
Miss Stella Kier and Miss Marguer-
ite McBee are visiting Miss Loula
Wright, in jackson.
Miss Claudiue Stansbury was guest
of Mrs. W. B. Jones, in the delta, this
week.
Mr.. and MrsI B. Pickens are com
bining business and pleasure in st.
Louis and Chicago, this month.
Hon. R. c. McBee is resting up af
ter his canvass and is taking in the
Jamestown Exposition among the
many points of interest booked for his
trip
Mr.. s. L. Burwell left for Michigan
Saturday to join DR.. Burwell and
daughters at their South Haven cot,
tage, and will be gone two weeks.
Miss Haverkamp, of YaZoo City,
has been the guest of Mrs. j. H. Nc
Bee, Jr. and is now on an outing East
with Mrs. John Lear, of Yazoo City.
Mr.. and G. W. Stigler and Mrs.
Robert Gwin are enjoying renewed
health at The Terrace, Waukesha.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hal Gillian left
Thursday for an extended outing east.
Miss Annie Stigler, Miss Wade, oi
Greenwood, and Miss Gillian, of
Tchula, have been among the visitors
to Castalian this week.
Mrs. J. G. Pickens has returned
from Tchula, where she has beer
counting her BLESSINGS in the home nj
Mr.. and Mrs. John Elliott Pickens.
Mrs. Frank McGeoy and children re-
turned to Memphis Saturday.