davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

He rds looking Into the amazed and
agontzed face Of old Alek Williams
In Sis palm, while the cold steel blue
eyes Of the white man looked down
Into his stomach, "tain't no knife or
mine" But he knew the knife. He
knew 1t as II 1t had been his mother.
And ut the same moment q spark
flashed through his head and made
wise his understanding. He knew sv-
erythIng. "'Tain't much Of er knife,
Mist Bryant" he said deprecatingly.
"'Tain't much Of knife, I know
that" cried 81 in sudden heat, "but I
found it this mornin' In my watermel-
on patch! Heari"
"Watahmellum patch" yelled Alex,
not astounded.
"Yes, In my watermelon patch"
sneered 81, "an' think you know some
thing about 1t toor'
"Me" cried Alex. "MeT
"Yes, you!" said 81. with Icy feroc-
ity. "Yes, you" He had become con-
vinced that Alex was not In any way
guilty, but he was certain that the old
man knew the owner Of the knife, and
so he pressed him at first on criminal
lines. "Alek, you might as well own
up now. You've been meddlin' with
my watermelons"
"Me? cried Alex again. "Yah's ma
knife. I done cah'e 1t foh yeahs."
Bryant changed his ways. "Look
here, Alex" he said contidentially, II
know you, and you know me, and
there amt no use In any more Skin
mishIn'. know that you know whose
knife that is. Now. whose is it?'
This challenge was so formidable IN
character that Alex temporarily quail
ed and began to stammer. "Er-nOw-
Mist Bryant you you - frien' er
mine
"I know I'm friend Of yours, but"
said Bryant ineXorably, "who owns
this knifeT'
Alex gathered unto himself some
remnants Of dignity and spoke with
reproach. Mist Bryant, dish yer
knife ain mine"
NO" said Bryant, at amt. But
you know who 1t belongs to, an ]
want you to tell me-quick."
"Well, Mist Bryant" answered Alex,
scratching his wool. II won't says
do know who b'longs ter dish yer
knife. an I won't says don't"
Bryant again laughed his Yankee
laugh. but this time there was little
hunor in IT. 1t was dangerous.
Alex, seeing that he had got himself
into hot water by the fine diplomacy
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

only thing to do is for you to tell M
his name SOS can send him his knife
and that's oil there is to It."
Alex took off his hat and In perplex
ity ran his hand over his wool. He
studied the ground. But several times
he raised his eyes to take a sly peel
ut the imperturbable visage Of the
white man. "Y-y-yes, Mist Bryant
! raikOn dat's erbout all what kin be
done. gwine tell you who b'longs ter
dish yer knife"
''Of course" said the smooth Bryant
'it amt very nice thing to have tc
do, but
"No. sehv' cried Alex brightly. I'm
gwIne tell you, Mist Bryant. | gwlne
tell you erbout dat knife. Mist Bry'
ant" he asked solemnly, does you
know vino ,oRgs :eI Get knife"
mo, p
"Well, / gwine tell. gwine tell who
Mist Bryant The old man drew
himself to stately pose and held
forth his arm. Il gwine tell who. Mist
Bryant, dish yer knife b'longs ter Sam
Jackson
Bryant was startled into Indignation.
"who in thunder is Sam JacksonT' he
growled.
Hes a Niger" said Alex impres.
sively, "and he wuks in er lumber
yawd up yere in Hoswego."
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

1 gwine do" He waited IN impressive
moment. 81 gwine lease you!"
Old Alex trembled like little bush
In wind. Mist Wash'ton?
Quoth Peter deliberately, Il gwine
lease you."
The old man was filed with desire
to negotiate this statement at once.
but he felt the necessity Of carrying of
the event without an appearance OF
haste. "Yes, sch; thank e, sch; thank
e, Mist Wash'ton. raikOn / ramble
home presently" He waited an inter-
val and then said dubIousIy. Good
evenin', Mist Wash'tOn."
"Good evenin', deacon. Don come
foolin' roun' feelin' no mellums. an I
say troof. Good evenin'. deacon"
Alex took off iIis lat AID ::iadd 2ii:dde three
profound bows. "Thank e, sch. Thank
e, sch. Thank e, SELL"
Peter underwent another severe
spasm. but the old man walked or to-
ward his home with humble and con-
trite heart.
The next morning Alex proceeded
from his shanty under the complete
but customary illusion that lie was go
ing to work. He trudged manfully
along until lie reached the vicinity of
81 Bryant's place. Then by stages he
relapsed into a stink. He was passing
the garden patch under full steam
when, ut some distance ahead Of him,
he saw 81 Bryant leaning casually on
the garden fence.
"GoOd mornin', Alex"
Good mawnln.' Mist Bryant" an
swered Alex, with new Difference.
He was marching on when he was halt
ed by a word-"Alekw
He stopped. "Yes, seh.'
81 found a knife this mornin' in tn
road" drawled 81, IAN | thought may.
be it was yourn."
Improved in mind by this divergence
from the direct line Of attack, Alex
stepped up easily to look ut the knife.
mo, seh." he said, scanning it as 1t lay
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

Without difficulty lie tumbled the
whining Alex over the fence to the
roadway and followed him with sheriff
like expedition. He took him by the
scruff. Come erlOng, deacon! raikon
1 gwine put you wah you kin pray,
deacon. Come erlong, deacon"
The emphasis and reiteration of his
Iayman's title in the church produced
a deadly effect upon Alex. He felt to
his marrow the heinOus crime into
which this treacherous night had be-
trayed him. AS Peter marched his
prisoner up the road towards the
mouth Of the lane, he continued his re-
marks: "Come erlong, deacon. New see
er man so anXiouslike erbout er mel
lum patch, deacon. Seem like you 5es
must see 'em er CROWN an feel 'em,
deacon. Mist Bryant he'll be s'prised,
deacon, findin' out you come fer ter
feel his mellums. Come erlong, deacon.
Mist Bryant he expectin' some old rip
like you come soon."
They had almost reached the lane
when Alexis cur Susie, who had fol-
lowed her master, approached In the
silence which attends dangerous dogs,
and, seeing indications Of what she
took to be war, she appended herself
swiftly but firmly to the calf of Pet
er's left leg The melee was short but
spirited. Alex had no wish to have his
dog complicate his already serious mis-
fortunes and went manfully to the de-
fense Of his captor. He procured a
large stone, and by beating this with
both hands down upon the resounding
skull of the animal he induced her to
quit her grip. Breathing heavily, Pet
er dropped into the long grass at the
roadside. He said nothing.
mist Wash'ton," said Alex ut last
in quavering voice, II raikon l gwlne
wait we're see what you gwlne do ter
me-"
Whereupon Peter passed into spas.
modic state, In which he rolled to and
fro and shook.
"Mist' Wash'ton, hope dis yere dog
amt gone an give you ftses."
Peter sat up suddenly. mo; she
amt" he answered, "but she gin me
er big skeer, an fer yer 'sistance with
er cobblestone, Mist Willums, / tell
| you what gwine dol tell you wha,
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

The OtG man QreD htm8etT 10 stdtetl
pose.
of his last sentence, Immediately be
gan to founder and totally submerge
himself. "No, Mist Bryant" he re-
peated, "I won't says I do know who
b'longs ter dish yer knife, an l Wont
says / don't" And he began to par
rot this fatal sentence again and again
It seemed wound about his tongue
He could not rid himself Of 1t. Iti
very power to make trouble for hin
seemed to originate the mysterious
Afric reason for Its repetition.
els he very close friend Of yOurnT
said Bryant softly.
"F.frien'% suffered Alex. He up
peared to weigh this question will
much care. "Well, seems like lie was
err frien'. and then ngin 1t seems like
he"--
at seems like be wasn'tf" asked
Bryant.
eyes, sch. Jest SO. jest s0," criet
Alex. Sometimes It seems like III
wasn't. Then agin"- He stopped TO
profound meditation.
The patience Of the white man seem
ed incxEaustible. At length bis Low
and oily voice broke the stiffness. "Oh
we'll, Of course IL he's friend o
yourn, Alex! You know wouldn'
want to make no trouble for q frient
Of yOurn."
"Yes, seh," cried the negro at once
"He's er frIen' er mine. He Is dat"
well, then. 1t seems as II about tn
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
Horse Notes.

The hoofs of young horses often be.
come overgrown when the latter are
running on very soft pasture land, and
it is necessary in such cases to have the
feet pared down to their regular shape,
otherwise the hoofs may become per-
manently misshappen or the feet may
assume an irregular position. -,
A pair of horses properly driven will
start load slowly and carefully, theil
legs well under them, their necks arch,
ed, their toes gripping the pavement
and the reins taunt in the hands OF the
driver. If they are badly driven, their
legs will sprawl, their necks are likely
to be stretched out, instead of arched
the reins will be loose on their backs
and they will try to start the load by 9
sort of convulsive jump instead OF by
gradual gathering of their muscles:-
Rumford Falls Times.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
Our Friend the Toad.

Several interesting little toad stories
have been published this spring. These
have served to call attention to this use
full little denizen of our garden. 1t Is
pity that his real value is not better un.
dsrstood. He has been considered wor-
thy Of being made the subject Of bulle.
tin by the United States department OF
agriculture, which points out that he Ia
one of the most useful insect destroyers
which the farmer can befriend.
According to this bulletin the exam
ination of the stomachs of 149 toads
shows the food to consist of ants, cut
worms, acknowledged worms. cater.
pliers, ground beetles and allies, May
beetles and allies, weevils, grasshoppers,
crickets, spiders, sow-bugs, potato
beetles and allies, carrion beetles, snails,
angle worms, miscellaneous caterpillars
and beetles, with a very small percent.
age of vegetable matter. In fact 9S pei
cent is of animal origin.
A typical stomach examined by the
writer of this bulletin showed present
9 cutworms, 5 acknowledged worms,
O sow-bugs, 8 ants, weevil, and /
ground beetle. On the basis of the
above data the amount of food consum.
cd in "a hours would stand as follows:
"a cut-worms, 20 acknowledged
worms, "a sow-bugs, SO ants, 4 weevils,
4 ground beetles. As high as II thous-
and-legged worms have been found in a
single stomach. No less than 65 gypsy
moth caterpillers were found in the
stomach of Massachusetts, toad. An
other stomach held IS army worms.
One experimenter fed over "a celery
caterpillers to toad in less than three
hours. DR.. Hodge of Clark University
states that he has seen a toad ''snap up
Sc house flies in less than ten minutes. "
Another fed 90 rosebugs to . toad with
out satisfying its appetite. This shows
how extremely useful is this humble
deuizen of the garden, and how well
worth cultivating and encouraging.
The toad is of equal value in the
greenhouse. particularly in destroying
snails and kindred pests. 1t is an ex'
cellent plan to provide artificial homes
for toads in gardens. These are easily
made by digging shallow holes and part
ly covering them with stones. Toads
will use these for weeks, sallying forth
at night and returning at daybreak.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

We have never known q season wher
It was easier to secure q perfect quality
of seed corn than the present one. Al
corn everywhere, no matter when plant
ed, ripened perfectly and natural. Be
cause it is so good the temptation will
be very great for men to depend upon
their cribs for seed corn next year and
run the risk of the destructive action ol
the frost upon the vitality of the corn
Millions of acres of corn land were thii
year cultivated only to grow . 90 pei
cent stand of corn, when with proper
care is should have been 90 per cent
This difference of one-third represents
the difference between profit and loss II
the growing of this crop.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

tunate animal. Hut, did it? Hu't1
Pears like you gwine lun some saince
by time somebody brek yer back.
Pears like l gwine club yer intet
er frazzle fore you fin out some
saince. Gw'on way I'm yah!"
AS the old man and his guest entered
the shanty body of black children
spread out in crescent shape formation
and observed Peter with awe. Fat old
Mrs. Williams greeted him turbulent
ly, while the eldest girl. Mollie, lurkel
In corner and giggled with finished
imbecility, gazing ut the visitor with
eyes that were shy and bold by turns.
She seemed Mt times absurdly over
confident, at times fcclishly afraid, but
her gigele consistently endured. IL
was a giggle on which an irascible but
right minded Judge would have order
ed her forthwith to be buried alive.
Amid great deal Of hospitable gab-
bling Peter was conducted to the best
chair~out Of the three that the house
contained. Enthroned therein, he made
himself charming in talk to the old
people. who beamed upon him Joyous
ly. AS for MOllie. he affected to be un-
aware of her existence. This may
have been a method for entrapping the
sentimental interest Of that young ga
zelle. or 1t may be that the giggle had
worked upon him.
He was absolutely fascinating to the
old people. They could talk like rotary
snowplows. and he gave them every
chance, while his face was illumined
with appreciation. They pressed him
to stay for supper. and he consented,
after a glance at the pot OH the stove
which was too furtive to be noted.
During the meal old Alex recounted
the high state Of Judge Oglethorpe's
kitchen garden, which Alex said was
due to his unremltting industry and
fine intelligence Alex was a gardener.
whenever impending starvation forced
him to cease temporarily from being
lily of the field.
Mist Bryant he suhtainly got er
grand gawden," observed, Peter.
dat so. dat so. Mist Wash'ton," as
sented Alex. HE got fine gawden."
Seems like new did see sech mel
lums, big as er bar'l. lyln' dere. | don't
raikon an'body in dish yer county kin
hol' it with Mist Bryant when comes
ter me!lums."
"Dat so. Mist Wash'ton."
They did not talk Of watermelons
until their heads held nothing else. as
the phrase goes. But they talked OF
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

Keep the hoes and .hovels bright and
sharp and clean when not in use. Nc
one can do half q mans work with
either of these tools when rusty and
dull. Whether the kind Of work in
hand be rough or delicate It pays to
have the tools in proper order. Take
the shovels and hoes to the tool house
every night after using and see that they
are cleaned from everything that will
cause rust. 1t Is an important part OF
every trade to keep the tools in order,
and nowhere of more advantage than on
the farm.-Maine Farmer.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
How Money May be Made.

accept the privilege of space In you
valuable paper, and desire to give q few
hints Of my experience In making money
on the farm. There are many demandl
for money to buy the essentials Of lift
which often the husband Is not prepared
to meet, and the wife can by proper
management tighten the burden. There
are many ways of making money on thu
farm-chickens, turkeys, COWS, sheep
hogs, stock, fruits, vegetables OF al
kinds and many other things-but one
must give the proper care to anything to
make it pay. I find good income car
be made in chickens. I usually keeT
from seventy-five to one hundred hans
do not raise chickens for tho market
for I find there is much more money in
selling eggs. keep the brown Leg.
horn, the buff Leghorn and the white
and black Minorca. They are the best
layers l have ever been able to get
They are hardy and easy to raise. sell
off the old hens and keep the young
ones.
A few sheep are very profitable.
bought one lamb last summer for 81 SO
and sold it this spring for SO, after
shearing, and got ten pounds OF wool
off it. Keep all Of your good heifer
calves; don't sell them while small, just
because some one wants to buy them.
have two good COWS that I have raised.
One is giving two gallons Of milk day
and will be fresh again in the fall, and
the other one has a calf week old. |
could get $40 for either of them any
time If ! wanted to sell. sold one last
fall for $40. They are small and easily
kept, but are excellent mixers and good
butter cows. l keep two good cows and
make some butter to spare. Feed the
milk to the pigs. You can. raise your
own meat at very little expense. Use a
little common sense and good judgment
and make all things work together. Al
ways make nice, firm butter, and keep
your eggs gathered in fresh. / can sell
all of mine at home, and don't have to
carry them to town. make enough to
supply my groceries and clothing for
myself and two little ones, with q few
extra dollars to invest in any other way
| wish.
Do not spend your money just because
yuu udN0 SOs Ats 10y oo'u0 . hs"0 ooSAA
week out of your income. Before you
hardly know it you will have enough to
buy a new carpet or new piece Of furni-
ture that perhaps you have wished for
for some time. But always remember the
poor and give to those that are more
needy than yourself. Give the little
clothes that are too small for your little
ones to some one that needs them, and
see their faces light up with gladness.
Never allow yourself to be too busy to
visit the sick.
Give the childr,n something for their
own-a calf or colt or few chickens.
Instruct them how to feed and care for
them. Teach your little girls to do all
kinds of work about the house. 1t will
never injure them to know how to work,
even if they don't have to do it. Ny
little girl, only ten years old, can help
me lot about my work, and can cook
very nice meal when 1t Is necessary for
her to do it, as is sometimes the case.
Teach them what q dollar is worth, and
to put il where it will do the most good.
-(Mrs) NJ. l. Bradley In Tribune
Farmer.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

1t is reported of an Oakland farmer
that one day last year he found q score
of men putting up telegraph poles over
his best field. he ordered the men
away, but they wouldn't 60. They
showed him a paper that gave them
authority to put up their poles where
ever they wished. The old man looked
at the paper, saw 1t was lawful and
walked away. He went to the barn and
turned savage bull into the field. The
bull made for the men, the men fled at
top speed and the farmer shouted after
them: "Show him your paper! Show
him your paperr'
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

We know of several farmers who,
finding that they had poor seed corn
and a worthless stand, and some who
lost their corn by the worms, replanted
their fields a. late as the middle OF
June with early types Of corn and Sc
cured crops running from forty to fifty
bushels per acre. Thair experience has
convinced them that it will pay to plant
some of this early corn as early In the
spring a. possible and thus secure plenty
OF good feed for their hogs long before
the ordinary field corn IL matured. This
in a good plan.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
The Longest Street.

The longest street In the United
States and in the world as we'll Is
Western avenue. Chicago, which Ii
twenty-five miles long. Its nearest
rival is Halsted street also in Chicago.
which Is two-thirds Of mile shorter.
Halsted street Is so much more closely
built up that 1t is usually spoken OF az
the longest street In the world.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
Man and the Earth.

Nobody knows the age Of man on
earth. The tendency Of opinion among
scholars Is to the effect that the human
advent upon this planet took place
many tens of thousands Of years ago.
John Fiske, backed by other high au'
thorities, claims that man lived on the
earth as long ago as half a million
years.-New York American.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

Drilled oats seeded In the fall In Ala-
bama gave better results than the same
varieties sown broadcast.-New England
Homestead.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

With this weather the chicks may be
let out for q little fresh air, sunshine
and exercise; but watch them carefully;
they need constant care until they reach
muturity.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

Do not fail to keep the cultivator 60
ing In the corn, potatoes and similar
crops. It means moro than weed killing.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
Bad Blood

Is the cause Of all humors, eruptions,
boils, pimples, scrofulous sores, eczema
or salt rheum, as well as OF rheuma'
tism, catarrh and other troubles. Inc
greatest blood remedy for all these
troubles, proved by its unequaled
record Of cures, is
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPEED THE PLow."

Correspondence on practical agricultural topics
is solicited. Address all communications In
tended for this department to HENRY d.
HAMMOND, Agricultural Editor Oxford Dem
ocrat. Paris, Ne.
Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02

In usual liquid form or In chocolated
tablets known ~ oaesatabs. 100 dosesN.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-03-09
A CONSTITUTIONAL WEAKNESS

hE Constitution - the United States NAY -
Gladstone said. the most Ierfe-t Instrument
| 4 - government ever devised b man yet the
k( most ardent patriot r. b. > both Iutel lgent
lIETsfEll and siu0ere AL adnu that has la Iii
k1K@a-Nl tie Esaknesses
one haw, vel known % students - %
uteal history. has eoue into prominence though
lie action o. the san Francisco sheo board IN assign
iug japanese children O. separate schools. namsy
possible Inability q the national government q dea with
the matter Unless IL - shown that action Is
n violation - treaty agreement W1th japan tbs
government vii D. helpless The treaty is4 appar-
emily Japanese IN this country TIE commercial
rights and privileges 81 TO most favored nation
The inability - fhe government Washington q -
dress infeTu1tl1nal wrunEs vi-u thu Vruugdaer 4 q
State ~ tie Juian has h~n ts SIRIUS dipo-
uatr embarrassment in fie pasL AMI undoubtedly
-aus@ heuity many tue~ "a the future The -ase %
~ Italians Wao 3urhed 10 NeN Orlean. i stir
fresh r. uer ~.
Fogeigu gcrFlsn;s demanding reire~s % grievances
satisfied Rth that re national gov-
eminent Is ToHeTI~ss that the p.~ pper = vested IN
the STATES for they d dsai States hut 9Th the
naou The ahlistr - site d. with uuuu.tg tAurx
shi~h dlfrf '~ snality foreign natlon against
RE Whoie iH.~t saIrHe % neaAueea ust Of
~tr-l 9Th as..as Goasf, #niab
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-03-09
ABOUT MARRIAGE

= MERE ApEsars o - tendency thes@ days
% put % ths question q marrtaes until one
has reached the aEe which n 4 ueN -
calec the ~aEe 81 indisrretiou-r ue-rrplt
IlrTI bachelors t0tter b the altar 20 e1 .rEs the
k@E@A&l To~s % matrimouy with acrid vrlnsaers
where one two youthful orers stoof
u las h~~l said With rsaSon- perhaps that - TN
eeDT 70 postpone marriage has grown up with the tn
creased es q living and the desire TIE unn "a attain
hhancial Independents before requesting q woman g.
saare ITS iOt Uifh Buf there Is smother r~assn IT.
these dFys old any given ae e his father
~as R%fors bin To-day tie youag - = Is looking
backward rather than forward lie more enxared m
rssrettus the god times o. bis college days than ID
mapping cut his future Nothing more O. the AJAX
- - ne responsibility q young man than marriage
L is The natural order % hiags that every man should
take under hls proterou and one wouan For her
y Norks. Tor her ~ plans and for Der he lives
Your sell graausd well fed SELL bred bachelor % -
Rag iaprsss yuU oae abs l. leading q useful Hfs Hs
may - cog that great machine known a. the world
q euEnmeTce lie may D. az emlneut msmber - ths
bar leading % medical profession Bar
D. has disregarded tie greatest az nature
Marrying ate iu lfe = decided mistake II - shown
~ tls records % the divorce eourtS one marres IL
youth brause feels the nced = kindred spsrt ou
this little Journey &c The one narrs IN old age
through whim WheediinE II given 10 nan % lovs
and live but II miss this Why live a. ais
lies Noiues SewA
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-03-09

Tie f'HHlut ueuark e tae oram-
uer fram Fl aaa phia. that g tla-re
s.re any raasa.aE - teeth IN 10 3
srserld = per ceuf e ire glasa ~
woula - dsne - artificial tee.h made
On Amerlea was nat Tar frem the
BAR - SAYS Il =. 9ouas o. a.
arflrs q - Te-hui-al WeFl3 Neg
ale -Au-e- - aseds ~ Wurld O. TIE
arsl6eal teafh Industry and Faiia.le
phla suug,ias 8 larze rereeutase - ~
fofai suspgL False tesfa AZ sliFEea
fren thls eeuatry - - Hs-nsts ooT-
AS e tgs earfh They are = -
fuunt in TX aoaEhz o. gapanes@. ca
So. uin1asa. aza sHma. 4 h xerT iike.