davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
BLACK FOREST CUSTOMS.
Youngest Son lnherits Property anc
Cares For the Old Folks.

Youngest Son lnherits Property and
Cares For the Old Folks.
The peasant farms Of the Black for.
est are handed down from father to
son In q direct line, often dating back
400 years, says Antiquary.
There Is no division as in France.
All falls to the heir, only here 1t Is not
the eldest, but the youngest son, who
lAherits. 1t is rare that a bur (peas-
anti dies as reigning head. When he
gets on in years he abdicates In or
der to end his days in the leibgedinge'
haus dover house,, which stands be,
side each hof (steading).
That he does so In favor OF his
youngest son is very sensible. Were
It the elder he would have no peace,
for as soon as he married he would try
to induce his parents to retire just al
an age when power Is sweetest and
best exercised. For this reason the
practical farmers of bygone genera
tions decided to hand over the success
sion to the youngest, since when Benja'
min Is a full grown man father Jacob
is old and glad to rest.
This law of Inheritance goes by the
name Of vortel. Should the heir Of his
own free will desire to resign In favor
of bis elder brother the latter must
buy the property from him. In such d
case the younger may be termed a
kind Of Esau.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
BROKE UP THE ARMY.
4 Mean Trick That DemoraIized the
Haitian Troops.

4 Mean Trick That Demoralized the
Haitian Troops.
When not fighting or drinking the
Haitian negro spends his time lying
In the sun smoking innumerable ciga-
rettes. All over the island the roads
made originally by the Spanish and
French have fallen into ruin, and the
thick forests In the interior are peo-
pied by dspraved savages.
A story told by Mr.. Sandman, the
well known American artist. illustrates
the then state of discipline which pre-
vailed among the 5000 rufiians who
bore the courtesy title Of "the army"
Mr.. Sandman and an Irish friend
who resided in the island were one day
watching the commandanta Of the Hal
tian army reviewing his troops.
"Would you like to see me break up
the whole lott" asked the Irishman.
"Of course" replied the artist
The Irishman then took five silver
coins from his pocket and. with a loud
shout, threw them up in the air. In
stantly the whole army leaped forward
and scrambled for the money. the COM
mandanta himself securing the first
three pieces. After pocketing them
with dignity and restoring order among
his men he ordered the Irishman to be
arrested for bringing discredit on the
army. The Irishman was sentenced to
three weeks Imprisonment, but five
pieces Of silver and bottle Of rum Sc
| cured his instant release.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
WRITE IN SECRET.
The Way Chinese Court Historians Do
Their Work.


There are court historians In China,
as there are In other countries, but
there Is one striking difference, and II
lies I'm the fact that the work Of the
Chinese court historians does not see
the light until the reignlng dynasty
comes to an end.
In this way these Celestial historians
have an opportunity to describe most
truthfully the virtues and vices Of the
yalorous rulers and the real signifi-
canoe Of the events which take place
during their regime. They can write
what they please without fear of CEN
sure, for they know that their work
will not be published as long as the
reignIng dynasty lasts.
This has been the rule for more tian
1000 years. the first court historian
having been appointed by the impe-
rial house Of Han. which reigned from
20G B. c. until % A. ID.
The duty Of these historians Is to
write plain accounts Of all the events
that occur during their tenure of Of
flee. At regular intervals their com
pleted work is taken from them am Is
locked up In an iron safe or vault
There 1t remains until the first m"m-
Der Of new dynasty ascends the
throne.
II Is then given with all the Other
histories In the vault to the court
historian. who is then living, and from
the mass of documents he Is expected
to prepare truthful history Of the
dynasty which has just expired.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
The Manure Spreader.

1t seems incredible, but there is still a
number of farmers who continue to
spread manure by the old fork method,
or are letting it rot in the baruyard,
which means less farm profits. The
manure spreader has come to be farm
necessity. The farm can only be made
to pay by keeping the soil in the highest
state of fertility. That means making
the most of the manure, the best of all
fertilizers, and the only one that is pro-
duced on the farms.
All agree that manure can be made to
90 further and produce better results by
spreading with machine than when
spread by hand. The popular estimate
is that the spreader doubles the value of
manure. II this is true, or approximate
ly true, it will be easy TO arrive at the
conclusion that a spreader will pay for
itself in increased crops and soil DEMENT'S
in one or two years.
The old way Of handling manure was
wasteful in the extreme. First, 1t was
allowed to wash away and ferment in
the baruyard. Then, at a convenient
season, it was hauled out and thrown in
piles on the field, and the same wasting
process was continued. Finally it was
spread by throwing it in forkfuls and in
hard Jumps over the ground, leaving II
in a condition in which the ground could
not get the benefit of even the fertilizing
contents still remaining.
With view to preventing this great
waste, the International Harvester Com
pany of America is Offering to the farm.
ers of the country through their Local
dealers everywhere three most excellent
machines. These are the Corn King,
the Cloverieaf and the Kemp goth Cen
tury spreaders. The manure is pulver'
ICED and spread evenly, so that it is im
mediately available for plant life
There is no waste, and with such ma
chine always at hand the farmer is in
duced TO spread the manure at the righ,
time, while it is fresh, thus getting al
the value for his land. Write direct tC
the International Harvester Company ol
America for catalogue, booklets ano
complete information.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
WHEN FASTING IS FATAL.
Loss Of Weight Below Certain Point
Brinas Death.

During a long fast the daily loss Of
weight becomes gradually less and less.
Death comes when the total loss has
reached a certain percentage, which
percentage varies with the original
weight. Fat animals may lose half
their weight, thinner ones perhaps two
fifths.
A man or woman Of rather spare
habit, Weighing 143 pounds, could,
therefore, lose about flfty-6ve pounds
before succumbing. Heart action, res.
piration and blood pressure remain un-
altered during starvation, but the tenn.
perature of the body falls nearly de-
gree In most cases. The secretion OF
gastric juice ceases, but saliva and bile
are still formed. The duration Of life
depends upon the extent and activity
Of the physiological processes.
Children die after fast Of from
three to five days, during which they
have lost a quarter Of their weight.
Healthy adults, however, have tasted
sixty days when water has been taken.
A German physician notes the case
Of a woman, aged forty-seven. who
died after a fast Of forty-three days,
during which she drank water freely.
Her weight. which was 143 pounds a
year before her death, was reduced to
ninety-nine pounds. 1t was a case Of
suicidal melancholla, and the woman
patiently carried out her horrible un-
dertaking SO quietly as to scarcely at
tract the notice Of her family ard died
at last calmly and peacefully without
complaint or apparent evidence Of suf-
ferinH.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
Tortoise That breads Rain.

The tortoise Is not an animal one
would naturally fix upon as likely to
be afraid of rain, but II Is singularly 80.
Twenty-four hours or more before rain
falls the Galapagos tortoise makes for
some convenient shelter. On bright,
clear morning when not cloud Is to
be seen the denizens of tortoise farm
on the African coast may sometimes
be seen heading for the nearest over
hanging rocks. When that happens
the proprietor knows that rain will
come down during the day, and, as q
rule, 1t comes down In torrents. The
sign never fails. This presensatlon, or
whatever you may call it, which exists
In many birds and beasts, may be ex.
planned partly from the increasing
weight of the atmosphere when rain Is
forming. partly by habits Of living and
partly from the need Of moisture,
which Is shared by all
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23

ply out OF you, with rootnotes. ap
pendix and unpublished fragments
Oh, l know what to do when ! see
victuals coming toward me. In little
old Bagdad-on-the-Subway. l strike
the asphalt three times with my fore
head and get ready to spiel yarns fol
nv supper. l claim descent from the
late Tommy Tucker, who was forced
to hand out vocal harmony for his pre-
digested wheaterina and spOopju."
al do not ask your story" said Chal
mers. 81 tell you frankly that 1t was
a sudden whim that prompted me to
send for some stranger to dine with
me. I assure you you will not suffer
through any curiosity Of mine"
"Oh, fudgew exclaimed the guest, en-
Enthusiastically tackling his soup. u
don't mind it q bit. I'm regular ori'
entail magazine with red cover and
the leaves cut when the caliph walks
abroad. In fact. we fellows In the bed
line have sort Of union rate for things
of this sort. Somebody's always stop
ping and wanting to know what
brought us down so low In the world
For q sandwich and glass of beer
tell 'em that drink did it. For corned
beef and cabbage and cup Of coffee
give 'em the hard hearted landlord
six months in the hospital lost -jol
story. A sirloin steak and quarter
for bed gets the Wall street TRACED!
of the swept away fortune and the
gradual descent This is the first
spread of this kind I've stumbled
against. haven't got story to fit 1t
I'll tell you what, Mr.. Chalmers, I'm
going to tell you the truth for this II
you'll listen to 1t. It'll be harder 70.
you to believe than the made up ones
An hour later the Arabian guest Ia!
back with a sigh Of satisfaction while
Phillips brought the coffee and cigar
and cleared the able.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
a;rd. That Eioht EauIes,

In Foula, one Of the Shetland Is
lands, the natives make a business ol
rearing skau gulls in order to rid the
island of the eagles that congregate
there and commit many depredations
The magnificent red sandstone cliffs
that skirt the northwestern coast be
came a favorite haunt Of the eagles
and in this inaccessible spot they In
creased so rapidly that they became
terror to the farmers and fishermen
who dwell on this Isolated spot. The
skau gulls are also strong and fierce
and the inveterate foes Of the eagle
In battle the gulls are nearly Away:
victorious, and so the inhabitants ol
Foula hit upon the novel plan OF feed
ing and caring for the skau gulls
which, though formidable to theil
feathered enemies. are very peacefu
and docile when brought in contac
with man.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23

cap which could not be worn while
driving except by parsonage. At bis
side sat the lady Of Remsen's heart
the lady who looked like pomegranate
blossoms and the gibboos moon.
Remsen met them coming. At the
instant Of their passing her eyes look.
ed into his. and but for the ever cow
ard heart OF true lover he could have
sworn that she flushed faint pink.
He trotted on for twenty yards and
then wheeled his horse at the sound
Of runaway hoofs. The bays had
bolted.
Remsen sent his chestnut after the
victoria like a shot. There was work
cut out for the impersonator Of Police
man ORoon. The chestnut ranged
alongside the of bay thirty seconds
after the chase began. rolled his eye
back at Remsen and said IN the only
manner open to policemen's horses:
"Well, you duffer, are you going tt
do your share? You're not O'Roon.
but it seems to me if you'd lean to the
right you could reach the reins of tina;
foolish, slow running bay. All, you're
all right! O'Roon couldn't have done II
more neatly"
The runaway team was tugged to an
inglorious halt by Remsen's tough
muscles The driver released his hands
from the wrapped reins, jumped from
his seat and stood at the heads Of the
team. The chestnut. approving his new
rider, danced and pranced, revillne
equinely the subdued bays. Rcmsen.
lingering. was dimly conscious of q
vague, impossible, unnecessary old
gentleman in a Scotch cap who talked
necessarily about something. And he
was acutely conscious of pair Of VIC.
let eyes that would have drawn St
Pyrites from his iron pillar. or what
ever the allusion is, and Of the lady's
smile and look-a little frightened. but
q look that, with the ever coward heart
of a true lover, he could not yet con.
strue. They were asking his name and
bestowlng upon him well bred thanks
for his heroic deed, and the Scotch
cap was especially babbling and insist.
ent. But the eloquent appeal was In
the eyes of the lady.
A little thrill OF satisfaction ran
through Remsen because he had o
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23

ner. shall sleep on feathers tonight
and dream Of Bagdad. hope 1t won,
turn out to be dream in the morning
Farewell. most excellent caliph!"
Again Chalmers paced restlessly upor
his rug. But his beat lay as far from
the table whereon lay the pastel sketch
as the room would permit. Twice
thrice, he tried to approach 1t, but fail
ed. He could see the dun and gold
and brown of the colors, but there was
a wall about it built by his fears that
kept him at distance. He sat down
and tried to calm himself. He sprane
up and rang for Phillips.
There Is n young artist in this build
ing" he said, "a Mr.. Reineman. DE-
you know which is his apartment"
"Top floor, front, sir" said Phillips.
"Go up and ask him to favor me
with his presence here for few min
utes."
Reineman came at once. Chalmers
introduced himself.
"Mr. Reineman," said he, there Is @
little pastel sketch on yonder table.
would be glad If you will give me youl
opinion Of it as to Its artistic merits
and as picture"
The young artist advanced to the Ia
BILE and took up the sketch. Chalmers
half turned away. leaning upon the
back Of chair.
"How-do-you-find it" he asked
slowly.
"As a drawing" said the artist, 81
can't praise it enough. It's the worh
of master-bold and fine and true. II
puzzles me little. I haven't seen any
pastel work near as good In years."
"The face, man-the subject-the
original-what would you say of that?
"The face" said Reineman. lis the
face of one Of Gods own angels. May
ask who
"My wifew shouted Chalmers, wheel.
ing and pouncing upon the astonished
artist, gripping his hand and pounding
his back. "She is travelling in Europe
Take that sketch, boy, and paint the
picture Of your life from 1t and leave
the price to me-"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
Horses and Music.

Horses are particularly sensitive to
music. Guenoe. who carefully studied
the matter, quotes the following curl
Gus fact: "In 1892 the Fifty-eighth reg
iment of infantry was making a mill
tary test march when the music struck
up. The young horse Of Captain De
r. fastened forward and placed itself,
In spite Of Its rider, behind the last rank
Of the musicians. Then 1t followed
peacefully. giving obvious signs OF
pleasure.
when the music ceased the captain
was able to resume his place at the
head Of his company. but the band
struck up again. and the horse, not.
withstanding the efforts Of Captain De
R.. galloped ahead and once more
placed itself behind the musicians.
This happened every time the band
played"
Lions have been found to listen with
marked Joy to the piano They appre-
ciate the top notes and the medium,
but roar terribly when the bass keys
are struck loudly.-Paris Revue.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23


name to give which, without undue
pride, was worthy Of being spoken In
high places and a small fortune which
with due pride, he could leave at hi'
end without disgrace.
He opened his lips to speak ant
closed them again.
Who was he? Mounted Policeman
O'Roon. The badge and the honor Of
his comrade were In his hands. II
Ellsworth Remsen, ten-millionaire ant
Knickerbocker, had just rescued pome
granate blossoms and Scotch cap from
possible death, where was Policeman
O'Roon7 or his beat, exposed, dis
graced, discharged. Love had come
but before that there had been some
thing that demanded precedence-tht
fellowship Of men on battlefelds fight
ing an alien foe.
Remsen touched his cap, looked be
tween the chestnut's ears and tool
refuge In vernacularity.
Don't mention It," he said stolidly
1--WE policemen are paid to do thes'
things. It's our duty"
And he rode away-rode away ours
Ing noblesse oblige, but knowing III
could never have done anything else
At the end Of the day Remsen sen
the chestnut to his stable and went t.
O'Roon's room. The policeman wa'
again a we'll set up. afIaDle, cool yount
man, who sat by the window smoking
cigars.
81 wish you and the rest Of the po
lice force and all badges. horses. brass
buttons and men who can't drink two
glasses Of brut without getting upse
were at the devilw said Remsen feel
ingly.
O'Roon smiled with evident satisfac
ton.
Good old Remsen," he said affably
81 know all about It They trailed M
down and cornered me here two hour!
ago. There was q little row at home
you know, and I cut sticks just t.
show them. I don't believe I told yot
that my governor was the Earl o.
Ardsley. Funny you should Dol
against them in the park. If you dam
aged that horse of mine I'll never for
give you. I'm going to buy him ant
take him back with me- Oh. yes. ant
think my sister-Lady Angela, yol
know wants particularly for you tt
come up to the hotel with me thi:
evening. Didn't lose my badge, die
you, Remsen? I've got to turn that ir
at headquarters when resign"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
Knew His Dickens.

A third form boy in city school be.
longs to family Of Dickens worship
ers who have a kind Of Dickens fellow
ship among themselves-read Dickens
round the Hreside in turns ut night.
quote Dickens in all sorts Of little fam
fly" catch phrases. The boy Of nine
took his place In the Scripture class
recently, the lesson had been on the
story of Uriah the Hlttite, and the form
master was driving 1t home by close
questioning. "And what" he asked,
twas the name of Uriah's wife" Dead
pause; then the voice Of the youthful
Dickens scholar piped, please, sir.
Heepr-LOndon Chronicle.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
Naturally Acquired.

II suppose you consider my hauteur
mere affectation." began Miss Parve-
ner.
mot at ALL" Miss Bright hastened to
say. "Your scornful expression is quite
natural"
"Ahp'
ayes: I suppose you lived for great
many years in the neighborhood Of
your fathers glue factory."-Philadel-
phia Press.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
A Delicious Custard.

The recipe for this delicate dessert
has been handed down In my family
for many generations: Into each indi.
vidual custard cup put the yolk OF one
egg. add one heaping teaspoonful Of
sugar. two gratings Of nutmeg and Ave
tablespoonfus Of sweet milk. Incorpo-
rate thoroughly and set the cups In a
pan of hot water Bake In moderate
oven until firm. When cool, cover with
a meringue. using the whites Of the
eggs for this purpose, and allow one
tablespoonful Of powdered sugar to the
white of each egg. Through the very
tiptop Of each snowy mound drop a
teaspoonful Of orange marmalade.-De-
lineatOr,
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
High Priced Leghorns.
ACCOUNT OF D. w. YoUNGs's POULTRY
YARDS IN MONROE, ORANGE COUNTY,
n. Y.

Right here in Monroe is located d. W.
Youngs's, now acknowledged as the
worlds foremost breeder of single comb
White Leghorns. The editor had the
privilege a few days ago Of inspecting
Mr.. Youngs's flock of thousand fowls
and spending a most enjoyable hour
with this genial and cultured fancier
aud his accomplished wife at their pleas
ant home.
Mr.. Youngs takes care of his chickens
personally because he loves them, but
being also a good business man he en-
joys a revenue of several thousand dol
lars a year from the sale OF settings and
fowls. His market is not limited to
states, countries or hemispheres. His
eggs and chickens go to every part of
the civilized globe-shipments to the
Philippines, South Africa, China and
other far away places being of frequent
occurrence. Last year he sold four hun
dred cockerels at from S. to S125 apiece;
hens and pullets bring 50 apiece up; set
tings are quoted, at from 20 cents to 81
an egg, and even at these prices the de-
mand often exceeds the supply. City
boarders pay good prices here, but it is
safe to say they are not served with
Youngs's chickens or eggs.
Mr.. Youngs secures these fancy prices
very easily. All he has to do is to visit
the big poultry shows in New York,
Boston and other cities with his fowls
and secure about all the prizes-orders
following as a matter of course. Last
year at the big poultry show in Madison
Square Garden, New York City, he won
more first prizes than all the other
White Leghorn exhibitors combined,
also thirteen special prizes, Spratt's
special gold cup, and for the third con-
secutive time the American Leghorn
silver cup for the best display.
Mr.. Youngs's father began importing
White Leghorns in 1853, and the son fol-
lowed in his fathers footsteps, Begin
ming with his own flock when but seven
years of age. Some years ago he visited
all the foreign countries where these
fowls are bred, studied their every
characteristic, and then settled down to
line breeding system of his own,
which, of course is not for publication.
Mr.. Youngs formerly was in business
at Highlands. .on-the- Hudson, later at
Ridgewood, n. j., but came to Monroe
last August, where he purchased home
and thirty acres of land, and now has
sufficient room for his increasing busi-
ness.
A very pleasing sight is twenty of the
yards" side by side, each containing a
prize winning male and several prize
winning hens. Their quarters are kept
scrupulously neat and clean.
Over one flock presides Edward Nv,
for which Mr.. Youngs has refused $500.
Over another Edward XII, which can
not be had for $1,000. Over another
Arch Knot for sale at any price-and
so on.
In conclusion it might be we'll to say
that Mr.. Youngs's chickens are hatched
and mothered in the good old-fashioned
way.-Tribune Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23

Last year orchardists in certain sec.
tions were humbugged by the plausible
story of would-be friends, and thousandi
of apple trees were plugged with some
powder guaranteed to drive away all in
sects both to foliage and fruit. How II
is possible for intelligent men to bt
caught in any such manner is mystery
but the fact that many we're, and that
the same thing is being attempted Ii
other localities, justifies this word OF
warning. The only way to treat these
frauds is to give them cool reception
and promptly show them the door. Put
this expense into fertilizing or pruning
or cultivating and it will bring big re
turns. There's no room for patent nos
trums here.-Maiue Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-23
Old Time Seed Saving.

In early days, of course, each farmer
saved his own seed; possibly he ex-
changed seeds with one or two neigh
bors. But there is less and less indi-
vidual seed saving every year. The
earliest seed farm in the United States
is believed to have been started by
David Landreth, the originator of the
present big seed house. This was be,
fore the Revolutionary war, on small
farm, now part of the city of Philadel
phia. 1t is estimated that now, over
25O, 900 acres, located variously in every
state in the union, are devoted solely to
growing seed crops, and some of the
largest growers plant annually as high
as ), 900 acres.-New England Farmer.