davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
The Mjdoet Snakes.

81 see by your paper" says CORE
spondent. that you want to tnd man
who can tell snake story with the
sound Of originality to 1t. Here 1t Isl:
Nearly forty years ago In the woods OF
Indiana | captured three snakes, each
less than three and one-fourth inches
In length, a combined length OF less
than ten inches, little longer and a
little larger in the middle than an old
fashioned wool darning needle. Al
though these snakes were 80 small they
would crawl around with their heads
up and dart out their tongues like
larger snakes, I put these reptiles In
an eight ounce bottle. and they had
plenty Of room to crawl around on the
bottom of 1t without crowding. These
were not the kind Of snakes generally
seen in bottles, but genuine snakes.
Among those who saw them was n
minister of the gospel, and he had not
been taking anything to make him sec
snakes elther."-Empor!a Gazette.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
NUMBER 80.

The world Is rock ID You, no doubt
but you must be an Aaron and smite
1t with your rod. Then things better
than water will gush out Of It for you.
That is what the world is for. 1t gives
to me wha aver l want from It."
"God has blessed you," said the old
man. "It is only work that ! have
known. And now can get no more"
'T must go home" said Morley, ris-
ing and buttoning his coat. II stopped
here only for a smoke. hope you
may find work."
"SIay your kindness be rewarded this
night" said the old man.
"Oh," said Morley, "you have your
wish already. am satisfied. / think
good luck follows me like q dog.
am for yonder bright hotel across the
square for the night. And what a
moon that is lighting up the city to-
night! think no one enjoys the moon
light and such little things as do.
Well, good night to you"
Morley walked to the corner where
he would cross to his hotel. He blew
slow streamers of smoke from his
cigar heavenward. A policeman pass.
ing saluted to his benign nod. What
fine moon 1t was!
The clock struck 0 as girl just en-.
tering womanhood stopped on the cor
ner, waiting for the approaching car.
She was hurrying as II homeward
from employment or delay. Her eyes
were clear and pure; she was dressed
In simple white; she looked eagerly for
the car and neither to the right nor the
left
Morley knew her Eight years be-
fore he had sat on the same bench
with her at school. There had been no
sentiment between them-nothing but
the friendship Of innocent days.
But he turned down the side street
to a quiet spot and laid his suddenly
burning face against the cool iron of
lamppost and said DULY:
"God, wish could die"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Table Manners In Old France.

Could we restore for half an hour the
dinner table of old France and obtain
half dozen instantaneous photo
graphs Of royal banquet at any era
between the reigns Of Francis | ana
Louis Ouatorze such cataract or
laughter" would be heard as might
disturb the serenity OF Louis In para
disc. The duchess. her napkin tied Sc
curely round her neck, would be seen
mumbling bone, the noble marquis
surreptitiouSly scratching himself, the
belle marquise, withdrawing her spoon
from her lips to help neishbor to
sauce with II, another fair creature
securing her plate with her bread. IA
gallant courtier using his doubiet or
the tablecloth as towel for his fin
gers and two footmen holding yard
Of damask under a lady's chin while
she emptIed her goblet at draft. Dur
ing feast OF inordinate length 1t was
sometimes necessary to substitute a
clean cloth for the one which the care
lessness or bad manners OF the guests
had reduced to deplorable condition.
AN Idler In Old France"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
A Wonderful Bowman.

The Romans were very sklllful bow.
men, although they discarded the weap'
on in warfare, trusting to the charge
and to hand to hand fighting. Many
Of the Roman emperors were famous
archers. 1t Is said that Domltian would
place boys In the circus at consider.
able distance from him and as they
held up their hands with the fingers
outstretchcd he would send the arrows
between them with such nicely and ac'
curacy Of aim that he never inflicted a
wound.
The wicked emperor COmmodus
boasted that he never missed his aim
or failed to kill the wild beast that he
shot with a single arrow. He would
set shaft in his bow as some wild
beast was set free In the circus to de-
YOUR living criminal condemned tc
die. Just when the furious animal
was springlng on his prey the emperor
would strike 1t dead ut the mans feet
Sometimes 100 lions were let loose al
once In order that he, with 100 arrows
might kill them. With arrows the
heads Of which were semlclrcular he
would sever the necks Of ostriches lr
full fight,
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Clean Stables Better than Tuberculin.

DR.. Austin Peters, chief Of the Massa-
cbusetts State cattle bureau, declared
recently that clean stables were Of more
value in obvating the danger arising
from milk than crusade against tuber-
culosis. He said that wholesale killing
was useless, and that physical in
spection was all that was necessary to
determine the condition of suspected
cattle. DIR. Peters said that tuberculin
was used in Massachusetts, only at the
request of cattle owners. At the deten-
tion stations every imported cow for
dairy purposes is tested twice; a cow, II
excited, will sometimes respond to
tuberculin on the first test. Even under
the double test method mistakes occur
as out of 275 cattle killed in the Brigh-
ton yard in 1906 after tests, eight failed
to reveal LESSONS. This, declared DR..
Peters, is a very small proportion. He
said that probably there are more deaths,
many times over, caused by neglect OF
stables and improper care OF milk than
from bovine tuberculosis transmitted to
human beings.-New England Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
1he Pirates.

The Chicago News fails to name the
hero Of this story, but has 1t that the
visitor to the home Of well known
Hoosier State author found his three
youngsters romping In the hallway.
"What are you playing. boysT he
inquired.
"Ws are playing pirates" elucidated
the smallest.
"Piratesl Why. how can you play
pirates in Indiana7 There are no seas
bordering on this state"
"Oh, we don't need any seas. We
are literary pirates, like pa"
And five minutes later a chorus OF
yells from behind the barn told that
the hand that wields the pen can also
WELD the shlngle.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11

held conversation with any one. 1T Is
not that. 1t Is something else that
amuses me. Do you know what three
divisions Of people are easiest to over.
reach in transactions Of all kinds?"
Sure" said the waiter, calculating
the size Of the tip promised by the
careful knot of Morley's tie. There's
the buyers from the dry goods stores
In the south during August, and honey
mooners from Staten Island, and
"Wrongw said Morley. chuckling
happily. "The answer is just-men,
women and children. The world-well,
say New York and as far as summer
boarders can swim out from Long
Islands full of greenhorns. Two
minutes longer on the broiler would
have made this steak fit to be eaten
by q gentleman. Francois"
Tf yez thinks It's on de bum," said
the waiter, "Oflp'-
Morley lifted his hand In protest
slightly martyred protest.
at will do" he said magnanlmously.
"And now, green Chartreuse, frappe
and demitasse."
Morely went out leisurely and stood
on corner where two tradeful arteries
Of the city cross. With solitary dime
in his pocket he stood on the curb
watching with confident, cynical, smil-
ing eyes the tides Of people that flowed
past him. Into that stream he must
cast his net and draw fish for his
further sustenance and need. Good
Izaak Walton had not the half Of his
self reliance and bait lore.
A joyful party Of four-two women
and two men-fell upon him with cries
Of delight There was dinner party
on. Where had he been for fortnight
past? What luck to thus run upon
him! They surrounded and engulfed
him. He must join them-tra-la-la-
and the rest.
One with a white hat plume curv
ing to the shoulder touched his sleeve
and cast ut the others triumphant
look that said, "See what I can do
with himT and added her queens
command to the invitations.
81 leave you to imagine" said Nor
ley pathetically. "how it desolates me
to forego the pleasure. But my friend
Carruthers of the New York Yacht
club is to pick me up here in his motor
car at g."
The white plume tossed, and the
quartet danced like midges around an
arc light down the frolicsome way.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Curious Greetings.

A French journal has been looking
into the question Of how different races
express the colloquialism How do you
doT and presents some curious exam.
pies. The Koreans, for instance. do
not give or imply any offense when
they greet each other with the remark,
You do look old" Persians say. May
Allah preserve your beard and cover
1t with benedictions." Among tribe
Of Fill islanders the correct form OF
salutation Is to pull ones ear. A Caro-
line islander kneels before his friend,
whose foot he grasps and slaps himself
vigorously IN the face with It. In the
Sudan a traveller was addressed by a
native chief as Mighty sun" the said
chief finishing up with GLORY to thee
o splendid moon." the remark being
accentuated by expectorating In the
travellers right hand.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Whv W. Ara All Mimlcs,

"1f we did not cough in church. the
human race would not exist" And the
professor, twiddling piece Of chalk
In his hand, regarded the sophomores
with a quizzical smile.
"What ! mean," ne continued, "is
that the cause of coughing Is the cause
of our survival. That cause Is MINI
icry. Mimicry Is better life preserver
than feetness or strength. For by
mimicry we manage not to attract at
tention, and in prehistoric times they
who attracted attention were hunted
down by the tribe and roasted for din
ner or hunted down by the saber tooth
tiger and taken raw.
"Since those dark days mimicry has
been instructive with us. Mimicry Is
what causes us to follow the fashions.
1t causes us, when in England, to say
'cawn't' and 'lawf.' II your friend
yawns, you yawn-thats mimicry. II
he laughs, you laugh-mimicry again
II he snuflles, you snuffie-mimicry
And If he coughs In church, straight,
way you and all the rest Of the con-
gregation cough. the reason being the
same one which saved our forefathers
from extermination."- New York Press
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Famous Floquers.

Among English schoolmasters whose
names have come down to posterlty
with the dubious reputation of great
fioggers DR.. Busby Of Westminster
school is the generally acknowledged
chief.
OF him It Is recorded that. one of his
head boys having insulted a young
French viscount who came to the
school to demand satisfaction, he fog
ged the viscount first for the blood
thirsty intentions and next his friend
who was the bearer Of his challenge.
Dr. valpy, too, who edited an edition
of the classics, was potent wielder OF
the rod. Archdeacon Groom, who was
pupil Of his, tells story In illustra'
ton of his prowess. One OF the boys
had been fogged by the redoubtable
dominic, and the lads father came tc
complain.
"Sir," said Valpy to him. II fogged
your son because he richly deserved it
II he again deserves 1t, shall fog
him again. and" rising. 'if you come
here, sir, interfering with my duty
shall fog you"
The parent fed.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
A Talent For Balancing.

The pleasant coffee room Of the old
Star and Garter at Richmond, which
was burned down in 1869. was patron
lied by England's statesmen, politicians
and writer's. On Saturday evenings II
was regularly visited BY middle aged
gentleman Of rather broad stature
With gray hair and large shirt collar
which formed q conspicuous feature In
his attire. He would dine always
alone at a particular corner table. and
after dinner 1t was his humor to build
up before him a pyramid of tumblers
and wineglasses, which he topped with
decanter. Occasionally the whole
structure would topple over and litter
the table with Its ruins. Then the mid
die aged gentleman would rise. pay
his bill, including the charge fol
broken glass. and depart. The walters
knew him we'll. he was Thomas Bah
lngton, Lord Macaulay.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
"On the wav tce'u haue some chocolates

Morley stood, turning over and over
the dime In his pocket and laughing
gleefully TO himself.
"'Front,'" he chanted under his
breath; front does it. 1t Is trumps
In the game. How they take 1t in!
Men, women and children-forgeries,
water and salt lies-how they all take
Tin"
An old man with an Ill fitting suit,
4 struggling gray beard and corpu'
lent umbrella hoped from the con-
glomeration Of cabs and street cars to
the sidewalk at Morley's side.
stranger" said he, excuse me for
troubling you, but do you know any
body In this here town named Solomon
Smothers? He's my son, and I've
come down from Ellenville to visit
him. Be darned If know what ]
done with his street and number"
81 do not, sir" said Morley, half
closing his eyes to veil the joy in
them. "You had better apply to the
police"
"The pollcew said the old man. 81
amt done nothin' to call In the police
about. I just come down to see Sol
He lives in five story house, he
writes me. II you know anybody by
that name and could
81 told you did not" said Morley
coldly. 81 know no one by the name
of Smithers. and advise you to-
"Smothers, not Smithers," interrupt
ed the old man hopefully. "A heavy
sot man, sandy Completed. about
twenty nine, two front teeth out, about
five foot
"Oh, 'Smothersr exclaimed Morley.
"Sol Smothers2 Why, he lives in the
next house to me. thought you said
'Smithers.'
Morley looked at his watch. You
must have a watch. You can do 1t for
a dollar. Better 60 hungry than fore
20 gunmetal or the ninety-eight cent
one that the misunderstanding to
these watchmakers-are run by.
"The bishop Of Long Island" said
Morley, twas to meet me here at 8 to
| dine with me at the Klngtishers' club.
But I can't leave the father Of my
friend Sol Smothers alone on the
street. BY st. Swithin, Mr.. Smothers.
| we Wall street men have to work.
| Tired Is no name for 1t! was about
| to step across to the other corner and
have glass Of ginger ale with dash
| of sherry when you approached me
You must let me take you to SoPs
house. Mr. Smothers. But before we
take the car l hope you will join me
in"-
An hour later Morley seated himself
on the end Of a quiet bench in Madi
son square with twenty-five cent
cigar between his lips and $140 In
deeply creased bills in his inside
pocket. Content, light hearted, Iron
ical, keenly philosophic, he watched
the moon drifting in and out amidst
a maze Of flying clouds. An old, rag
ged man with a low bowed head Sal
at the other end Of the bench.
Presently the old man stirred and
looked at his bench companion. lr
Morley's appearance he seemed TO rec
ognize something superior to the usua
nightly occupants Of the benches.
"Kind SIR" he whined, "if you could
spare dime or even few pennies t.
one who
Morley cut short his stereOtyped up
peal by throwing him dollar.
God bless your said the old man
'T've been trying to find work for"-
"Workm echoed Morley. with his ring
ing laugh. "You are fool. my friend
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11

prices on goods like these. I'm afraid
you're having dull time In New York
Mr.. Platt. A young man like you-oi
course you miss the society of the
ladies'. Wouldn't you like nice young
lady to take out to dinner this even
Ing? Miss Asher. now, is very nice
young lady: she will make It agreeable
for you"
"Why. she doesn't know me-" said
Platt wonderingly. "She doesn't know
anything about me. Would she 60
Pm not acquainted with her."
"Would she go?" repeated Zizzbaum
with uplifted eyebrows. "Sure, She
would go. l will introduce you. Sure
she would CO."
He called Miss Asher loudly.
She came, calm and slightly con
temptuous, In her white shirt walls
and plain black skirt.
mfr. Platt would like the pleasure ol
your company to dinner this evening.
said Zizzbaum, walking away.
Sure" said Miss Asher. looking a
the ceiling. "I'd be much pleased
Nine-eleven West Twentieth street
What time?"
"Say Z O'clock"
"Al right. but please don't come
ahead of time room with school
teacher, and she doesn't allow any gen
tlemen to call in the room. There ISM
any parlor, SO you'll have to wait In
the hall. I'll be ready"
At half past Platt and Miss Asher
sat at a table in Broadway restau
rant. She was dressed in plain, filmy
black. Platt didn't know that II was
all a part Of her days work.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11

you. were that kind when ! first saw
you. But you are all alike. And now
will you take me home. or will have
TO call cop?"
Platt took her to the door Of her
boarding house. They stood for min.
ute In the vestibule. She looked al
him with such scorn In her eyes that
even his heart of oak began to waver
His arm was halfway around her
waist when she struck him a stinging
blow on the face with her open hand.
AS he stepped back ring fell from
somewhere and bounded on the tiled
floor Plat groped for it and found It
"Now, take your useless diamond
and go. Mr.. Buyer" she said.
This was the other one-the wed
ling ring" said the Texan, holding the
smooth gold band on the palm OF bis
1and.
Miss Asher's eyes blazed upon him
In the half darkness.
"Was that what you meant? Did
you
Somebody opened the door from in
side the house.
Good night" said Platt. "I'll see you
at the store tomorrow"
Miss Asher ran up to her room and
shook the schoolteacher until she sat
up in bed ready to scream Fire"
where is it?" she cried.
That's what | want to know" said
the model. you've studied geography,
Emma, and you ought to know. Where
Is q town called Cac-Cac- -Carac-Ca.
racas City, l think they called it?"
How dare you wake me up for
that?" said the schoolteacher. Cara
ras Is In Venezuela. of course"
whats it like?"
"Why, it's principally earthquakes
and negroes and monkeys and malarial
fever and volcanoes"
~ don't care" said Miss Asher
blithely. "I'm going there tomorrow"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Outsida of His Practice

"All that is the matter with you, sir"
said the eminent physician after a
thorough examination, ''is lack Of nu'
triton. You don't eat enough"
81 eat all | can hold. DOCTOR" said
the attenuated caller.
"Then you need to have your capac.
fly enlarged, and that's case for q
surgeon. Five dollars. please. Good
morning" Tribune
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Greatness.

There is n kind Of elevation which
does not depend on fortune. 1t is
certain air which distinguishes us and
seems to destine us for great things.
It is a price which We imperceptibly
set on ourselves. BY this quality we
usurp the Difference Of other men, and
1t puts US, In general, more above them
than birth, dignity or even merit itself.
La Rochefoucauld.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
FOR SALE.

2 1-2 story dwelling-house. pleasantly
located in the village of West Paris.
Consists of nine rooms and bathroom,
shed and stable. About 81 acre OF land,
with apple and pear trees. The build
ings are situated high from the street,
with broad piazza shaded with vines,
commanding a fine view. A spring oi
pure water on premises. These build,
ings are well and prettily furnished and
the owner would be glad to sell the
furniture and furnishings with the
house. This is a great bargain and will
be sold on reasonable terms. Call on ol
address, w. j. Wheeler, South Paris
Maine.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
A CoinctdencA.

T'm afraid, George" said his Aancee.
''that you are going from bad to
worse"
"Quite coincidence" muttered
George. That's what Clara said when
! threw her over for YOU"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11

You are not done with your summers
work unless you have cut out the brush
and stuff from the corners Of the fences.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11

brane resulting from Catarrh and drives
away aCold in the Head quickly. Restores
the Senses Of Taste and Smell. Full size
so cts. at Druggists or by mail. Liquid
Cream Balm for use in atomizers 70 cts.
Elv Brothers, So Warren Street, New York.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
A Look at Oxford County.

MAGNIFICENT SCENERY, UNLIMITED
TIMBER GROWING POSSIBILITIES AND
A RESTRICTED AREA OF GOOD FARM
ING LAND.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
HENS AS RENOvATORs.

An interesting experiment has been
tried by Mr.. Maxim the present season
In using hens In his berry fields to keep
down the grass in the rows. His
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPEED THE PLow."

Correspondence on practical agricultural topics
Is solicited. Address all communications In
tended for this department TO HENRY ID.
HAMMOND, Agricultural Editor Oxford Dem
ocrat, Paris. Ne.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
Cord Wood,
Slab Wood,
Edgings,
Stove Wood and
Coal at
A. W. Walker & Sons,
South Paris, Maine.
A Reliable Remedy
FOR
CATARRH
Ely's Cream Balm
South Paris, Maine

IS quickly absorbed.
Gives Relief at Once.
It cleanses, soothes,
heals and protects
the diseased men,
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11
AS5l555S&;;9aEss 5&
M, n HENPY
By o. HENRY.

copyright. 1906. by the s. 8. Mcclure Co. ]
~ ASTINGS BEAUCHAMP NOR.
LEY sauntered across Union
square with plying look ut
the hundreds that lolled upon
Putnam patriot., 1908-05-15

For a mild, easy action of the bowels single dose of poan's Regulets Is enough. Treatment cures habitual con stipatlon. 25 cents box. Ask your druggist for them.