davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
THANKSGIVING.

This is the month in which there Is a
day set apart for national thanksgiving,
though cheerful heart is thankful
every day. 1t is good thing, however,
for the people to be reminded period
ically II the fact that as . nation W.
lave much 10 be thankful for, and
whether we celebrate the day simply OF
with enough turkey and stufing to in
vi,e indigestion, let us mark 1t oy a re-
solve to be better farmers and better
citizens than ever before. None OF as Is
700 humble or obscure to exert whole
some influence, day by day. If We do
nothing more than greet our neighboi
with cheerful face and kind word W.
shall shsd benediction over an entire
community. Let US therefore give
thanks not only upon one day OF the
year but every day Of our lives.-Farm
Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Oxford County Cow Test Association.

The regular meeting of the Oxford
County Dairy Testing Association was
held at Canton, Tuesday, November I'd,
and while the attendance was not as
large as it has ordinarily been, yet the
interest was splendid, and good results
will come from the meeting.
Mr.. &. T. Bonney, president of the
association, gave talk during the fore.
noon session on the records of the vari-
Gus animals comprising his herd for the
past year. Many interesting and i'm
portant facts were brought out.
During the afternoon session lecture
was given by Dairy Instructor Merrill on
the lessons to be learned from Dairy
Testing Association work concerning
feeding problems. Some interesting
comparisons were made in the results
obtained from different herds where
entirely different feeding plans were fol-
lowed.
Mr.. A. S. Cook, the official tester of
the association, was present and brought
out some very important lessons from
the association work. In one instance
where a change in grain ration was
recommended by Mr.. Cook and followed
BY the owner of the herd on the animals
composing the herd, an increase in pro-
duction of more than an average of SLIGO
per month resulted. At the same time
the cost of the ration and its protein
content were lessened.
Such matters as these are of intense
interest and value to the members, and
these meetings are eagerly looked for
ward to.
The next meeting will be held at East
Sumner the first Tuesday in December,
and at that time demonstration will be
given by representative of the depart
meut in the lessons to be drawn from,
and the value of weighing the milk
yield of each animal daily.
Mr.. Cook, the official tester, will make
comparisons between the results obtain
ed in the Oxford County Dairy Testing
Association with those obtained in the
two associations which have already
been reported in bulletin issued by the
department of agriculture.
The meeting adjourned at 8 P. NJ. and
all went home feeling that they had OBJ
tanned some very valuable instruction
from the days meeting.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
For Corn Improvement.

Incidental with the New England fruit
show in Boston came an organization Of
the New England corn exposition for the
purpose of holding a show of corn and
corn products in the fall of 1910. One
year ago at a meeting of men who were
interested in the welfare of New Eng
land, among whom were the governors
of the several states, corn propaganda
was formed, with president and secre-
tary-treasurer and vice. presidents and
secretaries in each state. At the call of
the president these men met in the Office
of Secretary j. Lewis Ellsworth in Bos-
ton on Oct. 21 and proceeded to organize
fully for the work that Is before them.
The temporary organization was made
permanent. Several changes made nee
essary by changes of residence were
made in the board and q committee was
formed to draft a constitution and by
laws, provide for incorporation and
draft rules.
1t is proposed to carry on campaign
of publicity and education, which will
begin at once. The various experiment
stations will join the movement and will
try to conduct large amount of Co
operative experimental work. 1t Is ex-
pected that the agricultural departments
will aid to the full extent of their abili-
ties; the fairs and the local oranges will
also Join the movement. Corn is really
the basis of New England agriculture,
aud as all cereals come under this CLASH
fication all specialists of whatever branch
they may be are directly interested in
learning all they can of its successful
growing and in ext Juding the area of its
growth.
Adjournment was made to the frat of
December, at which time the bylaws
committee will report, general outline
of the prizes and classes will be drafted,
literature will be issued and the cam.
paign begun. 1t is hoped to rival the
very successful fruit show of 1909, which
has just closed in Boston.-B. Walker
McKeen in Tribune Farmer.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16

at last In the same dim and ghostly
hall which be had entered some six
hours before. The mockery Of dusk
admitted by the fanlight was just
strong enough to enable him to iden.
tify the general lay Of the land and
arrangement Of furniture
More confidently with each uncon.
tested step he continued his quest
Elation was stirring his spirit when
he gained the first floor and moved
toward the foot of the second flight
approaching the spot whereat he was
to begin the search for the missing
purse. The knowledge that ne lacked
means Of obtaining illumination de-
terred him nothing. He had some
hope of finding matches in one OF the
adjacent rooms. but, falling that, was
prepared to ascend the stairs on all
fours, feeling every inch Of their sur
face II It took hours.
And thus 1t fell out that, at the In
stant he was thinking 1t time to begin
to crawl and hunt. his stockinged feet
came into contact with something
heavy. yielding. warm-something that
moved, moaned and caused his hair to
bristle and his flesh to creep.
We will make allowances for him.
All along he had gone on the assump-
ton that his antagonist Of the dark
stairway would have recovered and
made of with all expedition In the
course Of ten or twenty minutes at
most from the time Of his accident.
TO find him still there was something
entirely outside Of Kirkwood's reckon
Ing. He would as soon have thought
to encounter, say. Calendar-would
have preferred the latter. indeed.
"Poor DEVIL" murmured the young
nan. 'He must be In pretty bad
way for surev' He knelt, compassion
tentling his heart, and put one hand to
the insentient face. A warm sweat
moistened his fingers. His palm was
famed by steady respiration.
Immeasurably perplexed, the Ameri-
can rose. slipped on his shoes and but
toned them. thinking hard the while.
What ought lie to do? Obviously fight
suggested ltself-incOntinent flight, an
ticipating the mans recovery. On the
ether hand. indubitably the latter had
sustained such injury that conscious
ness, when 1t came to him, would hard.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16

scrubbed across the floor to rest lii
back against the wall.
"Why.y. remember fallin', and
then l woke up, and 1t was all dark
and my head achin' At to split l pre-
sumo ! went to sleep again. ] say
what're you doln' here"
Instead Of replying Kirkwood lifted
a warning finger.
"Hushw he said tensely. alarmed by
noises In the street. "You don't sup
pose
He had been conscious Of carriage
rolling up from the corner as well as
that 1t had drawn up presumably be-
fore a nearby dwelling. Now the rat.
tie of key in the hall door was star
tlingly audible Before he could move
the door itself opened with slam
Kirkwood moved toward the stair
head and drew back. with cry Of dis
gust. TOO late" he told himself bit.
terly. His escape was cut off. He
could run upstairs and hide. of course,
but the boy would inform against him
and
He buttoned up his coat. settled his
hat on his head and moved near the
candle, where 1t rested on the floor.
One glimpse would suffice to show him
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Opportunities for Investment.

Secretary of Agriculture Wilson spent
most of last week in taking an automo-
bile ride from Albany through Scho-
harie, Otsego and Oneida Counties to
Utica and thence southwest to Ithaca,
TO observe for himself Gas well as one
can do it by that rapid method of OBJ.
servatiop) the agricultural condition oil
the center of the state. He was accom-
panied by Chief Whitney of the Bureau
of Soils, Immigration Commissioner
Powderly, Chief Larmon of the Laboi
Division Of the State Department of
Agriculture, and a gentleman who is
supposed to represent Tor to expect to be
able to interes,) certain large capitalists
who may see great opportunities for in
vestment in New York farms that can be
bough. amazingly cheap in proportion
TO prices in other states, natural ad-
vantages being taken into account-as
they have not always been taken into
account by intending farmers, both
American and foreign born, who have In
thousands of cases rushed to the far
vest without any adequate examination
of the chances nearer the seaboard. Mr..
Wilson is quoted as expressing himself
thus, after the trip:
~ cannot see why people have gone
away and left the farms in many parts OF
this state. These lands are better than
the lands that are open to settlement In
the west. You are near the markets OF
the east, and farm products are in such
demand that prices have become ex'
cessive and present problem that
makes consumers anxious. Sixty thou
sand Americans went to Canada and took
$50, ,OOO,00 with them to buy wheat
lands in Canada. They wOuld do better
60 take up your old farms here. l can
not see what ever started folks away
from these farms. The average price o1
land in Iowa is Sl25 per acre and it runs
up TO $500. Iowa farmers raise cattle
and horses and flourish. Cattle can bs
raised here just as well. You have New
York City as market. You ought tc
20 in for milk, butter, cheese, eggs,
poultry. vegetables. Why, last yea
5. 900, 600 bushels of potatoes were i'm
ported into New York. That shoulc
not be. Good profit can be made oil
any of your farms with potatoes al 81
cents per bushel. The going west ide'
has about expired. Iexpect we will SCI
men coming from the west to take ul
your old farms il nobody else does, ~
Country Gentleman.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
NUMBER 46.

It against me. I'm only trying to do
my duty
"And safeguard our property. You
are perfectly justified. officer"
Thank you. ma'am. And would you
mind giving me your cards. please. all
Of you"
Certainly not" Without hesitation
the woman took little hand bag from
the seat Of the carriage and produced
card. Her son likewise found his
case and handed the officer an oblong
slip
"I've no cards with me-" the Ameri-
can told the policeman. "My name,
however. Is Philip Kirkwood, and I'm
staring ut The Pless."
every good. sir: thank you" The
man pen led the information in his
little book. Thank you, ma'am, and
MIR. Hallam. sir Sorry to have de-
tanned you. Good morning"
kirkw wood helped young Hallam into
the carriage, gave Mrs. Hallam his
hand and followed her. The man Ec-
cles shut the door, mounting the box
beside the driver. Immediately they
were In motion.
ITO BE CONTINUED
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16

''Haue you hurt yourself, dcdrf'
the force OF the intruders aud one
move Of his foot put out the iight;
then-perhaps-he might be able 10
rush them.
Below a brief pause had followed
the noise Of the door. as II those enter
ing were standing. irresolute. unde-
cided which way to turn, but abruptly
enough the glimmer Of candlelight
must have been noticed kirkwood
heard a hushed exclamation. a quick
clatter Of heels on the parquetry,
pattering feet on the stairs. all but
drowned by swish and ripple Of silken
skirts, and a woman stood at the head
of the hight-to the American al ap-
partition profoundly amazing as she
paused, the light from the floor cast
Ing odd, theatric shadows beneath her
eyes and over her brows. edging her
eyes themselves with brilliant light be-
meath their dark lashes. showing her
lips straight and drawn and simmer
ing upon the spangles Of an evening
gown, visible beneath the dark cloak
which had fallen back from her white.
beautiful shoulders.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
The Hearts Of Sam Houston.

In the Memoirs of Senate Page"
Christian +. EckIoff recalls the years
just prior To the outbreak Of the civil
war, when Sumner. Wade. Douglas.
Hamin. Houston, John z. Hale, Breck-
inridge, Thomas and Jefferson Davis
were debating the great questions upon
which the north and south were at
variance. They were an imposing body
Of men, mostly clad I'm black broad
cloth and wearing high silk hats.
But there was one senator who re-
fused to be ignifled-Senator Hous-
ton of Texas. DAY after day." says
Mr.. Eckloff, during spare moments
he sat there In his seat carving hearts
out Of soft pine wood They were
pieces Nbout the size OF the hand.
When he had completed one Of these
works Of art he would summon page
and. pointing toward some fair spec
tator in the gallery. would say. Give
this to that lady up there with Gen
eral Sam Houston's compliments.
Mr. Eckloff remembers Houston as
one Of the gentlest and kindest Of men.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
CHAPTER x.

INDOORS Kirkwood faced unhappily
the enigma of fortuity. wonder
Ing If this by any possibility were
L No. 0.
The key had fitted, the bolts had
been drawn on the inside, and, while
the key had been one of ordinary pat
tern and would no doubt have proved
effectual with any one Of hundred
common locks. the finger Of probability
seemed to indicate that his luck had
brought him back to No. 8.
In spite of all this, he was sensible
of little confidence Though this were
truly No. 8, his freedom still lay on
the knees Of the gods; his very life, be-
like. was poised. tottering on pima.
Gle Of chance.
In the end, taking heart Of despera-
tion. he stopped and removed his
shoes, a precaution which later ap.
pealed to his sense Of the ridiculous
In view Of the racket he had raised In
entering, but which at the moment
seemed most natural and in accord
ance with common sense. Then, ris.
Ing. he held his breath. staring and
listening About him the pitch dark.
ness was punctuated with fading
points of fire, and In his ears was
noise of strange whisperings.
He went forward glngerly. feeling
his way like a blind man on strange
ground. Ere long he stumbled over
doorsill and found that the walls OF
the passage had fallen away. He had
entered q room. a black cavern Of
indeterminate dimensions. Thence
progressing over complaining floors
through what may have been the serv.
ants hall, large room with a table
in the middle and number Of pro-
miscuous chairs (witness his tortured
shins). he finally blundered into the
basement hallway.
By now a little calmer, he felt as.
sured that this was really No. 8
Frognall street and a little happier
about It all. though not even momen'
tarily forgetful Of the potential police
and night watchman. However. he
mounted the steps to the ground floor
without adventure and found himself
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Corn Show at the Dairy Conference
AT sKowHKaAN, NOVEMBER 80 TO DE,
CENBER 3.

The good work commenced last year
by DR.. Twitchell when he offered pre-
miums for corn grown by boys IS years
of age or under is bearing fruit. The
Maine Dairymen's Association recogniz-
ing the merit of the work already begun
are offering extra premiums in several
different classes, a list Of which follows:
CLASS I.
Best ten ears flint corn, grown
and exhibited by boy ls lst Cd. I'd
years Of age or under, $500 $500 $500
CLASS II.
Best single ear flint corn,
grown and exhibited bya
boy Is years Of age or un-
der, 800 200 100
CLASS III.
Best ten ears flint corn grown
and exhibited by man, 500 500 zoo
CLASS ".
Best single ear flint corn
grown and exhibited bys
man, 500 2.0O lOO
CLASS v.
Best ten ears of flint corn,
established as distinct
Maine variety, 5C) 800 eco
This premium is open to competition
by all persons within the state. Anyone
entering in this class will not be permit
ted to enter in Glasses and III.
CLASS VI.
Best five stalks silage corn,
any named variety, 500 800 200
Prof. VIM. D. Hurd of the Massa-
chusetts Agricultural College has been
engaged to act as judge of the corn ex-
hibit, and the method used in judging
this corn will be so planned as to be of
general educational value. 1t is especially
important that this work shall be hand
led in an educa tional way on account of
material assistance it will be to our peo-
pie in competing for premiums at the
New England Corn Show which will be
held some time during the month of
1910. Letters have been for
warded to growers of corn throughout
the state, calling their attention to the
Importance of this work and already
numerous replies are coming in stating
they will be glad to make exhibits and a
successful show seems assured.
The secretary of the association will
send to all requesting copy OF the score
card to be used, together with sugges-
tions for selection of seed corn as we'll as
corn for exhibition purposes. At re-
cent meeting held in Boston, Hon. B.
Walker McKeen of Fryeburg was elect
ed vice president of the New England
Corn Exposition for the state of Maine
and Christopher NJ. Gallup, editor of
the Maine Farmer, was elected secretary
for Maine. 1t is we'll that the farmers
of the state should interest themselves
in the matter of selection, breeding and
of superior strains of corn
and the corn show to be held at the
Dairy Conference will be of great assist
ance TO them in their work.
Official programs and entry blanks
and information stating all the details of
the Dairy Conference will be furnished
to those making application.
LEON 5. MERRILL,
State Dairy Instructor.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16


The woman ignored his
4 L existence Moving swiftly
forward. she dropped on both knees by
the side Of the boy and caught up one
Of his hands. clasping it passionately
In her own.
Fred" she cried. curious break In
her tone MY little Freddie! Oh,
what has happened. dearie?"
""Oh. hello. mamma" grunted that
young man. submitting listiessly to
her caresses and betraying no over.
whelming surprise at her appearance
there. Indeed, he seemed more con-
cerned as to what Kirkwood, an older
man, would be thinking to see him so
endeared and fondled than moved by
any other emotion. Kirkwocd could
see his shalnefaced, sidelong glances
and despised him properly for them.
But without attending to his re-
sponse Mrs. Hallam ratified on In the
uneven accents Of excitement. 81
waited until | couldn't wait any long.
or. Freddie, dear had to know. had
to come. Eccles came home about
and said that you had told him to wal.
outside. that some one had followed
you in here and that bobby had told
him to move on didn't know what
whats o'clock now?" her son in,er
rupted
"It's about 8, think. Have you hurt
yourself. dear? oh, why didn't you
rome home? You must have known
was dying Of anxiety"
"Oh, say! Can't you see I'm hurt1
Had a nasty fall and must We been
asleep ever since"
my precious one! How
Cant say. hardly. I say, don't paw
chap so, mamma. I brought Eccles
nlong and told him to wait, because
we'll, because I didn't feel so much like
shuttin' myself up in this beastly old
tomb So left the door ajar and told
him not to let anybody come in. Then
I came upstairs. There must we been
somebody already In the house.
know thought there was. It made
me feel creepy rather. At any rate.
heard voices down below, and the door
banged. and somebody began hammer
In like fun on the knocker."
The boy paused, rolling an embar'
rassed eye up at the stranger.
"Yes. yes. dear| Mrs. Hallam urged
him on.
"Why, IL made up my mind to cu'
my stick-let whoever 1t was pass me
on the stairs. you know. But he fol
lowed me and struck me, and then
Jumped ut him, and we both fell down
the whole flight. And that's all. Be
sides, my heads achin' like every
thing"
But this man.
Mrs. Hallam looked up at Kirkwood
who bowed silently, struggling to hide
both his amusement and perplexity.
"You. Mr.. Kirkwood"
Again he bowed, grinning awry.
She rose suddenly. you will be
good enough to explain your presence
here" she informed him, with danger
Gus serenity.
ITO be frank with YOU
81 advise that course. Mr.. Kirk
wood"
Thanks, awrly. l came here hall
an hour ago looking for lost purse
full-well. not quite full Of sovereigns
It was my purse, by the way"
Suspicion glinted like foxfre in the
cold green eyes beneath her puckered
brows. II do not understand" she
said slowly and in level tolas.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Secret Ink.

A simple expedient when one wishes
to confide his secrets to paper and yet
keep them is to use ordinary rice wa
ter instead of Ink. 1t cannot be seen
when dry. but turns blue when iodine
Is applied to it. II It be desired 10
make perfectly sure of the destruction
Of the contents Of the letter after 1t
mas been read the purpose may be ac-
romplished by writing It with Solu-
Ion Of iodlde Of starch 10 water A
'ew days later the script will have
disappeared.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Animals With Pockets.

Did you ever think what curious
thing It is that some animals have
pockets-great, roomy. fur lined vest
pockets. big enough to carry family
Of little ones about in? Many Of the
animals native to Australia and Tas-
mania have these convenient pockets,
and so has the possum. common
animal In our southern states. The
kangaroo is the largest Of this species.
Full grown kangaroos go sixteen feet
at a jump. and so when going on a
long journey or running from hunters
think what comfort 1t must be to
Mother Kangaroo to know that her
babies are snug and safe in her pock-
et!-Exchange.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16

Now that the days are shorter you will
be doing chores sometimes after dark.
Make il a rule never to set the lantern
down on the floor. Hang it up where 1t
will not be Knocked over. 1t is an awful
thing to have the barn burn up. By the
way, a harness snap suspended from the
ceiling by bit of old pump-chain 10 a
good thing to hang the lantern on.
Have it just above the reach of your
head.-Farm Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Sock and Ruskin.

In the early ages theatrical perform
ers disguised their faces with wine lees
or rude pigment. Aeschylus. the IA
nous tragic poet. introduced masks
which were Of various kinds. express
ing every age. country, condition and
complexion. All were constru' ted
with the greatest nicely and precision
The dresses were also adapted 10 the
characters assumed by the actors.
What was known as the buSkin WIS
hunting boot Those worn by ira
gedians had soles three inches thick.
composed OF layers Of cork. and were
laced up in front as high as the calf
Sandals were also worn. and many Gf
these had thick cork soles. The coli
ors Of the foot coverings were various
red being the favorite hue for WIZ
riors and purple for other characters
Slaves wore low shoe bearing The
name Of sock, which was also the or'ii-
nary footwear of comedians. From
this circumstance arose the well
known phrase of sock and buskn.
so generally associated with the drana.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Don't Mention X.

Sapphedd You saved me from be-
lag killed by that auto. | owe my
ufe to you. How shall | ever repay
you? Stouten-Young man. don't let
.rifiing debts like that worry you!-
New York Life.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
So Easy.

Gavin-There's one thing like about
Jones shop. you can order your goods
through the telephone and after
short walt have them delivered. Bal
ley Tnat Is just what ! don't like.
Gavin What: Bailey The short
weight New York Journal.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-16
Sufficient Reason.

Chum-Why don't you assert your
authority as head Of the family and
take matters In your own hands? Head
of the House (mournfuiIyi My wife
won't let me- Baltimore American.