davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Turnina the Tables,

A correspondent sends to a Paris
contemporary an amusing contest of
wit which he recently heard in a rail-
way carriage journeying between Com
piegne and Roye. There were several
passengers. One believed 1imslf to
possess fund of humor which he in
tended to expend on a priest who got
in at one of the intermediate stations.
Bestowing patronizing look on the
clergyman he said: "Have you heard
the news, monsieur lie cure?" mo,
my friend, have not" was the reply,
Il have been out all day and have
not had time to glance at the papers. .
Then said the traveller, ''It is some
thing dreadful; the devil is dead
Indeed" replied the ecclesiastic, with
out the smallest surprise or disp1eas-
ure. Then, seemingly deeply touched,
he added: Monsieur, / have always
taken the greatest interest in orphans.
viii you accept these two sous?o The
wit, we are told, retired as gracefully
and as quickly as he was able.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Convenient SEWING Basket

Convenient sewing basket is a will
low clothes hamper lined with cheese
cloth of pretty shade of deep blue or
violet, or cretonne of dainty pattern
Pockets of various sizes are stitched
to the lining to hold patterns. thread
shears, buttons, hooks and eyes. The
larger pockets for patterns are stitched
near the bottom of the basket, while
the smaller ones are near the top.
Inc cover OF the hamper is padded
with cotton and covered with the same
material with which it is lined Tb;s
makes the cushion for pins and
needles. A sewing basket of this
kind will hold larger quantity Of sew.
ing than any ordinary sewing basket ;.
1t is easily covered from the dust
looks neat, occupies small space on the
floor, and is convenient to reach while
sitting at the sewing table or machine
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
/ JOKE ON DlGNIFIED SENATOR.
Supposed Appointment by Fair AID.
mirer Was Something Else Than
1t Purported to &c.

A distinguished member of the SEN
steps away form Franklin park, re
ceived letter a couple of weeks ago
that stirred the spirit of romance with,
In his breast. Oh, it was perfectly
proper letter and ali that sort of thing
and purported to be from a. fair and
youthful constituent Of his-whose
name he had never heard-who was
temporarily sojourning in Washington
Washington city. She was SO bash
ful, the modest little thing, that she
didn't want to come to the senator's
MOTEL to talk over the little matter OF
hnding job for her in the national
capital, but she would like to meet the
senator on the park corner.
The said distinguished senator put
ON his best bib and tucker and a fur
overcoat-for twas a goldfish nigbt-
and sailed forth. with red carnatfon,
for recognition, in his buttonhole. He
hung around the park for upward Of
an hour and then, cross and plumb
disguised with human nature, blew
back to his hotel, where he found re.
cept1on committee waiting for him.
Some fair friends of his in the hotel,
thinking the senator a bit too serious,
minded and outWardly distinguished
for everyday use, had put up the job
on him with grand success They all
turned out to welcome him, too, about
nifty strong, and the distinguished SEN
ator, pretty cross at first, warmed up
and everybody was happy. AS the
reporter On the Podunk Yelp of Free
dom would say: "a good time was
had by ALL"
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Attractive Enplre Combs.

Empire combs have come back with
the empire coiffures, and in Paris and
London there has been a rage for the
genuine combs of the period, very
high prices being paid in many cases
for the antiques. Even where the
stones used are not real gems, the de-
sign and workmanship often give real
value to these combs: but excellent re-
productions have been made from
many OF the most attractive empire
designs, and these will content the
woman who does not care to spend
large sum upon an ornament which Is
likely to be but a passing fad. Dealers
In antiques tell us, however, that they
have sold a number of the genuine
old combs, chiefly in dull gilt and
pearls.-American Register, London.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
DO You Anree with Him9

President Taft, in an address deliv
cred in Carnegie hall April 1, 1908
said: In the progress Of civilization
you cannot overestimate the immense
Importance of Christian missions. Il
IN China today you try to ind out
what the conditions are in the interior
you consult In Picking the gentlemen
you are supposed to know, and where
do you 20? You go at once to the mis-
sionaries. 81. Those men who are
doing q grand good work l don't mean
to say that there are not exceptions
among them, that sometimes they
don't make mistakes, and sometimes
they don't NEEDLE In something which
IL would be better for them from pc.
htical standpoint to keep out of, but |
mean as q whole, those 5000 mission
aries In China and those thousands in
other countries, worthily represent the
best Christian spirit Of this country
and worthily are doing the work that
you have sent them out to do"
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Tight Sleeves and Low collars.

women whose arms are either very
full or very thin dislike the revela-
ton of the sleeve that is guiltless of
any fulness whatsoever. But for the
woman who can wear the smaller
sleeve nothing is more chic at present,
for it gives very narrow.shouldered
slender look to the most corpulent fig
ure. Collars are less exaggerated
fnan they were year ago, and the
shawl collars and collarless necks Of
tne new coats are boon to women
who do their own tailoring. They are
aWfuily good style and very easy to
make.-Delineator.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
WHITE NOW IN HIGH FAVOR
Color No Longer Regarded as Suitable
to Youth Alone Is Sure to Be
Much Worn.

A growing inclination to wear white
is apparent. White was once regarded
as the special privilege of youth. Now,
with a clearer knowledge of the values
Of color and better realization of the
importance OF surrounding, one Ia.
dulges ones natural tastes. Perhaps
the influence of the period under
which fashion is passing has some.
thing to do with this, for the women
who amused themselves at Trianon
used white freely and without stint.
Be that as it may, white gowns, and
white generally, will be Iaore worn
this coming season than ever. White
cloth in a variety of makes, satin
charmeuse, the cashmere and white
serge, in an infinite variety of quail
ties and thicknesses, will come in for
much attention from artists in dress.
AS to the lingerie gown, its import.
ance in the wardrobe cannot be cues.
toned. It is one of the most useful
things to have and, whether worn out
side or indoors, permits SO much in.
dlV1dual taste and charm in contrast
that 1t is quite indispensable.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01

I Apparently South America, which L
rich In material possibilities If not in
ready cash, finds little difficulty in get
ting capital with which to prosecute
promising enterprises. The latest
proof OF this is the arrangement with
foreign fnanciers for constructing a
line that will be an important link in
the Longitudinal railroad, which when
completed viii traverse practically the
entire length of Chile, distance OF
1000 miles or more. The Longitudinal
road will be sort of backbone with
numerous side connections and must
have an important effect in developing
the interior Of the country. Moreover,
and of still more consequence in an in.
Sensational sense, the line will be a
great addition to the three Americas
system which is certain to be com.
pleted at no distant day.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Mercreda Squeezed His Hand.

ing single to the lazy breeze tina
crept down from the range. But fee!
were scarce as molars on a hen-farm
Might ruled in the valley. The Mexi
cans and greasers settled their differ
ences with fists and knives, and jim
eked out his scanty income by work
| ing at the dipping station just outside
the village.
In years time Jim had gathered
a hundred ewes into his tiny corral
Fits of alternate hope and despair haG
bridged the interval When a eve
gave birth to twins, Mercreda straight
way predicted that an epidemic had
set in, and rosy-fingered Hope piled
the calculating pencil on double ba
sis. But when a gay ranchero rode
into town, or a blithe young cowboy
from the foothills swung through the
village streets, despair held Jim in its
paralyzing clutch.
But a great day dawned for Jim and
for Mercreda. 1t found the former
| clad In buckskin pants and jumper,
busy at the dipping-station. The
fiocks Of Tony Gomez filled the corrals
and were struggling through the annu.
al dipping process to prevent disease,
Jim, the erudite, held the post of hon
or on a raised platform above the
steamtng vat. From the yar6s below a
narrow chute led towards him. I'D
which a steady stream of sheen was
forced by the willy collies, Jim
dropped the frightened creatures one
by one into the hot sulphur dip with
the nonchalance of housewife she'll
ing peas, and shouted orders to the
Mexicans armed with throat hooks
who guided the fioundering sheen
through the long, narrow vat towards
the dripping pens.
From his elevation Jim saw q vast
flock of lambs draw near outside the
dipping station, surrounded by snaD-
ping collfes and dark-skinned herders.
A dusty horseman plunged into view.
a burly westerner, whose name was
known to every sheepman on the
range. and asked for the owner of the
station. The owner was absent from
the valley and there was no one to
represent him. Jim called old Gomez
who came forth with glowering face
and angry mien. The stranger demand.
ed immediate possession. He made the
startling statement that he had con-
tracted for the station for the entire
week, and drew forth written docu-
ment to substantiate his claim. He
explained his haste, and insisted that
the Mexican should give way to his
fiocks. He was under contract with
a score of ranchmen in Colorado. A
special train was to meet him at the
nearest station. and the law required
that the lambs should be dipped be-
fore crossing the state line.
With melliauent flow. of Spanish
vowels, in striking contrast to his vol
canic manner, old Gomez called upon
the residents of heaven to witness his
intention, and the fires of hell to
eternally consume him if he budged
an inch for luridly modified Yankee.
The stockman coaxed. threatened, and
finally turned his pony's head towards
the village for legal assistance.
Jim hurried home to change his
clothes, and was quietly seated in his
office when the stranger sputtered In.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Congressional Committeeman STRANGE

Congressional Committeeman STRANGE
Illustrating the magnitude of the
house of representatives, and the
ever-increasing whirI Of business in
which its 391 members are engaged,
Congressman Rodenberg of Illinois
tells how, on a recent journey, he in
troduced two gentlemen, who on be-
coming acquainted, were surprised to
discover that they were members Of
the same congress. In the course of
conversation, one asked the other:
con what committee dc you serve pr
Railways and canals
'"The deuce you do!-why, I'm a
member of that committee, and / do
not remember you"
Now, congressman are proposing to
have come kind of social function at
which members Of the several COM
mittees may meet each other before
the regular work of the session be-
gins. All agree that it is surprising
how few men they become acquainted
with during a session.-Joe Mitchell
Chapple, affairs at Washington" Ma
tional Magazine
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Polxaot Waiter Was American.

At a restaurant in the Wall street
district in New York where the walters
all speak French and many of them
German there is a popular waiter who
is known to various regular customers
as Franz, Frank and Francois. He
speaks German and French with equal
fiuency, and on that account was the
subject of bet which he had to decide
yesterday. One man who had known
the waiter for years said that Franz
was a German, and another was Just
as certain that he was French, and
third said that both men were wrong
and that the linguist waiter undoubt.
eddy came from Alsatia, or from that
part of Switzerland where every child
speaks three languages, each with a
foreign accent. They were all sur.
prised to hear that Frank, as he pre-.
fers to be called, was born in the
Eighth ward, and has never beer
further from New York than Wash
ington.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
mi A FAIR FEE TT
- BY BERNlCE c. CAUGHEY -
BY BERNlCE C. CAUGHEY
Copyright, by ]. B. Lippincott Co..
The fiat had gone forth. James AL

The fiat had gone forth. James AL
len must ride possessively around a
thousand ewes before there should be
added unto him the fairest maid in all
the Pecos valley, Mercreda Torres. So
ruled old Pedro, Mercreda's father,
and Allen knew the Medes' and Per-
SLAMS laws were weak, wind-shaken
reeds beside the solid rock Of Pedro
grim determination.
Poor jim! He did not even own the
mustang on which to do the riding.
AS for the ewes Jim rushed from
Pedro's presence in a sudden passion,
and the tiny village Of adobe houses
set in the middle OF New Mexico
dropped into dim perspective as Jim's
long, angry strides bore him towards
the range which trimmed the valley.
The full blaze of noon held the bar
rem land in thrall. A dry wind Wh1s-
pered through the withered grass and
shook the ghostly sagebrush. Above
the valley a treeIess plain stretched
out to meet turquoise sky. the
white wool of dozen flocks relieved
the dullness of the landscape.
When the young man had walked
his passion off, he faced the situation
bravely and made his palms.
Old Pedro had a double purpose In
the PRONUNCIATION of this edict. Jim
was lawyer. He had gone to school
in Denver, had raked and scraped and
pinched to get his education, and had
planned to remain there to practice,
but when the time came to leave the
valley his widowed mother had fallen
i'll with a tedious malady, and Jim, of
course, stayed with her that she might
be among her people. Jim's mother
was Mexican, as was Mercreda's
father, though the other side of each
house came from good New England
stock, and Pedro, fearful of the Yam
kee blood in each, sought to bind Jim
to the valley.
The young man opened up modest
Office in the village and flung a shin
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01

URE.TsHED sxEEI1r.Y.
TerrItlc Waste d Natural Cas-.

-
Natural gas suffcient to light the
streets and homes, heat the buildings
ana turn the factory wheels of every
enterprise In Chicago, st. Louis and
sNeW Orleans is going to waste in the
Caddo gas and oil fields near shreve-
port, La, at the rate of 100000, 900 GU
PIG leet day. Gas is rushing from the
bowels OF the earth through two wild
Wells and over fifty gas and oil wells
1911 uncapped. The crater of one wild
wen covers over two acres. The atten-
non Of President Roosevelt has been
attracted to conditions and by his or
uef All public lands lying in Caddo and
bossier parishes have been withdrawn
from entry until the government may
Sake what steps are deemed necessary
70 stop the terrific waste and preserve
what is conceded to be the greatest
gas neld in the western hemisphere.
10 the meantime, says the Technical
world Magazine, the city of Shreve-
port Is thronged with oil investors
from every section of the country, rival
claims have been filed on govern.
ment lands near the oil wells, the price
of real estate has reached heretofore
unheard Of figures, men who few
months ago held nothing but few
acant acres Of cut-over pine lands now
count their wealth by the thousands,
and armed guards stand watch over
ground which is claimed under various
acts and entries applicable to the Sc.
curing Of public lands. This territory
y nnderlaid with two strata of gas
sand, averaging from 40 to 140 feet in
width, the first 500 to 900 feet beneath
the surface and the second lying be.
tween 1900 and 1900 feet. The gas
sands show their greatest width at
Morningsport, which lies in the more
southern portion of the field.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
Librarian Kept BUSY.

John ]. Boobar, librarian of the
house OF representatives, is preparing
card index Of the Congressional Rec.
ord. To index the speeches Of the
Fifty-ninth congress alone required
more than 10000 cards. Mr.. Bocbar
was appointed librarian from Minre.
sofa and brought to his position a re-
marlable fund of energy. He saws
that no attache of congress is worked
so hard as to be in danger of nervous
prostration from oVerwork and that
he thought the best way TO utilize his
spare time was by doing something
useful.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01

Jim explained the futility of the usua
legal process when the ugly Mexicans
were aroused and suggested a com
promise, to which the stockman glad
ly consented. All day Jim camped on
Gomez's trail. His native instinct, IL
lumined by his Yankee wit, won the
day. With smooth words and $40 the
corrals were cleared. The delighted
stockman slapped Jim on the back
and told him to come to the hotel
that evening for his fee.
Jim hurried home to consult with
his mother, and stopped on the way
to tell Mercreda. 81 ought to have
$780," he insisted, "for it was worth
that to him."
Mercreda squeezed his hand, and
his mother gazed proudly Upon the
man who could earn $50 in single
day. =
Arrayed in his bravest apparel, Jim
sailed forth, walking on air, but be-
fore he reached the little 'dobe hotel
he gradually neared the earth again.
He was obliged to stop and recall
Mercreda's proud hook and his moth
er's wonderment to keep his courage
at the proper pitch. What If the
stockman should offer me $50" Jim
asked himself. A cold chill pierced
his spine at the thought.
The stockman met him with cheer
full greeting. "Well, SIR" he began,
when they were comfortably seated,
what do I owe you? Let's get the
matter settled"
Jim hesitated and cleared his throat.
'It saved you considerable, sir he
ventured.
81 know it did, and I am willing to
pay for it," was the reply.
But Jim was loath to cast the die.
''Tll tell you what I'll do" said the
stockman; ''I'll just spread out here
on my knee what / think the job is
worth, and you can tell me if it is
satisfactory"
All hope of $50 vanished, and Jim
was mastering up his courage to face
Mercreda.
AG SIOChu1dA uISW huSO "dlACt
from an inside pocket and carefully
united it. Jim watched him modify,
and saw him draw out a bill and
smooth it carefully upon his knee;
another one was added and another,
until five OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES bills lay
clinging together. "How's that?"
asked the stockman laconically.
Jim could not reply at once. By
sudden metamorphosis the timid
sheep-dipper was transformed into the
successful young attorney. His head
was held erect, bright spot burned
in either cheek, a blaze of triumph
shone in his eyes. His palms pressed
hard against his rigid knees in des-
perate effort to appear calm and IN
concerned. Presently his power Of
speech returned. Better make it an
other fifty" he said, and there was a
ring in his voice as if New Mexico
were his.
I'll do it just for luck" replied the
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01

Gen. Evans OF Georgia wants the dull
fhnd and the scared flesh removed
from our literature He would have the
hangman's necktie and the electric
rocking chair sent to the museum
along with other relics Of barbarous
ages. He would have the convicted
one Ito down to quiet slumbers and &C
gently over by the chloroform route
All our tendencies are in that direc
ton. although it may taEe some time
to effect the reform. 1t will be OBJ
served that no one advocates that the
criminal, however execrab1e, be talked
to death.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01

Coral linen is a good material for
the foundation of walking suit which
Is to be self-trimmed, soutached, out
lined with eyelet or made seyerelx
plain.
Black. should be introduced in the
trimming scheme, though not in a
marked degree.
A black hat is suitable for wear
with a coral linen frock, providing the
dress shows just the least particle of
black, which is easily obtained in
piped lines.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01
The college gil

Of to-day is distinctive. And certainly
Miss Helen Taft is just little differ
ent from any Other presidents daugh,
ter who has gathered young friends
around her in the capitals first man
sion.
The college girl is bookish yet not
bookworm Or Questioning. The col
iege girl is grammatical in speech, but
she has the jolliest, chummist jargon
Of slang that ever rolled from under
a pink tongue. The college girl is a
| tremendous reader, keeping right in
touch with all the movements of the
day, yet she never neglects outdoor
| sports. The college girl is a social
| creature, but she uses society and
does not allow society to use her. And
| above all things she dresses simply
| and does not marcel her hair.
All these things is Miss Helen Taft
and more, and there is no doubt
| that she means to establish college
customs and entertain at the White
House.
Just Is is the new daughter of the
White House, and she will spend COM
paratiVely little time in Washington,
for she is now in her sophomore year
at Bryn Mawr and will have only such
holidays as fall to the lot of other stu
dents. incidentally, Bryn Mawr is not
the sort of college where girl can
shtrk work or skip classes or lectures,
so Miss Helen Taft's trips to Washing
ton will be infrequent and brief.
This daughter of the new president
Is five feet, eight inches in height,
with her mothers slenderness of fig
ure and her fathers dimpled chin. She
has clear, rather deep blue eyes and a
trick of looking right through you
with them. Blue is her favorite color,
dark blue for street wear, dainty pale
colorings for house and evening frocks,
and fust touch of blue somewhere If
her gown be white.
II Miss Taft has her own way. the
tennis courts will not depart from the
White House grounds with the passing
of the Roosevelt regime, for she is an
ardent tennis player. She also swims
and rides horseback, and keeps up a
good pace when walking with brother
or father.
She inherits her fathers keen sense
OF humor, and his philosophic DISPOSE
ton, which is extremely fortunate in
young woman who, as the presidents
daughter, must face many trying situa-
lions and. perhaps. some unnecessary
and unjust criticisms. From her
mother she inherits extremely good
taste in dress, and the fastidious will
never be offended by seeing her ap-
pear in garish color combinations,
wearing jewelry and ornately dressing
her hair, as many girls of the day do.
Despite the fact that the Tafts have
always been we'll to do, Miss Helen was
taught by her mother to cook and to
sew: Her domestic accomplishments
are not limited to making fudge and
Welsh rabbit in a college study. but
she could step into her mothers shoes
in an emergency and run the Taft
menage without hitch.
UnquestionabIy Washington's young
er set will gain much by the acouisf-
ton of Miss Taft.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-01

Next morning when Jim went out to
feed his flock he found it had been
augmented by 900 ewes, each bearing
on its left ear old Pedro's brand A
trim mustang was tethered near the
gate. A scrap of paper chung to the
bride, on which was scrawled in
Pedro's writing, II mex prezent to my
son Jeem.'
Jim swung himself into the saddle.
Twice round the little flock he raced
and disappeared down the road in a
cloud of dust. The mustang seemed
to know it's riders mind, for when
they reached the hedge in front of
Pedro's cottage he leaped it like a
rabbit. A moment more and Jim
stood on the tiny porch with his arms
about Mercreda.