davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
ANTS PROTECT PLANT.
How They Defend II Against Leaf De.
StrOying Insects.

A standing army of ants for de-
fensive purposes is kept and provided
with food by sensitive plant of Mic
aragua. In this acacia there are two
large thorns at the base of each leaf
inhabited by colonies of ants which
bore into the thorns and make home
for themselves by eating out the soft
inner tissue. On the leaf stalks there
are honey glands, and at the tip of
each leahet there is sausage shaped
body about as large as pins head,
consisting of albuminous food. The
ants sip the nectar and eat the food
bodies, and being contented with
their lot, remain on the plant with
out doing it any injury.
When the plant is threatened by
an invasion of leaf cutting ants which
would damage it the ants composing
the plants army or police force rush
out and repel the intruders. Many
similar arrangements exist in tropi-
cal plants.
In one of the most remarkable of
these ant plants the female ant bites
a hole in the stem and brings up her
brood inside it. The stalk of each leaf
is swollen at it's base and bears food
bodies which are eaten by the ants
when they emerge to find for thesel-
yes. As the old food bodies are eaten
new ones are formed, thus keeping
the ants, which are of a fierce dispo-
sition, in the plants employment.
Plants Of the same species which do
not happen to be inhabited by ants
fall an easy prey to leaf cutting kinds
of ants, which are only too plentiful
in the tropics. In other cases the de-
fensive ants are provided only with
shelter in cavities of the stem, and
various naturalists have observed
that these ants pour out in troops
whenever leaf cutting enemies at
tack the foliage.
The ants which thus defend these
plants are small, but sting with ex
treme virulence, their small size max
ing them the more formidable. The
! leaf cutting ants cut off the leave!
and pile them up in heaps, forming {
sort of kitchen garden Of leaf mould
upon which they cultivate a fungus
belonging to the mushroom family
They sow the spores of the mush
room and make a pure culture of thC
! fungus, nlbbling at it 10 prevent th'
development OF mushroom heads ant
thus promote the growth of spawn
Chicago Tribune.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Value Of a Spit Log.

If Government statistics are de-
pendable, there are in the United
States about two million miles of
earth road, or enough to encompass
the earth 80 times. The problem of
keeping them in repair is an ever-re-
curing one and not in many places
has it been satisfactorily solved. In
searching for a remedy for trouble
we sometimes follow the trail Of en-
pricism so eagerly as to overlook the
simple relief that all the while con-
fronts US. It may be SO in this case,
and if one of misplaced confidence
the Government must bear large
share of the responsibility, because
it has issued a bulletin commending
what is called the split-log-drag and
describing its proper construction.
Any individU~ = community desir-
j.. = ac.,nv ar Yet one free by ap-
plying to the local Congressman.
This simple device is not new. It's
virtue has been proclaimed before,
but it is comparatively unknown in
this part of the country. Some years
ago a Missouri farmer, named Bat
terton, with an enthusiasm for good
roads, was accustomed to hitch a
drag of this construction to his
wagon when he drove to town. 1t
took him but little more time to
make the trip with this handicap,
and in few months he had road
that was better than most Of the
rock-bedded kind. 1t naturally at
tracted attention, resulting in a
brotherhood of good road draggers,
which recently held celebration,
with a parade half a mile long to
give emphasis to it's achievements
Boston Transcript.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Chance for the Farm Boy.

Next fall when the agricultural
colleges open there are pretty sure
to be dozen or SO boys and young
men in each State in the South who
wish to attend but who will be finan-
cially unable. The same thing will
be true in a larger scale in those
States where the agricultural short
courses are held during the winter.
Now. many of these boys many
who think they cannot possibly do so
could attend these schools if they
would only begin preparing for it in
time To wait until the last minute
to get ready for anything is poor
policy; and it will pay to make some
effort to get a college training along
agricultural lines.
There is an increasing demand for
men of energy, industry and devo-
ton to their work to lead in the
great forward movement of South
ern farming. Chemists, entomolo-
gists, horticulturists, botanists, vet
erinarians, dairymen, agronomists-
trained specialists of all kinds-can
find wide field for useful and prof.
table work. For plain, practical
farmers who know something of
scientific as we'll as of the practical
side of farm work there is an equal
ly insistent call. There are literally
thousands Of young farmers who
should and who could take the short
courses in agriculture offered by our
colleges, and who, if they did so,
would assuredly quicken the South
ern farmers progress toward better
farming and better times. These
boys are the fairest hope of the
Southland, and it is a distinct loss,
not only to the boy himself, but also
to the State when one Of them neg
lects the chances he has for prepar-
ing himself for a larger and more
fruitful field of labor.
Right now the boys on the farm
should begin preparing to take ad-
vantage of these opportunities. The
crops, the stock, everything that
will help swell the school fund, should
be looked after; and it is worth
while to give up many things, which
seem worth while for the moment
for such a purpose as this.
1t doesn't require great deal OF
money to get start toward al
education; but some is absolutely
necessary. Begin now to get it to-
eether. After the start is made the
young man who has the pluck anc
the love of learning, will find a way
to go on. Progressive Farmer.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
The Progress Of Invention.

The first decade of the twentieth
century has not been rounded out,
vet inventive genius has perfected
the submarine boat, which can trav-
el under water like a fish; discover
ed wireless telegraphy, by which
messages may be sent to vessels IN
mid ocean; and now the dream of the
centuries, to be able to fly Ike a
bird has come to pass. The achieve
ment of the Frenchman who flew
from France to England, across 23
miles Of water, almost makes ones
hair stand up. People have become
50 accustomed to wonderful things
that they are scarcely surprised at
ANYTHING, but this achievement
marks the beginning of anew era. 1t
is said that the machine can be made
for So 900, which is less than great
manv pay for automobiles.-Wep-
ster's Weekly.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
NOTICE OF LAND SALE.

Whereas the bid Of the former
sale having been raised on the below
described land; by virtue of decree
Of the Superior Court of Halifax
county, rendered on the fifth day OF
March, 1907, in the cause entitled,
A. L. Pope, Mrs. Clare Pope and
others, Ex Parte, the same being a
proceeding to sell land for partition,
we will, on the 23rd day of August,
1909, at public auction, for cash, to
the highest bidder, at the Court
House door in Halifax, SELL the
following described tract of land,
to-wit: That tract of land in Como
conara Township Halifax County, N.
c., known as the Fannie Pope"
land, containing 365 acres, more or
less, bounded by the lands Of V. w.
Land, Kelly Weeks, j. K. Fitspat-
rick, J. J. Barns, The North Carroll
ma Lumber Co.. and others. Survey
and plot of same can be seen at A.
Paul Kitchin's office.
JOHN RI. KERR,
(7-S-4t.) A. PAUL KTTCHIN,
OO Commissioners,
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Open the Door.

Open the doop Of your heart, my
lad,
To the angel Of love and truth,
When the world is full of unnumber-
ed joys
In the beautiful dawn of youth.
Casting aside all things that mar,
Saying to wrong Depart"
To the voices of hope that are calling
you,
Open the door Of your heart.
Open the door of your heart, my
lass,
To the things that shall abide;
To the holy thoughts that lift your
Like the stars at eventide.
All the fadeless flowers that bloom
In the realms of song and art .
Are yours, if you'll only give them
room;
Open the door Of your heart.
Open the door Of your heart, my
friend,
Needless of class and creed;
When you hear the cry Of brother S
voice.
The sob of Of soul in need.
To the singing heavens that DER you
bend
You need no map or chart;
But only the love of the Master;
Open the door Of your heart.
JN<I,,oxJ Ho1o
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Poor Richards Almanac.

A good example is the best SER
mon.
God heals, and the doctor takes
the fees.
You may be too cunning for one,
but not for all.
Words may show mans wit, but
actions his meaning.
An ounce Of wit that is bought Is
worth pound that is taught.
Keep your ewes wide open before
marriage, half shut afterwards.
Meier take wife till thou hast a
house land fre) to put her in.
If man could have half his wish
es. he would double his troubles.
Drink does not down care, but wa
ters it and makes it grow faster.
If you would keep your secret from
an enemy, tell in not to friend.
Good sense is a thing all need, few
have, and none think they want.
Pride breakfasted with Plenty din
ed with Poverty, supped with In
fanny.
When out of favor none know
thee; when in, thou dost not know
thyself.
If your riches are yours, why don
YOU take them with you to the other
world?
Lend money to an enemy, and
thou'lt gain him; to friend, and
thou'lt lose him.
Be civil to alI;serviceable to many;
familiar with few; friend to one;
enemy to none.
Work as if you were to live hun
dred years; pray as if you were to
die tomorrow.
The wise man draw more advan
age from his enemies than the foo
from his friend.
A wise man will desire no moro
than what he may get justly, use
soberly, distribute cheerfully, ano
contendedly.
Doing an injury puts you below
your enemy; revenging one make:
YOU even with him; forgiving it set:
YOU above him.-The Barnhart Flyer
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Costing More TO Live.

According to Bradstreet's S, between
July l, 1896, and July l, 1909, bread
stuffs and live stock have more than
doubled in price, provisions, fruits,
hides and leather have increased over
so per cent. and textiles 60 per cent.
Taking separate items that figure in
the cost of the average poor mans
table. on July 1, 1909, flour cost 100
.per cent. more than on July l, 1906;
beef over 80 per cent, pork about
$50 per cent, mutton 125 per cent,
ham 33 1-3 per cent, bacon over ITO
per cent, lard over 1S0 per cent,
butter 70 per cent. and potatoes over
130 per cent.
Even within the last year the In
crease in price has gone on almost
without interruption. Flour has
risen nearly 60 per cent, pork over
| 20 per cent, mutton nearly the same
hams almost 10 per cent, butter le
per cent. and coffee over 25 per cent
| Reef is one of the few articles which
did not materially increase IN price.
These are hard facts, which there
is no getting around. Retail prices
may vary more or less from month
to month, according to locality ane
the character of dealers establish
ments. but Bradstreet's figures are
based on market reports, which are
bevond controversy.-New Yorl
| World
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12

An important feature of Woman S
Home Companion this summer is the
"reminiscences of the late venerable
Edward Everett Hale. The August
issue contains, in place Of the regu-
lar monthly chapter of the Reminis-
cences, the publication of which
commenced before Doctor Hale's
death, beautiful tribute to the emf
nent writer and minister by his per-
sonal friend w. H. McElroy.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
NUMBER 81.
REApING BENEFIT.
From the Experience of Scotland
Neck People.

We are fortunate indeed tc bc able
to profit by the experience of our
ncighbors. The public uttcranccs of
Scotland Neck residents on the follow
ing subject will interest and benefit
thousands OF our readers. Read this
statement. No better proof can he
had.
Turner Allsbrook, Greenwood street,
Scotland Neck, n. c., says: ''Doan's
Kidney Pills have proven of great value
to me. suffered severely from lame
back, and sharp pains through my
loins made it impossible for me to turn
over in bed. When the attacks were
at their height | was lame and sore
and could hardly get around when
morning came. Ii attempted to lift
anything or straighten after STOPPING
sharp pains darted through me. My
kidneys were disordered and the secrc-
tions were too frequent in passage and
very unnatural. j used every remedy
that was brought to my attention but
received no relief until | procured
Doan's Kidney Pills. They banished
the lameness and pains through my
back, restored my kidneys to normal
condition, and at present feel better
in every way. gladly recommend
Doan's Kidney Pills to any one suffer
ing from kidney complaint"
For sale by all dealers. Price -
cents. Foster -Milburn Co.. Buffalo,
New York, sole agents for the United
States.
Remember the namc-Doan' sand
take no other.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
The TWO ROADS.
A Story for Those Who Are On the
Threshold OF Life.

1t was near New Years night. An
aged man was standing by the win
dow. He mournfully raised his eyes
toward the deep blue sky, where the
stars were floating white lilies on
the surface of clear, calm lake.
Then he cast them on the earth,
where few more helpless beings than
himself were moving toward the in
evitable goal the tomb. Already
he has passed 60 of the stages which
lead to it, and he had brought from
his journey nothing but errors and
remorse. His health was destroyed,
his mind unfurnished, his heart sor-
rowful and his old age devoid of
comfort.
The days of his youth rose up in a
vision before him, and he recalled
the solemn moment when his father
had placed him at the entrance of
two roads, one leading into peace
lul, sunny land, covered with fer
tile harvest and surrounding with
soft, sweet songs, while the other
conducted the Wanderer into a deep,
dark cave, whence there was no is
sue, where poison flowed instead of
water and where serpents Kissed and
crawled.
He looked toward the sky and
cried out in his anguish "O,youth,
return. O, my father, place me
once more at the crossway of life,
that l may choose the better roadl''
But the days Of his youth had passed
away, and his parents were with the
departed. He saw wandering lights
float over dark marshes and then
disappear. "Such," he said, "were
the days of my wasted life" He
saw a star shoot from heaven and
vanish in darkness athwart the
churchyard. Behold, an emblem
of myself" he exclaimed. And the
sharp arrows Of unavailing remorse
struck him to the heart.
Then he remembered his early
companions, who had entered his
life with him, but who, having trod
the paths Of virtue and industry
were now happy and honored on this
New Years night.
The clock in the high church tow.
er struck, and the sound, falling or
his ear, recalled the many tokens OF
the love of his parents for him, the
prayers they had offered up in hi:
behalf. Overwhelmed with shame
and grief, he dared no longer lool
toward that heaven where they
dwelt. His darkened eyes dropped
tears. and with one despairing eff
fort, he cried aloud Come, back, my
early days, Come back!"
And his youth did return, for al
this had been but a dream, visiting
his slumbers on New Years night
He was still young; his errors onl.
were no dream. He thanked Coz
that he had not yet entered the deel
dark cavern, but he was free to treat
fervently that time was still his own
the road leading to the peaceful lanc
where sunny harvests wave.
Ye who still linger on the thresh
old of life, doubling which path t
choose, remember that when year
shall be passed and your feet sha
stumble on the dark mountain yo
will cry bitterly, but cry in vain: q
youth return! Oh, give me back m
early days.-Jean Paul Richter.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
NEWS NOTES.
Items Picked Up Here and There and
Gathered From Our Exchanges.

members of the Waterways Commits
sion sailed for Germany Tuesday.
The three cent street car fare of
Cleveland, Ohio, has been defeated
by a vote Of the people of that city.
While working in her flower gar
den, Mrs. O. H. Bragden, of Raj
eigh, was bitten by highland Moe
cosin.
For taking care of two small dogs,
a young lady of Orange, Mass, has
been bequeathed the income from
$4,000.
Henry F. Avery, Democrat, has
been elected the first mayor of Colo
rado Springs under the new charter
form of government.-Ex.
Governor John A. Johnson, of
Minnesota, has sold his residence in
the town of st. Peter and will here
after make his home in St. Paul
Charlotte News.
A woman travelling from Wash
ington to Chicago, over the Pennsyl-
vania railroad, put $1,000 under her
pillow on the pullman when she re-
tired and next morning it had disap-
peared.
Rev. Baylus Cade, who recently
invented a typesetting machine is
having it built in Philadelphia. says
the machine will be ready about
August 18th and that he will take it
to Shelby for trial. .-Statesville Land
mark.
Ohio is to have it's first trial of the
direct primary next month. The
provisions of the law in general are
similar to those in force in other
states where the primary system of
nominating candidates for public
office has been adopted Charlotte
News.
Salisbury has developed a young
chicken thief who applied new and
original ideas to the business. His
thieving was all done in daylight and
with the aid Of a bulldog who would
nab the unsuspecting fowl and make
/ for his master, who would be in hid
;-,or .,oarhv reflector.
| r. ]. Reynolds, the millionaire
tobacconist, of Winston-Salem has
purchased the Chiswell plantation in
Wythe county, Virginia, from j. w.
| McGaverck, the price being $35, 900.
The farm contains over 5000 acres
of the finest land in the southwest.
1t is understood that with the sale
goes all the machinery, crops, fix
lures, tc.-Burlington Dispatch.
Chas. r. Thomas, a prominent
druggist Of Thomasville and form
er president Of the North Carolina
Pharmaceutical Association, was ar
rested in Thomasville last week
charged with the illegal sale Of CO.
caine.. He waived examination be-
fore magistrate and gave bond fo1
his appearance at court. 1t IS charg,
ed that Thomas shipped cocaine by
express to negroes in various parts
of the tate.-Statesville Landmark
A citizen of Clinton reports Mr.. A
J. Cooper as having a field of excep
tionally fine corn. He passed hi:
farm the other day and says that tht
ears are havy and from two to foul
to the stalk. Then we asked Mr.
Cooper himself about the variety o
corn; he says the same corn has beer
in the family since 1888, when nj
grandfather, the late Mr.. Sam John
son, sent Mr.. Owen Johnson to Hall
fax county for some corn, and tina
it grew on Roanoke river. .-Sampsol
7
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Here is Relief for Women.

If you have pains in the back, urn
arv. bladder or kidney trouble, and
want a certain herb cure for women's
ills. try Mother Gray's Australian
Leaf. 1t is safe and never-falllng
regulator. At Druggists or by mail
80 cents. Sample package free. Ad-
dress The Mother Gray Company,
Leroy, n. Y.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
Scared With a Hot Iron,

or scalded by overturned kettlo-cut
with A knifc-bruised by slammed door
injured by gun or in any other way
the thing needed at once is Bucklen s
Arnica Salve to subdue Inflammation
and kill the pain. It's earth's supreme
healer infallible for boils, ulcers, fever
sores, eczema and piles. 23c. at E. l..
Whitehead Company's.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12

''Doan's Ointment cured me of &C.
zema that had annoyed me long
time. The cure was permanent.
Hon. S. w Matthews, Commissioner
Labor Statistics, Augusta, Me.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12

Stella-Are they economical? Bella
Yes; they eloped to save the cost
of a wedding and are living happily
to save the cost Of divorce.-New
York Sun.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
DeWitt's Little Early Riscrs, t

DeWitt's Little Early Risers, the
pleasant, safe, sure, easy little liver
pills. A salve you may always depend
upon in any case where you need salve,
is DeWitt's Carbolzed Witch Hazel
Salve-especially good for Piles. Sold
bv e. T. Whitehead Company.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12

Impure blood runs you makes
you an easy victim for organic diseases.
Burdock Blood Bitters purifcs the
blood-cures the cause-builds you up.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12

what kind of part have | in the
new piece? Is there any change Ct
my pleasing the audience" Every
chance. You die in the first act. >
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
r,l,o Kodol at the times when you

ToLe Kodol at the times when you
feel what you have eaten is not digest
mo Kodol digests what you cat 50
un, can eat sufficiently OF any good'
wholesome food, if you will Just le'
Kodol DIGEST it. Sold by E. I. White
head Company.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12

Baby won't suffer five minutes with
Group ii you use DR.. Thomas Eclectic
Oil at once. 1t acts like magic.
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
THE NORTH CAROLINA
College of Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts.

The States college for voca-
tional training. Courses in
Agriculture and Horticulture;
in Civil, Electrical and Mechan-
ical Engineering; in Cotton
Milling and Dyeing; in Indus
trial Chemistry. Why not fit
yourself for life by taking one
of these courses? Address. ID.
H. HILL, President, West Raj
eigh, N. G. 6-lO-12t
The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-08-12
lie Makes You Miserable.

= YOU nave KID
ladder trouble.
writing mention
lg this generous
III this paper and
r9ur address to
-r--., O. ~
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-06-19
MUST LOOK AFTER OUR BOYS.

We call attention to the fact that
lots OF our boys are ont of school,
many are here from school and the
majority of them want employment
The parents and friends ought to get
them into some kind of work. how
ever high or humble. We must be
missionaries and look after our boys
and friends boy. Go to our white
friends. tell them our boy wants work
to return to school and what on ex.
pect of him and If you show the man
YOU are really in earnest he will help
Won. if not directly. indirectly. All
kinds of work is noble but all kinds
Of idleness ignoble. That will apply
to our girls also. Let the old resi-
dents become "boosters" of the young
students and see what wonderful re-
suits will happen. 1t might be justly
said we may recommend the wrong
one; suppose you do. only be more
careful next time because we cannot
all be perfect. If interest is shown
in them, they will respond with like
interest and vice versa. We will
await the outcome OF this years stu
dent vacation with great expectancy,