davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Before Days Of Commission.

An old time conductor on the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad tells a
story about James Guthrie Mr.. Guth-
RE, besides being secretary of the
treasury under James Buchanan, was
also president of the Louisville and
Nashville and a resident of Louisville
In the early days of railroading
there were no printed passes as at
present-printed. albeit they were de-
cidedly few and far between from what
passes were once-and Mr.. Guthrie
would frequently write a pass for a
friend on scrap of paper. The con-
duetors on the road would, of course,
honor these. One farmer carried a
piece of paper purporting to be pass,
the conductor honored it, but later
grew suspicious, and one day took it
I'D. He carried 1t to the Office of
President Guthrie.
"A farmer has been riding on this
pass for year. Do you want him to
continue to use it?'
President Guthrie put on his glasses,
looked the paper over carefully, and
I:
Why, this is not pass. 1t is a re
ceipt l gave a fellow for load of
wood about year ago.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12

Wouldn't you have supposed that
Mr.. Lowell would have shown some
courtesy, would have fastened to re-
turn the call Of President Grants at
torney general-one IF the greatest
lawyers as well as one of the fore
most citizens of the United States
But no. He practically snubbed Judge
Taft. There may have been a perfume
tory card left for him, but that was
all. And, Gen. Merritt, have never
ceased to feel intensely this slight to
Judge Taft, and suppose l never
shall. That is why 1t was impossible
for me to engage in conversation with
Mr.. Lowell at your dinner"
True to his friends memory, Mr..
Conway never forgave Mr.. Lowell for
his alleged snubbing of Judge Taft.
And more than that. when the time
came around for the American colony
to give the retiring American minis
ter, In the person of Mr.. Lowell, a
farewell testimonial in the form of a
banquet. Mr. Conway refrained from
promoting the movement; his influ-
ence kept other prominent Americans
passive, and as result, the only fare
well entertainment Of any conse-
quence that Mr.. Lowell received, was
given to him by a member OF the no
bility, and, excepting Mr.. Lowell. none
but Englishmen took part In it.
(Copyright 1909 by r. J, Edwards)
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Discourtesy of a Diplomat

The next day, while the consul gen
eral was still worrying over his unin.
territorial social break" Mr.. Conway
presented himself.
Gen. Merritt" he said, II have
come to apologize to you for what you
may have thought a rudeness or dis.
courtesy on my part at your dinner
of yesterday. But it was simply impos.
sible for me to engage in conversation
with Mr.. Lowell, and ! will tell you
why.
"One of the dearest friends / have
is Judge Alphonso Taft of Cincinnati
made his acquaintance while was
clergyman in Cincinnati before the
war; that acquaintanceship ripened
into warm friendship, and we have
corresponded ever since I came to
London to live, which, as you prob
ably know, was in 1863.
Now, you remember that Judge
Taft passed through this city in 1882.
when on his way to Austria to begin
his service as American minister at
the Austrian court. He was my guest
while he was here, and one Of the first
things that he did after his arrival
was to call and pay his respects to
the Americanwminister, Mr.. Lowell.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Why James Russell Lowell, When Re.
firing from Post of Minister to
England, Wasn't Banqueted
BY Fellow Countrymen,

For many years now it has been the
custom of Americans residing in Eng.
land. or visiting there at the time, to
give a farewell dinner testimonial OF
some sort-usually great banquet, to
which prominent Englishmen are in
vited-to our retiring representative
at the court of ST. James. James Rus.
sell Lowell, who was our minister to
England from 1880 to 1885, was not
given such testimonial by his coun-
keenly. Whether or not he ever knew
why he was not so honored l do not
know. but here is the real reason.
and one which brings in the names of
two other internationally distinguished
Americans, the late Judge Alphonso
Taft, father of President Taft, and
the late Moncure D. Conway. author,
preacher and historian.
At the time that Mr.. Lowell was
minister, Gen. E. o. Merritt, who be-
came collector Of the port of New
York after President Hayes had re-
moved Chester A. Arthur from that
post, was consul general to London.
Shortly before his return home, Gen.
Merritt gave large dinner at which
his guests were men of prominence
with whom he had been associated as
consul general, and the dinner was
somewhat in the nature of a farewell
banquet to them.
At the dinner the general placed
Minister Lowell On his right, and next
to Mr.. Lowell he seated Moncure D.
Conway. most influential member of
London's American colony. But no
sooner had the dinner got fairly well
under way than the host noticed that
Mr.. Lowell and Mr.. Conway engaged
in no Conversations circumstance
that caused him some embarrassment,
since 1t was plain to see that there
existed between the two men a decid-
ed GOODNESS Of which the host had
been In absolute ignorance.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
RAILS LAID ON EBONY TIES
Little Texas Railroad That Runs it's
Cars Over One Of the Most
Precious of Woods.

Many thousands of ebony trees OF
large commercial growth are found
upon the uncleared lands in the lower
valley of Rio Grande in Texas. As
yet no effort has been made to utilize
this valuable timber for anything ex.
cept to make railroad ties.
Since the agricultural invasion OF
this region began few years ago
large tracts of land have been cleared
and the ebony trees found thereon
were cut into crossties and used upon
the railroad that penetrates the valley
territory.
Logs of good size could be made
from great numbers Of these trees
still standing. A few Of the land own.
ers recognized the value of the trees
and left them untouched in clearing
the shrubbery anG other trees from
their property It Is claimed that
crossties made Of ebony will outlasl
any other wood.
The little railroad that runs from
Brownsville to Point Isabel contains
ebony ties that were laid in 1868
when the road was first built. These
ties are still in a perfect state of pres
ervation.-Kansas City Star.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Changes of Twenty Years

uring, it was long anticipated and
considered matter, involving the fam
lily horse and phaeton or horse car.
then a slow railway train. connecting
with another horse car. Now trolley,
electrified" railroad and automobile
whirl us from village to city and back
again before our mothers would have
made up their minds for the trip.
Twenty years ago getting dressed
was a simple matter, requiring no
help beyond word of friendly criti-
cism from daughter or husband. Now
the services of daughter or husband,
or both, must be enlisted and it Is cur
rently reported that the village old
maid who lives alone has to go to a
neighbours to be hooked up" every
afternoon.
We need not walk to the postofice,
since our letters are dropped at our
doors; nor to the market, since the
telephone takes our order; nor even
to church. for the sermon and the mus
sic may come to us over the wire. Yet
we were never so busy with gadding
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
REAL BUILDERS OF THE R0ADs
The Little Thought-of "Bo" Receives
Scant Consideration When Work
Is Done.

With the thermometer lowering
close about the zero mark, shiverins
hundred men, many without overcoats
stepped up to the pay window IN
railroad construction camp and were
informed they were fired"
They also were informed the grub
company had taken it's pay from their
envelopes. Some had as much as 81
and many found they had quarter.
All thought they would be furnished
with transportation to St. Louis where
they signed with an employment agen'
cy. But they were told their contracts
called for no such generosity on the
part of the railroad company. 1t then
was up to them to get home the best
they could Rough and ready for any
thing short of crime, they wouldn't
have minded it in the least had their
discharge come in the summer. But
this was winter and the worst sort.
Into nearby city they swarmed, as
a consequence, and the police and
county authorities cared for them one
night. The next morning they were
told to hike" The expense was
counted by the officials.
This Is not a dream. 1t is just one
incident in the winter life Of the man
who builds, repairs, or destroys rail-
roads. In city not 500 miles from
Chicago but a few days ago the hun
dred men were fired" They were
fired" without ceremony and with
out coin. They had worked but five
days and the commissary company,
which has headquarters in Chicago,
got most of their pay.
Driving coal wagon may be cold
job, but give it to the construction
men for a frigid one. Grub" is poor
and the pay is $1.75 day. Driving
cold spike with twelve pound
sledge, standing on frozen ground
with the wind slipping into his sleeves
and playing tag with his ears, the big
burly "bo'' swings the heavy iron
when passengers sit in steam warmed
cars and admire the frozen scenery.
The men who do the work are no,
tramps. They call each other DO
simply from habit AS long as whisky
is kept out of the camp the foreman
finds them docile. When peddler
strikes the outfit and furnishes plenty
of intoxicants, or when pay day comes
and the nearest town is visited, a Don.
nybrook fair when the Irish whisky
is free is a parlor tete-a-tete in com
parison.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Protest AGAINST Use a. al,

The N. Y. c. R. R. Company has
asked the upstate public service com.
mission to reopen the Investigation
which led to an order regarding the
use OF oil-burning locomotives in the
Adirondack forests during certain
months of the year. The company says
that it has complied strictly with the
requirements of the commission. but
finds that the oil fuel Is much more
expensive than coal, while there Is
a rauch greater tendency to fuel leak.
age, necessitating more frequent re.
pair, and seriously impairing the
steaming efficiency of the locomotive
when in use. The company is pre.
pared to show that the cost Of operat.
ing in the Adirondack forest preserves
will be about double If Oil fuel is used
continuously.-Scientifc American.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
LOGIC IN THIS STATEMENT
Read, and See Whether Importance OF
Starting on Time Is Not Worth
Consideration.

It was at a railway station. He
passed through the gate just as the
train started. He sprinted, but did not
catch the train. A bystander said:
"Too bad he missed his train; he's
fine runner
The Irishman answered:
"Shure, be COB; it was not his run
ming that failed him. He did not start
on time"
The Irishman spoke better than he
thought. And seriously, how true it
is that minutes-even seconds-are
ENTHUSIASTICALLY SO.
The daily papers a short time ago.
comparatively, told of a wreck near
London, Ont, the first accounts re-
porting % dead and SO hurt. It is said
that the operators mistake caused
the disasters terrible collision be-
tween a passenger train and freight
train. The operator gave an order to
the freight to pass the express at
Wanstead. The order should have
been given to the conductor and the
engineer of the express. This was
not done. There is where the mis-
take occurred. Could anything have
been simpler?
At that time, 1t is stated, the OPP
orator at Wanstead was not usually
on duty at night, but upon this par
ticular evening he was in the office
and Just going out the door when he
heard the telegraph instrument click
and Immediately give repeatedly the
message, stop No. 81" Stop No. 81"
Selling lantern, the man dashed for
the door. and as he closed it behind
him he heard the awful crash of the
collision half a mile up the track.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
DREADFUL
CHANGE
Mrs. Jones Was in a Serious Con-
dition Before She Helped Her
self With Cardui, the
Woman's Tonic.

Dexter, Text certainly was in q
serious condition when wrote you for
advice" writes Mrs. Calvin Jones, Of
Dexter, Tex.
81 suffered q great deal with those
dizzy, fainting spells. but after taking
several bottles of Cardui, relief finally
came.
Cardui prepared my system for the
dreadful change and when it came it
was not half as bad as those dizzy
spells l had before. now help every
day with the homework and am get
ting along fine.
"Cardui is certainly fine for female
complaints. My neighbors praise it
and so do Others
Take Cardui when you feel Ill in
any way, weak, tired, miserable, or
under the weather.
No matter what the immediate
cause, it will help to brace you up, give
you new force and vim, help you to
throw off the trouble that troubles you.
/ Cardui will not interfere with any
other medicine you may be taking. It
Is gentle, harmless, non-mineral, nom
poisonous, Notwithstanding tonic, that
every woman ought to take when she
is looking for health, strength. beauty
and vitality.
NJ. H.--Wfife tOs Ladies' Advisory
Dept, Chattanooga Medicine Co., Chat
tanooga, Tenn, for Special Instructions,
and 64-Dage book, sHome Treatment for
Women" sent In plain wrapper ON re-
quest.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Lnfuitions of a Politician

traordinary speech in which he had
element in the Republican party for
causing Ger ain removals of federal
off cials by the new Administrations
speech that was defiant challenge to
President Hayes and Secretary OF the
Treasury John Sherman in behalf of
ton of the party in the state. And
l added that the speech had caused in
tense excitement and was taken to in
dictate set purpose of the stalwarts,
under the leadership of Senator Conk-
ling, constantly to give battle to Pres
ident Hayes and his administration.
For some time after | had finished
my recita. Mr. Tilden piled me with
many questions, seeking particularly
to know OF the personnel of the con-
vention. Then he became silent, and
for long time looked very thought
fully into the fire. At last he put
his lips close to Iay ear.
Young man." he said-and shall
never forget his impressive tone-"my
political intuitions are infallible. They
now tell me the meaning of this
Rochester convention and reveal to
me the hidden purpose that is in SEN
ator Conkling's mind. From this time
on the senator and those who regard
him as their leader will strive to con-
centrate anl organize sentiment in the
Republican party so as to force the
nomination of Gen. Grant for a third
term at the Republican national con-
vention in 1880"
went away, puzzled. Gen. Grant,
who had retired from the presidency
in Marcn, was then on his triumphal
tour of the world, and until Mr.. Tilden
mentioned his name there had been
nothing said about him. But when,
months later, it first became evident
to the players in presidential politics
that Senator Conkling and his follow
ers were planning cunningly to secure
a third term nomination for Grant,
Mr.. Tilden's strange prophecy came
back to me, and ever since then have
believed that all through his public
career he was guided in large meas
ure 'by what he was pleased to tell me
were his infallible political intuitions
Copyright. 1909. by E. ]. Edwards)
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Samuel j. TiIden's Prophecy Of the
Intention of Conkling and the
StaIwarts to Nominate Grant
for Third Term.

know that many persons who knew
Samuel ]. Tilden well were accus-
toned to look upon him as one of the
most sagacious and cold blooded poll
ticians that the country ever had pro-
ducd. But because of confidence
that he reposed in me shortly after his
return from Europe in the early au-
tumn of 1877, have always looked
upon Mr.. Tilden as a great politician
who followed in great measure the
lead of his intuitions.
Immediately after the electoral COM
mission had decided in favor of Ruth
erford B. Hayes for president, Mr..
Tilden set sail for Europe, where he
spent the summer. On the afternoon
of his return home | called upon him.
bearing an important message from
Mr.. Charles A. Dana, editor of the
New York Sun and an intimate friend.
After he had given me very cour-
teous but dignified greeting, the gov
ernor asked a servant to draw two
chairs In front of the open fireplace,
in which a camel Goa. fire was burn
ing, for the day was little chilly.
Seating himself, Mr.. Tilden removed
his slippers and stretched out his
feet toward the fire. I noticed that
he wore old-fashioned, home-knitted
wooden stockings made Of gray yarn.
He drew my chair close to his, and
then, in almost whispered tones. and
putting his lips close to my ear-al-
though saw no one within hearing
began to question me after having &C.
knowledged the message which I
brought from Mr.. Dana.
II have been away since early April
nearly sir months" he said. Il
have only learned in the most Incl
dental way what events of interest
have happened in the country since
that time. You have been here, and
you can inform me on some things. Is
there anything of interest at Washing
ton, or in this state?"
Instantly there came into my mind
the events of the New York state Re-
publican convention, which had been
held at Rochester few days earlier.
and .old the governor that Senator
Roscoe Conkling had made an ex-
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Road Takes Precautions.

With a view to guarding the safety
of passengers and preserving the life
of rails and rolling stock. the Chicago,
Milwaukee & Puget Sound railroad
will refrain from running high-speed
trains over the new roadbed until it
has had time to become thoroughly
compacted and reasonable amount
of stone or gravel ballast has been
tamped beneath the ties. 1t takes
some time for emEankment and ballast
to settle into place; and, apart from
the risks of operation, the running of
fast heavy trains over new track en-
tails costly work in renewals and up
keep.-Scientific American.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12

P~o'oi al SouAlIy. by providing
| means OF transport it would shorten
by several days the time occupied by
mails between eastern Australia and
the mother country. and at the same
time strengthen the defense of the
western state by making available the
military forces of more densely popu-
lated states in case of need.
Ine transcontinental line would link
up Port Augusta. in South Australia,
with kalgooriie, which is railhead in
Western Australia. 1t would thus COM
plete the girdle Of steel around Aus
tralia through all the maintained CAPT
tails from Perth to Brisbane. The
length of this link would be 1868
miles. A gauge of four feet S1s inches
has been assumed and ruling grade
OF one in eighty and minimum curva-
ture OF 20 chains radius adopted The
water supply, the report states, is the
most difficult, question. Large areas
are subject to periodical droughts, and
suitable underground water is rarely
obtainable. Water must be conserved
In covered reservoirs on account of
the climatic conditions. The rolling
stock is estimated on service of one
passenger train per day each way and
one goods train each way on every
second day. Earthworks are, for the
most part, light, and culvert and
bridge requirements are small. The
route will tap 25,600,000 acres of pas
toral country. capable of carrying. at
20 acres per sheep. 100000 sheep !.
From the Kalgoorlie junction for
120 miles the country carried good ma
tive grasses, saltbush and cotton
bushes. 1t has an immense belt of
gum and gimlet wood suitable for fuel.
From 126 miles to 166 miles it is poor.
sandy soil, covered with spinifex and
malice. From 166 miles to the South
Australian border it is bluestone for
nation, well grassed and with an
abundance of salt and cotton bush,
timbered with small belts of myall
and myoporum. Lack of water is the
drawback. From the border to Coldea
170 miles) the route traverses an
open SdllDuSu anu blueUuSH plaiu,
with a limestone surface; good pas
toral country if it had water.
From Coldea to Wynburg (108
a1iles) inferior sand-hi1l country; from
Wynbring to the Wilgena boundary
(53 miles) fair pastoral country. From
Tarcoola to Port August (262 mi1es)
the line runs through, occupied pas
toral country.
The estimate of the cost is set out
as follows: Clearing, e15,000; fenc-
ing, $1,000; earthworks, 1856 900;
bridges and culverts, G65. 900; rails
and fastenings, 9100,500; sleepers
and ballast, s1,019,0o0: plate laying,
s117,O00; water supply, $500, 900;
station yards (including telegraph
equipment, terminal accommodations
at both ends and workshops and ma
chinery), s335. 900; maintenance for
IL months, 963,G00; rolling stock,
e291 600; land purchase. $4,000; en-
cheering and supervision. 100000;
total. s3,9Ss,0o0.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
wondrous Has Been the Progress Wit
messed by the Elderly People
of To-day.

The habit of Renaissance is a
symptom of advancing age and COM
mon to men apd women of every
time, but it is perhaps more fascinat-
ing to the e'aerly Of to-day than to
those of any previous generation.
Such wonders as they have seen come
to pass!
The village life of 20 years ago has
been revolutionized, at least for the
women, the Youths Companion says.
In that day, when one wanted a
friendly visit with neighbor, the loan
of a recipe or advice about the baby's
cough, one put on ones bonnet and
shawl and went to her house. Now
we take down telephone receiver
for our talk. Moreover. the bonnet
and shawl have given place to hat and
coat.
In 1889, when one journeyed to the
city for day of shopping and pleas
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-03-12
Booth that His Rector Kneu

he told one of the Edwin Booth that
the great actors rector learned to
know.
1T was while Booth was playing
Shakespearian characters in the Win
ter Garden In New York city in the
early sixties-about 1863. should say
that he built cottage near the vii,
lage of Greenwich, close to the mouth
Of the Mianus river, and there spent
the summer months" said Mr.. Var.
rington. mot long after he had first
occupied the cottage, he called upon
me, saying that he was anxious to be-
come member of my parish and that
whenever he was at home he expected
to attend church services.
care you communicate I asked
him.
Eyes was the reply, I was con-
frmed years ago, and have never
failed, If / were anywhere within con-
venient reach of church, to attend
services and to communicate if were
present at the time Of the administer
ing of the sacrament
"Mr. Booth attended services regu-
larly," continued Mr. Warrington, land
frequently waited after the service I'M
til / had removed my vestments and
then chatted with me, and l became
deeply impressed by his deep religious
sentiments. So, too, did many of the
congregation, and nearly every Sum
day Mr.. Booth was invited to spend
part of the day in the home of some
of them. noticed that he always ap-
peared particularly delighted when he
was to visit where there were children,
and one day I made bold to speak to
him about this.
"'Ah. Mr.. Warrington he said, 7
am very fond of frolicking with chill
dren; am especially fond of the
Sunday afternoons / spend with the
children here. I look forward to be-
ing with them, each week day; my as
ISOLATION with them refreshes me. /
am sure that it enables me to get a
clearer insight into the meanings that
are in Shakespeare characters
He paused a moment, and then
went on:
Prayer, meditation, the beautiful
ritual and music of our church, par
ticipating in the sacrament-all this
uplifts me, gives me a deeper insight
into the real meaning of religious life
And then If I can only spend my Sun
day afternoons with the children, my
cup of happiness lie full For I never
pass an hour or two with these little
ones without being more and more
impressed with the profound and
beautiful truths that are in the say
ing Of our Lord: Suffer little chill.
dren to come unto me, for of such is
the Kingdom of Heaven"
copyright, 1909. by E. J. Edwards)