davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22
A Few Points on Pigs.

In these days the American pig makes
speedy Journey from farrowing bed
to scalding tub, and the aim of the ju-
dicious feeder is to add constantly 10 the
flesh acquired while sucking, bringing
the hog up to 250 to $50 pounds as early
and on as inexpensive feed as possible.
The young animal will natural y put on
weight more cheaply than an older one,
and gains after ten months cost consider
ably more per pound than those made
earlier. A pig which is being fattened
should gain from one 10 two pounds a
day. aud weigh, alive, 250 to $50 pounds
when 8 to II months old.
Wheresoever situated, no farmer is
rightly prepared to raise hogs protitably
iu any considerable numbers unless well
provided with pasture and grass or facii-
tiles for providing acceptable substi-
tutes. In the economical growing OF
pork, there is no more important factor
to be considered than that of pasture.
Range in pasture affords growing ami
mails the exercise so necessary tn health
aud proper development; and the sue
culent grasses, while rich in muscle and
conforming materials, tend to prevent
disease and TO countersct the heating
and fever-imparting properties OF corn.
This latter quality, and exercise, annual
ly save many thousands of dollars to
hog-raisers in the United States, yet the
loss that results every day to farmers
who do not act upon the fact that the
hog is, in his normal condition, a rang
ing and grass-eating animal, is still enor,
| nous.
There is a wide difference between
slop and swill. Slop is properly hogs
relish, while swill is too frequently
nothing more than water polluted with
unhealthful refuse. The term swill may
| embrace a wide variety of feed or drink,
ranging from ordinary dishwater to a
mixture of milk, table scraps, soap-suds
and other kitchen refuse, while slop is
| combination of a ground feed or feeds
with water or milk A supply OF whole
some swill iu connection with othe
feeds may be extremely valuable, out II
| a condition of decay. rancid, and mainly
| filth. il may result in loss OF high
priced animals. Slop, however, may o.
considered as always in order.-Co6urnJ
"Swine in America"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22
NUMBER 8.

where did you get your training,
sir?' asked the handler.
"My training" repeated Orde, puz
zled. "Oh, see, I was always pref
ty heavy, and l suppose the work on
the river keeps a man in pretty good
shape"
Gerald's langor vanished. PUT on
the gloves with Murphy" he suggest.
ed, twill you? I'd like to see you two
at it,"
Surely agreed Orde good natured
ly. 'I'm not much good at it, but I'd
just as soon try"
Gerald rang bell, and to the boy
who answered he said:
run over to the club and find Mr.
Winslow. Mr.. Clark and whoever else
is in the smoking room and tell them
from me to come over to the gynnasi
um. Tell them there's some fun on.
Gerald managed word apart with
the trainer.
"Can you do him, Murphy he whis
pered.
Sure said the handler. Them
kinds always as slow as dray horses
They gets muscle bound"
"Give it to him." said Gerald. but
don't kill him. He's friend of mine
Then he stepped back. the same joy
in his soul that inspires riverman
when he encounters high banker OF
cowboy as he watches the tencerfooi
about to climb the broncho.
The first round was sharp.
Orde had stood like rock. his feet
planted To the floor, while Murphy
had circlcd around him. hitting ut will.
Orde hit back. but without landing.
Nevertheless Murphy when questioned
apart did not seem satisfied.
'The mans pig iron." said he. Il
punched him plenty hard enough. and
1t didn't seem to jar him.
The gallery at one end Of the runnine
track had by now half filled with In
terested spectators.
Time called Gerald for round >.
Murphy went In more viciouSly. AIM
ing and measuring his blows accurate.
ly. Orde stood as before. hitting back
at the elusive Murphy. but without
much effect. his feet never stirring.
The handler landed almost at will. but
without apparent damage. He grew
ugly--tinally lost his head.
We'll, If ye will have it, he NUT
tered and aimed what was intended as
4 knockout blow.
Gerald uttered half cry Of warn
ing. Orde's head snapped back; but,
to the surprise Of every one, the punch
had no other effect, and quick eX-
change OF inhghtiug sent Murphy
staggering back from the encounter.
The smile disappeared from Orde's
face. and his eye had Gained.
Orde turned back to his antagonist.
The latter advanced once more. his
bullet head sunk between his shoul-
ders, his little eyes twinkling. Like n
tiger Orde sprang forward, hitting out
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

"Oh it Is so quaint and delightful"
depths. and yet other depths lay be
yond, other mysteries. other unguessed
realms. And yet its beauty was the
simplicity of space and dark and the
stars.
The next time he saw her was at
the house of the friend she visited.
Orde was lucky enough to find the
girls home and alone. Jane made an
excuse and went out. They talked
with considerable approach toward
intimacy. Not until nearly time to go
did Orde stumble upon the vital point
of the evening. He had said some
thing about a plan for the week fol-
lowing
"But you forget that by that time l
shall be gone" said she.
Gomez he echoed blankly. where"
Home" said she. Don't you re-
member am to go Sunday morning"
81 thought you were going to stay
month"
81 was. but I-certain things came
up that made it necessary for me to
leave sooner"
"Wil you write me occasionally?"
he begged.
"As to that"-she bcgan-"fm very
poor correspondent do not make i;
n custom to write to young men,
oh. he cried. believing himself en-
lightened. "Will you answer If write
you?"
She began gently to laugh, quite t"
herself. as though enjoying a joke ell
tirely within her own personal priri-
lege.
"What is your address in New
York;" demanded Orde.
She sank into chair near by with y
pretty uplifted gesture Of despair.
81 surrender!'' she cried, and then
she laughed until the tears started
from her eyes. "Oh, you are deli
ciousw she said at last. We'll. listen
live at 12 West Ninth street Car
you remember that?" Orde nodded.
Two days later Orde saw the trai:
carry her away.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

1T became difficult for Orde to un-
derstand the home life OF the
Bishops. Everybody seemed Il
victim TO the caprice of the moth.
or. who became hysterical at the slight
est provocation and was fond Of con-
tracing imaginary ills in order to gain
added attention.
The day after his walk with Gerald
Bishop, Orde and Carroll had arrang-
ed for a walk. But Mrs. Bishop met
them at the door and demanded that
her daughter stay at home to attend
to several trivial matters. But the
evening turned out very well fortu-
nately. Orde could not have stood
much more. They had the parlor quite
TO themselves. Carroll took the cover
from the tall harp, and, leaning her
check against 1t, she played dreamily
for half hour. Her arms were bare.
Her soft bosom pressed against the
broad sounding board. There Is about
the tones Of a harp well played some
thing luminous. like the rich, warm
sunlight. When the girl muted the
strings at last 1t seemed to Orde as
though all at once the room had per-
ceptibly darkened He took his leave
finally. his spirit soothed and restored
Tranquility was not for long, how
ever. Orde's visits were naturally as
frequent as possible. To them almost
instantly Mrs. Bishop opposed the
strong and intuitive jealousy OF ego
tism. She had as yet no fears as 10
the young mans intentions, but In
stinctively she felt an influence tha'
opposed her own supreme dominance
The week passed. Orde saw as much
as he could of Miss Bishop. Gerald
himself seemed to be much occupied.
Precisely at II every morning, how
ever he appeared at the gymnasium
for his practice. and in this Orde drop
ned into the habit of joining him
when the young men first stripped IN
eoch others presence they eyed each
other with secret surprise. GeraldS
slender body was gracefully muscled
His bones were small. but his hesh
was hard. Orde had earned from the
river the torso of an ancient athlete
The round, full arch Of his chest was
topped by mass Of clean cut muscles
Across his back, beneath the smooth
skin, the muscles rippled and ridged
| and dimpled with every movement
| The abdomen showed the peculiar cor
rugation Of the very strong man. HIS
arms were magnificent.
Murphy" called Gerald. "com'
here"
A very hairy. thickset, bullet head
ed man, the type of semiprofessiona
"handlers." appeared.
"Do you think you could down thi
fellow?" asked Gerald.
Murphy looked Orde over critically.
"Who ye ringin' in on meT he In
quired.
This is a friend Of mine" said Ger
lid severely. Ever box much" Ger
aid asked Orde.
Box" Orde laughed. Never hat
time for that sort Of thing. Had tn
4 gloves Oh few times"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

conscious Of an atmosphere which
seemed to Orde strained. but sank
into her place at the table and un'
folded her napkin. The silent butler
drew forward chair for Orde and
stood looking impassively in Mrs. Bish.
ops direction.
"You will have some breakfast with
us?" she inquired. mo! A cup OF
coffee at least?"
She began to manipulate the coffee
pot without paying the slightest atten'
tion to Orde's disclaimer. The general
puffed out. his cheeks and coughed a
bit In embarrassment.
"a good cup of coffee is never amiss
to an old campaigner," he said to Orde.
"It's as good as full meal In pinch.
I remember when was major In the
Eleventh, down near the City Of Mex
leo, in '4S, the time Hardy's command
was so nearly wiped out by that via
duet He half turned toward Orde,
his face lighting up. his fingers reach
ing for the fork with which. after the
custom Of old soldiers, to trace the
chart Of his "reminiscences.
Mrs. Bishop ratified her cup and
saucer with an uncontrollably nerv-
Gus jerk of her slender body. Spare
us, father" she said brusquely. "Will
you have another cup of coffee?"
The old gentleman looked trife be-
wildered, but subsided meekly.
Orde, overwhelmed by embarrass-
ment, discovered that none Of the 9th
ers had paid the incident the slightest
attention. Only on the lips of Gerald
Bishop he surprised fine. detached
smile. The butler brought letter for
Mrs. Bishop. The contents seemed to
yex her.
She began to abuse the writer, a
seamstress, for n delay in the finish
ing of an altar cloth and then trans
ferred the blame to her children. 1t
was painful test for Orde. He final
ly rose. 81 must be going,' said he.
WELL" Carroll conceded. 81 suppose
I'd better see If cant help mother
out. But you'll come in again. Come
and dine with us this evening. Moth
er will be delighted"
Mrs. Bishop departed from the room.
Orde bowed to the other occupants Of
the table.
Orde was Immediately joined on the
street by young Mr.. Bishop. most cor
rectly appointed.
"Going anywhere in particular" he
inquired. Lets go up the avenue.
then. Everybody will be out"
They walked for some distance.
"Your father was in the Mexican
war" said Orde.
"He was a most distinguished Off
cer."
What command had he in the civil
war? I fooled around that little my
SELF"
"My father resigned from the army
in '54." replied Gerald.
"rhat was too bad just before the
chance for more service" said Orde.
Army life was Incompatible with
my mothers temperament" stated
Gerald. "You are from Redding. Of
course. My sister is very enthusiastic
about the place. You are In business
there?
Orde gave the latter a succinct idea
of the sort of operations in which he
was interested.
"And you," he said at last-"l sup
pose you're either a broker or lawyer.
81 am neither" stated Gerald. IL
have sufficient income to make bust
ness unnecessary. There is plenty to
occupy ones time. have my clubs,
my gymnasium. my horse ana my
friends. That Is my gymnasium,
pointing to a building on side street.
won't you come in with me? | am
due now for my practice
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

fiercely, first with one hand. then win
the other. Murphy gave ground. book
ed. ducked, eXertcd all Il ring general
skill either 10 stop or avoid the rush.
Orde followed him, inSiSteht. Murphy
ducked in and planted number or
short arm jabs ut close range. Tie
round ended almost Immediately to
storm of applause from the galleries.
Orde sprang mt his adversary in the
third, repeating the headlong rush
with which the previous round had
ended. The young man hammered
away tirelessly. insistently, delivering
a hurricane of his two handed blows,
pressing relentlessly in as Murphy
shifted and gave ground, his head uE,
his eyes steady. The gallery was in
an uproar Perspiration stood out all
over Murphy's body. His blows failed
of their effect, and some OF Orde's
were landing. At length, bewildcred,
he closed in to straight slugging. stand
up give and take.
Orde dropped slightly his right shoul-
der behind his next blow. The love
crashed straight as pile driver
through Murphy's upraised hands to
his face. The trainer was hurled
through the air to land doubled up
against the parallel bars. There he
lay quite still.
When. however, Orde perceived that
Murphy was unconscious he ran for
ward to the professionals side.
"Do you suppose he's killed" he
gasped.
"He's lust knocked out" reassured
one Of the men.
The clubmen crowded about.
you're wonder, my friend" said
one.
"By Jove, he's hardly breathing fast
after all that rushing" said second.
Later. when the young men were
resting after a rundown, the true Sig
nificance of the affair for Orde came
out Since the fight Gerald's customa'
ry lassitude was gone. His eye was
bright. and color mounted beneath
the pale olive Of his skin. He looked
across at Orde several times, hesitated
and at last decided to speak.
"Look here, Orde," said he, u want
to confess something. When you first
came had lots Of fun about you. You
know your clothes aren't quite the
thing, and I thought your manner was
queer. | want to apologize. You're
man, and like you better than any
fellow I've met for long time. And
if there's any trouble-in the future
I'm on your side. You know what
mean."
Bishop" was Orde's reply, you're
not near so much Of a dandy as you
think you are"
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22
HChapterE EI|
N IA y

~N his return home late Monday
afternoon Grandma Orde In
formed the river boss with q
shrewd twinkle that she want
ed him surely at home the following
evening.
1--WE asked three or four OF the
young people for a candy pull" said
she.
"Who, mother% asked Orde.
"Your crowd-the Smiths. Collinses'
Jane Hubbard and Her." said Grand
ma Orde.
The young people struggled In at an
early hour after supper. Orde stepped
into the hall to help them with their
wraps. He was surprised as he ap'
preached Carroll Bishop to lift hei
cloak from her shoulders to find that
the top of her daintily poised head
with its soft. fine hair. came well be-
low the level Of his eyes. Somehow
her poise, her slender grace OF move
ment and of attitude, had lent her the
impression of q stature she did not
possess.
"Oh, 1t is so quaint and delightful,
Carroll exhaled slowly "this dear OLD
house with it's low ceilings and Its OLD
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22
HCha:pterE I
QvJ Is (
"HE new firm plunged busily int
pressing activities. Orde con
stantly interviewed men of al
mill man ppu

T0HE new firm plunged busily int
pressing activities. Orde con
stantly interviewed men of al
kinds-rivermen, mill men, con
tractors. boat builders, hardware deal
ers, pile driver captains. builders
wholesale grocery men. cooks. axmen
chore boys-all little world in itself.
Downstream eight miles. below the
mills. and just beyond where the draw
bridge crossed over to Monrovia. Dun
,an McLeod's shipyards steamed and
bent and bolted away at two tugboats.
The spring burst into leaf and set
tied into summer. Ordc was constant
ly on the move. AS soon Ms low wa
ter came with midsummer he departed
to Redding. Here he joined crew
which Tom North had collected and
went to the head Of the river. Fal
back on the headwaters he built q
dam. The gate operated simply ant
could be raised to let loose an entire
flood. And, indeed, this was the whole
purpose of the dam. 1t created res
ervoir from which could be freed new
supplies Of water to eke out the drop
ping spring freshets.
The crew next moved down ten miles
to where the river dropped over
rapids full of powders. Here were
built row of stone filed log cribs IL
double row downstream to define
the channel and to hold the drive II
1t and away from the shadows. At the
falls twenty-five miles below Orde pur
posed his most elaborate bit of rougf
engineering. The falls. only about
f,fteen feet high. fell straight to bee
of sheer rock. This had been eaten by
the eddies into potholes and crannies
until a Jagged irregular scoop hollow
had formed Immediately underneath
he fall.
In food time the water roareo
through this obstruction In torrent
The logs plunged end on into the
scoop hollow. hit with crash ano
were spewrd out below more or less
battered Sometimes. when the drive
brcu-h, down hundred logs together
they failed to shoot over the barrier
Of the ledge. Then followed jam,
bad jam. difficult and dangerous tt
break.
This condition of affairs Orde bae
| determined. If possible. to obviate.
If" said he to North. I'VE coulc
carry an apron on slant from JUS
under the crest and over the pothoie'
II would shoot both the water and tht
logs off better angle"
"Sure." agreed North. but you'll
have fun placing your apron with al
that water running through. Why, j
would drown usT'
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22
Appreciation of Maine and Her Farms

professor Lowell Roudebush of Ohio)
Maine has a gold mine,-yes, better
than the best gold mine yet discovered
in her water power because it is in per
petuity. No pinching out; no faults; nc
horses. The rain has and always will
fall ON the just and unjust and from
either point Of view her water power i.
assured. Again, her people have q
valuable asset in living within their In
comes. This is worth all the theories OF
the political economists. Again Maine
farmers have market that is unequal.
led for products of field, garden and or.
chard. Freights are fixed charges-they
must be paid-hence the less for trans
portation the more for the bank account.
did not find as neat and large farm
buildings in Vermont as in Maine, nor
were they built SO closely, more after
the New York and Ohio style. l saw
many more unpainted residences and
many more tumble-downs. l did see
many that were credit to any part OF
New England.
Another great asset is that New Eng
land has no tenan,ry as compared with
the Central States. Each head of a
family sits under his own vine and fig
tree, hence is interested in the general
welfare of the community. The town
being the unit of representation and the
town meeting the most democratic of all
modern forms of government has de-
veloped those sturdy qualities of heart
and mind-developed, too, independent
thought, pride of community, that are
the distinguishing characteristics of the
Anglo Saxon as compared with the
Latin. Vermont has some unsurpassed
orchard sites in the Champlain Valley.
More pruning is done in Vermont and
we suspect more cultivation of the trees
than in Maine. Maine is more flexible
more democratic, more cosmopolitan
hence more progressive than either New
Hampshire or Vermont. This may be
accounted for in its being seacoast
state and, too, in the great army of tour
lists. In this New Hampshire leads Yer
mont. The two millstones about the
necks of New England farmers are too
small areas of their farms under tillage
and the clinging to traditions OF the
past along agricultural and horticultural
lines. We see wonderful opportunities
along the lines of dairying, canned goods
and growing apples. In these Maine
should lead because of her area, per-
centage of tillage land and cheap trans
portation to home and foreign markets.
Better stay in Maine young man if you
have good material in you.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

pictures and queer, unexpected things
that take your breath away"
at Is one of the oldest houses In
town." said Orde. land | suppose 1t is
picturesque. But, you see, was
brought up here. so I'm used to It."
"Wait until you leave It," said she
"Then all these things will come back
to you to make your heart ache for
them"
After the company had gone Orde
stood long by the front gate looking
up into the infinite spaces. Somehow,
and vaguely, he felt the night to be
akin to her elusive spirit. Farther and
farther his soul penetrated into its
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-22

piled them also for possible future
use and blocked the temporary chan
mel. The river, restored to its imme
mortal channel by these men who had
so nonchalantly turned 1t aside. roared
on. Orde and his crew tramped back
to the falls and gazed on their handi
work with satisfaction. Instead Of
plunging over an edge into turmoil
Of foam and eddies. now the water
flowed smoothly, almost without a
break, over an incline Of thirty de-
grees.
"Logs III slip over that slick as Il
gun barrel" said Tom North.
Quite cheerfully they took up their
long, painstaking journey back down
the river.
The trail led the crew through many
minor labors. all Of which consumed
time. At Reeds mill Orde entered into
diplomatic negotiations with old man
Reed, whom he found singularly
amenable. The skirmish in the spring
seemed to have taken all the fight out
of him. or perhaps, more simply, Orde's
attitude toward him at that time had
won him over to the young mans side.
Orde's crew built a new sluiceway
and gate far enough down to assure a
good head in the pond above.
In September the crew had worked
down as far as Redding, leaving be-
hind them a river harnessed for their
uses. Remained still the forty miles
between Redding and the lake. Orde
here paid off his men. A few days
work with pile driver would fence
the principal shoals from the channel
He stayed overnight with his par
ents and took the train for Monrovia
to meet Newmark.
"Hello, Joew greeted Orde, his teeth
flashing in contrast to the tan OF his
face. I'm done. Anything new since
you wrote last?"
Newmark had acquired his articles
of incorporation and sold bis stock.
Perhaps his task had in 1t as much OF
difficulty as Orde's tanning Of the river.
Certainly he carried 1t to as successful
q conclusion. The bulk OF the STOCK
he sold to log owners. Some blocks
even went to Chicago. His own little
fortune Of twenty thousand he paid In
for the shares that represented his half
Of the majority retained by himself
and Orde. The latter gave note at
10 per cent for his proportion OF the
stock. Newmark then borrowed hf-
teen thousand more. giving as security
a mortgage on the company's newly
acquired property-the tugs. booms.
buildings and real estate. Thus was
the financing determined. 1t left the
company with obligations Of Sl.5OO a
year In interest. expenses which would
run heavily into the thousands and an
obligation to make good outside stock
worth at par exactly $4,000. In addi-
ton Orde had charged against his ac-
count u burden of $1,000 year inter-
est on his personal debt. To Offset
these liabilities, outside the river I'M
provements and equipments. which
would hold little or no value In case OF
failure, the firm held contracts to de-
liver about 1OO.0O0,OOO feet of logs.
After some discussion the partners de-
eided to allow themselves $500 apiece
by way Of salary
"The only point that is at all risky
to me-" said Newmark. "is that we
have only one season contracts. If for
any reason we hang up the drive or
fail to deliver promptly were going
10 get left the year following, and then
it's b-u-s-t-bust."
-