davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Cattle Increasing on Maine Farms.

Figures given in the latest issue of the
Crop Reporter of the United States De.
partment of Agriculture would seem to
indicate that the live stock business OF
the State of Maine Is in q prosperous
condition, and increasing, both as regard
the number aud the value of the stock.
This fact, compared with the further
fact that the figures of the same bulletin
show decrease in the number Of all
kinds of farm animals with the excep-
ton of horses and mules, would seem to
place the State of Maine in most favor
able showing in this regard.
The figures show an increase in the
values of all farm animals, aud an in
crease in the number of all animals with
the exception of sheep and swine. The
number OF these latter animals has not
decreased, however, but remains practi-
cally the same as in the previous year.
The figures given are for Jan. l, 1912.
The number of milch cows is reported
at 157 900, which is one per cent more
than reported for the same time a year
ago. The average value is $40, compared
with S44 year ago, and ten-year aver
age of S32.
The number Of other cattle Is reported
at 90 900, which is also one per cent more
than reported year previously. The
average price per head is reported at
S2l 20, compared with $3.50. There are
10000 horses, also about one per cent
increase, with an increase IN value oil
about SIP, from Sl27 to Sl39.
The number of sheep remains about
the same, lS6, 900, with a slight increase
in average value from 81 10 to S4.20.
There are also Just about the same num-
ber of swine in the state, l0l 900, but
there has been considerable increase in
value, from s11 so to Sl2.90 per head,
marketed at the age of nine months,
which Is two months younger than the
average marketing age for the whole
country. The increase in the number OF
milch cows shows healthy and steady
growth of the dairy business in the State
Of Maine The increase iu the number
of other cattle is very likely due to
large extent to the many heiter calves
which are being raised for the dairy, and
perhaps also TO an increased number or
beef animals, for there seems to be a
tendency to grow more beef cattle IN
the east.
An the rest of the New England States,
New York and New Jersey show a de-
crease in the number of milch cows over
the previous year OF other cattle,
Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey
show a decrease in numbers; Vermont
and Connecticut have about the same
number, aud New Hampshire and Massa-
chusetts have an increase of about one
per cent. There is no increase In sheep
or swine in any of these states, and only
Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut
appear to have held their own in the
number OF sheep.
The fact that the number of farm ami
mails in Maine has in the case OF every
species either held, increased or remained
about the same as the previous year.
shows we'll for this part of the farming
Industry of the state as compared with
the very general decrease in numbers the
country over.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
LAYING A GHOST.
A Simple Solution to the Mystery OF
"Haunted" House.

A Simple Solution to the Mystery OF
Haunted" House.
The mystery Of haunted house
was explained In recent number OF
Science. II was large. handsome
structure In Boston's Back Bay district
The trouble centered In the third and
fourth stories. where the slnmDers OF
servants and children were disturbed
by strange sensations.
IL was n common occurrence for them
TO awake In the night with feeling OF
oppression. "as II some one were tap
ping upon me" Sounds also were
heard as II some one were walking
about or overhead Once Il child rush
cd screaming into the nurses room.
crying that II man was waking him up
and asking why she let him trighten
him so In the morning the children
were pale and sluggish. even cold wa
ter lacking Its usual power to enliven
them
Investigation at length revealed
comparatively simple. mechanlstic 80
luton I'm the escape OF II large amount
Of furnace gas Often the sulphur III
il was 80 strong as to make the eyes
water and TO hurt the throat. while
the sensations of oppression were typi-
cal of carbon monoxide The noises
may have been actual sounds coming
from an adjoining house. although any
noises ut all would probably be exag-
gerated in the minds OF persons awak-
ened In the night while suffering from
poisonous gas.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
FORMATION OF COAL.
Conditions on Our Planet While tho
Process Developed.


What may be said tO be the strait
gest period through which our earth
has passed Is the one that was respon'
sible for the formation Of coal. The
planet IL described as haviug been ht
that time 6at and smooth as to surface
and peculiar as to vegetation Ibe
continents were just beginning to rise
above the ocean and the land had NOT
yet become dry. Mountain ranges had
not arisen from the swamps. and the
atmosphere was thick with fog. In this
state of affairs there sprOuted and
flourished the plants which were later
to furnish the world with Its coal sup
ply.
These plants grew as big as our lar
gest trees. taking deep root In the mo-
rass and Hourshing like the lush
grasses In moist meadow land and de-
veloped into the strange shapes now
found In trOpic vegetation. The forest
looked. the scientists assure us. like
dense growths OF weeds. rushes and
enormous ferns Some Of them grew
in the shape Of cact. having spines all
over them This kind Of vegetation
was very rich In carbon. which 1t de-
rived from the warm. moist atmos-
phere. Then the millions Of years roll
ed by. the forests Of giant weeds were
buried by deposits Of earthly material
and the chemical change took place
which slowly changed them into coal.
This process ceased with the carbon
ferrous age. so that when the present
supply OF coal is dug out OF the ground
| thprp will be no more. Exchange.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Many Names of the Thames.

The Thames has been the cause or
much controversy. Its name has been
variously stated rs Tameses. Tainese
Tamises (at the juncture Of the Isis
aud Tame, near Dorchester. TamiSa'
Tamesa. Thamisia. Thamcsis and final
" Isis (where II flows between the OK
fordshire and the RuckinGhamshire
.;hores). Thus ut Oxford 1t Is still Of
.cn called the Isis until 1t receives the
shallow river Tame just below Dor
hester, from which point 1t Is called
'hames. Historians trace this error
an early attempted division OF the
.atin word Tamesis into two words
.'ame esis or Tame isis. suggested per
.aps by the existence Of the Tame in
;uckinghamshire. The SaXons called
{ the Thames. ancient maps and docu-
ncnts designating II ThainesiS Flu
I,s.-From "Tn Thamcsland."
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
A pioneer Tourist,

Thomas Prnnant was the great pio'
uecr of the tribe of tourists He dis
rovcrc,i Scotland. Ireland and the Isle
of Man. taking with him tame Welsh
artist of genius to illustrate his trav'
els. ~ have had the hardihood.' he
wrote In I'LL. Ito venture on jour
ney to the remotest part OF north
Britain" So alluring was the account
Of his explorn ton that the country
has ever since been inundated with
southern visitors. OF Ireland he was
able to make only an imperfect report,
because Of the ''conviviality' OF the
people. and Of the Isle Of Man his I'm
pressions have perished. Pennant cor
responded with Linnaeus and met Vol
taire, whom he found to be master
Of English oaths."-London Standard.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Slaughter the Weeds.

Now Is the time to keep after the
weeds. Do not allow them TO get the
upper hand of the crop. If you do, 1t Is
likely to prove costly later. The pres
euce or the lack of moisture during the
next two months will in all probability
determine the yield of most cultivated
crops. II weeds are present to any
marked extent they will rob the crop OF
necessary moisture as well as fertility.
II may, and frequently does, cost less to
get rid of weeds by thorough cultivation
of the crop aud hand hoeing at this time
of wear than to harvest q crop In which
weeds are very numerous. In many
cases 1t will probably pay even to hire
extra labor to do this-that Is, 1t will
give a larger net return from the crop al
the end of the season. ln addition &C
this real increased cash In hand, you will
have the satisfaction of having clean seed
aud cleaner soils upon which to grow
next wears crop. The weed factor Il
undoubtedly very much moro impor
tant one in crop production than 1t II
given credit for.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Lessons From . Drouth.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMUs AND THOR
OUCH TILLAGE EMPHASIZED.

The drouth has brought serious dam
age. The hay and the oat fields are be-
ginning to cry out for moisture as the
supply stored in the subsoil is becoming
exhausted. / have field that is stand
ing up we'll under the trying conditions
and is at present ''growlng testimony"
to the benefits of thorough tillage and
good fertilizers. One spot of Q few
square feet, where the roller made skip,
demonstrates, as have oontended, that
II is OF decided benefit to roll grain fields.
The oats on that little skipped patch are
thin, short and yellow, showing poor
termination of the seed, and slow growth.
once saw field on a neighboring farm,
part of which was rolled, and the diff
ference in the growth and in the ultimate
crop was at least one-fourth or one-third
in favor of rolled portion.
The start of clover and timothy on my
field is good and is hanging on we'll. 1t
was sown after the drill which put In the
oats and fertilizer and the slant tooth
harrow was run over the field, followed
by the roller. That field was helped out
by an application of 250 to 800 pounds Of
2-S 10 fertilizer an acre, and several spots
ON one end, where the fertilizer attach
ment of the drill did not get down to
business as quickly as it should, show
what might have been the conditions II
we had "cut out the expense of fertil-
izer." The young oats on those spots are
short and yellow. They look "bungry
and bilious" l am satisfied that that
fertilizer would have given an even bet
ter account of itself IL the supply of
humus in the soil were greater.
The drouth conditions are bringing
more forcibly home to the farmers OF
this locality that We must in some way
restore the humus to our soil, If we are
to thrive on the crops it produces.
have been pondering long and deeply
wondering how 1t is to be done without
too heavy expense or too serious upset.
ting of the regular crop rotation. Several
plans have presented themselves, and l
am doing a little careful experimenting.
So we may hit on some method that will
fit the dilemma.
Things have been happening in some
of our cornfields that have put another
rivet iu the Thorough tlllage doctrine"
and ''clinched it tight, too" In every
case, so far as can learn, where there
has been poor termination and a couse-
quent poor stand, the soil was not prop
erly fitted for the crop. On two fields
where the seed was taken from the same
crib one has an almost perfect stand,
while the other shows about 65 per cent
termination The first field bad perfect
fitting, the second only an insufficient
narrowing. Moreover, the cultivators
in passing over the we'll fitted field bring
up the cool, moist earth from under the
dust mulch and the growing corn does
not seem to be suffering for water, while
on field No. 2 the crop is just standing
still waiting for rain. II we can in some
way build up the supply OF humus and
then apply the principles Of thorough
tillage the drouths and some of the other
troubles of the agriculturist will lose
their terrors.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
The Record Again Broken.

Spring Farm Pontiac Lass, the 1900
worlds champion Holstein butter COW,
has again broken worlds record. The
To-day test has just been completed by
Cornell Agricultural College experts on
the farm of Francis NJ. Jones near Clin-
ton, n. y, where the cow was raised,
and it was found that she had exceeded
the worlds record by 1928 pounds of
butter. She gave about 1000 pounds OF
milk in the 100 days, or 467.2S pounds of
butter. The previous best record was
held by Johann De Kol Van Beers, which
also held the 80, 60 and so day records
recently smashed by Spring Farm Pom
tiac Lass. The worlds champion COW
was shipped from Clinton to the home of
Stevens Brothers, the cows new owners,
on Saturday. Ii is expected that she
will be put under years test soon. The
Messrs. Stevens recently paid Mr.. Jones
$40, 900 for the COW. Mr.. Jones has re-
Gently sold three bull calves for a little
over $4,000. One went to Vermont, one
to Massachusetts, and the other to Mil
ford, N. Wv. p. Doyle, New York.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Tho Mother.in-Iaw In France.

1t Is enough to chill ones passion for
newspapers to read the mother-in-law
quips. as they are sad. sad jokes. A
mother-in-law Is not funny afterward;
she is only funny beforehand. In
France where they do 30 many things
neatly. this Is understood. Listen!
Young Raoul had gone down on his
knees to madame. the Widow Lemoine.
and begged leave to marry himself
with her daughter.
"But no!' said the widow firmly. "le
is impossibler
Desolated. Raou burst into tears.
Don't take 1t so hard, mon gosser'
said she. THE petite Yvonne Is e1'
auisite. she Is ravishlng. yet there are
many others in the France. A little
Of patience"
But madame! my dear madame"
howled Raoul 1T is you that re-
gretl-New York Tribune.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
CHAPTER XIV.
Colonel 1odhun.er confron.s Defeat

Colonel Todhunter Confronts Defeat.
~ URING a lull In the excited ju-
bilation that followed Tom
- Stricklands acquittal. and hav.
ing first congratulated Tom
himself, Mrs. Todhunter turned to
Colonel Strickland. who stood with her
husband few feet away, Colonel Tod
hunter having by this time Joined the
group.
II feel sure you know how rejoiced l
am that Tom has been acquitted" she
said, her frank eyes testifying to the
truth. II have always loved him as II
he was my own son. But l had to 90
what did after that dreadful night OF
the party ut the hotel. The accusation
made against him by that girl. Lottie
May Doggett. left me no alternative
but to forbid him seeing Mary unless
he could clear himself of the sin with
which the girl herself charged him"
"I know just how you felt, Mrs. Tod
hunter" replied Colonel Strickland. 1T
was Il terrible situation. Naturally. 1t
hurt US all that Tom was made to ap-
pear guilty. but there was the cold fact
that Lottie-May Doggett publicly de-
clared him guilty. and It seemed in
credible that she would do this II be
was innocent. And I know now that
you are sincerely glad because the
truth has come out You don't have to
tell me anything about It. ma'am."
At this moment Mary herself. great
happiness shining in her face. although
her eyes were wet with tears, Joined
the group. Colonel Strickland turned to
her with a smile.
II delivered that message Of yours to
Tom, Miss Mary" he said. "The mes.
sage you gave me when he was In the
jail. l just wish you could have seen
how proud and happy It made him! BE
needed It mighty bad that day"
Mary blushed rose red. "Please don't
remind Tom of my message. Colonel
Stricklandr' she cried in pretty con
fusion. "I'll be ashamed to look him In
the face again II you dol"
~ don't see why you should be-
laughed Colonel Strickland. 1T just
simply proved to Tom at mighty vel
come time that the young lady be loved
so dearly loved him In return. 30 yor
ought to be proud Of it instead Of
ashamed"
And at this juncture Colonel Tod
hunter intervened. Don't you let tina
Mary Todhunter fool you. Bill strick
land" he chuckled. "She's as proud o
that there love sick message to he
sweetheart at such romantic momen
as If It was all In sentimental stor!
and she was the heroine Of the story
And when she and Tom have gone ant
got married-well. between you ant
me and the gatepost I'll bet poor Ton
never hears the last Of Il"
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29

fuOuteQ
Colonel Todhunter. stiff as grena.
ilier. stood at the open door. His jaws
were set hard as he confronted the tri-
umphant foe. Suddenly mocking
voice sounded.
"We're sorry for poor old Bill Strick-
land" It cried. but he never ought to
ha' bucked up against Steve Yancey"
Colonel Todhunter's fighting blood
kaped In his veins. "Who are you
that's so sorry for Bill Strickland7" he
usked. There was an III omen In his
level tone.
No reply came. But Colonel Todhun-
ter identified the speaker by following
the glances Of his fellows in the line.
"Oh. it's you. is 1t. JEFF Harris?" he
said. "You. that didn't know at first
whether you was for Colonel Strickland
or old Steve Yancey. Couldn't make up
your mind till you saw which way 1t
was most profitable for you to jump.
Well, JEFF. your man amt nominated
yet. And in the meanwhile wouldn't
like nothin' better, you white hvered
skunk, than to wipe up the ground
with you
But at this critical moment Colonel
Bill Strickland. laughing. pulled Colo
mel Todhunter back into the Blade Of
fee, and JEFF Harris passed on with the
Yancey parade.
"You old firebrand, your the candi-
date sputtered. shaking with laughter.
"What the blue blazes and Sam Hill do
you want to let thing like that ruffle
you up for? thought you had more
sense"
1--WE got sense enough, Bill" said
Colonel Todhunter. But all my life
I've been ready to clinch with any
man that tried to mock me or my
|. friend, thinlin' he was down and out.
and I'll Just he shot full O. holes II l
amt still ready"
Dick Cantrill's voice interrupted
Here's another bulletin" he cried.
Then he read: Returns from st
Louis lust beginning to come in. 1t is
now claimed that Strickland has car
ried that city. Yancey's managers are
charging Randolph Carter. the newly
appointed chairman Of the board Of
election commissioners. with unlawful
ly using his authority In Stricklands
behalf. Last night Carter removed
many judges and clerks Of election.
claiming to have proof that they had
been appointed to insure Yancey's Vic
tory by fraud and appointed others In
their places. The chief Of police Is
supporting him By giving the new ap.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Colonel
|"TODHUNTER
Of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. by the Bobbs-Mer-
rill Company.

sssssesessssssssssssssssss
But Colonel Todhunter was mo-
among those who first crowded around
Tom Strickland with their congratula
tions. He went instead to where h'
had seen old Rafe Doggett almost fur
lively join Lottie-May. sitting apar
within the rallied inclosure after having
given his testimony. Alike upon th'
faces of the old man and his grand
daughter there rested an expression o.
pathetic dread.
what air they a-goin' to do to my
girl, Colonel Todhunter?" asked ole
Doggett piteously. "Tain't all hel
fault that she done what she done
keepin' her mouth shet about Chicka
saw Jesse and then runnin away witt
him. She wanted to tell all she know
ed. but she was a-skeered for her life
Colonel Todhunter amt excusin
her none for her own badness. Coo
knows. but the law ain't got no call Il
punish her along O. Chickasaw Jesse:
SIM
"rhe law amt goin' to punish her
Rafe." replied Colonel Todhunter. "Iv'
already made sure Just how l.ottie
May stands She'd ha' been an accom-
pllce o Chickasaw Jesse's for not com
in here at first and tellln' what she
knew II the truth wasn't plain now
that she didn't tell because ChickasaW "
Jesse threatened to kill her II she did
And her wantin' to testify In Tom
Stricklands behalf and doin' 1t like
she did proves that she was innocent
Just the minute she was free agent
I've laid all these facts before the
court. Rafe. The law amt goin' to pun
ish Lottie-May."
Old Rafe Doggett bowed bis white
head as If IN prayer.
Thank the Lord God Almighty" Id
spoke at last. And me and LOttie,
May won't trouble Nineveh's folks
after this day. I'm a-goin away FUN
here. Colouel TOdhunter. | couldn't
live here no more to save my life. And
Lottie- Nays a-goin' with me-goin
somewhere away FUN here where her
mothers shame and hers won't be In
eyerbody's mouth like now In Nine
veh."
You can 80 any time you want to.
Rafe." said Colonel Todbunter "Th
amt no charge against Lottie-May on
the docket O this court You can so
now If you feel like it."
The old man and the young girl
moved toward the door.
Colonel TOdhuuter accompanied them.
screening both. as far as lay In his
power. from the curious staring Of the
multitude
Lottie-May spoke no word during
their progress. Her face was still tense
with the shadow of that dread but late
ly lifted from her soul. More than ever
did she seem the Hagar Of this little
Missouri community-a Hagar now go,
iig into uttermost exile.
At the door she turned anu lookeu
back into the courtroom. Her eyes
rested upon Tom Strickland's face
Mary TOdhunter stood at Toms side.
A great Joy shone IN her eyes. Toms
glance fingered with u deep fondness
upon this girl whom he loved 30 dearly
With little cry Of poignant heart
break Lottie May Doggett threw one
arm across her grandfather's age
stopped shoulders. seeming to draw
him and herself beyond the seeing ol
that which hnd SO moved her to uncon
trollable anguish.
The next moment the door had closed
upon the two. shutting them out from
Nineveh's vision.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Create q Soil Reserve.

There are limited amounts of essential,
mineral elements In the soil
and each crop grown upon and removed
from the land takes away definite por-
tion Of this mineral matter; q hundred
bushel crop, for instance, extracts II oil
In one fourth of the time that the twenty
five bushel crop would consume 1t.
The more We take out the moro We
must return II We hope to perpetuate the
productivity Of the land. We know We
cannot continue to milk without feeding
or subtract without adding. We must
feed the soil TO create . soil reserve.
Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
The message was signed by Governor
Leslie. II read:

Due to enthusiasm caused by Toms ac-
Quittal and the public's realization OF cow
ardly fight made on you through him. a
popular movement 10 raise fund covering
total deficit In Strickland campaign fund
was begun today and successfully COM
pleted at our headquarters tonight. Every
dollar needed has been subscribed and
paid. Reliable election returns now all In
show that you are nominated by nearly
1000 plurality. Congratulations
Colonel Strickland laughed as giee
fully as boy when Colonel Todhunter
glanced up ut him from the reading OF
the telegram.
"That settles 1t. Thurs" he cried
And by the Lord Harry. 'm giadder
to know you're safe on the money end
Of this fight than to know I've been
nominated It's given me more than
one sleepless night Of worrying. ! can
tell you"
at hasn't made me lose a wink
Sleep" replied Colonel Todhunter
calmly. ~ know | amt as religious a
man as ought to be. Bill Strickland
but | got an ahdin' faith in the Good
Marster up above. all the same. aini
never doubted he'd see me safe through
on that there proposition. He knows
the tricks O that machine gang were
fightin' better'n we do. and he ain't
agoln' to let cm prevail over u.s.
Saying which. Colonel Todhunter
read aloud that sentence Of the tele
gram authoritatively announcing Colo
mel Strickland's nomination
Dick CantriI's loyal voice led the
mighty cheer with which this an
nouncement was greeted. Sim Bird
songs was second only to his. Colonel
Todhunter. gulping just once after
having read the proclamation Of vie
tory, did not join in the cheering. But
when Lycurgus Quivey came to him
with outstretched hands. he took them
in q close grip Of his own, his daunt'
less old eyes showing just a hint OF
dampness.
"Colonel Todhunter." spoke Lycur
gus, "pm going to write a poem de
scribing this great triumph after SEEM
Ing defeat-it's the finest thing ever
saw In all my life!'
"Bully for you. Lycurgus" replied
Colonel Todhunter. "And bet It'll
be a rip sn0rtin' good poem. too-thaf
one you wrote at the openin' OF the
campaign hit the target plumb center
suhr