davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
Queer Dinner Bell.

had finished my toilet and was
lettering with Frank Bracebridge in
the library. when We heard a distinct
thwacking sound. which he informed
me was a signal for the serving up OF
the dinner. The squire kept up old
customs I'm kitchen as well as hall:
and the rollingpin. struck upon the
dresser by the cook. summoned the
servants to carry in the meats and
filings.
The dinner was served up in the
great hall, where the squire always
held this Christmas banquet. A blaz-
ing. cracking fire of logs had been
heaped on, to warm the spacious
apartment. and the flame went spark
ling and wreathing up the wide
mouthed chimney. On the sideboard
was a display OF plate that might
Belshazzar's parade of the vessels OF
the temple: "Flagons. cans, cups. beak-
ers. goblets, basins. and ewers:" the
gorgeous utensils of good compan-
ionship that had gradually accumulated
through many generations of jovial
housekeepers. Before these stood
the two Yule candles. beaming like
two stars of the first magnitude; 9th
or lights were distributed in branches.
and the whole array glistened like a
armament of silver.
We were ushered into this banquet
ing scene with the sound of Minis
trelsy. the old harper being seated on
a stool beside the fireplace. and
twanging his instrument with a vast
deal more power than melody Never
did Christmas board display a more
goodly and gracious assemblage OF
countenances: those who were not
handsome were. at least. happy: and
happiness is a rare improver OF your
hard-favored visage.
Enormous Pigs Head.
The parson said grace. which was
not a short. familiar one, such as IL
commonly addressed to the Deity in
these unceremonious days: but long
courtly. well-worded one Of the an
cient school There was now pause.
as II something was expected; when
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
SELLING SEASON or T. MONTHS
FOR COTTON-DlvERsIFICA
TON BASIS OF CREDIT.
ONt-CROP FARMING UNSAFE
Fer"anent Organization Of the Con
ference Was Effected BY Adop-
ton OF Constitution and
BY Laws.
New Orleans

Nnu- nrI,opr
Definite pIons do,icrcd ia ,iJ -,
the advancement or ,ho co,,,I,.. mr.,
culture. comu,r,i,I and ,,,I,,., i,,,or
osts. were proun,,lc,t,d Ia, ,,o co,
ference or Cotton gt,to. u,rt,rc o.,
it's closing s,eeion horo +, t,, ,5o,,
ton OF resolution. r,cdrfr,. .,,,,,,.,r,
tn various movrmcpt, .,uI .,,..,,,...,i,,,,-
which were disruee,d a., ,l,, t,,.,, d,,-s,
meeting. Among otbcr ,I,ing. tho
bankers promised In ,sgi., flo F,r,,
ors in marLotin,, and c,,.,,..i,.,- No.
1916 ana future cottor cr,,,,. and ~
promoting a calling e,.,.,.,, ,.,,,rt,,,,
over the entire voar ipeto,d oC , rov
months
In addition ia thc plcdc... co,,,,r
ed I'm tho rosoIutiore nr,e,dorts "a,
state bankors. oeeoci,tior, -, br,os
addresses ravo further prorisos or
assistance nv thoir oryari,,tior In
carving ont tho nIore outlined
The conroranco rrcoJ odor,ion h,
tho coiton st,to, az = ,,,o,o,,r,, III.
ing toward unirorni,,. IN co,,or tro,,
actions includinp financing woro
bousing and martcttpc. ,d,.o,o,o1 .
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

at many a rehearsal | was amused,
too. at the air of profound gravity
with which the butler and other serv-
ants executed the duties assigned
them. however eccentric.
The dinncrtime passed away i'm this
How Of innocent hilarity; and. though
the old hall may have resounded in its
time with many n scene of broader
rout and revel. yet I doubt whether II
ever witnessed more honest and gen
uine enjoyment. How easy it is for one
benevolent being to 1iffuse pleasure
around him. and how truly is kind
heart fountain of gladness. making
everything i'm it's vicinity to frcshen
into smiles: the Joyous disposition Of
the worthy squire was perfectly CON
tagious; he was happy himself. and
disposed TO make all the world happy;
and the little eccentricities of his hui
NOR did but season. i'm a manner, the
sweetness and philanthropy.
The Children's Games.
After the dinner table was removed.
the hall was given up to the younger
members of the family. who. prompted
to all kinds of noisy mirth by the
Oxonian and Master Simon, made it's
old walls ring with their merriment,
az they played at romping games. I
delight in witnessing the gambols OF
children. and particularly at this happy
holiday season, and could not help
stealing out Cf the drawing room.
found them at the game OF blind
mans bun Master Simon. who was
the leader of their revels. and seemed
on all occasions to fulfill the office
OF that ancient potentate. the Lord Of
Misrule, was blinded in the midst OF
the hall. The little beings were as busy
about him as the mock fairies about
Falstaff; pinching him. plucking at the
skirts OF his coat. and tickling him
with straws. One fine blue-eyed girl Of
about thirteen. with her flaxen hair
all in beautiful confusion. her frolic
face in a glow, her frock half torn OF
her shoulders, complete picture OF
romp, was the chief tormentor; and.
from the slyness with which Master
Simon avoided the smaller game, and
hemmed this wild little nymph in cor
ners. and obliged her to jump shrek
ing over chairs. I suspected the rogue
of being not a whit more blinded than
was convenient.
For my part | was I'm continual
excitement. from the varied scenes of
whims and innocent gayety passing be-
fore me. II was inspiring to me to
see wild-eyed frolic and warm-heart-
ed hospitality breaking out from
among the chills and gloom of win
ter, and old age throwing of his apa-
thy. and catching once more the
freshness of youthful enjoyment. felt
also an interest in the scene. from
the consideration that these fleeting
customs were posting fast into obliv-
ion. and that this was. perhaps. the
only family in England in which the
whole of them were still punctiliously
observed. There was a quaintness. too.
mingled with all this revelry. that,
gave It peculiar lest: II was suited
TO the time and place; and as the
old manor house almost reeled with
mirth and wassail. II seemed echoing
back the joviality of long-departed
years.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
given

Tho CalCaeieu parish police jury
has made it's annual budget pro,IdIus
for the expenditure Of $l3Go0o This
viii b" possibly the only country par
ish I'm Louisiana this year without a
public Improvement fund. long re-
GardCd with suspicion The jury has
hudgctcd $4,000 t0 tn" maintenance
of tn" new highways. aud all road
funds acCrulng from special road
taN"s will be- turned over to the now
highway department for expenditure.
s." that none Of the money will pass
Directly through tho hands of police
jurors
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18


merriment and good cheer of the serv-
ants han. My father, you must know,
il a bigOted dcvOtee of the old school.
and prides himself upon keeping up
something of old English hospitality.
He is n tolerable specimen OF what
you will rarely meet with nowadays
In its purity, the old English country
gentleman: for our men of fortune
spend so much of their time in town.
and fashion is carried so much into
the country, that the strong rich pc
culiarities Of ancient rural life are al
most polished away.
MY father was always scrupulous
i'm eXaCting our holidays, and having
us around him on family festivals.
He used to direct and superintend our
games with the strictness that some
parents do the studies of their chill
dren. He was very particular that we
should play the old English games ac-
cOrding TO their original form: and
consulted old books for precedent and
authority for every 'merrie sport
yet ! assure you there never was ped
antry so delightful II was the policy
of the good old gentleman to make
his children feel that home was the
happiest place in the world. and |
value this delicious home-feelIng as
one of the choicest gifts parent could
bestow"
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

Italy is now a good market for fire
extinguishers. a consular report says.
The number OF sheep estimated TO
have been shorn last season In Aus.
tralia and New Zealand was 109 .692..
264. which produced seven pounds and
twelve ounces each head, including
lambs. as against seven pounds for the
previous season.
Official figures fix the number OF
cows in Hungary at 2.620 1000. Of which
more than 100000 are pure blooded
animals Of the best milk producing
breeds.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
CONVERSATIONS

Osmium is one OF the most valuable
metals. II is worth $50 a pound.
A human being cannot breathe at a
height of seven miles from the earth
Fountain pens are most popular in
bohemia and are carried by practical
,v all business men. students and
clerks
The use of zinc plates In boiler Is
said to prevent the formation OF the
sca,e which interferes with the boil
sr's efficiency
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

A resolution will be introduced IN
the commission council by Finance
Commissioners Ward to authorize the
Shreveport SECRETARY to advertise for
bids on s75O.OOO Of the S1.2OO.OOO bond
issue recently voted to construct a mu-
nicipal waterworks plant The bids
and the bonds delivered on January
and the boPnds delivered on January
Is The city officials anticipate no
trouble in disposing of the issue at n
premium.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

&. A. Ives. OF Baton Rouge. state
high school inspector, has issued no
tees to high school principals that
the time on two of the athletic events
prescribed for competition for The
TimcsPiCayune athletic badges. has
been extended from rs To 81 seconds
and the time of the Indian club race
from &c to % seconds. Reports re
ccived from tho schools Indicate that
the original time set for the two
events was too close
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

At a meeting of the board OF SUI
pervisors Of Louisiana State Univer-
sity at Baton Rouge. President Boyd
was authorized to make application
for a successor to Lieut.. George F.
Rozelle. as commandant OF the mill,
tary department. Lieutenant Rozelle's
four-year term at the university VIII
rules OF the War Department he can
not serve two terms, must rejoin his
regiment
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

7 was a brilliant moon
light night, but extreme
~ cold. our Chaise
whirlcd rapidly over the
frozen ground, the post
boy smacked his whip
necessarily and a part of
tho time his horses were
on a gallop. He knows
where he Is going, said
my companion. laughing.
and Is eager to arrive
In tfmp for aOmp of the
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
Good Iiterature

1T must be glorious to be put into
a novel. wouldn't you like thati"
Yes; guess II would be pretty
nice. But I'm satisfied. I'm men.
toned In adstreet."-Louisvills
Courier-Journal.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
Profitable Business.

Young Lady lin drug store)-Five
twos. please.
CLERK hands them out)
Young Lady-Have them delivered,
please. They're for mother and I'm
going downtown for the day.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

At a meeting between Assistant At
torney General Harry 7. Gamble and
various Shreveport lawyers. a salts.
factory settlement and judgment OF
all disputes over ownership OF the
river bed in Red River parish was
reached between the state and its
lessee. the Cotton Queen oil Company
on one hand and J. Il. Richardson and
his lessee. r. w. Davis, and the lat
ter's sub-lessees, on the other
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

Grain exports from New Orleans in
November totalod 1.2SO,5l6 bushels of
wheat, 1854 bushels OF corn and
23-ll0 bushels Of oats While exports
in wheat fell off nearly 1000. coo bush
els as compared with the same month
last year the Increase i'm the ship
ment of corn was 379,71S bushels
There are now on board ship not hav.
ing cleared about $4,000 bushels OF
wheat
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

The Lafayette city council on the
petition of a large number OF citizens
bought the parish fair site from the
$1,000. The property consists of
twenty-five acres of land and some I'm
prOvements. Fhty or sixty RESPONSE
BILE citizens stand surety for the debt
This action insures the perpetuatiou
of the parish fair as a public institu
ton and the city will also adopt tn,
grounds for a public park.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

suddenly tho butler
entered the hall with
some degree of bus
tie. he was attended
by n servant on each
side with a large
wax-lIght. and GORE
n silver dish. on
which was an enor-
nous pigs head.
decorated with rose
mary. with a lemon
I'm it's mouth. which
was placed with
great formality Mt
the head OF the ia
BILE. The moment
this pageant made
It's appearance tho
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

T. Paul Ristroph. Of Shrewsbury.
has received from the officials of the
South Louisiana Fair Association tho
grand championship prize. as well as
a check for SIS. won by his entry IN
the cattl" department of the fair held
at Doraldsouvillo October ~ tn II
His only entry was fine HolstoW
bull. which. besides being declared
the grand champion. won the first
prize as senior yoarIing
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

Announcement has been made to
the New Orleans Association of Com
merce that the first barge of the In
land Navigation Company will leave
New Orleans for St Louis by the mid
die OF February. 1916. Work on the
barge is being rushed to completion.
and che will be ready to load at New
Orleans on the 18th OF February.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

A petition signed by six Lafayette
citizens praying for n referendum on
the city ordinance levying a $4,000 IT,
quor license for 1916. was presented
to the city council. The council Will
resort to all legal measures to main
tain the license.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

A thorough inspection OF the levees
in the upper district Of the Lake
Borgne board was made by Commits
sioner Auguste Estopinal and vii.
liam Nunez, inspector. All work was
found TO be progressing satisfactorily.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

w s. Wilkinson. a Baton Rouge
mechanic. has invented an automatic
fire alarm system for residences and
business houses which operates either
with or without electric power. A pat
ent has been allowed on the device
and Mr. Wilkinson is preparing to
market II.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18
STATE PARAGRAPHS.

The Arkansas, Louisiana and Gulf
railroad. which extends from Monroe
to Crossett, Ark. was sold under or
ders from the federal court. The pur.
chaser was the recently organized cor,
poration known as the Arkansas and
Louisiana Midland Railway Company.
The price paid was 1899. 400 in stock
In the new corporation and 100000
In notes due in 1921 bearing 6 per
cent interest. Two months ago the
road was sold at a sale ordered by
federal court to Alfred Cowles of Chi
cago for 100000. II was necessary
TO place $1,000 worth of revenue
stamps on the deed executed.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18


harper struck up flourish; at the con
clusion of which the young Oxonian. on
receiving hint from the squire. gave.
with an air of the most comic grav-
ity, an old carol.
Though prepared to witness many
OF these little eccentricities, from be
ing appraised OF the peculiar hobby Of
mine host. yet, confess, the parade
with which so odd dish was intro
duced somewhat perplexed me. until |
gathered from the conversation OF the
squire and tho parsOn that II was
meant to represent the bearing in of
the boar's head. n dish formerly
served up with much ceremony and
the sound of minstrelsy and song, at
great tables. on Christmas day II
like the old custom" said the squire
mot merely because II is stately and
pleasing i'm itself. but because Il was
observed at the college at oxford at
which | was educated. When | hear
the old song chanted. It brings to mind
the time when was young and
gamesome-and the noble old college
hall-and my fellow-students loiter-
ing about I'm their black gowns: many
of them, poor lads. are now in their
graves!"
That Tiresome Parson.
The parson, however. whose mind
was not haunted by such associations.
and who was always more taken up
with the text than the sentiment. OBJ
carol, which he affirmed. was differ
ent from that sung at college. He went
on. with the dry perseverance OF a
commentator, to give the college read
ing, accompanied by sundry annota-
tions: addressing himself at first to
the company at large; but finally
their attention gradually diverted to
other talk and other objects, he low
cred his tone as his number Of audi
tors diminished. until he concluded
his remarks In an undertone to a
fat-headed old gentleman next him,
who was silently engaged in the dis
cussion of a huge plateful OF turkey.
The table was literally loaded with
good cheer, and presented an epit-
ONE OF country abundance, In this
season OF overlooking larders. A dis
tinguished post was allotted to AN
cient sirloin," as mine host termed 1t:
being. as he added. the standard Of
old English hospitality. and a joint OF
goodly presence, and full of expecta-
ton" There were several dishes
quantity decorated end which had
evidently something traditional in
their embellishments; but about
which as | did not like to appear over
curious. asked no questions.
Follows Old Customs.
Il would be tedious. perhaps. to my
foolish fondness for odd and obsolete
things. to which ! am a little given,
were | to mention the other make
shifts OF this worthy old bumorist, by
which he was endeavoring to follow
up. though at humble distance. thu
quaint customs of antiquity. was
pleased. however. to see the respect
SHOWN to his whims oy his children
and relatives: who. indeed. entered
readily into the full spirit of them.
and seemed all well versed in their
parts having doubtless been present
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

Rev. 4. F. Cokern. of Enon, La, was
called as pastor OF the Raceland Bap-
list Church. The B. Y. p. U. has
purchased 4 bell for the church.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

All barroom owners OF st. Bernard
will be required to apply anew FOR
permits from the police jury to ope-
rate their establishments. The mat.
ter will be brought up by Sheriff Al
bert Estopinal. Jr, who will call at
tention to the provisions OF the Gay.
Shattuck law requiring that applica-
and vinous liquors be renewed. II
this suggestion Is adopted. barroom
proprietors will have to apply for per
mits at the first meeting of the police
jury I'm 1916.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

Rev. p. o. Lowrey, who has been
appointed to succeed Rev T. ID. Lips
comb as pastor of the Methodist
churches in the DonaldsonvilIe cir
cult, has arrived with his family to
take up his duties. Rev. Mr. Lips
comb has been transferred to Zwolle.
the Shreveport district.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

The Gardiner Noble Company
brought well No. 26 on their forty
acre tract In the Edgerly oil field.
The well started with an initial now
OF FIVE thousand barrels of pure oil
in twentyfo four hours. and is the big
gest producer the filed has so far de,
veloped.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

The sum OF $50 was realized from
tag day for the benefit of the Donald
sonville high School and public H.
brary. or this amount, $50 was col
lected in Donaldsonville and $40 from
tags sent to New Orleans.
Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-12-18

Assistant State Highway Engineer
Charles NJ. Kerr was in st. Bernard
in connection with the allotment Of
$4,000 for resurfacing of roads in the
First road district. on the personal
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-02-06
ALIEN BILL
President Disfavors a Uiteracy
Test in the immigration
Measure.
"SHOULDOFFER OPPORTUNITY"
MIR. Wilson Says Character. Not Book
Learning, Ought to Guide Our
RESPECTIVE Policies.

Washington, Jan 29-President
Wilson vetoed the immigration Bill
today and sent a special message 10
Congress saying he disapproved the
measure because Of the literacy test
and other restrictive tests which il
of immigrants to the United States.
immigrants to tn Unitd States.
Among other things the president
says: In this bill it is proposed to
turn away from tests of character and
of quality and to impose tests which
exclude and restrict, for tn enew tests
here embodied are not tests of quail
ity or of character or of personal fit
ness, but tests of opportunity Those
who come seeking opportunity are
not to be admitted unless they have
already had one Of the chief oppor-
tunities they seek-the opportunity
Of education
The object of such provisions is
restriction, not. selection
IF the people of this country have
made up their minds to limit the
number of immigrants by arbitrary
tests and so reverse the policy of all
the generations Of Americans that
have gone before them, it is their
right to do so. I am their servant
and have no license to stand in their
way. But I do not believe that they
have. I respectfully submit that no
one can quote their mandate to that
effect
When the message was read there
was applause from both sides OF the
chamber. Similar applause followed
statement by Representative Bur
nett that he would move that the
measure be passed over the presi-
dents veto.
Conferences of house leaders fol-
lowed, the speaker, Majority Leader
Underwood, Minority Leader Mann,
Representative Burnett, and Repre-
sentative SABBATH, leader OF house op-
pOnents of the measure, participating.
Senate leaders insist that there
would be no trouble repassing the
bill in the upper house. This was
done in the Roosevelt administration,
but the house failed to muster a two
thirds majority by a narrow margin
When the measure passed the house
last year it was by a bare two-thirds
majority and Representative Under
wood said today there was question
whether a two-thirds vote could be
procured now