davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14
CHAPTER v.
Mud. Rats and Shells.

I must have slept for two or three
hours, not the refreshing kind that re-
suits from clean sheets and soft pill
lows, but the, sleep that comes from
cold, wet and sheer exhaustion.
Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake
and a thunderclap burst In my ears. ]
opened my eyes-I was splashed al
over with sticky mud, and men were
picking themselves up from the bottom
Of the, trench. The parapet on my LEFT
had topplcd into the trench, completely
blocking Il with q wall Of tossed-up
earth. The man on my left lay still. !
rubbed the mud from my face, and an
awful sight met my gaze-his head
was smashed to pulp. and his steel
helmet was full Of brains and blood.
A German sMinnie" (trench mortarl
had exploded In The psxt tzsl1elA Nss
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

CAN BE DONE IN PRACTICALLY ANY
COW BARN.

Reduction Of bacteria In milk does
not depend on the kind OF barn or ex
pensive equipment 90 much as on simple
inexpensive precautions. Milk with
low bacterial count can be produced iu
barns Of ordinary type with lees than
80 worth of extra equipment. The
dairy specialists of the United States
Department of Agriculture have proved
this In practical experiment.
For the purpose Of this experiment,
four cows were put In IN ordinary frame
barn. An unframed worker was en-
ployed to milk and care for the animals.
No extra attention was devoted to clean
ing the barn. At the end of elk months
the barn was no cleaner than many
commercial barns.
WHAT THE sMALL-TOP PAIL DID.
Without any changes In the barn
management the specialists had two
cows milked into smalltop pals and
the two others were milked into ordinary
open. top pals. The milk from the
open-top pals averaged 497, 1858 bacteria.
The milk from the small-top pals aver
aged 38s,214.
The use of the smsll.top pail without
any extra precaution made difference
in the average count of 129, ,439 bacteria
per cubic centimeter.
sTEAMING UTENSILS DEATH TO
BACTERIA.
The pals and cans we're sterilized
with live steam, which can easily and
cheaply be done with q simple steam
sterilizer, which can be made at homo or
can be purchased complete for about 80.
Other conditions remained as before.
The milk from the sterilized small-top
pals averaged only 17,027 baoteria-a
reduction of 351,1S7 in favor OF this
simple sterilization. With the open
pals, sterilization reduced the bacteria
to 22,677-a decrease OF 474,976 COM
pared With milk from the unsterilized
open pals.
SIMPLE CLEANLINESS LOWERS COUNT.
In the third step Of the experiment
the manure was removed from the barn
twice instead of only once week. The
udders and teats of the cows were wash
ed before each milking. These reason
able measures of cleanliness reduced the
count in milk drawn into the sterilized
small-top pail to 2,SS6 bacteria, and In
the stsrilized open-top pail to GIGS per
cubic centimeter. Ordinary cleanliness,
it can be seen, caused q reduction Of over
Il, 900 bacteria per cubic ceutimeter.
To make 1t easier to keep the cows
clean, in the final STAGE Of the expert
ment the manure was removed daily,
clean bedding was supplied, aod the
COWS we're cleaned with curry comb
and brush. With these 6nal precautions
the bacterial count of the smsll-top pail
averaged the very low one of 2,154 per
cubic centimeter, or l,197,S47 bacteria
less than were found In q sample when
the barn and COWS were dirty and the
utensils were not steamed.
Farmers interested in improving the
quality of milk can get further informa-
ton from the Dairy Division, U. 8. De-
partment of Agriculture, Washington,
%.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

Oue-third Of tho COWS completing
Years records In Indiana testing A.
sociations produce moro than 800 lbs:
buttsrfat each. Tho income over cost OF
feed for these COWS averaged last year
about SS7.40. This. compares With
S0O. .O6, the income from COWS producing
40 lbe, fat. II costs somewhat more 70
care for 800-lb. COW than for one pro-
ducIne 40 lbs. fat, bot the difference
doss not approach the larger return Of
81 SO. The Indiana figures clearly In
dicsts the increased profit secured from
. larger herd production.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

During the thunder shower Of last
Tuesday, the flrst Of any couseq ueuce
for the season, Mrs. Hannibal Bowie Of
1resport was killed By lightning. She
was sitting near . window at work, and
her dead body wts found b.. her bus
band, who was ont Of the house Ut tho
dine of the shower. The couple had
only recently bsen married. Mrs.. Bowie
Was 80 years Of age.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

Bsby Helen had been permitted TO
vsteh the operation Of patent milking
maehins. Il interested her greatly ana,
sftsr = long silence, che turned TO the
daIrvmap and said: "Nr. Henry. u
doss dess tn same - . little calf, but
vouldn't it work nicer u it could only
sprnddle out IT. legsr
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14
Glass Not Pound In Maine Food.

Inc pu0IIC mluO u IN y ot1t0 VI Sou'
sion that makes It suspicious. And 1t ID
we'll that 1t should be 90. For there 10
little danger from overcsution. About y
months ago suspicicion was aroused that
ground glass was being put into food By
agents Of the enemy. At ono army
camp the sale of candy Was stopped
pending Investigation. No glass was
found In the candy on sale ct this camp.
The federal bureau OF chemistry have
examined large numbers OF samples. In
only one instance have they reported
finding glass and that was without
doubt present accidentally. During the
past two months numerous samples OF
food have been sent to the Maine Agri'
cultural Experiment Station on suspicion
that they contained ground glass.
While good many samples have been
found to contain small grains OF sand
which got into the food accidentally In
the process of preparation, not single
particle of glass has been found. The
examination OF the samples sent In by
correspondents and by the inspectors
has covered wide range and included
bread, -four, corn meal, oat meal, feed.
ing stuffs, peanut and similar buffers,
sugar, candy, eto. Certain, foods are
very likely to contain sand. Peanut
butter, peanut brittle and the like al.
ways carry some sand. The peanut is
not nut but is an underground pod OF
Q plant belonging to the pea family. As
harvested some of the soil will cling to
the shells, just ss is the case with
potatoes. Even pretty complete cleaning
will not remove ell of the soil. When
the nuts are machine shelled some OF
the adhering sand is mingled with the
meats. When peanut candy or peanut
butter is made from these meats this
sand gets into the finished product.
The chief of the state bureau Of in.
spection and the Maine Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station are ready to cooperate
with individuals or with groups to safe
guard In every way the food Of the
people. As stated above. 1t is far
better to be oversuspicious than to err
In the other direction.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

(Springneld " J hep,rsetl
When the snow has melted,
Leaving here and th"re
Patches Of the garden
And the lawn quitA bare;
Then from oil directions.
In platoons Of tens.
Starts offensive movement i
OF the neighbors hens.
TO the charge advancing
Come the foathefod lines,
Sc. Aching up The garden
Pecking st the vtnes;
And again returning,
BouId their wegs 20 do
spite Of fApping apron
Reinfotced By "Shoof"
0erusan afe The taet1cs
That thoy use 70 win
0eo upou Tie lawn there
How they're digging IN.
InsoDontly eQuawsings
0oSmal their attack
And their overlasl1ng
Way Of coming back.
Sure, Il u no wonder.
. poopSo moot ooncorned
Think ouY neighboess btddiee
Ought 10 b inteyned.
Ard y tolks b givea -
Littlo chanoo % Do ees J,
0omothing abo u dAyughe
Than everlasting "ehool
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

were constantly whistling over the VII
lage and bursting in our rear, search
ing for our artillery.
These cellars were cold, damp and
smelly, and overrun with large rats
big black fellows. Most Of the Tom
mics slept with their overcoats over
their faces. did not. In the middle
Of the night I woke up in terror. The
cold, clammy feet Of a rat had passed
over my face. I Immediately smoth-
cred myself in my overcoat, but could
not sleep for the rest Of that night.
Next evening, we took over our sec
tor Of the line. In single file we wend-
ed our way through a zigzag COM
munication trench, six inches deep
with mud. This trench was called
"Whisky street." On our way up to
the front line an occasional flare OF
bursting shrapnel would light up the
sky and we could hear the fragments
slapping the ground above US on our
right and left. Then a Fritz would
traverse back and forth with his "type-
writer" or machine gun. The bullets
made a sharp cracking noise overhead.
The boy in front Of me named Prem
tlce crumpled up without a word. A
piece of shell had gone through his
shrapnel-proof helmet. I felt sick and
weak.
In about thirty minutes we reached
the front line. It was dark as pitch.
Every now and then German star
shell would pierce the blackness out
in front with its silvery light. I was
trembling all over, and felt very lonely
and afraid. All orders were given IN
whispers. The company we relieved
filed past US and disappeared into the
blackness Of the communication trench
leading to the rear. AS they passed US,
they whispered, "The best O. luck
mates"
I sat on the fire step Of the trench
with the rest Of the men. In each
traverse two Of the older men had been
nut on guard with their heads sticking
over the top, and with their eyes try
ing to pierce the blackness In mo
Mans Land" In this trench there
were only two dugouts, and these were
used by Lewis and Vickers machine
gunners, so it was the fire step for
ours. Pretty soon it started to rain.
We put on our "macks," but they were
not much protection. The rain trickled
down our backs, and 1t was not long
before we were wet and cold. How ]
passed that night I will never know,
but without any unusual occurrence,
dawn arrived.
The word "stand down" was passed
along the line, and the sentries got
down off the fire step. Pretty soon the
rum issue came along, and 1t was q
Godse7d. It warmed our chilled bodies
and put new life into US. Then from
the communication trenches came
dixies or iron pots, filled with steam
ing tea, which had two wooden stakes
through their handles, and were car
ried by two men. I filled my canteen
and drank the hot tea without taking
It from my lips. It was not long be-
fore 1 was asleep in the mud on the
fire step. r,
Ny ambition had been attainedi ]
was In a front-line trench on the west
ern front, and oh, how I wished ] were
back In Jersey City.
CHAPTER v.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

The Fort Hais6sld Band last weak
cslsSsated III iortisth anniversasy. Jce
|ths fosty. yoass lt has mAintalned . con.
tinuoue cs1anlaaties.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

Pesva,d's t.x rsss tAIs ysasis ess.eos J
the hIghest sves. 80
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPHxD THE PLow."

Correspondence on practical Agricultural topic
70 solicited. Address all communication In
tended for this department to HANHr ID
HAMMOND, Agricultural Editor Oxford DEM
ocras. Parts. Ne.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14
Farm for Sale
$500.

100 acres, large roomy house, shed and
carriage house, silo, barn 40x100 fest,
Soas Su,ls new not many years ago. oil N
sooo repair, good orchard, also sugar
SS1enard, with 50 tons hay, smooth level
aeios, good pasture, water IN buiIdinGs,
ssumated 1000 cords wood bssides grow
'ns pine, only miles TO village and rsil.
sOsd station, with Grange, high school
soo churches, near neighbors. AZ pres
10! prices wood will nearly pay for farm:
u ssksn at onoe win include one pair oi
Work horses, double harnesses. farm
Sagon with bodies and hayrack, sulsy
. p'ow. disc harrow, moving machine
,ruiky oultivator and manure spreadse
.ais property will b sold q opce. a
s.sst bargain. Don't vait- also have
s'aes farms for sale % reasonable prioes
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-05-14

gndioott Urges Saving q Msee
In . statement relative 10 the an
nouncement from Washington 0as
the National Food administrator -
calling upon the public for persiseseS
saving In the use Of meat AAssaonne;
setts State Food Administrators M0
cott says:
'-The object Of this statemso& y
very plain; that u. that Just for ~
present the Food administrator -
not going to appoint special day. Of
special meals that We shall rseTsan
from meat. but really asks ~. - ps-
triotic citizens to always bear IN mind
ever minute that every bit Of SAVING
vs can make ON meak y . help N
this crisis. Therefore Il u the paam
duty Of I'll our citisens q Assssens-
setts 70 keep this thought n mind ana
conduct themselves 70 that when our
boys come homo from the v.r ws can
look them IN the eye and nv: We
have doos sysrythins possible -
homo. while yoa Wsrs AshtiSs for -
sbroaA 70 keep The nsceeeasy suDveass
soIne 1orward T. ~ an tAs sanss.
|Vilhont intsHs1esoes.
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16

Steel was within u of the years max.
lmum at l11h. after persistent offer.
ings that carried it down 2 points. The
stock closed at l11A, net gain of IA
Pronounced strength was shown at
inieravls by oils, the Texas Company
gaining 5&, American Sugar xnd half
score of utilities, foremost of these
being Brooklyn Transit, Interborough
preferred, Third Avenue. CONSOLIDATED d
Gas and Peoples Gas, at extreme ad-
vances of / u to points.
Low priced rails again displayed
more resistance than the standard
group, coalers. Rock Island, New Haven
and minor Erangers rising l to PA
points. Another rally in Liberty is
sues, the ANS rising to 9s.l2 and a
3point gain in Toxic Is featured the
strong but narrow bond market. United
States bonds cold issues) were un-
changed on call.
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
> u S t e n a n c e
Cereals

Wheat.-Reports on the condition Of
the new wheat crop continue most en-
couraging. The heavy rains which re-
Gently occurred throughout large
part of the winter wheat belt are be
lieved to have supplied sufficient
moisture to carry the crop pretty close
to maturity. The plant is unusually
vigorous and promises an abundant
yield. Private reports from Kansas
estimate the crop in that state at
from 100 to $50 million bushels. and
some very favorable advices have been
received from some of the Ohio Val
ley states. The spring wheat crop is
also making good progress, although
warmer weather in the Northwest
would now promote more rapid growth
The movement of old wheat shows no
improvement and stocks continue to
decrease. Bradstreet's visible supply
showed loss east of the Rockies of
7O6,O00 bushels during the week, bring
ing the total to 5,O70000 bushels, com
pared with 37,7S1 900 last year.
COrn.-The corn market was again
feverish, and after showing early weak
ness prices rallied and closed steady,
at 1sc. decline to hc. net advance.
The better feeling was due largely to
the action of the oats market, and also
to smaller receipts at primary points.
Western cash markets were compare
lively steady, but in the East the stu
alton was still weak, and further re-
sales were made at prices much below
the recent high point. 1t is expected
that the movement will continue light
until planting operations have been
completed, out there was some intima-
ton that farmers were showing more
disposition to make offers Brad
crease for the week of 883, 200 bushels
and the total was 17,4e1 900, compared
with 6622, 900 last year.
Yesterdays Previous Year
Corn. No. yellow s1.eo s,.eo sl.7sJs
Chicago:
.anIy Msy .......-... ~. ~ ,,-zSzz.s ..o,,
Oats.-The technical position of the
oats market was again the principal
dominating factor, and prices closed
firm, with net gains of &C. TO 1hc. on
covering. The market was apparently
In an oversold position. This applied
not only to May. which has caused
good deal Of concern of late, but also
to July. AT best the market was rather
narrow and responded easily to orders
both ways. The small receipts were
apparently responsible for much Of the
frmness in the West. but it was the
prevailing opinion among casl, inter
ests that il would ret require very
heavy daily arrivals to bring about
quite radical change in the situation.
Eradstreet's visible showed an increase
of Sol 900 bushels for the week, and the
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
-:- Active Securities

Greater breadth attended YESTERDAYS
stock dealings, although the volume of
operations was slightly under recent
large totals Rails relinquished much
Of Tuesdays prominence and strength
after the first hour, when war shares
ssain dominated the market.
United States Steel had several for.
m,dahle rivals in respect to activity
and was far outdistanced in strength
bv Baldwin Locomotive, which made
an extreme gain of 91s to 81, also by
Nidvale Steel at an advance of 3s4 to
54A. Mdvale's rise was accompanied
by reports that the government pro-
noses to erect a plant for it's use.
Other notably strong and active in
dustrials included Colorado Fuel, Great
Northern Ore and Cruciblc, Lacka-
wanna and Gulf States steels. these
Gaining 2 to 5 points. Twice in the
course OF the session United States
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Fresh Poultry-Dressed

Turkeys. II barrels. dry picked,
young toms. average best, 30T31c;
young hens. average best. 32G33c:
poor, 25@2Sc; old toms, 30@ SIC.
Chickens.-Fresh. boxes, dry packed.
Western, milk fed, heavyweights,
shaggy, 2s@31c; corn fed heavy
weights, shaggy, 27@3oc; in barrels,
dry packed, Philadelphia and Long ISL
and fancy broilers, soc; Western. dry
picked, milk fed, heavyweights, shaggy,
ESQ 29c; corn fed. heavyweights,
STACEY. 25@2Sc; fowls, fresh, boxes,
dry packed. Western, 4s to so lbs and
over to dozen, SIC; sc to az lbs. 35c:
fowls. fresh, barrels. iced, dry picked.
large. prime. 36c; scalded, large, prime.
;a5c; old cocks, fresh, dry packed, 12 to
box, dry picked, No. /. 2Sc; in barrels.
dry picked, No. 1. Csc; scalded. 26G
&c; spring ducklings, Long Island, ID.
42c.
SQUADS Prime. white. 6 to 10 lbs
and over to dozen, per dozen. $3.50
$3.50; dark. per dozen, 81 5O0s2; calls,
per dozen. 75cMS1.
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Commodities
In d u S trials s
Cotton

The weekly report of the Weather
Bureau was the feature in yesterdays
cotton market. 1t proved Unexpectedly
favorable, recording that the weather
for the past week had been more salts
factory than during any previous week
this season. Naturally, this encour-
aged the optimistic view of new crop
prospects, and the selling which fol-
lowed was accompanied by talk Of a
comparatively high May 25 condition.
Prices broke sharply, with July selling
off to 24.s0, or 70 points below Tues
days closing figure and 244 points be-
low the high level of last Friday. That
delivery closed at $500, with the gem
eral list closing steady at net de-
cline of Al to 60 points.
The market showed a declining ten
dency from the start After opening
steady at loss of 3 to points, prices
soon broke some 35 to 80 points under
Tuesdays close as result of Liver
pool Southern. local. Wall Street and
Western selling. Uncertainty as to
the showing of the weekly report
caused covering at the decline and
there were rallies of several points.
When the official statement made its
appearance there was an immediate
renewal of heavy general selling. Oc
in 25 points of the low level reached
on the break at the beginning Of the
month, and the general list showed net
losses of 70 to II points. The volume
of offerings then subsidized and there
were rallies accompanied by reports
that trade interests were buying Oc-
tober around the 24-cent level. On the
whole, however, the bulk of the demand
was attributed to realizing by recent
sellers.
Yester- Day Year
dav before 400
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Live Poultry

Broilers.-Colored. via express. s5c:
white Leghorns, via express. 75Ms0c:
white Leghorns. via freight, zoe:
ducks. Long Island, via express. 45c:
Long Island breeders and old. via e,
press, 35c; fowls. via freight. SOC:
fowls, via express. 30c; cd roosters
via freight. 20c; turkeys, via freight
2cc; ducks, western, via freight or ex
press, 30c; geese, via freight or cx-
freight, sl.Oo: live pigeons. Der pair
via freight, 40M60c.
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Metals

No important changes took place
yesterday in the metals market. In
copper circles interest Is centred OF
the possibilities Of an adjustment in
the new fixed price for copper to take
effect next month. On the basis Of
expanded production some steel men
contended that there is likely to be
more steel available than the govern
ment itself will need.
Current prices Tor the principal
metals, compared with those prevailing
year ago, follow:
Current A year
price. ago.
Pig iron, Bessemer,
Pittsburgh ........ *s36.15 s44.e5
Copper, electrolytic, lb *.23I2 .32I,
Tin, lb. los .66
Lead. lb. ............. .o7 .1oI2
Spelter, East st. Louis,
ID. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. OF is .o9La
Government prices.
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Coffee, Sugar and Tea

Coffee Futures.-The market opened
at 3 point decline, and later showed
further weakness under little out
side liquidation and absence Of de-
mand' hnai prices showing net losses of
TO points, with only moderate
days business. Brazil has announced
that hereafter in reporting clearances
to the United States the name of the
steamer and the port of destination
VIII be prohibited. The time of fling
monthly reports with the government
OF transactions on the exchange has
been extended to June l. and this date
Is hxed as the limit for making these
New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Produce Markets-Current

Butter. 49, Receipts were 1926 pack
ages. Creamery, higher scoring than
extras, per lb, 47@47tsc; extras (a2
score), ASK @46izc; frsts (SS to 81
score), 43h h@46c; seconds t83 to 81
score), 3S5a04212c; thirds, 35G371sr:
creamery. unsalted, higher than extraa
49A 4931c; extras, 48@4s1xc: firsts.
44 y @471sc; seconds, 41G44c; state
dairy. tubs, finest, 46@46i2c; good to
prime, 43M45kc; common to fair, 81
@36c; renovated, extras. 39@l40c:
trsts, $50 3S2c; lower grades, SAG
36c; imitation creamery. frsts, $50
35 &c; ladies, current make. frsts. 33
"a 34c; seconds, 31A@32c; lower
grades, 3O131c; packing stock, current
make, No. l, 311a032c: No. ?, 500
o'2c; lower grades. 27029isc.
Receipts were 9,413 boxes.
State, whole milk, flats. held, specials
colored. 10, 25'k No26c; white, 24,ac; av-
erage run. colored, 24025c; white,
23h q 24c; fair to good, 22td23c; lower
grades. 16G2lc; fresh, specials, colored.
23c; white, 23c; average run. colored.
22@ % &c; white, 220221sc; lower
grades. 20is@2l19 19c; twins, held. spe-
Gals, colored. 24h@25c; white. 24@l
"a &c; average run, colored. 24G24Ac.
white, 2312c; fresh, specials, 22i5c; av-
-NeS VII -NUs - - Z. single CdlSESS.
fresh, 24G 24Ac; double daisies, held.
25M25}ac, fresh, 231a @24c; Wisconsin,
whole milk fine to fancy, twins, held,
colored 24624i2c white, 2311M24Ac:
fresh 22H @221ac; single daisies, held.
colored. 25M251zc; double daisies. held.
colored, 25025 &c; white, 24624i1c;
fresh, 231a 024c; Young Americas.
fresh, 23la @24c; state, Skins, held,
twins and fats, specials. 1s@19c; fresh.
flats, specials, 17@I7Ac; prime to
choice, 14h 4h@16ac; twins and ched
dars. specials, 17@17Ac; prime to
choice, 14h 0l6kc; fair to good, 110o
lac; lower grades, 4@10c.
Eggs.-Receipts were s2.7es cases
Fresh gathered extras, per dozen, $50
SO &c; storage packed firsts. ara
I12c; regular packed extra firsts, 370s
81 re; regular packed tirsts, 35a 361sc;
seconds and poorer, 33G3412c; fresh
gathered dirties, No. /, storage packed,
3Soo3 lsc; No. regular packed, 32ls6
33c; No; and poorer, 31@3 32c; fresh
gathered checks, good to choice, dry.
800 81 &c; under grades. 25@ 29c:
state, Pennsylvania and nearby West
ern hennery whites, fine to fancy. 4O0
4zc; ordinary to prime. 380l39c; gath
cred whites, ordinary to fine, $50 4Oc:
Western and Southern gathered whites.
36's936c state, Pennsylvania and
nearby hennery browns. 39@40c; gath
cred brown and mixed colors, 3SG
o'1sc; duck eggs, 29G 45c.