davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
NOstrIlns.

A writer in Al the Year Round
enumerates popular nostrums as fol-
lows "A ring made of the hinge of n
coffin and rusty old sword hung by
the bedside are in some districts charms
against the cramp; headache is re-
moved by the halter that has hung n
criminal, and also by snuff made from
the moss that has grown on human
skull in n graveyard. A dead mans
hand, and especially the hand of a man
who has been cut down while hanging,
dispels tumors. Warts may be removed
| by rubbing them with bit of stolen
beef the chips of gallows worn in a
little bag round the neck, will cure the
ague; stone with hole in it, suspend
ed at the beds head, will prevent night
mare. Many verses are known which,
if repeated aloud, are credited with
curing cramp, burns, and other bodily
troubles When you have the whoop-
ing-cough, apply for remedy to the
first person You meet riding on a pie
bald horse-a certainty that DIR. Lett
som, the physician, was fated more than
once to become acquainted with. ANU
lets hung in little bag around the
HcCh are Wei NltOiy SASNAeSea WIN Viz
power of warding off disease. The list
of such substances is an ample one, but
need not be given here. The anodyne
necklace, which was a profitable affair
for one Dr. Turner in the early part OF
the present century, consisted of beads
made of bryony root. 1t was believed
30 assist in cutting the teeth of animals
round whose neck it was hung. One
peculiar kind of amulet is the phylac-
terry, bit of parchment on which a few
sacred words have been written il
worn on the person it is a safeguard
against disease and calamity. The Jews
in the East used to carry such an anu
let written with Hebrew verse from
the Bible, and some of the Moham'
medans with an Arabic sentence from
the Koran. A horseshoe is perennial
favorite rs a bringer of success. DR..
James picked up horseshoe on West
minister Bridge and put it in his pocket
that same evening he made a profitable
commercial arrangement concerning hi'
famous fever powders, which he ever
afterward attributed to the horseshoe.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
A Strange Banquet.

4 Masonic banquet took place recent
" in London which deserves notice.
After the usual lodge work was DONE
the members of the "Great City "
lodge of Freemasons adjourned to their
banquet-room, where, instead of the ac-
customed sumptuous dinner, there was
spread frugal meal of bread and
cheese and ale. The worshipful master
presided, and all the officers and visit
ors partook of the repast and, when
the cloth had been removed, the presi-
dent explained to the visitors that the
lodge had determined to give up one
banquet (which cost between ESQ and
e60) and to give the amount to the
charity fund of the lodge. Most of the
visitors spoke, and expressed themselves
as highly delighted with the novel ban
quet, and the members were so gratified
Mt the unexpected success of the expert.
ment that it was decided to give ur
four of the six monthly banquets, anc
so increase the charitable fuld to the
extent of about GOO.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
Tobacco, or Not Tobacco.

10 is the fashion nowadays to quote
Philip Gilbert Hamerton and this is
what Philip Gilbert Hamerton says
about tobacco
The use of tobacco has so much ex-
tended itself in the present generation
that we are obliged to make decision
for ourselves on the ancient controversy
between its friends and enemies. We
cannot form any opinion about tobacco
without bearing in mind that it pro-
duces, according to circumstances, one
of two entirely distinct and even OPP
posite classes of effects. In certain
states of the body it acts as stimulant,
in other states as Il narcotic. People
who have a dislike to smoking affirm
that it stupefes but this assertion,
Mt least so far as the temporary conse-
quences are concerned, is not supported
by experience. Most of the really brill
liant conversations that L have listened
to have been accompanied by clouds of
tobacco smoke, and a great deal of the
best literary composition that is pro-
duced by contemporary authors is
wrought by men who are actually smok-
ing while they work. My own expert
ence is that very moderate smoking acts
as a pleasant stimulus on the brain,
while it produces temporary lassitude
of the muscular system, not perceptible
in times of rest, but an appreciable him
drance in times of muscular exertion.
1t is better, therefore, for men who feel
these effects from tobacco to avoid it
when they are in exercise, and to use it
only when the body rests and the mind
labOrs. Pray remember, however, that
this is the experience of an exceedingly
moderate smoker, who has not yet got
himself into the general condition of
body which is brought on by larger
indulgence in tobacco. On the other
hand, it is evident that men engaged in
physical labor find a muscular stimulus
in occasional smoking, and not tenn
porary lassitude. 1t is probable that
the effect varies with individual cases,
and is never precisely what our own
experience would lead us to imagine.
For excessive smokers it appears to be
little more than tranquilizing of a sort
of uneasiness, the continual satisfaction
of continual craving. L have never
been able to ascertain that moderate
smoking diminishes intellectual force
but have observed in excessive smok-
ers a decided weakening of the will
and preference for talking about work,
to the effort of actual labor. The opin-
ions of medical men on this subject are
so much at variance that their sciences
only adds to our uncertainty. One
doctor tells me that the most moderate
smoking is unquestionably injurious,
while others affirm that is innocent
Speaking simply from observation,
finn that i'll my own case, tea and coffee
are far more pernicious than tobacco.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
contested.
How John Made il Up.

He had failed somewhere-in study
or department, l cannot remember
which-and his teacher told him he
must stay after school. When the
other scholars were dismissed, John
seized moment when the teachers
back was turned and slid out of the
door. She called after him to come
back, but he pretended not to hear, and
ran away. 1t was cute trick, he
thought, and he Dragged over it a little
to the other boys but he did not go to
school the next day, nor the next. He
did not feel like it, he said.
At last he maze his appearance again,
but instead of the punishment he ex-
pected, his teacher, who was giving out
the subjects for essays that day, only
told him to "write composition about
obedience" John took her meaning at
once, and sat scratching his head and
puzzling over his composition about
half day. Finally he handed in the
following, which is an actual copy OF
Johns composition
"When won tells won to do thing
and he does it, it is called obeying and
when won tells won to do thing, anG
he don't do it, it is called disobeying.
And when man or woman tells boy
or girl to do thing, and he don't dc
it, it is called disobeying and when {
teacher tells boy to do thing, and h,
does it, it is called obeying and whel
teacher tells boy to do a thing, an(
he don't do it, it is called disobeying
The boys name was John, and he die
not obey his teacher; and when sh'
called him back, he did hear her, ant
he will never do it again..
The teacher was satisfied.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
Uses of Waste Paper.

All good housekeepers know the
value of waste paper, which can be
made to perform variety of service in
household economy. Any surface like
Il stove or CRATE, requiring backing, can
be kept bright for long time by being
rubbed daily with waste paper. Win
dows, or any glass surface that has been
thoroughly washed, can be wiped and
polished with pieces of soft newspaper.
Tin that has been secured, or silver
that has been rubbed, can be bright
ened in the same way. Several thick
nesses OF newspaper laid under carpets
are an economical substitute for the
material found at the carpet house for
the same purpose. House plants COW
cred hy newspapers will resist the frost
on cold nights, and outdoor plants can
be protected in the same way. News
papers placed between blankets have
the effect of additional bedding. These
are only o few of the uses of waste pa
per that could easily be enumerated.
We recommend it as household agent,
because the supply is unlimited, and
because, after having done duty once
it can be still available for use as kind.
ling, or to be sold to the dealers in the
article
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
Chinese Burial Rites.

The wife of wealthy Chinaman re-
Gently died in San Francisco, and her
husband gave her first-class funeral.
About 5 o'clock in the afternoon the
body, inclosed in coffin, was placed on
the sidewalk in front of her late resi-
dence, and by it's side were ranged
tables loaded with roast chicken, roast
pig, boiled rice, candy, nuts, brandy,
whisky, ETC., sufficient in quantity to
keep the spirit of the deceased from
being hungry for a month. These ar
ticles remained on the sidewalk until
late the next forenoon, surrounded by
paid mourners, who seemed to be carry
ing on lively competition in the mat
ter of giving full value for the money
received. At the cemetery, after the
coffin had been lowered, hired mourners
and the two children of the deceased
walked round the grave once, while the
husband remained standing silently by.
Then vessels containing food were put
into the grave at the head and foot Of
the coffin, followed by small quantity
of earth. Next to be put in were live
chickens and ducks, and these were
promptly covered with earth. The grave
having been filed up, brandy and whisky
were sprinkled upon it in liberal man
ner, while a pigs head, roast chicken,
boiled rice, apples, oranges, nuts,
candy, etc., were laid upon the mound.
The ceremony being concluded, the
Chinese returned home in their car
riages, while some Christian boys, who
had been closely watching the proceed
ings, gathered up the fruit, candy, etc.,
and likewise left for home.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
The London a" Times.v

The Times is the one paper which
every Englishman who has much share
IN what is going on in the world
whether politics, trade, commerce,
manufactures, literature, no matter
what-must see. And the number of
such people is increasing every year.
Some of them dislike the Times, but
they read it, and the pretense of not
reading it, which some of them make,
is mostly an affectation. 1t was be-
lieved the penny press would eat into
the circulation of the Times, or force it
to reduce it's price. No such result has
followed.
As means of publicity, it has no
rival. Englishmen with a grievance
turn to it instinctively, and it takes
pleasure in giving to the world letters
on every conceivable subject. The
tourist who has lost his luggage on an
Italian railway, or been plundered at a
hotel, will get scant attention from the
local authorities, but the Times opens
its hospitable columns to his complaint,
and presently the railway disgorges, and
the hotel keeper finds his custom leav-
ing him. 1t is the one central author
ity in England which the railways, who
laugh at the Board of Trade, and coun-
try magistrates who defy the Home
Secretary, fear. They even sometimes
obey it. 1t resists actions for libel
without number. Not many are
brought, for simple reason-it always
fights, and every attorney in England
knows it, and client must have long
purse and stubborn temper to stand any
chance of verdict If it's correspond
ents fly at high game, that makes little
difference. letter may contain an at
tack on an archbishop, and it will pub
lish that, or lament about some tri-
fling extortion by the postoffice and tele-
graph authorities, and that, too, will
find ready admission. The capacity Of
the English for taking trouble about
sixpences is very great. In what is
called the dull season, after Parliament
has adjourned, and there is room, the
paper is enlivened with these letters in
great variety. They have ten-fold
weight from appearing there; they have
attention and consideration, and as for
the mere number of readers, they are
probably greater, as have said before,
: than those of a paper printing thrice
the number of copies. Letter.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
Too Much Lumber Wagon.

The truth is, that the farmers live on
too little. Their wives and daughters
Jolt too much in lumber wagons. The
wagon is the rule, and even the spring
wagon the exception, except in those
States where, by rise of products MAIN
ly, sales are made on advantageous
terms, and as before stated, wealth is
handed down from father to son. Too
AS previously stated, the essence which
comes of the product of the farmers
labor, is absorbed by those who labor
not, but form combinations by which
the products of labor are advanced,
after these products are out of the
hands of the producer, that ride in fine
carriages, which the average farmer has
earned, and indulge in good living,
which the average farmer has also
earned, but which he does not get.
Now it is entirely practicable for the
farmers to hold meetings and pass reso-
lutions, and there is no substantial rea-
son why these resolves may not take
root and grow, and the fruits thereof be
as enduring as the everlasting hills-at
any rate, more lasting than the noon
shine wealth of those who have gov
erned the money interests and carrying
trade of the country almost by nod.
There is no fitness in holding up .he
habits of tie favored few-scattering
this like sand in the eyes of the masses.
The attention cannot be diverted in this
way, nor will those directly interested
be very likely to turn to the right or to
the left, by reason of such influence. =
IOWa Homestead.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
Affect Poverty.

A case of the most abject poverty,
which in a measure serves to show the
extremes in which many of the poorer
classes are placed, was reported by a
police officer at the Home for Little
Wanderers, a few days since. The
officer, in the performance of his duties,
had his attention called to two half-clad
children wandering about the streets
with bare heads and feet, in search of
cold victuals. On investigation, he
found that these children had brother
and sister ut home in bed with no
clothes to put on. When the two be-
came chilled and tired they went home
and changed with the others, who then
donned the rags and and took their turn
at begging. The mother was widow,
and she was obliged to leave the chill.
dren every day for her work in another
part of the city. BY her labor she
earned So a week, two of which she
gave for the rent of the room she and
her children occupied. This family OF
five were thus obliged to live on 81 {
week and such morsels of food as tn,
children picked up from day to day.
Boston advertiser.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
The Shreveport Death Roll.

In recent issue the Shreveport Times
gives some interesting details of the
terrible plague which came so near to
completely depopulating that city this
fall The population of the city, it
says, fuctuates between 10000 in the
summer and II, 600 in the winter DR..
ID. p. Tenner, who has collected statis-
tics at the request of the National Gov
eminent, estimates that the population
just previous to the epidemic numbered
5000 and fell during the prevalence of
the fever to $500 The Times, howev-
er, is disposed to question the latter es-
innate, and claims that it is too great
by at least 800, and of the 1000 people
which this would show, fully 1,500 were
negroes. The first notable cases of the
plague were observed on Aug. 20, be.
tween which time and Nov. ID, there
were 759 deaths, about $50 Of them be-
ing negroes, nearly 30 per cent of the
total resident population having sue
cumbed to the ravages of the disease
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
Effect of Topping Potato Stalks.

Comparative experiments to determine
whether cutting off the stalks at the
commencement of the potato disease
protected the tubers without diminish
ing the yield, were made by Paulson, by
raising one row and topping another on
the same day, at regular intervals. While
the result showed that the separate rows,
by like treatment, without disease, varied
in yield, the topped plants had for the
most part n larger proportion of large
tubers than those that had been raised
on the same day. 1t seems, however,
that only water is taken up by the tubers
after topping, since no increase of dried
matter was found when the topping oc-
Cured so late that the stalk did not
grow again and under any circum-
stances the yield seemed poorer in quail
ity and quantity than without topping.
Although the stalks topped at the prop
er time had fewer diseased tubers, the
spores OF the fungus seem to be carried
to the tubers through the stalks rather
than by rain otherwise the topped
stalks would have received supply from
the neighboring ones. In warm, dry
weather the increase in growth is great.
er than in cool, wet periods. Early
kinds of potatoes seemed to do better
than late ones. Heavy manuring, es
pecially with horse or sheep manure, IA
vored the disease, and increased the
watery contents, and the yield was also
less, although with luxuriant growth o.
! the stalks.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19

bell-tower with its veil of ivy. Upon
the summit of the tower rests the fam
GUS Blaney Stone," which is some
what inaccessible hence, few have the
courage to climb to it in order to test
its virtues. The castle was besieged
and taken by Cromwell, who imprisoned
the Mccarthy and his patriots in the
donjon and dispatched them by pouring
hot lead upon their heads from a lofty
balcony in the courtyard, which is still
shown. According to superstitious be-
lief, the place is infested with witches
who nightly hold high carnival among
the moss-grown cells.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
European Railroads.

A correspondent, writing of Italy,
says Her railroad stations are mag
nificent structures, waiting-rooms ele-
gantly frescoed, and the seats of the
finest silk velvet. When n train stops
for dinner they give you one hour to
eat your meal. The railroad beds
are the finest in the world, and the
roads are the smoothest / have ever
ridden over the embankments are all
built up of solid masonry of the most
substantial nature, and the bridges are
all of massive stone. If the bridges,
embankments, and road-beds of the
New York Central railroad were built
like of the High Italy railway, that road,
with its immense revenues, could not
pay half per cent. dividend on the
cost of its construction. The expense
of running railroads in Italy is enor-
nous. Every ton of coal is bought in
England, costing so gold per ton, and
transported at an enormous cost to
Italy. The system is admirable. Of
course do not like the carriages but
in every other respect they excel us
Americans. 1t is impossible for n
traveller to get into the wrong train or
car, even if he does not speak word of
French or Italian. Every man con-
nected with q railroad wears uniform,
and the guard lifts his hat to you as he
politely examines your ticket. | have
travelled nearly four thousand miles i'll
Europe, on many different roads, and
never missed a train or knew one to be
five minutes behind rhine. Surely sucl
facts attest the excellence of the railway
system in Italy,"
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19

drdratis personG, as well as the per-
Torrance, vary somewhat according to
the locality. Usually, however, they
consist of the Christ-child, ST. Nicholas
or st. Peter, ST. Joseph and the Virgin,
Herod, the varlet Ruprecht, several an
gels, together with shepherds and other
less conspicuous personages. The devil
is notably the merriest character in the
play. Before the representation begins
he capers about through the village--a
sort of peripatetic play-bill-furiously
blowing his horn, and frightening on
bantering both old and young. During
the performance, though figuring in the
rather humble role of a messenger, he
does not cease to joke with the players
or rail at the public. A handsome youth
of the strictest morals is usually selected
to represent the Virgin Mary.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
THE LITTLE FOLKS.
Maud and the Cricket,

"Good night, little Maudie,r softly said
As tucked her up in her little bed.
Good night, dear mamma she said to me-
SIN just as sleepy as can be-"
But scarcely had shut the chamber door
when her eager voice called me back once more;
20, mamma " she said, 4" what is il l hear?
That strange little noise SO sharp and queer?"
listened, and told her all was still
Save a merry cricket, piping shrill
:. He is hid away in the closet here,
To sing you to Sleep my Maude DEAR
Then Maud sat up in her nightgown white,
And her eyes grew big, and round and bright;
Now, mamma, please move my little bed
Right up to the closet door, she said.
Poor little fellow! he wants to speak;
But all he can say is 'creak creak, creak =
And want TO tell him hear his song,
And ask him To sing to me all night lOngp'
I'm leave the door OPEN" l said, part way,
And let the cricket hear what yon say;
Now, while go TO your baby brother,
Two little crickets may sing to each other
heard no more from the little pair; =.
And, when again crept mp the STAIR
over the household was silent deep
Maud and the cricket We're both asleep.
But, when sleepy time came to Maud next night,
She battered about like a fairy white;
Peeped into the closet and over the floor,
Z" To ind her dear little cricket once more.
He was not 20 be seen in any place,
And Maud lay down with mournful face,
When beneath her crib voice piped clear,
"Creak, creakity. creak I'm here I'm here!'
Then Maude screamed with surprised delight;
And she always has thought from that self-sam
night,
That crickets can hear when little girls speak,
And mean great deal by their creakity, creak.'
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
The United States Senate.

The Louisville Courier-Jouraal pub
fishes the following interesting table,
which exhibits the name of every Sena-
tor, together with the date of his en-
trance and of the expiration of his term.
There are seventy-four members in all,
of whom nineteen are Democrats and
four Liberal Republicans
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19

In Bohemia, Syria, Carniola and
other German provinces it is customary
for n number of persons to associate
themselves together in dramatic COM
pany and perform Christmas plays dur
ing Advent. The story of the Savior
birth, his persecution by Herod, and
the flight of the Holy Family into
Egypt constitutes the simple plot. The
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
To OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

All communications for this paper should he accom-
panied by tne name OF the authors not necessarily tor
publication but AS an evidence OF good faith On the
part Of the writer. Write only one of the paper
Be parties arly careful In giving aud dates 10
have the letters and figures plain and distinct.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19
A MERCHANT who should sell his sign.

A MERCHANT who should sell his SIGN.
board and attempt to carry on business
without one because money is scarce,
would be considered little better than
insane. Those who stop advertising
Tor the same reason are equally foolish.
Hoarders of money the country over
are waiting to learn who will sell cheap
est those articles of comfort and neces-
sity which even the closest hoarder cam
not do without.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-19

-" If you kiss it, they say,
From that blessed day
You may kiss whom You wish with your barney"
Naturally, the lion of Cork is Barney
Castle, which is situated four miles
from town. It is picturesque ruin,
and was built by a member of the fa-
nous Mccarthy family, in the fifteenth
century. The remains consist of the
massive donjon, about one hundred and
twenty feet in height, and graceful