davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
A Curious Theory About DefalcatiOns'

THE Boston Herald advances q curious
theory about defalcations, being nothing
less than that they are, in the majority OF
instances, the result OF the lack OF yaca-
tons on the part of the men who are In
volved in them. In support of this theory,
the Herald declares that it cannot recall
single instance of defalcation IN any bank
or Office in Boston, during the last TWEEN
ty-five years, where the defaulter was not
prompt in the morning, diligent during
the day, and anxious to work over time,
and often evenings, and even on the Sab
bath, never accepting the usual vacation
allowed during the summer months.
Furthermore, it is of opinion that there
has not been a bank defalcation in Bos-
ton that could be possibly covered up for
longer time than forty eight hours with
out the presence of the defaulter and his
pen, and it thinks that the absence Of the
book-keeper and the paying and receiving
tellers of a bank one or two days in a
quarter would be a greater safeguard to
depositors and stockholders than double
board of modern directors. The idea
that these models of regularity are really
a very dangerous set Of men will doubt
less strike some people rather queerly;
but we fancy good many business men
will be inclined to think that there is
considerable of truth in the saying, which
the Herald attributes to one Of the best
and most widely respected merchants Of
Boston, that when he had a clerk who
did not wish or desire a vacation, ''it is
about time he took long one"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
A Dogs Friend in Need.

THE other afternoon a cow and dog
belonging to r. n. Graves were passing
along street together, a big, quarrelsome
hoodlum cur rushed out from the side
walk and bounced upon the canine COM
panion of the cow. The hoodlum seemed
to be getting the best Of the fight, when
the cow-probably descendant in the
direct line of the 'cow with the crum-
pied horn that tossed the dog that worried
the cat''-seeing how things were going
with her companion, charged upon the
strange dog, and at the first pass elevated
him some ten feet in the air She was
on hand again about the time he struck
the ground, and charging upon him with
arched neck and erect tail, pitched him
rom the middle of the street into pile
of packing cases standing on the edge of
the sidewalk. This done she turned af-
fectionately to her canine friend, and the
pair moved on together, while the discom
fitted hoodlum raised his head above the
edge OF the dry goods box in which he
had landed and looked about to see if the
lightning had struck any other dog
Virginia City (Ne0.) Enterprise.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
Light and the Complexion.

The action of light on the human skin
;s manifest. It browns and tans the tegu.
ments by calling out the production OF
the coloring matters they contain. The
narts of the body usually bare. as the skin
IF the face and hands, are darker than
others. In the same region, country
neonle are more tanned than city resid-
ents. In attitudes not far apart, the IN
babitants Of the same country vary IN
complexion in measure preceptibly re-
lated to the intensity of solar light In
Europe three varieties of color 10 the skin
are distinctly marked; olive-brown, with
black hair, beard and eyes; chestnut, with
tawny beard and blush eyes; blonde,
with fair, light beard and sky-blue eyes.
White skins show more readily altera'
lions occasioned by light and heat; but,
though less striking, facts of variation IN
color are observable in others. The Scy-
tho Arabic race has but half its represen-
tatiyes in Europe and Central Asia, While
the remainder passes down to the Indian
Ocean, continuing to show the gradual
rising heat of climate by deepening brown
complexions. The Himalayan H.ndoos
are almost white; those of the Deccan, OF
Coromandel, Malabar and Ceylon are
darker than some negro tribes. Inc
Arabs, olive and almost fair in Armenia
and Syria, are deep brown in Yemen and
Muscat The Egyptians, as we go from
the mouths of the Nile up stream to-
ward its source, present an ascending
chromatic scale, from white to black, and
the same is true of the Tuariks on the
southern side of Mount Atlas, who are
only light olive, while their brethren in
the interior of Africa are black. The an
Gent monuments of Egypt show us fact
equally significant. The men are always
depicted of a reddish brown; they lived
in the open air, while the women, kept
shut up, have pale, yellow complexion.
Barrow asserts that the Mantchoo Tartars
have grown whittier during their abode in
China Remusat, Pallas and Gutzlaf
speak of the Chinese women as Iemarka
BILE for q European fairness. TheJew
esses Of Cairo Or Syria, always hidden
under wells or in their houses, have q
pallid, dead color. In the yellow races
of the Sumatra Sound and the Maldives,
the women, always covered up, are pale
like wax. We know, too. that the Esqul
maux bleach during their long winter.
These phenomena, no doubt, are the re
suits Of several influences arising at once
and light does not play the sole part in
them. Heat and other conditions Of the
medium probably have share in these
operations of color Still, the peculiar
and powerful effect of luminous radiation
as part of them is beyond dispute
Popular Science Monthly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
Adventures with Police.

Thank Heaven, DR.. Hessel is gone,
writes the London correspondent Of the
Leeds Mercury. He was beginning to be
a bore. His captivity is, however, lead
ing to sundry revelations of somewhat
similar incidents which have happened
to other and better known men. A little
while ago gentleman with very Irish
name, who is connected with the British
Museum, and who has published some
poetry which has been we'll received, his
was returning home late at night, carrying
under his arm his dress boots wrapped in
paper, when he was suddenly arrested by a
policeman, who collared him in a very
vigorous manner. Mr.. O'S. mildly re-
monstrated, and asked the meaning of
such very pressing attentions. The con-
stable made the usual sneering reply.
limiting that his captive knew very well
why he was wanted, and another con-
stable appeared On the scene to assist in
conveying the luckless poet to durance
vie.
After some expostulation, he succeeded
IN mitigating the suspicious of his stern
Janitors so far that they agreed to unhand
him On condition that he walked between
them, one in front and one behind, and
made no effort to escape. Arrived at the
police station, the Inspector at once ex-
claimed: "Why, this is not the gentle.
man; you have made mistake" and ten
dered an apology to the poet. That's
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
-, uorv we1l nwas his reply, "bnt should

al, very well, twas his reply, "brt sho .I;a
i;he to know something more about this
singular affair. One does ho1 81. os then
M every day of ones life II was , tien
explained that a lunatic had got ip bd
from an asylum, and that his 1rlenas nau
told the police to take after him, ana saio u
that thew would know him by reason OF d
neculiarity of his. He had a cat-like aver !.
sion TO wet feet, and always carried
snare nair of boots under his arm, IN Or
der to put on directly those when ne
wore began to get damp. This tale leo
to another. e ,o..ors
A still better known man OF letIers,
whose name was very prominent rev
weeks ago, was returning nome late d.
night. and had some difficulty in getting
his latch KEY into the key hole Having
opened the door and entered the mouse,
he closed the door, leaving the key IN TIE
hole. Thereupon policeman, who had
watched the proceedings with susplc-
ious eye, walked in very quietly ana saw
the suspected thief go the sldeboard' anu
being now assured that he was ABOUT To
make off with the plate, seized MN. LIZ.
D. suggested that man might take q
glass of wine in his own house without
being apprehended for it. Policeman
suggested that perhaps it was not Ms
captive's own house. Captive suggested
that it might be as well to arouse the
household, which was therefore done, ano
in the course of time captive's wife recog
nized her husband, and policeman was
sent off with half a crown as reward fol
his vigilance.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
FACTS AND FIGU RES.

The proposed cost of street widen
ings and other improvements already
decided upon in Boston, according to the
Post, is $2,S50,0O0.
The Hoosac Tunnel will have cost
the State of Massachusetts, VIXEN COM
pleted, $40, 000,0 That sum Of money
would have built and equipped a double
track freight railroad from Boston to
Oswego.
Up to January, 1872, the New York
Central Park had cost the city twelve and
half million dollars; but, since the park
was commenced, the taxable property in
three wards in the immediate neighbor-
hood of the park has increased in yalua-
ton from twentysix million to nearly
one hundred and eighty-six million dol
lars.
During 1872, 291, 217 immigrants ar
rived at New York, being an increase
upon 1871 of 81, SIS. Of the total mum
Der, Germany sent III, Ais; Ireland,
$685.; England, "a 5S1; Sweden, Norway
and Denmark, $4,000; France Including
Alsace- Lorraine), $4,000; Scotland, 9, 100;
Italy, 1858; Russia, 4, 1877; Holland, 3,472;
non European countries, %, $50.
The figures of the late war in Europe,
80 lar aS the GERMAN SIDE IS concerned,
have been compiled by the Gov
eminent Of the country and
given to the public. Thus we
learn that there were 1859 battles and
skirmishes, including all encounters
which were attended with loss of life. On
these occasions there were killed outright
1872 persons; 1910 died subsequently
from their wounds; IL, 253 from sickness;
BIG from casualties, and 80 from suicide.
This makes the aggregate of deaths &c, SS1 :;
while the whole number of killed, wound
and missing was 1o7, S97.
The industry of this age is produc-
tive to an extent hitherto unrealized, even
IN the most prosperous communities.
Gladstone tells US that the wealth which
England produced in the interval of sew
enty years, between 1900 and 1870, EQUALS
the aggregate of the production from the
invasion OF Julius Caesar to the wear
1900; and he further estimates the wealth
produced during the twenty years since
1850 to be equal to that produced during
the flfty years previous. This gigantic
result is the achievement of steam. The
demonstration Of animals-the use of the
horse and the ox-added fold to the
productive power of man. But the util-
1zlng Of steam as motive power in
creases the products of industry one
thousand fold. The aggregate amount
OF productions that outlast the use of one
generation, and are handed down to the
next, is thereby increased one hundred
fold
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
Two Manners.

Manners for the household, and man
ners for the public; all sweetness for the
stranger, but carping and complaining,
and fault-fnding for those at home-the
very ones to whom we should look for
care and help in case of sickness and
dangerous accidents.
Out upon such double characters-such
unmanly, such unwomanly, such misera-
bly, mean hypocrites! If you have one
spark of generosity, one single ray Of no.
bility of nature left, cherish it as you
would an expiring life; kindle it inc
some holy fame, and come out in the
magnanimity Of your nature into the sun
shine Of more loving heart, of more
kindly countenance, Of a more smiling
face, and eyes all twinkling with fun and
merriment; and our word for it, the
sneerish expression will leave the cheek,
the hateful snarl will disappear from the
voice, the gall-like criticisms will not en-
bitter your utterances, and atrabilious-
ness and dyspepsias- of the
heart as well as those of the stomach
will abate pace, joyous sunshine will dis
sipate the sombre clouds of the household,
and children and servants, and you your
self, will be a thousand times happier
Try it for a week; try for one single
week to live without grunt or groan,
without snap or snarl; be more of an
angel in spirit, and less like a demon at
heart, and may be you will be so pleased
with the change, that you will ever there.
after try to be an angel still. - Halls
Journal Of Health.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
ga Little Learning" etc.

Young Simpson, just beginning the
study OF natural philosophy, became fond
OF applying technical names to common
objects to impress hearers with sense of
his profound knowledge, and tried the
game with his father one evening. When
he mentioned to him that he had sval-
lowed some marine acephalous mollusks.
the old man was much alarmed, and he
suddenly seized Simpson, and threw him
to the foor, and held him, and screamed
tor help. And when Mrs Simpson came
with some warm water, and the hired man
rushed in with garden pump, they forced
half a gallon of water down Simpsons
throat, and then held him by the heels
over the edge of the porch, and shook
him, when the old man said: eff we
don't get them things out of William he
will be pizened." And when they were
out, and William explained that the arti-
Giles alluded to were merely oysters. the
his father fondled him for half an hon
with trunk strap for soaring the family
Subsequently, Simpson framed his Ian.
guage In more familiar phrase. -Danb,l,v
Neacs. "a
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
Luck and Pluck.

Rev. DR.. George II. Hepworth, in
an admirable lecture recently delivered
in New York, says:
There is undoubtedly such thing as
good fortune, and there is, it may be ad
mitted, such thing as bad luck; bat he
succeeds who helps things to turn up
and he fails who idly waits. Men toll
sometimes for twenty years, and another
steps in to reap the fruits of their toll.
They seem born under an evil star, and
everything goes wrong with them. Ad
hitting these cases to sometimes occur
to come to the hard-pan of my subject
in the long run success in life can be re.
duced Is science. He touches the goal
and reaches the threshold of the highest
success who labors truly and earnestly.
This is the universal law; if you obey it,
well; if you disobey it, i'll; you cannot
dodge it.
There is more incentive to labor in
America than elsewhere, because the
highest success is within the reach of all
When in England the poor man sees q
Duke ride by in state, he envies him as
one to whose position he can never as
pire. When the rich man rides by with
his fourth hand, the Yankee boy says:
Very well for an old man; I'll have six
horses when I'm as old" There is some
thing in the atmosphere of America
which nourishes lofty ambition; and it
is the hardest work Of honest hands and
honest brains which tells in this glorious
country. 1have the minimum belief in
genius; | have the maximum faith in
work. Every man and woman is hero
once in his or her life. He could
be hero always; it is in him
and he only needs constant
effort to bring it out Alexander, Caesar,
Napoleon are as nothing to the men end
women who are bearing heavy burdens
and doing Gods will silently and quietly
in the midst Of poverty and sorrow.
Throughout the world there are unknown
heroes, who shall be acknowledged some
day, and who, when measured by the
side Of those we call great, shall be found
to be greater STILL There are two ele-
ments in the science of success. If you
want to get on in life, in the highest and
best sense, the first requisite is honesty.
During the fifteen years that have been
IN public life, | have seen men come I'D
and go down, and have found that the
honest man is the only one who succeeds
in the long run-sooner or later deyiltry
goes under. If you want to get on in life,
you must be honest and true. but you
must be plucky as well. How few are
there who stand up and fight it out with
their teeth gripped close together. If
you are dead, like the Irishman's turtle,
don't ''be sensible of it." Be like the
india-rubber ball, which rebounds the
higher the harder it is thrown down.
That's manhood; that's pluck. You must
not believe in luck; believe in yourself.
There may be such thing as luck living
around loose, in some corner of nature
but the chances are ten thousand to one
that it will not fall to you. Make an in
telligent plan and work for it with an
honest purpose, manly heart, and will
of nerve, of determination, Of grit.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03
PHUNNYGRAMs.

"A corn extractor-A crow.
"A Stock in Trade-Hosiery.
TO gain time-Steal watch.
Wood for coff1ns-Dye-wood.
True to the core-A good apple.
"A sound judge-A musical critic.
-Brogue AIMS come from Ireland.
A sentinel should carry nap-sack.
What barber mustn't do-Lather
his wife
"A photographers epitaph-Taken
from life.
Always take the part of friend in
quarrel, but not in pudding.
The crop OF maple sugar this season
promises to be large enough to please the
most misanthropic worm That ever occu-
pied a boy.--Dan6alry Neaos.
"A sorrowing friend, writing of the
ceath Of an estimable lady, said: "She
has gone to her eternal rest" His dis
may can only be family imagined when,
upon proof of his obituary notice be-
ing sent to him, he read: "She has gone
to her eternal roast"
"A parent writes to US that he is an
noyed and panied by his son staying out
nights, and asks us if we can present a
remedy for lis rapidly growing evil.
There are several remedies. The boy s
spine can be broken with an ak, or he
can be nailed to the floor with red-hot
railroad spike, driven through his abdo-
men, but the most effectual way Is to
compel him to wear patched clothing
Danbury Nems.
"A green lad from Alabama, who was
a passenger on board one of the steam
boats navigating the Gulf of Mexico, sud
denly bolted into the cabin one morning,
before the passengers had fairly rubbed
their eyes open, exclaiming, I'VE are
lost!' "Lostl' replied his nearest neigh
Dor. Lost" exclaimed another. "Lost!'
screamed out the whole crowd. Eyes,
lost!" said the lad, astonished at the
alarm he had created. Il know we are
lost, cause the captains on the top O. the
house, and another mans upon the mast,
a-loOkin to see Whar we are"
The worst shocked man we have seen
in some time was citizen who made the
discovery, Friday, that the neighbor from
whom he had borrowed paper for the
past four years, had not paid for it, He
learned the facts from the agent of the
publisher, and he was grisyed. He was
also indignant. He said to US: ''To
think that | should have been so imposed
upon at my time of life. l tell you, a
man don't know who to trust in these
times. The world is full of corruption,
and deceit, and deviltry-chock full of
it, Danbury Neus.
Alas that there should be SO many
poor souls who in this world and that
which is to come, look forward to moth
ing that Is substantially comfortable and
satisfying! Here, for instance, is VERT
able descendant of Saint Martha, who
came into neighbours house in Buffalo,
few days since, downcast, wearying
with many cares and numbered with
much serving, $50 much to do, cleaning,
working, cooking, washing, sewing, and
everything else! No rest! never was,
never will be, for mel" ooh, yes" said
the good woman she addressed, "there
will be rest one day for US ala long
rest" mot for me! not for mel" was
the reply. "Whenever I do die there
will be certain to be the resurrection The
corY neat day! 1t would be Just my
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-03

two men committed the deed. The cause of
the outrage is unknown.
Three Children daughter and son of
Mr.. shortgen, and son Of Mr.. Wodel, the
eldest being eleven years of age-were burnt
to death by prairie fire which occurred on
the farm of Mr.. Shortgen, near Reeds Land
ing, Mimi, on the Oath.
Floyd Graham, of Brazil, Clay County,
Ind, has been arrested On q charge of pass
ing counterfeit greenbacks. 1t is said that
he is an old offender. He was taken to the
Jail at Indianapolis.
The store of Farwell & Co., at Frederick,
ILL.,, was entered by burglars on the night
of the 2lst. the clerk drugged, and the safe
blown oven and robbed of 81 600 in money.
The robbers escaped.
The mill of the American Powder Compa-
ny, at Acton, Mass, blew up on the Oath,
killing two workmen and injuring three
others.
Several days ago Governor McEnery issued
circular letter at New Orleans suggesting
the calling in each parish of q mass meeting
of citizens to perfect complete and thor
ough organization, with view to the resist
ance of the collection of taxes by the Kel-
logg Government. l will remain at my post
at the Capitol, and exercise, SO far as prac-
ticable, the powers and functions OF
my office, and appeal to the people
of the State to rally to my support
and give me effective aid in my
efforts to hold their rights and liberties.
1t is impossible that the Kellogg usurpation
can continue beyond the meeting of Con
gress, in December next, and if our liberties
| are worth anything at all, they are worth q
struggle against tyranny and usurpation
from now until Congress shall definitely act
in our case"
The Brooklyn IN. " carpenters, at a
meeting held on the 25th, decided to strike
on April 7 if their wages were not raised
from 8 90 to SO 30, and their time reduced
to eight hours per day.
At large meeting Of prominent colored
Republicans of New orleans, on the Goth
resolutions were adopted endorsing Judge
Durell, Senator Morton and the Kellogg State
Government, and complimenting President
Grant for his devotion to Republican
principles; expressing regret at the failure
to accord Mr.. Pinchback his seat in the
United States Senate, and condemning the
eAciUslou ny INC Louislaha SohSloooioA"
delegation of Mr.. Pinchback and Mr. John
Roy, two recognized leaders of the Republi
can party and noted elements Of strength
| from consultation in dispensing the Fedora
| patronage in Louisiana.
| The banking house of E. G. Scranton &
Co., at New Haven, Conn, suspended on th'
Goth, owing to an unexpected run upon thu
| bank The managers claim that the deposi
| tors will be paid in full.