davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
Changed HIS Mind.

A few days ago, tall, rough looking
mountaineer entered the Union Rail
road ticket office at Denver, and
through mistake, purchased ticket
for New York via the Kansas Pacific
line, when he wanted to go over the
Union Pacific. He did not discover
thissfact until after the ticket had been
paid for, and on asking the agent to
change it, the latter refused to do so.
You won't change this ticket, then,
won't you?"
Z" No, slr," replied the agent "you
have your ticket and [ have the money
for it, and If you want a ticket over the
new route, you will have to buy it."
Very quietly the stranger twisted his
ticket into small roll; very serenely
he drew from under his right coat.tail
a six-shooter about the dimensions of
a mountain howitzer; coolIy and delib-
erately he stuck the twisted ticket into
the muzzle of that six-shooter. and
sticking the ugly looking thing through
the little square window of the ticket
office, and almost in the agents face,
and speaking III the tone that left no
doubt OF his determination, said
Stranger, that's that ticket; take
it yourself and changeit, or I'll blow il
clean through you"
The ticket was changed Immediate
ly, and without any more words from
the agent, and the mountaineer walked
away, saying, 81 just thought I could
induce him to change his mind a lee.
tle.n
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
A Slight Mistake.

A negro in Kansas City named Pete
May yberry-called Hannibal Caesar for
short-with his son, Henry Clay, went
to the woods one day last week to look
after some rabbit traps they had set.
While at work the fierce barking of
their dog caused Henry Clay to east his
eyes heavenward, and he Immediately
sung out "possum, dar." Closer in
spection showed pair of glittering
eyes glaring down from the tree, which
was prima- -facie evidence of the exist
ence Of the negros delight. Henry
foot, axe in hand, ready to finish the
enemy, while Hannibal Caesar retired
a short distance and took careful
aim with an old blunderbuss.
Presently down came the hammer,
and shortly after the gun went
off. So, likewise, did Hannibal
Caesar, who for few minutes gave as
fine specimens of ground and lofty
tumbling as could be expected with a
shoulder out of joint. Meanwhile the
yarruint came down from the tree with
a yell, and proved to be wildcat, land
ing with a lunge plump on the top of
Henry Clay's devoted head In less
than minute The place where the
wool ought to grow was as bare as the
cliffs of Dover, and Henry Clay, with
his heart full Of agony and his mouth
full of fur, struck right and left with
his legs and arms like a hurricane.
The mongrel dog now joined in, and
the battle became general all along the
line. Mistaking Henry Clay's revolv
ing pedal eXtremities as the primal
cause of all the yells and commotion,
he grabbed at heel that waved over
the scene of conflict like the black flag
in a sea fight, and proceeded to
chew and tussle and pull with zeal
that in short time promised to sWal,
low Henry Clay bodily. Hannibal
Caesar, in the meantime, having got
through with his circus performance,
seeing he had barked up the wrong
tree, started off with the rapidity of
railroad train and the noise of a steam
boat whistle. This started the wild
cat, and he left the scene kissing, spit
ting and careering over the ground like
a runaway Babcock Fire Extinguisher.
When Hannibal Caesar returned he
found Henry Clay seated on a log
mending his scalp and splitting fur out
of his mouth, with some shreds of cloth
hanging on him, looking as if they had
just come out of a threshing machine.
He toted him home with the advice:
Il tell you, chile, dey's de sassiest var
mint dere is to get hold on. "-I1o-
d6o210720JiS Sentinel. ke
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

prisoners in accordance with the old
Moslem law. The Kadi appeared,
found the prisoners guilty, and asked
the Bey what punishment should be
inflicted. The Kadi told him that the
law was that those who stole money
from the exchequer of the Caliph, the
Sultan, or one of his vassals should be
impaled. "Let them be impaled,
then, said the 1Bey. Vainly did
the wretehed prisoners implore
his mercy. The Bey remained
infexible, and the cruel sentence was
carried into execution on the morning
of the following day. An escort of fifty
soldiers took the three condemned men
to sand mound on which had been
erected the three instruments on which
they were to suffer their excruciating
agony. The doomed men looked de-
jected, but had reached that frmness
which characterizes the Moslem when
he knows that death is inevitable
Those three Instruments of an agOniz
ing death were strong ironspits about
ten feet high.
About five feet from the ground there
was heavy nail through each OF the
spits. When the criminals reached the
foot of the mound they were seized by
six executioners. They quickly IN
dressed the three doomed men. Two
OF them placed high step-ladder close
to one of the spits-two of them held
the ladder, SO that it did not fall-and
one, a fellow of herculean strength, car
ried Bulu Ben-Hankim up toward the
point of a spit, Raising the unfortu-
nate man above it he put him upon the
spit. The victim uttered a wild scream
as the cold iron entered his flesh. and
seized the spit with his hand,
but the executioner pressed down
heavily until he reached the cross
nail. Fortunately for the sufferer, he
died almost instantly. The same
atrocious operation was then performed
upon Aldu-Ben FEST. He had seen the
torture which his wretched predeces-
sors had to undergo, and struggled
feebly when the pitiless hand of the
executioner seized him. The victim
lived two or three minutes after he
had been 1mpaled, uttering feeble
means, and presenting an appearance
than which nothing could be imagined
more horrible The third culprit
seemed utterly Indifferent to his fate,
and died with the sang froid of true
Moslem.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
SiameSe Gambling.

Gambling is carried on to A fearful ez--
tent in the Kingdom of Siam, and the
royal exchequer derives considerable pro-
fit from the licensed gambling houses es-
tablished in every part of the county.
One Of the favorite games consists in
guessing the number of coins showed at
hap hazard under an inverted cup; the
teetotum is also IN vogue; and lastly,
there are lotteries which are drawn daily.
All this kind OF fbusiness is in the hands of
cunning Chinese, particularly expert in
correcting the caprices of chance. When
the gambler has lost his all, suicide never
occurs to him, as in Europe; but he will
steal, or, as last resource, sell himself
as a slave to soma Mandarin willing to
pay his debts, and clothe and feed him in
return for some insignificant service
But, On the other hand, man who has
once sold himself can never hope to re-
gain his liberty, for he cannot earn far
thing in any way If he dislikes his mas
ter, he may try to find another disposed to
pay the old amount of his debt but this
happens very seldom, since the purchaser
is generally in good circumstances. More.
over, before man gives himself away IN
this manner, he tries his luck to the last,
as he possesses rag on his back Our
author relates the following characteristic
anecdote An Annamite, of Saignon,
whom we will call A, happening to meet a
old friend of his, B, at Pnom Pench, is
persuaded by him to visit a gambling
house. They go in and try their luck. A
soon wins respectable sum, while B
loses all he has about him. To retrieve
his fortune he borrows AS purse, but
soon loses its contents. "Well,D saws A
"'tis all over now, let us be off, sWav
Bit" replied the other, "I'n trlt
another stake the croupier knows me,
and will give me credit1 So he enters
upon palaver with that functionary, who
at once writes few words upon bit OF
paper, which B signs; be then plays, but
loses, and quits the place with his friend
What was your agreement with the
croupier 2" asks A. "Youll know to-
morrow" replied B, dryly. And, indeed
on the following morning two stout Chi
nese call at AS house, bind him hand and
foot, and carry him off in spite of his cries
and efforts to regain his liberty. His good
friend B had sold him to his croupier, and
and it was only few months later he
could regain his liberty through the infu.
ence of French resident at Saignon.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
MUSIC IN CANT

MUSIC IN CAMP.
Two armies covered hill and plain
Where Rappahannock's waters
Ran deeply crimsoned with the stain
OF battles recent slaughters.
The summer clouds lay pitched like tents
In meads of heavenly azure
And each dread gun OF the elements
Slept in its MD embrasure.
The breeze so softly blew, it made
No forest leaf to CULVER;
And the smoke of the random canOna lie
Rolled slowly from the river.
Aud now, where circling hills look down
With cannon grimly planted.
Ger hstless camp and silent town
The golden sunset slanted;
When on the fer7id air there came
strain, now rich, now tender )
The music seemed. itself a6ame
With days departing splendor.
A Federal band, which eve and morn
Played measures brave and nimble,
Had juststruck up with flute and horn
And lively clash of cymbal.
Down focked the soldiers to the banks
TIL margined by its pebbles,
One wooded shore was blue with "YankS,''
And one was gray with 'sRebels."
Then all was still and then the band
With movement light and tricksy,
Made stream and forest hill and strand,
Reverberate with" Dixie
The conscious stream, with FURNISHED glow,
Went proudly Ger its pebbles,
: But thrill ed throughout its deepest flow
With yelling of the Rebels.
Again apause, and then again
The trumpet pealed sonorous,
And &c Yankee Doodle was the strain
To which the shore gave chorus.
The laughing ripple shoreward flew
To kiss the shining pebbles;
Loud shricked the swarming Boys in Blue
Defiance to the Rebels.
And yet once more the bugle sang
Above the stormy riot;
No shout upon the evening rang
The reigned holy quiet.
The sad slow stream its noiseless flood
Poured DER the glistening pebbles
All silent now the Yankees stood,
All silent stood the Rebels:
No unrespOnsiye soul had heard
That plaintive notes appealing,
So deeply Home, Sweet Home, had stirred
The hidden founts of feeling.
Of blue or gray, the soldier sees,
AS by the wand of fairy,
The cottage meath the live oak trees,
The cabin by the prairie.
Or cold or warm, his native skies
Bend in their beauty DER him
Seen through the tear-mists IN his eyes,
His loved ones stand before him. -@
As fades the iris after rain
In Aprifs fearful weather,
The vision vanished as the strain
And daylight died together.
But Memory, walked by Music's art,
Expressed in simplest numbers,
Subdued the sternest Yankees heart,
Made light the Rebels slumGers.
And fair the form of Music shines,
That bright, celestial creature,
Who still mid wars embattled lines,
Gave this one touch of nature.
John r. Thompson.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
Rnpidity of the German Army Move
mGnIs.

The suddenness and completeness of
the late Emperor Napoleon's overthrow
is explained by a few details of the
Franco-German conflict. War was
formally declared between the two
powers on July Is, 1870, and terminat-
ed on February 16, 1871, lasting 21O
days, but practically $50 days, in con-
sequence of the first and last periods
being free from engagements. In one
week the German troops were 1" mobil-
ized,' or prepared to march, and in
two weeks were dispatched to the west,
we're arranged on the line from
Treves to Landau. The troops
sent to the frontier number
ed 600,080; and $4,000 men, with
horses, guns, carriages, and ammuni-
ton, were conveyed every day on five
lines of railway, two of which, how
ever, were little used. -Four Prussian
corps d'armee had to traverse from 500
to 600 miles to reach the French from
tier, and had to be fed on the wav.
During the 180 days of active service,
there were fought 156 engagements
and II great battles; 50 fortresses were
taken. IL, $50 officers and 3G3, 900 men
of the rank and file were made prison
ers, and 6, 700 guns and 120 eagles were
captured. The late Emperor surren
dered at Sedan on Sept. 4-49 days af-
ter the declaration of war, and only 80
days after actual hostil1ties began.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
DeIa9Oa Bay.

It has been reported that the German
Empire has purchased the Portuguese
settlements in Delagoa Bay, on the
east coast of South Africa. Various
conjectIres have appeared in relation
to the object of the Germans in seeking
a foothold in Africa, among the most
plausible of which is the supposition
that the Emperor, who has frequently
manifested his dissatisfaction with the
large emigration of his subjects to
America, is DESTROYS of diverting the
outflow of bone and sinew to a colony
Of his own. II that is his purpose, he
has selected as good a point for the
experiment as could be found in Africa.
Behind the bay lies a vast stretch of
habltable country, capable of support
ing very large population, while the
bay itself IS natural point of en-
trance to the territory claimed by
the Boer or Dutch Free States.
One OF these States, Orange, in which
the diamond fields are situated, has
been very summarily taken into Brit
1sh possession since the diamond dis
coveries; another, the republic of
Iransvaal, is one which has recently
/ HNOOhe'CLSNA t1uOCHb4Ou lIOu1 I0pOIIol us
coveres of gold within its borders.
The last named State, whatever may
be the value of it's gold deposits, is un-
doubtedly very rich in other minerals,
while 1t possesses an agreeable climate
and soil Of great fertility. It is pos
slble that the German Emperor may
have IN view the project of taking pos
session OF the most inviting of these
free States, as Great Britain seized up
on the diamond fields. But 1t would
be pity to see so promising a republic
as Transvaal, which under the admins
tratlon Of an energetic and enlightened
President is making rapid progress, sud-
denly overthrown by the superior pow
er of distant nation, which has no
shadow of a right to any control over
it.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
Dress Plainly.

Some one has given the following
reasons why people should dress plain
ly on Sunday. These reasons are as
valid any other day in the week:
l. It would lessen the burden of
many who find it hard to maintain
their places in society.
2. 1t would lessen the force of temp,
tations which often lead men to barter
honesty and honor for display.
8. If there was less strife in dress at
church, people in moderate circum-
stances would be more inclined to at
tend
4. Universal moderation in dress at
church would improve the worship by
the removal of many wandering
thoughts.
5. It would enable all classes to at
tend church in unfavorabIe weather.
6. 1t would lessen on the part of the
rich the temptation to vanity.
7. It would lessen on the part of the
poor the temptation to be enyious and
malicious.
s. It would save valuable time on
the Sabbath.
g. 1t would relieve our means from
a serious pressure, and thus enable us
to do more for good enterprises.
MAFIAN HARLAN's cook book is said
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
A RRAYE WOMAN.
Heroic Conduct of "a Long Island Girl
"A Sharer IN fels Lewis F;.I,ne.

Heroic Conduct of "a Long Island Girl
"A Sharer HI Ida Aewis' Fame.
Long Island has a heroine. and he1
name deserves to be connected with
Ida Lewis. The Sun tells of two men,
John Mason and a friend, whose b1at
capsized last Friday afternoon, near
Eaton's Neck light, opposite the resi-
dence of Mr.. Conklin, farmer When
the cries for help were heard, we learn
from the account in the Sun, Mr.. Conk-
lin was away from home, and there
were only three women and little boy
IN the house. All rushed to the beach
and saw the struggle of the drowning
man, but for moment they were
so paralyzed that neither Of them
had presence of mind enough to
make movement to aid him. Then
Miss Lucinda Conklin, without stop
ping to consult her mother or sister,
waded out into the bay, determined to
make at least one effort to save Mason
At this part of the bay the beach is
broad and shelves out very gradually,
so that the brave woman was enabled
to wade within few feet Of Mr.. Mason.
But as she moved forward, clearing
the ice from her path, the water
deepened little by little until at last,
when she was only eight or ten feet
from the man she sought to save, only
her head was above water. By this
time Mason showed positive signs Of
exhaustion. He clung to the ice for so
long a time that his hands had become
numb and almost powerless, and Miss
Conklin saw, from his efforts to relieve
his hands by placing one of his elbows
ON the cake of ice, that his chances Of
life were not worth minutes pur-
chase. With heroism seldom, if ever
paralleled, she plunged into the deep
water, and with a few vigorous strokes
reached the drowning man. Although
exhausted, he was still sensible, and
faithfully obeyed the instructions given
him by the brave woman. She had
warned him against seizing hold of her
IN such a manner as TO impede her mo.
tions; so when she reached him he
placed his hands on her shoulder, and
in few seconds, thanks to her good
swimming, both stood neck deep
in the ice cold water and be-
gan wading shoreward. A Miss
Conklin reached the shore she tainted
away, and was carried to the house by
her relatives. Mason, nearly frozen to
death, following slowly in their wake,
Miss Conklin was thoroughly exhaust
ed by her exertions, as well as by the
tremendous excitement under which
she had labored, and did not recover
for two or three days. Mason's COM
panion stuck manfully to the keel Of
the boat, and in due course of time
was hauled ashore. Miss Conklin is a
young lady of about the average size :;
but her country training has Impaired
to her much more than the average
strength of her sex. Although not
beautiful, she is spoken of as interest
ing and piqua1ate IN style, and is very
popular in the neighborhood in which
she resides. ...9.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

A TENNESSEE philosopher has made
the discovery that our solar system
travels about the star Alcyone in an
eliIiiptlcal orbit, taking twenty-five
billions OF years for the trip. He claims
that this huge cycle has its spring.
summer, autumn and winter, and that
III It's changing seasons the vegetable
ana animal life on the earth are liable
20 De eStingn'shed, to be followed by
new order Of things.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
THE lancaster Republican tells this

The Lancaster Republican tells this
story: GA gentleman not thousand
miles from here, not having classical
education, always entrusts the reading
eff his store bills to his better half,
who. whep shecomes to items of female
apparel, which she doesn't WISH her
husband to understand, calls them
tobacco and other groceries. but
short time since he was heard teinn8
the storekeeper that his tobacco plilS
were getting enormous, and that ne ne
must leave off using it or 1t would XIII
him. The habit, he thought, was rap
idly increasing"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
Frost Fancies,
The frost is at. work on the pane to-nigh

The frost is at work on the pane tonight a II ~
Tracing his fanGes-- the artist spritelS sEA Z
His fancies 50 aexduisite, dainty and rare,
They might be the dreams of the sleeping ar
Crystalized---showing the summer things 49, s4-sr
She loves to fan with her fragrant wings t -ts' "
There leaves, and mosses, aud vines, and
flowers,
Tangled in wildwood or trained in bowers +;
With drifts of sca-weed and dashes of spray
All mixed---in a dreams fantastcal way sE.s.ET
With plunes of featherv ferns and bells
That ring out odsrs through forest dells; tg aaafJ
And hunting horns, from whose sllyely
throats s Ga& #fHa
In iower-like forms wind frozen notes; s --s
And maiden tresses, and wild bird wings, -'' .'-t
And oh there's no end to the wonderful sssrs Is
things
Which the frolesome FROST the artist sprite 5ses
On my window traces this wintry night
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
4 Touch of Nature.

The World few days ago said 'sThe ap-
pended fine ballad, by writer identified with
the choicest literature of the South, is worthy
of companionship with Bayard Taylor's Give
ther circulation, in both sections, for its STIR
ring expression of national brotherhood y
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

BESIDES Beecher's $25, 900 salary, he
makes about as much more yearly
sdlkng and leetnfIng.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

GoRpoN, the Senator elect Of Geer,
gin, il q Baptist,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

THE national gallery of London con
tains 10, 600 pictures by Turner.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
n { ~ w 8
Al Aonle.

The Senate Committee on Postof6ces aud
Roads, in the case Of the proposed rival sites
Tor the La Crosse railroad bridge across the
Mississippi, on Saturday desided in favor Of
the site selected by the United States engi
neers.
RoBBERIEs on street cars and public place
IN New York city, have become SO numerous
that special police force Will be detailed to
look after them and make arrests. More than
seYenty-fve robberies by pick-pockets were
reported IN on9 week, and is thought that at
least four times that number occurred which
were not reported The boIdness of thieves
u greater than before the suppression of the
Iammany ring, and very few arrests are
made
INFORMATION has reached the Commissioner
of the United States for the Vienna Exposition
mat gang Of swindlers has been sending cir
cuiars to those expecting to exhibit, and
promising them to secure space on payment
OF a small fee. They had seeured many remit
tances, and were expecting many more from
England to America, when their operations
were stopped by the police. A circular Will
probably be issued by Commissioner Van
Buren warning American exhibitors against
paying money to these swindlers, or any 9th
ers OF a.slmilar sorts h 3 ss
The funeral Of Ex-Governor Gearv will take
place at Harrisburg, on Thursday, under the
SUPERVISION Of the state authorities, and in
tie knights Templar.
pinent citizen of
by a falling
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

MARIAN HARLAN s cook book is said
ke be 81 greate2 success than hsr novels.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19

oVv the Bey of Tunis Furnishes Dis
honest Revenue Col1ectors-A Terrible
Scene en- the Site of Ancient Car
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-19
z.-On February Sth. the Senate

HoUsE.--On February SEh, the Senate
bill appropriating $4,000 for government
buildings at Covington, KY, was passed ; also
a bill appropriating. to Vim. Wheeler Hubbell
$133, ,333, for the use by the United States Gov
ernment of several millions of his patent
fu ses for navy shells, for rifle cannon, and ex-
plosive. shells during the war, and for the
transfer Of his patents to the United States.
number OF private bills received favorable