davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22
A Successful Farmer.

On Tuesday we were driving by the
residence of William Fleet, of Eden
township, and we spied Mr.. +. sitting by
the roadside on fence, under the shade
of a large maple tree, smoking his pipe.
We said: taking comfort, Mr.. Fleet?"
"Yes," said he, Il am enjoying the
shade of large tree which, forty years
ago, trimmed with my jack-knife one
day while was at work splitting rails at
eleven dollars per month. They were
clearing up the ground, and cut down
many very handsome little naples, when
selected this tree and requested as it
stood in the fence-row beside the road,
that il be left standing to remember me
by. 1t was then not thicker than my
wrist. | was then a poor boy, and
worked out for a living" Mr.. Fleet then
gave sketch of his adventures in lndi-
ana and his experience among the lndi-
ans, in his joking way. How he entered
1000 acres of land on the Pottawattomie
Reserve, and afterward traded half in
terest in IL for 100 acres where his resi-
dence now stands, and how afterward he
wanted to sell it and couldn't, and then
how he shouldered his AK and waded into
the forest and felled the timber on TWEEN
ty acres. The relation of this bit of
personal history was interesting, and
more so since we know that forty-three
years after Mr.. Fleet trimmed that little
maple tree, while he was mauling rails
at the small wages of eleven dollars per
month, he sits comfortably smoking his
pipe under the same tree, which is now
more than two feet in diameter at the
trunk, and surveys over LOO acres of
we'll improved and fertile land, worth
Shopper acre. He does more: he counts
his, hocks by the thousand and his herds
by the hundreds, his bushels by the
thousands and his wealth by the hundred
thousands. All the result of hard labor,
honesty and economy. All in forty
years-IiHil (OhiO) Star.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22
A Youthful BOatman.

We were leaning over the creek bridge
at Olcott, watching Ed. Martin as he
took his evening fish. Martin keeps the
little boat-house on the west side OF the
creek, where at any hour of the day can
be found a row-boat, creek-worthy or
lake worthy. AS we stood there, there
appeared on the landing at the boat
house little fellow, knee-high to a
grasshopper," who wanted to KNOWN
voice worthy of large man-which boat
he should take. AS the youngster was
Just about tall enough TO see comfortably
all over the top of an ordinary table,
every eye in the party was at once di-
rected, with an expression of mingled
wonderment and amusement, at the
speaker. He was burdened with little
more than pantaloons, shirt and SLOUGH
sailor cap. The question as to which
boat he should take was put to Mr.. Mar
tin, his father, who directed him TO the
little Lena, we believe, a graceful shell,
large enough to hold party of four or
half dozen comfortably.
AS the little boatman stepped into the
Lena a series of questions were put to
his natural protector, who was playing
with the fishing line.
"Why, does that little fellow go out on
the creek aloney"
"Oh, yes; he goes wherever he
pleases."
How old is he?"
Give years old"
"Do you let him take the boat wherev-
er he choosesg"
Eyes, he goes on the lake alone FIRE.
quently with the sail-boat He takes
parties out sailing miles away from the
land"
Are you not afraid to have HIM do
sos"
mo. He knows what he's about"
1t was very evident from the way he
was now handling the oars that he knew
what he was about. He sped up the
creek like an arrow, and had just the
stroke that one might imagine the expe-
rienced man-ofwar's man to have. There
was some surprise felt by lady witnesses
that the father could allow so diminutive
a piece OF humanity to brave the dangers
of the waves alone. But they forget,
perhaps, that he was born sailor, and,
moreover, that child is no more help
less-in ordinary times just as powerful
as strong man-on the tickle waves. II
was faith, you remember, that in those
old times did wonders on the deep.
AS the party were leaving the place,
remarking upon what they had seen and
heard, man who stood near trying to
catch the attention of some three
Founders with a spoon-hook gave his
head an expressive shake and said:
"That boy is safer than many men on
the water ! have met him miles out
upon the lake, sailing over the white
caps as seli-possessed and brave as any
old tar."-L0chport IN. Y Union.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22
About Storing Potatoes In the Cellar.

There seems to he various opinions as
to which is the better system OF manage
ment with potatoes-whether to keep
them in the cellar when dug early or to
store them in some oUt.building until
cold weather and then take the crop to
the cellar AS some cellars are exceed
ingly damp and even wet and muddy,
while others are dry and airy, one must
know the condition of the cellar before
he will be competent to judge as to the
probability of potatoes keeping satisfac-
torily walen dug early. Circumstances
and conditions will alter cases materially.
A. writer in the Neso England Farmer,
Boston, says that by many cultivators of
this crop it is thought that potatoes will
not keep well in the cellar if dug early.
This is a mistake, provided they are
ripe. We have raised early potatoes for
several years past for a main crop be-
cause they could be harvested early and
the ground sown to grass in season to
get well established before winter. We
have'dug the whole crop in August, and
found no trouble about keeping them
well in the cellar. One year, finding
they were being seriously injured by the
grub of the dor beetle, we dug them
while the vines were green and the
tuDeTs nbtle unucE Iipc, anu thoy nSPe
as sound and bright as any potatoes we
ever harvested. Ii there is any rot
among them they had better lie in the
ground till the rotten ones can be dis
tingushed from those which are sound.
Rotten potatoes should never be carried
sinto the cellar at any time of year. Bet
ter let them decay in the field, where
they will be worth as much for fertil-
izer as they are for feeding to cattle.
The writer once dug his potatoes early,
stored them in an airy and dry basement
of the workshop, covering them with
boards and canvas to exclude the light.
But the air and light injured them ma
terially. Light is ruinous to potatoes.
As they grow in the dark, they must be
kept in the dark, and be shielded from
currents of air.-NeD York Herald.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

NEVER pick or scratch the canals of the
ear with pins, pencils or scoops. 1t will
eventually cause troublesome infiamma-
ton and subsequent deafness.
Do not try to wash the canals OF the
ears with so-called aurilaves or end OF the
towel, or even with the fingers. Such
treatment produces impaction OF the wax
and is not necessary to cleanliness.
Do not try to remove the wax with the
ear-scoop. There is danger of injuring
the drumheads or of causing infiamma-
ton. Have some competent person in
spect the parts with the ear mirror and
remove the wax with the syringe
charged with warm water. This is the
best way to remove any foreign body
from the external auditory canal. Only
occasionally other means are required.
The parts should always be under in
spection.
A discharge from the ear is always
fraught with danger. 1t should never be
neglected. Occasionally it stops itself,
but frequently leads to dangerous COM
plcations, such as inflammation OF the
brain, disease of the surrounding bone,
ard may set up inflammation in other
parts of the body, as the lungs, bowels,
etc.
me m1uulB car, lIOiH WHICH tuc uiS-
charge generally comes, Is small, but ex-
ceedingly vulnerable. 1t is surrounded
on all sides by vital organs, the partition
wall being very thin. Swinging with
warm water In such cases Is absolutely
essential and unaccompanied by any dan
ger whatever.
Under proper treatment there Is no
danger Of "driving in" the discharge,
which is neither "healthy sign" nor
safety-valve."
Never keep the canal blocked up with
cotton or anything else while discharge
is present.
The ear requires fresh air and is not
likely to become more inflamed by it's adj
mittance, unless exposed TO direct draft,
which should be avoided.
Black sleeps wool has no healing yir-
tue.
Wetting the hair, especially when it is
long, and allowing 1t to dry slowly often
produces deafness and aggrayases it when
already present. Medical Investigator.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22
Muscular Christianity In the Far West.

saw one of those desperadoes get a
nice dose of quiet courage and stern will
at this time, 1867. had had occasion to
go down the road and had to wait for
the train. My abiding place was one of
those dining-tents, where | had taken n
meal in the meantime. Among the sew
cral persons seated around, one evidently
was very raw.
His dress was semi-clerical, and, as he
held forth in no constrained manner
about 1.-The terrible sin" and " Babylon
ish Cheyenne" the old-timers within
hearing enjoyed, in an uncouth way,
poking small chaff at him. In the midst
of one of his TRADES against "this sink.
hole Of perdition" man came into the
tent, walked up to the bar, and de-
manded drink II seems for some
reason he had been refused before. Sud
denly throwing his hand under his coat,
he drew six-shooter, and, half facing
the crowd and the barkesper, he said
with an oath: "rm going to have a
drink right here, or III turn loose"
(meaning to shoot!
To tell the truth, most of those terrible
old.timers broke for the door, the bar
keeper sunk under the counter, and
ueHtil W stiiiS DHC
confess to "a cold sensation down my
back, and thought Of several debts that
different parties owed me, and wondered
if should ever be paid; the green field
in which had sported as child rose be
fore me wildly; j remembered one sun
day, having played off sick, / went down
to the foot Of Mill street and went swim.
ming. felt sorry for the Frogtown boy
who licked me once; but what a sight!
That parson--his tall, slim form seems to
grow taller as, in quiet way, he strides
up to the death-dealing cuss with the
pistol. He wrenches that weapon from
this terror; grasps him by the throat,
fairly lifting him from his feet; his pro-
truding tongue and blackening face
show the powerful grip of the parsons
hand, and, to make the picture complete,
says in ordinary tones, My friend, !
have observed you before today trouble
the landlord Of this tavern; | am of
opinion that you are entirely in the
wrong place. The landlord appears to
think you have had a sufficicncy OF in
toxicating liquor. Now observe, if you
create any further disturbance will jerk
the gullet out of you" And he literally
threw him headlong out Of the door.
Subsequently the parson held forth on
the sins and iniquities Of Cheyenne, and
was listened to respectfully by the sub
dued old sinncrs.-F0t Laramie (|Vyo-
mtnq r. Cor. Cincinnati Commercial.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22
A Brief Conr1ship.

About ten days ago yorag lady came
to our city from Tama City, Iowa, for
the purpose of learning tclsgraphing.
She joined the class at the Gate City
Telegraph Institute and proceeded at
once with her study. She is . young
lady of intelligence and education, and
applied herself closely and was making
very satisfactory progress. On Wednes-
day morning last there came to the
boarding house at which she was staying
young man who gave his name as Mr..
B., from Indiana, who had come
here to attend the fair. Soon after his
arrival he took pains to make it known to
some of the gentlemen boarders that in
addition to taking in the fair he had his
eye on the matrimonial market, and was
prepared to take unto himself wife so
soon as he should find one that came up
TO the standard which his fruitful imagi-
nation had pictured On the evening of
that day he was by some strange and
uaaccountable circumstance introduced
to the young lady who had come to
Keekuk to learn how to manipulate the
lightning. Each found i'm the other
congenial spirit and an acquaintance was
speedily formed. This grew very rapidly
into friendship, SO much so in fact that
on the following day she was prevailed
upon to accompany him to the fair.
Here, inspired by the eaergizing in
tluences of plethoric porcines and agri-
cultural horse-trots, the warm friendship
which had been so early formed ripened
into
Love that dsturbs
The schemes of wisdom still that, winged with
passion
Blind and impetuous in its fond pursuits,
Leaves the gray headed reason far behind.
That evening Cupid famed the flame
with game of cards in which hearts
were trumps. The tender passion was
developed with such remarkable degree
of rapidity that on Saturday an applica-
tion was made at the Clerks office for
marriage license. Failing to procure the
required certificate the application was
refused. But love laughs at law some
times, as well as locksmiths. The appli-
cants were not to be bafied in that way,
so they stepped down into our neighbor-
ing State of Missouri, where such trifling
formalities were not required, and the mat
rimonial knot was tied by an Alexandria
Squire in manner satisfactory to the par
ties concerned. They returned to the city
that evening and are now comfortably
ensconced in the clearinghouse where
few days ago they met, entire strangers
to each other. Such, in brief, is all we
know of this story of love at fist sight,
except the names of the parties, and
those we withhold. -Keoktk UOaod) Gate
Ctty.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

There was no help for it; doctor mus
be called, and Potter, on his way te
work, engaged one to look in" H.
doctor looked in, and looked serious. lie
sent medicine, and word that he would
look in again in the evening. In the
evening he came; and Potten was there.
Dot was one bright red flush to the
very whites of her eyes.
"What is it, sir, please?" asked Potten,
with white and trembling lips.
well" said the doctor, lit is best to
tell you, in order that you may take pre-
cautions. 1t is very bad case of scarlet
fever"
Potten groaned heavily, dropped down
by the bedside, and hid his face in the
clothes.
Come, be man." said the doctor,
touching him on the shoulder; don't
give way like that. I've known worse
cases to recover.
Potten got up, and stared about him
like one distraught.
The doctor gave his directions to Mrs,
Potten; and with a kind good night
departed.
The eighth day was approaching, and
Dot was in high state of delirium
There were no sweet flowers, no violets,
no primroses, no daffodils for poor little
Dot, to catch her eye and soothe her
senses; no grapes and no blood oranges
TO moisten her poor parched lips. And
whenever her father drew near her phi
low, she, when the delirious fit was upon
her, would turn away her face and NUT
ter; "Do away, back man; do away
back MANI
The eighth day came and passed; and
Dot passed away in the twilight.
Potten had scarcely spoken word as
long as the fever lasted; but now, as he
stood looking with CHASTITY face, and
dry, fierce eyes, at the tiny corpse be.
fore him, he said, in slow, distinct, delib
crate tones: Susan, I've killed my
child"
Mrs. Potten, for moment, hushed hel
sobs and stared at him in blank amaze
ment.
Look here" continued Potten, in low
husky tones " know'd there'd bin fever
in the house where this come from; the
lady that gave it me begged and prayed
O me to burn it, or, leastways, to burr
the clo'es and the hair, and bake anc
scour and regular disinfect the rest on 1T
but was afraid o sp'ilin' it, and-and-
as they was always disinfectin' every
thing in that house, l never give it a sec
ond thought, and-and-I-give it
her." and, with sob that shook his
whole body, he threw down upon the
patchwork counterpart the black doll.
Mrs Potten had listened to him with
a face that grew paler and graver ano
more horror stricken at every word he
uttered; but all she said was, in voice
full of awe and agony: "Oh, John"
1t was the only reproach she made
him; but it may be that there is more IL
tone than in words.
Potten walked slowly to the door and
left the room. He looked like man il
dream. He did not return that night
and Mrs. Potten was alarmed. He die
not return the next day or night
and the neighbors were alarmed. The,
thought, too truly, that the poor mar
had gone distracted, was mad with grie
and his sense of having been the cause
of the death of his child. In this beliet
they naturally expected to find him OF
the riverside. And there, on the thiro
day, they found him-at low-water-
| Acknowledgement Journal.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22
Railway Mortality.

Railway servants lead life full Of
risk. The number of this class OF per-
sons wounded and killed each year is
appalling-so appalling that the railway
companies manifest the utmost anxiety
TO keep the statistics bearing on the sub
ject from the public. In England the
railway companies are required by stat
ute to furnish annually a return OF the
railway accidents attended with loss OF
life or personal injury. The companies,
it would seem from IA report sent TO the
London Times by Mr.. NJ. I. Bass, have
made returns as required, but most mac
curate ones. The companies are subject
ed to "A fine for any error in their sta
tstics, and so numerous have these
errors been that the aggregate Of fines
has reached the immense figure OF ST.
0O0, 900 Thus the Lancashire d York.
shire Company reported that thirty-nine
of their servants were killed and seventy
three injured in 1872. The fact is, that
fifty-four were killed and 1867 injured
SO at least Mr.. Bass report says. On all
the railways in England there were re-
turned killed during the same year 632,
and injured 1895. Mr. Phillips, agent Of
Mr. Bass, argues that the number
Oh kllied was i,Vco, anu VI hiJuieu
27,340. This last year the acct
dents on English railways have been
even more numerous than in 1872 IL Is
estimated that during the last year 800
railway servants were killed on Engiish
railways, and 27,0O0 injured. The num-
Der Of injured, according TO the returns,
was only ], III, an error OF 20, 1913! Eight
railway companies have made erroneous
returns for last year. The number OF killed
returned by the Lancashire IL Yorkshire
Railway Company, for instance, was only
thirty-nine. The real number it seems
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

He was an awful mean man. He car
ried fifty-dollar counterfeit bill TO make
a show Of it sometimes when he was fin
gcring for very small change to pay for a
single drink or a Wheeling stogy. His
poor, Woodworking wife had been beg
ging him for nice gold chain she had
seen in shop window down town. One
day he felt in merry mood, gave her
the fifty.dollar counterfeit bill, and told
her to buy the chain. Tfen he left home
laughing so hard that lac had to go and
take drink TO wash it down. He may
have taken several drinks. He went
home 10 dinner feeling full Of joke. 1t
appeared TO be the happiest day Of his
life He had made fool of the old
woman. But the old woman wore that
gold chain at the dnner-tabic and called
the brute "her dear old darling" That
put another face on the whole affair 1t
had ceased to be joke for him. The
ieweIer called before dinner was over,
and handing him the base paper told
him to "shell OUT fifty good dollars If
he wished to escape annoyance. lie
shelled out and has never since been able
to see the point of his own joke. But
the poor woman enjoyed it.-St. Lou,s
Repubtlcl1t.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

was 1917 Some of these non. official
statistics are only inferential. There is,
however, every reason to believe that
they are much more reliable than those
fu. nished by the railway companies
fben. selves.
It's ems probable that legal proceed
ings AGAINST the defaulting companies
will be instituted by the British Board Of
Trade. Ii is IT, be hoped that, in the in
terest Of the security of life and limb,
such proceedings will be begun. The
prosecution of the companies which
have failed to send in accurate RETURNS
of the number of their servants killed
and wounded will have a tendency to
make them more respectful of humaa
life. Hence its advisability.-Chscage
Tribune
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

Editors are not born but made.
There is not in America journalist Of
national reputation who has not come up
to his present position through great
tribulations. The path Is over stones
and through snags and SHOWS, and
though the summit is grand place
bleak and exposed place.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

IRIS Boston lawyer who tells this
story: Twenty years ago, just after J
was admitted to the bar in Maine, ]
called one evening on the young lady
who has since become my wife. made
friends with her little brother, Addie,
and when he ran out of the room heard
him ask his mother, confidentially
Mamma, do you think angels wings are
strong enough to carry lawyers to
heaveng' The good woman's answer
was lost in the Hush, dearp but in the
battle of lite since then the question has
come back more than once
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-10-22

MANY a man has discovered that a
good square meal is not always round.
The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-01-08
Interesting Reading for Persons Who
Iianker Afier the Good ola Days.

An agreeable relic OF the good old
times' has been discovered by Ger
man paper, IN the shape of bill Of
charges submitted by nm executoner
at Bonn 10 the authorities ut Cologne
In 1865. The following ara u few Of
the Items contemplated In his estimate;
''fo quarterlng by means Of four horses,
eight ihalers; 20 beheading and burn
Ing, eight thulers; 10 strangling and
burning, six thalors; 10 burning alive,
six thalers; 10 breaking on the wheel
alive, eight thalers; 10 beheadlng and
fastening tho body 10 the wheel,
six thalers 10 beheadlng, four
thaleHj 10 beheading after cut
ting OF one hand five thalers; 10 cut
ting of u hand and two fingers, one
thaler, Tearing with red hot pinchers
TO be be paid for at so much per grippe.
Drowning or burying alive not being
usual In these parts, the executloner
will, In tina event OF such executions
heinz required, ask ~ much as for be-
heading or fastening 10 the Wheel
namely, six thalers. 10 fastening
screws on the thumbs and legs and
driving the same, one thaler for the
first quarter of an hour; for every sub
sequent quarter OF IN hour, one thaler,
The eXecutoner reserves the right OF
aiterward receiving what may be fairly
due him for his trouble In setting
10 right again"