davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Cats and the TarantuIa.

! had pair of jet-black yellow-eyed
cats, twin brothers, CT very large size,
which followed me when [ walked about
my grounds, and they usually accom-
panied me, when I hunted the Texan
hares ON the adjacent mesquite prairie
or when angied in my fshing-boat on
the Colorado River. They were very
much attached to me. and commonly
sat near me or slept under my chair or
table when L was reading Or writing.
They possessed unusual intelligence,
and had taught them % variety of
amusing tricks. They were useful to
me Ill my war upon the tarantulas as
the pointer was IN nay contest with
the snakes, although the spiders were
not 80 numerous or dangerous as the
copperheads. One day, I was sitting in
passage between two rooms of an
unfinished house upon which the car
penters were at work, carelessly lean
ing back against the wall reading, while
the cats were lying near me on the rock
pavement which formed the floor of the
passage. One of them sprung suddenly
and gave mo sharp blow upon the side
of my knee, which attracted my notice
slightly; but as they often did some
thing Of the sort to induce me to lay
aside my book when they wished me to
give them water Or play with them, I
did not pay any particular attention to
1t, and resumed my reading. Soon
one of them leaped three or four
feet III the air and struck me on the
shoulder, and INSTANTLY the other sprung
almost as high as my head and knocked
huge tarantula from the collar of my
coat, which fell heavily upon the pave
ment. 1t Immediately made battle"
by facing the cats and raising it's two
fore-legs at them, and threatening them
with display of its fangs. I did not
interfere with the fight, knowing that
the cats knew we'll how to conduct it.
They quickly separated, and one con-
fronted the enemy while the other
placed himself in the rear. When the
spider made a furious bnt Intellectual
spring ut the one which faced it, the
other behind gave it sharp pat upon
the head with its paw which paralyzed
it. [ then took it up with pair Of
tongs, and placed it upon the top of
large conical hill of the useful insectiv-
orous yellow ant of Western Texas,
which is very different from the
grazing ant, for which it is often mis-
taken by ignorant Or unobserving peo-.
pie, and which is pest to horticulture.
Myriads of these insect-eaters soon coy
cred the black, hairy carcass, and dis
appeared with il in their subterranean
vaults, where suppose it was added to
their winter stores.-Decem6er Home
and School,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
An Eccentric Horse.
From the Rochester Union.

Among the large stud of ex-Alderman
Michael Heavy there is one horse that
deserves to be embalmed in history.
The animal is large bay, and is driven
before hack. It is not generally expect
ed of hack horse to show any unusual
amount of intelligence, but this one is
an exception. At the end of the stable
is water faucet, under which is placed
a large tub for the horses to drink
from. When this animal is thirsty he
scorns the use Of the tub, but turns on
the faucet..with his teeth and holds his
head under the flowing stream until his
thirstis quenched, then turns the faucet
off again, and with knowing look at
his observer trots back to his stall.
During the present spell of cold
weather the water has been allowed to
run to prevent it freezing in the pipes.
Last evening, when the men were else
where engaged, he went TO drink in his
usual manner, and after he got through
turned the faucet off The conse-
quence was the pipes got frozen up and
will have to be thawed out before the
horse can quench his thirst in his accus-
toned manner. We can produce aft
davits i'll support of these statements,
if necessary, and we are inclined to
think that most people will regard it
necessary.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Ornamental Feathers.

The ''Translations of Official Austrian
Report on the Universal Exposition of
1873 contains an interesting account of
the manufacture of ornamental feathers,
an industry which in Vienna employs
about $40 women and apprentices. The
feathers of the African ostrich are chief
ly used in the manufacture; yet those of
the white heron, bird of Paradise, and
marabou, are also frequently utilized.
The pure awhite ostrich feather ranks
above all others in value. The process
through which 1t passes to fit it for the
market looks very simple in the de-
scription, yet doubtless requires the in
teligent touch of trained fingers to ac-
complish it successfully. The feather
is cleaned in series of cold soap baths;
then is washed in warm soap-baths;
after which it is rinsed in cold water ting
ed with faint shade Of blue; pressed,
and swung back and forth in the air
until the barbs have spread, and the
whole is quite dry. Next, the strong
shaft is cut away on the finer side with
small sharp knife, to give the feath-
ers pliancy. In small specimens, the
the same end is accomplished by scrap
ing the shaft with glass. After this,
the backs are made to curl in by draw
ing them gently over blunt knife, and
are reduced to uniform shape by
combing over warm iron. To conceal
the shaft few barbs are made to twist
over it. Finally the feather is thread
ed on wire, and it's construction is
complete. Gray feathers are usually,
and black ones are always colored,
which part of the manufacture is done
by men. Long feathers are called
''leaf feathers and ''Amazons;" and
short feathers, usually tied together III
triplets, are called ''panache. When
feathers are not sufficiently heavy, two
Or three are sewed together. The barbs
of ostrich feathers are much used in
marking fancy feathers, cockades,
fringes, and ''borderies. % Marabou
feathers are also largely worked into
fancy plumes, the tips of white pigeon
feathers, and tiny bits of silk, being
Joined into them. Marabou feathers
are obtained from the under side of the
wing of the adjutant, bird nearly
allied to the stork, and native of Sene-
gal and India.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Great Fishing in Florida.
From the Baltimore Sun.

South from Jacksonville about two
miles is Alachua lake. Formerly this
was vast prairie Of over twenty thou
sand acres Of good grazing land. In
the midst of it was a deep hole OF land
sink, of which there are a great many
In the state, into which the waters of
McKlnstry lake, situated further north,
and the surrounding country used to
flow and find a subterranean outlet to
the sea. About four years ago the out
let got more or less choked up, and the
surplus water backing soon covered
this vast tract of country, In which
aqueous condition it has remained ever
since, increasing and diminishing in
area as the season varies from wet to
dry. This lake is literally alive with
fish. [ have seen colored boys with an
ordinary pole cut from the woods, line
not over four feet long, and fly,
rudely constructed Of white and red
flannel, catch eight pounds of black
bass In couple Of hours. These fish
average from two to twelve pounds.
An eight pound bass is common. A
GAINESVILLE caught and weighed on
Fairbanks scales, In the presence Of a
number of Northern visitors here, a
black bass weighing nineteen and
one-quarter pounds. Tradition says
one was caught here last year that
weighed twenty-three pounds. All the
small streams flowing into this lake are
also full of bass. Day before yesterday
| saw three small boys standing in a
stream. about three feet wide. and NAV
be foot deep, each armed with a piece
OF hoop iron, with which they killed, in
the half hour [ was present, eight good
sized bass. Another boy of the same
party, with two-bushel corn bag,
made one haul in the same stream of
ten bass.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17

almost breathless. Not possessing the
true martyr spirit, and seeing that out
cries have no effect, she finally tries the
use of her claws.
This is the signal for variations.
Master Fred screams at the top of his
voice. Mamma flies to the rescue, box
es poor Tabby's ears, and wishes g that
terrible cat" was executed on the spot !!
Now it seems to us, young mother,
that Master Fred might amuse himself
more profitably than by torturing that
innocent kitten. We imagine, too, you
will own there is right of self-defence,
and in consideration of this, would mt it
be merciful to give your strong, robust,
active boy ball, rocking horse, some
inanimate play-fellow, instead of box
ing Tabby's ears, and teaching young
Fred, thus early, the refnements of tor
ture Our Dumb animals.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Tomatoes-An Engisllman's Expert.

The following story was told at table
by an Englishman, resident OF Gait,
who was pressed to take tomatoe cat
sup. He declined, explaining his dis
like to tomatoes by giving one of his
experiences in Canada. The native
simplicity with which the story was
told completely upset the gravity of
those who heard it. Now you must
know that have not been long III this
country. I landed at Quebec last
September, and from Quebec went to
Toronto. A day OF two after my arrival
was walking along King street. It
was a very hot day, and looked for a
| fruit shop. l saw q shop window In
which were some nice red things.
They looked exceedingly cool and juicy.
[ thought [ would have some, and so
entered the shop. Thinking that such
delicious looking fruit must be very ex-
pensive I asked the shop woman to give
me '25 cents worth of those red things.
| She said, "25 cents worth?' [ said
eyes, 25 cents worth" [ thought she
would give me three Or four, but what
was my astonishment when she placed
about so on the counter. l said, care
all them for me?" She said Eyes.
So [ took them and filled my coat
pockets. Finding about Is left, I put
several in my breeches pockets, and half
dozen in my hat. Then [ went out
and looked for quiet corner to enjoy
eating one of those red things. I went
down the street and turned down an
alley toward the bay. [ pulled one
out, and polishing it, took a bite. |
thought I was poisoned. [ walked
about Is minutes trying to get the taste
out of my mouth, but in vain. [ then
thought that the one l had eaten was q
bad one, and [ would try another, and
SO took bite, but it was worse than
t'other. I thought it was rotten and
threw it away. Then [ bethought my
self of the % cents and went back to
the shop where [ had purchased the
fruit. asked the woman what those red
things were She said Tomatoes -
I said "Potatoes. She again said
"Tomatoes." "Well, the name will be
sufficient for me III the future said I.
Then [ asked her to give me apples in
exchange. So pulled out the tomatoes
and laid them on the table. Many of
them were in good condition, but some
of them were smashed four or five into
lump. The woman took them back
and picked out nine apples. Since
that time I have never been able to eat
tomatoes, and even the sight of them in
passing shop window has made NE
quicken my steps.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Dog Dentistry in New York.


Letter from Mrs. NJ. H. B. to ST. Louis Republican
Dogs have the toothache, and not
only do dogs have the toothache, but
they have dentists, and it's hard to tell
which is the worst to have. A lady
here has a beautiful black and tan,
fragile bit of canine weighing no more
than two pounds. The dear little man
became fractions. He plunged his
head in the sofa pillow and threw up
his other end as if life had no more
bones. He took a lap at his mug of
cold water, and then sat down on his
tail, and lifted up his voice in so pro-
longed misery that the whole house
cried hydrophobia, and got up on top
of chairs and tables. Had this animal
been twelve-pounder instead OF two,
and affection the only tie between the
owner and the beast-though it pulled
her heart string" Claude" would have
been shot; but it was the purse-strings
by which he held on; he was worth $3.50.
A doctor was sent for-the patient was
found with his nose in an india-rubber
shoe, and his rat tail vibrating with a
big ache-an ache the attendant physi-
clan Immediately pronounced to be
of the family when the prescription for
Claude was the dentist. His blanket
was put on, his spirits encouraged, and
off went the poor dog to have his teeth
fixed.
A regular practitioner was the opera
tor. Claude was put into neat little
box, hacked in with wood. His wan
dering countenance stuck out of hole
in the cover. A rubber-covered stick
went into his mouth and kept his jaws
open, and the investigation commenced.
Two Of his back teeth were pulled
there was no doubt of that He expos
tulated loudly, Notwithstanding the
gag. Then he was allowed respite of
some hours, after which he reluctantly
resumed his harness and had three
teeth filled with amalgam. Thus tink-
cred. Claude has returned to his home
to think of the past and refuse all
s geet things that may bring to his little
canine soul such sorrow as he has Just
suffered.
This little dogs dental bill was $40,
and that's but one of his mistress
troubles. She has paid $25 for his pas
sage across the ocean four times. She
has paid 500 for damages done to
suit of furniture, from which he ate
every button in every tuft in the space
of half an hour. She has paid 1nnum-
cradle small sums for railway travel,
for of late years they are trying, these
hard hearted railroad officials, to part
the tender traveller from her poodle, con-
sidering the dog as nuisance.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
An Indian Story.
Sioux CITY journal.

We learn from gentleman of this
city who is just back from trip up the
river the particulars of rather extraor-
binary case of experience in the last
awful blizzard. An Indian and his
squaw were caught out IN the storm
while journeying from Fort Randall to
the Fort Thompson Agency, and becom-
ing bewildered, took refuge IN small
ravine. They wrapped their blankets
about them and sat down under the
bank. The snow soon covered them,
but the Indian kept hole through the
rapidly-forming drift with his gun,
which he would poke up occasionally.
They remained there all night, and the
drift became so high in the meantime
that he was obliged to splice the ram
rod to the end of his rife IN order to
reach to the top and keep up ventila-
ton During their cherries imprison-
ment the squaw was delivered of a
child, and it was christened "Snow
Drift. ;"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
"The Heart of the AndeS.o
From the Springfield lMass.l Union.

from the Sprlngneld kMasS.l Union.
One of the spiciest bits of gossip
which has recently gotten cut of the
bag relates to the Artist Church's great
picture, "The Heart of the Andes" A
fine engraving of it from the original
by William Forrest, and on exhibition
by Gill & Hays, briAgs the story to
mind. Church, like other artists, for
obvious reasons, doesn't want copies of
his best works to GO out Of the world;
and Forests engraving was the only
copy of this picture authorized by its
author. Church's studio at New York
is open to the public only at certain
hours. and then to none but those who
have tickets. A person is in constant
attendance to see that no harm is done
to the valuable collection, and he is
also supposed to prevent copies from
being made. A brother artist was a
frequent visitor, and at last came to be
SO familiar that he was one day left
alone near sThe Heart of the Andes. !"
Being probably a little flushed with
wine or something more potent, his
evil genius prompted him to sketch the
great picture. He made two copies and
got out unobserved. The copies he
colored, and by some means one
came to this city and one went to Hart
ford. Church discovered the rape, got
on the trail of one Of the copies and
followed it to shop in this city, where
it was left to be framed. He was a7acog.
and asked to see ''that picture of THE
Heart of the Andes OF course, it was
produced. A sudden sweep of the ar
lists hand and the stolen copy was dam
aged beyond repair. But there was still
the other copy, and it was thorn in the
flesh to Church that he could not dis
cover its whereabouts. Some time af-
terward a gentleman of this city, who
was at his studio remarked to Church
that he had seen ''The Heart of the
Andes" elsewhere. OF course Church
denied the possibility of such a thing.
"But I own it myself replied the gen
tlemar, who had somehow gotten the
Hartford copy. Then Church knew
where the only colored copy of this
great picture could be found, but it was
III vain he tried to purchase it. Its
owner would take no price, and Church
is till unhappy. So runs the story, and
it is good enough to be believed.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Report Of the Commissioner of Patents.
The annual report of the Commits

liz POIo VI UllC OOIIlIi1o-
sioner of Patents just compiled. makes
the following statement inregard to the
finances and business of the Patent
Office for the past year. Amount to
the credit of the patent fund on Janu-
airy LIST, 1864, $3.50, 124.21 amount re-
ceived during the year, 1913, 278.17;
making total of ST, 544, 402 .38; amount
expended, $679, 2S8. Al; leaving bal
ance on hand of 1856, 1897. Number
of applications made for patents in 1874
21,602, patents issued 1859, applica-
lions for extensions 216, extensions
granted 1919, number of patents issued
citizens of the United States 1902,
Great Britain 352, France "a, other for
eigners 1O1. The largest number of
patents in proportion to the population
was granted to citizens of the District
of Columbia, being 145, one to every
901 inhabitants; Illinois 944, one to
2,478 inhabitants; Louisiana 76, one to
every $3.50 inhabitants; New York
2,785, one to every 1851 inhabitants;
Ohio 929, one to every ,872inhabitants
Pennsylvania l ,644, one to every 2,142
inhabitants; Wisconsin 255, one to every
4. 1876 inhabitants.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Mail Bags by the Ton.

Under instructions from Washington
the mail bags passing over the Penn.
sylvania Railroad between November,
1874, and February, 1875, were weigh.
ed. The result shows that 1884, 39I
pounds were transported to Washington
from New York, and IT'S, 166 pounds
from Washington to New York. The
road has carried from New York to
Philadelphia and West Philadelphia
729, 381 pounds, and from Philadelphia
to New York 639, 241 pounds, making a
graz total Of 8, ATE, 089 pounds, or over
1877 tons. If the same average pre-
vailed for year, the amount Of mail
carried between New York, Phlladel-
phia, and Washington, would reach
nearly 1000 tons.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
ChiIdren,s Treatment of Kittens.

Tabby is fine maltise, full of That
frohc and play to which kitten natures
are susceptible. Master Fred, aged two,
dnds trouble in amusing himself, and
forthwith monopolizes Tabby.
Tabby protests, with series of gym
nastic exercises on her part, in the vain
effort to free herself from the grasp OF
Master Fred. But Fred is ixexorable,
and hasn't the slightest idea that he is
tortilring the poor creature while he
holds her tighter and tighter in his
chubby hands, and proceeds on an ex-
ploring expedition over chairs, tables
and sofas promiscuously.
Tabby continues her vigorous efforts
to get away. Get away! The poor
creature is choked, strangled, crushed,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
4 Strange Scare-Croyv.

GA parsimonious old Scotch minister
once evaded discovery by an uncom-
monty clever maneuvre. When work
ing one day in his garden, or glebe, in
his ordinary beggar-like attire, he was
alarmed to see the carriage of his pa
iron, the proprietor of the parish,
whirling rapidly along the road to his
manse. It was too late to attempt a re-
treat, and get himself put in decent Or
der to receive my lord To retreat
was impossible: to remain where and
as he was-to be shamed and disgraced.
With promptitude seldom or never
surpassed, he stuck his battered hat
down on his shoulders, drew up his
hands into the sleeves of his ragged
coat, stuck out his arms at an acute an
gle, planted his legs far apart, and,
throwing rigidity into all his form,
stood there in the potato ground, the
very beau ideal of what iii England is
called 'scare-crow, in Scotland 'po-
tato-bogle'-never suspected by the
visitors as they drove up to the front
entrance, while he made for the back
door to don his Sunday garo.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
A Crow StOry.
From the Sanilac (Mich.) Jeffersonian.

From the SanIlac (Mlch.) JefeTsonIan.
There is in this village a tame crow
belonging to one Ely Browns children.
A favorite amusement Of his is to light
down on the clothes lines after the
clothes have been hung out, and pick
off the pins, and carry them away and
hide them. One day Mrs. Brown was
hanging out the clothes, being watched
closely by Jim. Soon he began to take
pins out, and carry them to the top of
the house, laying them down by the
chimney. After taking four or five,
Mrs. Brown demonstrated, saying,
Now, jim, that won't do Where
upon this "ebony bird" quietly picked
up clothes-pin, and, walking down the
roof, to the caves, dropped it to the
ground, and then walked back, got an
other, and dropped it in the same man
ner, and SO continued to do until he had
dropped them ALL
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
Singular Combat

The monkey inhabited a large banyan
tree at Patna, and was preparing to as
cend it when he perceived near the root
large cobra. On every attempt to
approach the trunk the snake reared its
crest to attack him; and as the monkey
moved to the other side, the snake in
like manner. shifted his ground, SO as
always to intercept it's advance to the
tree.
The monkey on this quickened its
movements, danced from side to side,
and occasionally rushing directly at the
snake, as If about to seize it, kept it in
a continual state of action and alarm for
nearly Two hours.
At length the cobra apparently tired
out, lay stretched on the ground The
monkey now walked leisurely before it,
watching it all the while with the ut
most vigilance, and gradually lessening
the distance between them, till he had
arrived within reach by a single bound,
when springing on his enemy before be
had time to rear it's head he grasped il
firmly by the neck.
The snake instantly enveloped him
in it's folds, but the monkey retained
his hold, seized a brickbat (part Of the
tree) and cody set himself to work to
rub against it the head of the snake.
This operation was continued with
the most determined perseverance, till
he had utterly destroyed all vestige of
the head, reducing it to 81 confused
mass, when disengaging himself from
the inert folds, he sprang up to his
wonted roost in the tree.
After this it can scarcely be question
ed that the monkey was perfectly aware
of the dangerous character of the snake,
and also knew well the seat of the for
midable power which his enemy pos
sessed, and could In an instant put forth
in his destruction.
It also proves that the larger animals,
unlike the sma' Ter ones, are incapable
Of being acted on by the power of fasci-
nation. A similar account is given of a
colony of monkeys living in banyan
tree on the Nerbudda.-Ihe Parloz
Men0qerie.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17

A MONTANA editor bemoans the cal
antilles of 1874 in the following touch
ing strain: First, that Beecher bust
ness; then the grasshoppers, then the
democratic victories, and now an in
creased tax on whisky. What is this
poor country coming to E"