davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
An Insect Boxer.

a CORRESPONDENT of the Scientific
american tells of curious insect called
a boxer:
The boxer of South America is so
called by English and American settlers
on account of it's pugilistic propensities,
1t is of the grasshopper family, light
made, long-limbed and of beautiful
green color, and is an inhabitant of the
south temperate zone Those which /
saw were brought in by gauehers (herds-
men) from the camp country and given
to the major domo foreman) of the saler-
ado (salting establishment at Port
Roman, situated on the east side of the
Uruguay River, about forty miles above
Independence, and in about latitude "a
deg. south. They were brought in to
show as curiosities, The major domo,
with whom was well acquainted, placed
one of these little fighters on the table
and said to me:
Tease him and see what he will do"
So put my forefinger against him and
pushed him lightly back; he was then in
his natural position, on all-fours. He
faced around toward me and moved back
about an inch. then touched him
lightly again, and he retreated again, as
before; ana we observed a sort of ner-
vous movement in the hands, or rather
the lower extremities of the fore legs,
which we will call hands. l followed
him up again, but this time, instead of
retreating he raised himself up, his body
being nearly perpendicular and drew
his feet up, placing himself like Turk
in sitting posture, at the same time
clinching his fists and putting himself on
guard as a boxer would do.
/ then made pass at him with my
finger, which he turned off as well as
Yankee Sullivan could have done; and
as long as / continued teasing him in
this way he warded off and gave blows
as regularly as any pugilist could do.
Soon after l ceased teasing him he came
down on all-fours again and walked off
leisurely across the table. The major
domo told me that he had seen plenty of
them and that they all showed fight
when teased the same as this one had
done
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
The Debit and Credit Account.

No ONE can pursue business intelli-
gently and proftably without carefully
kept debit and credit accounts. With
these accounts carefully kept the farmer
can, by yearly balances, see just what
he is doing. If the account is too heavy
on the debit side, the farmer can see just
where he is tending and will, by this in
formation, be influenced to take a new
tack and recover himself before he has
gone too far.
Now, January will soon be here, and
we advise all who have not done so be-
fore to open an account with the farm
and its operations. Here are the items
that should be charged against the farm
Interest on the capital invested, at the
usual rate, 10per cent.
The depreciation in value from ex-
haustion.
The interest on the capital invested in
implements, farm machinery and the
stock employed to work the farm.
The depreciation in value of these from
u6C LIS lIClI1 CGlu NC CSIll1dGtu Dt IlIC
average length of time these articles last
by good usage.
The value of manures and seeds, and
of the materials for repairs and improve
ments.
The interest on these until returns are
had on their use.
The cost of alllabor, both of the owner
and his hired help, at the rate he pays
for help.
The actual cost Of board for his hired
help.
All female labor employed in the pro-
duction of butter, cheese, etc.
Credit the farm with:
AL its products, both that sold and
that consumed by the family.
The enhanced market value of the
farm.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
An Oriental Trick.

AN interesting incident has just &C.
Cured in Bucharest and has created a
profound sensation in theatrical circles
in that place. 1t seems that the pro-
prietor of the Suhr circus, anxious to
provide amusement for the public, lately
published an announcement that chal-
Aenge given by Jules Rigal, wrestler at
tached to the circus, had been accepted
by gentleman, who, wishing to preserve
strict incognito, would appear before
the public in week. The amateur ath-
lete, who, it was stated, was a person &C.
cupying high social position, was ru-
mored to be no other than the Prince
Stourdja, a Moldavian noble, who has
the reputation of possessing herculean
strength. On the evening when the
great unknown" made his first appear
with eager spectators long before the
commencement of the performance.
Rigal and his masked opponent having
made their bow to the audience at once
commenced the struggle, which was,
however, of short duration, for the dis
tinguishel unknown in a few minutes,
amid frantic applause, foored his pro-
fessional antagonist. So great was the
success of the spectacle that the man
ager announced to the admiring audience
that the nobleman wrestler had condo
scended to appear again before them on
the following evening, when the perform
ance was accordingly repeated and was
continued for several successive nights,
until one evening an indiscreet member of
the troupe unfortunately divulged the
fact that the masked wrestler was not a
distinguished nObleman but only one of
the clowns attached to the circus. This
led 10 disturbance-the "great I'M
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
Expensive Furs.

THE subject of furs brings to my mind
the Empress of Russia's visit to Paris
on her way to the south from England,
which she visited on the occasion of her
daughters (the Duchess of Edinburgh
confinement. The cloak the majesty of
the north wore on her arrival is said to
be of the value of 100000 francs, con-
sisting of the richest Siberian Zhibelline.
No less than 228 skins were employed in
the cloak, each skin being estimated at
800 francs But this is far from coming
up to the value of the fur trimming of
a coat of the Emperor of Russia,
which, consisting of blue fox, a most
rare and valuable fur, is worth upward
of 100, 900 francs. Nine. Adelina Patti,
the Marquise De Caux, received as pres
ent from the Emperor Alexander, during
the late visit to ST. Petersburg, set of
magnificent furs of the value of $4,000
francs. This may be said to sing to
some purpose. The equipage of the
Marqvise when she arrived in Paris ere
ated no little sensation-black horses,
bells, furs and even Coachmen were all
got up in true Russian style! Nothing
was wanting; the pretty prima donna
herself, sitting gracefully within, and
looking as if waiting for the ovations
which were awaiting her on the Partisan
boards in her new part of Valentine, in
" The Huguenots'-new to her admirers
here, though one Of her early successes
in New Orleans.-PdTis Letter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
The Essence OF Cheek.

We have been told of the sublimity of
cheek, the brass of assurance of the
fellow who had to sand-paper his coun-
tenance to soften it to a smile, but the
essence of cheek, double distilled, de-
yeloped in this city few days ago. A
well-known lady in the upper part of
the city has two boarders, and sets an at
traCtive table for their enjoyment. A
few days since one of the gentlemen
who enjoys the good cheer of the table
was successfully and diligently disposing
of the various relishable dishes his land
lady set before him for dinner, when a
stranger, we'll dressed and with per-
fectly =" at home" demeanor, walked into
the coy dining-room and seating him
self at the table began vigorous on
slaught upon the food before him. "a
new boarder," said the old one to him
self, and he nodded politely to the new
conner, anticipating an introduction as
soon as the mistress of the house re-
turned TO the room, although ne reflect
ed that 1t was strange she should have
taken another boarder, knowing that she
could not well accommodate or serve
more. However, it was none of his bust
ness, and he leaned back and stroked a
blonde mustache with an immaculate
napkin, while he admired the remarkable
good appetite of the stranger, evidenced
by the agility with which he stow ed
away the good things.
Presently the landlady entered from
the kitchen bearing dish, the savury
odors of which filled the apartm, Mt
She approached the table and still no i
ing the smoking dish halted before he
stranger, while an expression of the
most profound establishment oversprcad
her features.
"a friend of yours?" to the boarder.
A shake of the head by the regular in
creased her surprise.
She sat down the dish.
"Are you not mistaken, sir" to the
stranger.
"Oh, no, madam" he replied, as he
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
Catching a LunatiG.

a FINE elm tree. which stood near the
goldfish pond directly before the Capt.
toll, has been cut down, unavoidably, as
it with others INSTRUCTED the view of
the building. At one of the Inaugural
tions of Mr.. Lincoln-the first one, I
believe-a crazy man clambered up into
this tree, and going out on one of the
branches till it swayed with his weight
he began to address the assembled multi
tude at the top of his voice on slavery
The officials entreated him to come
down, but he refused and declared that
if any one attempted to climb up after
him he would jump to the ground, which
would have killed or manned him. And
SO he continued shouting away, although
it was almost time for the President
elect to appear on the platform in front
of the Capitol, and there deliver his in
augural. No one could have heard this
had the lunatic continued to yell out his
incoherent and blasphemous sentences
SO near him. What was to be done?
Some shouted: Shoot himp but there
was general cry of disapprobation.
A mounted army officer conceived a
plan for quoting the noisy fellow. Rid
ing up to the tree on which he was
perched, he said, in commanding tone:
You, sir, up there! Mr.. Lincoln de-
sires to see you few moments to con-
suit you about his inaugural" Does
Lincoln really want my sublime ideass"
said the interested lunatic "He is
waiting in the Senate Chamber" replied
the officer "l'll come right down." an
swered the crazy man, and he descended
with great rapidity, but no sooner had he
touched the ground than half dozen
detectives grabbed him. He struggled
Justify, declaring that the President had
sent for him, but he was carried bodily
to the guard-house, and just as his raw
ings grew faint in the distance Mr. Lin
coin came to the front of the platform
and delivered his inaugural without in
terruption. have never since seen the
tree without thinking Of this Incident
Washington Cor. Boston Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
Contracts on Sunday.

n CASE not long since came before the
Court of Appeals of Kentucky involv-
ing the validity of contract made on
the Christian Sabbath. On this point the
Court said:
"The general rule is that all contracts
made in contravention of an express
statute are void, and that no action can
be maintained either upon the contract
or for anything done under it or grow
ing out of it. Contracts made on Sun
day are, in some sense, an exception to
the general rule. Such contracts are not
tainted by any general illegality. They
are illegal only as to the time in which
they are entered into. When purged of
this ingredient, they are like other con-
tracts. If closed on Sunday they are
void; but if affirmed on subsequent
day they become valid Where a con-
tract made on Sunday is executory on
both sides, it is simply void unless subse-
quently affirmed by mutual consent.
Where either party has done anything
under such contract for which, of course,
he would have no remedy under the con-
tract until it was subsequently affirmed,
he may demand restitution; and where
it is not, compensation. Thus the other
party will be put to his election whether
to affirm or disaftirm the contract His
declining to make restitution or cOmpen-
satiOn is, in fact, an affirmation of the
contract"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
New Discoveries in the Nam moth Cave

SOME months ago Prof. F. w. Putnam
of the Peabody Academy of Science,
Salem, received an appointment of the
State geological survey of the State of
Kentucky, and few weeks ago left for
that locality to enter into an examination
habitants. The directors of the Peabody
Museum of Archaeology, at Cambridge,
learning of Prof. Putnam's expedition,
secured his services while absent TO make
further Investigations in the department
OF archaeology for the benefit of that in
stitution, and when he returned home he
brought with him many wonderful speci-
mems from the Mammoth and other caves
Of Kentucky, and from other parts of the
State, which will be valuable acquisitions
TO the collections in both named depart
ments of science In his cave explora-
tions he entered caves and chambers
never before visited by scientists, and
many new discoveries were made. 1t
has always been asserted that all eyeless
fish in the waters of the Mammoth Cave
were Colorless, but this theory has been
exploded by the finding by Prof. Putnam
of Col0red fish without eyes. Besides,
there were found white fish with eyes.
Gray fish were also found, with and with
out eyes. These are all new features to be
studied by naturalists One new species
Of fish has also been obtained, and the
whole arc now on exhibition at the
museum Of the Peabody Academy, Salem
Insects, crustaceans and other specimens
were found IN great variety. In the de-
partment OF archaeology many skeletons
of human beings were found in the caves,
and in some of the chambers, never be-
fore examined, footprints were dis
covered in the sandy floor, and moccasins
were found. Several burial places and
mounds were eXhumed, and valuable
relics obtained from them. In one of the
graves examined nine skeletons we're
found-BOSton Globe
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
Permanent improvements.


The rent of the dwelling house.
We cannot too strongly urge the i'm
portance of a knowledge of just how our
affairs are going. Ii the facts which will
be brought out in these accounts each
year show that We are on the down
grade we shall be prompted TO call halt
and TO begin earnest inquiry ss to what
we should do. If it should be found by
comparing notes with our neigh bors that
exclusive corn growing was the cause of
our trouble we should take q new tack
If it should prove to be an attempt to
grow wheat or any other special crop
that caused the failure We should cast
about to see just what our farms and our
locations to markets require that We
should do.
Friends, We repeat again what We
have often said in the Fds,aer. informa-
ton about our business and upon kin
dred topics lies at the bottom of success.
Success was never secured without il
except in rare cases of force of circum-
.tances. We must above all have rel-
able information about our business af-
fairs, and how can we have il except we
carefully collate it and compare it and
weigh it?
Open you accounts on tho LIST of j an
uary; keep the items. 1t will prompt
you to look carefully after the little de
tails and save much that is now wasted.
-Indlana Farmer
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07

J. III. STEARNs, JR., in the New York
Sun, draws a comparison as to the speed
of railroad trains between the present
time and that of twenty years ago. He
suggests that the difficulty is to be found
in the ponderous cars now used in the
transportation of passengers. If we wish
TO travel fast, says the writer, we have
got to have small, light, low cars, with
basket-work easy chairs, sides of glass,
steel frames and low trucks, to bring
the center of gravity down as low as
possible. These, provided with air
brakes, can be made to roll over the line
with proper locomotive fifty miles to
the hour, without any more damage to
the permanent way than is occasioned
by the pounding of tons on tons of dead
weight now dragged after the engine.
Such cars should not hold over twenty
persons each.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07

known" narrowly escaped being torn to
pieces by his late admirers, the manager
and his troupe had to fly for their lives,
and the circus building would probably
have been dismantled and destroyed but
for the exertions of the police, who with
great difficulty succeeded in depressing
what promised to be serious riot.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07

A PARIS journal describes q new rifle
of novel construction recently invented
in that city. According to this account
the gun presents nothing remarkable ex-
teriorily, but the lock is so arranged that
the breech Is opened by cooking the
piece, and, the charge being introduced,
the breech is closed and the gun fired by
touching the trigger. The cartridge con-
sists of hollow leaden cone filled with
powder and closed at the base by piece
of cork. At the moment the cartridge is
introduced into the breech the powder
escapes by small hole in the cork, and
an imperceptible ball of Illuminating
powder, which forms the printing, takes
it's proper position. The triple action Of
cooking, loading and firing is thus effect
ed simultaneously, SO that q man with
but slight experience can FIRE twenty
rounds q minute. The cartridges are
stored in an iron tube, which Is placed
parallel with the barrel, and contains
thirty balls, so that the piece may be
fired as many times almost without any
interval, and without removing the
stock from the shoulder. there being
nothing 10 be done but to cock and pull
the trigger.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07
Smuggling.
How many acts of smuggling are per-
petrated no one knows; we are only
cognizant of those which are found out,
on the principle that
Journal.
What is hit is history,
But what is missed is mystery.

What is hit is history.
But what is missed is mystery.
In recent year 100 pounds
of tobacco and cigars were concealed
by one of the engineers in hollow
beam in the engine-room of a steamer;
the Argus eyes of the English Gus
toms officers ferreted out the secret
when the steamer entered port In an
other instance vessel came over from
Stettin, in the Baltic, with several casks
of camomile flowers among the cargo; in
the very midst of the camomile the
officers found $50 pounds of cigars. 8
similar mode of illicitly introducing
$50 pounds of cigars was about the same
time adopted in a vessel hailing from
Hamburg. Early one morning nearly
], 200 pounds of tea were found quietly
reposing in furze brake in Guernsey
evidently waiting for favorable oppor-
tunity of transit to some part Of the En-
gish coast, there to take its chance
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07

THE names of victories may be erased from
our battle flags; but SILVER TIPPED Shoes
will never become obsolete. They are a
national institution.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-07

ANNA s. GETsINGER, of Honosdale, Pa,
writes the following: AFTER suffering for
nearly two years from neuralgia in the breast,
passing up into the throat face and head, /
was entirely cured and restored to health by
using DR.. L. Q. c. Wisharrs Pine Tree TAI
Cordial"
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-08

rive from this amendment the power to regu.
late inns, railroads and places of amusement!
Because it is their duty to see that colored peo-
pie are not denied deprived or abridged their
right of voting, they have declared that this
class shall have social equality in all hotels, on
all public conveyances, and in all places OF
amusement. A more preposterous construc-
ton never was given to human language
IF any State should attempt to make dis
tinction between the colored race and the
whites in voting, Congress had power to inter
pose in appropriate legislation. But in no
other instance can Congress legislate in favor
of the colored people under the Fifteenth
Amendment of the Constitution.
I do not regard the Civil Rights Bill as at
all affecting us in South Carolina, tor we al
ready have the same law in effect, passed by
our Legislature, and it constitutionally cannot
be evaded; however much we may object to It's
policy, wisdom and propriety. The Civil
Rights Bill puts all the States in the same cat
egory with South Carolina. | do not regret its
passage The Northern people have this day, q
stronger prejudice against the colored people
than is entertained in the Southern States.
They will be more unwilling than we are to
give the colored people those rights and privl-
leges secured to them by the Civil Rights Bill.
IF the colored people are to have social equall-
ty in South Carolina, by all means let them
have it in Massachusetts,.
There was lady from Greenville in Phila-
delphia last fall, who purchased ticket to the
theatre for her colored maid servant She was
refused admittance! This too, in that strong
abolition city which has the honor of origina-
ting the first abolition society in America.
B. F. PERRY.
The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-08

THE MODEL SrATEsMAN-Hon. Proctor
Knott has been lecturing at the North on the
"Nlodel Statesman" Here is his pen picture
of that American institution, the professional
politician:
He loves his country with a passionate devo-
ton, but he loves it because of its admirable
and unfailing system of gathering its revenues
into the public treasury He loves it because
of the regularity and certainty with which they
receive the presidential signature. He loves
it because of the liberal salaries with which it
rewards its devoted, self-sacrifcing servants,
and the promptness with which it pays them.
He loves it for its subsidies, its jobs, its rings
and its lobby privileges. He loves it for the
cheapness and durability of its ''whitewash,"
and for the even and liberal hand with which
it is applied to prosecuted patriots by its ingen-
uous ant, Justice loving committees of investi-
CATION; for with him the first great command
ment is to ''get an Office" and the second is
like unto it, put money in thy purse" Upon
these two commandments, in his estimation,
hang all the law and the profits