davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23
The Dead-Letter Office.

ABOUT one letter in $50 that are written
| goes to the Dead-Letter Office. Hence
1-1S0 Of the expense of the service should
be charged to the office, which would be
| about 81, 100000 per year There are
ninety-tive clerks employed in the Dead
Letter Office proper, at an aggregate sal
| airy Of 1914, 900, but Of course this does not
include the cost of transportation, station
cry, nor the labor of handling the 1000, 900
Of dead letters that are sent annually from
the different pOstoffices in the country to
Washington, and the more than half of
them that are returned to the writers.
Frequently, after being sent to several
different postoffices, and being returned
each time with information regarding the
writer, the letter, with its valuable, or in
valuable, it may be, contents, finally
reaches it's nomadic writer Letters have
been known to travel around a year or
more in this way. When the writer is
found the receipt is returned with his sig
nature; the fact is recorded on the books
with the other record. Often it happens
that neither the writer nor the person to
whom letter containing money is adj
dressed can be found, and in this case
after reasonable search, the letter is num-
bered and filed, and the money is depos
tied in the United States Treasury to the
account of the Dead-Letter Office, from
which it can be reclaimed by the sender
any time within four years, providing
satisfactory evidence can be shown that
the claimant is entitled to the same. After
four years an act Of Congress only can re-
store it tc its original possessor.
| The same is done with checks, drafts,
bills of exchange, commercial paper of
this character, although these are more
easily traceable because of the signatures,
Endorsements, etc. Very frequently large
sums of money are found to have strayed
into this pound" for Migrants, almost al
ways because Of the carelessness of the
sender The other day check for $40, 900
was found in partially-directed envelope.
The drawer Of the check was easily
known from his signature and the letter
head used and he has receipted for his
valuable Enclosure, it is to be hoped, by
this time. Several months ago a check
for $25, 900, drawn to bearer, came to light
when an unstamped envelope was opened,
but the owner was easily found.
The largest piece of commercial paper
ever known to come into the Dead-Letter
Office was bill Of exchange from San
Francisco bank on Chicago bank for
about So, 000,0 900. This was in 1878, and
it will be noticed that the value of the
dead letters that year was somewhat larger
than it ever was before.-Wdsh Cor. CHI
c0l0 Inter Ocean.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23

before excluded. The warm rains will
pass through it and start decomposition.
The frOstS will further be benefit In
other words you have two farms overlap
ping each other, united in resisting the
drouth and disposing Of the excess of wa
ter, the latter, however, only fully accom-
plished by the further aid of underdrain-
ing; and it needs this to give full play to
subsQiling.
We have stated what the condition of
the soil (undersoiD must be, namely, the
point between the wet and the dry, always
avoiding the wet, yet sometimes admitting
OF the dry, where not obstinate, and yield
ing to mellow condition. And this last
must be the effect aimed at, as it is in the
culture ofthe upper soil-mellow through.
out, Increasing largely the amount of the
ullabie soil. All work on the farm re-
qulres to be done we'll, but this calls, per
haps for the most care Of any Some
soils, Of course, will not admit of subsoiI-
ing at all. These are the constantly wet
(beloW). Drainage is the only remedy
here. Unless we drain our land more and
subsoil more, we shall remain far from a
full realization of the advantages which
our land has in store for us.-N. Y. Tgib-
7EDe
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23
Seeds of Fruit Trees.

AS early as practicable in the fall have
my ground plowed as deep as it can be
done and then narrowed as fine as posi-
BILE. [ lay out the ground in rows fifteen
inches apart, making the rows six inches
wide and almost two inches deep. [ then
drop the seeds evenly over four inches of
the space, dropping so that they will be
almost an inch apart. [ gather as many
coal-ashes as [ will need, and use a ma
sons screen to pass the fine ashes through.
When the men have finished dropping the
apple seeds I take the fine coal ashes and
cover the seeds fully two inches with the
ashes and then cover the ashes with about
half an inch of soil. Besides the ashes
acting as a fertilizer and preventing the
woody aphis from doing harm, they keep
the ground in condition, so as not to be
affected by frosts in the spring, and there
by lifting the soil. l have never found
anv trouble in this direction or from the
aphis by covering with ashes. plant all
nv seeds in the fall-plum, apple, cherry,
peach, maple, ash, etc. do not use coal
ashes or any other than apple and cherry
seeds. An application of sifted coal-ashes
in the spring after the plants are well up,
and have made several sets OF leaves, will
materially benefit apple seedlings. Pass
inc over the rows with the back of rake
will knock off any ashes that may have
lodged on the plants. find fifteen inch
es a good width for space between
the rows, and also find that l gain in
ground and have less space for weeds to
grow. also find the use of digging
fork better than pillow for working the
seedlings, as less harm is done to them
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23

Petersburg is not a place for Cossacks
either. By brooding over the past I had be-
came madly in love with my wife. 1t was
no use for me to tell myself that had
left her well off; that she was married
again and happy; that she was forty-four
and fat; or else, perhaps, a scarecrow. I
was madly in love. I got my discharge
and pension papers and started south. At
Kharkof my friend was dead What if
she, too, were dead? who keeps the
Donski post-station now?' l murmured,
crossing myself the while under my long
cloak. The widow "A widow that has
kept it fourteen years?' The same In
eighteen hours | was there recognized
two of the old men, but they not me- I
rushed into the house. Shewas at her day
book, writing, not changed. Only graver,
and with silver in her black hair. My
own little Olga in the best style of old
days. She did not turn to look at me.
but threw up her arms and fell forward on
the table. | rushed to her and felt her
heart, with mine, too, all but ceasing to
beat. In moment she came to herself
our lips fast glued together. This was in
'53. This is SO. Sixteen years gone
like day. We have made up for the past,
little lord
'But would you believe it? That
wretched Government at Petersburg
insists that am dead, and that the Donski
station is kept by my widow. Or else they
say the cuirass1er riding-master must be
dead, and with him his pension. My
widow accepts the situation with a smile,
for our neighbors all know better than to
believe the Government, but she keeps the
books, signs the receipts and pays the
taxes. [ draw my pension in my cuiras-
sier name.-MacnnayIan' Mogozgne.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23

and the work is more effectual The adj
vantage of fall planting will be obvious
to all. Nature does her planting then.
and the freezing is done in order and recr-
larity. As soon as the spring opens they
begin to grow. There is no hurry 10 ret
the seeds in when pressed with sprinp
work no detention because of late sea.
sons or wei weather; no risk from rotting
your apple seed by soaking and freezing
as by the Old process. Nature takes
charge of them in the ground, and the re-
suit is perfectly satisfactory. You can
begin to cultivate the ground and keep
down the weeds with but little trouble. /
remember the remark made to me by
prominent Rochester nurseryman on
visit to this place. [ gave him my mode
in detail, and had the satisfaction of hav-
ing him tell me that would have the loss
of time, seeds and labor as my reward.
My reward did not come as predicted, but
instead, | was offered 800 for the lot Just
as they were coming up. preferred car
rying the experiment through and was
we'll rewarded for it. l cover plum and
cherry fully two and one-half inches;
peach three inches. No trouble to get
through if your soil is light | have
given you the working in detail l would
only add that my faith in coal ashes in
creases with the use of them. l have
seen orange and lemon seeds that had
been thrown on the ash-pit in the fall
sprout in the spring and grow to fine
plants with no other soil than that afforded
by the ashes. -EcLectic R2LrnLiSt
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23

a drought set in and it only rained once
during the two weeks, and that was on the
day which Cooley informed the baseball
club that it could play match, because it
would be clear.
On toward the first of July he began to
have some doubts if his improved weather
system was correct he was convinced that
it must work by contraries; so whe en- Prof.
Jones asked him if it would be safe to
attempt to have display OF fireworks on
the night of the 9Th, Cooley brought the
improved system into play, and discovered
that it promised rainy weather on that
night. So then he was certain it would
be clear, and he told Prof. Jones to go
ahead.
On the night of the 9Th, just as the pro-
fessor got his Catherine wheels and sky
rockets all in position, it began to rain,
and that was the most awful storm we
have had this year. 1t raised the rive
nearly three feet. AS soon as it began
Cooley got the ak and went upstairs and
smashed his hydrometers, hygrometers,
barometers and thermometers. Then he
cut down the pole that upheld the wealth
er-cock, and burned the manuscript of the
book which he was writing in explanation
of his system He leans on cold Probs'
now when he wants to ascertain the
probable state ofthe weather. -M0D x4deZer,
IN ~. Y. Weekly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23
Planting Raspberries and BIackber-
rieS.

WE have many inquiries as to the best
time to set the above-whether "fall or
spring is the best" We have always had
the best success with fall planting. First.
because every plant grows, leaving no va
cancies in the row, while in spring set
tings we always fail to have good results
in their coming, and thus have vacancies
in the rows and, as these cannot be filled
up until the following fall or spring, the
rows are always uneven. Second, fall-set
plants make atleast one-third better growth
the first year than those set in the spring
Third one has so much more time to at
tend to it in the fall than the spring, and
hence can make SO much better Job of it.
1t is well known that plants cannot be
set in the spring unless the land is of a
very light sandy nature, so long as ground
is unsettled or kept wet by rains, and
hence most persons fail to get them plant
ed out before the latter part of spring, and
then, the dry weather coming on, many
failures and vacancies occur. The past
spring proves this to us with number of
sorts we set both Of 6 tips" and "sucker"
varieties, and we have fully resolved that
hereafter our planting of raspberries will
90 in in the fall. "But won't they heave
out?" and chow must | set them 81 are
questions asked us. If it be sod
land, it should be pIowed at once
in narrow burrows, so as to cut up
the sod into as narrow strips as possible.
Let this lie until the 1st of November,
then pillow again across the burrows as
they were ploWed before, having had
the land well narrowed or cultivated
over two or three times previously, or
after the first blowing. For blackberries
and black raspberries mark off the land
with One-horse pillow into burrows six
feet apart one way (seven feet is still bet
ter for blackberries) and three feet the
other, and in each crossing put out plant,
setting blackberries and cane or sucker
raspberries about as deep as they stood
before, and tip" raspberries so they will
be about two inches above the level.
Then Just before winter sets in, throw a
good fork or shovelful of coarse manure
or litter over each hill. This answers two
purposes, one enriching the soil where the
plants are by the soakings from the ma
nure, and the other protecting them from
"heaving" Another plan is to make a
good hill or mound over each plant. This
prevents water from standing Immediately
over the plants, and plants being so well
protected by earth are not harmed. Early
in the spring level these mounds down.
This plan not only protects them through
the winter, but by thus drawing away the
earth leaves the soil over the plants loose
and friable. These mounds over the field
can be leveled down by running over them
with light harrow early IN the spring.
If it be corn or potato land one good, thor
ough blowing and narrowing will answer.
The plants can be set at any time before
the ground freezes, though it is well not to
risk putting it off too late, as freeze-up
may occur to prevent. They can betaken
up and transplanted any time after the
middle to the Goth of October-Fru5t Re
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23

THE Ocala (Ga.) Banner says that John
Simpson has a turkey gobbler that some
time since became animated with the ma
ternal spirit, and by his actions and ma
neuvers showed very plainly that he
wanted to be mother. He (the gobbler)
took to nest and set one week without
having any eggs placed under him. Mr..
Simpson then concluded to let him try his
hand on three eggs. The gobbler set
three weeks and brought forth brood of
three young chickens that now follow this
self-constituted mother, who acts toward
them in precisely the same manner as a
hen would.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-11
Texas Courtship.

He sat one side of the room in big
white-oak rocking chair. She sat on the
other side in little white oak rocking
chair. A long-eared deer-hound, snap
ping at flies, was by his side; basket OF
sewing by hers. Both rocked necessarily; ;
that is, the young people, not the dog ana
the basket He.sighs heavily and looks
out the west window at a Grape myrtle
tree: she signs lightly and looks out the
east window-at the turnip patch. Atiast
he rem arks:
"This is mighty good weather to pick
cotton"
"'Tis that--if we only had any to pick. !"
The rocking continues.
What's yourdog's nameF"
"Coony."
Another sigh-broken stiffness.
"What is he good furT'
What is who good fursn said he, abb
5tractedly
Your dog, Coony."
Fur ketchin' 'possums."
Silence of half an hour
90 He looks like deer dog"
"Who looks like deer dog?"
Gloomy"
"He Is; but he's kinder bellowsed an
gettin old and slow now. An he amt
no count on cold trail"
In the quiet ten minutes that ensued she
took two stitches in her quilt 1t was q
gorgeous affair, that quilt was, made by
the pattern called " Rose of Sharon" She
is very particular about the nomenclature
Of her quilts, and frequently walked fifteen
miles TO get new pattern with real
putty name"
"Your ma raisin' many eh;ckings:''
% Forty-odd."
Then more rocking and, somehow, after
awhile, the big rocking-chair and the lit
tie rocking-chair were iammed side by
side.
How many has your ma got:"
=" How many WHAT"
Chickens"
Nigh or To hundred
BY this time the chairs were so close to-
gcther that rocking was impossible.
The minks has eat all ours
Then long silence reigns. At last he
observes:
MAXIM quiltsg'
"Yes," she replies, Frightening up,
I've just finished Roarin' Eagul Of
Brazeal,' Sitting Sun, and a Nasion's
Pride Have you ever saw the Yellow
Rose Of the Parary'?'
"No.n
More silence; then he says:
Do you love cabbage"
II do that"
Presently his hand Is accidentally
placed on hers. She does not know it
at least does moi seem to be aware Of it..
Then after half hour spent in signs,
coughing and clearing Of Threats, he sud
denly says:
Use great mind TO bite you"
what you great a-mind to bite me
furg'
Kase you won't have me-"
Kase you amt axed me-"
Well, now, ak you"
Then, now, | has you"
Then Coony dreams he hears sound
of kissing.
The next day the young man goes 10
| Tigerville after marriage license.
Wednesday, the following week. No
| cards.--4St. Louis Republican.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-11
Snake-Charming In india.

A very curious case was lately reported
in an American newspaper OF snake
charming boy. will now give YOU an
account of charming operation In
the East Indies, which came under my
own observation, In which case man
charmed the snakes, the number of snakes
affected upon which occasion, as well as
the death dealing powers Of the reptiles,
making the case anotable one.
Some time after servant Of mine had
died of the bite OF cobra, being In the
ncighborhood of Attock, on the banks of
the Indus, when visiting some Hindoo
temples In the vicinity, met worshiper
named Mean Raj, who applied frequently
10 the officiating fakir, or priest, for deliv-
crancc from plague OF cobra snakes
which infested plot of ground belonging
To him 10 such degree that his servants
were unwilling TO labor upon IT, especially
Us most Of them went barefoot. The
church falling 10 help him, his dosts, or
friends, recommended him TO apply to the
charmers. This he did by seeking the
services Of one Mungul Deem, who ayowed
his readiness to coax the snakes out OF
their holes 10 their death as etfectually az
1T. Patrick IL said 10 have done In Ireland.
may here mention .h:s... s;iaaac.cii,arm-
ers are magicians In the East and sepa-
rate caste or class by themselves. The
word caste" throughout India denotes
the particular calling 10 which an indi.
vidual belongs. Eastern charmers or
maglcians are found frequently to be of
the Brahminical or priest caste. which Is
the highest order, In consequence of its
connection with the Hindoo religion and
its mysteries. The order of Brahmins
wear a string over the shoulde? to distin.
guish them. This string, which Is of
peculiar construction and difficult OF i'm
tation, Is conferred and placed on the
body In infancy, with much religious cere.
mony attending the operation. Such
snake-charmers ~ belong 10 this caste
wear the sacred string, Eastern charmers
are nomadic IN their habits, wandering
over India In every direction. Like the
priests they lead lives of celibacy, or ut
least pretend to do so, The Indian magi.
clans appear to be thriving class Of men,
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-11
HONE, FARM AND GARDEs.

The hest application in the world .
frosted feet or chilblains is to pour sr;. ~
turpentine or coal oil on the stockin - a a.s
In the boots. Almost immediate relief :
given.-Cor. Prairie Farmer. =
lit is fact that large stove br-,.
less fuel, and gives out far more heat fhsr
q small one. In the latter, the eslor;a
PUSHES through 1t without being radiates
and is wasted in the outside frozen -.
The carbon Of the fuel has also ias.
chance to combine with the oxygen Of he
air. More smoke is consequently create
and less heat.
Allow me TO suggest to all thrifv
honsekeepers that they make their own
recipe books. A blank book having IL
pages numbered can be obtained for :
small sum frcm any dealer in Stationery
Do not write any recipes save those tha,
have been tried by yourself or friends
Have it arranged Systematically, by being
divided into different departments. az one
for meats, another for vegetables. breads
pies, buildings, etc. Have an index and
allow space at the end of every different
department, both there and in the body of
the book, in which to make entries Al
future times Any obliging housekeeper
will be not only willing but glad to give
you her recipes and rules for making diff.
ferent dishes; then write them out def.
nitely. Country Gentleman.
"A correspondent in late number of
the Chicago Inter Deem, and scientific
man withal, writes: Now is the time for
farmers to gather seed-corn. They should
go through the fields and select the best
ears, taking the upper ear on stalks with
two or more on the same. Enough shsck
should be left TO tie two or more together
They should then be conveyed TO the
smoke-house and hung up, smoked with
the meat and left until planting time.
Corn treated in this way viii never fail.
and will be more vigorous and grow fast
er than that selected from the crib. We
have noticed that when we have run short,
and have been compelled to resort to Tie
crib to finish out field, that the smoked
corn could be distinguished by rows from
the other 1t grew more rapidly, was
more hardy, and darker in color. What
is the philosophy of this treatment We are
not able to say. But all farmers will find
it to their advantage to try it. We have
tried it for ten years and find it pays.
Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-11-11

for his life. He said Ae ought not to die
for handful Of flowers; why had he Ottar
of Roses,
The beast gave savage growl and
warned him not TO try that sort of thing
on again. He had written some for the
comic papers himself He finally told
the merchant he would let him of II he
would suffer one Of his daughters " come
and die in his stead. II was rough, but
what father with daughters on his hands
that be couldn't marry of would have
hesiiaied, Besides, don't daughters find
themselves helplessly In the power OF
beast Of husband frequently so home
he went, promising 20 return In three
months unless one Of his daughters would
consent 10 make the sacrifice.
He related bis adventure TO his chill
dren, when Beauty declared at once she
would take her fathers place. He held
out against the arrangement for time, but
al length gave way, and they started for
tae beasts palace together, the merchant
feeling that as his daughter was a total
stranger 10 the beast ii would be no more
than proper for him 10 90 along and give
her an introduction. Every right-think-
ing father must feel that the merchant was
right.
They found the palace, and magnif-
cent repast as before, TO which they sat
down. Beauty was touched by the
th0ughtfnlness Of the beast in thus en-
deay0ring 10 put her In good condition
before trying 10 worry her down, But
many beast Is good proyider. While
they were eating there was wild roar
and the beast entered. Beauty trembled,
and her father expected 10 see her dc.
youred right before his eyes. This was
more than fathers nature could endure;
he turned away his head and--helpcd
himself 10 another piece OF oyster pie
But the beast did not appear TO be In
any hurry ~ devour Beauty. IL was
more Beauty than he was able ~ take all
at once, 10 he expressed hope that they
would rest well and, bidding them good.
night, retired In the morning Beauty
prevailed upon her father 10 90 home and
leave her with the beast, believing that no
harm would come W her. She remained
there for weeks, the beast meanwhile pay
ing her the most delicate attentions. Her
table was supplied with all the delIcacies
Of the season, and everything the market
afforded was al her disposal They be.
came very much attached 10 each other,
and he actually attempted % make love 10
her, the BEAST sBcauty conquered him
completely, and was unquestionably the
greatest beast tanner Of her time. In fact,
you never saw beast tanner than
Beauty's beast was. IL WAS d beautiful
sight 10 see him hitched 10 acart drawing
Beauty around the walks Of pleasant
afternoon.
But IL IL unnecessary to make too long
story OF this. The beast turned out 10
be Prince, whom some wicked fairy had
condemned 10 go about In menagerie at.
tire Till beautiful lady should consent 10
marry him. As Beauty had declared
that She could be happy with no one else
the spell was off, and Beauty was enabled
10 take him IA her husband without first
taking out a license for & performing
bear, Fat Contribntor, in Cincinnati
Saturday Nsght.