davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
The Trained Spider.

THE most celebrated insect trainer in
France was a certain Monsieur Van
PreulX. While others devoted their ener-
gies to the task of subduing the savage
instincts of lions and tigers, or to that of
charming poisonous serpents, this gentle
man bestowed his efforts on a splder-one
Of that black, hairy kind, the mere sight
of which causes a cold SILVER to run down
ones back.
In order to relieve the ugliness of the
creature, or perhaps to heighten it by the
force of contrast, NJ. Van Preulx kept his
captive in large watch case of gold,
with covering or top of crystal.
This spider was trained to indicate the
hour of the day, to point out the greatest
coquette in the room, and to distinguish
certain musical notes.
BY exhibiting the wonderful insect, NJ
Van Preulx amassed a considerable sum of
money; but he died justatthe time when he
proposed to retire and enjoy it, His heirs
met to divide the fortune, anu not know
ing what else to do with the spider, they
agreed that it should be set at liberty.
They opened the case, but it did not
stir. They pushed it with a stick, but it
would not move. 1t was evidently dead
1t had died at the same time as its master.
The doctor deemed CHS most extraor-.
binary case of sympathy. Who ever be-
fore heard of a spider dying in conse-
quence of the decease Of man? They
determined to write an account "a memoir,
as the French call it, and present it to the
Academy Of France.
There was, however, one Of the heirs
who was not content that the insect should
be thus disposed of. It had brought
much money to NJ. Van Preulx; why
might it not bring some to him?
He took it out of its case and examined
the mysterious creature, and to his amaze
ment discovered that it had never been
alive. 1t was made of India rubber. NJ.
Van Preulx had deceived the people, who,
as the proverb says, like to be deceived.
He had caused the spider to go through
certain motions by mechanism, and no.
body cared to look very closely at so dis
gushing a creature Youths C0ppGna50n
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
An Easy Charity.

owe always like to see Mrs Edwards
come in" said a clerk in a dry goods
store. . Even if she does not buy any
thing, she has such a cheerful way of
speaking to US all, that it does us good for
all day"
How few ladies realize the worth Of a
few kind words to those who are weary
and busy with a ceaseless round of daily
duties. Nothing obtrusive Or very marked
is necessary or suitable. But a true
woman can show a friendly interest, even
in tone. A cheerful, pleasant manner is
charm better than beauty, and can
make amends for a very plain face. A
naughty, authoritative air provokes re-
sentiment in the hearts of all who come in
collision with it. Clerks may, from
policy, be very attentive and obsequious,
but there is no cheerfulness in the service
rendered, and the sarcastic remark and
sharp jest is sure to be passed around
among them at her expense when once she
is fairly beyond hearing. There is no one
so high in station that she can afford
needlessly to make enemies.
A noble, sensible woman can do good
as she goes along through the world, just
by using kind tones and cheerful words in
conversing with those who fall in her way
in the course Of business. it does Young
man good when away from his home and
friends, to feel that a good woman feels
an interest in him. 1t makes him better,
as well as happier, and throws a thread of
good influence around him to keep him
in the time of temptation. Mothers have
duty to other mothers sons besides their
own. IF suitable and convenient, let them
feel they are welcome to your parlors and
your home. Many lad has been saved
from ruin by the friendship of some kind
family, where he was made welcome and
at home. 1t is a charity that requires
little outlay and which carries with it an
abundant reward. The after results, too,
are often unexpected and cheering
Church Union.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
How SpIurjit Took Advantage OF
Being Wound Up.

FIFTEEN of us met at the creditors
meeting to decide upon winding young
Splurjit up. He was a jolly, genial fell
low, meant we'll, but had sold too many
goods below cost and to poor customers
His list of debtors disclosed number
that we all knew had been tabooed from
the books OF every prudent house in our
line, and with Splurjit's long experience
in the employ of one Of the best houses in
the trade, we were surprised at this evil
dence of foolhardiness. But then, he was
"young," and was & struggling along"
and the philanthropic spirits in our meet
ing thought best to give him another
chance" B wanted to take back all
Spluriit had Of his goods unsold at what
he, B, had charged him for them. G, D
and f objected that BIS goods had ad-
vanced in price, and all the creditors
ought to have the advantage of that rise,
and on this emphatic statement twelve of
the number at once decided TO accept
from Splurjit ten cents on the dollar.
This settled that proceeding.
Four days atterward, B, who has a
large order in hand, receives word to box
and ship what is finished and under way,
but get out nothing further. Investiga,
ton discloses that Splurjit has been to
BIS customer and underbid him, using
the goods he paid ten cents for, which B
wanted to take back at invoice value as
the basis of his estimate. Splurjit is q
"jelly fellow" you see, and B-well, he
amt up to the times" or else he'd be
starting afresh with a ten-cent stock him
self. Do you think there is any moral in
this true story? Do you think the sequel
would induce those twelve to recant p
Boston Bulletin.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20

! 1t was only fifteen cents, | let you think it
was twenty. Ispent the other five, and
| thought as you expected it would be TWEEN
/ ty it was no matter; but would not suf-
| fer so again for hundred dollars TWAS
little sin, but great penalty" Harry
cried in real anguish.
" / am so glad you told ME; you see
the way of the transgressor is hard and
the wages of sin is DEATH Let this be
warning to you for all your life"
" You will forgive me ." asked Harry.
Yes, darling, and there is another"
4 know; will ask Him, too, to for
give me. But it hurt so, mamma, because
you have often said / never told you lie.
and to think [ should begin in so small
a matter as five cents to deceive YOU"
Little sins lead TO great ones. If YOU
had passed this over it would have been
easier for you next time, and so on until
your conscience would have been hard
ened and your soul ruined"
Harry was asleep when Chloe crept up
stairs and listened to his breathing long
time. Then she knelt down and PRAYED
that God would spare his life and keep
him from sinfulEess. She mistrusted
something was wrong, whether soul or
body she could not tell. Harry did not
hear her prayer, nor the promise of the
brownest, liglftest buckwheat cake in the
morning,
Harry is man now. and he thanks
| God that He troubled him and would not
| let him pass his first lie without repent
ance.-E5izG Gilbert Hard, az Christian
Union
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
4 Shower of Flies.

OTTAWA, Ont, April 8.
THE wonderful shower of flesh which
fell in Kentucky short time ago has had
its equal in an immense shower of flies
which fell ON Monday last at Riviere du
Loup. Prof. Herbert Larue, M. D., of
Laval University, Quebec, has received
specimens of the insects which had been
rained down upon the surface of the
snow. These strange visitors were for
warded to the Doctor in bottle by Judge
w. E. Taschereau, of Riviere du Loup,
accompanied by the following letter
The specimens appear to be Of the mos
quito species, though apparently about
three times the size Of these lively in
sects. The phenomenon of insects and
snow mingled together in a temperate
cline and falling in the same shower is
indeed most remarkable one, and not
likely to be soon forgotten by those who
witnessed it:
RvIERE DU LoUP, EN- BAs, March 30 1876.
My DEAR DoCToR: A very singular phe-
nomenon occurred here during the northeast
tempest of Monday. A shower of flies fell
with the snow over space of several acres.
They are By the million walking over the
snow, without appearing to be able to fly.
send you few specimens. You will be able
to judge whether it is worth while to classify
them. In haste, yours truly,
W. E. TAsCHEREAU.
The prevailing impression among scien-
tifc men seems 10 be that the insects
were carried into the ali by wlirlwind
in some tropical country, possibly in the
neighborhood Of the West Indies, during
one of the storms of wind which for some
weeks past have prevailed over the con-
tinent, and were at last rained down with
the snow. The professors Of Laval Uni
7ersity are now engaged in trying to solve
this most recent scientific riddle.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
Stolen Fortunes.

ANNA S. H, Washington correspondent
Of the Cleveland Leader, writes as follows
of a leading light in Washington society:
There came here early in the season a
lady with her children and sister. Ex-
pensive apartments were taken at hotel :;
carriages were recklessly ordered two
French nurses ministered to the wants Of
the two children. My lady wore splendid
diamonds; her street costumes, her
carriage and evening dresses, her India
shawls and velvet NANTES were the envy
of all who beheld her, while the sister,
advertised as a young, confiding girl,
wore brilliant array. She became dis
tressingly intimate with other young
ladies in the house, and openly laid snares
for various gentlemen. She vowed that
the crimp in her hair was natural, that the
bloom on her cheek was only that of
health, and being rather bright she held
her way triumphantly. Who are theyr'
passed from lip to lip. Somebody made
| answer. "They are from New York; Mr.
will come after WHILE" and when
the young lady was questioned she said
1--WE are from New York; except while
l was at school have lived at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel" and society, dazzled with
the glitter, accorded all the honor and
dignity claimed. At length Mr.. -
arrived; great mass of flesh and stupidi-
ty, yet with a cunning look in his evil
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20

eyes. He dressed like a gentleman: he
smoked and gave away expensive cigars,
but rumors began TO be rife con-
corning antecedents by no means
creditable, and finally the story
leaked out. In an interior town there
lived venerable old man with this one
son. While the son grew to manhood
the estates grew valuable till the father
was deemed enormously rich 1t was a
manufacturing district Among the mill
girls was one whose bright eyes attracted
the stupid son of the miser and he married
her greatly to his fathers wrath. The
brides young sister was in direst poverty i;
the young husband placed her at school
and the bride being really smart girl
won the old mans liking. When the
father died he left the son nearly a million
IN personal property. What more natural
than the establishment of bank? The
bank was opened; its great capital was
we'll known and it promised to depositors
tempting amount of interest. Poor peo-
pie brought their little hoardings; mill
girls and mill boys were eager to invest;
widows deposited their all, seamstresses
and school teachers flockeG to snatch the
alluring bait, and the bank went on swim
mingly for-just one year. Then it
failed, paying seven cents on a dollar,
bringing to many household utter ruin
and poverty, but the President fed, and
has since lived without any ostensible
business as if he were Crmsus himself.
This winter Washington has had the
benefit of his lavish expenditure, while
hundreds in that far-away town are suffer
ing the direst penury to pay for his mag
nifcence. The story became 50 unpleas-
antly common that the party left, but
society had smiled for them her sweetest
welcomes, and Miss - was Photographed
as an heiress! To what?
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
A Visit to Santa Anna.

A CORRESPONDENT Of the Cincinnati
Enquirer writes from the City of Mexico:
Having, with other Americans, ex-
pressed desire to call upon Gen. Santa
Anna, the Hon. Mr.. Foster, our Minister
here, kindly arranged an interview for us
| at eleven O'Clock yesterday morning. At
the hour appointed an interpreter was
sent to join our party, and we proceeded
but single block from our hotel to find
the residence of the General. He lives in
a third -rate house of two stories, with
courts OF not more than twenty feet square,
the pavements out of repair, the whole
telling the story of poverty. He was seated
upon a much-worn sofa, attended by
smart-appearing Mexican of middle age,
and rose, with some difficulty, in receiv-
ing us. He complained considerably of
his wooden leg, and also of blindness. He
is an old man of eighty years, very de-
crepit yet in full command Of his facul-
ties; has good head and face, not unlike
the pictures of Humboldt mold age, with
broad temples and an abrupt square nose,
and, at one time, good eyes. He had little
to say, but appeared pleased at our visit;
and, as we told him of the. four or five
general officers of the Mexican war still
living, he listened with interest, but
showed no special recognition until the
name of Pillow was mentioned, whom he
remembered perfectly. Upon compli-
menting him as the greatest historical
character OF Mexico now living, and that
on my return more interest would be
manifested concerning him than any
matter Of my entire visit, his eyes bright
ened, and in gracefully acknowledging
the compliment he remarked that he had
never permitted an opportunity to escape
Of expressing his sincere thanks for the
great kindness shown him in the United
States during the entire period of his
sOjourn there. We then took our depart
ure, and not without many reflections
upon the instability of human greatness.
Over the ssfa where Santa Anna sat was
the picture of beautiful woman in her
fullness Of youth and loneliness This
was his wife when both led the fortunes
OF Mexico. AS we passed out the court
our attention was called to the figure of a
woman of fifty in the window opposite, in
plain dress, and devoid of any interest
ing tribute. This was she whose picture
had so interested US, Mrs. Gen. Santa
Anna.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
1m pon'rl1 Readers.
GOLD-LCChS' DREAM OF PUSSIE
WILLOW.

ONE sunny day, IN the early spring,
Before bluebrd dared to sing,
Cioaked and furred as in winter westher-
Sea!-brown hat and cardinal feather
Forth with piping song,
Went Gold-Locks 9 after flowers
Tired of waiting so long"
Said this little girl of ours
She searched the bare-brown meadow over,
And found not even leaf of clover;
Nor where the sod was chill and wet
Could she spy one tint of violet;
But where the Srooklet ran
noisy swollen billow,
She picked in her little hand
A b. aneh of pussie-wlllow.
She shouted out, in happy way,
At the catkins' fur, so soft and gray;
She smoothed them down with loving pats,
And called them her little pussie-cats.
She played at scratch and bite;
She played at feeding cream;
And when she went to bed that night,
Gold-Locks dreamed q dream
Curled in a little cosy heap,
Under the bed-clothes, fast asleep
She heard, although she scarce knew how,
a score of voices He-o-tU! as-e-0-Ur'
And right before her bed,
Upon branching tree,
Were kittens, and kittens, and kittens,
AS thick as they could be.
Maltese, yellow and black as ink;
White, with both ears lined with pink;
Striped, like a royal tigers skin;
Yet oil were hollow-eyed and thin;
And each one walled aloud,
Once, and twice, and thrice:
1--WE are the willow pushes;
o. where are the willow-micei'
Meanwhile, outside, through branch and Dough
The March wind walled, A-e-o-av! 4a-eAo &c ~
Twas dark, and yet Gold-Locks awoke,
And softly TO her mother spoke:
If they were fed, mamma,
1t would be very nice;
But hope the willow pussies
Won't find the wilIow-micei'
CLARA DOty Bates, IN Wide-AUake
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20

ia Vernon has just promised to be my
wifer'
stared blankly at him, and with one
or two unintelligible murmurs, turned
short round and walked home again. My
rival had improved the propitious oppor-
tunity, and caught Cecilia's heart in the
rebound
Well-so goes the world, and l am a
bachelor yet. There is but one Cecilia,
and she, alas! is married to Fitzhugh Ire
foil
MoRAL.-When you go counting, be
certain whose picture it is you are carry
ing next your heart!
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
WHAT MAKES A WOMAN

" HIT NAMES A WOMAN!
Not costly dress, nor queenly air;
Not jeweled hand, complexion fair:
Not graceful form, nor lofty tread;
Not paint, nor curls, nor splendid head;
Not pearly teeth, nor sparkling eyes;
Not voice that nightingale outyies;
Not breath as sweet as eglantine;
Not gaudy gems, nor fabrics fine;
Not ali the stores of fashions mart,
Nor yet the Establishments of art;
Not one, nor all of these combined.
Can make one woman true, refined.
lis not the casket that we prize,
But that which in the casket lies;
These outward charms that please the sigh
Are naught unless the heart be right.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20

"A hasty spirit brought bitter woe
upon Montreal widow the other day.
Her intended husband offered her his
hand as they were about to take their
places for the marriage ceremony, say
ins,, May lead you?" A sharp glitter
came into the woman's eyes as she an
swered, 9" Yes; for the last time" Good
by" said the man as he walked out of
the front door.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20
MAN AND WOKAN.
WHAT MAKES A MAN!

WHAT MAKES A MAN!
A TRUTHFUL soul, loving mind;
Full of affection for its kind;
A spirit firm, erect and free,
That never basely bends knee;
That will not bend feathers weight
OF slavery's chance for small or great;
That truly speaks from God within,
That never makes league with sin:
That snaps the letters despots make,
And loves the truth for its own sake;
That worships God, and Him alone,
And bows no more than at His throne:
And trcmbles at no tyrant's nodi
A soul that fears no one but God.
And thus can smile al curse or ban
This is the soul that makes a man.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20

None of the maple-sugar cakes for
this year have 1876" on them as eggs
laid by patriotic hens have. This is be-
cause maple sugar, like figures, wont lie.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-04-20

Worcester now sees how that reser-
voir disaster could have been prevented.
Five feet more of earth all around would
have made things safe. And, if the reser-
voir hadn't been there nothing would have
haDDened
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-01
TkLEGRAPalC BREvIrIEs.

We find the following in the Gold
Hill News Of last evening:
San Francisco, July Sl.-Seventeen
cases of small poN were reported on
Saturday, nine on Sunday and ten to-
,iay up to noon. with five deaths from
that disease. In the meantime the
crowds at the Health office increase
daily, and the physicians in attend
ance are overtaked.
An assessment of fifty cents per
share has been levied by the General
Thomas Mining Company.
Another shameful outrage by gang
OF hoodlums is reported at headquar
tiers. a mple-minded girl, sixteen
wears of age, who had been confined
in the Stockton Insane Asylum, and
was recently released from that insti-
tuition, was enticed by the scoundrels
into a house on Montgomery street,
AMI kept there three or four days,
victim 10 their outrageous treatment.
Eureka, July 30.-The stage-driver
who arrived from Ward City this eve
ming reports that John Donohue, who
shot and killed ID. l.. LEIGHTON on the
evening of the 2Sth, was taken from
the stage yesterday morning, while
being conveyed to the Jail at liamil
ton, by party of fifteen men. He
va. found this morning hanging To 4
-. I, liz .NFt
near the stage-road- The driver re-
ports that Donohue presented hor-
rid spectacle. The feet of the unfortu
nate victim dangled on the ground,
while his face was black and horribly |
swollen. /; was a ghas;ly sight.
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-01

infiatiOnists to hide their diminished
heads" His delay and the infirmity of
purpose il disclOses give free scope to the
Hendricks intrigue, and it is possible the
soft money Congressman may put the
party in such a position that Governor
Tilden will be compelled to "speak with
bated BREATH He could have fOreclosed
and shut off this facilitating muddle in
Congress had he a" taken time by the fore
lie for the soft money Democrats to carry
on their intrigue without placing them
selves in direct opposition to the Demo-
cratic candidate. The timid, dilatory
course he is pursuing is making his men
ace of an aggressive campaign ridiculous.
If the Democratic Samson dallies with
the perfidious Dclilah until she cuts off
his locks there will be a long farewell to
all his hopes of"an aggressive campaign"
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-01

RETIIEp.-In the issue of the Reese
River Reveille of juno %. Fred Hart,
who 70. several months has had editorial
charge of the same. announces
his withdrawal. Hs intimates that it is
owing to his political leauines (which
are Republican,, that he is no longer to
give to the Eevsille the benefit OF mis-
clever pen. Certainly Harris retiracy
will be loss to the readers of that little
sheet. He has made it famous for its
wit and humor. 1, cannot be that Mr..
Hart's pen vii! long remain idle. He is
an industrious writer, and his character
istic sketches would be valuable
feature in rny pare. /; is rot an
nouuced who vii! lie Ia. Hars's sue
cessCr
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-01

one John Donohue murdered a man
named ID. l.. Leighton, OH the 10Th of
July at Ward City, White Pine county.
The next day he was taken from the
officers of the law by fifteen armed
men and hanged. Leighton had tes-
titled against Donohue and the lattor
Law in wait for his victim and shot
him from behind wagon-boN.
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-01

The bull that immortalized himself by
butting q locomotive of the track has
resigned in favor of q COW, in Humboldt
county, which took possession of the c.
p. road, the other day, and held it
against fiagman, who went out to warn
the approaching express train against
break in the road
Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-01
f0FTICIsL.
ENRQPOSE AMENDMENT AMP

f"FTICIsL.
geROPO SF1ss AMENDMENT AMI,
revision Of H. Constitution of the State OF
Nevada, passed ~ he seventh sessiOn of the
LEGISLATURE:
Resolved by the Assembly. the Senate con-
curing. That the Constitution of the state OF
Nevada be amended as follows:
Amend Section one of Article IL of the Con
stitution of the State OF Nevada so as 10 read as
follows:
Section !. The isJ al year shall comme nee on
the first day OF December in each year.
Passed January 10, 1875
Resolved, by the Assembly, the Senate
curing, That our history. State, has taught
rs the necessity OF revising the Constitution;
we therefore recommend the electors, ut the
next election for members of the Legislature. to
vote for or against the calling of Convention
for the purpose of revising the Constitution of
the State of Nevada.
Passed February 49, 1875.
hereby certify the foregoing to be true cop
les from the original enrolled Revolutions on
file in Office.
Witness my hand and the Great Seal Of
SEAL. State. August ]. 1876.
aglm3-law J. d. MINOR, Sec'y Of State.