davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
an Unpleasant Predicament.

THE monotony of the times in these
an adventure of startling, serious conse-
quences. A man called Morton deter
mined to cross the river at that time in
rather novel manner. The back water
covered the country for miles on the east
side of the river and in places the water is
quite deep. The cold snap had CONCEALED
the snow so as to have the appearance of
thick ice and on which our hero con-
Cluded to cross. So, armed with carpet
bag and a revolver, he set out for Bare
FOOT alone. He moved along briskly un-
til he was out of sight of all save the ON
nipTesent One, but unfortunately, as he
penetrated the thick woods he found to
his sorrow that the ice adhered to the tim
Der while the water left it, and the heat of
the sun had rendered it brittle. Ion
ward" however, was his watchword, and
onward he went, until he found himself
plunging in water little deeper than he
was able to keep his head out of. Here
he threw away his carpet-bag and revolver
and climbed upon some drift, which en-
abled him to reach shallow water, where
he could wade. He waded about until he
reached Bear Creek ridge, about one mile
and half from New Massillon This ridge
had about two acres out of water and the
only other Inhabitants at that time were
two wild deer. Our hero rested on terra
.frma here, undecided what was the best
course for him to pursue. To proceed
was impossible, for Village Creek and
some miles of overlooked country were
yet to cross, while to retrace his steps was
equally hazardous. So he concluded to
remain where he was and make the best
possible use of his lungs in cries for aid.
His cries were heard in every direc-
ton; but the ice rendered the use OF water
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
Ecru Oyer-Dresses, Etc.

ECRU and cream color have so long
been in favor for summer wear that it
seems difficult to give them up, hence
merchants have brought on novelty for
these pale buff over-dresses that accompa-
ny so many colors, and are becoming alike
to blondes and brunettes. This novelty is
ecru Spanish lace in the pretty and mex
pensivc blonde figures that we have had
in black Spanish laces. The ample basque
Or sacque and the long round over-skirt
are of ecru net in leaf or rose pattern,
trimmed with rows of insertion, and fully
matching the ground of the over-skirt
Bows of cream colored silk drape the
skirt and ornament the basque. These
are to be worn over brown, black, blue,
or purple silk or velvet skirts. The fash
ion of using dark bows on these light
dresses is passee. There are cream and
white striped Algerienne stuffs for over
dresses to be worn at the seaside. The
basque has sleeves of cream colored silk,
and the trimming IS three or four ruffles
of cream colored lace. Polonaises are
made up very richly but plainly in these
delicate tinted fabrics.
The Spanish mantilla, so graceful and
becoming, is imported in the creamy
Spanish laces. They drape the body like
amantle, and are drawn up in cap crown
that covers the top or the head, and is or
namented by a large Alsacian bow of
cream colored silk. These are to be worn
during the summer at the watering places.
White Spanish lace is also used for these
mantillas, and ornamented with striped
blue and white bows.
tits said that dark green, blue, and brown
grenadine dresses will be fashionably
worn in the summer, though of course
not to the exclusion of the favorite black
grenadine. These come in lace like stripes
and blocks like those described for solid
black One French model is of myrtle
green striped grenadine, trimmed with
side pleating of the same, striped at Inter
walls with silver braid. and ruff1ed with
lace of the same dark myrtle shade The
apron is in three diagonal draperies, has
much pleating on the sides, and bias puffs
behind. -Harper'S Bdzar.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
Pastures Of the British Islands.

AMONG all the nations Of the earth,
none, that | am aware of, has given so
much and SO careful attention to pastures
and meadows as our friends of the Brit
ish Isles. Rent is there very high. To
be successful farmer everything must be
done to the best advantage. Slip-shod
farming there will not afford living, as
it often does in our newer country. AL
though they follow out certain rotation
of crops, and are able to give good rea-
sons for such rotations, yet they are near
ly, if not quite, unanimous in keeping a
part of the farm in permanent pasture or
meadow. The longer piece has been
seeded the better it suits them. According
to their belief and practice, a pasture
never becomes very good until it has been
seeded six or more years. In their opin-
ion, g it is certainly undesirable to break
up tolerably good pastures for the pur-
pose of converting them into arabic land,
So carefully have they studied the ma
ture of the different grasses and the soils
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23

he saw, and his description before the
committee agreed substantially with that
made on previous occasions to private
parties. He completely overturned the
theory OF the individuality, of the
moon by declaring that he saw moving
objects upon its surface and infinitely
described them. The committee conclude
from what the boy states that there are
living beings on that luminary. But that
they greatly differ in form from any living
thing on this planet. When full grown the
Lunarian" is shaped somewhat like a
chariot wheel, with four spokes converg-
ing at the center or axle. They move by
rolling round and round, and travel as
swiftly as an eagle. The children appear
to be shaped like pumpkin or orange,
finally losing their rotundity and assum-
ing the form of the wheel alluded to. The
surface of the moon is all hill and hollow
no fire is visible, nor are there any vol
canoes, and no other species of living
thing seems to exist upon it. The COM
mittee turned the boys attention to the
planet Venus, but he could discover moth
ing in that direction. The learned Swans
at once surmised that the cause of his
failure here was the fact that the focus of
the eyes was fixed at 24O, 900 miles, while
the least distance of Venus from the earth
is "a 800, 900 miles. 1t was therefore i'm
possible for him to discover anything on
the surface of the latter with distinctnesS.
The reporter of the Call, after hearing
the facts stated, hunted up the boy and ar
ranged meeting at the residence OF j. P.
Marrow, of San Francisco, who has a
large telescope finely mounted. The boy
took glance through this at Mars, and
burst out into a scream Of delight, de-
scribing mountains, seas, rivers, cities, its
inhabitants, and so many other wonderful
sights that the reporter is obliged to post
pone a further and detailed account until
the next issue of the Call. The secret of
this extraordinary power is described at
great length. We make the following ex-
tract:
There are two common imperfections
of the human organ of sight; one called
nsyopta, or 6 near sightedness;" the other
pres6y0piG, or " far-sightedness." In the
case under examination no glass or com
bination of glasses could be invented suf-
ficiently concave to remedy the malforma
ton. By mathematical problem of easy
solution it was computed that the nearest
distance from the unaided eye Of the
patient at which distinct image could be
formed upon the retina was 100000 miles
"a fraction short Of the mean distance of
the moon from the earth, and hence it be-
came perfectly clear that the boy could see
transporting On the surface of the MOON"
Chicago Inter-O Ocean.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23

crafts impossible, and no one could go to
his relief. In this state of suspense and
real suffering Morton kept up his cries
for three days and nights, when Esquire
Johnson, OF New Massillon, determined
to go to his rescue The ice having
mostly thawed out, he was enabled to car
ry out his determination TO a successful
completion. He reached the ridge with
a skit, and found the indiscreet young
man unable to walk, having been there
from Saturday morning until Tuesday
evening, being wet all the time. His feet
were badly frozen on Saturday night
Mr.. johnson got him into his skiff and
took him to the village, where he was
cared for, and there are fair prospects that
he will recover and be able to tell to others
the folly Of attempting to cross the water
on ice stuck to trees with the water several
feet below.-At5io.,p IN. ~ Journal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
The Meat Shower in Kentucky,

1T was beef, probably, that Hamlet had
in mind when he made that remark to
Horatio about the things in heaven and
earth which were not dreamed of in phi
losophy.
Not one of the Shakespearean common
tators has suggested this, we believe, but
it occurs to us to say it, in view of the
news from Kentucky, where the good
people of Bath County are ready to make
affidavit to the fact that on Friday of last
week shower of flesh-or, as some of
them more definitely term it, quivering
flesh-fell in the neighborhood OF Mount
Sterling" covering two acres of ground. ]"
Specimens Of this fesh-whether still
quivering or not we are not told, have
been carried to Louisville by Capt. J. NJ
Brent, and submitted to the inspection of
Prot. Lawrence Smith, described in the
dispatches as "a well.know scientist"
anG this well-known scientist, we are told,
unhesitatingly declares that the flesh is
"animal flesh," point upon which we
are better prepared to accept his testi-
mony, for the reason that we never yet
heard of any other sort of flesh anywhere.
The story is vague only as regards the
expression covering two acres of
ground" We are hot informed whether
the word " covering" is to be taken liter
ally or with allowance, or if literally, to
what depth the covering occurred. 1t all
other respects the report is minute, def
mite and circumstantial, and we are even
promised careful examination OF the
specimens furnished to Smith, the scient-
ist, who will in due time pronounce more
precisely upon the nature of the "animal
flesh" telling US whether the shower was
OF porter house steaks, or of mutton chops,
or of some other cuts
We await this report with anxiety.
Times are trifie hard just now, and news
OF a new food supply of this sort is i'm
portant to jewellers in cities. If meat
storms are to become common we wish to
know something of the nature of the meat,
and it will be necessary also for "Old
Probabilities to give careful attention to
the laws governing food showers. If he
can secure no greater degree of accuracy
and precision in his reports on this sub
ject than he does sometimes with respect
to rainfalls and SHOWS, we shall find the
system of supply inconvenient in the last
degree. Suppose, for instance, that we
were to print in good faith, in to-day's
Eoen6rg Post prediction of this sort;
For Ne1U ENGLAND, the Middle States and
Lower Lake region, failing barometer, Increasing
cloudiness NTH 6eJ steaks changing to mutton
chops in the northern part Of these regions during
the night.
Every reader of the Eysning Post would
go to bed tonight confident of finding a
supply for tomorrow. Nothing would
be ordered from the butchers, whose
shops would of course be closed on the
morrow. If the predictions should fail
as the probabilities" predictions some
times dot is sad to think of the distress
that must ensue,-N. Y. Evening Post
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
Popcorn as a Profitable Crop.

WE have private letter from boy, or
young man, who tried an experiment with
popcorn. He planted one acre, and sold
forty-seven bushels of corn for forty seven
dollars, and the fodder from the one acre
for five dollars, this giving him clear
profit of $27.42.
We commend this statement to the boys
on the farm. Those kwho have never
grown popcorn will scarcely credit the
statement, but those who have, and under
stand how close the rows can be to each
other, and how many perfect ears every
hill turns out, will not be surprised at the
figures. There are several varieties
white and rice-like kernel -variegated,
showing on one cob many different colors
and it should be planted some distance
from other corn. The yield is always
good and the ears are nearly uniform in
size. A good article always brings a good
price, and, since popcorn balls and other
preparations in which popcorn appears
have been in favor, there has been good
demand for it.
Popcorn should be planted on good
soil, and treated generally as other corn.
1t natures early, and the ground can be
cleared for winter wheat or other fall
crops.-Chtcdgo Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
A Phenomenon.

THE San Francisco Morning Cali of
able human phenomenon discovered in
that city. The account is exceedingly
"fshy," but exhibits an ingenuity which
entities it TO consideration; and, indeed,
it describes phenomenon that can be
imagined as not at all impossible We
give a summary Of the statement for what
it is worth For some time, according to the
Gail. there have been rumors of a strange
abnormal development of vision on the
part of lad named Johnny Palmer, who
resides with his parents in South San
Francisco. The boy is about nine years
of age, and has been regarded by his pa
rents hitherto as almost totally blind. On
the evening of the 18th of December last
the boy was in bed, and for some reason
the curtains of IN adjoining window had
in another room, when suddenly they
heard the child utter a cry. and, Fastening
in, beheld him sitting up in bed gazing
intently at the moon, which was shining
full in his face. He imagined it to be
about 200 yards distant, and could dis
tlnguish objects on it with perfect dis
unctness. These facts becoming known
to the California College of Sciences, a
committee composed of Drs. Bryant Cad
bury and Goldson sought the youth for
the purpose of testing his powers. They
found that nothing had been overstated,
and that this extraordinary vision was
possessed BY the lad. He described what
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
Effect of Good Culture,

A vINE-DREssER had two daughters and
a vineyard. When his elder daughter was
married he gave her a third of the vine
yard tor portion, Notwithstanding which
he had the same quantity as formerly.
When his younger daughter was married
he gave her half of what remained still
the produce Of his part was not dimin-
ished. The result was the consequence of
his bestowing as much labor On the third
part as he had been accustomed to give
the whole.
The above wandering item contains a
truth that might we'll be anchored in the
minds OF the farming population. Many
are the instances where the father has
mortgaged his large farm, and gone in
debt to procure land for the son TO COM
mence life upon. Both were burdened by
the debt, and could not profitably culti-
vate or improve their lands. The sooner
farmers recognize the fact that eighty
acres, well and closely cultivated, will
Weld more than double that number i'm
properly handled, the better will be their
condition. The above item would make
good text for a grange lecture.-Er-
change.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
Twenty-three Odd Popular Supersti-
lions.

THE following SuperstitiOns, handed
down by tradition from the past, are
fervently believed in, in many parts of
this country, and by some people who
rank among the most Intelligent:
Whoever reads epitaphs loses his
memory.
Yarn spun by girl under the age of
seven years possesses extraordinary
virtues. Linen made of it furnishes the
best bandsges for equity patients, and
when wrought into garments formsa COM
plete coat of mail, not only against bullet
and dagger, but even against the more
formidable operations Of witchcraft The
very yarn itself can be wound into unerr-
ing musket balls.
When a mouse gnaws a gown, some
misfortune may be apprehended.
When stranger enters a room he
should be obliged to seat himself if only
for moment, as he otherwise takes away
the children's sleep with him.
The Growing of a hen indicates some ap-
preaching disaster.
Whoever sneezes at an early hour
either hears some news or receives some
present the same day.
Women who SOW flax seed should, dur
ing the process, tell some COMPOUNDED
lies, otherwise the yarn will never bleach
white.
Beggar's bread should be given to chill
Dire. who are slow in learning to speak.
When women are stuffing beds, the men
should not remain in the house, otherwise
the feathers will come through the ticks.
To rock the cradle when empty is in
furious to the child.
If child less than twelve months old
be brought into a cellar, he becomes fear
full
The first tooth cast by the child should
be be swallowed by the mother TO insure
new growth of teeth.
A child grows up proud if suffered to
look into a mirror while less than twelve
months old.
To eat while a bell is tolling for fu-
neral causes toothache
The following are omens of death: A
uUS SCIdtClluS vi llc uOOT OF nOWllng
in a particular manner, and owls hooting
in the neighbOrhood of the house.
Buttoning the coat awry, or drawing on
stocking inside out, causes matters to
go wrong during the day.
White specks on the nails are lucky.
He who has teeth wide asunder must
seek his fortune in distant land
He who proposes moving into a new
house must send in beforehand bread and
new broom.
Domestic harmony must be preserved
when washing day comes, in order to in
sure Inc weather, which is Indispensable,
as that ceremony is generally performed
out of door.
When children play soldiers on the
roadside, it forbodes the approach of war.
Whoever finds a four-leaf trefoil-
shamrock-should wear it for good luck.
By bending the head to the hollow of
the arm the initial letter of the name of
ones future spouse is epresented.-Er-
change.
Prof. Tyndall is married at last, and
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23

they are adapted to that the seedsmen, &C
cording to demand, sell certain mixtures
of grass seeds suitable for each geological
formation.
In laying down land to permanent pas
ture, NJ. II. Sutton, of Reading, England,
in 1861, gives the following list of grasses
and clovers, and the quantity of each
which he considers "the best possible
mixture for good medium soil, neither
too heavy nor too light. These are ALL"
he says, cot excellent properties; and,
coming to maturity at different seasons of
the year, are found to produce a perma-
nent and evergreen sward;'
Alopecurus pratensis (meadow fox-tail
Ahtnoxahthun odoratum (sweet vernal grassl Ox
Cynosstnrus cTlsfatns crested dogs taiD ~
Dactylis glomera..a (6rchard orsss) -
Festuca durinsculs (hard fescue1 .........4
Eestuca prstensis meadow fescue). .......
Festuca rubra (red fescue). ....... 2
Festuca tenuifolia Slender fescuel .....
Festuca lollacea (darnel-like fescuel- ..-......2
Loium perenne sempervirens evergreen pc
LoliGm perenne tenue SLENDER perennial dsr-
Phleum pratense ttlmothy),. ...............1
Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass, June
Poa triviais (rough-stslked meadow. ~
Pea memorials wood meadow-grass) 80. II
Medicago lupulIna (none such, medisk.
Trffolium repens (white cloverl.. 49,. -.
Trifoium repens perenne perennial white
Trifolium pratense perenne perennial red
Trifolium hybfidam (Aisike clol err. .:.
For a varied soil in Cumberland, En-
gland, in 1875, Robert Jefferson uses forty
pounds per acre of the following:
bs. Italian rye-grass. 2 fbs. rough stalked
bs.- perennial do meadow grass
8 fbs. cocksfoot( orchard 2 MS meadow fox-tail.
GRASSY. h. crested dogs-tail.
lbs. timothy do 1 ~ rib-grass.
ns. meadow fescue. b lbs. Alsike clover.
n. various-leaved do. 5 MS white do
lbs. cow-grass. t th..
John Shuker, of Shropshire, on most
tenacious soil, used forty pounds per acre
of the following:
fbs. crested dogs-tail p rs meadow foxtail
l 10. sweet verbal. a fbs. timothy.
lbs. cocksfoot. y lbs. Alsike clover.
4 lbs. tall fescue. } rbs white clover.
4 fbs. meadow fescue. 8 DIS. perennial rye
3 Bs. rough-stalked grass
meadow-grass. IS lbs. Italian rye-grass.
For shaly soils he used thirtytwo
pounds per acre of the following:
rs sweet vernal q lbs tall fescue
tbs. erested dogs-tail. "a fbs white clover.
lbs. meadow fescue. 2 fbs. Alske clover.
ms. cocksfoot. , lbs. rib-gTass.
fbs. sleeps fcscue. s TBS. perennial rye
lbs rough-stalkedi grass.
meadow-grass.
r. III. Huntley, of Coldstream, England,
in the report of this year QS75} says he
Laid down three fields to permanent
grass by the process known as 'inocula-
ton p" All succeeded finely. With a
pillow he turned from an old pasture-field
strips of turf four inches wide. These
were cut up with spades into pieces four
inches long. They were put all over the new
field in little holes one foot apart. Then
the field was rolled. / have quite often
seeded small pieces of lawn in this way.
1t is surer and more rapid way than by
using seed for lawns.-PrOf. W. j. BeGJ,
IN Report Of tie Michigan Board of Agrj-
culture.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23

Don't stand still clogging the world,
and growing at the tight times, but re-
member that when everybody moves on"
it makes plenty of room for all.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23

Prof. Tyndall is married at last, and
science must take care of itself for a few
weeks.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-10-25
The Reform Canvass.

Never was there such ado about reform.
Tilden and Reform is the cutlery that is
borne upon the breeze in this breezy cam
pagn In his letter of acceptance and in
his pronunciamento over the Indiana cleo
ten, Mr.. Tildcn himself shouts it loudest
of all John Morrissey, with handful
of trump cards, pauses in the game to
take up the cry for reform. From Tam
many Hall John Kelly re-echoes it. Wade
Hampton passes il along in South Caro-.
lima. In Georgia Ben Hill sounds it, and
Gen" Butler, of Hamburg massacre,
repeats il down there, while every Con.
federatc, and party hack, and camp-t fol.
lower, and machine politician educated in
that school of which the cardinal doc
trine is, ITO the victors belong the
spoils," Swells the chorus for reform.
What do they mean by it, When did
Mr. Tilden or Fernando Wood, or Mr..
Hendricks, or John MorrisSey, or Tam
many Hall, or the New York World,
or the Cincinnati Enquirer have any other
or higher idea OF reform than that of
kicking Republicans out Of office To make
place for tonfedemtcS and party hacks 9
The only reform they propose is 10 tdru
out of office everybody, without regard to
his qualifications, fitness and fidelity, in
order to make place for the Demo.
cratic howlers for reform. The Charsc.
ter and antecedeuts OF the men who raise
this tremendous din about reform prove
il. Mr.. Shammy Tilden was never, in all
his >hamming career. 80 much of "A sham
As when he lifts up his voice and cries
aloud for reform. lie is product of
the spoils system. He has never failed in
making his appointments 20 reward his
friends and punish his enemies The
same is true of Hendricks: and the whole
army of strikers and wire-p ullers are al
ready busy bargaining for the places ,hey
expect to capture under the rallying.cry
OF Tildcn and Reform. All that the re-.
form they shout for signifies is new
deal in which "clean sweep shall be
made OF all the Offices in every depart.
ment of the Government to make place
for the army OF >poilSmen, SaUn, and