davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
Chiid.lOye and Faith.

The Virginia. New Enterprise says
About three years ago a gentleman of
this city went East on visit to his old
home. One Of his brothers there had a
bright and beautiful little son, not yet
two years of age. The boy-litile Ben
ny-soon became strangely attached to
his "Uncle Ben, from Washoe," whose
namesake he was, Uncle Ben often took
the little fellow in his arms in the sum
mer evenings, and, seated in the porch
talked him to sleep. At such times he
would point out the evening star, telling
the boy that far, far away, Just under
that star, was his home. The child
would look long at the star, then for as
long gaze up in the face of his uncle. as
though thinking of what bright and
beautiful place his home must be. At
last the day came when Uncle Ben was
to leave for his home in the far West
Little Benny knew tins as we'll as any
one about the house. and, with both eyes
and ears, was on the alert. He would
not allow his uncle to be minute out of
his sight. Several attempts on the part
OF Uncle Ben to steal away resulted in
such fits of crying that he was obliged
to return and soothe the child. How
ever, the child wearied with crying and
watching, at last fell asleep in his uncle's
arms. When he awoke Uncle Ben was
far away. Long the boy looked for his
uncle, and often called his name. MANY
times of evenings he was found gazing
earnestly at the bright star that stood as
a guard over his uncle's home. As he
grew, his love of the star deepened, and
he talked more and more of it and of his
uncle, both so far away at the edge of the
sky. Even when three years had passed,
and Benny was nearly five years old, his
belief in the story told him by his uncle
continued. Poor boy another year was
never added to his age. 1t was his fate
to die fearful death. BY accident he
was scalded over nearly his whole body
and lived but four hours, He seemed to
read in the faces of the dear ones about
him that he must soon die. He bore his
pain manfully, only uttering an occasional
moan. As the shades of evening deep
ened he was seen to turn his face anxious
Up toward the window of his room. At
last he asked: rs 1T there-the star.'i
He was told that the star was there and
shining brightly. Feebly he said "Take
me TO the window" He was carried to
the window. A smile lighted up his
face as he said: "Now l can find the way
to Uncle Benz can see his starr He
closed his eyes as though wearied The
smile faded cut of his face. One moan.
as he was laid on his bed, and the light
of his life had gone out and up to meet
and minsle with that of the star he so
long had watched and loved.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
Little Isaac.

The tree-frog cannot be called an insect
a reptile or one of the winged host; he has
four legs, the two foremost short, with
claws as sharp as those of a squirrel; the
mind legs five inches long, and folded by
three Joints His body is about as large
as the first joint of a mans thumb. Under
his throat is wind bag which assists him
in singing Isaac all night. When it
rains and IT'S very dark he sings the loud
est. His voice is not so pleasing as that
Of the nightingale: but this would be
venial imperfection. If he would but keep
silence on Saturday nights, and not con-
tinually prefer Isaac TO Abraham and
Jacob He has more elasticity in his long
legs than any other creature yet known.
BY this means he will leap five yards up
a tree, fasten himself to ii by his fore
legs. and in a moment will hop ar spring
as far from one tree to another. 1t is
from the singing of the tree frog that the
Americans have acquired the name of lit
tie Isaac Indeed, like certain part of
them, the creature appears very devoUt,
noisy. arbitrary and phiegmatic. and as
sociates with none but what agree with
him in his ways.-Petsr's History Of Con-
Hectieut.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
How a Western Man Got a Fast Ride.

A gentleman from the West recently
took his wife to Newport for a holiday.
Going to livery stable near the Ocean
House he engaged horse for a ride in
the afternoon. As he left the stable he
caught a glimpse of small boy with
blue trousers, red suspenders, dirty
shirt and straw hat. AT the appointed
hour the gentleman saw a fine horse
standing in front of the hotel with the
reins in the hands of small boy with
blue trousers, red suspenders, a dirty
shirt and a straw hat "You have my
horse. I see,,i said he-to the lad, and, after
fetching his wife from the parlor, started
off for his drive. The western gentleman
had had many a ride in his slow-going
city, but never had he sat behind such
a splendid creature as that horse They
rode for three hours, knocking the
seconds out of every mile, passing every
thing on the road, the horse distancing
every animal that attempted to rival his
PAGES. Il never saw such horse before, :"
said the astonished husband to his mate
''Yes, he is very fast, " was the response;
"but why does everybody stare at uslr
After the ride was ended, the gentleman
dropped his wife at the hotel, and drove
TO the stable, where he thanked the
livery-man for the courtesy which he had
shown to a stranger. THAT amt my
horse" was the gruff response. my
boy, Bill, waited for you over an hour
this afternoon, and then drove back to
the stable" why, whose horse is thisl''
asked the gentleman. all agape. THAT
horse is Geheral--sI naming a we'll
known New York broker. who has the
best trotters every season at Newport).
The gentleman returned 10 the hotel and
told his wife that there were two boys in
Newport who hao blue trousers, red sus-
penders, dirty shirts and straw hats.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
A Tennesseean'sBad Bargain.

Last Thursday morning a rattle was
made up by some ofthe citizens OF Paris
for box of five hundred cigars. There
we're twenty-five chances at one dollar a
chance. The plan was that known as
the shotgun plan, in which each man
taking chance puts his mark on the
blank paper surrounding target. The
target IS placed on pivot and whirled,
and while thus whirling is fred at with a
gun loaded with small shot. The man
whose mark comes nearest being hit takes
the prize. In this case George Lefiis
took chance, but would net put down
his mark until all the other marks had
been placed around The target. He then
went to each of the raffiers and said /:
"You and / have each got a chance in
this cigar rattle; let 1s go in 'cahoOt-if
you get them divide with me, and if |
get them I'll divide wi. h you" This
arrangement he made with eighteen of
the chance holders, telling each to keep
their partnership a secret. To prevent
any possibility, as he thought, of VIM
ming the cigars himself, he made his
mark as far from the target as the paper
would allow. He then felt sure of half
the cigars, and already, in imagination,
was putting the fragrant weed, and
laughing in his sleeve over the sharp
trick and excellent joke he had played
the ''other boys" But, alas the joke
was soon turned, and visions of cob
pipe f1oated before his astonished eyes.
The gun was fired, and stray shot
knocked the center out of Georges mark.
Eighteen men stepped up ana said: "I'll
take my half now Lefiis thus found
himself booked for $500 worth of cigars
He compromised, however, after some
wrangling, by dividing the cigars equally
among his partners.-Paris (Tenn) In
felLi0encer
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
THE CONFLICT In THE OLD WORLD

The London Post authoritatiyely de-
mics that Col Baker and other English officers
have been sent to Constantinople. An Ere
roum dispatch says: Mukhtar Pasha is safe.
He occupies strong position at Yenikoi
west of the Saghanludagh. Ismail Pasha's
retreat and junction with Mukhtar are Sc
riously menaced. Russia has ordered the mo-
bilization of all Cossaeks not yet in active ser
vice. They will amount to 81 regiments. A
correspondent at Biela reports the czarowitch
is pushing forward against Rasgrad, leaving
one corps to operate against Rustchuk.
Several accounts concur in stating that
the Turks have commenced vigorous bonn
bardment against the Russian positions in
Shipka Pass and have already sileneed one
Russian battery. A correspondent at Ras-
grad states that the Egyptians, before their re
moval to Varna, suffered dreadfully, three or
four hundred going into hospital daily with
dysentery.
Sulieman Pasha telegraphs under date
of Oct. p, as follows: To-day twelve battal-
ions of Russians with cavalry and artillery, at
tackled the works of Rustchuk. The Turks
made a sortie and forced the Russians to retire
into Observation-Disclosures at Pyrgos, with loss
of $50 killed and wounded. Four Russian d.
visions attacked the Turkish line ON the LON,
and were repulsed with loss Of eight hun
dred killed and some prisoners. The Turkish
loss is one hundred and sixty four killed and
sixty wounded
The impression is that since the rain
the Russians are convinced of the impossible
ity of wintering in Bulgaria, and VIII make a
desperate effort to reduce Pleyna and defeat
Suleiman Pasha's army before retirement into
Roumania. Turkey is about to negotiate q
newloan of five million pounds, interest Sc
cured by the Csc, 900 ofthe Egyptian tribute.
1t is reported that the Russians pursu-
ing Ghazi Mukhtar have advanced as far as
Khorassan, and Mukhtar has retrcated to
Kaprikoi, between Khorassan and Hassan
Kaleh. Erzeroum is preparing for a siege.
The inhabitants are arming, and reinforce
ments are Fastening up from Trebizond.
GhaZi Mukhtar, however, reports that the
Russians have not advanced further than
Melidoo, on the Western slope of Loghatner
Dagh, which is more probable than the first
statement. Doubtless a state Of panic pre-
walls at ErZcroum, giving rise 10 oil sorts Of
unfavOrable rumors.
1t is officially confirmed that Osman
Pasha with forty battalions effected junction
with Mukhtar Pashas army which is now
concentrated in strong position at Kaprokoi.
a dispatch from Erzeroum says it is rumored
that the Russians from Arabian are advanc-
ing ON otti. A special dated the 2sth reports
the situation very critical. A great BATTLE is
imminent at KaprokOi. GEN. Nihab, a Pole,
is appointed Sulieman Pasha's chief of staff
Gen. Mira, a Belgian, is to command the cav
alry division at Resgrad
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
Going to Sea.

A rather enthusiastic boy, after finish
ing the last chapter of book called
"The Pleasures of the Deep" pleaded
with his father to let him ship aboard a
small schooner. The old man smiled a
grim smile, took the case under consider
alton, and in few days the boy was on
the rolling deep, having shipped as a
greenhorn on vessel in the coal trade.
He sailed to Tynemouth, came down and
crossed to Hull, and the next week he
appeared at home, lame and stiff, his
throat sore, one eye nearly shut, and a
feeling of humbleness running all
through him.
''What, back againl" cried the old
man, as the boy entered the house.
"Yes, father. / want to saw all the
wood for winter, bring in all the coal,
clean out the cellar and paint the barn,
and you needn't give me but two meals
day."
Don't you like sailing?"
you don't understand anything
about it. The Captain sailed on Sunday
the same as any other day, and / believe
he swore even harder He wouldn't give
me an umbrella when it rained, he made
me sit up most all night, and two or
three times called me up at midnight
and made me haul ropes and drag old
sails about. There wasn't single night
when all of us got off to bed at 8 o'clock,
and there wasn't a day that he did not
bully us about and stop us every time
we got reading anything good. like
land, father, and | wish | owned farm. -"
The old man chuckled, and the boy
turned away from "Peter Simple" last
week with Philadelphia
Herald.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
An Immense Reptile:

From the Shreveport Times.
We we've yesterday informed by Mr..
Smith, living on Quapaw bayou, that
while he and his son William, aged about
% years, were out in the woods on Mon
day afternoon last, driving up their cattle
their attention was attracted by the bleat-
ing of calf some distance from them.
Thinking probably that the poor animal
had begged, they started to its assistance.
They had gone a short distance down the
bayou when they discovered a yearling,
abouttwo years old in the coils of
huge snake, the body of which was sus-
pended from the limb of a black gum
tree about twenty feet from the ground.
and which projected from the bank inn
mediately over the water. Mr.. Smith
and his son were almost terror stricken
at the sight, and stood speechless for
several moments, unconscionsly watching
the movements of the huge reptile as he
twined himself around the already dead
body of the yearling, and at every coil
of the snake they could hear the bones of
the calf break.
After coiling itself around the lifeless
form of the yearling and crushing every
bone in its body, the serpent let loose its
hold from the tree and dropped down
alongside its victim, and began licking it
all over, preparatory, it IS supposed, to
swallowing it. About this time Mr..
Smith recovered his senses, and, after
watching the monster snake open its ca
pacious mouth several times, he fired on
it with his rifle, striking it on the head,
and was quickly followed by his son,
who discharged double barrelled gun
loaded with buckshot Both reloaded as
quick as possible and again fired on his
snakeship. In the mean time the reptile
had coiled itself into huge mass, and
was making a kissing sound that could
be heard fully one hundred yards, and
was protruding his forked tongue sever
al feet. After discharging dozen vol
leys each, Mr.. Smith and his son sue
ceeded in despatching one of the largest
snakes ever seen in Louisiana, and, prob
ably, North America. Itmeasured thirty
one feet in length, and the body measur-
ed ten feet from the head, thirty inches
in circumference, and about the centre of
the body forty-two inches. 1t has reg
ular succession of spots, black and yell
low, alternating, extending from its head
to its tail, but thinks it must be of boa
constructor species. No doubt this snake
has for many years inhabited this section
of the country and deprecated upon the
young calves and animals that came
within its reach. The skin of this huge
snake has been preserved, and will be
sent to Shreveport and put on exhibition.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
The Beginning.

'sGive me a half-penny and you may
pitch one of these rings, and if it catches
over a nail III give you tbreepence."
That seemed fair enough; so the boy
handed him a half-penny aud took the
ring. He stepped back to the stake,
tossed his ring, and it caught on one of
the nails.
evil you take six rings to pitch again
or threepence?"
sThreepence, was the answer, and
the money was put into his hand. He
stepped off well satisfied with what he
had done, and probably not having an
idea that he had done wrong. A gen
tleman standing near him had watched
him, and now. before he had time to
look about and rejoln his companions,
laid his hand on his shoulder
"My lad, this is your first lesson in
gambling"
''Gambling, sirl"
''You staked your half-penny and won
six half-pence, did you nota"
'.Yes, / did"
'sYou did not earn them, and they
were not given you. You won them
Just as gamblers win money. You have
taken the first step in the path. That
man has gone through If, and you can
see the end. Now, / advise you to go
and give HIM his threepsnce back and
ask him for your half-penny, and then
stand square with the world, an honest
boy again"
He hung his head down, but raised it
quickly; and his bright, open look as he
said, s'I'll do it," will not soon be for
gotten. He ran back and soon emerged
from the ring, looking happier than ever.
He touched his cap and bowed pleas
antly as he ran away to join his compan-
ions. This was an honest boy.-Morn-
ina Star
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
Fall Flowing.

This operation, so important in heavy
soll, is too frequently put off till the last
work of the season. The advantages to
be gained by early blowing, las soon as
possible after harvest,) are many, and
should drive every one to get the pillow in
even by extra hired help, as soon as
stacking is over. Weeds are turned
under, weed seeds have good chance to
sprout and grow before frost, thus equal
ing a fallow. and the land itself, which is
more important than many suppose.
After an exhaustive crop, if the surface
remains hide bound, or nearly impervious
to air and water, the growth of moss is
very rapid. and the lands lies like sick
man after a fever, demanding stimulants.
The question Of early or late fall blowing
is to the farmer merely matter of a few
dollars, but to the land ii is often a mat
ter between life or death. This kind of
work should always be done by a narro,o,
high mold-b0ard tool, so as to ridge the
surface, as that shape exposes more earth
to the atmosphere than one that leaves
the soil spread out fiat. Narrowing
cross-wise in the spring fits it for seed at
once. This seems a trifling matter, but it
is really I'll important.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01

There comes to us a story of the death
of beautiful woman, whose mind was
somewhat given to the contemplation of
the STYLES. While she lay sick she was
particular about color and light and the
general tone of the room. and never re-
ceived a visitor without red or blue
shawl thrown across one shoulder and part
of the pillow, to keep her from looking
Hlike deaths headn She didn't intend
to die, and didn't want TO die. ut was
such Disseminating process" she de-
clared When it was discovered that she
must die, her husband broke the news to
her very gently. She was a little dis
tressed. but not much agitated. She had
only one request tomake. 1t was, "My
darling don't let that horrid Mrs
make Inv outfit. Her fits are sickening,
and she over-trims terribly; besides, she
will be sure TO spellmyrtle 'm-u-r-t-e-r in
the bill@
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
cows Losing Their siiIh.

This is an unfortunate failing, for in
other respects the COWS are often good.
Many of them lose milk only when the
udder is full, it which case il is worth
while to milk them three times day,
say a. m, noon and s p. m. This will
relieve the udder so that they may hold
their milk very well afterward, but there
are cases when the milk runs out while
the COW lies down, ami then it is best to
get rid of such an animal as there is no
cure. nave man working for me who
labored on the Duke of Bnckingham's es-
tate in England. anJ he says several cows
came to lose their milk in consequence of
being MIXED with tubes or a machine
made Tor the purpose. 1t IS generally
best TO get rid of any animal giving ex-
ira trouble, etc. There may be ways to
lessen the quantity running away, but
il is never worth while to bother with
such instances, as by drying the animal
and fattening for beef it is easy TO replace
her.
Surprising, however, that this Durham
cow is pure-bre short-horn, and il is
wished 10 raise all the calves she will
produce, the better way will be to let the
calf run with her every time, and then
the milk will be sucked SO often as to
prevent any loss of consequence, or if
there should be, then why, of course,
there is positively no choice but to get
rid of her or raise her calves, otherwise.
1t is not likely, however, that the milk
drops away as fast as 1t comes mo the
udder, for if SO there would be no means
of drying her except by physic, bleeding
or half starving When advice is asked
IT would be well 10 give more particulars
for when it is said the COW loses her milk,
it might be meant she sinks or gives less
aud less, and thus loses by drying up; in
such a case ifgood succulent food won't
keep steady flow, nothing will.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
Riding on a Whales Back.

The most striking fish story recently is
thus conveyed in a special telegram from
Plymouth Mass, TO the Boston Herald
An adventure so singular in its char
acter happened to citizen of this town
this morning that, without the knowledge
of the parties and the evidence of those
near. it would be set down as a Mum
chausen tale. Mr.. ID. Finny, with his
neighbor, ANGEL Bartlett, were off Gun
ners' Point, South Plymouth, coOt shoot
ing. They were in separate dories, as
far apart as boats usually are in that
sport, when humpback whale rose some
distance off and spouted. He rose again
nearer the boat, and Mr.. Finney thought
by the direction he was taking that the
next time he came up he would come
ahead of the boat, and he would give HIM
shot While waiting for him TO come
up, kneeling in the bottom of the dory,
he felt shock, and, as he expresses it,
found llhnself on the whales back dry
shod. The next thing he knew, he went
down, and came up on the other side of
his boat. Probably the whale sank when
he found he had a rider, and drew the
man with him. When he came up he
was near Mr.. Bartlett's dory, and was
taken into his boat. Throughout the
whole he had held on to his gun, and
brought it on Eoard with him.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
LOTeberry,s New Hat.

20, yes, certainly; there's nothing like
being married. admitted young Mr..
LOveberry 10 welded Mail reporter yes
terday. The life of a single man is
lonely and incomplete, as you say. A
noble woman love must be grand
thing 10 have, know; but irst excuse
me Yet awhile, my boy. You know Smith
the sewing-maehine mani Well, we were
out on a little time last night, and about
one in the morning Smith asked me TO go
with him and have some lunch. He said
the old lady would be in bed, but he
knew where to find things. We went.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01

A love-sick youth who called to see his
inanorata, and was surprised to find the
hated parerfamilias come 10 the door,
asked: Does Mr.. William Smith live
herelp HE does net,n replied the cruel
parent sbut Mr.. Brown lives here, and
his daughter is waiting for you in the
parlor. II would like to see her, ANSWER
ed the visitor timidly. 20. am so glad
you Gamer calculated the parent with
diabolical enthusiasm; "you see our ply
stefan said he would send his partner, and
she is getting worse every minute-In
fact l begin to think it is not varioloid,
hut small -pox, and"--of all sad words, etc,
1T might have been"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01

Gen. ROsser, chief engineer of the
Northern Pacific railway, and an engineering
party, crossed the Missouri river on the morn
ing OF October % and are stalking out five
miles for the graders, who will be here in fun
force next week. The extension is the much
talked Of division to the Yellowstone, two
hundred and five miles hence. 4 yard viii DC
built, aud this winter the material shipped
to Bismarck for an early spring campaign
along the whole division at once. The grad
ing and track will be completed to the coal
fields, thirty miles distant. The excitement
over the extension is breaking out, and squat
ters on the land on the west side Of the Mis-
souri,, where the road runs up the Heart river
have begun to get out on the prairie, and are
already putting up shanties and building
imaginary cities. Everybody thinks it is
business this time.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-01
Gauaheffars Speech.

Gambetta, in a speech at Chateau Chi
ron, violently denounced the governments
electoral maneuvres, declared that but for
fraud and robbery, 400 Republicans would
have been returned. He mazda bitter attack
upon the empire and Bonapartists, but spoke
in a very conciliatory tone of other parties
and predicted an eventful alliance between
them and the Republicans, when present pas
sions had time t. cool.