davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Salem Witehcrart Outdone.

The young daughter of Elijah Nichols,
a blacksmith of Herdstown. n. j., is
afflicted in the most singular and mystcr-
iOus manner. She predicted evil against
or 18th birthday, which befell on the
18th of October last, and since that date
she has been bed-ridden and paralyZed
At times there appears under the counter
pane of her bed a presence as OF a rat, a
cat, a rabbit, or a cat, swiftly moving from
place 10 place and Guiding detection. In
vain Is the bed stripped, or the patient
removed to another place; the presence"
is only pOwerless to act when the mother
sleeps with the child. The physicians, no
less than the clergy, and the common
folk of all the countryside, are baffied.
Crowds come daily to see the mystery.
On one recent occasion, Mr.. Richards,
Mayor of Dover, held his stiff hat above
the presence" and the hat received a
blow that crushed it. Violent blows
have been given to the hand, to cane,
and to other objects held out over the
place where the presence" was, and,
needless to say, attempts to grab the
presence have failed. All the while the
girl lies moaning as in terror or pain,
and her position in the bed would be
plainly such as to show that the myster-
ious movements were not caused by her
The girl has been known to abstain from
all food for the space of fifteen days, and
for some weeks past she has only received
little milk daily, yet her face is fair, and
when the visitation is not nigh, her sleep
IS apparently healthful. Her parents are
plain honest people, who view this as an
afilictiOn not to be turned to account for
nOtoriety or money. The neighbors, un-
able to account for it in any other way,
have solemnly decreed witchcraft against
an old woman living among them, and
charms are in active demand.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Life Rescue.

The true plan to follow, when safety is
the call, is to swim with everything below
the chin well down under water, the head
well back and resting centrally on the
Floating power of the lungs. But what
will you do when your compartments tired
out and drowning? That depends. If
he is cool and reliable, get in front of
him, let him get his hand on your hips
mot on your shoulders), and you can carry
him quite distance. That supposes that
both parties, rescued and rescuer, under
stand fair play. The weaker party is the
one that ought to drown, if he shows any
disposition to drown his friend by mis-
cradle, cowardly death-clutch at the only
floating thing around him. In the case
of the death-clutch, go to the bottom with
your man and leave him there. There
may be an unpleasant wrestle, but the real
drowning man is ready to quit his prey
when he stikes bottom. The better man
has his right u come to the surface and
swim ashore.
But in a considerable swimming ex-
perience, and some rescues, there comes
one absolute rule: Never face drown
ing man. He welcomes rescue so eagerly
that he will hug you around the neck and
take you down. The safest and best
thing to do is to get behind him, and, un-
less you are left handed, put your left
hand under his right arm-pit. The lift
you give him will be enough in ordinary
water. He can be coaxeG to help him
self. and if he is a reasonable being you
can bring him to shore. If he is insane
with fright, recollect that you are to be
both prudent and heroic. Get away from
him, clutch his ankle with one hand and
tow him ashore If the bank is near, he
is not likely to drown on the way. If he
does, it is not your fault. But brave
swimmer is master of his element.
once saw two young fellows rescue a
drowning comrade in way that was re-
markable for its neatness. The poor fell
low was in mid-stream, cramped and ex.
hausted, and barely able To keep afioat
Which was first was never decided, but in
the critical moment each was behind hi m
each with hand under an arm-pit; he
was almost lightweight on their hands,
and they swan him ashore, more dead
than alive. 1t was struggle, but they
were masters of the situation.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Lending TO the Lord.

Perhaps the reason why so many of us
Maggie over the demands which the needy
make upon Us it because we really are
dissatisfied with the security, and arc not
thoroughly convinced that giving to the
poor is lending to the Lord. However
may be. we certainly take infinite credit
ta ourselves in the transaction, when it
occurs. which ought at least TO count for
interest at a generous percentage, even If
it does not go toward the liquidstiOn OF
the debt. There is no question that TO
the right-minded person-and who VII
admit that he IS not right minded
there Is no such exquisite pleasure as the
power of giving affords. of relieving the
necessities Of others, of carrying comfort
into the haunts of squalOr but apparently
il is sensation which many of us are
ehary of experiencing too often, pleas
ure too great and good for human nature
daily food, which we would fain keep for
her DAYS and holidays, TO add an extra
relish to our feasting.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
A Trining Mistake.

In the House of Peers, during the ex-
animation of the magistrates of Edin-
burgh, touching the particulars of the
PorteOus mob, in 1886, the Duke of New
Castle having asked the provost with
what kind of Shot the town guard, COM
manded by Porteous, had loaded their
muskets, received the unexpected reply;
..Ou. Just sic as ane shoots dukes and
fools vi. The answer was considered
as a contempt of the House of Lords, and
the poor provost would have suffered from
misconception of his patois, had not the
Duke Of Argyle (who must have been ex-
ceedingly amused) explained that the
worthy chief magistrates expression when
rendered into English, meant to describe
the shot used for ducks aud water fowl.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
4 DOOr-Seraper.


We have just perfected an invention
which will probably relieve us in the
future from the persecution of life-insur-
ance agents and book canvassers. 1t is in
the nature of patent combination reflex
action dOCT-scrapcr. We fasten it down
by the side Ofthc lowest step in front of
of our house, and wait until book can
vasser comes along which one Is tolerably
certain to dOwithin fifteen or twenty min
utes. The canvasseT stops to scrape his
boots while he thinks up some new and
vigorous eXaggeratiOn with which to inn
pose on Us. As his foot touches the iron,
two clamps fly over his instep and hold
him fast, steel claw suddenly shoots up
his leg and grabs his trousers; a trap
fiys open in the pavement, and the victim
is hauled into cOol-cellar, whore we
have an Infatuated Irishman engaged to
mellow him and fiatten him out with a
scOop-shovcl. We allow the Irishman a
royalty on the remains, and he seems TO
be animated by an earnest desire which
promises rich results. If the machine
works well we shall either buy a grave
yard or found.a medical college. In the
mean time persons in want of bodies for
dissection or other purposes will please
apply -Hdr 1deler.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
The Value Of Money.

A silv lar represents a days work
of the labor~. 1t is given to boy. lie
has no idea of what it has cost or of what
it is worth. He would as likely give a
dollar as a dime for top or any other toy.
But if the boy has learned to earn the
dimes and dollar Wy the sweat of his
face he knows the difference. Hard work
is to him a measure of values that can
never be rubbed out of his mind. Let him
learn by experience that a hundred dol
lars represents hundred weary days labor
and it seems a great sum of money; a
thousand dollars is a fortune, and ten
thousand is almost inconceivable, for it is
far more than he ever expects to possess.
When he has earned a dollar, he thinks
twice before he spends it. He wants to
invest it so as to get the full value of a
davis work for it. 1t is a great wrong to
society and to boy to bring him up to
mans estate without this knowledge. A
fortune at twenty one without it is almost
inevitably thrown away. With 1t, and
little capital to start on, he will make
his own fortune better than anyone can
make it for him.-Uuafs Merchants
Journal.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
lends drawing-room. / told NV troublous

friends drawing-room,I told my troublous
tale.
"oh, hope you have his number, said
my host.
mo, he took it away, as Tn telling
YOU"
"Oh, but don't you rememberg You
should have taken it down with pen
cil.n
Then l discovered what my mistake had
been.
have never. since that first adventure
with the London cabby, encountered any,
thing quite so formidable and terrifying;
but | still feel that the London jehu is a
being to be dreaded. My second expe-
rienco of him was to drive under his aus
pices to a dinner party. | gave him Is
pence for distance which | have since
learned only entitled him to a shilling.
He was very polite cabman, lutte the
politest cabman have ever seen. He re-
garded his -and-six pence with a gen
tie smile, little tinged with melancholy.
Then he touched his hat, and said, most
respectfully;
Il begs your pardon, but | think as
you don't know the distance. No lady
as knew would give me less than two
shillings."
gave him another sixpence-I should
have done it even if had known better,
his courtesy was so beguiling. He
thanked me sweetly, and then he said:
about what time would my lady be
likely to be going 'ome. If I'm in this
neighborhood I'll come for you. 1t might
save you some trouble
| informed him that | did not know
but, at about II o'clock, servant came
to me and told me that the cabman who
brought me was waiting for me, so I sub
mitted TO destiny and went home under
| his banner.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Australian TIdaI waves.

A remarkable series of waves reached
the coast Of New South Wales on Friday, the
18th Of May. At ), .. m. on the 18th, the tide
gauge at Fort Denison records the first Of a
series Of waves, which went on at intervals all
day, reaching maximum about ? p. IN. Of 3
feet inches, rise and fall. At Newcastle, the
waves began at ;. m. and at 30 a. m. the
harbor water fell - inches in four minutes.
The rise is not given. After this the Oscilla-
tons continued but were not so great. At
Ballina a similar phenomenon has been OBJ
served all day. Greatest rise, IS inches. Tel
egrams from New Zealand report similar
waves on the east coast, from ; a. IN, extend
ing from the bay Of the islands to the bluff
The greatest range was six feet, least reported
? feet. By late news they still continued.
Rain has fallen abundantly in nearly an parts
ofthe colony, causing great improvement in
pastoral affairs. Wheat sowing is very cx-
tcnsive and harvest prospects very encourag-
iuU
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Jennie's Babies.
From the San Francisco Mail.

From the San Francisco Mad.
The rain yesterday made the birds and
animals at Warmers wharf very miserable,
I especially the monkeys, who sat out in
/ the wet and looked with disappearing
surprise at the leaden sky, as became old
Califorhians, and every line of their care
worn faces showed that they with the rest
of the old timers considered such a state
of things wholly exceptional, sir, / as
sure you" A youthful monkey
hoped upon the bar and climbed upon
Old Waterfront's arm Just as he was TAX
ing the quid from his mouth preparatory
! to putting in the whisky. Mornin,
Jim" said the old boy cordially, stroking
the small ring tail, who at once Skinned
/ to his shoulder and seated himself on that
tarry roost with great gravity and salts
the dignity of an American citizeness to
maintain. / remembered what my friend
had told me, and said loftily:
"And now l will take your number, if
you please
ssYes, I'll give you my number. Oh,
YES, YOU shall ave my number and wei
come - and he tore off from somewhere a
sort of tin plate, with figures on it. l had
been accustomed TO the printed slip
which every French cocher hands you
without asking; and it occurred to me
that this metal card was rather clumsy,
and that if he carried many such about
him they must somewhat weigh down his
pockets; but knew that England was a
country where they believed in making
things solid and durable, and / supposed
it was quite natural that cabbies should
present their passengers with metal num-
bers, instead of paper ones; SO, holding
the thing gingerly in my hand, | marched
TRANQUILITY up the steps of my friends
house.
have seen in Italy and elsewhere va
rious pictures of the descent of the fallen
and condemned at the last day, but |
think even Michael Angelo might have
caught a new inspiration from the descent
of my cabby. He plunged can think
of no other wsrd-down from his height,
tore the badge from my trembling fin
oers. and shook his hard and brawny fist
within the eight of an inch of my tip
tilted nose.
low dare you" he screamed" 'ow
dare YOU be maxim off with my badges;
I'll have you up, if You don't mind your
heye."
And. indeed, thought my eye was
very likely to need minding. But he
mounted his perch again, badge In hand,
and poured out imprecations like flood,
while / pulled frantically at bell and
knocker. Then at last l was IN my
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05

travels toward the frozen pole, until it
dwindles to a point and yanishes forever
Is it possible that life is of so short du-
rationl Win ninety years erase all the
golden names over the doors in town and
country, and substitute others in their
steadl Win all the new blooming beau
ties fade and disappear all pride and pas
sion, the love, hope and JOY, pass away in
ninety years, and be forgotten! Ninety
years. says Death, : do you think shall
wait ninety yearsl Behold, to day and
tomorrow, and every day, are mine.
When ninety years are passed, this gener
alton will have mingled with the dust,
and be remembered not"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
CnnadIanCron I,enort-.

The Globes reports of the crop pros
poets OF that country are not very encourag-
ing, and shows decided falling of. II says:
Reports of fall wheat are generally excellent,
and more than the average crop may probably
be counted on, Il no unfavorable change takes
place before the harvest which viii be early
this year. Spring wheat IS perhaps shade
less favorably spoken Of, and both fall and
spring wheat, but more particularly the latter,
have suffered by the frost which ut the latter
part Of last week did very large amount Of
mischief. Barley viii yield a smaller crop
than for many seasons. less barley has been
sOwn, farmers being tempted by prospects
OF realizing high prices for wheat, and the
want Of rain has been felt in the growth Of the
plant The frost also affected il to some ex-
tent Barley crops viii therefore De below an
average. Oats have suffered considerably
from want Of rain, and will be short crop in
many places
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
One of those Remarkable Dogs.

Lately traveller passed in a carriage
along the Avenue de Neuilly; the night
was dark all at once the horse stopped,
and the traveller saw the animal had met
an obstacle. At the same moment man
raised himself from before the horse and
uttered cry.
"Why don't you take care?" said the
traveller.
"Ah," cried the man, "you would do
better, instead of following, to lend me
your lantern"
"What for?"
Il had three hundred francs of gold on
my person, my pocket has broken, and
all is falling in the street. 1t is COM
mission with which my master entrusted
me. If do not find the money | am a
ruined man."
cit is not easy to find the pieces on
such night; have you none left?"
Yes, have one"
"Give it to me-"
The man hesitated.
"Give it to me; it will be the means of
recovering the Others"
The poor fellow gave him his last coin.
The traveller whistled; a magnificent Dan
ish dog began to leap around him.
"Here!7 said the traveller, putting the
coin to the nose of the dog. "Look9"
The intelligent creature shifted moment
at the money, and then began to run
aboutthe road. Evey minute he returned,
leaping, and deposited in the hands of
his master napoleon, In about twenty
minutes the whole sum was recovered.
The poor fellow who had got his money
back turned, full of thanks, toward the
traveller, who had now got into his car
riage.
"Ah, you are my preserver," said he;
I" tell me at least your name"
Il have done nothing, said the traveller.
" Your preserver is my dog; his name is
Rabut-Jo ole y and then, whipping his horse,
hr dicnr,r,nn rod In tho llarlrnncc
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Several BOsOms With Single Thought.

An amusing incident happened on a
Kansas City paper the other day. Two
brothers, named Hart, were arrested.
somewhere in the interior, for obtaining
goods under false pretenses. There was
unusual commotion and mystery among
the members of the editorial staff that
evening, and each said unto the other,
I've got bully thing for tomorrow S
paper,-iust you wait and see;' and, being
asked what that bully thing was, de
clined to go into further particulars just
then. Next morning the mystery was
solved. There was an editorial note in
the first column as follows:
The Hart Brothers were arrested yes
terday, at, for defrauding their creii-
tors. They were evidently as the poet
SAYS, 1.-TWO Harris that beat as one
Half way down the same page was
another editorial paragraph, as follows:
Two Harris that beat their creditors
like one, or even more, were arrested yes
terday, at. Let us hope that the
righteous Judge will, in the words of Cic-
ero, Soc ct tuum.
Over on the second column there was
display heading, in big black type,
" Il WO ftdTlS Il Hat Icdl 14ihS OHS away
down at the foot of the third column was a
little item, surreptitiously inserted by the
advertising clerk about two hearts that
beat as one and half way down the fourth
was letter from IT. Y. Pr, the ac-
knowledged wit of the composing room,
addressed to the Editor of the Kansas
CITY Whangd0odle ana asking if that
wasn't a case of two hearts (Harts) that
beat as onel The different authors of
this exquisite witticism spent the morn
ing in paying visits of coincidence to each
other, and remarking, with disparaging
shifts, that it would only be in accord
ance with fraternal feeling and news
paper etiquette to let another member
of the staff know when one intended max
ing dumfool of himself in specific di-
rection.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
"a Tale that is Told"

We don't Ike TO make our readers feel
bad, but are they aware that ninety years
hence not a single man or woman now
twenty years fage, will be alivel Ninety
years. Alas! how many of the lively
actors at present on the stage of life viii
make their exit long ere inety years shall
have rolled awayl And sould we be sure
of ninety years, what are they? "a tale
that is told;n dream; an empty sound
that passeth on the wings of the wind
away, and is forgotten. Years shorten as
man advances in age Like the degrees
in longitude, mans life declines as he
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL NEWS.
Another Crippled Life Insurance Co.


The special commission for the exami-
nation Of life insurance companies, appointed
by the last Connecticut legislature having ex-
amined a large part Of the assets Of the Char
ter Oak Life Insurance company, of Hartford
have certified to Commissioner Steadman that
there is an actual deficit in the actual assets
Of over S2,220,OO0, and also that there are ques-
tiOnable assets amounting TO over 81, $4,000.
1t is believed, however, that policy holders I'M
der the present circumstances ought not to
sacrifice their policies. The COurant says
the first observation to be directed to the pub
lie IS a caution TO policy holders not TO be
frightened into surrendering their policies or
neglecting payments. The appointment Of
the commissioner and the proceedings he has
undertaken are all wisely intended and are in
tended and are calculated 10 secure the inter
ests Of policy holders and maintain respect for
the laws and credit Of the state, and nothingis
done save under the advice Of able counsel and
approved Of honorable business men.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
Latest Markets.
MILWAUKEE.

FLOUR-Quict and unchanged
GRAIN-Wheat No. ., n: seller July
$751;; seller August, S1.2f; No. 5, 81 2961
80. Corn, lower; No. 2, 1880. Oats, No. .
33c. Rye, No. !, 671Sc. Barley, No. ,, zoe;
No. 3, 3Sc.
CHICAGO.
FLOUR-COmmon to fancy, ST. 75td $50: do.
Minnesota S1.750 $50: Minnesota patent $500
dIlO0: fair To choice $S.50td950: fancy
brands, 10000 1870.
GRAIN-Wheat, No. ,, Chicago spring Si4I
@1.42 cash; $780, seller July: Sl2OI4@
1908 seller August; S1.15 seller September;
No do. S120; rejected S5@9Oc. Corn, 46c
cash; 461S@46I4c seller July; 471S@474c
seller August. Oats, 331sd3314c cash; So &c
seller July. Rye steady. Barley. 60@65c.
Professionalism, unsettled; $500 cash
S1292I5 "a 1895 seller July; SI3O7 seller Aug
ust. Lard, SS.621{ cash and seller July;
SSH seller August; SS90@S. 921< seller Sep
tcmber.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
new Organization or railroad Employees

\ special to the Chicago Tribune says
some time ago the railroad employees Of the
Western Pennsylvania railroad. assisted by a
delegation from abroad organized new
society to resist all attempts al reducing
wages. The organization is intended 10 en-
brace all employees Of the railroad companies.
For some weeks past agents Of the organiza-
ton have been vigorously at work forming
auxiliary unions At different points along the
lines leading from that city, and that oTSani-
cation is now perfected TO such an extent that
general strike against the rate Of wages on
the Pennsylvania and other roads viii be soon
iuaugurated.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
uravvbut Just sentence.

The following sentence has been I'M
posed In the case Of Lieut.. W ". Fleming
18th infantry, convicted at san Francisco, Of
appropriating funds entrusted to him by pris-
oncrs: To DC dismissed the service Of the
United Satets, confined at hard labor for three
wears and To DC further confined until he pay
the United States a fine Of $1,000, provided
that the whole period of confinement shall not
exceed five years; also that his crime, his
name and place Of abode shall De published in
the papers the state from whence he came
The president has approved the sentence and
the State pcnitcntisry Of Iowa has been desis-
mated as the place Of confinement
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05
InIneis Ahead I'm number of once seek

4 Washington letter says it is a matter
Of much public comment i'm that city that
there Is such great numbers OF Office seekers
and politicians from Illinois, that State far ex-
ceeding any other not only in the number of
applicants for office, but the diligent zeal with
which they continue 10 press their claims for
positions. 1t is authortativcly said that within
the next few days many important political
changes will be made in that State
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-05

Two men were conversing in front OF
the Post Office of the condition of a third
party. friend to both, but whom one
Of them had not seen in several years.
:. You saw he lives near to Springfield,
and is quite sickli said one. Yes, very
sick. indeed. when | was On there a week
aoo I don't think he can live more
more than "Than whatW interrupt
ed the other, in fever of anxiety.