davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
Let Him Sleep.

Don't call your boy in the morning
with sudden shake and loud voice,
dragging him out of some fairy land Of
dreams to strain sleepy eyes open, with
the first impression on his drowsy SEN
ses of the blackness Of everything out
side the dream, and the necessity of a
struggle to keep from falling asleep
again If it need be that he shall get
up early, send him to bed early. He
cannot sleep forever, any more than he
can hurt himself sleeping just as long
as his two eyes will remain closed. Let
him sleep till his sleep be finished; till he
can't help waking up. The time will
come soon enough when all night long
he'll lie awake; or when troubled dreams
will rouse him at the cock Growing,
though he should not shut his eyes till
after midnight. Let him wake up slow
ly, too, and never get up till he's wide
awake Though he be but two years
old. he will be happier child all day for
it; and happier man his life long, if
through the morning of that life he
sleeps enough and wakens easily.
Watch him some morning while he is
waking. Take time enough, for he will
be a good half hour about it, and it will
be safe venture to say that never again
will you awake child in the morning
unless the house is burning, or some
like contingency. Sit by the bedside
Do not take your eyes off or you will
miss something Two little arms are
thrown up above his head; one little
foot outside the blanket is tossed upon
the other underneath. He is flat upon
his back, his head thrown over, and his
nose tucked under his nightgow sleeve;
a picture Of perfect ease, with rosy lips
pouting, and chubby fingers half clutch
ed. Watch for the first sign of Morphe-
us loosening his grasp, when the little
fingers slowly straighten till rigid and
far apart each trembles to it's tip; the
under lip quivers, and naked toes are
stretched just as far as the foot can car
ry them, while he holds his breath for
an instant and then with such long,
comfortable sigh, turns upside down and
is sound asleep again, with the soles of
two little feet turned upward, and two
little palms far apart upon the bed
Over and over again he will go through
the motions, each time little more of
q stretch than before, until his face is
puckered and wrinlxled as it will be in
three-score years and ten indelibly, and
becomes fairly purple with straining.
And by-and-by his eyes will open just a
bit, and fall on you. All! the sleepy
smile, that only uncovers the tips of the
teeth, and the whispered Papa" will
repay your half hour Of waiting, and
when the drowsy deity Of sleep sweeps
over the lids and shuts them again, the
smile will remain. The heart is too
happy to sleep, though the blue eyes
slumber.
| A child is hungry in the morning
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

pet. No troops could withstand such a
tide it poured in at every angle
with an impetuosity that defied resis-
tance
Muskets dubbed were opposed to
bayonets; sabre and pike came into
full play. Baum was driven back, I'M
able to use his artillery, and all disci-
pline in both forces seemed lost, except
where the German commander and a
few sturdy Hessianscharged with sabre
when unable to load muskets. Part of
Fraser's marksmen rushed over the
parapet, and leaving a few of their num-
Der dead and wounded escaped. Baum
was MORALLY wounded by a shot, and
the force around him, panic-struck, fled
down the hill to the south, where Stark S
forces vert advancing to meet them.
The action on the plain below, with
the Tories under Pfster and the Cana
dams in the Lighthouses, was but the
sanguinary counterpart of the scene at
the redoubt. At the first discharge
from Nicholss column the concealed
troops rushed through the corn, receiv-
ing three volleys, which they did not
deign to return until they emerged from
their cover upon a field of flax at the
foot Of the breastwork. Here girdled
decayed trees gave them partial shelter,
and behind these some of the men
placed themselves, while others sought
the cover of the rank flax and corn.
A rapid and continuous fire now COM
menced on both sides. A small platoon
of Hessians in the breastwork delivered
at rapid intervals their fire, without
aim, giving way at each discharge to the
Tories, who with handkerchiefs tied as
turbans, appeared, alternating their
volleys rapidly with the regulars. AT
the explosion in the large redoubt up
the stream a charge was made, with a
whoop and hurrah, on the Tories. 1t
was now corn husk against turban in a
desperate death-grapple. Musket stocks
supplied the place of bayonets on both
sides. The enemy was pushed back;
Pfster fell, MORALLY wounded, and the
remnant around him called for quarter.
The Canadians, seeing the capture of
the two strongholds, surrendered with
the chasseurs, who, hemmed in, made
little or no resistance The first fight
was won.
A hasty disposal was made of the
prisoners The Tories, numbering about
100, were tied by pairs to a leading rope
with a horse attached; the remaining
captives, about $50, were permitted the
honors of war, being marched in close
ranks with a strong flank guard to
Bennington. Here they were quartered
in the church.
1t was now nearly six o'clock. Stark
and Warner FASTENED to the redoubt
Baum, attended by his faithful servant
Henry and Hessian surgeon, was
being removed from the field Looking
around at the fearful work made in the
redoubt, Stark remarked that the
Americans had fought like hell-hounds.
Truly" said Baum, they fought more
like hell-hounds than soldiers" Baum
and Ptister were taken to the same
house, mile distant, in Shaftesbury,
where both died the following day-H.
W. HERRIcK, in Haaper's Magazine for
September.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
A DrOuth of Pastors.

A couple from the country came here
to be married, and never were so set
back in their lives as when they found
it impossible to secure the services Of a
clergyman, those distinguished gentle
men having gone on their usual summer
iaunts. They travelled all over town,
footsore and weary, and as the twilight
approached began to show signs of ex-
haustion. "What sort of q place is this ?"
inquired the anxious and expectant
bride: great town it must be when two
thoughts with but a single soul can't
find peace of mind for want of a minis
ter" He replied that he thought so too.
They were not to be cheated out of their
marriage, however, and finally after
pacing the streets for many hours, and
visiting deserted houses where clergy
men live when at home, they repaired
to the Office of Judge Eggleston, Justice
of the Peace, who performed the le-
gal functions NECESSARY to make the
couple man and wife. "Bless you my
children" was feelingly remarked by an
eyewitness, and the groom, now happy,
warmed up to the Justice and slipped a
dollar bill into his hand, and departed
in good spirits. MAY they live long
and prosper" -Ha1tford Co'uaaa.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
Love Lightning.
ST. Louis Globe Long Branch Letter.


have met here recently an old friend
who, few years since, was one of the
most resolute and philosophic of bach
elors He was grounded on reason, and
he had at his tongues end all the argu-
ments that distinguished anti-matrimo
nialists have used for centuries He
was not fierce, he was calm and logical,
and have often said, eff any man is
safe from connubial perils, he is safe be-
yond peradventure." After exchanging
greetings with my friend, he blurted
out, Well, Pm married. I confess it;
but please don't tell me that you knew
should be; that you had expected it; for
[ am no fool, and have sworn 100 times
that to me marriage was absolutely i'm
possible" Subsequently he gave me
his confidence. He was walking one
moonlight evening on the beach with a
young lady he had known for five or six
years. She was friend of his sister,
and he regarded her as kind of adopt
ed sister He had liked her for her
sound judgment, strength Of character
and freedom from sentiment. They were
walking quietly along, and discussing
Herbert Spencer. One Of the last things
he remembered distinctly was that they
were illustrating the survival Of the
fittest by examples within their own
knowledge. The next thing he knew he
had proposed to her, and she was throb-
bling on his bosom like a volcano in
eruption, and sobbing out that she ador-
ed him from the first moment she had
laid her eyes on him. wasn't that
rather queer" he asked. "for a young
woman Of extraordinary strength of
character, totally devoid OF sentiment :?
Well, / am devilish glad it happened,
though how it happened, to this day l
have no idea. But you know 1 am al
ways looking for the cause of things
1 wonder still what put us into that pas
sionate mood-us, who had always been
so self-contained in one another's So
ciety. Was it the moon? Or could it
have been the sea ~
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

When Chas Martin walked out there
was a general stare He had a black
eye, a bitten ear, a sore nose, blood on
his chin, and more scratches on his face
than there are spokes in buggy wheel
"Been down on the Danube?" asked
his Honor, as the prisoner hung on the
railing.
II don't know where it was" was the
answer
"Well, what's happened"
"Oh, nothing much"
''Did you run against windmill or a
cage of Wildcats"
mo, sir; think I had little fuss
with bar tender"
"You drank glass Of ginger ale and
then wouldn't pay for it, eh?''
" That was it, sir. and he flew mad
about it."
How long did it take him to curry
comb you off in that style?"
!" don't believe he was over five min
utes, your Honor"
And what is your defense?"
was thirsty"
:" We'll, the supply Of ginger ale at the
house of correction gave out last night
but they've got heaps of water up there
You'll get along well for sixty days,
unless you insist on marble wash-basins
and silver drinking cups. Next. DE
trot Free Press.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

Get graham cracker or an oatmeal
cracker nothing better in the world for
a lunch before breakfast), put it under
the edge of the pillow where the little
hand Will strike it, and watch the sleepy
nibble, and MUNICH and smile. If he
has a favorite toy, rubber doll or lamb,
put that on the other side, and see his
recognition and welcome when he feels
it and hugs it up in the folds of his
nightgown while he takes last nap with
his papa, his cracker and his lamb.
Then he is ready to wake up and kiss
you and laugh without even cause for
it, and long for his bath and breakfast
And you? You are ready to swear that
the house shall be still as the sandy Sa-
hara, thereafter at morning, till the little
king chooses to call for noise
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
She thought She Knew.

The passengers in the sleeping-car
were just doing off, when something
howled out:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
y" Great dragons there's brat
aboard growled fat man from his
upper berth. "Pll bet hundred dollars
none OF us can get wink of sleep to-
night it.,
" Wow-wow!'' whined the child.
There he goes again!" growled the
tat man. " | never travel but that run
across some ones offspring.
"Who's that talking?' called the
mother Of the child, in loud voice.
Mev answered the fat man. "Why
didn't you either leave that child at
home Or stay at home YOURSELF"
Are you talking to me demanded the
woman.
" Yes, mann, | am! / say it's IA
shame to bring sick child into sleep
ing car to disturb twenty or thirty
people"
Z" Are you father" she asked.
"No, [ haint."
" Nor mother she continued.
"No, ma'am."
Well, sir, she said as she poked her
head out between the curtains, "when
you've been the mother of eleven chill
dren and moved forty-eight times,
lived in nine different states, and worn
one corset right along for seventeen
years, you will begin to think you know
your business. / think l know mine,
and if this baby wants to howl he's
going to do it, if / have to come over
there and kick ton and half of con-
ceit out of YOU"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

The indianapolis Journal of Thursday
relates the following "There was an ex-
citing time at the house of Mr.. Stapleton,
IN the northeastern part of the city, last
night. Shortly after the family had re-
tired strange noises were heard in the
kitchen, and Mr.. Stapleton's mother-in-
law was confident there was burglar
there. An investigation having been
decided upon, Mr.. S. armed himself
with heavy silver-headed cane, which
he carries on Sundays and holidays, and
having provided his mother-in-law with
a lighted candle, told her to lead on.
He put her in 'front.' as he said, so that
the whole room might be illuminated
when he rushed in, and he could see
exactly where to strike. He told his
mother-in-law if any pistol shooting oc-
CURED she must hold the light directly
in front of her, SO as to dazzle the bur-
glars eyes and prevent his aim, but on
no account to get behind him, Mr.. ST.
as he would be almost sure to hurt her
while swinging his cane. The good
woman obeyed instructions implicitly
When they deployed into the kitchen,
q racket was heard in the corner as of a
falling dish or pan, and then a large cat
dashed madly against a sheet which was
hanging in the room to dry. Stapleton
greatly excited and thinking the time
for action had come, swung his cane
over his head and made a deadly blow
at the sheet. Unfortunately it was mis-
directed and struck his mother-in-law
on the side of her neck. She dropped
the candle and set up scream. In
the darkness which ensued Mr.. Staple
ton struck wildly about, hitting the sheet
occasionally, but his mother-in-law
much oftener, she meanwhile kicking
the floor with her heels and screaming
at the top of her voice. She would
probably have been killed, had not Mrs.
Stapleton come rushing into the room
with light, which disclosed the true
situation. Mr.. Stapleton Immediately
commenced looking for the dead bur-
glar. and was only recalled to a sense
of filial duty by the excited exclama-
tons of his wife On examination his
mother-in-law was found not to be seri-
ously wounded, though she will be con-
fined to her bed for several days. Mr..
Stapleton thinks the burglar got in
through the cellar window, which
opens on the north side of the house
into an alley"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
Sand SpOuts.

For a time yesterday afternoon quite
a heavy sand-storm was in progress on
the largest desert some forty miles to
the eastward of this city Great clouds
of sand were seen to rise and sweep
along over the plain, gradually ascend
ing until the highest peaks of the Hum
boldt Mountains were hidden. In APP
pearance the drifting sand much resem-
bled the clouds Of snow raised by Winter
storms on the prairies OF the West. The
sand also forms drifts or dunes, as drifts
are formed from snow. Every clump
of crossword has its surrounding hill
lock of sand, and in places long ridges
of sand are seen, as IN many localities
on the shores Of the sea- Among these
dunes and on the level alkali flats the
mirages play their fantastic tricks upon
weary and thirsty travellers. Bunches
of bushes became forest trees, crows
look like giraffes and broad, sedge-bord-
cred lakes lie shimmering in the sun,
all to recede or vanish when approached.
Here, too, pillars of sand, formed by
small whirlwinds, glide along the desert
like troop Of ghosts, half a dozen some
times being seen in company. These
are frequently several hundred feet in
height, and remain intact for an hour
or more. Three or four small pillars
of this kind were yesterday afternoon
Waiting about on the twenty-five mile
Desert for half an hour or more They
are of the same nature as the water
spouts met with at sea, and therefore
might, not appropriately, be termed
sand-spouts. The deserts being gener-
ally basins surrounded by high noun
tains, eddies or whirls in them are of
frequent occurrence when heavy wind
is blowing, and thus are produced the
great pillars of sand Virginia Ner. J
E11tern,jsp
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

An interesting experiment, says the
Pail Mall Gazette, was made last week at
a horse-slaughtering establishment at
Dudley, with a view of testing a new
system of Strengthening cattle by means
of dynamite, and thus putting them out
of existence more speedily and with less
suffering than by the ordinary pole-axe.
Two large, powerful horses and don
key disabled for work were ranged in
line about half a yard apart under a
shed, the donkey being placed in the
centre. A small primer Of dynamite,
with an electric fuse attached, was then
placed on each of their foreheads and
fastened in position by piece Of string
under the jaw The wires were then
coupled up in circuit and attached to
the electric machine, which stood about
five yards in front The handle of the
machine being then turned, an electric
current was discharged, which exploded
the three charges simultaneously, and
the animals instantly fell dead without
a struggle.
The whole affair was over in two min
utes, and the experiment appears to
have been perfect success. 1t was
conducted by Mr.. johnson, agent for
Nobers explosive company, Glasgow,
assisted by Mr.. Harris, one Of the dy-
Mantle instructors. By this means, it
is stated, any number, even a hundred
Or more cattle can be instantly killed by
the same current of electricity There
cannot be a doubt that the present sys
tenn of slaughtering cattle is open to the
charge of being cruel and barbarous,
and the slightest want of skill on the
part of the slaughterer often subjects
the unhappy beasts to horrible torture.
Any attempt to extinguish life painlessly
is step in the right direction, not only
as regards criminals sentenced to capt.
tai punishment, whose case equally de-
serves consideration.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

He was an innocent looking indi-
vidual; butter would melt in his mouth,
and it did. He was an artist, too. He
called upon the janitor of the Wesleyan
University and said he had been sent to
Middletown to sketch the buildings for
Harper & Brothers. He made himself
SO sweet that the janitor asked him to
stay all night with him, and gave him
nice breakfast in the morning. After
breakfast he said he would so down to
the hotel and get his tools and COM
mence his work. He went. 1t is pre-
sumed they were lost and that he Is
looking for them still, as he has not yet
returned. The janitor may have enter
tanned an angel unawares, but more
than likely he entertained a tramp
Hartford Conn., Post
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.-One hun
dred years ago not one cubic foot Of i'll
Eliminating gas had been burned in the
country No iron stoves were used, and
no contrivances for economizing heat
were employed until DR.. Franklin in
vented the iron-framed fireplace which
still bears his name All the cooking
and warming in town and country were
done by the aid of fire kindled in the
brick oven. Pine-knots or tallow can
dies furnished the light for the long win
ter nights, and sanded floors supplied
the place of rugs and carpets. The water
used for household purposes was drawn
from deep wells by the sweep. No form
of pump was used in this country until
after the commencement Of the present
century. There were no friction-mat-
ches in those early days, by the aid Of
which a fire could be easily kindled;
and if the fire went out upon the hearth
over night, and the finder was damp SO
that the spark could not catch, the
alternative remained of wading through
the snow mile or SO to borrow a brand
of neighbour Only one room in any
house was warm unless some one was
i'll; in all the rest of the rooms the tenn
perature was at zero during many nights
In the winter. The man and woman Of
a hundred years ago undressed and went
to their beds in a temperature colder
than that of our modern barns and
woodsheds, and they never complained.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

"Whittling" is considered a strictly
Yankee accomplishment, and the Bos
tonians are turning it to good account
by the Institution of a whiting school"
A novel scene is presented by the APP
pearance of thirty boys, ranging in age
from twelve to sixteen, supplied with
knives, chisels, gouges, learning the
practical features of the wood-carvers
trade. Benches are provided with a
wise, a drawer with lock and key In
which tools are kept, and gas-burner.
Each boy has also large work apron
All the benches, tools, and aprons are
numbered, and each boy is accountable
for their care. Tuition is free, and there
are more applicants than can be re-
ceived If boy is absent two success
i've evenings, his place can be filled by
another. A rank list is kept and fast
ened to the wall, and each boy knows
how his work is estimated by consulting
this list. A course of twenty-four les
sons has been prepared, with reference
to securing the greatest amount OF IN
struction with the least expenditure for
tools and materials. 1t is not designed
to make finished workmen, but to give
an impetus to any natural talent which
a boy may possess. The result of this
experiment has thus far been success
full.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
Snakes.

els the snake editor IMP"
"Amid the sings and arrows Of out
rageous fortune he nevor forsakes his
post. Behold in me the snake editor
"Well, | killed a rattle
"How long was it ?"
"Nine feet four"
"W-hat! less than ten feet? This
paper is no receptacle for miserable
tishing-worm stories,' and the exasper-
ated editor seized the visitor by the
throat and shut off from his insides the
breath of heaven.
"Yaas," gurgled the poor wretch,
" but it had eighty-seven "a
"No back talkw yelled the editor;
eve want no rattlesnakes less than
from ten to twelve feet in length, and
the snake-killer was dashed to pieces on
the flinty pavement below.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

SWAPPING WIvEs-When Sir Samuel
Baker, the African traveller, was taking
leave of Kramrasi King of Unyoro, that
potentate asked him as particular favor
to leave Lady Baker behind. This cool
request raised Sir Samuel's ire, and in
dignation; he told the king that ifhe ever
made such request again, he would
shoot him. Lady Baker, too who over
heard and understood the offer, felt that
a word from her would not be out of
place, and gave the monarch piece of
her mind in the strongest language she
could command. His majesty, for a
while, was greatly astonished being UNI
conscious ofhaving given any offence. A
last, seeing that his guests were really
angry, he said in a deprecating Tone
"Don't be angry. l did not mean to
offend you by asking for your wife. |
want one, and I thought you would have
no objections to giving me yours. 1t is
my custom to give my visitors pretty
wives, and thought you would like to
exchange. Don't make fuss about it; if
you don't like to do as others do, there's
an end of it.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22

A little incident is related of the Ger
man Grown Princess-the English Prln-
cess Royal (which shows her generous
nature. Not long ago she had the mis-
fortune to lose, while bathing, vaiuaDle
bracelet, present from the emperor
of Brazil. The forest-keeper, searching
the bed of the river, succeeded IN recov-
ering the bracelet He hurried to Pots
dam, and her Imperial Highness, thank
ing him heartily, handed him small
packet which he found to contain e75
In bank notes.