davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08

and counteracts in this state of man the
tendency to disease and decay. He raises
the hopes that by living in glass houses,
with a sufficient Variegation with blue
panes and panels, and ebstaining from the
practice of throwing stor es at our neigh
bors, we might be free from the blues,
have no occasion for blue-pills, and reach
a ripe old age in the full vigor of all our
faculties The notion of the General is
certainly pleasant one, but we fear it is
a delusion. To be sure he gives numerous
instances of the cure of rheumatism and
the Punishment Of pains of many so1ts by
basking in sunlight that came through
panes of a ccrulean hue. But, then, bask
ing in sunlight of any kind is beneficial,
and 1t would not be difficult to get up in
stances of cures by any process whatever.
Who has not heard of rheumatism being
cured by carrying horse chestnuts in the
pocket? Let anybody start notion that
a tarred string worn around the neck will
be sovereign remedy against catarrh
and all the ills that affect the throat, and
in six months plenty of certificates and
testimonials can be obtained of the won
drous cures that it has effected The i'm
agination has remarkable curative powers
| in itself, and, besides, cure that IS pure
| ly imaginary is just as good as any other
| for the purpose of proving the efficacy OF
blue glass or tarred strings.
The blue glass epidemic will have to
run its course. Gen. Pleasonton first
published his book six years ago, and
now has brought out a new and enlarged
edition. After much writing and talking
he has got the mania started and the i'm
porters and dealers in blue-glass are re-
| joicing at his success. Meantime many
people are making themselves ridiculous
| by putting blue panes into their windows
and bathing in the sunshine with IN
wonted ardor. We fancy them carrying
| the passion to fantastic extent Per-
haps we shall soon be trying the salutary
effect of looking through blue glass
tumblers while absorbing the contents
Our food may receive imaginary nutritive
properties from being. under blue-gl class
covers and in blue-glass dishes Mex
summer we may find people at the sea
shore summing themselves on the sane
under domes of blue glass. People may
have this peculiar type of =" blues" with {
severity that will tinge their very BLOOD
and make them more aristocratic. In
deed we hope the epidemic will be violen
and proportionally short. 1t is amusing
to see people making fools of themselves
but it soon grows wearisome, and thi
blue-glass folly is likely to be one of tht
most tiresome. Globe.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
Tricks on a Tragedian.

: Mccullough was once playing the
par. of the Prince Of Morocco IN tne~
{ Merchant of Venice at the old Metro
politan Theater, when the boys put up
lob on him. You know they put three
Baskets on a table, one OF which the
Prince opens. Some wag got the caskets
from the property man and fixed jack
in-the-box inside, so that when the lid was
opened the jack would fly up. John
walked ND, bent over the box, and turned
the kew. when up flew one of those elon-
gated lacks with red wooden head. and
hit John on the nose. You never saw
such an astonished man since Balaam's
ass attempted to draw his master into a
conversational debate, and, of course, the
whole effect of the scene was lost amid
the roar of the audience. As soon as Nc
Cullough got behind the scenes he sus-
pected poor Jack Billings, who had no
hand in the trick, and blackened an ey
for him.
When Little Mac, the minstrel, first
came to Frisco he was totally unknown
and one night the boys put up job on
Mccullough, as usual. He was playing
Rella, and there is scene when he res
cues a little child, and, while holding hin
on his shoulder, cuts awaya bridge: They
dressed up Little Mac as child, ant
when Mccullough attempted to raise hin
on his shoulders it took all his strength
and made him stagger good deal. Sud
denly, Little Mac whispered IN Big Mac
ear. eff you let me drop III bust you.
John was so astonished that he let tn
dwarf drop and the scene ended in
farce Virginia City (Ne0.l Chronicle.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
A Talk with a PaWnbrOker.

Mr.. Solomons, the pawnbroker of
Eighth avenue, says his business was
never so dull as it is at present. He says
it is a mistake to suppose that he benefits
by the hard times, because all his clients
have pawned everything they have, and
have no money to redeem what they have
in pawn.
YOU 2" was asked.
Whenever trade is good and work is
plenty. Our best customers are those who
pledge things and redeem them frequent
". 1t is much better for a man to pawn
and pay us our percentage than to run up
a bill at his grocer's or butchers. He
pays us twenty five per cent interest,
whereas when he runs bill at any trades
mans he buys more than he wants, and
is charged accordingly. A man can save
more by paWning his things and paying
ready money to the tradesmen than he can
by running bills ~
"Some pawnbrokers advance more than
others. How is that?'
well, Simpsons people advance as
much as anybody. They do a large bust
ness, and borrow their money at one per
Gent month. A good many things are
left on their hands, but when they come
to sell off they don't lose much"
What articles are most frequently
offered to your"
We'll, you always see number of
pistols in pawnbroker's window. Now,
we don't have pistol offered to us more
than twice week. But pistols and pipes
are seldom redeemed A man pawns his
pistol or his pipe and rarely redeems it.
He gets work and buys new ones. When
work is brisk these things are never taken
out, and that is the time we do WELL
In regard to wearing apparel do you
give anything like its value ?"
No. The fashions change so otter
that we are very careful in that line o
goods; we never advance more than tn,
material is worth. Watches and iewelry
always fetch their price. We are neve
taken in on them, because we always tes
them before advancing money"
dc you sell all things that are left IL
your charge after a year and day."
Not always. The law allows us t.
do so, but if anyone comes to US and ask!
us to keep thing for month or two, we
always DO it, even though they don't re
new the pledge-tbat is, if we know the
people. We have regular customers who
pawn things carly in the week and always
redeem tnem on Saturday These people
&c our best customers, and we always try
to oblige them. ~. Y. World
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
The Teacher.

The responsibility of the teacher can
scarcely be estimated. In a society like
ours, in which so many parents attempt
to shirk their individual responsibility
by placing their children under the care
and entire control of teachers, the latter
have in their hands the destiny of the
Nation. 1t is very lamentable fact that
American children are to such an extent
committed to the care of nurses and in
structors. The nurses and teachers NAV
be the very best men and women that live,
but they never can supply the sunshine to
the tender soul that will develop it into its
full richness that the mother herself can
supply II our boys and girls, who begin
lie IN the arms of the nurse and end the
preparatory portion of it in colleges and
boarding schools, could be permitted to
develop in the warmth of the home circle
and under the tuition of mother we should
have nobler and better people than we
have. But as this cannot be done, or viii
not be done, the teacher must be taught
to know his or her responsibility The
teacher that simply hears so many recita-
lions day, and sees that the pupil is
perfect in them, comes infinitely short of
a teachers duty. Every pupil has heart
as we'll as head, and the one needs Just
as much instruction as the other. Indeed
II either is to be neglected it had better
be the latter. A good head and bad
heart will make great deal worse man
than a bad head and a good heart will. Ii
is the hearts deficiencies that fill our
prisons and make unworthy citizens
Keep Its development apace with that of
the mind and the result will be beautiful
--WeStern Rural.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
HOME, FARM AND GARDEN.

1t is a safe calculation to plant seeds
in hot-bed six weeks before the time at
which plants can be set out in open
ground. aga
Fruit trees can be proftably washed
with strong soap suds or I've. 1t can be
done any time now until the busy season
commences. 1t kills dormant insects, re-
moves MOSES and lichens, and improves
the trees generally.
For Cofc-One ounce of cloves; two
ounces of ginger root, pared; two ounces
of allspice three draclIms oil of 1aven-
der; one and a half pints of alcohol;
mix the ingredients together. Set in the
sun ten days, shake often, then strain,
and it viii be fit for use Dose a tea
spoonful Oh sugar every hour, tillrelieved.
-RUrag As,0 Yorker.
in arranging for the corn crop this
| spring be ,areful not 10 have too many
acres andtoo few hands. Twenty-Five
acres per land is enough. Corn should
| be plowed at least five times, and the
weeds which escape the pl0w must be re-
moved by he hand or hoe. Cultivate it
as to increse the average product, and
keep the arm cleaner Of Weeds.-State
Register.
D11lI1 10 1lI LII pO1b dlit NtSpdI l.
ment in tie domestic economy, AMI should
be alwaysander the watchful eye OF the
| good houewife. Cleanliness cannot be
sacrificed lnder any circumstances. If
no other pace in the house is kept sweet
and pure, the commissary department
must be. is the food-depot of the in
stitution, ad good health requires that it
be kept Wholesome and clean.
-Kitches are domestic workshops. In
them are fund all the implements of
home -husbndry, and as with any other
place devoid to labor, it is matter of
greatest advantage to those who work in
them to KEEP them in order. 1t is the
furniture nd culinary tools are found
there, an she who rules the kitchen has
conquered The King. All its arrange
ments slDud have in view the greatest
convenieices and labor saving appoint
ments.
-NevG gie up decaying rose bush
till you have tied watering it two or three
times a weekwith SCOT tea. Make the
connection wiz boiling water, from SCOT
taken from mckinney or stove in which
wood is burnet When cold, water the
bush with it. When it is used up, pour
boiling hot war on the SCOT a second
time. Rose b'hes treated in this way
will often ser out thrifty shoots, the
leaves will be'me large and thick, the
blossoms will .eatly improve in size and
be more richl tinted than befere.-D.
II. Jacques. ......
, Closets aritoo frequently treated as
catchalls for athing that it is desired to
!, get out of sigh The door is opened and
it is flung in, al but little regard paid to
the manner of retirement. Good order
and desire toromote economy in fam-
ly expense wiluggest keeping this place
in proper shape If fine garments are de-
posted in it, he hap-hazard way of in
; Producing othehings will work injury
, to the good thts, and even depreciate
the value of inherent articles-Factory
and Farm.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
Architecture.

1t has often been said that the archi-
lecture of a people, as that of the Hin
docs, grows out of its religion, and,
doubtless, in certain sense and way it
does so; but the details of its stone cary
ing and cutting are found ready to hand
before the temple is built. The architec-
ture may, indeed, be said in a sense to
mold the religion and religious expression.
In this instance of the Hindoo, with so
complicated a faith and elaborate a cere-
monial, it will be found that the details
of temple building and the ornaments"
to be found in the temple furniture are all
ready to hand, whenever the need arises :;
and the new temple is built with the
materials already provided. In this work
of the Hindoo, scattered as it is over so
vast an area, there will be found ample
means of proving this, for in no country
in the world are there to be found so vast
a number of temples and buildings to re-
ligious purposes as in India. They are
not, as might at first sight be thought, all
alike, and uniform in style and mode of
treatment and detail. 1t is not a little
surprising to find how much the north
and south, east and west, differ from each
other, although all be classed under the
same general term. 1t must be confessed
here that we are sadly at loss for evil
dence; for the little that is available is
really as nothing compared with the vast
mass OF materials that must exist over so
large and diversified a space. Here,
with US, church or chapel is either in
the town or in the country, and it is
pretty much the same wherever YOU 90:
but the Indian temples are all but in
flnItely diversified, both in build and in
situation and surroundings. Some are
found built in gardens of singular beauty,
and their builders seem to have had the
git OF selecting sites for the sacred build
Ings not to be surpassed in appropriate
ness and purpose. Sometimes, again, the
very widest and most out-of the-way spots
are selected fof the temple architecture
among stupendous mountain scenery,
and looked down upon by snow clad
SUBMITS, OF which but a faint idea can be
formed even by those to whom the Alps
are familiar. Sometimes they are deeply
buried in forests, and closed in by groves
OF gigantic bantam trees; and then, again,
they are to be found, as matter of
course, as elsewhere, in the midst of
thlckly -crowded cities, and surrounded by
houses and divers buildings, forming
items In the picturesque street architec-
ture. Indeed, it may fairly be said that
our Indian Empire has had built in it a
series of temples and other structures all
but unrivalled in the world, and that the
genius Of the Hindoo race of builders has
Tor long succession of ages been en-
ployed In the work Of adding to the mar
Vels OF the art architectural Builder.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08


skill. Hence, we find that the beginner
attempts to do work very differently from
the experienced hand, and it is not alto
gether wrong to allow him to work in
what he finds TO be the most convenient
way at first. As he gains skill he can
change his method of work. His tools
also may be suited to hislesser experience.
This isa point which we think can well be
given little more attention by the mas
ter, who is too ready to force the boy to
go at the work in exactly the way he is
not able to do.
The Importance of excellence in all the
implements of handicraft is fully under
stood by the better class of manufacturers
IN this country, and the rapid progress of
the past few years in themanufacture and
working of steel, combined with an intel
hgent regard to the special requirements
OF every industry, has put within the
reach OF American mechanics the best
tools at low prices. Those who buy tools
are also beginning to appreciate the econ
omy of good tools, and every encourage
ment is thus offered for the development
OF this important branch of our iron
trade. No better tools were ever made,
as regards quality, than those now made
by nearly all our leading American manu-
facturers, and none so good as regards
convenience, hehtness, finish and general
adaptation to the uses for which they are
intended.-IT0n Aqe.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
Statistics of Population.

Four years ago two learned and pains
taking Germans, Drs. Benin and Wagner,
commenced the publication of astatistical.
work on the population of the earth, and
they have each year published new edi-
ton of their book, revised and corrected
up to date. The fourth edition of this
valuable work has.recently appeared, and
we have taken from it the facts stated
below. The average density of popula-
ton throughout the world is twenty ei ght
persons to each square mile. In Europe
the people are so crowded that eighty-two
of them live on each square mile, or more
than eight on each acre; while in Aus
tralia and Polynesia, if the land were
| equally divided, every man, woman and
| child would have almost square mile to
| his or herself In Asia there are forty
eight persons to each square mile; in At
RIGA seventeen and a half; and in Amer
lea, North and South together, five and a
| half When the whole earth becomes as
densely populated as Europe now is the
| descendants of Adam and Eve will num-
Der 4,2O9 ,945, 800 souls. According to
our German authorities, Europe has 300,
| It's, 300 inhabitants Asia, S24 ,548, 800
Africa, 199, 921 600; America, IS, 519, 800;
and Australia and Polynesia, 4 74S, 600
| The following table will show what is the
population of the various countries OF
| Europe according to the latest infOrma
ton obtained by our German authors. In
this table the date following the name OF
the country indicates the year in which
the data were obtained on which DrS
Benin and Wagner have based their fig
|
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08

to put their boys (perhaps some of their
girls tool into bark cradle, as the Indian
mothers do with their papooses, and hang
them up against the wall for few years,
say from the time they begin to wear holes
in the knees of their pants, till-well, till
they are old enough to 60 to college or
learn trade.
Of course they are oftentimes tiresome
and troublesome comforts, but they are
comforts after all, and don't you suppose
we seem just as disagreeabie to them,
sometimes, as they do to us? And don't
you think-you tired, worn mothers OF
BOYS and girls-that if the 4" cup of cold
water given to one of these little ones
is remembered by the Master, that much
more He will remember and reward those
mothers who ever have gentle, loving
words and looks for their little ones.-Ido
T. Thurston, In N. 7. Witne esq.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
A Blue View Of Blue Glass,

The world is given to epidemics
Sometimes it is disease that seizes upou
a community, and smallpox, cholera. OF
| the yellow fever, according to latitude
and the amount of filth INDUCED in, de-
climates the population. Again, the cpl
demic takes a moral or religious form,
and we are devastated by revivals, TEN.
perance reforms, or some other fever that
| affects the moral nature Another time
there will run through a country some
social or aesthetic malady-a rage for old
china, passion for dancing the german,
or determination to get cured of real or
imaginary ills by drinking mineral water,
taking variety of baths, or eating
Graham bread. There seems to be in
human nature tendency to act in con-
cert physically, mentally and morally,
and those people who have independence
or force enough to resist the universal
impulse are set down as original or &C.
centric, according to the phase and de-
gree of their independent action.
Just now there is very peculiar craze
abroad known as the "blue- glass mania. :"
zen. Pleasonton, an older brother of the
well-known cavalry officer of that name.
mas harmless hobby; at least it was
harmless so long as he kept it to him.
self. He got the idea-when. how. or
why does not appear-that sunlight trans
mltted through blue glass has peculiarly
lnvlgorating effect upon animal and veg
etable life. He sustains it by something
that looks like scientific theory about
the actlnic rays of the sun, the chemical
action OF those of one part of the spec-
trum, the development or electricity by
the sudden interruption of all the rays
except the blue one, etc. It is a theory
that Will not bear examination by a real
scientific scholar, but scientific scholars
are not common, and it has plausible
look, which is sufficient to impress those
VINO do not comprehend it. But, apart
from his theory, Gen Pleasanton nro.
fesses to have tested the effects of LIGHT
coming through blue glass by a variety of
experiments. BY covering grapery with
glass, every eighth pane of which was
oiue, ne got vigorous growth of vines
and abundance of excellent fruit. Pos
slbly he might have secured the same re-
suit II none of the glass had been blue.
but he does not tell Us ANYTHING about
that. He tried similar experiment with
pigs, and those which were favored with
blue light fiourished apace and grew fat 1
SO did the others, and there was precious
little difference, so far as we can make
out
But the important feature of the ALLEGED
discovery of Gen. Pleasonton, and that
which has given rise to the mania, is the.
supposed effect of light coming through
oIue glass upon the human system. He
claims that it is peculiarly invigorating,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
Something to Do,

1t is an old trick of despots, and a good
one, to employ their subjects. Why Z
10 keep them out of mischief. EMPLOYED
men are most contented There is no con
splracy. Men do not sit down and coolly
proceed to concoct iniquity so long as
there Is plenty Of pleasant and profitable
employment for body and mind. Work
drives OF discomfort, provided there is
compensation IN proportion to the amount
OF labor performed. There must be a
stimulant. God never intended a man
should sweat without eating of the fruits
OF his labor-reaping reward-more
than he intended the idle man should
revel in plenty and grow equity on luxu-
rles. Industry is a great peacemaker-a
mlnd-your- own business citizen. Some
thing to do renders the despairing good
natured and hopeful-stops the cry Of the
hungry and promotes all virtue. The
pest men are the most industrious; the
most wealthy work the hardest They al
ways md something to do. Do you ever
wonder that men of wealth do not "re
tire" and enjoy their substance? We
know some young men look forward with
anticipation to the time of retiring" 1t
Is doubtful II a man should ever retire
from business as long as he lives. We
',,ihA VIC hHo" HeH VINO, were they to
abandon business, would be ruined, not
pecunlarlly but mentally-their lives
would be shortened. God never intended
mans mind should become dormant. It
is governed by fixed laws. Those laws
are imperative in their exactions.
Something to dol "Oh, if had some.
thing to do!'' There are young men who
sigh for it, yet one thing they can do
that is, seek for a job. Once found, pro
vided it is an honest one, do not hesitate
to perform it, even if it does not paw as
well as You xpected.-Scientafc Inert
car.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-08
THE BEST EVIDENCE.

The following letter from Rev. E. S. Best, Pas
tor of NJ. E. Church. Natick Mass. Ill be read
with interest by many physicians. Also, those
suffering the same disease as afflicted the son
of the Rev E. S. Best. No person can doubt this
testimony as there is doubt about the curative
powers of VEGETINE:
NATTCK. Mass. Jan. !. 1874,
Mr. H. r. STEVENS: Dear Strive have good rea-
for regarding your VEG EIlN Ea medicine OF me
greatest We feel assured that It has been the
nEeans OF saving sons life. He is now seventeen
years of age: for the last years he has suffered
from necrosis of his leg. caused by scrofulous aHec
tiOn and SO far reduced that nearly all VINO saw
him thought his recovery impossible. A council OF
able phys cians could but the fallIeSt nope OF
his rail ing. Of the number declaring thal
he was beyond the reach of human remedies that
even amputatiOn could not save him, as lie mad NOT
yigor enough to enduTetbe operation. just then we
Commenced- giving him EEGEIlNE T.. and from mat
time TO the present he has been continuously lnproF-
ing He has lately resumed MS studies. thrown away
his cTutehes and cane, and walks about cheerfuy and
strong. 1901
Though there is still some discharge from the open
ing where the limb lanced We have the fullest
confidence that in little time he VIII De perfectly
cured. He has taken about three dozen bottles OF
VEGETINE but lately but little, as he declares
that ne is too well 70 be taking MEDICINE.
Respectfully yours, T. . BEST, ---cr
MFl-- L. G. r REST.