davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20
Utilizing a Rat.

Large sewer rats get into houses, and
especially into public buildings in which
suites of apartments are let to families
and others. In such rooms, and in cell
lars, walls and pantries, these ferocious
vermin are more destructive than wild
beast of prey-and more dangerous
when cornered. One person, who had
suffered much and long from their
of one of their number had failed to
make any impression on the general
horde, resolved to try new plan. 1t is
known that nothing SO frightens rat as
to hear the shrieks of one of its own
kind in captivity. Having caught a
vicious and lively specimen, the expert
menter determined on the cruel expedi-
ent of starving him to death, and to
make his squealing tell "on the others.
Caught in a box or wire trap, the rat
was there kept, unharmed, except TO,
deprivation of food and water-and he
lived just two days and two nights.
During that time, what with the pangs
of hunger and thirst, and the added &C.
casional incentive to vocal exercises in
the shape of proddings and STRINGS up
with long pole, the Gagged rat gave
forth at sundry and divers times such
piercing shrieks of rage and despair as
only a rat can utter. Probably il
wouldn't have been entirely safe, at that
time, to have given him chance to
smell of your finger, or to get at youi
thumb; but one good result was certain.
ly accomplished by that otherwise toe
cruel experiment-not rat has been il
that room or in those walls from that
day to this, a period, we believe, o.
about half year. A similar result il
said to have been attained by catching {
rat, dipping it into pot of red paint
and letting it run; and also by shearinl
and singeing rat, and then letting hin
go.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20
The CuriOsities Of Advertising.

Some persons find the advertisements
the most amusing part OF their daily pa
per. Advertising is system barely 225
years old; the first authentic newspaper
advertisements having appeared in Eng
land about 1868, in the latter days of
Oliver Cromwell. At first two or three
small insertions in the newspaper
of the day were sufficient for the
wants of the community. These only
related to runaway servants, the appre-
hension OF evil-doers, quack medicines,
lost dogs, horses and hawks, and occa-
sionally challenges. AS, for instance,
Edward Perry, July l, 1868, is adver-
tised for as "of low stature, black hair,
full of pock-holes in his face; he
weareth o new gray suit, trimmed with
green and other ribbons, a light cinna-
mon. colored cloak and black hat, and
hath run away from his master" Here
is another, evidently by the hand of the
merry monarch himself, and printed by
the honored editor in type extraordi-
nary, June %, 1860:
"We must call on you again for q
Black Dog, between Greyhound and
Spaniel; no white about him, only
streak on his Brest, and Tayl little
bobbed. 1t is His Majesties own Dog,
and doubtless was stolen for the Dog
was not born or bred in England and
never would forsake his Master. Who
soever findes him may acquaint any at
Whitehall, for the Dog was better
known at Court than those who stole
him. Will they never leave robbing
His Maiesty9 Must he not keep a
Dog2 This Dogs place (though better
than some imagine) is the only place
which nobody offers to beg"
Though great feats OF feminine pedes-
trianism were reserved for our own days,
the early part of the eighteenth century
was in advance of us in female pugi-
lism. Here is what the gentler sex
proposed to do in 1922:
"CHALLENGE.- Elizabeth Wilkin.
son, of Clerkenwell, having had some
words with Hannah Hyfeld. and re-
quiring satisfaction, do invite her te
meet me on the stage, and box me fol
three guineas each woman holdine
half a crown in each hand, and the frs
woman that drops the money to lose th,
battle"
"ANswRR.-I, Hannah Hyfeld, O
Newgate Market, hearing of the reso
luteness of Elizabeth Wilkinson, vii
not fail, God willing, to give her NOR
blows than words, desiring home blow
and from her no favor she may expes
q good humping. ."-Baltimore Amer.
can.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20
The Cause of the Rain.

Away by the shore of the ocean blue
In pescefulness known to the lonely few,
The wife and child of sailor true
Lived and toiled together.
Full many weird and pleasing tale
Was told the boy, Of sea and sail,
OF floating berg and northern gale,
OF clear and cloudy weather.
Adown the west the king of day
Was Fastening through the gates away,
In all his golden bright array,
When home returned the skipper.
At evening, srolling on the sand,
He told the boy Of many land,
And slowly traced with his brawny hand
The cross and the starry dipper.
Twas midnight, and, unfit for rest,
The boy stole softly from his nest
To watch the moon in clouds of the west
Play hide and seek with the water,
olaugh at the wind in its wild, wild race,
And again the stars of the heavens to trace
But he thought that the dipper was out Of
place,
And vailed Andromeda's daughter.
The Sea was mad, for the wind was high,
The huge black clouds would soon go by,
But down fell torronts of rain from the sky
And woke the sleeping skipper.
And suddenly long and loud laughed he,
When the voice of his child broke forth in glee,
sob, father the king of the northern sea
Has upset his starry dipper."
Emily Blake, in Boston Transcript
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20
A Moment OF Horror,

A prominent fancy goods dealer of
this city, whose neatness of attire is the
envy of the less fortunate, stepped into
his store Sunday to replenish the fur
mace. He laid aside his glossy silk hat
and put on an old straw. Having ar
ranged matters satisfactorily, he saun-
tered up Congress street just as church
goers were coming down. Meeting a
lady of his acquaintance, he gracefully
lifted his hat, when, to his horror, he
found that he had on the straw one
afor said. He took theback streets and
reached home as soon as possible.
Portland Me Argus.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20
Gold and Silver In Bulk.

One ton $1,000 pounds avoirdupois)
of gold or silver contains 20, 1853 troy
ounces, and therefore the value OF ton
of pure gold is $6O2, 799. 81, and ton
of silver is $37, ,704.84.
A cubic foot of pure gold weighs
1,218.75 pounds avoirdupois; a cubic
foot of pure silver weighs 656. 25 pounds
avoirdupois.
One million dollars gold coin weighs
$685. s pounds avoirdupois; 81, 600, 600
silver coin weighs So, 929. 8 pounds avoir-
dupois.
If there is one per cent. of gold or
silver in one ton of ore, it contains
291, 63 ounces troy of either Of these
metals.
The average fineness OF Colorado gold
is 78l in 1000; and the natural alloy,
gold. 7Sl; silver, 200; copper, 10; total,
1000.
The calculations at the United States
mint are made on the basis that forty
three ounces OF standard gold or 900
| fine coin) is worth $500, and eleven
ounces of silver 900 fine (ooin) is worth
$128 80.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
side-walk--The crabs,

A slde-walk-Ihe CRABS.
Light timber-An eye-beam.
Lawyers profit by their clients trials
The most popular mine -" Baby
mine"
He who learns to read will read to
learn.
A book for the table-One full Of
plates.
Split horse-leather is made up into
shoes.
When man kicks he generally puts
his best foot forward.
In London theater you pay twelve
cents for programme.
Birds are not noted for courage, but
many of them die game.
The census reports show 5000, 900
farmers in the United States.
Fernandina (Florida) ships swapping
turtles in tierces to Savannah and the
North.
What we are suffering to know is, II
State prison convict takes the smallpox,
can he break out with it2
An old bachelors proverb Sorrows
grow less and less every time they are
told, Just like the ages of women.
"Sing a Song of Sixpence" dates
from the sixteenth century, and "Three
Blind Mice" is in a music book dated
1909.
On the leading avenues Of Rome the
guards now patrol the whole length OF
the way when the king and queen are
expected.
els that marble p said gentleman,
pointing to bust of Kentucky's great
statesman. "No, sir ; that's Clay" re-
piled the dealer.
The Hawaiian rice crop is sold almost
entire to the United States, the Hawai-
ians buying for home consumption
cheap paddy, or rice, from China, Japan
and East Indies.
The bridge over the river Jantra, at
Biela, in Bulgaria, is structure OF un-
usual beauty. 1t has fifteen circular
arches, with hollow piers. 1t is the work
of self-taught Bulgarian.
Whether on the hen-roost high
Or in the butchers van,
The noblest place for fowls to die
Is where they die for man.
An English gardener has brought out
a new vegetable called the cabbage
broccoli, which is about the size of a
good cocoanut cabbage, solid and ten
der, and when cooked is of peculiarly
mild flavor.
Forests receive more rain than open
plains, and pines more than open leafy
trees. Pines retain more than half the
water that falls upon them, and there
fore furnish the best shields against in
undations, and the best means of i'm
parting humidity to the atmosphere.
Who is it, with funereal tread,
Comes slowly home and goes to bed,
And utters what is best unsaid?
Tis he who fished since rose the sun,
Subsisting on single bum,
And after all's caught nary one.
Men may escape the law, but their
own consciences they cannot flee from.
Many years ago young man in Boston
was guilty of an offense against the law,
an offense which brought social ruin
upon himself and his family. The man
and his offense are forgotten by the
public, yet he lives, and lives in Boston.
But from the day his offense was dis
covered-although, having escaped the
law, he is free to come and go as he
pleases-he has never been seen outside
of his own home in the daytime. Some
times. under the cover of night, he
walks abroad to take an airing, and note
the changes that thirty years have
wrought, but an ever-active conscience
makes him shun the light of day and
the faces of men, and he walks apart, a
stranger in the midst of those among
whom he has always lived.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-20

Mexicans subdue fractions horses by
having a hood so arranged as to pull
down over the eyes Of the horse as soon
as he manifests uneasiness. Several ap-
plications subdue the horse perma-
nently.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
A Texan Desperate.

Bill Babb is a Texan of notoriety in
his own state. He is uneducated, bIu-
tai, bold, and ambitious. He began q
wild kind of frontier life ten years ago,
accumulated great amount of land
and cattle, gathered about him COM
pany Of desperadoes, and aspired to be
a despotic ruler in the neighborhOod.
His reckiessness led the settlers for
years to submit to his rude government,
but recently the population increased,
and a few men presumed to dispute
Babb's authority. One of these was
Henry Vaughan, who opened a country
store in opposition to Babb's wishes,
and was killed by party of Babb's fol-
lowers. John Stull endeavored to bring
atout an official investigation. Babb
realized that his party was in jeopardy,
and decided to make an example of
this rebel. Stull's house was fired in
the night, and three of the four inmates
murdered as they emerged. Mrs. Stull
escaped by hiding in a bush, from
which she saw that Babb personally di-
rected the butchery. She subsequently,
had him arrested but craven Judge
released him on low bail. All this fl
nally reused the people, and they are
now hunting for Babb, meanwhile
hanging the members of his gang as fast
as captured
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
A Disease that wrecks the system.

Every function is deranged, every nerve TN
strung, every muscle and fiber weakened by fever
and ague. 1t is, III fact a disease which IL un'
checked eventually wrecks the system. In all
its types in every phase il is dangerous, destruct-
i've. stupor, delirium, commissions, often attend
it, and cause swift dissolution. But when COM
batted with Hostetter's Stomach Bitters Its foot
hold in the system is disodged, AID every vestige
of it eradcated. That benign anti feb1ile specific
and preventive of the dreaded scourge IS recog-
nized not only within our own boundaries, but In
trop;c lands far beyond them, where intermlttents
and remittents are fearfully prevalent, to be a
antidote to the malarsl poison and reliable
meaas of overcoming disorders of the stomach,
liver and bowels, OF which a yitidted torrid at
mosphere and brackish miasma-Uainted water are
extremely provocative. All emigrants and tray
eers should be supplied with it.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
Eyolutiou.

in 1924, Daguerre commenced experimenting.
III lS.a he gave 10 the world the process OF max
ng DagucrreotyrcS. By patient Industry the art
has evolved into the perfect pictures of the pres
ent. He who views the fast fading pictures OF his
ancestors. and compares them w!th the almost
living and lasting photographs of today must
acknow edge an advancement. II an advance
ment has been made in photography and Other
sciences, Is 1t ask NJ too much, simply because il
cannot be ocularly demonstrated, that the doubts
and uncertainties OF Sir AStiey Coopcr's time be
set aside. aud an equal improvement granted III
the science OF incidence Must the ability of the
stIdious and experienced physician lie doubtel
simply because the negligent and inexperienced
ialit Tut tewV, airs since, the disease and weak
II es pt Iliar TO women were regarded as incur
ahle. Now DIR. PI-TCc'S Favo tie Prescription Is
5 III nnce post vc guar Il ee 10 cure. Ladies,
Il afflicted and You wish t. avo' painful eXami-
nations ana useless 10 IA treatment, and employ
medlcihe that Is scientifically prepared, that is
chemicali pure. that regularly graduated in
>IIeEgth. and that Will never disappoint you in its
action. use d.. Pierce,s Fa1orite Prescription.
The Philadelphia Herald, describing
the sights at the Centennial Exhibition
says: The Mendelssohn Piano Co. ofNew
ork come to the front with two grand
planos-one square and upright and one
very elaborate grand upright, made of
ebony and ivory. The latter is greatly
admired, and is finished with cOnsum-
mate skill. The mechanism of these
pianos is simple and effective. In the
square the linear bridge in one piece,
strengthened by frame, locking in
portion of the bass strings, is applied, by
which all breaks in the tone are obvi.
ated. There is a surprise, in the shape
of an upright, four feet in height, which
is particularly adapted to the export
tide, as in price the manufacturers
claim to be able TO compete with foreign
dealers, and at the same time furnish a
trst-class American instrument. 1t is
declared by competent judges that the
square is the most powerful piano of that
style ever made, on account of its being
doubly overstrung; it being grand III
q square case
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
Is There Canine Conscience 3!

LOuGOll y pSCtdlOT.

You have frequently published letters
containing stories bearing on the cues
ton of the moral nature and the future
Of the lower animals. l venture to send
you some facts about dog, related to
me by a lady, whose name and address
| inclose for your own satisfaction, and
at my request written down by her as
follows:
A young fox terrier, about eight
months old, took great fancy to a
small brush, Of Indian workmanship.
lying on the drawing-room table. 1t
had been punished more than once for
jumping on the table and taking it. On
one occasion the little dog was left alone
in the room accidentally. On my re-
turn it jumped to greet me as usual,
and said, g Have you been a good lit
tie dog while you have been left alor e?"
Immediately it put its tail between its
legs and skunk off into an adjoining
room, and brought back the little brush
in its mouth from where it mad hidden
it. was much struck with what APP
peared to me a remarkable instance of
q dog possessing a conscience, and a
few months afterwards, finding it again
alone in the room, l asked the same
question while patting it. AT once [
saw that it had been up to some mis-
chief, for with the same look of shame
it walked slowly to one of the windows,
where it lay down with its nose pointing
to letter bitten and torn into shreds,
On third occasion it showed me where
it had strewn a number of little tickets
I i Al n 4
been reproved previously. I cannot ac-
count for these facts except by suppos-
ing the dog must have conscience.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
iPupl1sned March =, iss.)


Az AT TO provide for the publication and distri-
I Outlon OF the laws OF Wisconsin concerning the
organization and government of towns.
Inc people of the state of Wisconsin represented
III senate ana assembly, do enact as follows:
Sectlon l. The secretary of state Is hereby au-
lhorlzed and directed TO purchase of the editors
the manuscript of q work entitled Laws of Wis
meht OF towns, and the powers ana duties of town
olncerS and boards of supervisors with practical
IoIlnS d! John Z. SpOoner and Hiram Hayes
counSeIlorS at law" at such price not exceeding
the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars as NAV be
agreed upon between the said parties and the gov
eIor secretary or state STATE treasurer and attor
hey general: proUtded that said manuscript shall
contain properly arranged all laws concerning the
IN Iorce at the close of the present session of the
ieSiSl aud pT0Uided further, that said editors
Shall execute and deliver 10 the secretary OF state
SooQ ana SuTnclent release ASST gnm ent of ali
their interest in the copy right of said work /.
snail, without charge, prepare suitable index for
Sdlu BOOK, and supervise the proof reading and
publication of the said book
oectlon = The secretary of state Shlll cause 10
De printed, by the sJase printer, from said manu-
script, under the present printing contract with
Nun, seven thousand copies of said work. which
saIl oe Eounq IN the same style the session laws
OF SAID Stai Tor the year 1873 and which, when so
printed ana delivered, he shall distribute among
the several counties of this state allowing to each
county a Sufheient number to afford copies to each
nonia SuSh distribution TO be IN the man
ner now PROVIDED for the diStribut on of the gem
era laws, and said books shall be distributed
among the town officers as the board of superyiS-
oTS OF eacn county may order.
oeclloh Inere IS hereby appropriated out of
any money IN the state treasury belonging TO the
general fund, not otherwise appropriaied sum
SUFFICIENT 10 defray the EXPENSES authorized and
reqrired by this act.
Section 4. This act shall take effect and he in
force from and after its passage and publication
Approved March 4. 1879.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
Poverty and Suffering.

az was dragged down with debt, pow
ertY and suffering for years, caused by
a sick family and large bills for doctor
ing, which did them no good. l was
completely discouraged, until one year
ago, by the advice of my pastor, L pro-
cured Hop Bitters and commenced
their use, and in one month we were all
well, and none of us has seen sick day
since, and want to say to all poor men,
YOU can keep your families well year
With Hop Bitters for less than one doc
tors visit will cost, know it.
A WoRKINGMAN."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-03-20
published March Z. 1871
CHAPTER ITO

AN ACT to amend sections three hundred and
thi ty-th. ee and three hundred and thirty-four,
of chapter twenty, of the revised statutes OF
1873, relating 10 public printing. -.r
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented
i'll senate and assembly do enact as follows:
Section /. Sections three hundred and thirty
chree and three hundred and thirty four, of chap
ter twenty of the revised statutes of 1878 are here
The executive officers and heads of all state de-
partmentS the heads of the different educational,
charitable aad penal institutions of the state and
OF the state board of health and vital statistics,
shall report annually to the governor. Such re-
ports shall give all items of receipts and diSburSe
mentS III full and detail The governor shall,
any of said reports are received by him
transmit the same, or copies thereof, to the COM
m SSionerS of public printing, whose duty it shall
be TO strike therefrOm all parts not actually neceS
Sary, in their Judgment, to be printed for the in
order the publication of the remainder in con-
denSed form, as said commissioners may determine
and prescribe. The part stricken out shall first
be copied i'll DO by the secretary of state. and
then returned to the respective offices from which
they originated; and shall there be recorded, and
shall at all reasonable times be open for exam ma
ton by the public. Section 1884, In preparing sad
reports for the state printer, said commissioners
shall give all items of receipts and disbursements
in full and in detail and such items shall be print
ed in solid BREWER and otherwise in the most
condensed and economical manner practicable.
Section =. All and parts of acts conflicting
ed.
Section 8. This act shall take effect and be in
force from and after its passage and publication.
Approved March 4 1873.