davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
a PRAYER Book In n Trees Heart.
Chicago Times,

"A correspondent Of tho Cincinnati
'Gdsaite, writing from Eton, Ohio, says;
Recently Mr.. Nelson Davis Of West
Alexandria, this county, cut down M
oak tree ahoutsix feet in circumference,
about seven inches square, partly filled
with some rotten kind Of wood and n
roll Of cloth, which crumbled when
touched. Inside of all was n German
Catholic prayer book, bound in leather,
and much worn. The book was printed
in 1923, and Ind Latin introduction,
while some of the blank leaves are
filed with writing in French, part OF
which is nninteligible, but enough il
easily read to show that the owner was
u French soldier, tells what battalion,
ana mentions the name of one of the
officers ~ De In Magne. II may be of
interest to members Of the Historical
Society. a growth of ut least five in
ches over tho hole where il had beer
slipped into the tree Theoretically sealed
and preserved the hook. II il now II
the hands Of w. G. Barnhart at hh
book store in this place, and is regarded
by all M great curiosity.
"The book taken from nh oak tree hy
Mr.. Davis is u collection of Catholi,
prayers, printed in German. It is call
ed The Holy Field Trumpet, and wa'
composed by Casper Erbard, printed y.
Franciscus Eysenbarth, under II dispen
sation from Alexander Sigismand, NJ
Augustine Bishop. Bears date 1875, |
seems to have been prepared especially
for soldiers and travellers. 1t contains
morning and evening prayers, prayer
before mass, before confession, befor,
an engagement, after victory, etc. III,
leaves contain German and French wri
ting, but no name of the owner. Tn,
name of his commander, division, nm,
battalion are, however, given. III
book was evidently put into the tree i.
one of the soldiers passing from one Il
another of tho French trading post
which extended from the lakes TO IN
mouth Of the Mississippi 100 years ago.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26

moment into his face, and sank into
the arms outstretched to receive her,
loudly screaming, "Jim! Our Jimw
eyes, your Jim come home for Thanks
giving" exclaimed the stranger, as he
kissed the aged face with JOY and
turned to his father, whose frame was
trembling with gratitude. After awhile
he related the eventfui history of his
wanderings. He had been severely
wounded by the explosion of the tor
pedo, as the scar on his face testified.
He was pulled from the river by one
of the boats which came to the relief
OF the crew of the Albemarle. He lost
his senses by the coIcussion and wound,
but after the latter healed he was per-
mitted to go at large as harmless,
knowing nothing of himself, not even
his name. Finally he fell into the en-
ploy of former surgeon of the rebel
army, and with him went to planta-
ton outside of Raleigh, n. G. One day,
however, the surgeon examined his
wound, and determined to try an ex-
pertinent. He opeHed the wound in the
head and found the skull fractured and
pressing on the brain. With the aid of
another surgeon the skull was lifted, or
trepalned, and the wound again closed
gradually. Merrisk's condition inn
proved, but it was fully a year before
his memory returned.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
Born on the Wing.

The following paragraph, particularly
interesting to the lady readers is ipped
from the Winona Republican of last
week; "The glorious climate of Mime
sofa, whose bracing and invigorating
qualities have so often formed the
theme for justifiable boasting, had 4
fresh illustration this Saturday morn
ing, in an episode in the River Division
of til Re Chicago. Milwaukee and St. Paul
Railway. Among the passengers whom
Conductor Charles Howard had in
charge on the morning train from the
East, were n small party of immigrants
who were comfortably located in the
second class car. Soon after leaving
La Crosse the conductor became con-
WINGED that the second-class coach was
in imminent danger Of an episode that
was likely to increase the passenger list
from All unexpected quarter. The
emergency called for prompt action.
The woman from q foreign shore was
afforded every possible comfort at hand
and in short time n bouncing baby sent
up cheering cry that was echoed from
one end of the train to the other. The
engineer opened the whistle and footed
salute, the fireman rang the bell, the
boys in the baggage car danced a break
down, the brakemen threw up their
hats and cheered, and the passengers
hurried in with congratulations. In less
than an hour the train rolled into Vino
ma with colors flying and everybody
sounding the praises OF our baby OF
course it flashed over the wires and Tor
the time was the sensation among all
the boys on the line from the General
Managers office in Milwaukee to the
remotest station on the road. Mean
time the happy mother was up and
around, attending to the
wants of the little newcomer with q
vigor that excited much establishment
rs the eYent itself"
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26

vailed to such an alarming extent, thai
the retailers in public places informed
the people that they might get drunk
for a penny, and have some straw to
get sober on. La the sixteenth century,
distilled spirits spread over the CONT
nent of Europe. About this time it was
introduced into the colonies, rs the
United States were then called The first
notice we nave of its use in public life,
WAS among the laborers of the Hunga-
ran mines Of the fifteenth century. In
1851, 1t was used by the English soldiers
as u cordial. The alcohol IN Europe
was made of grapes, and sold in Italy
and Spain rs medicine. The Genoese
afterward made it from grain, and sold
it as medicine in bottles, under the
nalne Of the water OF life. Until the
sixteenth century il had only beel kept
by the apothecaries as medicine. Dur
ing the reign of Henry VII, brandy
was unknown in Ireland, and soon its
alarming effect induced the government
to pass law prohibiting its manufac-
ture.
About one hundred and twenty years
ago it was used rs II beverage, especial
ly among the soldiers in the English
colonies in North America, under the
preposterous notion that it prevented
sickness, and made men fearless on the
field Of battle. 1t was looked upon as
a sovereign specific.
Such is brief sketch OF the intro
duction OF alcohol into society M bev-
erage. The history Of it is written in
the wretchedness, the tears, the groans,
the poverty and murder of thousands.
II has marched tho land with the tread
Of giant; leaving the impress Of It's
footsteps in the bones, sinews and life's
blood OF the people.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26

wares are kept away, will our farmers
prosper. Those who talk of conflict
OF interest between these two branches
OF business are either pitifuily ignorant
or exceedingly perverse. The agricult-
ural interest of New England and Penn
sylyanla was immensely benefited by
the establishment of foundries and
mills of every sort. There is a sshoon,"
in the same direction in waiting for the
West.
A German newspaper says that il il
now some thirty years since the first
sewing machine was seen in that coun-
try. 1t Was an American importation
and the beginning of importation from
here. AT that dime Germany and all
Europe looked upon America with en-
tire competency, and with pleasant
anticipation of finding on this side of
the Atlantic healthy, growing market
for Old World wares. They no more
thought century ago of importing
from this country, least of all manufac-
tured goods, than this country now does
of importing wheat. Now this German
journal says land it really speaks for
Europe at large):
Not only have our exports to the
United States dwindled down in the
course of years to the lowest possible
figure, but we also find at every turn
American products in our own country.
We eat bread made from American
grain; American lard and meat form
another important article i'll the subsist-
ence of our people. American ma
chimes, tools, fancy goods, toys, house
hold utensils, ETC., are for the most part,
on account of their good qualities, in
far greater demand than homemade
articles, and lately the American tex
tile industry has also begun to gain
ground with us. How enormous the
American exports to Europe really are
is best shown by the amount of gold
sent from here to that country. The
interest on the American bonds has
long ceased to cover the necessary re-
mittances, and III default of sufficient
counter.orders for exports from our side
of the ocean, nothing remains but to
make up the deficiencies with gold.
Raising the discount can help nothing
against these acts, for those who buy
goods must necessarily also pay for
them"
This country has only to maintain its
present high standard of merit in man.
ufactured articles to keep up its present
ratio of gain. ShodGy on our part in
any line of manufactures would be sui.
cidal. That would be the supreme OF
folly,
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
Bay CITY tMlch.) Chronicle

Not long ago n law that had passed
both Houses Of Congress was put in type
nj the Government Printing Office, and
after timo il was discovered that II
misplaced comma entirely changed the
intent Of the law, and further Congress
sionnl action WINS necessary III order to
relieve il of the improper punctuation
and give it the force and latitude intend
cd. A serious error Of this nature has
been discovered in the publication of II
law passed by the last Legislature of
this State. Tho Prosecuting Attorney
Of lugham County recently brought an
action against saloon-keeper for selling
liquor to minors. At the trial of the
case, the counsel for the defense
put in plea That the act under which
action was brought could not be ap.
piled to the case III question. The law
referred to is found on Page $50 of the
public acts Of 1879, and upon invostign-
ton, il was discovered that the act M II
reads applies TO miners, and not minors.
The Attorney of lngham County secur-
cd the conviction OF the liquorseller on
the ground of the intent Of the law,
rightly holding that il plainly meant ~
prohibit the sale of liquors TO minors,
instead of miners. The case has been
appealed To the Circuit Court, and the
decision of Judge Huntington will be
looked for with interest. While it may
be q mere technicality, the law NJ il
reads rendersa dealer liable to fine and
imprisonment il he sells To II miner, and
it At the same timo subjects him to q
penalty If he sells to y minor. Unde,
ordinary circumstances the intent Of til,
law would he accepted, but an error o
this nature entirely changes the appli
cation, it isl question to be decide,
whether the law can he considered yaliI
or not. A decision will, in all probahil
ity, he sought from the highest coun 0
i the state.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
A Merry Thanksgiving.

An aged couple III Midway, Mass,
had merry Thanksgiving. AT the
outbreak of the war their only son ran
away to sea, and served under Farragut
III New Orleans and with Gushing III the
Albemarle exploit. Here all traces OF
the sailor were lost, and it was supposed
That he was drowned in the river when
the torpedo exploded. His sister died
few years ago and his parents have
been living in retirement and poverty.
Late on Wednesday night u man with
scar Oh his face Knocked ut the door
and requested lodging. He was nd,
mitted by the lady, who asked hel
aged husband to entertain the stranger
while she was making cup Of tea ioi
him. The stranger kept his hat on
and the old lady noticed that his eyes
followed her every movement. To the
old man he represented that he In,
formerly lived i'll the neighborhood
When asked his name he gave N
evasive answer, but asked il james
Merrisk lived there yet. II am james
Merrisk, answered the old man. III,
old lady had been watching the stranger
closely. Before he could utter anothe
word she stepped quickly to his side
| lifted the hat from his head, gazed ;
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
America Abroad.
Chicago Journal.

The London Times is our authority
for saying that the British wheat crop
is poorer this year than il has ever been
since 1916. An English expert, another
Charles Randolph, has made showing
to the effect that the yield this year is
only 45! per cent. of the average yield
OF the last twenty-seven years. Three
estimates are given of the amount of
British wheat, the available quantity at
home, ana the foreign imports requir-
ed. Translated into bushels, they are
as follows
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
An Are Indicator.

There is good deal OF amusement in
the following table of figures. 1t will en-
able you to tell how old the young ladies
are. Just hand this table to young
lady and request her to tell in which
column or columns her age is contained,
add together the figures at the top OF
the columns in which her age is found,
and you nave the great secret. Thus,
suppose her age is seventeen, you find
that number in the first and fifth col
umns; add the first figures of these two
columns. Here is the magic table:
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
History Of Alcohol.

Alcohol was invented nine hundred
and fifty years ago, by the son OF a
strange woman, Hagar, in Arabia. La
dies used it with powder to paint them
selves, that they might appear more
beautiful, and this powder was called
alcohol. During the reign of William
and Mary, M act was passed encourage
ing the manufacture Of spirits. Soon
after, intemperance and proiligacy pre-
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26

'Oh. such bonnet!1 thought the one
The other thought, what feet.
Yet they did talk
/ Together walk
! And kissed each Others cheeks and chalk,
Detr0u Free Press.
"Wil your mother ever marry
again?" ne inquired. "Not with M APP
prevail" she answered; "such is my
opinion thus far, and not step-father."
-Brookiyn Unidn.Argus.
We met man this morning who did
not say "What remarkable weather."
but alas! he was dumb and couldn't say
anything. He looked it though
ByidgepoH Standard.
"Eve never had silk dress in her
life." She had no use for one. There
were no Ferguson girls across the way
for her to paralyze with envy when she
went out shopping in silk Dress
Norriaopn Herald.
Why an advance of lard should en-
nance the price of butter is about as
difficult problem as is the true inward
ness OF the connection between the
price of milk and a water famine
Boston Transcript.
A poet remarks that "the world keeps
rolling the same old way" We are
mighty glad of it. If the world should
stop short and start rolling in the other
direction, ten chances TO one it would
upset the whole of us.
There is a mysterious disappearance.
Man in lower berth of sleeping car
bound for Washington. David Davis
in berth above him. Grand crash.
Nothing left but part of q paper collar
and a button. No cards. En,ira Free
Press.
Ii you are going to a heightened So
ciable wear a full dress. If you are
going to y masquerade ball you may
wear fool dress. Pretty often q young
man acts at the former as if he were
dressed for the latter .-NoYiStown Her
ald.
A poser: Maud Mamma, where do
people go when they die?" Mamma
"Oh, you must not ask such questions,
dear; you will understand all about it
when you are older" Maud latter
thinking it over for some minutes),
Mamma, do you know all about it?"-
Harvard Lampoon.
"Peter, what are you doing to that
boy?' asked q schoolmaster "He
wanted to know if you take ten from
seventeen how many will remain; l
took ten of his apples to show him, and
now ne wants me to give 'em back"
"Well, why don you do it?" Coz, sir,
he would forget how many are left
From the general to the PARTICULAR
The new governess: "Now suppose
you know that there are three times as
much water as land upon the surface of
the earth?" Tommy: 81 should think
so, indeed Look at the puddles. y
Punch.
To swear off smoking and then be
presented with twenty cigar,
is one of those dreadful things which
will occasionally happen. People talk
of suffering, but they have no idea of
the meaning of the word until they are
brought to this experience Waterloo
Observer.
The scientific corps-Colonel stern
ly, pointing TO u large cobweb in the
corner of the stables -"NNhat dye call
that, sii?' Young subaltern (fresh from
the academy )-"That, sir, is the web of
the archnda sedentaria domestica, or
common house spider. We conquer
him during the day, sir, but he gets the
best of us ut night. He is considered
model of perseverance! OF course, sir,
you remember the story of Bruce and
-" Exit Colonel hastily, muttering
something about Service going" some
where .-Pumch.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26

REV. john JASPER, colored, W no says
ode sun do moye," still holds forth nj
Richmond. lie w,w going to marry u
couple in church the other day, when
twowomen in the congregation, while
waiting for the bridal party TO arrive,
got into fight over their sweetheart
who was present, but did not know
which of the girls he loved best. The
two beauties got 70 fighting and the
crowd cot excited Somebody said the
gallery was falling. There was rushing
Jumping, fainting, Mysteries, and u few
broken bones. The bridal party Wen
10 Parson lasper's house instead. VI,
now saws "de danghters do move
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
4 Distressing Case Of Etiquette.
From the Suratogian.

A distressing case occurred in the best
circles OF Tour most select society. 1t had
come out that u certain lady, Mrs A.
called on Mrs. b ono day last week.
The ladies stand on n level socially, the
father of one having been IL successful
wagon maker and tho other thrifty
carpenter. Both are now in comforts
BILE circumstances, and are nice
sort of people. There is nothing wrong
in one Of these ladies calling on the
other. 1t was II nice proper thing to do.
But the wretohed part of the business
does not lie there. Both ladies have
been residents Of Saratoga less than n
year. Neither have called on the other
before. In n thoughtless and unguard.
ed hour Mrs. A said to herself that she
would call on Mrs. b forgetting that
Mrs b had resided in town, just week
longer than herself, and therefore cal
was due from Mrs. b to her. But the
mischief is done and the thing is all oY.
or town. No one regrets it more pro
foundly than we do. For if there is one
thing more than another we pride our.
selves on here in Saratoga, when TIL,
mixed summer multitude is gone anC
the summer dining room is boarded
up and the extra bedding and dishes
are all pun away snug for the winter, II !,
our social etiquette,
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
This is very suspicious showing for
this country. The demand OF the Uni.

This is very suspicious showing for
this country. The demand OF the Uni
ted Kingdom alone for our surplus
wheat is simply tremendous. Then,
too, on the Continent the supply is
short, an the deficit enormous. The
wheat.raising farmers of the United
States are indebted to steam transport
tation for the opportunity to compete
with Russia III the grain markets OF the
Old World. And so far as Europe itself
is concerned, the advantage put within
reach by steam is likely to be
permanent. But America it is not the
only New World. There is that CONT
mental island, Australia, with an
immense British population, with as
good land as the sun shines on, and the
beginnings of incalculable agricultural
wealth. In the production OF raw ma
terial Australia is rapidly developing
into II formidable rival. But there the
rivalry ends, up to date. In the line of
manufactures it has no standing, nor
is it likely to have in its colonial eondl-
ton. England will not allow any de-
pendency To compete with it in that re-
spect, although more than willing that
the home operatives should be fed with
breadstuffs from the colonies. If this
country were dependent upon the pro-
duction ofraw material, whether bread
stun, meats or anything else, its excep-
tional prosperity would be precarious
and perhaps short-hved. Besides the
specific reasons suggested il the general
fact that no country can afford to de-
pend for wealth upon crude exports.
But the United States has the basis Of
thrift not only, but that great auxiliary,
industrial skill and enterprise. Our
farmers cannot afford TO overlook the
domestic manufacturing interest. What
ever competition may DO in the way q
cereal exports, it's morally certain that
in manufactures no new rival is fore
Swallowed. Our competition is exclu-
sively with Europe, and in proportion
il our wares % abroad, and foreign
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
Northern Pacific Railroad.
Chicnen lnnrnnl. nec. lH.


Mr.. James B. Power land commits
sioner Of the Northern Pacific railroad,
was in the city yesterday on his way to
New York. He reports that grading on
his road is now completed LOO miles
west Of Bismarck, Oh the Missouri river,
and that the construction will be COM
pleted to the Yellowstone before snow
falls next year. The 100000 q per
cent. bonds Of the company for build
ing the road between Bismarck and the
Yellowstone have all been sold, being
taken up eagerly by eastern capitalists.
The land sales Of the road have been
large and are rapidly increasing, ana
the running department shows a very
handsome seasons business. During
the grain.carrying season the resources
of the road We're taxed to their utmost
capacity. From one county alone
(Cass) IN the Red River valley, the ship
ments Of grain this year were equal to
the entire shipments Of the whole line
the previous season. Mr.. Powers re-
ports that his road has not yet suffered
very seriously from snow blockades,
and that the arrangements for protec-
ton are SO complete that he anticipates
little trouble from that source this
winter.
OK Nov. Il, numbers OF persons were
skating at Wimbledon, near London on
i lake surrounded BY trees, most u
which were still in leaf.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26
A Rich Thing About Editors.
lurdettc in the Burlington nawkeye.

Editors are usually wealthy" the
man with the sample case remarked.
yes" | said "they are familiar with
all the slapg and business phrases OF
the money market; they write about
millions Ms ordinary men talk about
dollars; they know how to pay the ma
tional debt; they build railroads; they
organize mining and magnificent trans
portation companies with fabulous cap
ital; they declare. war without consulting
the Rothschilds, and if all the banks in
America were to tail tomorrow, the
editors wouldn't be " cent poorer than
they are to-day. Yes, they are rich.
They associate with the moneyed class
es, they sit down mt table with Kings
and sometimes, i'll happier, luckier mo-
ments, with aces: if you want to Dor
row money go to the editor, he will
turn to his advertising columns and tell
you where YOU can borrow it. If you
have money to loan, rather than see
you suffer, he will borrow il ofyou him.
self. Rich? He knows the secrets of the
moneyed rings; he divulges the plans
and schemes of the heavy operators to
the people; he roars himself louder than
the bulls, and growls among the bears;
his voice is heard in the temples of the
money-changers, asking for money; he
MARBLES his little roundelay out on the
curbstone in " melancholy minor key,
when he doesn't get it. On yes, editors
are rich. When you want to spend all
the money you have III this wide world,
go TO your lawyer; when you want some
thing done for nothing, HE you to your
newspaper office. Then when you
want to send some man to Congress,
send your lawyer, because you can get
along without him."
paused, and a profound impressive
silence filled the car like u dream 81
peace. looked around upon my au-
deuce.
| Ii was nsleen,
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-26

The recent warlike behavior Of the
utos convinces Mr.. Schur1 that they
should not DO brought to Washington.
81 do not think badness becoming"
explains the prudent secretary.