davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
Prentis on Sorghum.

Prentis, of the Atchison Champion, says:
Sorghum, like the Commissioner Of Agricult-
ure has been and is reviled and sneered at. Not
long ago, a Kansas editor, wishing to utterly
tear down, demOish anu remove the debris of
another editor called him a Sorghum lapper."
The effect was tremendous, and yet sorghum, in
troduced, by the way, by despiscd Commission
er of Agriculture, has been a sweet boon to the
country. 1t came just rs the great civil war
burst upon the country, and one great source of
supply of mOlasses, Louisiana, was cut of from
the Loyal North, and 'sweetening' rose to fan
CIV prices. The sorghum cane juice, rudely treat
ed, furnished the only syrup that thousands of
families tasted from the beginning of the war TO
the end. The popularity of sorghum waned
somewhat with the Weather classes after the
close of the struggle, yet it is still the manstay
of thousands. The lonely traveller on the West
ern plains of kansts, in the midst of wilder
ness of waving grass stretching all around to
the horizon, where not even bird fits across
his line of vision, fancies himself alone in the
world, hut all at once he hears the cracking and
sqeuaking of the sorghum MILL the first sound of
civilization, succeeding the howl of the wolf and
the low thunder of the moving buffaloes Sor-
ghum is the pioneers first luxury, and the peri
cd of its manufacture is holiday season. Its
production in County settles the question of
that County's speedy settlement and organiza-
tion. The land that yields sorghum, is fit for
the homes Of men. The old Spanish and French
explorers were accustomed to take possession of
new countries by erecting n cross, and making
proclamation with uplifted sword, but the Amer
lean settler puts up his sorghum mill, and its
sqneaking rollers announce that the star span
gled banner has come tn stay.
While iine-haired people have been turning
up Their noses at it, sorghum has been improv-
ing. The raw, green tasting stuff eaten in war
times as a military necessity is now almost I'M
known. Its manufacture in the older sections
of the country is falling into the hands of pro-
fessnnals, who, in many Kansas Counties, make
thousands of gallons The eyes of the country
f..G hmm,
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
Fatten Stock Early.

Ii is the custom of many farmers Ia delay
feeding stock designed for the market till vege-
tables have attained their growth and corn has
become hard on the ear. They think there is a
great loss in feeding material, if the above
named articles are eaten before they are mature.
They accordingly delay feeding anima.s with a
view of fattening them till the food they are ex-
pected TO eat shall attain its maximum value.
They To forget that this delay is attended
with many disadvantages that more than offset
the gain in the value of food. The state of the
weather has almost much influence ON the
fattening of stock the condition Of food fed to
the animals. What is gained in the quantity OF
food by delay is generally lost in the unfavora-
BILE condition of the weather Take one season
with another, September and October are the
most favorable months in the year for fattening
stock of all kinds. Severe storms are then few.
The Temperature is neither very warm nor very
cold. Ii is in the highest degree comfortable.
The air is generally pure, cool and refreshing.
During this season of the year a larger proper
ton of the food consumed by animals is convert
ed into fat and muscle than at any other time.
Exercise during the hottest weather is fatiguing,
and requires the expenditure of much muscular
power. During the severe cold of winter very
large proportion of the food consumed by ami
mails is employed in the protection of vital heat.
Especially is this the where animals have
little or shelter, but are warmed from the ill.,
side.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
How to Manufacture Syrup from Sorghum

The best time to cut the cane is when the seed
is in the dough. Cut off the heads first, and
then strip with a stick, made in the form of a
sword. Cane must not stand in the field after
the leaves striped, as it will soon undergo a
change, aud the juice will he bitter. Cane may
he cut and dried on the outside, and then piled
and kept for weeks. If piled wet il will heat,
and spoil it. If has been frosted, and is not
worked up in few days, it will sour.
To make good syrup, you must have good
cane. If you wish TO make sugar, or good syrup,
yon must keep everything used in the making of
il clean and sweet. Sorghum juice has tenden-
cy to undergo a change soon pressed from
the cane, and in a few hours il will commence TO
make alcohol. To prevent or arrest this chem
ical change is the greatest thing we have to
contend with, and here is the secret of making
sugar or good syrup. So il becomes necessary To
wash the mill and vats and everything used,
with lime-water once or twice n day. The clay
process is much ahead of any in the saving of
labor in skimmng, etc, and besides the syrup is
much cleaner and clearer, for if You scald the
green matter in the cane-juice it gives n strong
taste.
To clarity with clay, the white, or light
cOlOred clay, dry it, and have settling vat,
with plugs in one end to draw off the liquor.
the mill add about One-half bushel of clay Ia
100 gallons of juice, mix the clay thoroughly
with the juice by agitating, until it will settle
clear and show 10 geeen matter, and when IL is
scaided il is As clear water. If yOu wish, You
can lime, alum and soda; but | think syrup
is much healthier and better to only sulphite
of lime, such as is used in cider one package 10
100 gallons of j.Iiee; put it in as it comes from
the mill. The sulphite of lime will prevent fer
mentation. Boil over a brisk fire. You should
stir the juice until it bols, to prevent something
in the cane juice from settling down on the pan
and coating it; this burns into the pan and
gives the syrup dark color. If you have pre-,
vented the cane Juice from fermentiug, You need
not he afraid of burning and the faster you
boil the better.-Um. II. Strong, IN the Prairie
Farmer
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

AUTUMN FEEDING OF FowLs--As soon as the
first cool days come, fowls that are in health be-
gin to manifest an increase of appetite. The
quantity that would remain over after the morn
ing feed and he sufficient for the day, in warm
weather, is consumed long before night, and
more must be supplied. 1t matters little how
food is given, so long the fowls are benefited
thereby, providing that food is given with regu-
larity. The writer has long been in the habit of
keeping corn by the fowls in regular feeding
places, and they, although often wandering far
away know where to find il when needed. In
this way the fowls continue in better health.
When hungry they have a supply within reach,
and do not remain any length with empty crops,
which is injurious. Otherwise they are apt to
eat too much when given grain, which brings
ON indigestion and weakens the bird There
fore, it is my practice to keep it within reach,
continually.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
THE OLD GRIST MILL

By Willow Rock. beneath the hill
Stands, quaint and gray, the old grist mill.
Spring mosses On its steep ROOF grow,
Where brosd their shape the willows throw;
The pond near by is clear and deep,
And round its bank the alders sweep;
The lily pads spread gay and green,
The lilies white and gold between;
While grinds the mill with runbling sound,
The water wheel runs round and round.
Among the reeds the muskrat dives.
And swift the swallow homeward fiies;"
The robin sits in cedars near
Where Willow Brook runs swift and clear;
The children by the schoOl-hOuse play,
Where slumbpIns shadows softly stray,
And warm and low the Summer breeze
Is whispering thru the willow leaves;
While grinds the mill, with rumbling sound.
The water wheel turns round and round.
The crows row wing their southern way,
The squirrels in the nut-trees play;
With merry shout the school-boys run.
The mountains blush meath Autumn's sun;
Their grain they bring adown the hill
The farmers To the old gri-t mill:
And faint from far DER hill and dale.
Falls on the ear the threshrrs fail
While grin,ls the mill, with rIImbling sound,
The water wheel turns round and round
Long years have come and passed away;
The mill with age is gaunt and gray;
The roof gaps wide To rain and sun;
With cobwebs thick the walls are hung;
The pond is overgrOwn with weeds;
The marsh-wren builds among the reeds;
The night-winds through the willows moan:
The school house gone the children grown;
The farmers sleep where wild flowers grow,
Who brought their grain, 50 long ago,
When gruund the mill with rumbling sound,
And the water wheel turned round and round
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
ON THE EVE OF THE WEDDING

" ,ose, o1i"fe We PaIt .n 70 nignt,
peoiy .ne lass WI spohen5
beiere Ihe my mas ,ou'h n ny hahh,
PuIe, uue, shaless ioSe ne 'oAeh-
Dsloie the enurcn, win h"iy riIs,
hsr oles.hg on our ioNe has gwen,
LooA straight INTO my eyes Win yours
Anu Ans"er mr. III sish' vi heA'eh'
Il n .nere, within youI near. ~ on nsar'A
onS s.s snanoS "
one tnought 'hst yon nave eh"seh III
IN sPeAAn as Us W NOT ~ Is.e, eh yet
Is thefe' IN an TINS "9rid oI oufS
one you nave ever Known or sesh,
'" nom, II yvu hau carrier sen or hhoNn,
lou "oulu nave eio"reu Sour ohosen iueen
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
IN THE WOODS.


Here on the soft, brown leaves i lie
Deep in the woodland shade;
No bit Of landscape meets my eye,
Nor one blue CLEAN of sra and sky,
Nor glimpse of sunlit glade;
Rough tree trunks, towering everywhere.
Hold this broad cahopy in air.
Brown branches spread rare pencilings,
Keeping themselves aloOf;
And each small leaf, that lightly swings,
Its own bright bit of beauty brings,
To form the dainty roof;
And look whichever side l NAV.
The silent arches stretch away.
No birds, no wind. Uncertain sounds
Come family from afar;
i fancy, when We leave earth's bounds,
To walk no more its well known rounds,
That thus, without a jar.
The murnuIs from this old. loved land
Will echo on the heavenly strand.
How near God is! seem to lie
Within His courts to-day;
No great white Throne, exalted high,
No glittering pageant passing by,
To nil m. with dismay;
He walks in quiet through the land,
Touching His works with loving hand.
This tiny vine close at my feet,
These mu-iest tufts of moss
Are moulded into forms as meat,
Finished in beauty as complete,
As the tall trees that toss
Their branches in the Summer gale.
And stretch long shadows Ger the vale.
o, spirit Of the woodland shade,
You give me joy to-day!
Your beauties all my soul invade;
Your quiet on my heart Is laid;
Oh, live with me. pray
Let me still feel your Soothings. when
tread the Earring walks of men.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

JESSE Brown, OF LUCKNOw.-A compositor
in Pittsburg newspaper Office says that he was
at the siege of Lucknow. He declares that there
was a ver1table Jessie Brown who heard the
Highland bagpipes in the distance, and first an
noanced to the anxious garrison the approach of
succor But she no fair young heroine
merely soldiers widow, forty-fve years old,
loose in her morals and much addicted to liq-
nor. For us, these ugly statements in no way
spoil the original story. In real life heroine is
seldom sweet young girl, "a rose with all its
sweetest leaves yet folded" II there was any
Jessie Brown who heard the skirl of the coming
bagpipes at Lucknow, few wrinkles more or
less on her face or character, cannot change the
terrible thought of her listening agony, while
she waited for the full evidence that should
startle her into the joyful cry that rescue was at
hsnd.-B.fais Courier.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

OUNCE PREsERvEs.-Pare and core the quin-
ces, and cut into halves or quarters, to suit the
size of Your jars. Let them stand over night in
enough cold water to cover them. In the NOR
ming put them in the kettle with the same water.
and let them cook gently till you can stick fork
in them. Take the fruit ont with skinner.
weigh it, and to each pound of fruit allow a
pound Of sugar. Put the fruit and sugar into
the kettle, with enough of the water to make a
good syrup, and let them boil gently until they
are clear Take ont carefully with the skinner
and put into jars; fill the jars to the top with
the syrup. If there is a large quantity of fruit,
and the kettle is not large it is best to put the
fruit in the syrup a little at a time
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

cartridges, pluck and draw them; carve three
of them into six pieces each, viz: wings, legs,
breast, neck, head and back. One of the birds
should he kept whole, trussed in the usual form.
Let the pieces be seasoned with pepper, salt and
a little ground mace, and laid in a deep dish.
Stntf the body of the bird left entire. and put
it into the middle of the dish, breast upwards.
Pour over the game half a pint of cold, strong
beef gravy, well strained, in which two we'll
roasted shallots and n few corns of allspiee have
been boiled; add the yOlks of six hard-boiled
eggs and half gill of good catsup. Cover your
dish with light puff paste, and bake in a mod
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

PEANUT CASDY.-Boil one pint of molasses for
ten minutes; then add heaping tablespoonful
Of brown sugar; let it boil until it hardens Stir
TO prevent burning. Test it by dropping a small
quantity into glass of cold water. If it be-
comes hard and crisp, remove il at once from
the fire. Have square tin pie pan, well buttered
and filed to overlooking with shelled nuts. BE
sure to remove the inner skin, as well as the
shell. Pour the scalding molasses very slowly
over the top of the nuts; he careful not to over
run the pan set aside TO cool.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

CURE FOR FREcKIEs.-Wash in fresh butter
milk every morning, and rinse the face in tepid
water; then Use n soft towel. Freckles may also
be removed by applying to the face n solution Of
nitre and water. Another good wash for freck-
les is made by dissolving three grains of borax
in five draehms each of rosewater and orange
flower water. There are many remedies for
freckles, but there are none that will Danish
them entirely.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

APPLE JEILY.-This makes pretty dessert OF
tea dish at this any time of the year. Pare
and slice the apples put them in a saucepan,
with sufficient water to cover them; boil gently
until very tender, then strain through jelly
bag. TIL every pint of clear liquor add pound
of loaf sugar. Boil for about ten minutes, and
soon as 1t begins to 'jel- pour il into your
mold. This ought to give a sparkling and beau
tiful jelly. A little fresh lemon peel may he
boiled with the apples if desired.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
THE PATCH ON THE PANTS.

Political chances and changes
Bring one and another on top.
And sometimes the upper dog quickly
Is changed to the underInost pup;
And one Of the great alterations
The fortune of politics grants,
Is bruadelOth galore for a fellow
Who once wore q patch on his pants
You hardly would think that the weighty
Could rise to the surface 80 soon.
Or that flesh, to the average mortal,
Would he benificent boon:
But there in his pride You behold him,
Attending 80 well to the wants
OF his brothers. and nephews. and uncles,
And sisters, and cousins, and aunts.
Full many gem, says the poet,
The caves Of the ocean know;
Full many q Senator Davis.
The streets Of New York can show;
Full many a Roscius modern,
In ob-eurity spouts and rants:
Full many a great party leader
Has once wOre patch On his pants.
II this could he done and that other.
If something with nothing could mix.
II oil but with water could mingie,
IL honor cnnld grow ont Of tricks
Let none darr deny that by one Of
Dame Fortunes NEST singular -lants.
That man might be greatest amongs u,
Who once wure patch on his pants
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
Selett goetrl..
WHERE Is THE SUMMER GOMEZ



Where. o, where is the Summer gone
For the Summer il gOne to-day;
] heard the rriekets, nj early dawn,
In the meadow not far away;
The north wind turns up the forest leaves,
The grass Is brown on the lawn:
There's q mournfnl sigh at the cottage caves:
D, where is the Summer gone
where Is the Summer gone my deari
We longsd To enjoy il 50:
We gave 10 its coming n wishful tear.
In the time Of the melting snow.
We would climb the hills Of emerald green,
We would greet the sun at its dawn;
But. U. how busy the months have been,
And now the Summer Is gone.
Where il the Summer gonel o. God,
l have kissed here and there 4 flower;
have rested moment upon the sod,
have felt Thy sunshine an hour;
Now the sod Is brown and the flower is dead.
And the golden Light withdrawn;
The trusts If Autumn my head,
U, WHERE il the Summer gone
Where is the Summer Comet Tonight,
There's hollow sound in the air:
The frosty stars have wintry light
There's spirit step on the stair.
Hark baby laugh falls On my ear.
Where the portal and darkness yawn,
But the dream is dispell-d by burning tear
U, where is the summer gone,
Where Is the Summer gone at lasti
When the whrling leaves are dead.
And the rustling flowers before the blast
Their frozen petals she'd:
When trees are bare and hills are brown,
And storms arise at the dawn;
When the snOw-crowned head bends slowly down,
Then. where il the Summer gOnei
The Summer is gone to the source Of light,
The flowers have gone 10 sleep;
The flush Of youth and manhocds might
No power hath earth 10 keep.
Then, turn ., Earth, to the waiting sun;
Then, turn %. Soni to the dawn;
In the Orient land all days one,
And there's WHERE the Summer il gone.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04
for thu farmer.
Transnlsntins Trees in the Fan.

Nurserymen generally advise their customers
to purchase trees in the fall, to remove them 70
the farms where they are wanted, and 10 "hcel"
Them in order to protect them during winter.
II is likely that they have eye TO business in
maxim. these recommendations. All dealers
like to secure customers and 20 receive pay for
their goods as possible. There is always
much hurry in the spring. and II the planting
season is short, they are likely to make but few
sales 1t is best for both buyers and sellers that
contracts for trees lac made in the fail. In the
opinion of most planters, 1t is Lest TO set trees in
the spring. and rs socn after they are taken
from the nursery rs possible. IL Is often very
difficult however. for the general farmer 10 find
time in the spring To prepare his ground for set
tin. trees to procure them fsn;n :e nursery, and
to set them out in 4 p."I'eT nauner The best
time to set trees out - alsn the best time to put
in uIGst of the leading crops on the farm. II
is also the poorest time in the entire year Ia do
tcaming, the ruads are in their worst condi-
ton.
In respect to the policy of ''hee.ing in trees
there is wide difference of opinion. When the
practice was first introduced il had strong advo-
Gates especially among the nurserymen. At
present, however, there are very many who OPP
pose il. They claim that many trees are dam
aged by the process of partial burial, and by re-
moval in the spring. They also hold that trees
partially covered during the winter are liable to
injury from frost and water, and small animals
that gnaw the bark. There seems TO he no good
reason for not planting trees in the fall that are
dug up at that time The ground is in excellent
condition 10 be worked at this season, and there
is abundant time for performing the labor in a
proper manner. Trees planted in the fall should
be firmly secured TO the soil. The soil shonld be
brought in contact with the roots by the appli-
cation of water. Ii should afterward be rem
dered quite compact by treading upon it. In
this part of the country il is hest to set orchard
trees they shall incline slightly toward the
southwest. The earth should be packed closely
TO keep them from being swayed about by the
wind. They should also lie tied to supports by
ropes of hay, other material that will not rup-
tnre the bark.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

LITTLE Jenny T-is five years old. Her
uncle gave her doll. Jenny cherished her doll
with all n mothers care. The other day she
was nursing it on her knees; she started sudden
ly, and the doll fell, and the head was broken
off. Jenny was overcome at this misfortune, and
looked aghast at the poor headless doll; then
raising her eyes, she said, with sigh of resigna-
ton, ''Another little angel iii heaven
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

''AH, Mr.. Sprig, have come up to see my son"
said fond father to the principal of a boarding
school not far from New York. II am told he is
q very meritorious boy" 'Yes, very, replied
the principal; she merits good birching about
three times per day. That fond parent looked
serious, and thought back to the time when he
used to deserve and obtain the same rewards of
merit
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

The Methodist minister near Little Heaven
was invited 10 take tea by a member of that
church. The food consisted of cake of Indian
meal When the elder opened his slice he MOTTO
ed some feathers in it. at seems to me- sister,"
said he, that your Johny-cake is feathering
out" There" the hostess replied, II told my
husband the other day that he must either get a
cover for the meal-barrel or remove the hen
rOOst y
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

PURE CIsTERN WATER.-Cistern water can be
prevented from becoming foul. The spout should
have joint in il, which can be drawn aside so
as to prevent any water falling on the roof from
reaching the cistern. 1t should be kept thus
drawn aside dnring dry weather. When il comes
on to rain allow the roOfto get thoroughly wash
ed off before replacing the joint. If this he done
the water will always be clear and fit to drink.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

THE Titusville, Pa, Press tells the story of a
nocturnal serenader who sang: ''When the mo-
hoon is shi-hi-h-ning DER the la-hake, oh, then,
I'll thi-hink of thee-he-he-hee! Oh, the-hen oh,
then, I'll thi-hi-hi-hi-ink of thee-ee-ee!7 The
music aroused dog about the size of flour bar
rel, and the musician is doing well could
- h. axraafad
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

THE following account Of the exordium of a
lawyers speech is recorded in one of Southey's
letters: "This man, gentlemen of the jury, walks
into court like a motionless statue, with the
cloak of hypocrisy in his mouth. and is attempt
ing TO screw three large oak trees ont of my eli
ants uoeEef y
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

BooTs AT THE SwAN.-The Irish boot black at
certain hotel placed one morning at the door
of lodger an i'll assorted pair of boots. One
was of fine calfskin, of delicate proportions the
other coarse cOw-hide affair, a treasure for a
Californian in the rainy season. 'Herew ex-
claimed the lodger calling after the boot black,
who was hurrying off, ''Here! hOws this! These
boots are not mates" ''Be Jaburs, and that's
what bothers Inc again." replied boots; there's a
man in the room below that's a bullyraggin me
about the thing! Bad cess 10 him.
didn't make his boots, nor yourn 'ither blacks
'em, that's what's my busineSsw Could there be
a more forcible illustration than this of mental
stupidityi Not convenient
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-11-04

'fwHAT did Abraham, at de age oh five-and
seventy, leave dc old plantation and seek new
home fur, ell - Numbered a colored minister the
other evening. II couldn't tOe, yeur parson, re-
Piled an old moke from the rear part of the con-
gregation. 81 couldn't tOle You, unless he went
IL GROW mn wild de country