davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
A Chicken Snecnlation.

1t was probably because eggs are so
scarce and dear now that suggested to
Mr.. McGinnis chicken speculation.
McGinnis had passed must of his time
as janitor down town, but had saved
enough to buy a lot in the annexed dis
trict and thought of going to farming
"eggs." Said Mr.. McGinnis to his
wife:
Eggs goes up and eggs goes down,
but chickens is always steady. I'm 60
ing into chicken speculation, Eggs
hatch in from fourteen to eighteen days,
I'm told. In ten days the chicks ought
to feed themselves. FL bet you l turn
out twelve broods per year, and that's
IA chickens at twelve to a brood"
McGinnis bought twelve eggs and a
big hen. He put the eggs in a basket
and set down the hen beside it. In
stead of hopping on to them and hatch
ing out chickens right away the old hen
scratched around and paid no attention
to eggs or basket. McGinnis was u
man Of determination. He grabbed her
by the legs, set her on the eggs and
flew off. He put her back weighted
giles to escape all the eggs were bro
ken.
81 haven't time to fool with you any
longer" growled McGinnis, '.but I'll
attend to your case bime-by." So he
nailed up the old hen and more eggs in
q box together, cut hole for her head
and neck, and went away chuckling.
The old hen ought to have Submitted
to the inevitable but she was obstinate.
McGinnis went out one morning and
found her cold and dead, and, as his
wife came out and shed tears, he ex-
planned:
Come to think of it, that was a
Dutch lren, and of course she couldn't
understand what we wanted of her.
Never mind, I'll buy two roosters and
60 to packing down eggs for the spring
marketr'
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
A Spectre Light.

|
| One of the most singular events that
ever arose in the experience of railroad
men came across the engineer, fireman,
and brakeman on the Chicago, Rock
Island and Pacific express which left
Davenport for Council Bluffs the even
| ing of Thursday.
The train pulled out of this city,
James Raynor conductor, at 7:1O
O'Clock. The weather was bitter cold
that night, it will be remembered, the
mercury falling to Is degrees below
zero. Nothing unusual happened until
after the train had gone from Marengo
at II o'clock-and about three miles
west of that town, the engineer, j. r.
Wilkinson, saw in the distance ahead
locomotive headlight, and he said to
his fireman, David Myers, .'Dave, what
on eSth is that train on the track on.
our time for?" Dave looked ahead and
there was the headlight enougil'
and Wilkinson Immediately closed his
throttle, applied the air-brakes, and
stopped. The brakemen jumped off to
ascertain the cause of the halt, and
they, too, saw the headlight coming.
The engineer and fireman watched the
distant glare moment, and it quivered
exactly as headlight does when view
ed at a distance, from a fast approach
ing engine-and the track for a long
distance in front of it glistened like
silver in its light.
The conductor did not get off to see
the light, and so missed the sight.
But as there was a train ahead, with
an apparent right to the track, the ex-
press train backed to Marengo in short
order. There a telegram was sent to
the train dispatcher at Des Moines, in
forming him of the unexpected train,
and asking for instructions. His an
swer: mo train between Marengo and
Brooklyn-go ahead" ''But the en-
gineer reports seeing trainr' elm
possible-there is no wild train on that
section, and regulars are all right-go
ahead, l tell YOU" And again the train
pulled out of Marengo-but the strange
who beheld it when the train stopped it
was real as any light they ever saw,
and all were as certain that there was a
locomotive with a train coming toward
them as they lived.
1t is now believed that a sort of mir
age or reflection of Wilkinson's head
light was produced at the place by some
freak of the elements in that clear,
cold, frosty air, and that this was what
MIR. Wilkinson, Dave Myers, and the
brakeman saw. 1t was real enough to
send the train speeding back to Maren-
go for instructions. Mayhap it was a
spectre train, of which there are several
in railroad lore.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

to share . fortune such as mine. Ant
/ would strive to make you happy
Even though You do not love me now
II am sorry, Arthur, to be obliged te
refuse you. And you mistake my char
acter if you think sordid gain OF
wealth is the only consideration that
would induce me to accept you.
trust we will be friends still"
''How could l act differently toward
you, for / have always admired you
above all womenP And if at any time
can render you any assistance will
gladly do SO. Capt. Ellis has returned
from the South. Is it because you care
for him that you refuse me? But will
not question you further. Goodbye" p"
They shook hands and parted.
Maggie Temple was sitting at the
door-bell rang, and she had scarcely
risen from the stool before the girl ush-
cred in Capt Ellis.
Il have Just met Arthur Butler Was
it because you loved me that you re-
fused to become his wifep Forgive me
for staying away SO long. know you
will when tell you have been away
for our mutual benefit. could not ask
YOU to share my poverty, but will you
be willing to accept comfortable home.
am not rich, but think I have enough
for our comfort and happiness"
Eyes, John, will be your wife if you
can forgive my coldness to you. l was
prevented from showing my feelings to-
ward you by foolish idea that would
like to marry rich, But have long
ago become convinced that could be
happy with you anywhere"
''This is like your own sweet self, my
darling, and will prove to you that we
can be happy anywhere"
Grace took pity on Arthur Buffers
lonely condition, and her pity turned to
a warmer feeling, for she has promised
to be Mrs. Butler; and Arthur is all in
all to her-but to Margaret Temple he
was not Capt. Ellis.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
A Mouse Cure.

Hitherto there has been no remedy
which could be regarded as a specific
for tetanus. AT last, however, an in
genious French physician has apparent
ly hit upon a remedy before which
tetanus yields as readily as toothache
yields to the dentists forceps, and
which will, of course, supersede curare
and all other inferior remedies. The
French doctor in question was called
in to attend lady suffering from
tetanus. In his report he says that she
was Il married woman of thirty-one
years of age, and previous to his visit
her family physician had tried every
known remedy for tetanus, including
curare, without producing any effect.
The patient was lying on her back,
with her jaws tightly closed, and the
muscles of her chest and throat were so
rigid that she was unable to utter a
sound. The doctor at once went out
and procured n live mouse of the usual
size and voracity, to the tail of which
he attached a strong hOrse-hair. Plac-
ing the mouse Mt the foot of the bed, he
permitted it to walk the entire length
of the patients body. No sooner did
the patient notice the mouse than she
sprang up. loudly calling to the attend
ants to take it off, and denouncing the
doctor as horrid, hearfless wretch, who
ought to be ashamed of himself and
guiIlotined on the spot. There was no
recurrence of the symptoms of tetanus.
In fact, the doctor adds that the lady's
jaws were so thoroughly and perma-
nently unlocked that the husband, who
is, of course. ignorant of law, has
threatened to begin an action for DAM
ages against him.-Monthly Hom0eo-
p0thic Rectesc.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Rely on Yourself,


1t is related of Stephen Girard, that
he had a favorite clerk, and he always
said he intended TO do well by Ben
Lippincott. So when Ben got to be 81
he expected to hear the governor say
something of his future prospects and
perhaps lend a helping hand in start
ing him in the world. But the old fox
carefully avoided the subject. Ben
mustered courage: Il suppose am
now free, SIR" said he, "and thought
would say something to you as to my
course. What do you think had bet
ter do?''
eyes, yes. / know you are," said
the old Millionaire. land my advice is
to 60 and learn the cooper's trade"
This application of ice nearly froze
Ben out; but recovering his equilibrium
he said if Mr.. Girard was in earnest he
would do so.
Il am in earnest"
And Ben forthwith sought the best
cooper in Spring Gardens, became an
apprentice, and in due time could make
as good barrel as the best. He an
nounced to old Stephen that he had
graduated. and was ready to set up in
business. The old man seemed graft
fed, and Immediately ordered three of
the best barrels he could turn out. Ben
did his prettiest, and wheeled them up
to the old mans counting room. Old
Girard pronounced them first rate, and
demanded the price.
lone dollar each," said Ben, ais as
low as can live by.''
''Cheap enough! Make out your bill" +"
The bill was made out, and QldStephen
settled it with check for S2O, 1000 which
he accompanied with this little moral
to the story:
''There, take that and invest it in the
best possible manner; and if you are
and lose it, you will have
good trade to fall back upon, which will
afford you a good livelihood.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Marrying For a Title.

1t is the rage among a certain class
of Americans just now to marry their
daughters to foreigners with title.
The bargain is generally very one
sided, and the results are too frequent
ly unsatisfactory. A young girl sells all
she has and hopes to be for the empty
compliment of being called ''My Lady,"
The husband, who has openly bartered
his title for long cash account, spends
his time at fashionable bath and
leaves the American wife to her sauer
kraut and her gloomy thoughts. Both
husband and wife were fools to begin
life in that way, but generally the
woman has the worst of the bargain,
for man with plenty of cash can have
what is called a good time anywhere.
who heartily wishes herself back in her
a particle. He got what he wanted
money-and is satisfied; she got what
she thought she wanted-a title-and
if she has learned, when it is too late,
that she has made a mistake, and has
found out that she really wanted a
home and husbands love, neither of
which she possesses, why it can't be
helped, and she must make the best of
it. Dean Swift was once dining with
family in which the matron boasted of
the number of centuries in which the
magical prefix ''de'' had been the right
full property of her ancestors. The
dean heard the tedious and oft told tale
to the end, and then delivered his opin-
ion of all that sort of nonsense by say
ing, s.Madam, will you kindly help me
to another piece of De-umplingP"-Lic-
e1.OOOL Post
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Watson's Census Of
Predictions. that year.

AS General Walker says. in speaking
of this matter. it almost staggers cred
ulity. THAT man, mere human be-
ing" says General Walker, .'should be
able to predict fifty years in advance the
number of inhabitants in rapidly
growing country within fraction of
per cent. seems onderful-almost be-
yond belief" Had the war not inter-
vened it is believed that Watson's pre-
dictions would nave held good in 1870,
and also in 1880. But in 1870 he was
ahead of the census nearly 1000. 600,
and in 1880 nearly 5,OOO,OO0. The
losses of the war, direct and contingent,
we can never know, but Watson's fig
ures, almost absolutely accurate up to
the war period, would show it TO effect
us the present year to the extent of
nearly 5,OOO,OO0. That is, had there
been no war, the present population of
the United States would be about 55,-
100000. Watson predicted that the
population in 1900 would reach 1OO,-
900, 900, but General Walker does not
believe it will be over about SO,OOO.-
0OO
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Training A Dog.

A Newfoundland, or any other dog,
should be trained just as one would q
child. Train according to capacity for
learning, temper. and general disposi-
ton. Train according to the require
ments. If for special purpose, famil-
iarize him with what hemust eventu-
ally act upon as his duty. Good COM
mon sense is all important. A large
share of patience is needed i'll all train
ers. There should be an ingenious
mixture of kindness and prompt
decision. There must also be some
severity, judiciously applied, but no
cruelty under any circumstances. Caress
and otherwise show appreciation of
obedience on the dogs part. Chastise
when negligent of disobedient, but do
it coolly. Never overlook, for the time
being, a fault which should be corrected.
This will spoil any animal intended to
be trained properly. The horse and the
dog discriminate with wonderful pre-
cision between kindness for doing their
duty and punishment for disobedience.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
The Man Who Knew John Mccullough.

The Man Who Knew John Mccullough.
Cleveland (O.) Leader.
Recently a lank man with kind of
falsctto voice approached Mr.. John
Mccullough, the actor, and asked:
"Your names Mccullough, amt it?"
eyes, SIR
s.rm powerful glad to meet you,
John. l am a stranger i'll Cleveland,
and now that l find I have an acquaint-
ancc here, my heart leaps jus<. like it
does when l catch sight of homie after
being away couple of years"
''You have a decided advantage of
me, replied the actor. Il don't remem-
Der ever seeing you until now.'
''What, don't recollect me? NV name
is Bill Peterson. Why, don't you re-
member when you played in TexasP''
''Yes, 1 remember playing in that
State.''
''Well, was thar, right thar, sir
One night you played in-I forget the
name of the place. You played some
thing about Old Virginia, and In one
place whar fellow tried to take a girl
away from you, you snatched out
bowie and let her have it. That piece
whar old fellow named Dentist, or
suthin of that kind, got killed, and a
lot of fellows put him on a hand bar
row OF couple of rails, l don't recol-
iect which now, and toted him around.
Now, don't you recollect that?''
Il cannot locate you.' said the actor,
amused at his simplicity.
Don't recollect me! maybe you was
drunk. Come to think of it you did act
curious after stabbin' the gal. Ranted
around, laughed, jumped on a feller
and choked him. But 1 never would
sober. l had alters referred to you as
one of my friends; and that's what
comes from takin' up with strangers.
Good day, sir, and please to recollect
this: if ever you come down in my coun-
try and want our school house to get
drunk in, stab gals and choke fellers,
you shan't have it,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
How Fernando Wood Astonished Henry
n1ov

When Fernando Wood first went to
Washington (says the New York SUM
Henry Clay took a fancy to him, and
never lost an opportunity of paying him
personal attention. One day, while
Clay was walking with him, they pass
ed shop where men were manufacture
ing cigars. Clay expressed surprise at
the dexterity of the workmen, and said
that it must require years of experience
to do the work with such apparent ease.
''Oh, no. Mr.. Wood replied, '.they
merely cut off piece of the tobacco.
roll some of the dry part into their
hands. then wrap it up, and the whole
thing is done. Any person can make q
cigar
eff you think so," said Clay, '.per-
haps you had better try"
The young Congressman sat down.
took knife and leaf of tobacco. and.
With a dexterous cut, prepared his
wrapper. He then broke ethe filling to
the proper size, rolled it all up together,
twisted the small symmetrical pigtail at
the end, cut off the top and handed the
well-made cigar to the Kentucky
Senator. Clay was amazed. Wood
had become skillful cigarmaker dur
ing the cholera season, while in the to-
bacco trade. The shopkeeper stared
with wonder at this new Congressional
accomplishment. The joke ran the
rounds of Congress and was frequently
told at Clay'S expense.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
A Little Girls Sacrifice.

Away back in the widest part Of
Ulster county. New York, Lille Os-
born, a girl six years old, occupied a
frame house with her father and moth
er. During the very severe weather her
parents were both sick with fever. The
fire wood gave out, and the little tot
took her playthings and tried to keep
the fire going with them. When these
gave out she prayed for help, and soon
after good neighbor-James McGantt
came in. and provided for their neces-
sites. Little Lille became sick with
the fever afterward, but she was spared
much suffering by the assistance afford
ed by a charitable lady, whose SYM
pathy was excited by the child's sacri-
ice Of her toys.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

1want not wealth-the yellow gold
That chills the soul like Artic cold,
That turns to ice the warmest heart,
want no wealth:
Only enough to sooth distress,
To cool the brow Of wretchedness,
To bring glad smiles to eyes that weep,
And all my loved ones safely keep
This wealth 1 want, and nothing more,.
Iwant not pover-to sway my kind,
And blindly lead Q world of blind.
To shift the scene on life's great stage.
And make my impress on the age,
Iwant no power:
But rather strength to lift the soul
Bound down in passions base control;
To aid 1t In it, upward flight
To yOn high realm OF love and light .
This power I want and nothing mere.
Iwant not fame-to have my name
Encircled by garish flame
That, like the fires deceitful ray,
A moment CLEANS then dies away.
Iwant not fame:
only want It may be said,
Whom am gathered to the dead:
HE lived unknown, and died content:
His life should be his monument"
Such fame want, and nothing more.
But this vant-A fsisnd that's true.
WHO viii ny virtues kindly view,
And al my faults - kindly scan,
Nor count me more or less than man.
And even more:
want . hand my own to hold
When days are dark, and drear, and cold:
An arm my faltering feet to stay
While here tread my weary way.
Such friend want, and even more.
want true love-true woman's love,
As pure a. that which rules above,
As deep as the unsounded sea,
And broad as Is immensity.
And oven more:
want . smile to light my home,
A kiss to greet me when come,
A heart whose sweet and holy chime
Shall with my own keep even time;
Such love want, and even more.
want . calm, secluded place
In the kind thoughts Of all my race:
I want that men should speak OF me
In gentle tones Of charity.
And even more:
i want to feel deep in my heart,
I've acted well my humble part;
And, when my earthly course Is run,
I want the Masters kind "well doneI'-
All this want, and nothing more.
JAS. r. GILAoRA.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

Carding, says M. Labouchere. would
seem to most persons a most unpleasant
discipline, for it consists of passing an
agricultural instrument bristling with
harp nails along the back of the victim.
put when it was explained to a Scotch
member he almost cried because his
estates were not situated in Ireland
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Successfu1 Pronhecv.

BY far the most accurate estimate of
future population ever made in this
country, or any other, was made by Il
man named Watson in 1915. AS his
predictions were published that year
there can be no doubt of the genuine
ness of his ''guesses." He predicted
that the population in 1880 would be
Sc, 100000. His prophecies were made
in 1915, and here is the striking manner
in which successive censuses have
shown their accuracy:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

The census is said to show an excess
of 8SS. .29S males in this country, there
being only SO, 519 females to every 100,-
QUO males. against 97.8Ql in 1850.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

The total amount of sales under the
encumbered estates act in Ireland ex-
ceeds $500, 600. 900. The act came into
operation thirty-0na years ago,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

The enormous increase in the con-
sumption of cigarettes is shown by the
fact that in 1860 taxes were paid on 49,
SS1, Az cigarettes, and in 1880, 4SO, 7OS,-
S6l
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

A great reduction has been made IN
the expenses of the New York legislat-
ure since 1871. In that year there
were 323 clerks and attendants; now
there are only 65. In 1871 the annual
payroll amounted to S121 1893; now it
is S4S, ,S2S
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

All Necessaries for the Burial Of the Dead
Furnished on Short Notice and On the
Most Reasonable Terms. Considsrass A.
tention Guarnteed.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Cabinet Repairing
UDhOlSterin0.

T1HE subscriber is prepared TO do all kinds Of
l. Cabinet w are Repairing and Upholstering r
on short notice, and in a work K manlike manner.
Furniture Of all kinds made to order Prices
reasonable, and satisfaction guaranteed.
Orders left at q. p. Reeds Drug Store, in Op-
era Block. will receive prompt attention.
will call for and return all work entrusted
to me. H. s, DOTY.
Ravenna, January 25. 1881. 6ls
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
Business Cards.

MISS l.. G.. JACKSON,
AHILLINERY GOODS of all kinds. Opera
Nl Block, Ravenna, %.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

A. N. FARR,
NOTARY PUBLIC, Mantua. o. Con-
IN veyancing, Collections and Pension Bnsi-
ness prom pity attended 10 on the most reason
able terms. 612-n.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
ANSON w. BEMAN,

Attorney &ts Law. Room z, Rouse Block,
lnorth west corner OF Superior Street and
Public Square, oyer Carson's Clothing StoreD
CLEVELAND, OHIO.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07
T. ID. HORTON.

Attorney and Councillor at Law, Raven
na OHIO. Oface in Phenix Block, over Sec
ond National Bank.
May 6, 1869. 36-1y.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-07

-On PRINTING OF ALL KINDS
al F1o1ptly and NsAs3y Executed at this once