davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-15
A Spider Story.

One chilly day ! was left ct homo
alone; and, after I was tired reading
Robinson Crusoe," caught Q spider
and brought him into the house to play
with. Funny playmate, wasn't IL?
Well, I took wash basin and fastened
mp stick like 0 vessels mast, and then
poured in Just water enough to turn the
mast into an island for my spider, which
I named Crusoe, and put him on the
mast. As soon as he was fairly cast
away he anxiously commenced running
round to find the mainland. He'd ocam-
per down the mast to the water, stick
out foot, get II wet, shake it, run
around the stick and try the other side,
and then run back to the top again.
Pretty soon it became serious matter
to Mr.. Robinson, and he sat down to
think over it. As in moment he acted
as if he wanted to shout for boat, and
was afraid he was going to be hungry, I
put treacle on the stick. A fly came,
but Crusoe wasn't hungry for flies just
then. he was homesick for his web in
the corner Of the woodshed. He went
slowly down the pole to the water, and
touched it all round, shaking his feet
like pussy when she vets her stockings
in the grass, and suddenly q thought APP
peared to strike him. Up he went like
a rocket to the top, and commenced
playing circus. He held one foot in the
air, then another, and turned around
two or three times. He got excited, and
nearly stood on his head before ! found
out what he knew, and that was this,
that the draught Of air made by the fire
would carry line ashore on which he
could escape from his desert island.
He pushed out a web that went floating
in the air until it caught on the table.
Then he hauled on the rope until It
was tight, struck it several times to see
if it was strong enough to hold him.
and walked ashore. thought he had
earned his liberty, so ] put him back in
the woodshed. -He1rth.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-15

MISSISSIPPI produced the largest
amount of cotton in $780, the number
of bales being 955, sos The talk about
the wholesale and daily massacres Of
negro laborers in that State has almost
ceased in the Northern Republican
Journals The logic Of agricultural pro-
ducts is against their yarns-
WHEN the Arab has stolen everything
else in sight, he quickly folds his tent
and steals avay.-Ne,c Orleans Picd-
vuse.
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-15

Destructive prairie fires have been
ra,orted in some of the southwestern
counties, doing great damage TO grass
and pasture fences
San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-15

employment Of American labor and
capital, its influence upon industry, both
here and in England will bu great.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
FRANCE AND TUNIs.

Nearly every day the reader Of the city dali
lies meets in the cable dispatches a reference
to a sort of war between France and Tunis IN
Africa, with which IN some way Italy is mixed
up, likewise Turkey, and when Turkey is
named you know it touches the great Eastern
Question, which concerns all Europe. Exact.
ly what 1t all means we find so clearly and
succinctly explained III the following article
of the New York Eramtmer and Chronicle,
that VIC Imagine we do most of our readers a
favor by copying IT.
THE FRENCH POWER IN AFRICA-Wheth-
'er France has Interior motives of conquest IN
the movement against Tunis is disputed
point. What is PLAIN is that she has literally
carried war into Africa, and put the Bey of
Tunis in critical position. The causes of
the trouble, and its probable and possible con
Sequences, may be briefly told,
For half IA century the French have held
the colony of Algeria, lying on the coast of
North Africa, with Morocco on the west and
TuniS on the east It's territory is 25S,000
square miles, in population 2490,3SS, its nat
ural resources abundant, and its condition
prosperous. Tunls, the next neighbor east on
the Mediterranean, is suzeralnty or depcnden-
W VI udo uii vi tO,bVO S'iudIf
miles, and is about 440 miles long by 100
broad. Its population is 100000, consisting
of Moors, Arabs, Turks, Jews, Italians and
French ITS agricultural and mineral resour-
ces are equasto those of Algeria. TuniS, the
capital, has l25OOU Inhabitants, is walled
city, and lies some three miles from the site OF
ancient Carthage. The boundaries between
Algeria and TunIs are illdefnod, and along
the frontier lines there has always been 81 ecial
trouble with the restless and constantly revolt.
ing native tribes, which have acknowledged
loyalty neither to one colony or the other, but
have made lnCursiors 10 the peril Of French
life and property. Ia Tunis the Italians eradu
ally got n foCthOld. and between the French
and Italian coloIIsts the spirit Of fiysly sprang
up, SO that the increase of French immigTa-
ton into Tunis became source of jealousy
sufficient to create disturbance respectively in
the French and Italian Governments. Both
countries laid claim tocertain rights over Tun.
is, while the Bey or ruler Of that territory rec
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
A Kentucky Robin KoOst.

The Glasgow (ky) Times gives the tolow-
description of robin rOost near that place,
that equals some of the famous pigeon roosts
"a ccder thicket of about sixty acres fur.
nishes the birds lodging place. About sun
down every evening constant streams pour
into the grove from every direction and almost
obscure the heavens IN their flight. NiPht
finds almost every bush in the thicket bend.
ing with its red breasted load. Lovers OF
sport (9) for miles around visited the place,
and every night the thlcket would be lllum.
mated by the torches of men with clubs and
sacks gathering the feathery harvest.
"One man killed over 1000 and hundreds
were carried away every night, but their mum.
beers did not seem to decrease; there were mil.
lions of them. They we're very fat, and made,
when well cooked, a dish good enough for a
king"
--Inasmuch as the robin is one of our most
efficient destroyers of insect pests-a young
robin requiring daily bulk of such food
equal to lis own wcight-it is probable that
every bird killed at the "roost" costs the coun.
try one dollar, perhaps much more. In any
case one of these birds an the bush'ls worth a
score or more "in the hand" or IN the frying
Dan.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Preserving Farmers Wives.

have seen a great many kinds of pre-.
but we have the first ell.preserved
Is wife yet to see. There are well-pre.
old maids, and old bachelors. We
card of the latter being plckled, bu,
ever seen specimen, though it strikes
would make better pickle than pre-
But the poor, tired farmers wife never
Nine 10 preserve herself 1t Is always
Is, peals, plums, &c, standing over the
We all the time. If ii were not for stop.
J take the baby now and then, she would
|ly be perpetual motion, and all this
tickle the palate OF her liege lord and
hle friends, for certainly women's all
II bump Is so benumbed while standing
c stesming, roasting mess of cOnglom-
'Eiciuals, that she has no appetite for the
5hen done.
y, we come before you with a recipe to
he farmers wives. Never worry; take
rest that is needed to recuperate your
b that has been wasted over the pre-.
/ pan. Get you washing machine, a
machine and an organ. Read, and
foursClf posted so you can talk with
husband; have something new to tell
bd don't always be under the censtrain.
of keeping silent and learning OF him.
all the public gatherings with him.
lives you The change that is so much
Do not think you can not spare the
III, he can, you certainly can. You will
Will add years to your youth and
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
An Extraordinary Exhibition OF Strength.

One of the most remarkable feats ever per.
formed IN this section was witnessed in the
high road leading out from this town in the
direction Of Shoe Heel, tins morning A farm.
er about 20 years of age, named Meredith Cad.
dy, drove into town in an oX-cart after load OF
corn. He got ten bushels of the grain. pur
chased few articles for his wife and children
took few drinks Of mountain whisky, and
started for his home, some fifteen miles of
The Cx was sorry one, n dimlnulive speci
men of that useful animal; after getting about
five miles from here It gave out and could not
be forced to move a step further. Nothing
daunted old man Gaddy unyoked his OK, took
him out, and putting the yoke on his own
neck drew the loaded cart the rest Of the way
home, which was about ten miles, up hill and
down hill. The determined old fellow trudged
along the highway with his burden, jeered at
by the children, an object of general interest
to the passers.by. Upon reaching home Cad.
dy carried his load up 10 the front portico,
went into the house and took another pull
at a whisky flask. He remarked to his wife
as he smacked his lips, that 'if that llt.lc bull
hadn't been 50 darned obstinate would have
put HIM IN the cart and drawn Inn home, too. "
Gaddy ls the father of twenty. One children, of
whom there are two pairs Of twins. Although
20 years OF age, he is regarded as the most
powerful man IN tins cOunty.-LUH,JtrtoH ~.
El Jj1yfs
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
OTTAWA FREE TRADER; SATURDAY, MAY7 1884, hFhrCo

According to statistics there are more farm
ers' wives in the insane asylums than OF any
other class. This is simply because there IS
not enough change in their lives, as they have
but one round OF duties TO be- gone through
with, year in and year oIt. We have read
that you could put sane person IN walled
up room and confine HIM there and he would
soon become insane; and We have come to the
conclusion that it is the want of this change
that drives farmers wives TO insanity. The
average farmers wife has not even reading
matter provided for her. The farmer general.
ly takes a paper that gives the markets and
his political views. This satisfies HIM, and he
never takes thought but what it is all suffi
Client for her. There are very few women who
have been educated to take an interest in poll.
tics, ana they should have something suited
to their tastes We heard a farmers wife say,
not long SINCE that she had never read word
in a newspaper since she had been married
woman. If that woman is preserved physi-
cally. she certainly Is not mentally. Farmers
wives, take more time to preserve yourselves,
and let some Of the other preserving go. Your
families will be just as healthy, and you Will
be able to serve them better-Read by a Lazy
before n Missouri Grange.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Curious Growths in Old Nevada Mines

A gentleman who recently had occasion to
explore the chambers, drifts and caverns OF
the old deserted Mexican and Ophir mines
says that fungi Of every kind have taken pos.
session of the old levels
In these old mines, undisturbed for years, is
| found fungus world in which are to be seen
connterieits of amost everything to be seen in
our daylight world: Owing to the warmth of
the old levels and to the presence IN them of a
been made to grow some curious crops. Some
Of the fungi in the old chambers are several
feet in height, and, being snow white, resem.
hle sheeted ghosts. In places are what at lit
tie distance appear to be white owls, and there
are representations of goats with long boards,
all as white As though carved in the purest
marble. The rank fungus growth has almost
closed some of the drifts.
The fungi are Of almost every imaginable
variety Some kinds hang down from the tim
bcrs like great punches of snOw.whlte hair,
and others are great pulpy masses. The last
generally rise from the rocks forming the floor
of the drifts, and seem to have grown from
something dropped or spilled on the ground
at the time the work was in progress years ago.
These growths have In several cases raised
from the ground rocks weighing from ten to
fifty, or even 100 pounds. Some of the rocks
have thus been lifted more than three feet
In the higher levels, where the air is com
paratively dry, the fungi are less massive in
structure than below, aud are much firmer in
texture. Some resemble rams horns, as they
grow in spiral or twisted shape, while others,
four or five feet in length and about the thick
ness Of a broom handle hang down from the
cap timbers like go many snakes suspended by
their tails One kind, after sending out
stem the thickness of "a pencil to the length of
fnpt tun 10 h1pcGnm ut OF mr.
duces ct the end dubious mass that has some
resemblance to flower.
In all the infinite variety Of these under.
ground fungi, it Is somewhat strange that not
one was seen at all like those growing upon
the surface III the light of day Nothing in
the nature of toadstools or mushrooms waa
found Firgi,ta city Entrpr.st.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

ognized only Turkey as his master. These
are the elements OF trouble. The recent sale
Of railroad for which French and Italian com.
panies competed, and dispute over an estate
which French company seized, doubtless
gave rise to the present crisis. Normally
France found it impossible to put up longer
with the depredations committed by the tribes
of Khoumls, for which the Bey was consid.
cred responsible. On this prctext she sent
troops to protect her frontier. and to subdue
the Khoumls though she had to enter Tunis.
ian territory TO do so.
The Bey protested and appealed to the Porte,
which appealed To the Powers. Italy over.
threw the Carroll Ministry because it was dis.
posed to let France do as she pleased. The
Italians saw proposed seizure Of Tunis by
France, and wanted 10 declare war at once.
The French landed troops and marched them
along the frontier. The Porte then instructed
the agitated Bey to restore order on the from.
tier, which was exactly what he was power.
less to do; and the Bey sought safety by a sort
of semi-aliance with the French troops against
the revolving tribes. The Tunislan troops
have met the French and retired before them
without opposition, and so the situation rests
at this writing.
The possibility Is that France may annex
Tunis to Algeria, on the ground that strong.
er authority than that Of the Bcy is necessary
to protect the rights Of French citizens in both
those colonies. This would involve Turkey
in another difficulty before that with Greece
was fairly out of the way, and might bring on
that expected general European war. But the
probability is that France will neither de.
throne the Bey nor occupy his country, but be
content at present to take precautions against
Khoumi incursions and to bind the Bey to
such terms as will practically secure her SUI.
premacy. That would at once serve notice on
Italy and Turkey that France propose to hold
control IN North Africa, whether or not she
openly assumes the government
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Cotton Mills IN the south,

The Boston Journal Of Commerce says: at
is the custom to speak of the southern mills
as OF little account, making an inferior class
of goods only tit for southern trade, etc. An
Englishman lately visiting the Eagle 4 Pho.
nix mills Columbus, Georgia, said the new No.
mill was the best equinned mil in the world.
Certainly there is no mil making larger va.
rety or a better quality of goods. 1t has ev.
cry new improvement, and some that no other
mills In the country are using. The profit of
these mills last year was 20 per cent on cap.
ltal of $l,2500O0, or $5.76 per spindle The
mills are lighted with the Brush electric light,
and water power is used to run them. II cost
to light No. 3 mill tor six months, including
carbons and attendance, $40; for the same
time gas would have cost $4,000.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

An unpretentious looking little COW was led
rough this city yesterday afternoon, en- route
the farm Of Mr.. Erastus Corning. The AMI.
|al was purchased by Mr.. Corning of Mr..
|irns, aI Middletown, Herkimer county,
ience she came to this city by express. She
|Of the Jersey breed, is years old, and bears
|e handsome name of Gold Thread" 1t is
lmed that 20 per cent. of her milk Is cream,
d that she can produce ls pounds of butter
week. II is understood that she was pur.
|ased for Mr.. Corning's private use, and that
J sum paid for her was l,50O.-Albany
gus.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

|ANADA THIsTLEs.-An effective method of
Heating Canada thstles is as follows: AS
b as they appear in the spring strike them
with sharp hoe below the lower leaf or
b with the solid earth. Repeat every time
trout starts, and your efforts will be crown
With success the first season. Cultivating
|,t them increases their growth as it does
* plants. They cannot, however, live
hoIt q top. II Is a waste Of time attempt.
10 dig up the roots. Moving closely when
pill bloom will check them seriously, bu,
only sure method is that first mentioned
fe. TEistles are such nuisance that farm.
Fan afford to spend some time in their etfec.
eradication. A few may appear the sec
year after this treatment; If So repeat the
ng of the stalks, and If thoroughly done
death is the result.-1mericdn Cutiuotor
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

is not always true that pile Of manure
ming with heat and smelling strongly Is
ammonia. Ammonia is very volatile
'3ungent gas, and might be known by Its
liar scent, which Is freely given off by
!, ill.ventIlated horse stables, or by the
of lllcleaued horses. But il ls not often
this peculiar scent escapes from manure
Is; on the contrary, II is more disagreea.
dor, similar to that of rotten eggs, Thi@
! ptureiied hydrogen, AMI not ammonia
occasions no loss to the manure except the
bur. If in making manure pile some
Fr Is mixed in the heap all the ammonia
be caught and held by 1t, and the water
lined in the manure will also hold a lar &c
kity GOO times its bulk of it, and will no.
Il OFF at a heat that can be raised at a ma.
|pile If the manure Is left to heat and
Try and fire fang" or slowly burn To a
!, dry, light stuff, then the ammonia Is
ind the manure seriously injured.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Detroit physician asserts

|8UTTERMILK.-A Detroit physician asserts
u for a hot weather drink nothing equals
SYmlk. 1t is, he says, both drink and
ayand for the laborer is the best known.
supports the system, and even IN fever will
" the stomach admirably. 1t is also most
liable domestic remedy. 1t will cure dys.
|ery as well and more quickly than any 9th
remedy known. Dysen,ery is really a con,
patton, and Is the opposite of darrhGa. 1t
Inflammation OF the bowels with congestion
the portal circulation"-the circulation OF
|od through the bowels and liver. 1t is a
Ease always prevalent in the summer and
|umn. From considerable observation |
warranted in saying that buttermilk, drank
1erately will cure every case of lt-certain.
when taken In the early stages"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Visible Improyement,

Mr. Noah Bates, Elmira, n. Y, writes: "About
four years ago had an attack OF bilious fever,
and never fully recovered. My digestive organs
were weakened ind would be completely pros.
trated for days After using two bottles Of your
Burdock Blood Bitters the Improvement WAS
so visible that ! was astonshed. can now,
though 81 years Of age, do fair and reasonable
DAVIS work." Price. 81: trial size. 10 cts.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Bucklen's Arrica Sslye.

The REST sALvE in the world for Cuts, Bruises
Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever sorc., letter,
Chapped Hands, Chiblans, Corns, and oil skin
Eruptiohs and positively cures Piles. Tile guar
anteed to give perfect satisfaction or money re-
funded. Price - cents per box. For sale by L.
/. GTigg's
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
HOUSEHOLD AND FARM.

y ~. g." asks If cutting potatoes to one or
eyes IN hill would DO too small to pro.
zee good results. The best crop of potatoes
b ever saw was from potatoes cut to one eye
I'D planted one piece in hill. There is n
eat waste of seed potatoes every year IN our
|untry through IgnOranCe-N. Y Herald.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
BOW 10 Get Rich.

The great secret Of obtaining riches is, first, TO
practice economy, anc as good old Deacon Sny-
der" says, 1T used TO worry the life ous Ct me TO
pay enormous doctors bill, but now have
struck it rich Health and happiness reign su
preme in our little household, and all simply be-
cause we use no other medicine but Electric
Bitters, and only costs Fifty cents a bottle" Sold
by E. Y. Griggs. (2)
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

Don't tell me that it doesn't pay to adver.
tise in the papers" SAID Uncle Zabdiel why,
there's firm here IN Louisville that | never
heard Of till | saw its advertisement in the
Courieryournal, and now II owe that same
firm $50, without the slightest chance of their
collecting Il cent Of it.-LouispWs Courier.
j Ourndl
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

Jacob Leeckman, PA Clinton Street, Buffalo,
n. Y, says he has been using Thomas's Eclec.
trio OH for rheumatism. He had such lame
back that he could do nothing; but one bottle
entirely cured him.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07

Cook DAT MEAL--Ir the first place, be
J hat you have good quality of the meal
1re Is wide difference in kinds. Get
Which is fresh-as when old it becomes
and if possible that which is unmiXed
shorts or other kinds of flour. The
er grades are usually the purest and best
family of five or six take two small tea.
Is Of TIE meal, put i. into two quart
and mix with 1t large even tablespoon.
salt; then pour on boiling water, stir
he meal as you do so, till within an inch
quarter OF the top of the basin. Set the
on top of the stove, and stir enough to
Int the meal settling and sticking on the
IN. Let 1t remain on the stove five or ten
les, or till the meal has become fully in.
rated with the water, then set INSIDE
steamer, which cover closely, and keep
alter under it boiling for an hour and a
two hours, stirring up once IN the time,
emove from the fire and carry to the ia
1t will be light and moist, but not salvy,
very grain will be separate and swelled
utmost extent. Serve cold, with good
with the cream stirred in and little
rfeam added Eat like mush and milk.
n METHOD OF PRESERVING POsTs.
g to the well Known method of preserv.
psts and poles which are partly imbedded
earth, by charrlDg and coating with tar
Ftentifc american says these methods are
Elective when both are applied. Should
,les only be charred, without the subse
treatment Of tar the charred formation
surface would only act as an absorber
moisture, and, if anything, hasten the
BY applying coating of tar, accord.
the same authority, the tar would only
a casing about the wood, nor could i,
tate to the depths which the absorbing
ties of the charcoal surface would In
| Wood that is exposed TO the action of
.J(r let into the ground should first be
Id, and then, before it is entirely cooled.
tied with tar until The wood is thorough.
ORIGINATED, says the journal in question.
fetic acid and oils contained in the tar
hpOrated by the heat and only the resin
hind. which penetratcs the pores of the
hnd forms an alright and waterproof
pc. 1t Is important to impregnate the
y little above the line of exposure, for
is that the action of decay affects the
FIRST and where the break ALWAYS occurs
removed from the earth or strained in