davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
Needles.

A writer in the Home journal briefly
tells Of the progress made in the last
1000 years in forming the little nipple.
ment SO serviceable to women:
"Among the uncivilized people, at q
very early period, rude attempts were
made to form needles or bodkins of bone
and ivory, by means of which they
might stitch their garments together;
but among the more refined nations OF
antiquity, as the Chinese, Hindoos,
Egyptians and Hebrews. iine neelles
must have been in common use. T.
''Pliay mentions needles mads oi
bronze ton sewing and knitting as being
used in his time, and bronze needles ol
a larger size have been found in Egyp.
tian tombs, which must have been made
1900 years ago. The action of moist.
ure and the atmosphere would have
destroyed smaller ones.
1.-The Spanish, or steel, needle was in.
troduced into England in the time oi
Queen Elizabeth, but the process by
which it was made was kept secret,
and the art was lost till the year 1850,
when it was revived.
"Great improvements have since been
introduced in matchmaking, and the
fine steel needles Of that period bear but
faint resemblance to the delicate and
highly-tempered needle of the present
day, which requires to pass through the
aaDds of no lcss than 40 workmen b.
tore it is ready for use."
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
How Fashions Originate.

Most Of the fashions of past timea
we're due to the anxiety Of some reign.
ing beauty either to conceal . blemish
or display a charm. La Belle Ferron-
Mere had the misfortune to burn her
forehead. The accident left an awk-
ward scar, which the famous beauty
craftily covered with gem, and from
that time all the ladies Of the French
court, who were not ugly and venom
ors, wore precious jewels on their
brows. Anne Of Austria had lovely
arms and shortened her sleeves to show
her charms, and all the artists Of the
day had 10 paint wrists and elbows as
Well a. hands and faces. Nine. de
Pompadour was little, 60 she thought it
best to wear high heels. But Mime. de
Pompadour was also great invalid, and
20 she introduced these beautiful dress
ing gowns knotted with lace ribbon,
which soon wero worn at every court in
Europe. Poor Marie Aatoinette, in her
anxiety to display her lovely blonde
chevehsre, piled her flaxen locks upon q
cushion and wore the crown OF France
sevsral inches above her head. while the
Empress Josephine, to exhibit her
figure, at once Greek and creole, = in
vented cachemire, and brought its uss
into fashion. The Princess Of Wales
wears on her swanlike neck, as the new
fashion. rsscAes Of lace and velvet collars
srnauented with silver carvings.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19

HuMoRs Of the Glendale (NIo.) train
robbery: One man had with him SEQ,
and taking it out Of his wallet he divid-
ed it into two portions of SIS and $1S5.
His intention was to put the $1S5 wad in
his sachel, but in the hurry and excite
ment of the occasion he put the $l5 pile
in the sachel, and when the robbers en-
tered the car and he handed over the
other wad he chuaklea to himself that
he had made big hit in concealing his
money in his sachel. II was not till he
reached home that he discovered his
terrible blunder. A gentleman in the
sleeper hid his wallet, containing $175,
under the cushion of the seat. When
the robbers entered the train they
ordered all the passengers to stand
down toward one end of the sleeper,
while they searched the car. The first
cushion they raised was the one under
which the $175 had been planted. The
leader of the train-robbers appeared to
be very angry at such an exhibition OF
want Of confidence, and made inquiries
Of the passengers a. to who had CON-
cealed the money in such place, but,
being unable to ascertain, he said that
it was a d--d good thing for the man
that he con d not fiud out, for he would
have killed Him too quick" Another
passenger hid his money and watch in q
spittoon, and attempted to get clear by
turning over $3.50. The leader told him
that first-class passengers in the sleep
ers always carried moro money than
that, and that he could take his choice,
to hand over his money or lose his
sweet life, while the inuzzles OF two re-
volvers were held in close proximity to
his head. He decided to take his
chances on the former, and gave up his
money and watch, which were fshed out
Of the spittoon and turned over with
profuse apologies.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19

Al Akpeeting of the Ladies Bcnsvo
lent Society, u was resolved that COM
mittee Of. four indies be appointed to
canvass for donations, and in the course
of heir perigrinations this committee
dropped into Mr.. Wixham's office. He
received them as gentleman should
and, after the usual formalties, one Of
them began.
"Mr. Wixham. we are asking aid for
benevolent purposes.
"Ah yes. Benevolence is q bump
which should be cultivated. Are you
looking after poor folks 2"
"We are"
"yery prorer--ve-y proper. You al
have children Of your own?"
"Oh, yes."
"All of them are we'll fed. welt
clothed and well cared for, are they 2"
l"Y Yes. sir" III
That's very proper. I presume
ths sxskings are properly darned, but
tons IN their places, and they say their
prayers when they 60 to bed? Am /
correct ?"
The women looked at each other in o
sly way and then at him, and one of
them said
I'VE shall be happy for any oontribu-
ton" - /.
"Yes'm, yes'm. You don't want this
contribution for your own families, ehf"
"No, sir |" answered four voices in
chorus.
"Well. lara somewhat inclined to be-
nevolence. Hardly day passes that !
don't do something for charity, Here's
an old account of $26 against Mr.. -.
know he's hard up and having close
time to get along, and yesterday I can
celed the debt"
One of the canvassers turned red,
white and blue and looked out OF the
window. That was her husband, but
Wixham didn't know it.
"And yesterday I found poor, for
lorn-looHng little boy out here crying
with hunger and cold He said his
name was Tommy -, and he lived at
No. SO - street. He hadn't been
washed or combed for week, and I felt
sad for him. was going to take him
home and feed him, but he slipped away"
Another woman suddenly looked out
OF the window, and her pulse ran to 100
minute, but Wixham was as innocent
as lamb Of any knowledge that it was
her boy.
g ''Then you won't aid us?" queried
the spokesman.
"Oh, yes, certainly 1 will. was sim
ply figuring to see how much could
spare. l signed note with Mr.. -
last fall, and | had to pay it yesterday.
That makes me feel rather poor"
The third woman didu't turn red, but
green, but Wixham couldn't have pos
sibly known that it WIS her husband.
''Let's see, let's see I! want to give
you all can spare. Mr.. -, on =
street, owes me four months house rent,
and I'll give you an order on him for
go" -a
The four women rose up. They rushed
in solid body for the door. They went
out In heap. Some were red and some
were pale, and all were mad. They tried
to speak, but they couldn't, and as they
hastened to get away from each other
Wixham held up the half-written order
and gasped:
GLOW very singular Perhaps they
thought they couldn collect the money"
--ETee Press.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
Stories of Andrew J Jackson,

When Jackson was President, Jimmy
O'Neill. the Irish doorkeeper OF the
White House, was q marked character,
He had his foibles, which often offended
the fastidiousness of the Presidents
nephew and Secretary, Maj. Donelson,
who caused his dismissal on an average
of about once a week. But on appeal
to the higher court the verdict was al
ways reversed by the good nature of the
good old General. Once, however, jim
my was guilty of somo faqrant
offense, and, being summoned before
'he President himself, was thus
addressed: Jimmy. / have borne
with you for years in spite of AL com
plants; but this Poes beyond my pow
yrs of endurance "And do you be-
|, lieve the story" asked Jimmy. Ger
iainly," answered the General 81 ha ,e
inst heard it from two Senators. I"
Faith" rctorted Jimmy, "if l be-
lieved all that twenty Senators say
about you, it's little I'd think you was
lit TO be President" Pshaw. jimmy"
,pneinaed the General, ".clear ont, and
20 back, to your duty, but be more care
inl hereafter" Jimmy not only re-
I ta:ned his place to the close of Jackson's S
Presidential term, but accompanied him
lack to the Hermitage, and was with
him to the day of his death.
Gen. Jackson had very little love or
taste for poetry, his favorite author be-
ing DIR. Isaac Watts, from whose
g Psalms and Hymns" he used to make
his selections for the inscriptions in the
ladies' albums which were once SO fash
ionable, when they were sent him with
q request for his autograph.
It lis said that while President he never
drank any ardent spirits. This was COR
rohorated by his negro sery ant, who said
thst /" Massa jackson no drink rum, but
den he drink his coffee strong enough
to kill de debbil."-- Cincinnati Gazette.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
No Warmth in Clothes,

II ID, says tho Lancct, mistake 10
suppose there il any warmth in clothes.
Animal heat il the direct result Of
changes goingon within the body itself.
Nutrition by food and the. discharge Of
energy BY exercise are the sufficient
causes Of heat. Clothes ''scem" TO
warm because they prevent the cold air
and objects with capacity for hest
which surround the body from attract
ing the heat generated within its organ.
ism. The clothing is simply an insula-
tor. II follows that it should be light
in weight, and above all things that il
should permit the free and full circula-
ton Of blood through every part Of the
system-to the end Of every finger and
toe-and that the muscular apparatus OF
the cxtremities should be in perfect
working order. II we will wear foot
coverings, whether boots or stockings,
which compress the feet and render the
separate action Of each toe impossible,
it Is simply absurd to expect to be warm
footed Heat is the complement Of work
and nutrition and il part Of the or
ganisn Is 90 bound that IL connot work
and its supply Of blood is limited, it
must be cold. The resort to stouter and
heavier clothing under such cirDum-
stances is Simply ridiculous. Generally
Il y the stockings that compress tho
fest Tho gartsf acts asA hgature, and
diminishes the blood supply, while the
stocking itself acts g . bandage, and
impedes tie circulation through the *
tre0itieA
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19

The monkeys are frequently captured
In nilooses and traps built in the shape OF
houses. The only entrance is trap
door in the roof, which communicates
with q trigger set upon the ground.
Food Is spread about inside, the mon
keys enter, and, skirmi hing around.
disturb the trigger, and the trap shuts
them in. The third method for catch
ing them is Almost ludicrous one. Al,
old, hard cocoanut is taken, and a very
small hole made in the shell. Furnished
with this and pocketful of boiled rice,
the sportsman sallies into the forest,
aud stops beneath tree tanantcd by
monkeys. Within full sight Of these In
quisitive spectators he first eats a httlc
rice and then puts quantity into the
cocoanut with all the ostentation pessi-
BILE. The nut is Il on laid upon the
ground, and the hunter retires to con-
venient ambush. The reader may be-
sure that no sooner is the man out Of
sight than the monkeys race helter-skel-
ter for the cocoanut. The first arrival
peeps into it, and, seeing the plentiful
store of rice inside, squeezas his hand
in through the tiny hole, and clutches a
handful. Now, so paramount is greed
over every other feeling connected with
monkey nature, that nothing will induce
the creature 10 relinquish his hold.
With his hand thus clasped he cannot
possibly extract it, but the thought that
if he leaves go one of his brethren will
obtain the feast Is overpowering. The
sportsman soon appears upon the scene;
the nninclimbered monkeys hy in all Iii
rections, but the unfortunate brute, who
still will not let the rice so, is thereby
handicapped beyond hope with cocoa
nut as large as himself-a state of affairs
quite fatal to rapid locomotion, either
terrestrial or arboreal. The sequel is
that he falls an easy capture to the hunt
er, victim to his own greed. Even
when caught he reads in the actions of
his captor design to rob him of his
rice, aud he clutches it all the harder;
and the very first thing he does when
the nut is cracked and the hand released
is to cram its contents into hIs month.
Thoughts of escape come afterward.-
London. Field.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19

A certain candidate some years ago.
in England, stood for town which is
not more celebrated for it's electoral
purity than for the extent of it's wooden
manufactures. The candidate began
operations by buying all the stock that
was ready for the market, intimating
that he should want AS much once a
month for expectation. This was splen-
did-G20, 600 every month and the Lon
don market untouched. Such a member
would be invaluable to the town, and he
was accordingly elected. So soon as he
had thanked the constituency, and with
tears in his eyes assured them that the
honest, manly struggle they had made
to rescue their town from the domina.
ton of the vile Radicals should never
be efaced from his memory, he started
off for town, and sold off all his woolens
at an abatement Of q per cent. on the
cost price, thus securing his seat at the
moderate price of G500, and forestalling
the market against his Independent con-
stituency for month to come. The lat
ter were furious, and pretty plainly
limited that if the man of their unsought
choice ever again showed his nose with.
in the limits of their borough, his head
would be made familiar with the SOL
idity of their brickbats.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19

Poe, like Pope, threw himself into a
war with ounces. He hit and thrust at
them vigorously; he exposed score of
cheap pcpularities he was merciless to
the Inexpensive regulations tnen readily
acquired by every tootler on tie Whistle
oi Miss Eliza Cook. Since the time Of
Poe American literature has Wonderfully
advonced in the acquisition Of force anu
polish. American novelists, for exam.
pie, almost give us lessons in careful
elaboration of style, in reticence and in
wcil-caiculst,sd effects. American, poets
arc, perhaps, too numerous. That they
get bearing Is they do. and appeal to
really-large public, says much for the
interest of the people in contemporary
verse. In form, in the mere ant OF versi
tying, even the minor American poets Of
to day show wonderful versatility and
deftness. Commonplace il musil less
successful than it was Of old. Ii fiction.
analysis is almost too careful. We cam
not but think that this rapid ripenfrs. 81
the American muse (who was raw, nm
informed school girl in the life time Of
Poe) Is due in part to the influence OF
that critic. His method is as unlike the
method of Mr.. Matthew Arnold rs pes
sible. But he exercised the same kind
OF influence. Lake Mr.. Arnold, he in,
troduced some tinge Of French thought
and of French literature into the work
manship OF his conntrynlan. Perhaps
he was not wide reader, and the eles
ment of affectation in his nature may he
detected in his quotations Of obscure
Latin authors and in his Oriental allu-
sions. 1t is hard to say how much
knowledge was implied in these allu-
sions--how rich the mine was from which
roe aug Inese sparKllng lruShieIl,s.
Still. he judged the writer's Of his coun-
try with some knowledge of other litera-
lures. As he was quite ruthless in his
criticisms he did good, but at his own
cost-London Ners. a-s
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
American Art at Home.

An English traveller in this country,
who carefully observed the progress "a
American ert, was surprised that Ameri-
cans appeared to have no standard Of
merit Of their own. He observed that
the American artist, neither socially nor
financially, came near his brother in
London, and that he must leave his own
country and make . name in London,
Paris or Rome before his own people
will believe in him. The truth Of this
Is known to all men. Our collectors 20
abroad, expend great sums on foreign
artists, on works that undoubtedly are
worth the money given. but native art.
lists are left TO languish. The advance
made in wood engraving in this country,
to the encouragement Of several pro-
gressive publishing houses, shows what
American art is capable Of. This is the
only field in which our artists have been
owen any chance. On the other hand,
whom forced to 60 abroad, the American
artist suffers under many disadvantages.
He il poor, and in the struggle for posi-
tion his trials are many. When, after
years Of hard work, hs wins q place,
even then the American patron Of art Is
rather coy.-Nss0 York Commercial
ddvsreiser. :
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
The Growth Of Children.

DR.. Percy Boulton, of the Samaritan
Hospital, London, has made interesting
studies Of the health and growth Of
children. Instead of taking the average
Of large number of children measured
once, he has found it more profitable to
measure number of children of normal
growth, brought up under average cir
cumstances, many times, thus ascertain
ing their rate Of increase. The annual
rate of growth was found to vary between
two and three inches for each child pe,
year. The following working table,
though not exact, is an approximation
to the statement of law. The weight.
it will be observed, normally core
spends with the height, rising by ST. ps
OF one inch:
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
LOCAL NEWSPAPFRS.

The editing of a local newspaper is
no light task, as many are led to be-
ieve. The identity aud personality of
the editor cannot beconcealed or avoided
he speaks himself and all his readers
know him, and upon him rests the whole
responsibility Of all he says. Self-re-
spect and an ardent desire to do we'll
and to deserve we'll at the hands of his
subscribers and patrons prompt him to
strive constantly in season and out Of
season so to conduct his journal as to re-
fleet credit upon himself and upon the
community in which it is published.
The first and most essential thing in the
conduct OF a country journal is to have
1t clean. No line or word should be
admitted to its columns that might not
be repeated in the family circle. In its
dealings with men it should be fair and
just-f occasion should arise for praise
or blame it should be justly meted out.
Personal prejudice and bias for good or
Ill should never control the editorial
columns. As q purveyor of news tho
weekly paper needs much watching and
constant scrutiny. To these essentials
for the decent conduct Of newspaper
must be added the need of the earnest
cooperation Of the community among
whom it circulates and for whose benefit,
ifproperly conducted, it does so much.
No class of men know better than edit
ors the bitterness of the want of appre-
citation and of moral and material sup
port. If people would only realize what
advantage it is to town to have de-
cent, well-conducted paper, they would
with one accord tender such encourage
ment and support as would tighten the
editorial burden and lift up the editorial
heart. The labor bestowed on
. live local journal is very
great and it should meet with
generous recognition on the part of all
who are interested in the success and
prosperity of the place in which it is
published. Seneca Falls ReveiNe.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19

The custom of appointing young law
yers to defend pauper criminals, says
the San Antonio Crex. Herald, received
backset in our District Court. His
Honor, Judge Noonan, had appoir ted
tw, young lawyers to defend an old and
experienced horse-thief. After inspect
ing his counsel for some time in silence,
the prisoner rose in his place and ad-
dressed the bench:
"Air them TO defend me?"
eyes, sir, said his Honor.
"Both of emp inquired the pris-
oner.
"Both Of them," responded the
Judge.
"Then I plead guilty." and the poor
devil took his seat and sighed heavily.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
Course of True Lore,

She came tripping from the church
door, her ace husl ol with emotion by
the just uttered discourse, and her eye
bright with Loving appreciation. He
shivered on the curbstone, where for an
hour he had shivered impatiently, with
. burning heart palpitating in his throat,
and frozen fingers in his pockets. They
linked arms and started for the resi-
dence of her parents.
After few moments hesitatinR
silence, he said: f5sNsa.t ~~srf
- "Jane, we have known each other
long. You must know how feel. You
must have seen that clear down at the
bottom-O, Mosesi
He had slipped down on the Ice with
so much force that his spine was driven
up into his hat, and his hat was tipped
over his nose, but she was q tender.
hearted girl. She did not laugh. but
she carefully helped him to his feet. and
said:
"Yoa were saying, John, when you
slipped, that the foundation--O, good
ness
She slipped herself that time, and saw
little stars come down to dance before
her eyes, but he pulled her up in haste,
and went on:
Eyes; just as I said, clear down at
the bottom of my heart is fervent love.
on which / build my hope. That love
has helped me to stand face-thunder /"
He was down again, but scrambled
up before she could stoop to help him.
and she said, breathlessly:
"Yes, yes, John. You remember You
just said a love that helped you stand
and face thunder. And that YOU found.
ed your hopes on-this pesky ice I"
There she sat. John grasped the
loose part OF hey sacque between the
shoulders and raised her to her feet "a
one would lift kitten from Q pail of
water by the back of the neck. Then
he said, with increased earnestness:
"Of course, darling, and I have lonoed
for an opportunity to tell my love. and
to hear those MISREPRESENTATION /"
Somehow Johns feet had slipped
from under him, and he came down like
capital V, with his head and feet point
ing skyward. She twined her taper fin.
gers in his curling locks and raised him
to the stature Of man, set his hat firm.
ly over his eyes with both hands. and
cried, in breathless haste:
II understand, and let me assure Won.
John, that if it is i'll my power to tighten
your cares and make brighter your jour.
ney through life to-Jerusalem T"
80, my precious, and thus it shall be
my lifelong pleasure to lift you from the
rude assaults of earth and surround Won
with the loving atmosphere of-Texas p
And there thew both sat tooatbar
They had nearly reached the gate, and
hand in hand, and with the bliss of
young loves first confession, they crept
along on their knees up the front door
steps, and were soon forgetful of their
bumps on the softest cushion Of the par
lor sofa
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
Good IlapsrisAable.

BsyD 3 recent writer - rsmemhoes
not long ago, seeing sorns larkspur and
ladys slpper in the midst Of = sterile-
looking field. Upon inquiing how wthess
garden flowers came there, I heard thai
many years ago there was N old house
there, but il had becn gone moro than
sixty years Yet, notwithstanding that
Aeld had been rcapsd and sowsd, plowed
nany ysarS, these simple ittls flowers
Hved On, : memento II innooent sAilde
hood. hlooming out Of the most squal0
poverty. Ebjl has the saane inMostAl-
~. u the children's hands hAd sowA
thiseates they would havs rsnAinsd -
long