davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24
WHOLE NO. 2142.
An Imperial Hog.

Peter the great must have been a
pleasant companion at dinner When
he and his consort dined together they
were waited on by pagea and the em-
press favorite chamhermaid. Even
at larger dinners he bore uneasily tho
presence and service Of what he called
listening lacqueys. His taste was NOT
an imperial one. lie loved, and most
frequently ordered, for his own cspec-
ial enjoyment, soup with four cabha'
ges in it; Cruel; pig, with some cream
for sauce; cold roast meat, with pick
led cucumbcrs or salad lemons and
lampreys; salt meat, ham and Linn
burgh cheese. Previously to addressing
himself TO the "consummation" OF this
supply he took glass Of aniseed wa
ter At his repast he qualfed quass,
sort of beer, which would have dis
gusted an Egyptian, and he finished
with Hungarian Or French wine, He
is described as "eating rudely with a
sort of swilling noise" quite appro-
pirate accompaniment Of such an i'm
perial hogs feeding.
But Peter wasn't a crank at his
meals alone. Strange stories are told
Of his brutal and ferociOus eccentrici
ties. On one occasion, for instance.
Peter and his consort arrived at Stuth-
Of, in Germany, for the night, The
owner Of the country house at which
they stopped readily agreed to give
them a small bedroom, the selection Of
which had been made by the emperor
himself. 1t was room without stove
or fireplace, had a brick floor, the
walls were bare, and the season being
one of rigorous winter difficulty arose
as to warming this chamber. The
host soon solved the difficulty. Sever
al casks of brandy were emptied on the
floor, the furniture being first remov-
ed, and the spirit was then set fire to.
The Gar screamed with delight as he
saw the sea of danes and smelled the
odor of Cognac. The fire was no
sooner eXtinguished than the bed was
replaced, and Peter and Catherine
straightway betook themselvesto 10 their
repose, and not only slept profoundly
all night in this gloomy bower, amid
the fumes and steams of burnt brandy,
but rose in the morning thoroughly
refreshed and delighted with their
couch and the vapors which had cur
tanned their repose.
From that time forth a preparative
to repose with Peter was to fumigate
his chamber with burnt brandy.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24
Principal Battles OF ihe War.

Following are the dates of the prin-
cipal battles of the civil war, who
commanded in each, and the number
killed on both sides:
Bull Run (Grst) July 81, 1861; North,
Gen. Mcdowell: killed, 4Sl; South,
Gen. Beauregard; killed, unknown.
shiloh, April 7, 1862; North, Gen.
Grant; killed, 1885; south, Gen. A. S.
Johnston; killed., 1928. Seven Pines
and Fair Oaks, May 81 and June /,
1852; North. Gen. Mcclellan; killed.
$50; South, Gen. j. L. Johnston; killed,
$500. Antietam, Sept. IL and II, 1862
North, Gen. Mcclellan; killed, POLO;
South, Gen. Lee; killed, $500. Chan
cellorsville, May 2 and 3, 1864; North,
Gen. Hooker; killed, 1912; South,
Gen. Jackson; killed, 1851. Gettys.
burg, July |, 2 and 8, 1868; North,
Gen. Meade; killed, 1884; South,
Gen. Lee; killed, $500. Vicksburg,
July 8 and 4, 1868; North, Gen. Grant;
killed, 545; South, Gen. Pemberton;
killed, unknown. Chickamauga, Sept.
1928, 1868; North, Gen. Thomas;
killed. 1914: South, Gen. Bragg;
killed, 23S9. Wilderness, May 5, 4
and Z, 1864; North, Gen. Grant; killed,
5597; South, Gen. Lee; killed, 2000.
Spottsylvania, May S-21, 1864; North,
Gen. Grant; killed, 4l77; South,
Gen. Lee, killed, 1000, The above
igures are based on medical official re-
.urns, and do not agree with returns of
The Adjutant General. Notwo returns
agree. The Adjutant General makes
the killed at Wilderness 2261, and at
Spottsylmnia 227O; while Gen.
Meade's report, based on reports i'm.
after the battle, states killed
at Wilderness at 32sS; at spottsylyania,
2146.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24

Arriving at the foot Of the platform
the death sentence was again read and
the "alguacil de corte" corresponding
to our sherilf-asked the prisoner if he
had anything to say to the people. He
merely shook his head by way of reply,
and was at once seated, his legs tied,
and his arms pinioned, with the hands
crossed on his breast, and the collar of
the garrote fixed about his neck At
this point of the proceedings the
"verdugo' pulled from his person a
long, bright knife. and handed it to the
police who were present. a black cap
was then drawn over the prisoners
face, and the priests began to recite the
"Credo." When they came to the
words, Ills only Son." the "verdugo,"
by swift and deXterous turn of the
lever, launched the soul of the poor
wretch into eternity. There was but
momentary quiver of the limbs and a
strengthening of the form, then all was
still, for the man was stone dead. The
mode of punishment is far more merci-
full than the hideous and bungling per-
formances frequently gone through
with at our gibbets.
The troops then wheeled into column
and marched away to beat of drums,
and now came the strange sequel to
this dismal spectacle.
As soon as the ground was cleared
one of the police went forward and,
selling the "verdugo," arrested him for
murder, hurrying him to the prison,
where the "Juzgado" were still
assembled. Placing him in their midst
he accused him of having killed man,
and denounced him as murderer. The
Judge asked him what he had to say in
answer to this charge.
at is true" replied the "verdugo,"
"that l killed the prisoner, but deny
being a murderer, for, although I COM
mitted the act charged" displaying his
arms with the badge, 81 did it in the
cause of Justice and in pursuance of
the law, all of which was compelled
to do by virtue of my office
"The accused is innocent, and is dis
charged" answered the court, and thus
the formula of Spanish law was salts.
Ged.-Philddelphia Press.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.

vo,oo ,.o f,iordohir NJ him who
,o,,,, h,, ,.,,, r. tho otnrr,
q. -, o,
,r,,,l,oIttr o,I haoomo that Of an
,t,o,
ho;,
,..,..' '.''.' ''''' '' ',-o.I'"s 70 thoir
''-''''' "l' "o'''o "'00''"No w
'''"''''''''
Men must ho decided on what ''oy
VIII iloV 90, ana Jpty are apie W 'N0'
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24

Some very interesting and important
experiments with diamonds have re-
Gently been made at the Paris acade-
my Of sciences. An experienced dia-
mond merchant bought fine white
diamond for four thousand six hun
dred dollars. One morning he washed
it with soap and water, when what
was his CONSERVATION to find that it
had turned yellow, which sent its
value down to eight hundred dollars.
The matter was brought to the atten.
tion of the academy, and experts sub
mitted report which showed that
diamond whitening is a fraud easy to
accomplish and as easy to detect. By
plunging a yellow diamond into an
aniline violet dye it becomes white,
while at the same time it loses neither
its transparency nor brilliancy. In
fact, on making the experiment, the
experts had in few minutes trans
formed several yellow stones into what
appeared magnificent white stones of
Gve-fold value. Take a yellow dia-
mond, dip it even into no stronger dye
than violet ink, wash it with water to
remove any discoloration, and the
effect is immediate. The dried dia-
mond remains white. But, on the
other hand, the illusion is of short
duration. Rub the stone even lightly,
and the yellow tint is seen coming
back again, and a little further attri-
tion with the finger restores the pris-
tine hue completely. This discovery
may entail upon many persons an
awakening to the fact that the stones
they have are of far less value than
they supposed, and will nccessi,ate
even greater care than that exercised in
purchasing. Douglas Jerrold once
raised the question whether any pos
session really paid its possessor which
entails anxiety of mind, and diamonds,
in one way or another, entail 50 much
that there are many to whom the great
value set upon them becomes almost
incOmprehcnsible.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24
Lost It's Romance.

I tell you, pard,' said old Jimmy
Cannon, a guide, 1.-THE west has lost its
romance. Only little while ago, it
seems to me, where once there was
nothing but the whoop of the Indians
and the song of the siX-shooter, now
there are railroads and churches and
commercial men and high schools and
three-care-monte men and lecturers
and daily newspapers and every little
while a natural death. Why, within
two months, if the papers tell the
truth, several men have died in Wyo-
ming of disease. l tell you, it look
as though us old-timers would have to
move away. When we have to wait
for lingering disease to snuff us out,
its time to light out for the frontier"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24
How Il Captain FOretells a Storm.

DR.. S. Weir Mitchell, of Philadelphia,
an eminent specialist in nervous dis
orders, recently read before the Phila-
delphia College Of Physicians an inter
esting paper containing the experiences
of Captain Robert Catlin, of the United
States army, who claims to be able to
foretell the approach of storms by pains
resulting from the loss of foot, crush
ed in battle, in August, 1864. The
captain is victim of traumatic neural
gia, through the mutilation of his foot.
Storms frequently announce their COM
ing by the twitching of his nerves
when the storm centre is at distance of
$40 miles. 1t was stated that storms
from the Pacific are felt the furthest
off very soon after crossing the Rocky
mountains. Those which move along
the coast from the Gulf of Mexico are
associated with neuralgia not quite 50
intense, and are not felt, as a rule,
until within the average neuralgia dis
tance. Should the pain be on day of
intermitting rain, it takes on an addi.
tional activity Just before the increas-
ing shower. and continues twenty to
forty minutes, Each little increment
of pain seems to bear about the same
relation to the showers as the main at
tack bears to the storm. Eating
meal hastens and intensifes it when
on. There is an ebb tide of pain just
preceding meals, and storms coming
within range during the early and
middle sleeping hours do not ordinarily
arouse their victim, but delay their at
tacks until sleep becomes less profound.
Intense auroral periods are also believ-
ed to produce the pain"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24
A Touching Romance.

Twenty-Five years ago two lovers
dwelt in New York city. They quar-
relied over some small matter. A let
ter of explanation miscarried. He
went west and settled in st. Paul.
She removed to Buffalo. This story
doesn't seem to come out just right,
for he is in st. Paul yet and she is
in Buffalo. Both are married and
have large lamilies
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24

Wall street broker went back to his
stocks and bonds.
II think we could easily get you to
Andoyer," he had said, wistfully,
"And a parlor-car from there"
"Oh, hang your parlor-carsv' said
Mr.. Vaudeville, impetuously. 81 am
doing very well where l am now."
"Oh" said the Wall street broker, q
sudden light of comprehension irradi.
ating his dull brain. "Oh, in that case,
may as well leave you to your fate
It's the old story Of Ulysses and the
Sirens over again"
Mrs. Tcmpleton came into the room
where Dora and Juliet were remodel
ing their white dresses for a theatre
party to the Casino, one September
day, with flushed cheeks and shining
eyes.
"Girls," she cried, "what do you
think? Gladys is engagcdH'
"To some buffalo huntcr?" said
Dora, scornfully.
"Nor said Rosie. "To Mr.. Mande-
vile. He has been up there for a
month--at Lake Molechunkamunk,"
Juliet dropped her work.
"1mpossiblel" she cried. "Gladys
engaged up in those wildernesses,
while Dora and are left to wither on
the stem down here in New York,
And to Darrell Mandcville, too-the
best match of the season."
"Things do turn out so strangely"
said Mrs. Templeton, reilectively.
And Gladys, the predeStined old
maid of the family, was the first to be
married. after all.
"Gladys always was lucky said her
two isters.-S0t,utl0y Night.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24

A notorious quack found his busi-
ness increasing to such an extent that
he was obliged to take an assistant.
He did not, however, attempt to i'm
pose upon his junior as he did upon
the public, very candidly admitting
that his reputation rested on series
of fortunate guesses and lucky acci-
dents. "You come with me and
pay me few visits. You will very
soon get the hang Of the thing"
Theirs house that they called at
they found the master in bed. Quack
senior, the moment he set eyes on the
plaintiff, said; "There, now;
how men ofyour time of life be impru-
dent enough to indulge in a surfeit of
watermelon, | can't see. How many
melons did you eat this morning? The
best part Of three, I'll be bound.' The
old man, wondering at the acuteness
OF his medical adviser, admitted that
he was right in every particular. The
doctor prescribed some simple remedy,
and took his fee and his leave.
No sooner were they outside than
the embryo quack, burning to acquire
such an important professional secret,
commenced; "llow did you know that
the man had been eating watermel-
on? You never looked at his tongue,
Or
Tongue be hanged" said the ell
der; Hooked in the woodshed as 1
came in and saw the rinds of three
watermelons. You must use your
eyes, my boy"
The lesson sank deep into the young
mans mind, and he endeavored to
profit by it on the very first occasion
that he made an independent visit.
"No wonder you are feeling badly"
said he to his patient, 'when you had
been eating horse-that's enough to
sicken Jerseyman.
Horse !" said the sufferer family,
yet wondcringly.
YES, horse" said Esculapius junior.
"Now tell me how much have you
eaten"
"Ilorse," repeated the patient, indig-
nantly.
Yes, horse" replied junior again.
"lneyer did such thing, Wouldn't"
Here he got madder than ever as the
idea was more fully borne in upon
him "Get out of here, you internal
QuaCk," and with the assistance of a
couple of the patients stalwart sons,
the pretender TO medical science was
bounced.
"And yet" he said, when he eX-
planned his adventure to his mentor.
whohad lost patient by his assist
ants iniudicious diagnosis; "and yet
saw saddle in the woodshed as plain
ly as you saw the watermelon rinds."
Quack senior is now advertising for
another assistant, and quack junior is
driving an ice-wagon.- The Jadge.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24

The emperor of China, who is yet a
minor, lives in the same apartments as
did his predecessors. There he eats
with gold-tipped chopsticks of ivory.
There he sleeps on large Ningpo bed
stead, richly carved and ornamented
with ivory and gold. He is knelt to
by all his attendants and honored as "A
god. Even his father and" mother
kneel to him,
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15
j. r. SIMISON.

One door west Of the Postofice. Lancaster. Wis
has the Largest Stock 10 be found in the CIV
consisting OF Light and Heavy
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15
The HOOn.POle Indnstr,

Give me some points on the hoop
pole business" said member of ssour
own neatly lassoing Mr.. Gus Hunte-
mer, the extensive dealer in that line
of agricultural products, in this city,
who from small beginnings several
years ago has built up flourishing
trade.
what do you want?'' was the re-
ply of the victim to reportorial curiosity,
AS he eased up the entangling coil so
he could answer with more freedom.
First, where does the most of the
barrel hoop product in this state come
from?''
well, they get the most of it from
here. At least as much of it comes from
this section as from anywhere in the
state. | don't know of any other firm
which sells as many tight barrel hoops
rs we do here. That is hoops for the
Chicago and Milwaukee markets. In
hoops for the Minneapolis market
flour barrel hoops-some other stations
make larger shipments.
What is the amount of your ship
ments during the course of the year?"
81 really cannot tell exactly but do
not think | shall ship as many this
year as some other years. Probably
fifty carlords will cover the product this
year. / have shipped as high as sew
enty-one carloads in q year.
when do you get the most of your
hoops?"
1.-The season commences about the
first of October as rule, and the larg-
est shipments are made about the holt
days. This year the season has been a
little late
What are you doing in the butter
tub line?"
1--WE manufactured about seven thous-
and tubs last year and the outlook is
good for the coming year"
How many men have you in the
shop now?"
mot many; in fact have the small
est crew i have worked for long time.
Only three men are in the shops how
but the average force is six or seven.
Besides that, however, we give en-
ployment to from twenty to twenty five
outside, in the hoop-pole business, so
that those really kept at work are
about thirty all the year round"
Are those ready for SHIPMENT"
queried the newsgatherer pointing to a
pile of straps
Yes"
How many of those do you get
outp''
This year perhaps 100000. Two
years ago we got out 100000 just for
one st. Louis firm on one order, and
the next year got out 100000 flour
barrel hoops on a Minneapolis order.
Yes it has taken good hard labor and
plenty of perseverance to work the
business up" assented Mr.. Huntemer,
as the reportorial lasso was removed.
The reporter was aware of this and
he also remembered, as he turned away.
that to this steady persistence and in
domitable pluck, was due the present
prosperous condition and firm footing OF
this industry. which was n by no means
insignificant factor IN the advancement
of the city, within whose borders it was
| located
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15
Fritz'S Folljes.

hii1 ItiiiCss
Soon after the Fennimore case had
been disposed of Wednesday. the case
OF Henry Fritz, charged with forgery,
was called up by Justice Baldwin
Sheriff Rewey returned the warrant
with the remark that there was the
warrant and there was the man it called
for.
District Attorney Orr then showed
Fritz two bills of goods. sold by IL. p.
Greene Il Co, TO II. Roth, of Woodman,
one having a balance of $3.50 and
reading at the bottom as follows:
''Please pay this to Henry Fritz and
oblige, ii. p. Greene" Following this
was, received of Herman Roth, in full
of account, 1880, signed by II. S.
Fritz. The second bill was for Sl275,
from which two dollars had been de-
Quoted for hotel bill, and then receipted
by Fritz.
"You are charged" said Mr.. Orr,
with having forged Greene's name to
this bill; is that your writingp"
Eyes, that's my writing" was the re-
ply.
Had you any authority to sign bis
name?"
mo, there was no bargain made,
only if could sell cigars for cash | was
to take it, that is all there was said''.
you are charged in this matter with
having forged Greene's name to this
bilf', continued the District Attorney,
lido you plead guilty or not guilty?
II plead guilty.
During the lull in the proceedings
that followed, Fritz turned to Greene,
who was sitting near, saying; "Perk.
you and | are very good runners, amt
wep''
To which the party addressed said he
had the start of him.
'Did you out run him?" asked the
District Attorney"
Eyes, can run all around him. he
was within twenty feet of me once?
Before Perk could deny the soft i'm
parchment, the Justice broke in to in
form Fritz that he could not go before
the County Judge, plead guilty and be
sentenced; but on account of the penalty
of his offense being over five years, he
would have 10 wait until the sitting OF
the crcuit court. Not being able to
furnish bail, Fritz was remanded to iail.
where he will probably remain steady
boarder until the September term. Now
that Fritz has been brought before the
calcium light of public attention, it APP
pears that his previous reputation is not
Of the highest. In fact, he has only
been out of States prison for a short
time, where he had served out a SEN
tence for robbery. 1t is stated also that
the amounts given above are by no
means all that his ready fingers appro-
priated
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15
I'OtOSi,
Crossing still good at this point.

Crossing still good at this point.
James Rowan of Dubuque, who takes
the farmers grain, and gives them 3Sct.
per bushel, spent last week in Potosi.
Mrs. j. p Lewis was in town visit
ing Mrs. Geo. Lewis last week.
Miss Joe Graham, of Dubuque is
visiting relatives and friends here She
will return to Dubuque the last of the
week.
Miss. Mary Lamard, who has teach
ing at Cassville, returned home on Fri
day last.
Quite number of young folks spent
Saturday evening at Mrs. Spauld-
ing's. Harmon wanted dance, but
the boys failed to have the music pre-
sent so II. had to do as the rest, "play
those little games"
Mr.. Joseph Klein met with quite a
misfortune on Friday last. AS he was
returning home from Platteville, and
crossing Platte river the ice gave way
letting himself and team into deep
water. He had the good luck to re.
cue himself and team, but not ntil he
was thoroughly soaked. 1t being quite
cold, he was soon encased in ice and
became benumbed and stiff in conse-
quence; and in going around a hill
shortly afterwards, his sled upset pre-
cipitating him down an embankment
cutting his head and face badly besides
dislocating his shoulder. The team re.
turned home without him about mid
night, and on search being made he
found in this deplorable plight weak from
the loss of blood and nearly frozen to
death. DIR. Artz being called, dressed the
wound and pnt him in the way of
recovery.
Mr.. Thompson of the Platteville
Times was in town on Saturday last, re,
moving the Pilot, to the JOY of the
citizens.
March 8. PICA.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15

.THUMPING" appears TO be con-
tapious disease in this section. On last
Friday, VIM. Mccormick vas brought
before Justice Baldwin, as he sat clad
in all the official dignity impaired by q
j. P's wool sack, charged with an as
sault upon LOWS Boerncr, of the town
of Liberty. McCormicS asserted that
Boerner had been retailing stories de-
famatory to his character for honesty,
and at the Taylor sale defamer and de-
famee met, and the former was given a
chance to retract with an alternative
invitation 10 "shcd his coat" He did
neither when Mccormick opened fire
and in a short time had the other con-
siderably the worse for wear. The facts
were not denied by the defendant and
his honor thought fifteen dollars, fine
and costs, would about cover the fun.
The defendant made no objections and
all differences were sunk in a little
extract Of malt.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-03-15

How much ought students to study at
home? 1t is the aim of the Principal of
the Lancaster schools to secure mini
mum average of two hours for the High
School. Some have intimated that it is
too much. Let us consider the subject.
After deducting intermissions and gen.
eral exercises there remain but five
hours for mental work in the school
room, about half of which is occupied
by recitations. With two hours in the
evening, this would allow scarcely five
hours for lesson preparation. Not much
progress could be expected with less
than this. Considering seven hours. in
all. for mental employment, there re-
main each day eight hours for sleep,
three for meals, two for manual labor.
one for recreation, and three for miscel-
laneous employment. Excepting I'M
usual cases of feeble hcalth or other
prevention, it does not seem as if such
an arrangement would be injurious to
health or other interests.