davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
The Mule and the Bull.

rode once with some cattle-buvers
through the stock ranges of Nevada,
My pony-it was called Bob-drifted
into Nevada Utah, and was known as q
buffalo hunter. Bob was as mean
locking as sheared sheep, and as bull
let-headed as a political opponent.
However, Bob and l got along very
well the first day of our acquaintance;
got along, in fact, about fifty Nevada
miles, which Ihave carefully estimated
to be equal to sixty-tiye Christian
miles. The next day Bob was tired, or
cross. or bored. He regarded the
wastes of sage-brush disdainfully,
while l threaded my whip upon him.
and Iunched off the sage-brush while I
wore out my spurs on his shaggy sides.
Then | led him few miles, and he re-
garded me in big-eyed meditation.
When [ remounted, which | did only
when my shoes were worn out, Bob APP
peared so broken up that | felt sorry.
L determined to go no further that day
than the ranch-house we were APP
preaching, for | did not want Bob's
life charged to my cruelty Just be-
fore we reached the house a herd of
cattle reached us. A big bull, the big
gest and widest l remember ever to
have seen, selected Bob and me for q
target.
Considering Bob's condition, was
about to dismount, and take nv chanc-
es afoot, when Bob started. | believe
he thought he was entered for the Der
by. You never saw such rate of
speed attained by such remarkable
gait. Bob would alternately roll HIM
self up in a ball, and stretch out to
three times his normal length; his head
would get out of sight into his shout
ders, and then got out of sight in the
distance. Suddenly Bob stopped
very suddenly-so suddenly that it IN
seated my dignity and pose. Looking
about [ discovered the cause to be that
the bull had stopped. Just as sudden
ly the bull began charging the other
way, and Bob-that fool of Bob
began charging after the bull. If the
bull had been peck of oats Bob could
not have displayed more earnestness
in the chase.
Between my anxiety lest Bob should
catch the bull, and not knowing what
to do with it, and my uncertainty as to
my seat, was very unhappy. Bob,
however,, appeared to be having a
real good time. The chase was Kept
up for miles, and until the bull sudden
ly stopped short and swung his big
horned head around at Bob and me as
we came along. Both lodged beauti-
fully, and then the bull chased us
awhile. That thing was kept up for
hours. Ii the bull wouldn't chase us
Bob would chase the bull; it was all
the same to him-just as much fun for
one as another. Ireckon we chased
each other-Bob and the bu3I and L
about fifty miles, when we happened
upon a little oasis and Bob and the bull
began browsing the unexpected grass
together in the most friendly manner.
[ excused myself and walked back to
the ranch.-Sa7a FrGncisno Gall.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
Ladies' stationery.

Few things, among personal belong
ings, speak more plainly ofreiinement,
or its opposite than the sort of station
cry that one uses. Even now one shud-
ders at the recollection of certain en-
yelopes of extravagant narroWness and
of q violent sOlferino hue, which were
used by fashionable young ladies some
eighteen OF twenty years ago. Hardly
better, however, are the styles of to-
dav Stationers have gone quite daft
on the subject of fancy writing papers.
We see not only stationery of every
color, but of every texture from the
. tough, thin, foreign paper to the thick
and hideous imitation of alligator skin
and pebbled leather. Some time ago
folks laughed at enthusiastic seekers
for oddities who were writing notes
upon paper, which had to all appear
ances been through fire. The edges
were scorched and irregular dashes Of
what seemed to be smoke defaced the
page Now these same lovers of nov
city are rejoicing in stationery which
looks as though it had been sprinkled
with muddy water and then dried. It's
hue is dingy, its edges are crumpled
and dirty, but how happy are these
maidens who use it. They are in the
fashion. They care comparatively little
what they write, since they are quite
certain they have the ''newest thing"
in writing paper. The convenient fash
ion of correspondence cards is passing
by, yet perhaps it is not altogether
considered pity, for, while pleasant,
it was just one of the easy fashions
which tempt the sending of multitude
of hasty little billets, and lead us to
neglect more than ever, letter. writing
as fine and graceful art. TO repeat
what has been said many times without
effect, eccentricity is never truly ele-
giant, and people of the finest breeding
use plain white paper of the antique
parchment or royal Irish linen brands.
They do not indulge in colored inks,
neither are their pages perfumed. The
only addition to the plain white station
ery-saYe the trifing one of the
thoughts expressed thereon by the
writer's the seal. neatly made of red
or violet wax, and clearly impressed
by the signet ring, with the crest of the
family arms. To conclude with a
friendly warming to those very youth
ful letter-Writcrs who most affect fancy
stationery, be very sure of your spell
inc and your chirography before you
call attention to either by the splendor
or novelty of the paper on which you
Write.-BOStC22 Courier
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
Why He Quit Plotting.

eve abandoned the river forever"
said one of the best known Arkansas
River pilots. II am not fitted for any
other business, and [ don't know what
to do"
"Why did you quit?" some one
asked.
''Well, you see, was coming up the
river the other day On the Jim Brown.
While we were out in the middle of the
stream I happened to look toward the
bank, when l saw fellow dressed in
dark clothes waving q white handker-
chief [ blew the whistle and landed.
Then the boys laughed me off the boat.
The hail was from a little black cow
with q white tail. That settled 1t with
me, for [ thought that if a cow couldn't
lash the flies without landing my boat,
I'd simply quit. ''-krbGnSaaO Pilot
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
a Word To Mothers.

What mothers of to-day need is indie
pendence and common sense. In these
days of fashion many awoman wears
out because she is DESTROYS her children
shall have as many tucks, founces,
plaits and frills rs her neighbours chill
dren. Or she heats her blood until
she is tired and cross over cooking
range that she may prepare food to
equal or excel her neighbors. She,
maybe, belong to that unfortunate class
whose better half Judges her from the
amount of labor which she performs.
My wife is the smartest woman in
town. She will do more work than
man any day
Have you not heard such remarks?
Beware, husband; nature will have
her revenge, and if you want that
smart woman to care for you in your
old age save the strength. stop the
overworking of those strained nerves.
unless you desire to have another to
fill her place.
Mothers dress your children accord
ing to your means and ability. If YOUR
friends 2-year-old Susie is $50 sweet
and pretty in her embroidered white
dresses" don't try to excel. but let
your 2-year-old Flossie wearhe warm.
dark wooden dresses, and her health
will be cared for, and she will become
more sensible woman than Susie.
whose mothers aim is for her baby to
to be admired. We do not discard
fashion when properly used. Copy
that happy mendium which calls for
no remarks.
If you cannot dress as your neighbor
without working far into the small
hours of morning, wearing out brain,
and body, for your husbands sake.
make your dress with less bands and
shirrings, and save your strength.
LAS you commence, so you must go
on, " is IN old saying. Make yourself
slave to fashion for child, and
assuredly, by the time she is Is, your
bones will ache and your spirit quake
over the endless work of her WARDROBE.
Cincinnati Saturday Night.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
The Moon Inhabited.

st the astronomical observatory Of
Berlin, saws q translation from Nq0
PrcsSen HeZsjnU0r, q discovery has
lately been made, which, without
doubt, will cause the greatest sensation
not only among the adopts in science,
but even among the most learned.
Professor Blendmann, in that city, has
found, beyond doubt, that our old
friend, the moon, is not mere lantern
which kindly furnishs light for the low
ing youth and gas companies of our
planet, but the abode of living, intelli-
gent beings, for which he is prepared
to furnish proofs most convincing.
This question has agitated humanity
from time immemorial, and has been
the object of the greatest interest. But
the opinions have always differed very
widely, and no two minds held one
and the same. Already in ancient
times the belief prevailed that the moon
was inhabited with some higher or
ganized, intelligent beings, somewhat
resembling man, and in order to COM
municate with them the earthly enthu-
siasts planted rows of trees several
miles in length so as 10 form the figure
Of the Pythagorean theorem. The cele-
DRAFTED astronomer Schroeder, in the be-
ginning of the present century, fancied
that he could detect places on the sur
face of the moon which periodically
grew lighter and darker, and from this
fact he derived the conclusion that the
phenomenon was a proof of existing
vegetation. During the last few de-
cades, however, the idea of life on the
moon has been held up to ridicule, and
totally scorned by men of learning.
But, nevertheless, it has now been
proved to be correct.
By accident DR.. Blendmann found
that the observations of the moon gave
but very unsatisfactory results, owing
to the intensity Of the light power of
the moons atmosphere, which is that
strong that it affects the correctness of
the observations in a very high degree.
He then conceived the idea to make
the obiect-glass OF the refractor less
sensitive to the rays of light, and for
that purpose he darkened it with the
smoke of camphor. 1t took months of
experimenting before he succeeded in
finding his right degree of obscurity of
the glass, and when finally found he
then with the refractor took q very &C
curate photo of the moons surface.
This he placed in a sun microscope,
which gave the picture a diameter of
551 feet. The revelation was most
startling. 1t perfectly overturned all
hitherto entertained ideas of the moons
surface. Those level plains which for
merly were held to be oceans of water
proved to be Verdant fields, and what
formerly was considered mountains
turned out as deserts of sand and
oceans of water. Towns and habita-
tons of all kinds were plainly discern
able, as well as signs of industry and
traffic. The learned professors study
and observations of old Luna will be
repeated every full moon when the sky
IS clear, and we venture to predict that
the time is not far off when we shall
know more about the man in the moon
than as being an agent in English
politics.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
A Sea Song.

Hurrah for the sea, where the chowders be,
And the scupin WINDS his hornl
Where the staT-fsh shine through the spumy
brine,
And the mammoth oysters yawn!
For the barnicle blows and the cOnger crows
As we chase the prickled prawn.
Then roll out of the Captains gig, my lads,
Let the bobstay harness be!
With the breeze abatt. and fore, and ait
Well drive DER the wind-whipped sea.
Hear the bo'sn shout: LET the port hatch
out!
Haul the affidavits taut!
Like snowy crowds spread the white, white
shrouds
Where the dead nights CLEAN is caught!
Delay the keel till the compass heel
And the water-line runs short!
The main sheet fills with the mad monsoon,
We have furled he fOre-crosstree,
And SO tightly laced the vessefs waist,
AS we skim DER the creamy sea-
The sea-guIis Shrek from the fOr'ari peak,
AS the shrimps go prancing by,
And the mermaids kiss the whisting buoy,
While the urchn pipes his eye;
The dog-fish bark at the tipsy shark,
And the halibut join the cry,
Then cheer mates, cheer, as the good ship
Till We make the hawser gee!
For the wind in the sale blows martingale,
And we pillow the furrOWed sea.
Ho, pinnacle, fly from the capstain high!
Make the mizzen scupper fast!
BY the lanyard's light through the nasty
night
We will scud before the mast;
For the breeze is a-lee and the rover is free,
And a schooner of beer has passed.
Hurra for the ship! Hurra for the crew! ;
Merry, merry boys are We
And our course is pressed for the glowing
west
AS we rise on the yeasty sea.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
q Diphtheria-Tnfected Doll.

It may be remembered that a good
deal OF prominence was given last fall
in the papers to the occurrence of diph-
liberia in q family in Amsterdam, n
7. Two children died at intervals of
several months, and q third was taken
sick. The board of health appointed a
committee to investigate, which exam
ined the house and its surroundings,
and obtained q statement from the at
tending physician. They have recently
made their report, finding that there
were no bad conditions existing in or
about the house sufficient to explain
the appearance of the disease. and they
concluded that it came from a cat
which was fondled by the child that
first fell i'll. This cat at the time was
found to have swollen throat, and to
be suffering from discharge from the
mouth and nostrils. It died a few DAYS
afterWard Three days after the death
of the cat, the child fell i'll with malig-
nant diphtheria and died in about a
week. During its illness itplayed with
q doll which was afterwards given to q
younger child, as it was supposed to
have been properly fumigated with
sulphur-fumes. This child shortly 2f-
ter being allowed to play with the doll
also fell i'll with diphtheria and died.
The third child also played with the
doll and fell i'll, but recovered. The
board of health, therefore, traces the
temperance of the disease in the FAM
lily after the death of the first child, to
the doll. Sanitary Engineer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

Mr.. Charles O'Conor mad q habit at
Nantucket of pacing alone, for an hour
at time, up and down the deserted
wharves of the old town, and, with his
hands thrust in pockets and his hat
pulled down on the back of his head,
he appeared utterly lost in thought.
During one of these walks visitor to
the place CHANGED to wander down the
wharf, and was drawn into CONVERSE
ton by the celebrated lawyer. Mr..
O'Conor spoke Of his attachment to the
island on account of the wonderful
tonic effect of the air upon him and his
decision to make the place his home.
During the conversation the suggestion
was made that it was strange he was
not lonely in so quiet a place after such
q busy life in this city. Mr., O'Conor
quickly replied: Il do not despise So
eiety, but [ could be happy on the
island of Juan Fernandez-even with
out the man Friday"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
Hard Glove Fight Between sparrovys.


Beneath q sign, over the door of one
of the busiest establishments in Lewis
ton, 4 recess in the wall has formed
one Of the suggest retreats for bird
or beast imaginable. As winter storms
beat down the recess in the wall has
been secure in its protection. The
rains trouble not its quiet, and the sun
can look in in springtime. A score OF
more of nests of birds have been built
there. A progeny of English sparrows
has, after uncounted struggles with the
original jewellers, won the lands by
right OF conquest, and now inhabit its
disputed domain. Over the SIGN open
the windows of an office. One sits by
the open windows and sees all the
doIngs Of the entire family of birds.
Their battle of conquest was lately
fought. Hastings bloody field was
partially re-enacted. 1t was about 10
o clock. A sparrow or two were loaf
ing around the house, when dozen or
more lntruders settled down on the
iron rods of the awnings and signs,
and began to make trouble. They
were running things when REINFORCE
ments of the home birds began to
arrive. The aggressive, thick-headed
English sparrows plum d his feathers,
and ali the sickening details of war fol-
lowed. The uproar called the specta-
tors to the window. The home-birds
foughe OF the intruders. They flew
down in increased numbers, and the
invaders fed. Two birds in the thick
est OF the fight flew up and down, and
mp and down again. A gentleman on
the walk below held out his hands. and
the birds settled in his outstretched
palms and fought still. After the in
truders had been routed there were ex-
pressions Of JOY in the nest. The En-
glish sparrow is nothing if not q fight
r.-IetCistO1C31 Journal
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
Bergh's Sympathy for the Mule.

Mark Twain tells this story of Mr..
Bergh: A lady was talking with Mr..
Bergh one day and CHANGED to speak
of a friend of hers who had lately been
travelling out west. In crossing the
frontier it became necessary that the
father, mother, and three children
should cross q somewhat swollen ford.
Their only beast of burden was q mule.
So the father placed two of the chill
dren on its back, then plunged in and
led the beast with him. 1t swan obedi-
emily behind him, and all reached the
other shore in safety. At the man.
bidding the intelligent mule returned
to where the mother and child were
waiting to cross. The mother, fearing
to put too heavy a burden on the al
ready tired animal, put only the child
upon its back, babe him hold fast, and,
with q prayer, led the animal to the
waters edge. They plunged in, swan
brayely for o time, and then were seen
to struggle and 90 down.
ooh, think, Mr.. Bergh, said the ex-
cited and plying lady, ''just think
what must have been the feelings of
that mother as she saw her darling
child lost in the depths of that black
water?''
True; oh, too true" sighed Mr..
Bergh. '.But did you ever think my,
dear lady, what must have been the
feelings of the mule" -B0Ston Letter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
Samuel Shin Removed from Office.

DE man who minds his own bizness
has cot all de work dat should be cut
out for one pusson. De man whose
fingers itch to pick up articles he hasn't
paid for will sooner or later make q
mistake and burn his fingers 1t am
muffin to me who gets drunk nor who
keeps sober, so long as neither one
damages me. / doan' keer straw to
know how de neighbor on my left Ibis
widout work or position, an it am none
of nv bizness how de one on my right
spends de SO he Arms each week.
sGem'len, Samuel Shin was 'pinted
ianitor of dis hall under de impreshun
dat he was strictly honest. 1t has bin
conclusiveIy proved dat he am an en-
bezzler. Had he taken all our money
it would have bin in order to call him
sharp an, keen an be satisfied to git
nalf of it back an let MIN go free. As
de sum total am only few shillings
Justice wells for vengeance. Samuel
owns a mule. Befo' LAWN dis place
tonight he must gin Us bill OF sale of
de animal. We must have 4 chattle
mortgage on his cook stove. If he has
any wages due him we must serve q
oarnishee OAR must be no let up. no
unworthy feelins of mercy. Samuel
Shin am deposed from his position as
ianitor, an de tranquil Cadaver Bios
SONS am 'pinted to fill out de onex-
pired remainder of de term. Judge
Cahoots, Kyann johnson, and Porus
Davis am nominated a committee to
remove de body on a cheap cart to its
home on Grove street, an de reg lar
bizness dat has called us together to-
night will now purceed to begin. DE
trOH Free Press
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

A gentleman visited the house of
Henry Ward Beecher and was surprised
1T the smell of tobacco smoke in the
library. Turning to Mr.. Beecher he
asked him if he smoked. The reply
was: No, but my sons do. cannot
pretend to put down these small vices. |
once tried to, believe" ''Oh, yes,
said one of his sons; 1.-The only thrash
ing he ever gave was for smoking a
cigar. But when the War broke out and
l went to the front the first present I
received from home was box of cigars
sent TO me by my father"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
She Wanted to Be Polite.

a good story is told of DR.. x, who
is the physician in charge OF the female
wards of one of our best-knoWn char
liable institutions. One evening about
9 o'clock Mary, a new Irish servant
girl. knocked at his door, saving:
doctor, the head nurse wants you to
come down to supper" The doctor,
swelling in lis pride of superiority
above the nurses, sent the Irish girl to
an unnamed place. Half an hour later
the head nurse came to his room, look
ing very serious. Doctor, she said,
mo. is very bad, indeed. [ think
you ought to see her at once" why
did you not let me know before?'' was
the reply. why, DOCTOR" said the
nurse, Il sent you word by Mary half
an hour ago." The fool" said the
doctor, ''she told me to come down to
supper. why, said the nurse. u
sent you word to come down to eight.
An inquiry made the whole thing clear.
Mary thought it more polite to say
"Come down to supper" than to say
Come down to ate. IN 7. Sun.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

The fibre of silk is the longest con-
tinuous fibre known. An ordinary
cocoon of the well-fed silk worm will
often reel 1000 yards. and reliable
accounts are given by Count Dandolo
of a cocoon yielding l, 295 yards, or
fiber nearly three-quarters of mile in
LENGTH
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
\ Chapter on Ices.
Caesar had short legs.

Napoleon was bow-legged.
Lord Palmerston had caricature Ices
and so did Disraeli
Alexander Pope was humpbacked
and had a cripple's leg; so did Cowper.
Plutarch tells that Alexander's left
leg was badly out of plumb. Hannibal
had VIGOROUSLY bic heels, and was
knock-kneed
Cicero was very spindle-snanked,
and Demosthenes is said to have had a
shutting, stumbling gait, which meant
that his legs were not wholly in gear.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

Congressman Chase, of Rhode Island,
is the only Quaker in the National
Legislature. He is described as a
short, spare person, with thin, black
beard white face and black hair. You
never see him save in suit of immacu-
late broadcloth, with immense skirts
to the coat, and an old-fashioned black
enoker on the expense of white bosom.
About the Capitol and on the
streets he looks like a figure from
a fashion-plate of half century ago,
and in the House he never seems to care
much about what goes on.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

A California nabob whose horses re-
pose in equine palaces has carried ex-
traYagance TO such an extreme that the
piggeries are made of mahogany.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

Base ball is taking the place of bull
fighting in Cuba.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

Six new Persian war vessels will be
launched within three months.