davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
why She Took the Paper.

II should like TO show paper which
| have, " remarked spruce Young man
IN a no-dOubt-vou'll- be-glad-to-see-me
tone to the lackadaisical young lady
who responded to his ring.
AGENT" she inquired
Yes
The young lady turned on her heel
ana walked towards the inner apart
ment. He hardly knew whether to con-
slider this an invitation or not, but you
don have 10 drag en- agent in to con-
stltute an invitation in his mind, so he
entered.
Our paper " he began enthuSiastic-
ally, at the same time drawing a copy
from MS pocket, contains short stories,
anecdotes and descriptive articles. We
have the best serial stories that can be
procured. All the most celebrated
novelists are engaged to write for US
the coming Year. Our poetry is unsur-
passed, and there is no poet of emil
nence but will be represented in our
columns during the year. We have en-
gagged Alfred Tennyson TO write poem
every week ut a cost of $13, 600 each.
We shall print during the year seven
unpublished poems found among the
papers OF the late lamented Henry w.
Longfellow. In fact no one possessed
OF literary taste can afford to be with
out our paper"
"YesP" said the young lady inquir-
ingly.
Our paper" he continued, "was
started onl Y six years ago, but since
that time it has reached an unparal-
leled circulation solely through its in
trinsic merit. We employ but few
agents, and those the most reliable,
hlgh-minded young men that we can
find. At the present rate of increase,
our circulation at the end of next year
will be reckoned among the millions.
Our attractions for the coming year are
UNANIMOUSLY grand, superbly magnifi-
cent and entirely unequalled, and all
for So per year. Of course no beauti-
full and accomplished young lady like
yourself would think of being without
it. | shall take your order for one year
shall not?''
''Well," she murmured refectively,
half to herself, 1.-THE paper is a pretty
good-sized one, and bustles are coming
into fashion again; I don't know but
what you may. My name is Agnes De
Wellington, and she sank back Ian
guidly on the sofa and wondered if
dinner was most ready.-BOSt0n Globe
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
The Industrial Census of India,

British journals bring interesting de-
tails of the industrial census of India
in 1881. The total population of the
country is 253, SOL 21, and of this
enormous number only IS, 544 persons
are British-born subjects, and 6,646
are soldiers and 12.0SS females. Prac-
tically less than 1900 male civilians,
welding an army of $4,000 men, con-
troll the vast empire. The whole num-
Der of Europeans returned is only 146.-
612. The occupations of 02,629, 900
persons are defined, and of these H.
10000 are engaged in agriculture or
the care Of animals. In Industrial oc-
equations 21,04l,000 persons are en-
gagged, II, S59. 900 males and S,1S2, 900
females. The workers in cotton and
fax number 5,4S5, 455; in clothing,
2,S15, $50; in vegetable food, 8 165, 429;
in stone, clay and earthenware, 1885,
974; in houses and bui ding, S37. 453: in
guns and resins, 762, 526; in bamboo.
cane rush, straw and leaves, $50, 1872; in
gold, silver and precious stones 472, 956,
and in iron and steel only 473, Sol. En-
gagged in the work of government, ma
tional, local and municipal. are 1,S43,-
600 persons, of whom 115, 900 are class
ed as belonging to the army. The pro-
fessional classes embrace 1,451, 900
persons.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
Showing that Poverty Pinches Hard.

Give me 8 cents worth of flour, 2
cents worth of butter, and 2 cents
worth of cheese"
Dear Mr.. Editor, 1 was standing in a
Boston grocery store the other night
and heard woman come in and buy
the above quantities of the necessaries
of life. The -four, butter and cheese
were put up, the woman paid z cents
and went out. | turned in surprise to
the clerk and said:
'.Have you many customers who buy
in such small quantities."
Lots" was his reply.
was astounded. / find, on inquiry,
it is common practice ali over the
city. How true it is one-half of the
world does not know how the other
half live. occasionally buy -four by
the bag, but such small quantities l
never heard of.-Letter tn the Boston
IIInha
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
HuTnors OF the Stage.

Mrs. Fanny Kemble, in her journal
of Her Tour in America" gives an
amusing account of performance of
the last scene of Romeo and Juliet.
not as it seemed to the spectators, but
as it really was, with the whispered
communications OF the actors. Romeo,
at the words, Quick, let me snatch
thee to thy Romeo's arms" pounced
upon his playfellow, plucked her up in
his arms "like an uncomfortable bun
de-" and staggered down the stage
with her. Juliet whispers. ''Oh, you've
got me horribly! That'll never do; let
me down. Pray let me down. But
Romeo proceeds, from the acting YER
sion of the play, be it understood:
There breathe vital spirit on thy lips
And call thee back, my soul, to lite and
lover
Juliet continues to whisper: pray put
me down; you'll certainly throw me
down if you don't set me down direct
w." In the midst of "cruel, cursed
fate" his dagger fell out of his dress.
/. embracing him tenderly, crammed
it back again, because | knew | should
want it at the end. The performance
thus went on:
Romeo-Tear not thy heart-strings thusi
They break, they crack! Julietl
Juliet!
Dies.
Juliet Ito corpse)-Am smothering
you?
Corpse-Not at all. But could you,
do you think, be so kind as to put my
wig on again for me? 1t has fallen Off
Juliet Ito corpse)-pm afraid can
but I'll throw my muslin veil over it.
You've broke the vial, haven't you?
Corpse nodded.)
Juliet (to corpse)-where's your dag
ger?
Corpse Ito JulieD-'Pon my soul, 1
don t know.
Young, the actor, used to relate that
on one occasion, when playing the he
TO of the 'Gamester' to the Mrs. Bev-
erly of Sarah Siddons, he was so over
come by the passion of her acting as to
be quite unable to proceed with his
part. There was long pause, during
which the prompter several times re-
peated the words which Beverly should
speak. Then Mrs. Siddons. coming up
to her fellOw-actor, put the tips of her
fingers upon his shoulders, and said, in
low voice, ''Mr. Young, recollect
yourself. Yet probably from the
front of the house nothing was seen or
heard of this. Players will thus some
times prompt each other through whole
scenes, interchange remarks as to nee
essary adjustments of dress, or instruc-
lions as to business" to be gone
through without exciting the attention
of the audience.-B Boston, Globe
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
Beating a Deaf Man.

Win Keith is very clever drug clerk
who compounds cross-bone prescrip-
tions for a leading drug house on
Washington street. He is very gent
al young man, and some of his many
friends often call upon him at his place
of business. Last week while enter
tanning three or four Y. NJ. G. A. boys
a man entered with prescription
which was promptly compounded, and
with an air of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
d." he threw the package before the
customer with:
''TWenty-tiye cents, please.
The man who was almost deaf threw
out five cents and started out.
TWENTY-FIVE cents. sir" said W. K.
in louder tone.
''There is your five cents" said the
d. M, pointing to the nickel and walk
ing toward the door.
Il said twenty-five cents" at the
top of his voice
Il say there is your five CENTS" said
deafy as he passed through the door
way.
Our affable d. c. allowed a bewilder-
ed expression to hover over his hand
some features for but moment, when
it was dispelled by bland smile as he
remarked:
20, well, let him go; there's three
cents profit anyway"
The Marquis of Lorne viii write a
book on Canada, and tbs Princess
Louise will illustrate it.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
n. p. Willis Cuff Buttons.

The statement is now made that Mr..
Aldrich has abandoned his plan of
writing the life of n. P. Willis for the
American MEN of Letters' series for
want of time, which reminds me that
when Mr.. Aldrich began to collect
material for this biography he called
upon Mrs. Eddy, Mr.. Willis daughter,
asking for letters and memorials of her
father. In the course of the call Mr..
Aldrich showed her his cuff buttons.
''DO you recognize these?" he inquired.
Certainly do" she answered, ''How
came you by them?" Il was calling
upon Mrs. Fields the other day." Mr..
Aldrich answered, ''and she gave them
to me with the remark, Lord Beacons-
field gave these to n. 2. Willis, and n.
?. Willis gave them to Mr.. Fields, and
now l want you TO wear them. :"
''That is all very fine" Mrs. Eddy OBJ
served, but gave the buttons to Mr.
Fields myself. He wanted something
that had belonged to father, and after
ward used to delight in saying that he
wore the cuff buttons of n. ?. Willis
and the collar-stud of Charles Dickens.
As for Beaconstield, he never saw them;
| bought them myself in a most I'M
romantic shop in Broadway" "Well,
don't tell" the caller said, laughing;
''the bigger story is good deal bet
ter" But he boosted of Beaconstield S
sleeYe-links no more .-B0St0n Letter in
CHICAGO Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28
A Big Pearl From the Panama Canal

The various industries along the line
of the new American canal seem to
have already received an impetus from
its construction. Among others the
pearl fishery is being pushed on with
great Vigor, and with a good deal of
success, as many fine specimens have
lately been found. Among some con-
signed to Mr.. Benson. Bond street, is a
very fne-shaped pearl, called the
''Lesseps, " weighing nearly 200 grains.
It is about the most important that has
been in the market for many years,
and takes it place in the list of the
largest known pearls in the world
London Telegraph.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28

Some French showmen are to open a
S500.O0 wax works museum in New
York. showing statues of noted people
and groups of noted events. Thus, a
tableau of an assassination will be sue
eeeded by one representing the capture
of the assassin and others re presenting
the trial and execution.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-28

Newfoundland dogs are fast crowd
ing out the pugs as pets to be taken cut
on promenade
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
How to Cook a BCefsteak.

Procure from the butcher good fat sirloin steak with the tenderloin at tached, cut an inch thick.
 Cut out the tenderloin, trim of the extra fat, split into four parts so you will have four steaks onc-iomih cf an inch thick.
 Take Q sheet of foolscap paper, spread out to full size on n smooth turface; with sweet butter give tue paper thin coat all over the exposed side of the pa. per.
 Salt and pepper the steak to taste, not too much; lay your steak on one side of the paper, turn the other half over the steak; then, beginning at the corner of the fold in the paper, crimp from each corner until you reach the center; fas- ten with pins, so that the paper will not lose its folds, and you have your steak in tight paper bag.
 Have light broiling fire; place your steak as above prepared on q gridiron; hold over the fire, retaining hold of the handle, and watch carefully that the paper does not scorch or burn.
 The steak will cook thoroughly in four or five minutes. Serve on a hot dish, garnished with sliced lemons. Cooked in this way the meat retains all it's iuici. ness and is free from all taints of smoke or fire and will be accepted by the most delicate stomach and retained.
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
How The Net Loom Was Invented.

The history of this invention is worth relating. One Paterson was employed in early life as a cooper; and as he strolled about the links in the evenings, and gossiped with the young women who sat in groups busily making nets for their fathers or brothers, it occurred to him that machine might be con- structed to relieve his fair friends from their tedious task. He watched for hours at a time how the meshes were regulated and the knots formed; but his ideas had not taken practical shape be- fore he joired the army and went of to the wars. He soon made a good posi- tion for himself, and as Deputy Commissary General served in Egypt, the Peninsula and Waterloo. Circumstances were not favorable for his doing any thing to realize his notion for the i'm provement of one of the arts of peace; but "when wild wars deadly blast was blown" and he returned to his native place, he resumed consideration of the subject which he used to declare was, even in his sorest traits on the battle field, ever present in his mind. Taking into his confidence an ingenious me- chanic, he set to work, and after much anxious toll and many disappointing failures, completed a machine which he believed would answer the purpose. Everything being adjusted, the levers were put in motion, and success seemed achieved, when, after one or two movements, the mechanism came to a dead halt and could not by any available means be got to move again. Hours were spent in attempting to discover what was wrong, but without success, and, wearied with his prolonged anxieties, Mir. Paterson resolved to abandon all hope of seeing a net woven by machin- cry. Ringing the key of the room to his colleague he went home. The me chanic induced a friend to examine the machine with him, when they found that the stoppage was caused by bolt slip ping from its place. The defect was made good, and the machine was got to work smoothly. Mir. Paterson, who was by this time in bed, was called and the fact that the machine was "all right" reported to him, and when he went to look at it his assistant was producing by it's aid TOW after row of meshes at a rate which a score of hand workers could not equal.
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
Jobbing in Literature.

The Philadelphia Press says Mir. Howells and Mir. James, if I am not mis. taken, get about S5, 900 each for their serials, as serials, and percentage when the book is published. At least that is the way it used to be, but I believe since Mir. James R. Osgood severed his con. nection with Houghton, Mifflin X Co. and set up for himself that he has made some arrangement with Messrs. Howclls and James and one or two other authors by which he pays them large sum out right for their work, and then he negoti. ates with the magazine editor for it's sale and publishes it in book form himself. This way of speculating in literature seems to be gaining popularity. In England, as you are probably aware, 1t is quite business, and the most success ful person engaged in it is Mir. Tillot- son, who was recently in this country, where he made very good arrangement with American authors and American newspapers.
 lie has bought a number of stories from different American authors-James, Howells, Cable and four or five others, and these he sells to a syndicate of news papers in different parts of the country. He pays, say S1, 900 for a story in three or four chapters from Mir. James. and he pays cash, which is always m attrac- tion to an author, and then he sells this story to a dozen or moro papers for si- multaneous publication and to ms many English papers at the same time. If he gets S200 from twenty-four papers each, including England Hnd America, be gets S4, 800 in all for one story, which pays him pretty good profit on his investment.
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
A Diamond Story.

La Lanter7le has a remarkable story about the Sunbeam" diamond, sug- gested by the exhibition of precious stones at Paris. In 1866 diamond aI- ued at over $500 900 was found in a Chilian mine near Caracotes. Its owner, Mir. Joan Pareso, hawked it about Europe, and atlength found a purchaser in Queen Victoria It was put into the hands of Bond street, London, ieweler to be set, and for eight days was ex. hibited in his window. One fiue morn ing the jeweler found the case in which 1t was specially set apart broken and the jewel gone. No trace of the thief could be found, and the ieweler partially indemnified the Queen for her loss, On the 7th of May there died in a miserable lodging in Strasburg a man of 70 named Julian Partridge. His landlord was amazed to find in Partridge's pocket a huge diamond, wrapped up in letter, telling that he. finding himself dying, wished to explain that the diamond in his pocket was the Sunbeam" which he had stolen, but, knowing that Mir. Pareso had shown it all over Europe, he had not, after all, dared to attempt to sell it. The diamond was returned to the Queen, who, of course, repaid the jewelers
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
Commodore GarrIsOn's Romance.

Commodore Garrison is seventy five and his wife twenty-six, difference in their ages of half century. "How did the aged Commodore get his young wife?" asked correspondent of an ac- quaintance.
 ''She whistled and he came to her, my lad, " was the reply, "but she didn't do it in the spirit of the girl in the bal lad"
 It happened six years ago this suIh- mer, and in the very hotel in which we are sitting. Garrison had been for forty years a widower. He was testS old fel- low, and had not been suspected of car ing rap for women. The possession of somewhere from ten to fifteen mil lions of dollars, much of it in compli- cated use for the promotion of railroad and steamship schemes, had harassed him all winter and spring, and he had come down here for rest and quiet. He took suite of the best rooms in the TOW of cottages at Long Branch, which are an annex of the main establishment, calculating that he would there be lit. tie removed from the hustle of the pub lie house. And it was for few days as he had fondly anticipated. Then the family of prominent St. Louis man took possession of adjoining apartments. They numbered half dozen persons, in- cluding whistler. Through the thin partition the Commodore heard and was annoyed by the whistling. He dis liked it exceedingly. He was driven by it to exasperation. There was boy in the St. Louis party, and to him the vet eran attributed the noise. He would not at that time hear the soft melody of the whistle nor its clever fidelity to the music which it interpreted, but simply kept his ears open to it as torture. The St. Louis man was an acquaintance of his, and one day he said to him, as they sat chatting on the veranda; "That boy of yours will be the death of me, John. Won't you plug his mouth, just to please me?"
 "Oh, it ain't the boy" replied the St. Louis man, "but my daughter. Here, Letitia."
 It was lovely girl of twenty who re- sponded to the call, and was presented to the Commodore. She whistled for him that evening, to piano accompani- ment, aud it was no longer irritating to him. They were married in the ensu- ing October. His wedding gift was 1000, GOO in sound securities. In DC season since has any belle at Long Branch been dressed or diverted in a more costly manner than the fair whistler
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
A Saloon Keepers Card.

A western saloon keeper has issued the following card:
 To Dhom it may concern:-Know ye that by the payment of one hundred dollars I am permitted to retail intoxi- eating liquors at my saloon and in this place. To the wife who has drunkard for husband, or friend who is unfor- tunately dissipated, say emphatically give me notice in person of such case or cases in which you are interested, and all such shall be excluded from my place. Let mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers do likewise, and their requests will be regarded. I pay a heavy tax for the privilege of selling whisky and other liquors, and I want it distinctly under stood that I have no desire to sell to drunkards or minors, or to the poor or destitute. I much prefer that they save their money and put it where it does the most good to their families. There are gentlemen of honor and of money who can afford it, and it is with those that l desire to trade.
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
Mothers Turn.

There is no loyelier spectacle Ill hu- man nature than affectionate fair play in the filial treatment of parents. A lady writer in the ChriStidn Hltelli- qenceI' takes occasion from remark of one true and tender-hearted daughter to comment on the duties of this rela- tionship, and enforce the considerate gratitude that will give kindness for kindness received.
 "It is mothers turn to be taken care of now"
 The speaker was a winsome young girl, whose bright eyes, fresh color and eager looks told of hght-hearted happi- ness. Just out of school, she had the air of culture, which Is an added at- traction to blithe young face. It was mothers turn now. Did she know how my heart went out to her for her unsel- fish words?
 Too many mothers, in their love of their daughters, entirely overlook the idea that they themselves need recrea- ton. They do without all the easy, pretty and charming things, and say nothing about 1t, and the daughters do not think there is any self-denial in- volved. Jenny gets the new dress, and mother wears the old one, turned upside down and wrong side out. Lucy goes on the mountain trip, and mother stays at home and keeps house. Emily IS tired of study and must lie down in the afternoon, but mother, though her back aches, has no time for such an indulg- ence.
 Girls, take good care of your moth CTS. Coax them to let you relieve them of some of the harder duties, which for years they have patiently borne Youths ComDd1aioTl.
Connecticut western news., 1884-07-09
How to Preserve Strawberries.

An old-iashioned and most delicious way to preserve strawberries is to scat ter sugar over the fresh berries; sprinkle them bountifully with sugar as if you were to serve them at table; let them stand two or three hours, then drain ofi the syrup which has formed, let it boil up for two or three minutes, put the berries into it and let them remain there until they are thoroughly scalded; then remove the berries, draining them, spread them on plates, and set them where the sun and wind can find them. Bring them in at night and set in the oven; if this is warm, two or three days will harden them sufficiently so tbat you can put them away in glass jars, sprink- ling little dry sugar over each layer; cherries and plums may be prepared in the same way, and if any syrup is left in the kettle it may be boiled until thick and be poured over the fruit after that is on the plates