davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
Sunshine and Human Health.

For some considerable time past the
astronomer royal and his assistants
have been weekly reporting the signif-
cant fact that the recorded sunshine
during the seven days has been. upon
the average, ali Prima facie it is only
photographers who need be affected by
this intelligence. What can it possibly
matter to the world at large if there is
not sunshine enough about to diScolor
q pit of senSitiyized paper? As mat
ter of fact, however, the discolorization
OF sensitivized paper is but one of the
many processes due to the chemical en-
ergy of the sunlight. And prolonged
absence of sunlight is very serious
matter. Its effects upon the health are
direct and perceptible. We get no
ozone, and we become dull and liStless
as if we had been sitting up all night.
When thus out of tone and below par,
we are consequently deficient in that
vital energy which would otherwise en-
able us to shake off any ordinary all
ment. Nor is this all. Absence of
sunlight for any considerable period is
almost invariably followed by epidemic
outbreaks. When the sun is active,
AAACAA VI StAA hAIiAo pun C11Co do ~ SOL1CCbo.
When there is no sunshine filth collects,
accumulates in masses, and ferments.
These fermented accumulations are a
source of positive danger as soon as
the sun resumes its activity. Decom-
position under a bright sun is compar-
atiyely harmless. Slow decomposition
in the dark is especially hostile to
health. We need no chemist to tell us
this; but, at the same time, it is as we'll
to bear the chemistry of common life
in mind. When the astronomer royal
reports total absence of sunshine we
ought to be especially careful, and, it
may be added, children suffer more
from the suns rays than do adults.
Adults have only to keep alive; chill
dren have = keep alive and grow,
which entails double amount of chem
zeal work. Now, if there be no sun
shine, we can best supplement its alb
sence by exercise. And yet, strange
enough, the absence of sunshine is re-
garded by most mothers as q sufficient
ground for keeping children V thin
doors. 1t is, on the contrary the rea-
son why they should be sent out and
kept out as much as possible.-L0ndoaa
Observer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
Sending Il Telegram"

Il get tired" he continued; 81
grow weary Of listening to a careful
account of all the circumstances that
induce them TO make the great step of
sending Il telegram, and of q large por.
ton of their personal history. But the
worst and hardest thing is to make
them understand that we handle sew
eral messages every day, and that theirs
must take its turn with the rest Our
wires are crowded all the time, but the
fellow who telegraphs something unim-
p0rtant, to New York say, can't be
made to comprehend that his dispatch
can't be sent and delivered inside of q
wink. That's the idea most of them
have of the telegraph. They want 20
see it 90. If our operating rooms were
not sacred to all save employees, these
once-in-four-year's customers would
overrun them. The other day, man
stood right there where you are and
talked TO me half on hour by that
clock, explaining why he had sent the
only message he had ever sent in his
life, and in every other sentence asking
where the answer was. IL vain / eX-
postulated and explained, but he would
not move till they shouldered him
away.
Then there's the ignorance of these
people, too. Yesterday a woman came
in and sent a dispatch to her husband
at Rock Island. In she came just nine
times before o'clock to see why he
didn't answer. Finally we got word
from the manager that the man could
not be found at the address given. I
tried to make her understand it, and
how do you suppose she took it? Said
she: / don't believe you sent the mes
sage at all [ watched the wires and
never seen it go. You took my thirty
cents and gave me nothing, and I'll
send my brother-in-law down to mash
your eye And I'm expecting him now
every minute 3"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
Chinese Politics.

The Chinese have peculiar theory
that the proper duration of dynasty
should not exceed one hundred years
"a term which the reigning family has
already greatly oVerstepped Beside
this singular superstition. the Chinese
have another deeply-rooted idea that
the line of descent has nos been pre-
served intact by the reigning dynasty.
A court intrigue, supposed to have oc-
Cured during the reign of Yang Ching,
the successor of Kang Hi, is said to have
occasioned the rumor, which nowadays
is widely credited. And so both super
stition and national antipathy have part
in the prevailing strong feeling against
the Ia Using dynasty, so that now it is
not little difficult to define the real
position of the people with regard to
their present sovereign. China is over
run with secret organizations whose
real aim is the abolition of the Tartars
and installation of Chinese monarch,
UerSuS &C mlerUS. The famous White
Lily sect of the northern and central
provinces, as well as the Triad society
of the southern states, have one and
the same object in view. The rdiS0a2
was originally not so much of politi-
cal as of a theosophic OF Masonic char
acter. Men formed leagues together
for the purpose of practicing certain
forms and modes of worship, as we'll rs
upholding certain doctrines which were
at variance with the recognized creeds
of China. At present, these early te-
nets have been lost sight of, and Chi
neSe secret societies hold only to the
old formulas of initiation and craft, in
order to conceal their true political
character They boast numbers of
members throughout the length and
breadth of the empire, and are a con-
slant source of anxiety and worriment
to the Picking authorities. The Tapping
rebellion itself, as we'll rs many others
of less Importance, was the outcome of
the White Lily sect; the riots at Canton
and the widespread tradition along the
4ang-tze, were due to the schemes of
the Triardists. No wonder then that
thirty thousand troops are constantly
employed about the capital, or that the
yiceroy of Canton has to maintain his
thousands of Tartar soldiers Y06OhG-
mn G0zpttp
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
One SfOrm--Two Voices.

Wa say the open mid-wlntcr's fire,
Wnets Il" fam cs shot UP through the beech
on Iyrc:
And no on" WIS there save no AM
As he storm rushed on with its doub cry.
The lamns were low. and our shadows crept
Dpwi er" the pictured faces sl"Tt,
Whose ken tasscls rocked OF rhead.
Stirred OH their nolds by the winds bold
tread.
VIII the hare block tree with its touch of ice
Played on the rOOi ike mahdened Dice.
And the tempest broke DER the slippery
strni DIS
OF tfc morning caves with their frozen
bands.
He heard the voice of battle-l1ings.
With their stcely crash, and their trumpet
I heard the signs of tender past
In the m.rrored keys of the flying blast.
He heard The hoofs of the fiery steeds
That secured the plains to valiant deeds;
] heard the groans Of the riders pale
AS they fell endorsed in the rushing gale.
He heard the martial mus;c's strum,
With its hrayng horns and its icy drum;
] in the moan Of the plaintive fife,
Heard signs of Death, that ends the strife.
Then the wind swept off Ger the shadowy
plain,
And left in its wake the half-frozen rain,
That voiced forth the songs-the harsh and
the sweet
AS it dashed on our window its wing of sieet
He heard the song OF ribald rhyme
That rose DER the clash of the ice in wine;
] heard the fall Of wOmans tears
In the drip, drip, drip Of the caves iced
spears
He heard the thrill of gay woman's laugh
As it tril,ed Ger the wine-cup's blOOd-red
Quaff;
] heard the moan of children at home,
IN unmatched sleep, at midnight alone
He heard the patter of light-dancing feet;
]. cCtfln-nsils in the harsh pounding sleet,
His cheek gIowed, and mine grew pale
AS we told each the voice that spoke in the
gale.
Mao Laws ST. John.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

eff she would only sleepr' thought
Jack. praye ully; and he began to
walk softly 10 and fro. Baby didn't
sleep, but she was quiet as long as he
walked about. without stirring herfrom
the position in which she had placed
herself II ne stopped an instant or at
tempted to change her position, she
yelled worse than ever. There was
nothing for it but calm endurance.
For two mortal hours he walked and
suffered cramp IN the neck, till at last
Mistress baby succumbed to fatigue
herself, and slept like a top.
Jack Willard dropped into seat and
gently removed the child's head from
his shoulder, and held her carefully in
his arms, for he did not dare to risk the
chance of waking her by placing her in
the carriage.
Then he heard the front door open,
and the mkt minute Mrs. Linton en-
tered. A glance told all, and likewise
informed her that Bridget had not vet
returned.
"Ol, Mr. WiIlard!' she exclaimed.
what 4 shame! and how sorry [ am!
But what Il sight you are!'' And as she
took the sleeping baby and tenderly
placed it in the carriage, she was glad
of the excuse to turn away her laugh
ing face. But Jack Willard knew all
the time that she was laughing, and no
wonder. As she had said, he was a
sight" HIS delicate new gloves were
torn in = dozen places; his coat and
shirtbosom were deluged with milk and
smeared win bread AMI butter; his col
lar was limp. his cravat united, and
his hair was &nding on end.
"O.l. NJ Wizard, Pm afraid you'll
never forgive me! Indeed, l am so
sorry, she continued addressing Jack.
"Oh, pray don't mention it. I've
lad a most interesting time" with 9
dreary attempt ut gaiety. But you'll
excuse me if l hurry away now. l feel
a little disheveled, and / must get home
and-ah-change my coat, you see."
And picking up his glossy hat he crush
ed it on his head, and fed.
In time Jack and Mrs. Linton met
again, but the gentleman's ardor had
oOled; and Mrs. Linton who had never
suspected his matrimonial intentions,
was not enlightened; for on no future
occasion did Jack ever speak his little
piece, so carefully rehearsed on that
disastrous morning..
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
The Feminine Use of Adicctives.

gentlemen often say that the cen
verSational powers of ladies would be
more agreeable with 4 limited use of
adjectives. The exaggerated use of adj
jectiyes. says the Hartford Times, is
characteristic only OF American women.
Their constant habit of qualifying ev-
erything they see, hear, smell, taste.
or touch by inappropriate superlatiyes,
IS not contracted through ignorance.
1t arises from the ridiculous custom en-
gendered during the giggling period of
their school days. BY habitual prac-
tice, it becomes firmly established, fol-
lows them into maturity, debases their
language, and makes them appear far
more silly and frivolous than they real
ly are. 1t Is almost impossible for
women TO shake off this nonsensical
habit formed in their early youth
Their exaggeration of language is car
rled to an extent that not only becomes
a serious consideration to ordinary OBJ
servers, but also to learned men and
professors. In conversation the other
day, q professor of Trinity college
gravely inquired: ''Why do ladies ia
variably mar their conversation bv the
repeated exclamation perfectly love-
ly?' We do not wonder that he no.
ticed it. There is nothing more tire
some during 4 LADY, conversation than
to hear the unceasing words perfectly
lovely" At the theatre, parties, wed
dings, funerals, lectures, prayer-meet-
ingS, and in horse-cars, steam-cars,
and dry-goodS 81 ops, or at the dentists,
doctors and dress-maker' indoors
and outdoors, wherever American wo-
men are gathered together, the inevita-
BILE chorus of perfectly lovely" arises
to arouse the Neutrality-suspicious.
amusement of observers. The express
sion perfectly lovely is beginning to
be perfectly unlovely by its gross mis-
use. 1t has u strong rival in the other
also too common expression perfectly
elegant" How American women are
laughed at abroad at the misplaced ex-
pressions of their new-wOrld exagger-
alton and enthusiasm! In nine cases
out of ten, they qualify customs, cathe-
drals, castles, and COWS as perfectly
elegant" palaces, peers, peasants and
pigs as ''pcrfectly lovely" or sunsets,
soldiers, sculpture, and sheep rs per
fectlY stunning" Is it any wonder that
it excites ridicule! A year or two ago,
q Hartford gentleman who accompa-
MED relative-a young lady-On a
trip up the Hudson river, promised to
give her handsome silk dress if she
would not utter the words perfectly
lovely once during the journey. We
never heard whether she won the dress
We presume not.
School-tcacherS could do much to
remedy this defect. 1t begins in school
days. Then is the time to prevent the
overflow of this bubbling effusion into
later years. A modification of adjec-
tiYes, an improvement in language,
would be the result. Perhaps it would
become perfectly lovely"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

Prison Association claims that the
number OF criminals is increasing fast
er in proportion than the population of
this country. There are, he saws, over
10000 persons now confined in iails it
New York state, and he claims that
one man out of every seventy-five men
with in the city is criminal.
Pretty Mrs. Wise, of Virginia. saws:
when my husband was elected to
Congress | said | would not go to
Washington, rs had nothing to wear.
My friends wrote to me to get out the
family laces and cover my old dresses.
So here | am, as YOU see, with my
grandmother laccs over my old
gowns" These laces have been the
envy of all beholders.
A writer in German paper calls at
tention to the fact that factory in
which 1900 workmen were employed
in the manufacture of harmonious is
now closed, rs the demand for these
instruments has entirely ceased. The
writer assigned rs q cause the cessa-
ton of the pork trade, the cutting off of
which has necessitated the closing OF
the reciprocal branches of the ex-
change. 1t is a sort OF hog and har-
monica strike. Utica Herald.
Mr.. Carnegie, of Pittsburg, is build
ing q granite mansion on Cumberland
Island, q few miles north of Fernando
ma, Fla. This famous island once was
owned by General Nathaniel Greene,
and it is the burial place of Light
Horse Harry Lee. Deer roam at will
through the vast recesses of its forests.
Lord Huntingdon said recently that he
did not know of q gentleman's park in
all Great Britain that was superior to it
in natural beauty.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
A Monster OF the Southwest.

The lizard family attains great per-
lection in the southwest, climaxing in
the horrible creature called the ella
Monster of Arizona. This is big
black lizard, from a foot TO four feet
in length. He has pair of villainouS.
bead-like black eyes in his head be-
meath couple of horny eyebrows that
give his face an uncommonly ferocious
expression. Around his neck is broad
band of beautiful yellow, and am con-
Vinced that should recently imported
Irishman run afoul of one of these
vermin he would consider himself in
the presence of the devil himself, wear
ing the colors Of the prince of Orange.
The Arizona prOspectors tell the
widest tales about the poisonous quail
ties of the ella monster, some even
claiming that the reptile kills its prey
by breathing on IT. Its poison is con
tanned in minute cells at the base of a
number of saw-like teeth Though
naturally sluggish brute, it at times
exhibits the most frightful quickness.
darling like a flash upon its prev and
Selling the same between its laws.
which it shuts and keeps closed with
Inc ot1eH9IH anu Ieudc1Gy OF swapping
turtle. Meanwhile the poison slowly
exudes and penetrates the wounds
made by the teeth, and if the victim be
an animal of lesser degree than man,
faintness and death speedily enSue.
The. poison differs from that OF every
known Tenomous snake in being an
alkali, while that of serpents is acid.
1t acts directly on the heart and brain
without local effects of a serious ma
ture Santa Fe On NJ Cor. CleUe-
land Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

Macmillan. or have they any regard
for his fate?"
Not one bit. They consider him a
mere barbarian. They consider his
fate to have been inevitable. and are
rather glad that he died, but dol say
much about it. If the poor man were
alive to-day, and he could see the en-
tire absence of an impression he had
made on this people, it would break his
heart
SANTA ANNA.
did you hear anything said about
Santa Anna?"
mo. / saw his grave. however, in
beautiful cemetery out by the shrine
or Guadalupe. There IS 4 spot uu
there hardly an acre in extent. which
contains the celebrated dead of Mexico
under some beautiful monuments. I
Ihought that cemetery was the prettiest
L had ever seen. / also saw the grave
OF Juarez, who was buried in the city.
He is carved in stone, living down.
Notwithstanding all have said. how
ever. Mexico IS land of delight to the
eye"
GAMBLING.
What is TIE passionate low of the
Mexicans?"
Gambling. l saw in the monte
rooms more vitality than anywhere in
Mexico
POOR PLACE FOR TRADE.
why do you think they will never
be commercial country"
"A peon with a cotton shirt will fol-
low an Englishman loaded with an
overcoat and an umbrella. What are
you to sell to 4 people 5000, 900 OF
whom never wore Il suit of clothcs?m
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
The Electric Light For Domestic Use.

The Liverpool Post states that a dis
covery has recently been made in cleo
trio lighting, which, it is hoped by the
patentees, will solve the question how
to bring the electric light into opera
ton for domestic use. 1t has been
found possible, it is said, to produce
the light without the aid of either en-
gines or dynamos. All that is required
are merely the ordinary metals and
carbons and q peculiar kind of acid.
These are put into an ordinary cell,
and Immediately the acid is poured in
and the continuity established the cleo
trio force begins 10 develop. Expert
ments have recently been made by Mr..
F. H. Thompson, the well-known cleo
srical engineer, by which twenty
candle light has been kept continuous
ly going by the electric current being
generated in this way, and the expert
ments have been pronounced q decided
success by all who have witnessed
them. BY this process no accumula-
tors are required, and the batteries can
be so made as to supply one or hum
dred or more lights, according TO the
number required. The new light, which
is called the Acme, it is asserted, will
be admirably adapted for country resi-
dences, yachts. ETC., and can, it is esti-
mated, be produced at price about
the same as that of gas, with very SUI
perior Illuminating power, while the
original expense of providing twenty
lamps of twenty-candIe power each is
calculated at about ESQ.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

Some anonymous malefactor sends
the following: Recipe for an evening
party: Take all the ladies and gentle
men YOU can get, put them into a room
with Il small fire, and stew them well;
have ready twelve packs of cards, pi-
ano, u handful of prints and drawings,
and throw them in front from time to
time; rs the mixture thickens, sweeten
with politeness and season with wit if
YOU have any, # not, 1attery will do as
well and it is very cheap; when all
have stewed for an hour add ices, jel-
lies, cakes, lemonade, and wines.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

A poet sings: Let me die when all
is cold and drear." Now is an excel
lent season for the purpose, and the
man who would interpose single OBJ
lection should be severely talked to. Il
poet wants TO die when all is cold
and drear-and we are not surprised
that he should feel that way-Le should
be encouraged in his laudable purpose.
-NOrriSt0lCn Herald
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

The alligator hunters of Sabine Pass
are getting ready for the business sea-
son, which will open with the sunshine
of spring. They 90 ou5 in boats armed
with Winchesters and hooked poles,
and carrying tire-pans for night at
taekg
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17

Louisville has barber shop in the
Turf Exchange which is managed en-
tirely by women.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
FINE CAVALRY.

ibid you see any Of their troops?"
Yes; l saw some SD lendid troops.
There are 1000 soldiers kept in Mexico
City. They are as good troops as [
ever saw, clothed in blue, very much
like our regular army soldiers. l saw
the finest regiment of cavalry there [
yer saw. Every horse in it was black
except one ridden by the colonel, and
that was rn11rn rhifn y
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-17
THE CITY OF MEXICO.
'DO YOU like Mexico City?"


II did, very much, as a place to
linger, to loiter, to admire. The air is
so pure and limpid that all distances
seem obliterated. You 90 up on the
mountains of Chepultepec, and the
city, three or four miles away, seems
so close thatyou can touch it. loved
to sit up there and just look down at
the city, the lakes, and at the distant
mountains There are four active vol
canoes in Mexico, and some OF the high
peaks you can see from Chepultepec-
one of them, forty miles away, looks as
if you can walk it in an hour
'Is Mexico City busy placer"
No; stupid, yet picturesque. They
say it has 100000 people. There is
more life in New Orleans in one day
than in Mexico in Il month.
MAMMALIAN.
did you see any signs of Maximil-
ian's dominions in Mexico?n
''Only one, kind of causeway or
viaduct that he built over the hill of
Chepultepec to reach his palace there
That is all you find of Macmillan in
the country"
do the Mexieans say anything about
Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-07-15
AN ENGAGEMENT orr.


My love-" be said. al have a heavy
burden on my mind tonight. There is
something that must say which. AS my
aiiianced wife, you should know"
What Is IL, Georgey' anxiously she
asked.
am avictin, to the demon of drink.
Strive as | may. cannot resist the temp
tatien of liquor"
That will be all right in time, dear"
she replied, hopefully. when | am
your wife. my love and influence will
bring about reform, am sure. Is
that ailf"
No. I'm confirmed gambler.
dropped thirteen dollars last night at
draw poker"
All, George, when we are married l
will make your hsme so pleasant and
cosy that you will never want 10 90 out
at night without me"
don't know. am also A speculat-
or In stocks. In fact, during the past
week In Wall street lost every dollar
had in the world"
II don't care for money" the Young
woman then said, "a she diseutanQled
herself from hrs embrace. 81 but my hus.
band must be honorable and upright in
all things. can never consent 10 risk
my future with man addicted 10 card
playing and drinking"