davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
JacIxo and Polly.

The great fun was to watch her and
Jacko in their contests for the upper
perch. Polly, having taken her tlffin,
was disposed for an afternoon nap, and
she accordingly began to mount the
rope ladder, but Jacko Immediately set
up q chatter, savagely showing his
teeth in the meantime, and shaking the
rope violently to impede the movements
of Poll. In spite of this, up she goes
steadily, hand over hand, nearer and
nearer to the coveted perch on which sits
the monkey in boiling passion, trem-
bling with excitement. Holding on by
his tail and hind legs he attempts to
get hold of Poll, but she snaps at his
hands right and left, with rapidity
that is perfectly astounding, and pres
emily Shrek OF pain announces that her
beak has drawn blood, and down drops
poor JaclIO like stone, and Poll takes
quiet possession Of the perch, when, af-
ter repeating q few self-conoratulatory
notes, she dozes off rs though nothing
had happened. JackO meanwhile sits
upon his launches with q very rueful
countenance examining his bite; but q
little petting from me sets him right,
and thorough examination Of every
thing eatable and drinkable having
been made, he goes to work regularly
to elbow the steam off D." Making the
rope ladder his center, he performs q
series OF splendid jumps to it from all
the articles of furniture in the room,
much to the disgust of Polly, and then
after headlong rush around the apart
ment, he bounds up the ladder like a
flash Of lightning, and makes q grab at
Polly's tail, dropping at once to the
ground TO escape the consequences of
this daring act. The bird, however,
was never injured in this way, for she
watched his every movement; the only
time that he ever stole march upon
her was once when she happened to be
feeding at the sand tray Immediately
below the rope ladder, down which her
stealthy enemy crept like q serpent,
and making snatch, caught her by
the base OF her tail. AT that moment
q well directed branch of bananas from
me hit him in the chest, and down he
came, Whereupon Poll seized him by
the tleshy part of the lower arm and
bit it through. This was q lesson
which he never forgot, and although
his deVilment compelled him to annoy
Poll as q source of fun, still he grew to
respect if he did not love her.-Par-
T0tS IN CaptjUjty, W. T. Green.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
The Parsee.

You can always pick out Parsee by
the style of hat he wears. 1t starts
vertically from the head for an inch or
SO, and then turns abruptly back at an
angle OF sixty degrees, and so runs on
the anterior portion for seven or eight
inches, when it is suddenly cut off at
right angles, which makes the posterior
portion, which is parallel with the face,
only three or four inches. The top is
left open, save that inside and directly
upon the head rests several folds Of
silk. Were not the hat itself made of
purple silk, it would look for all the
world like an old-time coal scuttle. A
Parsee never smokes-this is matter
of religion with him-but he enjoys
long glass of brandy and soda. AS the
Jews are regarded, so the Parsees,
one and all, are reputed rich. Let one
dress rs meanly as he may, still he is
reputed to have money. They are the
Jews Of the East Their native home
is Persia, though for thousand years
but few have lived there. They have
made q home for themselves in and
around Bombay, but many are scatter
ed in towns throughout the whole coast
from COrea to Arabia. Their religion
is not the religion of India-neither
Brahminism nor Buddhish-but the an
Gent religion of Persia as given to the
Pcrsians by that highly mythical per-
sonage, IorOaster, and set forth in the
Lend-AYesta.-C Catholic World.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
Keene's Ups and Downs.

AS social philosopher / have been
greatly interested in the career of Mr..
James KcCne, whose failure was one of
the sensations Of the city recently. |
had 4 very slight acquaintance with
Mr.. Keene for many years, and have
admired the celebrity with which he has
run up and down the commercial
gamut il | may use the figure of
speech. He was one of the sharp men
whom the late William c. Ralston rec
ognized as rising genius. Ralston
gave him many 4 good lift after Keene
had quit the business Of peddling milk
and had taken to curbstone brokerage,
and when RalStOn committed suicide
under the pressure of great losses Keene
was one of those who made sacrifices of
his own time and money to retrieve the
fortunes of the Bank of California and
save the credit of the dead banker.
When keene came to New York,
flushed with his California successes
and bringing fortune of three or four
millions in hard cash, | wondered, as
many others did, if his genius and luck
would be equal to the demands made
on them by the increased area of his
field of operations. / used to see him
at Delmonico's seated at table in the
corner of the Fifth avenue restaurant,
obsequiously waited upon, eating and
drinking sparingly, dyspeptic-looking,
saturnine, impressive. surrounded by
toadies, and continually occupied, even
in the hour of dining. with kilograms,
notes, cards of wouId-be callers, and
generally taking the part of Wall
street magnate. What with his special
trains, his special steamer, his Newport
villa, his famous trotters, his pictures,
and his enormous wealth, Keene was a
notable figure for while. Sam Ward
acted as social guide, philosopher, and
friend to Keene when he first arrived
here, and Keene, who was never I'M
grateful and never forgetful of favors
received, settled q handsome annuity
on the genial old bon vivant We can
net stop long in this worldly scramble
TO moralize over the downfall of any
body, but as the average man ponders
in his mind the fate of this cratic and
finally unsuccessful speculator he will
say, The meant well. IN T. Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
The View from Z Comet.

At last the comet Is lace to face with
the terrors of its perihelion passage. 1t
must swing around the sun. which. from
a little star. has now crown 10 4 gigan-
tic orb OF fire, so close rs almost to
touch it. Long before he approached
so near, the comets rider bcheld as
tonishing appendGCes about the sun.
Instead Of I smooth. daZzling white
globe, he saw the sun rineei with scar
let flames, while shooting out on every
side hundreds OF thousands. and in
some eases, perhaps, even millions of
miles, were huge fans and shafts of
wonderful light, like fiery s9okes RI
dating from the glowing hub of the
solar system. And now, rs the comet
darts closer in. he sees the whole sur
face of this melting pot OF the elements
surging and swiriing in the mighty
rush Of cOntending solar forces. PeO-
pie have lost their heads BY gazing too
long ut the Niagara WHIRLPOOL. That
would tear ship to pieces. But there
are maclstromS here III the sun that
would shatter and swallow u world.
Iron and copper and z.nc are here re-
duced to yapor and spouted heaven
thousands ofmiles, and down they come
again, ceaselesS and awful rain of
molten metal. Aye, mass OF sun
substances are hurled from beneath
this glowing surface and 90 hurting
out into space, scattering white-hot
showers of fragments and cooling and
condensing as they go, never to come
back again, flung forth by the torment
ed sun to wander until they fall per-
chance upon the earth or on some 9TH
er planet, or join the system revolving
around distant star. What gigan-
tic gatling gun of the universe, belch-
ing fire and smoke and fearful missiles,
must the comet face nowi
At the perihelion swing, the tremen.
dous globe of the sun seems to fill the
whole expanse of the sky, boundless,
raging, tossing and spouting sea of I'M
quenchable fire, 4 universal cOnfagra-
ton wherein iron and ali the metals,
calcium and all the elements of the sol
id rocks flaming, lick the heavens.
There are no words invented that can
describe the heat, the glare and the
roar of it. This terrific passage around
the sun is the elimination of the COM
cts career, the fiery Cape Horn of its
voyage. Flung off by the storm giant,
it speeds away again, back through
the realm of the planets, and out into
the black depths from which it emery
ed.-Garrett p SerUiSs III NeO York
| San.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
How Young Doctor Was Made.

About twenty years ago 4 young doc
tor, who had been established three
years in London without making an in
come, lost heart and determined to en-
igrate TO Australia. He sold his small
house and furniture, paid his passage
money. and week before he was to
sail he went into the country to say
goodbye to his parents. Having to
change trains ut junction, he was
waiting on the platform, when groom
in a smart livery galloped up to the
station, and, calling eXcitedly to the
porter, handed him a Geographic mes
sage for transmission. From some re-
marks exchanged between the two men.
the young doctor understood that the
Duke of --, = member of the Cabinet,
had fallen dangerously i'll, and that an
eminent physician in London was be-
inc telegraphed for. The groom added
| that he had ridden 10 the houses of
| three local doctors. who had all been
| absent and that Her Grace was in 2
terrible way" The young doctor saw
his opportunity, and at once seized it.
i am medical man" he said to the
groom, land l viii go TO the hall to Of
fer my assistance till another doctor
arrives. The groom was evidently
attached to his master, for he said:
Jump on to my horse, sir. and ride
straight down the road for about four
miles; you can't miss the hall; anyone
will tell you where it is" The doctor
went, was gratefully received by the
Duchess, and happened to be just in
time to stop mistake in treatment OF
| the patient which might have resulted
| fatally if continued few hours longer.
The Duke was suffering from typhoid
fever, and when the eminent physician
arrived from town he declared that the
young doctors management of the case
had been perfect The result of this
was that the latter was requested to
stay at the hall to take charge of the
patient; and his name figured in the
bulletins which were issued during the
next fortnight, and were printed in all
the leading newspapers of the King
dom. Such IN advertisement is al
ways the making of a medical man, es-
Ipecially when his patient RECEIVERS as
did the Duke. Our penniless friend re-
oeiyed 4 fee of 500 guineas, took
house at the West End, and from that
time to this has been at the head of one
Of the largest practices in London
| CbGmber'S Journal
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
The Ante-Mortem Proving of Wills.

To prove ones will before death may
well be a consummation deVoutly to be
wished by host of the worthy pros
porous who reflect with dismay that
when they are gone hence their be-
loved heirs will be, as like as anyway,
more interested to prove or disprove
their 'compos mentis" than to rever-
emily cherish their memories. But if
laws to this end are to be enacted a
good many details will have to be care
fully considered. For one thing it
would be necessary to keep the con-
tents of the will secret until after the
testator's death. Many men would not
care to survive long after their heirs
had been made acquainted with the
disposition of the estate. It has been
suggested that vault might be pro-
Yided for the reception of wills re-
corded before death, each will be
marked for identification and sealed
by the court and copy bearing the
identical certiication given to the tes-
tator. The question of competency
to make q will should also be finally
determined beyond appeal before death.
Let the testatOr give proper notice TO
all his heirs at law that he has made q
will and proposes to have it recorded.
Ii any of them doubt his competency
let them appear and make their charge
good. Otherwise let the will be re-
corded, placed in the vault and its con-
tents kept secret until after death. IN
der such arrangements there would be
q fair chance that Il mans property
would be distributed according to his
own intentions. --SpringfeId GLASS. J
Union.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
A Surfeit of Words.

The task of preparing a new dictioa-
airy of the English language is, per-
haps, about as grave, intricate and Ia
borious as man could undertake. Of
tongues, ours is the most inexact and
scattering, to begin with. 1t was
largely borrowed in the first instance
from foreign sources; and we have
been adding to it from the vocabuIaries
of other nations for centuries. More
than this, we alone of all the people
on the earth have q common habit of
coming new words and giving old
words new meanings to suit our Whims
or to emphasize particular fact or OBJ
ject By such means, our lexicon is
made to undergo continual change,
and to be, as it were, in an unceasing
hide and seek with itself. The words
and expressions in general use 200
years ago are many of them absurdi-
ties and vulgarities now; even the pre-
vailing speech of this last century is
not at all that of to-day; and it would
not be too much to say, probably, that
every person who lives to exceed forty
years must find it necessary to alter
his English as she is spoke" in very
considerable degree from the style in
which it was taught to him at the start,
if he would make sure OF being I'M
derstood and of escaping correction
and derision.-St Louis Globe Demo-
c9Ht
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
A Dream That Did Good.

The Danbury Comm NeUs is re-
sponsible for the following ''premoni-
ton" story: IF. S. Olmstead has for
years had business dealings with the
late President Seeley, and had strong
personal attachment for him. On Sun
day night, the daY before the funeral,
he dreamed that he and Mr.. Seeley
were standing on q floor which gave
way with them. In the struggle to
save himself he was awakened. The
dream made a strong impression upon
him, and after eating an early break
fast he hurried to the house of his dead
friend, and without disturbing the fam
lily found his way into the cellar. He
felt that the dream might possibly be a.
warning, and he was moved to exam
inc the supports to the floor. He found
that a very large beam which supported
the floor timbers of the parlor and q,
partition wall was cracked. The crack
appeared to be q fresh one, and q closer
examination with a lamp showed that
it was, and that it was SO large that
ones hand could be placed in it. Mr..
Olmstead Immediately got two heavy.
posts, and in a short time made the
timber perfectly safe. This timber is
80 feet long and had no supporting
posts. Its great size was supposed to
be sufficient to sustain the weight upon
it. In the parlor above rested Mr.. See
ley's remains. A few hours later the
building was filed with friends. Had
it not been for the dream it is not like
ly the broken timber would have been
discovered in time to prevent a catas-
trophe. That this dream was direct
warning to Mr.. Olmstead there can be
no doubt, but as to the source there
will be many differences of opinion.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26

Nine. Octave Feuillet has been the
victim of an unpleasant adventure.
The wife of the celebrated French au-
thor is known to have passion for
objects of virtu. Some days ago, en-
tering house in the Rue des Martyrs,
she addressed the porter: "Have you
not q curiosity merchant living here?''
The porter replied No" in q surly
tone. Yet | was directed to this
house. Are you quite sure?" The
porter looked sharply at his question
er, and, suddenly jumping up, he rush
ed on her and seized her by the throat.
"Ah, it's you that come stealing the
door mats! I've got hold of you at
last. [ know you again. Now you
shall not escape
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
MheedIing Alexander Stephens.

Judge Harris, of Virginia, tells this
story of q former day: Il was in
Congress with Mr. Stephens and we
were booked for speeches on the same
bill. My anxiety was considerable
when | found that my time for address,
ing the house was assigned Immediate
ly after him. There was always much
curiosity to hear what he had to say,
and | feared that nobody, or very few,
would remain to listen to me as q Sec
Ond fiddle performer. In this emerg-
ency resorted to bit of delicate flat
terry. Approaching the old gentleman,
with q most reverential aspect and an
engaging smile, said: Mr.. Stephens,
[ want to exchange places with you
in the order of speaking. Any man
can precede, but no man can afford to
follow you in oratory,' This stroke of
compliment and diplomacy did the
business. The Georgia sage beamed
all over with pleasure and replied that
| might lead off. So / contriYed to get
for myself large audience assembled
to do him honor, and l had the specta-
.ors when fresh, and turned them over
rather wearied to the wonderful old
man, who never could refuse any favor
if asked in adeNterous way. "-AugustG
(GG. Chronicle.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26

There is craze for gambling in New
York at present, which has not been
equaled before IN the history Of the city
and social poker playing, especially,
is an epidemic. No dinner party now
adays is considered complete unless a
little draw follows it, and even every
boarding house in town has its coterie
of players. A well-known society lead
er says five times as many ladies play
poker to-day as did year ago.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26

Ferdinand Ward, of the defunct New
York firm of Grant & Ward, and who
has led General Grant and his sons in
to their financial embarrassment, is a
slightly built man about SO years old.
He is five feet ten inches tall, and
wears small light mustache. HIS
nose is prominent and he has q sallow
complexion. His father is minister
at Geneseo, II. Y.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26

If a man wants peace to reign in the
household he should count ten before
speaking at times when he feels as if
his clothes don't fit him. And on days
when the kitchen stove doesn't draw
he should count 4SJ.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26

Gould says that no extensive opera
tor can get on in Wall Street without
some fixed purpose. That is the secret
OF success in most every walk of life.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26

Beecher frankly says: If all the
chestnuts that / stole while Il boy of
thirteen or fourteen in Boston were to
rise up before me on the judgment
lday there would be pretty wormy
time
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-10-29

hours show total of l7S fresh cases and eighty
eight deaths.
NV YoEK, Oct. 17.-Coase, prime Rio, lONe.
s1gar-crushed, 6Sld6se; dry granulAied. 81 c;
extra yellow C.5d5Ae- Petrolenm-9dl0Ae e.
hops-l4id1Oc- Leather California sole. M
&c. hg-iron-No. LIZ foundry Sls 50dS20.
NV NoRK. Oct. IA Ssa's Wheeling, W. Va
special says; Al last night thirty-three cuunti.s
which nearly three-fAurths Of the vote OF the
State, have been heard from, and they show a let
Republican gain over the vote for Governor OF
S.St6 and Sis over the combined Democratic and
Greeubaek vote q the last election
NV YoKK, Oct. 1.-The >sH's speciu corr,s-
pOudent accompanying Mr.. Blaine telegrAphs
from East saginaw: Mr.. Baine explains the cut
ting down Of the Republican majority in OHIO BY
the fact that the HCriculturists OF Ohio are In a
measure infected with Free Trade doctrines.
Pans, Oct. l7.-Fresh forces OF Chinese are in
vading Tunquin. Gen. Brieye de I.sle teleeraphs
that there are many European officers In the Chr
nese army.
LONDON. Oct. IA Fcochow dispatch to the
I's'ss says Another enlargement has been fought
on the shore OF lamsui. Three thousand Chinese
were killed. The French loss was trifing.
SUAKrN, Oct. I'LL Is believed that OsmAn Dig
ma, the rebel leader, will succeed In massing his
forces al IHmaui. The English have lost their
chance Of crushing him for the present Both the
vetther and the crOps favor him.
SHANGHAI, Oct l7-There are Eve French men
of-wal stationed at keluug and eight before Tam
SUI The Chinese are forttfying the heights and
refuse TO surrender their positions The natives
IL southern Eortnusl are hArrassing the Chinese
troops, Who art asking for re-iniaroements.
81. PErERsRSEG. Oct. 1.-The Chief Of Police
has ordered the prOpnetors Of all the hotels res
taurauts and similar places the portraits
OF the Car from their public rooms, the ground
that disrespect Is shown them by the public.
MIDRD, Oct. l7.-Miuister Foster will sul for
America shortly with the new Spanish West Indian
commercial treaty. which has been signed by senior
J. de ElduAyee, Minister of Foreign AdIirs. Min
lister Foster will return TO Madrid 70 negotiate
cOmmeroe on the terms which Spain has ALREADY
accepted
WADT HALFA, Oct. Ian inhAbitant Of korts,
has arrived here from Khartoam, having teen
fourteen days on the way. He was present at
khartoum during the whole siege and saw Gordon
he says The road FROM khArtCum to Senaar Is free
OF rebels. GOrdon's steamers, after b0mbardIng
Bsrber, DielyeeF and Minnie returned in safety 10
khartOum- kashmil PAsha has undertaken 10
occupy Berber with n force which Gordon Ssls
getting IN readiness. Mahdi came TO ShAat only
siI days journey from KhartOum bat IN bearing
OF an instruction al Gel-el DER, was forced TO
turn back. Before starting be summoned the
tribssmen and villagers 10 accompany him. but
very few Obeyed, as they would rather remain
mould Ab-Del hAtir IN command Al Il Oboid with
only sou troops, toe BAkhr trlbesmeu and in.
habItants Of Gel-el-DeIr, joined ~ 100 Egyptian
troops, made an attack on z Oheid, and captured
a number Of slaves and cattle.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-10-29

It Is rumOred that there is soue probability of
the idea Of the establishment Of = General
European Prutect0rate over the islands Uf the Pa
cific being carried into eject.
The folloWiag are the latest scratchIncs Mel
bourne Cup: Comet, TOmbJy. HOueydeW, and
Prince Imperial. VA. 4. c. Maiden Plate Lucky
Hit aud Mentmore Fist Hurdles RingvOOd.
CNulfeld Cup; Comet and Iomboy.
The weStheris extremely favorable for the wheat
crops The reports from the country districts are
very hopeful, the late rains having improved the
groSth Of the crops and good harvest Is anti
cipated
The official average for the New south Wales
loan was about ES3 lis Cd. The maximum tender
vases. There were dealings With regard to the
loan at 94A,
There we're 1850 tenders. the aggregate amount
subscribed being El55Ol.OOO.
The following is copy Of the Government in.
structi0ns TO the Agent General which VAS laid
before the " ; W. legislative Assembly: Act
in conjunction with the other colonies in urging
the desirableness OF establishing prOtectorate
over the uuappropriAtsd islands in the Pacift hav-
ing due regard for international obligations