davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Buying a Good MANS Coal Oil Land

At the beginning of the oil excite
ment in Pennsylvania q very religious
old farmer who owned forty acres in
the center of the belt had offers for
his farm until he couldn't sleep nights.
They began at $4,000 and went up to
$4,000, but to each and every would
be purchaser the old man steadily re-
piled:
eff the Lord has put coal-ile under
my farm it isn't for me to dispute his
will.
One day, however, the agent of a
syndicate came along and asked what
figure the old man would set on his
acres.
'Tve.bin offered $4,000"
Yes"
'I've bin saying as how the Lord
put the lie there for some purpose Of
his own.
Exactly"
"Well, now, if you could convin &C
me that about one barrel in ten of the
lie from this farm would be used fol
people to read their bibles by reckon
I'd set my figures at about $50, 600"
In less than three hours the farm
changed hands Wall Street Nea0S.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
In the Right Place.

The "Bystander" of the Detroit Times
has some very sensible ideas upon
adoption. / wonder, he says, how many
of the toilers in the great vineyards
of life are really workingin the grooves
originally designed for their use by the
greatest of all architects. | am very
much afraid that, were the lines sharp
~ drawn, about nine out of every ten
of the sons of men would be found to be
putting in ten solid hours per day dig
ging in somebody else's potato patch.
have a theory of my own in this mat
ter. believe that every man is born
into the world for distinct purpose,
and unless he gets his grip on that par
ticular purpose he will never rise above
the mediocre That is, that while a
man may do great many things well,
he will never attain eminence save in
the one thing for which he was espec-
tally endowed before birth. The thing
may be-and generally is-the one
thing which seems to be farthest beyond
his grasp. He may see only ''as
through glass darkly," but there will
be a certain indefinable something inn
planted within his breast which will
cause him to blindly struggle towards
the mountains, beyond which lies ''his
Italy" He may never reach tall
things considered, the chances are that
he never Will-and he will be possessed
through life with a vague sense that he
has been deprived of something which
should rightfully have been his.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Political PulIetS.

When q man runs for office, he
makes many new acquaintance, many
of whom he finds it very desirable to
forget
The intimate friends he makes are
principally of the debtor class.
They are unseltish citizens, and re-
alizing how much better and more
comfortable it is to belong to the cred
itor, rather than the debtor class, it is
their aim in life to place all their &C
quaintances on the creditor list.
They did that with me, for which, of
course, [ now, and doubtless always
shall be, greatly obliged to them.
By deceitful batteries they lead the
unsuspecting victim on to defeat and
eternal ruin.
1t is because of them that the life of
q candidate is SO full of impending per-
lis, SO burdening with crushing respon-
sibilities
Running for office signifies squan-
dered means, wasted time, hummer
associations, hummer habits, and a
general breaking down of all moral
sense. Fortunate, indeed, is 1T for
him who is tainted with the disease, if
we're to cure him for. ever after, and
generally more fortunate for the peo-
pie.
But the malady when once fixed in
the system is incurablc.
The chronic office-seeker can find no
relief for his disease; on all street cor
ners, in all sample rooms, at every free
lunch counter, you may find them,
wise looking, hungry-eyed men they
| are, discussing in solemn fashion, pro-
found questions of finance.
Every city, every village, is full OF
them. They are represented in every
corner grocery and wayside inn.
Heaven will have no attractions for
them if they cannot seek office there.
He'll will have no terrors, can they
only be assured that there will be a
chance for them to serve on some plu-
| tOnian committee. -CarL Pretzel
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Fannie Ellsler.

Fannie Ellsler has never married,
says a Vienna correspondent, although
she is reported to have been beset with
offers from her 10th to her 18th year.
She is credited with having had a num-
Der of lovers, and an officer in the
Austrian cavalry and a well-known
stock broker in Vienna are reported to
be her sons, but the relation has never
been publicly acknowledged. The nc
torious story about herself when be-
witching girl of Is and the Duke de
Reichstadt, son of Napoleon |, she has
always stoutly denied. She says their
bruited love affairs must have been
purely metaphysical, because she
never, she avows, laid eyes on the hand
some and ill-starred youth. She lost 3
large part of her fortune several years
since by speculations on the Bourse, but
has sufficient left to keep her in COM
fort and independence. No trace of
her personal charms has been visible
for 20 years. She is quite stout, fOrid
and very coarse-looking, but she is still
gOod-natured and often witty. Piety
is speciality of her old age and she
contributes literally to the Roman
church. Her conversation is clever and
interesting. and some Of her anecdotes
of the by-gone days are very entertain
ing. No one would believe now that
she is the quondam divine Fanny. She
is, in appearance, what she always has
been in nature-thc earthly, the very
earthly Fanny.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Diving For Sea-Eggs.

The ''sea-eggs" are 4 species of the
family Echinid@. Diving for them by
the Fuegian women is one of their most
painful and dangerous ways of pro-
curing food, as they often have to fol-
low it when the sea is rough, and in
coolest weather. The following de-
serial, THE Land OF Fire" in the
April st. Nicholas:
The savages do not long remain idle,
another resource engaging them-a
feat for which the Fuegian native has
obtained worldwide celebrity-name-
ly, diving for sea-eggs. A difficult
dangerous industry it is, and just on
this account committed to the women,
who alone engage in it.
Having dispatched their poor break
fast, half q dozen of the younger and
stronger women take to the Canoes
two in each,-and paddle out to where
they hope to find the sea-urchins.
ARRIVING there, she who is TO do the
diving prepares for it by attaching q
little wicker-basket to her hip, her COM
panion being intrusted to keep the
canoe in place, q task which is no easy
one III WdIeI 80 IOuSSu us Iud6 Vi IHe
sea-arm chances to be now.
Everything ready, the diver drops
over, head foremost, as fearlessly as
would water-spaniel, and is out of
sight for two or three minutes; then
the black head is seen bobbing up
again, and swimming back to the canoe
with hand-oyer-hand stroke, dog
fashion, the egg-gatherer lays hold OF
the rail to rest herself, while she gives
up the contents of her basket.
Having remained above water just
long enough to recover breath, down
she goes q second time, to stay under
for minutes, as before. And this per-
Torrance is repeated again and again,
till at length, utterly exhausted, she
climbs back into the canoe, and the
other ties on the basket and takes her
turn at diving.
Thus, for hours, the submarine
egg-gatherers continue at their ardu-
Gus, perilous task; and, having finished
it, they come padding back to the
shore.
''And on landing, they make straight
for the wig-wams, and seat themselves
by ire,-almost in it,-leaving the
spoil to be brought up by others"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Is Our Civilization Perishable.

A moral cause which may threaten
our civilization is mistaken view of
the relations between capital and labor.
This cause presents a double aspect,
according as capital is found to be too
grasping or labor to be too exacting
1t is not now for the first time that
conflicts bringing grave dangers to So
ciety have arisen between these two
great forces From the obscure hints
which history gives us it is evident that
while the nature and extent of the re-
spective rights of labor and capital are
not we'll understood, and the weaker
party, the ignorant, laboring poor, Of
ten bore long without seeking re-
dress, q time was generally reached
in which the limit of forbearance was
passed and terrible outbreaks, worse
than any experienced in the present
day, occurred The serYile insurrec-
tions of classical antiquity, the peasant
wars of the middle ages in France,
Germany and England, are examples
OF this. 1t is noticeable however, that
these outbreaks of violence were limit
ed in extent. The disease being local,
recovery was possible, and it came
from voluntary concessions by the cap
italists of the period. Labor arose in
rebellion because it suffered, and, the
oppression being removed, quiet and
contentment were restored. If the
causes were strictly local, the same phe-
nomenon might again be witnessed.
Such now, however, is the solidarity of
all civilized peoples that causes of dis
content in the ranks of labor are likely
to be universal, even when they are
material in their nature, so that the
danger from that source is greater than
in former times. But the causes are
not all of that kind; there are causes in
the principles propounded by the par
ties to the conflict, as determining their
respective rights, which, because they
fly upon the wings of the wind all over
the whole earth, are all the more me-
nacing to civilization. One of these on
the part Of capital is the princi pie that
there are no limits beyond which capt.
tai ought not to be allowed to accumu-
late; or that corporations cannot right
fully be controlled in the exercise of
their charter powers; or that while mo-
nopolies, strictly so called, are illegal,
virtual monopolies, entaiIing upon u
people all the evils of real mOnOpolies,
ought not to be disturbed in gathering
their colossal harvest of gain.-Judge
John Il. Jameson, IN North american
ReUjelU.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Abigail Adams.

Abigail Adams, the presidents wife,
was undoubtedly the most conspicuous
American woman of her day. whether
by positi, or by character. When
writing to her husband she often signed
herself ''Porlia, in acc " ance with a
stately, and perhaps hiyh-d0wn, habit
of the period. and she cer. ainly showed
qualities which would have done honor
TO either the Roman OF Saaksperean
heroine of that name. r her letters
we see her thoroughly revealed. While
the battle Of Bunker Hal WAS in pro-
greSS, she wrote that it was dreadful
but glorious" and in the depression of
the battle of Long Island. she said: If
all America is to be ruined and undone
by pack of towards and knaveS. /
wish 10 know i. @nd added, Don't
you know me better than TO think me
Il cOward?" When, first among Amer
lean women, she represented her ma
ton ut the court OF St. James. she met
with equal pride the contemptuouS de-
meanOr of Queen Charlotte. and when
her husband was chosen president, she
wrote to him. MY feelings are not
those Of pride or ostentation upon the
occasion; they are solemnized by 4
sense of the obligations, the important
truths and numerous duties connected
with it" When, finally, after four
years, hefailed of reelection, she wrote
to her son: The consequence to us is
personally that we retire from public
life. For myself and family | have
few regrets. II | do not rise
with dignity, L can at least fall with
ease" This was Abigail Adams. In
person she was distinguished and
noble rather than beautiful; yet it is
satisfactory to know that when she was
first presented at the British court she
wore white lute-string, trimmed with
white crepe, festooned with lilac ribbon
and mock-point lace over hoop of
enormous extent, with narrow train
three yards long, Topped up by rib
bon. She wore treble lace ruffles Il
dress cap with long lace lappets and
two white plumes, these last doubtless
soaring straight into the air above her
head in the extraordinary, style fami-
liar to US in Gillray's caricatures of
that period.
1t was in those days no very agree
dDIC ldSh 10 UG Guc WIG OI lu6 pEcSl-
dent. Mrs. Adams has left on record
a graphic sketch of the White house,
where she presided for three months.
The change in the seat of government
had been decided upon for twelve
years, yet the building was still vast
unfinished barrack, with few rooms
plastered, no main stairway, not a bell
within, not a fence without; it was dis
tressingly cold in winter, while the
chief magistrate of the United States
could not obtain for love or money q
man to cut wood for him in the forest
which then surrounded Washington.
From Washington to Baltimore ex-
tended an almost unbroken growth of
timber, varied only by some small and
Windowless huts. There could as yet be
in Washington no such varied cOmpan-
ionship as had given attraction to the
seat Of government at New York and
then at Philadelphia; yet at George
town there was a society which called
itself cminently polite, and Mrs Adams
records that she returned fifteen calls
in q single day.-Harper' Magazine.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
His Expectations.


A Chicago man, who was induced to
purchase large interest in hole in
the ground in Nevada, said to contain
silver, went to Virginia City to get
some close idea of how matters stood.
a professional mine inspector was
called in, and, after some talk, he said:
MY charges will be $50 a day,
whether | discover anything or not.
Suppose you discover that half of
this mine is worth 500, 0J0?"
Then you will probably present me
with $500"
''And if you should discover that /
have paid $4,000 for half interest in
a hole which won't pan out $20O--what
then?"
''Why, L should then expect the man
who sold it to you TO present me with
at least a thousandn
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
The Abbott Kiss.

l saw the Abbott kiss on Monday
night at the Baldwin. I had q good
view of it. 1t will never do. | can
give superior article myself if get as
good a chance. The absolute truth is
that Castles perihelion during the os-
culation was at least an inch and a half
from Abbott's lips. Now, l submit it
to any girl, is that a kiss? Would she
make so much fuss, get a fellow so
close to her as that and remain where
she was? submit it to any mantle
older the better-if he got as close to a
woman's lips, would he stop there?
No, most certainly not. The Abbott
kiss is failure. All in favor of the
motion say aye. Aye! All to the con-
trary say no. The ayes have it
motion to adjourn.-SaaF Francisco
Chronicle.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
The Emperor Williams Health.

In spite of the dreaded apparition of
the White Lady, and Notwithstanding
all the evil forebodings entertained in
the German capital at the Emperor s
recent indisposition, the old monarch
has once more regained his health, and
with it his good humor. A viVacious
French contemporary records that the
Emperor recently gave q proof Of his
high spirit by saying to the sentinel at
his door: My boy, if you should see
the White Lady, tell her to come back
after fifteen years. He gives the fol-
lowing explanation of the octogena-
rian's disregard of the dreaded visitant,
On hearing the news of the apparition
which BODIES death to one Of the HOhen-
Zollerns, the Emperor, in dismay, ex-
pressed q desire to hear the verdict of
another authority. DR.. Lauer, the
Emperor's body physician, agreed, and
sent for q gypsy, who, with the light
of inspiration in her eyes, said: Sire,
you will live to be 100 years old; your
son, and Prince Royal, will not reign,
but your grandson, Prince William,
will be your immediate successor. "
The Emperor loves life more than he
loves the crown prince; he adores his
grandson, and the prospect of fifteen
years more of life and of the succession
to the throne by his favorite, have
given him new strength and confidence
much to the satisfaction of his loyal
subjects, and especially to the ingen-
ious body physician, who, if the story
were true, would, no doubt, have in
structed the gypsy beforehand what to
say.-PaI Mall Gazette.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29

The Sanitary Engineer is of opinion
that there is no method of removing
snow from city streets that is worth
talking about except by carting it away
bodily. The use of salt is not adapted
to the removal of considerable quanti-
ties of snow. If so applied and in suf-
fcient volume it would be found much
more costly than carting. Moreover,
briny slush, the inevitable result of the
application of salt, is nuisance in
itself, and not easily gotten rid of when
in large quantities. 1t always makes a
freezing mixture, producing a temper
AZURE of about zero Fahrenheit, even in
thawy weather, and injuriously affect
ing the feet of both men and animals
which are brought in contact with it.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29
Anecdote from the Cowboy Country

Two ladies, one from the East and
the other from the West, were sitting
last summer on the veranda Of one OF
our fashionable frontier hotels in Miles
City chatting together, when two cattle
men, clad in leather pants, buckskin
shirts and sombrerOs, rode up.
''Oh, N.Y." exclaimed the Eastern
lady, there are some OF those horrld
cowboys; let US go inside"
WHY, you wretch, y cried the little
Western woman, that's my husband, y
pointing to the foremost horseman.
..And the other?" inquired the East
ern lady.
MY brother" said the Western
lady Chicago Tribune Letter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29

There is in Tallahassee, Fla, an oo-
togenarian who never drinks water and
has no thirst for it. The wonder is
that he hasn't died of delerium tremens
long ago
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29

A Medina, \. Y. youth has been
drawn all out of shape by an over IN
diligence in cigarettes.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-29

Governor Hubbard cut his runaway
daughter Nellie off without cent
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
Eyergrccns at Christmas.

The use Of the Christmas tree, with
its fruit of presente, is recent in Eng
land, and was introduced from Ger
many few years ago. There is great
dispute about it,, origin, whether in In
dia, or whether it does not represent
the tree lggdrasil, or world tree
the ash tree Of existence Of Scandi-
llavian mythology. But tho use of
cNcrgreens in England is us old rs the
duss when the Dr1,ils brought the mis-
tlcioe from the woods with solemn GER
emory. In Stoves time ever" mans
house, and also the parish churches,
were dccked with holm, ivy, bays,
and whatever the season of the Wear
afforded to be green, and the conduits
and standards iii the streets "a hint for
the present telegraph companies, were
likewise garuislcl. In the wear 1iii he
says, there was on the LIST q! February a
great tempest Of thunder and light
Mig, which set Paul's stccplr ON fire;
and at Lcalenllall, in tornhill, stand
ard of wood which was set up in the
pavement and nailed full of holm and
ivy was torn up and east down by the
malignant spirit as was thought. On
Christmas eve, at tic time the Yule-los
WAS brought in AID lighted with the
last wears brand. it was customary to
decorate the windows of every house, IN
cottage and hail, with lay, laurel, ivy,
and holly leave. An English gypsy
told Mr. Charles G.. Leland the reason
/ for using cvcrgrecns on Christmas. 1t
is this: 1.-The ivy and holly and pine
tree never told Il word where our Sa-
viour was hiding HIMSELF and so they
I keep alive all winter, and look green
all the year. But the ash, like the oak,
/ told of Him when lie was hiding, so
they have to remain dead through tho
winter, And so We gypsies always burn
an ash fire every Great DAY. Charles
/ Dudinr jIurncr
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
CHRISTMAS TREASURES.
DY EUGENE FIELD.

lcount my treasures DER with carc-
The little toy that baby knew
A little sock Of faded hue
A little lock Of golden hair.
Long years ago this Christmas time,
My little one-Iny all to me
Sat rohcd in white upon my knee
And heard the merry Christmas chino.
Tell me. my little golden. head,
il santa Claus should come Tonight,
What shallhe bring my baby bright
What treasure for my boy?" said.
And then he named the little toy,
While In his honest. mournful eyes.
There came n look of sweet surprise
That spoke his quiet, trustful joy.
And as he ltspcd his evening pray'r
BE asked the boon with childish grace;
Then, toddling to the chimney place,
BE hung his little stocking there.
That night. rs length ning shadows crept.
i saw the white winged angels come
With heavenly music to our home
And kiss my darling as he slept.
They must have heard his baby prayr,
For in the morn, with smiling face.
He toddled to the chimney place
And found the little treasure there.
They came again one Christmastide--
That angel host, so fair and white
And. singing all the Christmas night.
They lurcd my darling from my side
a little scck-a little toy
a little lock Of golden hair
The Christm music on the air
A watching for my baby boy.
Eut If again that angel train
And golden head &C me back for me,
To bear me to eternity,
My watching will not be in vain.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
NED'S CHRISTMAS TREE.
III BESSIE CHANDLER.

Il thought il was such an awful shame"
My dear little ladde earnestly said,
THAT Christmas Day should be just the same
As Il common day, to old dog Ned.
80 found some green's and made tree.
had to lean it against the wall.
But i: was as pretty as it could be,
With three red candles and one glass ball
The presents did look little queer,
For hadn't a thin: but bones and bread,
But knew that they would be far moro dear
Than sleds and skates. to a dog like Ned.
saved up the bones for days. you know.
And tied them on with ribbon knots.
And the bread was buttered-he liked IL 90.
and Lad such plenty-lots and lots.
And Ned. old Ned, when no saw tho tree.
Stood still minute, then didn't he bound.
He was as surprised as he could be.
And Darkcd and barked and jumped all round.
"Then gave him his presents. one by one,
Till there wasn't a bone left on tho tree;
And now Ned's had Christmas. and lots of fun,
just like the rest of the boys and me-"
listened and laughed at this tale Of the tree.
There cleaned through 1t all such human
spark:
When we have our gifts. after all. don't we
Just jump around and bark and bark?"
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
WAITING FOR PAPA.
EBEN E. REXFoRlI

The day before Christmas was stormy.
And the night fell cold and gray.
With wind that was full OF frost flakes.
As went my honeward way.
Down by rock in the roadside.
Hiding away from the storm.
| came on two little children
Muiilcd in garments warm
What are you waiting for, children7'
asked. Us they smiled at me.
For that they we're waiting for something
In their eager eyes could see.
wanted to hug and kiss them.
The rosuish little elves.
As swect,-why. there's nothing swectcr
Than their little laughing selves.
We're waiting for para" they answered;
Its time for him to come:
We always come here to meet him
And kiss him a welcome home.
And you know that Japa would miss US
II lie didn't find us here.
For you can't tell how lie loves us!
He don't know. does he, dcar?"
Then the motherly little woman,
Who may have brcn eight years old,
Pulled her brothers. cap down clo.er
TO keep out the wind and cold.
NO, lie doesn't know" he answ cred.
And laughed nj the winds wild glce,
"Ou'd onghter SEE how nuts fazzer
Sinks o Dolly an met"