davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Energy and Contentment.

There arc curious problems in hui
man nature. Often contradictory quail
ties appear in the same person. There
are individuals parsimOniOus along
given lines and liberal in others. There
are others who can spread sunshine or
gloom, as one mood or the other con-
trolls. 1t has been questioned, however,
whether qualities that reach down into
the character can be of contradictory
nature. Yet there are such instances.
AS q rule, a perfectly contented spir-
it is allied to q negative, or at least
energetic character. Energy, on the
contrary, is usually regarded rs rest
less and pushing. Thus it is supposed
to be discontinued, as TO push after
more is to evidence discomfort with
what we have. Yet this does not fol-
low
There are many instances where per-
sons are entirely cheerful, and in this
sense contented, who nevertheless en-
SPECIFICALLY urge the plans of life. Nor
ton does not initiate against the seek
ing after larger benefits in the future.
Nor does energy in itself imply discon.
tent. Healthful energy is simply force
put into the duties of life, and repre-
sents q restless activity that finds
pleasure in work. An energetic man
is usually possessed of ideas. He is
ready to grasp problem, OF to COM
pass result, and is restless to reach
it. All intervening toll is nothing
compared with the desire to reach the
end. and this result may only be the
qualification of sentiment, or the
realization of an ideal. The inventor
rarely thinks as much of the financial
outcome of his invention as of the
achievement of q result in mechanics.
And thus energy is consistent with
contentment- Philddelphi0 Call.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Reversed theDeciSiOn.

Two farmers, Tom Barker and Sam
Piles, became involved in dispute
concerning the ownership of piece OF
land, and finding themselves unable TO
settle the dispute, appealed to justice
of the peace. The magistrate listened
attentively 10 each statement and said:
Gentlemen, if you don't think | I'M
derstand this case, and all the law that
happens to hang around its neighbor-
hood, why you are very much removed
from your center of gravity. Mr.. Bark
er, you may take the land.
Your Honor" said q lawyer who
had heard the statements, your decis-
ion is unjust, and l am sure that 4
higher court win reverse it.
Nov, here replied the justice, 81
am just about as sudden as any higher
court you ever saw. / can reverse the
decision myself. Mr.. Piles, you may
have the land. You see it makes no
difference with me. "-Arkaasaa0 IrGv-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Senator Beck's Dog Story.

Senator Beck's devotion to animals
is well known. He owns several fine
dogs, among them q colly of great
beauty. One evening recently there
were two ladies passing the evening
with the Senator and his family. The
beauty and the intelligence of the dogs
formed one of the topics of converse
ton. The Senator was pleased listener
to several remarkable stories, which
he topped off by the following, which
he said Hogg related in his ''Fireside
Stories "-if that is the name of the
book: A Scotchman Qike the Senator)
patiently waited till the last marvellous
story was told, and then added his
mite. 1t is said. quoth he, that after
long companionship the dog and his
master look alike, and this was the
case with me and Hector, who is now
dead. The likeness was so strong that
one Sunday afternoon when was more
inclined to nap than attend church l
sent Hector in my place. The next
day the clergyman called to see me and
complimented me upon the attention 4
gave to the sermon, which he had
observed among very drowsy congre-
cation; and Hector who heard him, for
fear he would laugh outright TAN out
and jumped the garden wall and pre-
tended to be setting birds.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31

vacancy or lis mInd by 4 prodigious
yawn. At the same instant he stretched
his arms backward Il little too far and
dlslocated his shoulder. 1t took sever
al hours labor on the part of two sur
geons to get the bones into their proper
positions.
There is little ground mole which
has for several years had its hole close
to the station 1T Devon, on the Penn
svlvania railroad. II has never been
molested, and accordingly goes about
with great freedom. 1t is said to be
an unfailing barometer, and for several
summers it has never been seen to
come out without rain occurring within
twelve hours afterward.
Mr. A!an A. Campbell Swinton saws
it is better and cheaper to light small
towns by means of electricity than by
q coal-gas system. He compares the
equal Illuminating effects of Sas and
electricity in portions of the British
Museum, and finds that, while the
former is estimated to cost 1922 an
hour, the latter has actually cost 81. Al
an hour for q total of Is, 800 candle
power, using the pendulum arc lamps.
Impregnation of the atmosphere of a
sick chamber when the patient is i'll of
diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, or
of any allied disease, with the odor of
mixture of equal parts II turpentine
and carbolic acid is recommended by
DR.. Vilandt. Half q teaspoonful of the
mixture will be enough at time, if it
is put into 4 kettle of water kept near
the boiling point. The odor generally
gives some relief to the sufferer, and
tends 10 prevent the spread of the
malady.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Gordon in the Desert.

Frederick Bohndorff. the last man
who left Khartoum before it was be-
leagured, writes, in the London TeZe-
graph: Leaving 8erber at the end of
January with my guide and my servant
we struck into the desert. Theirs is no
track, and you commit yourself 20 YOUR
guide. On the afternoon of my fourth
days march saw q great cloud of
dust far away on the horizon, and pres
entity q cavalcade came riding toward
me at an extraordinary pace in con-
trast to my wearied march. The lead
er was in advance, and l noticed his
eager manner and his compact figure
clad in q blue military frock coat, red
trousers, and fez. '.Bohndorff," said
Gen. Gordon-for it was he-''we all
at Cairo thought you were dead.
have often prayed to God to protect
you and DR.. Junker and preserve you
alive" | dismounted and went to the
side of his camel, and he shook hands
warmly. / was overwhelmed with as
tonishment for they knew nothing at
Khartoum or Berber of Gordon's COM
ing, but Immediately [ saw MIN [
OWNED his mission. | only needed to
see him to know why he was there,
''Why have you left Khartoum?' said
Gordon, hurriedly. Il am very glad
to be going there. Why is everybody
leaving? Are you afraid?" Not ex-
actly afraid; but / have finished my
collection, and | am returning" We'll,
how goes it there?" ..Everything is
in terrible muddle, no one knowing
who is faithful to the government and
who is not" "But are the people of
Khartoum afraid?" '.Excellency, there
is plenty to be afraid of. " Tell me,
now-is the mehdi as strong as people
say?" and all through he exhibited in
his voice and manner the most cheer
full and buoyant confidence. 1.-The
mehdi, excellency, is much stronger
than you have any idea of. =" ''Ah, ali!
| shall manage him." Il pray the
good God TO assist YOU" ''Are you
coming back?" Il hope so; but not
now. Would you like me TO come
soon?" 'If not soon you won't find
me. / shall not be here more than five
months. Now" said he, pressing my
hand, edo you want anything?' "Noth-
ing" He repeated the question sew
eral times with the kindest emphasis,
and then presented me to Col. Stewart
and Ibrahim Pasha, who rode behind
him, wearing gray tourist suits. Gen.
Gordon hereupon hastily babe me
adieu, and then the party, numbering
about ten persons, started off again ut
the tremendous pace equaling that at
which [ saw them approach some
fifteen or twenty minutes before. Each
member of the party carried q small
water-sack, some provisions, and a
sleeping-carpet.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Wisdom in Clothing.

[ agree that the tax of carving
clothes from the waist is utterly unjus-
tifiable, and that the parts that should
bear the burden are the shoulders and
none other, says an English physician
in London Truth. In this regard wo-
man ought to be placed under just the
same favorable conditions for move
ment of the body rs men, and the
greatest emancipation that woman will
ever have achieved will have arrived
when she has discovered and carried
out this practical improvement.
Anyone who will for moment think
candidly must admit that the dress
of men, however bad it may be in
taste, or in whatever bad taste it may
have been conceived, is, in respect to
health, infinitely superior to that of
women.
The middle of the body is not en-
veloped in a number of close layers,
while the lower limbs are left without
close clothing altogether; the center of
the body is not strained with q weight
which almost drags down the lower
limbs and back; the chest is not eX-
posed to every wind that blows, and
the feet are not bewildered with heavy
garments which they have to kick for
ward or drag from behind with every
advancing step. The body is clothed
equally, and the clothing is borne by
the shoulders; it gives freedom of mo-
ton to the circulation; it makes no IN
due pressure on the digestive organs;
it leaves the limbs free; it is easily put
on and off; and it allows of ready
change in vicissitudes of weather.
1t is told of the late eminent surgeon,
Mr.. Cline, the teacher of Sir Ashley
Cooper, that when he was consulted
by a lady on the question how she
should prevent girl from growing up
misshapen, he replied: LET her have
no stays and let her run about like the
boys" l gladly re-echo this wise ad-
vice of the great surgeon; and [ would
venture to add to it another suggestion.
l would say to the mothers of England,
let your girls dress like your boys;
make no difference whatever in respect
to them-give them knickerbock-
ers if you like-with these excep-
tions, that the undergarments be of
little lighter material, and that
they be supplemented by an outer
gown or robe which shall take the place
of the outer coat of the boys and shall
make them look distinctively what they
are-girls clothed cap-a-pie, and well
clothed from head to foot.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Hints About PicniCS,

The most important part OF picnic,
however, is not the weather or the
place or the dinner. You may choose
the most beautiful spot in the world,
and spread the most delicious lunch
ever prepared, and yet have the whole
thing complete failure, simply be-
cause the company was not well select
ed. Out-of-doors, where people are
free from formality, unless they are
congenial friends, and what Mrs. Whit
ney calls Real Folks" they will be
likely to feel i'll at ease, and miss the
support given by the company, clothes
and manners. Small picnics, for this
reason among others, are usually much
pleasanter than large picnics.
In making up the party, be sure to
leave behind the girl who is certain to
be too warm or too cold, or to think
some other place better than the one
where she is, and who has ga horrid
time" if she has to submit to any per-
sonal inconvenience for the sake of
others; and with her, the boy who loves
to tease, and who is quite sure that his
way is the only good way. Put into
their places some others, young or old,
who love simple pleasure, and are
ready to help others to enjoy them.
Next in Importance to the company
is the place. 1t must not be at great
distance, or you will all be tired, not
to say cross, when you arrive there. 1t
must be reasonably shady, and not too
far from q supply of good drinking
water. If the company are to walk,
you must be especially careful not to
be overburdened with baskets and
wraps, for the bundles which seemd SO
light when you started are sure to
weigh down much more heavily before
you reach your destination. Be careful
to have this work fairly distributed.
Never start until you are sure that
you know just where you are going,
and the best way OF getting there.
Wandering about to choose a place,
and thinking constantly to find one
more desirable, is very fatiguing. The
matter should be settled beforehand
by two or three of the party, and the
others should 60 straight to the spot,
and make the best of it. If any do not
like it, they can choose different place
when their turn comes to make the Sc
lection. s.Picnics, by Susan 4.
B7'oaOas, IN st. Nicholas for July.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
AmbidextrouS Penmen.

SIS ambideNtrous, or left handed
writing taught much nowadays?" ask
ed New York Mail and Express re-
porter of the principal of a leading
business college, where the study Of
penmanship is one of the great fea-
lures.
Yes, was the reply. There is not
an institution of penmanship in this
city that does not devote as much time
to the development of the photographic
faculties of the left hand as those of the
right. Years ago | exploded the then
prevailing notion that the action of the
muscles in the formation of script char
acters was natural to the right hand
alone. In fact, there is nothing natu-
raj in writing. Good penmanship is
the result Of incessant practice. in
which the left hand may be trained
with as satisfactory results rs the
right. And viewed from both an edu-
cational and a business standpoint the
PRONUNCIATION of ambidextrous instruc-
ton is certainly desirable. In the first
place, it is q well known fact that per-
sons who train the left hand always be-
come more proficient in penmanship
with their right. And what an aid 1t is
to the people who earn their living by
the use of the pen 10 be able to write
with both hands. Penman's paralysis
is unknown, and if an accident should
happen to one hand the other is always
ready for duty. A great many clerks
down town are proficient ambidexter-
lists. When they are tired of writing
with one hand they change the pen and
thus avoid the fatigue consequent
upon the use of one hand throughout
the day. Take, for instance, Mr.. M. E.
Cockey, of the Western Union Tele-
graph company. With his right hand
he is able to send a message along the
wires and with his left hand to take
down q copy of the same. Very handy,
is it not? This prejudice against the
the left hand is dying out, as it
should"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
A WOuId-Bc PensiOner.

At club dinner in New York recent
~, an examining surgeon related the
following incident showing how the
Arrears Act developed pensioners out
of sound and undeserving men. Dur
ing the war he was surgeon of an infan-
try regiment. When the regiment first
went into battle he observed, sitting
behind a big tree at q safe distance
from the tighting-line, the captain of
one OF the companies.
wv hat are you doug here. captain?"
asked the doctor.
Il m not feeling well, replied the
officer, in doleful voice
1he surgeon was too busy looking
after the wounded to stop and inquire
rs to his complaint. A few weeks
later the regiment again got under
fire, and the surgeon found the same
captain skulking behind barn.
Hello! sick again?" he exclaimed.
well, the fact is doctor, I'm not
exactly sick. | may rs well own up
for it. 1t must be constitutional. Now,
doctor, what's is the use of my staying
lin the army? Won't you help me get
Il ulScnarGe?
The surgeon thought he was doing
the country q service when, q few days
afterward, he recommended that the
man be discharged on the ground of
general disability. He heard nothing
of the captain until sixteen years later,
when he received q letter from the
Pension Office informing him that Cap
tain Blank had applied for 4 pension
from the date of his muster-out, and
that as he, as surgeon of the regiment,
had certified to the disability, would
he kindly inform the Government rs to
the nature of the disease from which the
officer suffered? The surgeon replied
that the captains complaint was
chronic and incurable cowardice, not
contracted in the line of duty, but con-
stitutional The captains name did
not 90 upon the roll, and his plan for
retting some four thousands dollars for
arrears and twenty dollars month
for the rest of his life came to grief
How many schemes no less dishonest
have succeeded through the complais-
ance of examining surgeons, less honest
than the narrator of the incident, could
only be ascertained by Il thorough over
hauling OF the whole Pension List and
o reexamination of the entire army of
pensioners. E. 7. Sm0lley, IN july
CeRtlt7'u
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
Settling With Il Mourning Widow

One of the steamers plying between
Detroit and Cleveland ran over skiff one
night and drowned its occupant. When
he had been identified, the agent called
upon his wife to see If q settlement
could not be made. She was not in
tears nor Frustrated with grief. On
the contrary she was at the washtub
and in good humor. When the matter
was preached she said:
well, now, my husband took home
the washings, brought in the coal, and
was of use in several other ways, and
his death was quite loss to me-"
about what sum do you feel would
make you good?" he asked.
Now, then, be honest with me,
she replied after taking q moment to
think. How much will bang-up
bridal tower from here to Niagara Falls
and back cost?"
well, $500 ought to putyou through
first class and give you three days at
the Falls"
We'll. say $3.50. That gives me
money for my shoes and bonnet, and
may want to dye M hair and buy
some stockings"
The money was handed over and n
receipt taken. and the tower took
place the next week. = Val Street
NeWs.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
The New Dynamite Gun.

Recent experiments with the new
dynamite gun were very successful.
The gun with which the experiments
were made is something entirely differ
ent from any ordnance heretofore used
1t is narrow, seamless brass tube Az
feet long and s. inches in diameter,
mounted on ~ angle-iron trestle. and
connected with an air reservoir con-
tanning fifteen charges. To this was
united q small iron pipe running into
one of the classmates where there was
a steam air compressor The proJec-
tile was thin brass tube three feet
long, in which the dynamite cartridges
were placed against u percussion fuse
to be detonated by illuminate of mer-
curry at the moment when the iron
head should strike the object aimed at.
This dynamite arrow was feathered by
4 long wooden sabot.
The target was Il bank of sodden
earth south of Fort Hamilton, and was
700 yards away. Compressed air was
suddenly admitted to the long pneu-
matte tube by pulling the lanyard. An
explosion followed, and, after q brief
interval, another much louder as the
projectile struck the bank and the dy-
Mantle dug deep hole in the earth.
Five shots were fired, four sending two
dynamite shells into the bank, one
against the sea-wall below it, and one
into the wafer near it. The fifth threw
q she'll two miles away, into the water.
For the first shot the shell was not
charged. For the second sixteen and
three-quarter pounds of dynamite were
used. For the third seventeen, and
for the fourth and fifth each fifteen
pounds. Each shot was fired with an
air pressure of 500 pounds to the square
inch. Every shot struck within three
feet of the point aimed at, and Lieut..
Zalinski declared that the gun worked
as accurately and easily rs any rifle
gun.
A score of gentlemen stood about the
gun examining its curious construction,
when Lieut.. Zalinski stepped up ten
DERBY carrying the proiectile.
This" said he, touching the shell,
contains seventeen pounds OF dyna-
mite, sufficient to- but the re-
mainder of the sentence was left I'M
finished. for the soldier found himself
talking to the gun. His audience had
disappeared. The four charges of dy-
Mantle exploded on striking. An ex-
plosion of free dynamite was made
on the western face of the fort. Ten
pounds were placed on twelve sheets
of boiler-iron, without any ''tamping,"
and in the open air. The thickness of
the iron sheets, laid one over the other,
was ten inches, and they were sup
ported on three heavy timbers one foot
square. Ten of the plates were perfor-
ated by the discharge, and the two
others were deeply indented. The ex-
periments were entirely satisfactory to
all present. Seventy-five pounds of
dynamite were used costing only 81
cents pound. A new engine is to be
constructed within ten days, by which
an air-pressure of 1000 pounds to the
square inch can be utilized for q pro-
polling power, and experiments will
be made with a gun of six inches
calibre, carrying the projectiles, charged
with 100 pounds of dynamite, three
miles.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31
1t Bothered the Doctor.

DR.. McCosh is celebrated for egotism,
and the best of it is he is never con-
scious of it.
He has broad Scotch accent, and
the habit of gnawing at the joint Of his
thumb when busily thinking.
Some years ago he was lecturing be-
fore the senior class in Princeton Col
lege. He had been discussing Leibnitz's
view of the reason of evil, to the effect
that mankind was put upon the earth
because there was less evil here than
elsewhere.
One of the seniors inquired. well,
Doctor, why was evil introduced into
the world?n
"Ahn' said the doctor. holding up
both hands, Eve have asked the hardest
question in all Philosophy. Suckkrates
tried to answered it and failed; Plato
tried it, and he failed; Kahnt attempted
it and made bad work of it; Leibnitz
tried it, and he begged the whole ques-
ton as I've been tellin' We; and l con-
fess'' crawling at his thumb knuckle
Il confess l don't know-what-to
make of it myself. Troy Press.
Hoe. the inventor of the printing
press which bears his name. anticipates
in the near future the invention of u
Photographic press that will turn off
960, 600 papers an hour.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31

Mr.. Sturgeon calls those sermons
that dish up the same ideas so many
times "cold mutton"
Mississippi levce Luilders are pack
ing IN Spanish moss. which is said to
prevent cr-wGsa .ol.as hoes,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31

A few days ago boy named Ulmar,
of Portland, Me-, got q piece of steel
into one of his hands. A surgeon ex-
amined the wound, and decided that
he would have to cut the hand open for
two inches to extract the piece of steel.
He first took the boy TO the Western
light station, and tried the value of
electricity as q surgical aid. The piece
of steel had gone down through the
hand. A steel instrument was inserted
into the wound until it reached the
piece, and the instrument was then
maonetized and drawn from the wound,
drawing the piece with 1t, leaving only
the small hole where it had entered to
heal, and thereby saving the useful
ness of the hand.