davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
FIELD MICE.

Description of the Habits of Some Very
Common Agricultural Pests.
The common meadow mouse (Arvi-
cola riparius) is found abundantly
throughout the United States. and is
the comma bank mouse of our mead
ows. Islorms groove-like paths
through he fields. which seldom dip
beneath the surface of the ground,
but are frequently hidden for few
yards by the matted grass and weeds
under which they run They will usu-
ally be found to lead to some old
stump or bank near a stream, and
here will be found the nests of this
mouse, which are built of grass, either
under the stump. or in shallow bur-
row in the bank. This species often
selects swamps for its home, and is an
expert swimmer and diver, and perfect
ly at home in the water. Il avoids
thick woods and high grounds, and 1
have never known it to take up its
abode in any house or barn.
This is a prolific species, three to
four litters being produced in year.
and the Young numbering from two to
five at birth. 1 have often seen the
bank mouse sit erect upon it's launches
like marmot, and in this position
wash it's face with its paws, often for
several minutes together. Roots and
grasses are its favorite food, but it is
no friend of the farmer. In hard Win
ers-through 1.-THE coldest weather of
which it continues active-it gnaws the
park from young fruit trees, often COM
rletely girdling them, and. OF course,
destroying the trees. 1t is also very
fond of corn, and regularly takes up its
residence in the stacks left in the fields.
To other grain and garden vegetables
it is rarely, if ever. destructive. The
capture of this mouse is easy, as it
readily enters almost any sort of trap
baited with a piece of apple or an ear
of corn. or even with meat. L have
had bank mice become so tame
in captivity that they were al
lowed the liberty of my room; they
readily took food from my fingers, and
delighted in hiding in my pockets and
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
A WASHINGTON EPISODE.
That Had Pointer in it for Those Who
Ape Foreign Manners.

That Had Pointer in it for Those Who
Ape Foreign Manners.
Baron de Struve, the Russian Minis
ter, and his wife are among the most
popular people of the diplomatic circle
in Washington. They are utterly SIM
pie and sincere, and are completely
captivated by all things American.
Madame de Struve is very intelligent
woman, but utterly without ostenta-
ton, and thoroughly a lady in all the
best meaning of the term. The Baron
is as plain a man as Maryland farmer,
and both pay America the delicate COM
pliment of seeking to appear American
In all things.
The Baroness, one day recently,
showed her quick knowledge and ap-
probation of the fine points of etiquette,
and at the same time fittingly rebuked
pert young American miss in a man
ner that will not be forgotten, and that
should be told for the benefit of other
similar young women who ape foreign
airs, cultivate foreign tongues, and think
it the proper thing to shrug ones shoul-
ders. elevate ones eyebrows, and turn
the palms of ones hands outward in
dill tflc CSSCuCC VI az Vic
mention of their own country.
There is class of those female dudes
in Washington who esteem it the proper
performance to chatter in bad French
at all times and upon all occasions.
A bevy of these young women ap-
preached Madame de Struve at a recep-
ton in the White House, and began
chattering in more or less broken
French. and she replied, in her rather
lame English:
Why" said one of the party, ''do
you not speak French. madame? l am
sure you must be able to speak it,
The Baroness gave them keen glance
and replied, ''Yes, l speak French, but
not in the house of the American Pres
ident Though Ispeak English poorly,
[ speak it here as well as l can"
The party were not dull enough to
miss the rebuke in the calm and lady
like remark, and the Baroness contn-
ued: 81 do not like to speak French
anywhere. 1t is foolish and frivolous
language and dislike it. Why should
one use it when one can express herself
in the English. which is the noblest
and best language in the world, as
America is the greatest and grandest
Nation in the world. / am proud to
speak in the language of the Ameri-
cans"
The giddy young misses began to
converse in English, at least while in
Madame de Strives presence. Some
of them told the story, and its circula-
ton caused the young lady who Won
dered that the Baroness did not speak
French, some mortitication.-Wa Washing
ton Cor. Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zette.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
PlTH AND POINT.

Better have method in your mad
ness than madness in your method.
-''The earth is the Lords and the
fullness thereof" People who want
the earth should make a note of this
Boston Courier.
If praying machine were invented
many would use it if it did not take too
much time from their business to wind
it up Whitehall Times.
How fond the world is of that
which is in anywise new! Thousands of
people will buy the revised Old Testa-
ment who haven't opened the covers of
their King James version in years.
Pittsburgh (Po.) Commercial Gazette.
-'.How shall get valuable cyclo-
padia free?'' asks subscriber. There
are good many ways, but unless he
can get one given to him he had better
go without it. 1t is not safe to steal
less than 100000 nowadays.-N. T.
Sun.
Il amt got nuthin' ergin er pusson
whut kes ter war rings an shiny pins
but doan think dat such pussons eber
'complshes much good till arter da
draps dat sorter foolishness. De tree
haster shake off de lbright bloom fore
de fruit am gwineter come.-ArkGnsaaJ
Iraveler.
No, Miss Mamie, they are not
called grass widows because they are
green, for they are as far removed
from the verdant state as the North
Pole is from the South Pole. Any man
who picks up grass widow, thinking
her dew-laden refreshing bunch OF
green grass, burns his fingers awfully,
If not more so.-BrOokIym Times.
"A rural photographer had young
lady sit for her picture, who, at a sub
sequent visit to examine the proof, was
not pleased at the result, and remarked
that she did not like it at ALL" and
that she thought it was ''perfectly hor-
rid The artist, looking attentively
at the young lady, remarked: Il know
it is frightful looking, but had to take
what sot before me-"
"A ten-year-old Rochester boy on
the cars coming to Troy, the other day,
became hungry about eleven o'clock,
and began an attack upon the bounti-
full lunch that had been prepared for
him, A gentleman who sat behind him
was moved to remark: my boy, if you
eat much now you won't have any ap-
peIilc 1OT your uliluef. IO WHICH tHe
smart little fellow replied: ''Well, l
guess if | haven't any appetite I shan t
want any dinner The gentleman
had no more to say.-Troy Times.
Don't say ''cawn't'' for can't. 1t
don't sound nice.-Montezunan (Ga.
Record. And don't you say don't
for doesn't. 1t isn't good grammar.
Chicago Erening Journal And don't
you, Mr.. Critic, talk about 'good
grammar. The sentence is either
grammatical or ungrammaticaL Gram
mar is neither good or bad.-Jack-
soaUiIle (W. Journal. s.Neither good
or bad is neither good nor bad gram
mar, Mr.. Critic of Crit cs. 1t is just
no grammar at all Chicago Journal
Now you've did it, amt you.-W WASH
inQtOn Ratchet.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
LIKE THE NEWSBOYS.

Davies idea of "Fun," and How He Put
It Into Practice.
Last summer Davies mamma read to
him about the poor little newsboys of
New York, and how some of them had
no homes, and slept out of doors all
night.
81 think that would be fun" said
Davie.
''Why don't you try it" asked his
mamma, "and see if it is such fun to
have no warm bed and comfortable
room?"
Davie thought about it the next day.
He decided 10 see how it seemed to
sleep outside, like the newsboys. He
talked with his friend Will about it, and
he advised Davie to sleep in his barn.
"You can have the carriage-robes for
bed. and I'll bring you some things to
eat, from our house." said Willie
Davie liked his friends suggestions.
The two boys carried some hay to a
corner of the barn, and spread on this
the carriage-robes. Willie brought a
jar of jam and piece of cake from the
house, for Davie to eat in the night if
he was hungry. Davie felt quite proud
of his attempt at playing newsboy. He
said it was just as nice as being at home.
Willie said goodnight at sundown,
and went away to his supper. Davie
laid down and tried to sleep. The barn
was large, and in the twilight seemed
lonely and dismal The boards creaked
every now and then, and Davies cour-
age began to give out. He did not
think the newsboys were so comforta-
BILE, after all. He tried to eat the jam
Willie had given him. 1t did not taste
as good as his mammals. The tears
came into Davies eyes as he thought of
that dear mamma sitting now at the
table, pouring the tea for his papa.
He thought of his own little bed and
his pretty room; the pictures on the
wall that he always saw the moment his
eyes opened in the morning. He started
up. and the clatter of his shoes on the
bare floor made his heart beat fast. He
opened the door and ran home as fast
as he could.
"Why, here's Davier exclaimed his
mamma, as the door opened.
Davie threw his arms about his man.
ma. 81 do love my home,' he said,
as he laid his head on the dear shoul-
der; '' and / don't want to be a news
boy. Alice N. Kellogg, IN Our Little
Ones.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28

up my sleeves. They ate all sorts of
vegetables and grain, as well as large
quantities of grass, and drank much
water; they were also very fond of
playing and stopping in a dish of the
latter. The color of this species above
is brownish-fawn; beneath grayish-
white. The eyes are small, and the
ears are short and round. The body is
robust, and covered with soft fur; the
tail is short, and covered with rather
stiff. hair. Length of head and body,
five inches; of the tail, one and three
quarters inches.
Thepine mouse (Arv:cola pinetorum),
unlike its near relative, the bank mouse,
selects for its residence high, dry
ground. particularly vegetable gardens
and potato fields. 1t produces young
three Or four times during the summer,
there being from three to eight young
mice in each litter. This mouse is a
fair turnover. and builds for itself a
nest of grass a foot or more beneath
the surface of the ground; the nests
are of small size. and generally but
rudely made. The pine mouse is one
Of the most destructive rodents with
which the farmer has to deal. It
gnaws small holes in potatoes, carrots.
turnips, and the like, causing an i'm
mense number to rot; it follows the
rows of newly-planted peas and corn,
and devours the choice ''seed;" and in
the South it is exceedingly destructive
to the sweet potato, and also to the pea
or ground-nut. 1t follows the course
of mole tunnels, and nibbleS and de-
stroys every root and seed along its
course, thus bringing down vengeance
ON the head of the harmless and car
nivorous shrew mole. Fortunately this
prolific species has a host of enemies to
keep down its numbers, it being a
favOrite food with nearly all our carni-
vorous mamman and birds; the do
mestic cat is especially fond of the flesh
of this little mouse. and largely con-
tributes toward keeping its rapid in
crease in check. 1t is easy to capture
the pine mouse in almost any sort of
mouse trap. and a small. stout ferrit
makes short work of a family of this
species.
This field mouse is smaller than the
species above described. measuring but
three and one-half inches from point of
nose to root of tail. The tail is rather
more than half an inch in length. The
head is large, the nose blunt. The fur
is short and tustrous, somewhat like
that of the common mole. The color
above is brown; beneath, grayish or
slate color. This mouse is common in
every State of the Tn on east of the
Mississippi River. 1t is. however, less
frequently seen than the common
meadow mouse, owing to its more re-
firing and partially subterranean
habits.
The molar teeth in the genus Arvicola
are without roots. There are two in
cisor teeth above and two below, and
three molars in each jaw, making six
teen teeth in all.-RaLph W. SeisS. IN
Country Gentleman.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
READING FOR THE YOUNG.
THE TWO FAIRIES.

Sometimes, and quite often. TIM thinking,
A naughty black elf comes around,
He steals through the cracks and the key
holes
without ever making a sound
BE creeps close beside little Kittie,
And says naughty things in her ear,
l always can tell by the shadows
If this wicked old fairy is here.
No matter what Kittfe is doing
No matter how good she has been
Her face will be clouded all over
AS soon as that fairy gets in.
He makes her grow cross and act naughty,
He SpOilS every bit of her play;
Most always he gets her In trouble
Before she will send him away.
His name? Oh, his name is nl-Temper
He makes other folks naughty, too;
And they always seem willing to have him.
I'm sure that wouldn't, would you?
There's another-a bright little fairy,
Whose coming hail with delight.
She drives away naughty niTemper,
And makes cloudy faces grow bright
She comes through the wide-open window,
And rides on the suns golde n beams,
always can tell when she's near us,
So different everything seems.
She cheers us with words of sweet comfort
She puts naughty frownS out of sight.
wish she would dtlCdys stay with US
This fairy, so loving and bright.
She paints all the world in bright colors,
She helps us our burdens to bear;
And she is always looking for others
To comfort, encourage and cheer.
Her name? She is sweet Loving. Kindness.
1 wish she was often around;
For the household is happier. better,
Wherever this fairy is found.
Hrs. Sarah Il. Eastman, in Golden Days.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
and if you could go to the store IN

and if you could go to the store III
bless you; was going myself, but my
legs don't want to carry me-.
From duty to duty George stepped
blithely, helped by the consciousness
that he was tightening the burden OF
another. What merry song the tea
kettle hummed that night! or was the
song in Georges own thoughts, and
the tea-kettle only echoed it! Ihe
stove, 1bo, here and there showed some
eye of gold that winked merrily az
George. After tea he sat by the stove
thinking over Uncle Georges words
and finally grew drowsy. lie was SO
tired! At last, that kind friend, the IN
itials of whose name are A. E. n, and,
in full, An Evening Nap, SO hiied ms
ears with soft thistle-down. grown on
the fields of Night, and hung such q
thick, woolly veil before his sight, that
he could not hear or see anything.
Yes, he could see at last; and who were
before him-two secretaries of mission
boards, or two Uncle Georgess he
could hardly decide the question. They
were bald had little wing-llke tufts OF
gray hair, and wore gold-bowed spec
tacles looking like cherubs.
cS, YES, OuC, w ~
tainly find out whether he has the mis-
sionary spirit; and that, you know, be-
gins at home"
Certainly, brother
s.He who has a hand of help wher-
ever he goes, who is self-sacriticing,
who begins at home, as | said. helping
father and mother, brother and sister,
certainly makes good beginning.
xsTnct brotbar -
"And this young man here. we'll
what shall we say? He did better to-
day; but he must keep at it. you know.
He must realize that he can be mis-
sionary at home, and, if not, he will
never do for a missionary abroad.
You are right, brother. Why, the
young man acts as if he were sleepy.
Shake him, brother"
The two secretaries, or the two Uncle
Georges, now advanced, and laying
gentle hands on the drowsy candidate
-''Ugh!" exclaimed George.
'Why, George!" said his mother, run
ming to him. s.Did you hit your head
against the back of the chair when you
nodded? Too bad, dear! There, l
guess you had better 60 to bed. You
have worked real hard, and helped me
ever so much. You have trotted round
just like missionary"
And George went to bed wondering
what led his mother to make the last
EdUard a. Rand, IN S.
S. Times.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28

LITTLE Rock, ARK, May 19.-ln an
encounter in the Indian Territory between
a posse and a band of thirteen cattle
thieves two of the leaders of the band
lost their lives and a third was captured.
Belle Star, famous ex-Confederate
female spy, who was living with
the outlaws, was also taken pris-
oner. The thieves were oYertaken near
the Canadian River, where sharp battle
with Winchester rifles ensued. The out
laws finally fed and the posse pursued
and shot Arthur Moody and captured
John Wagner and the woman. Middle
ton, the leader, was chased into the river
and was drowned.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
The Printing of Postage Stamps.

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 20.-Post-
master-General Villas is awaiting the re-
suit of experiments now being made In
the printing of postage stamps by steam
machinery before awarding the contract
for next years supply. The American
Bank Note Company of New York, and
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in
this city are the lowest bidders. If the
stamps printed by steam machinery are up
to the standard, Mr.. Villas will adopt the
new mode which is said to be much
cheaper than the old method of hand.
printing.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
SCHLAFEN SIZE WOHLI
A Graphic Description of a German Sleep-
ing Apartment.

Graphic Description of a German Sleep
ing Apartment.
I wonder if you ever saw genuine
German schlafzimmer, or bed-roomp In
the first place the threshold is raised
about four inches high, so in entering
the room one is in danger of getting a
fall. The floor runs slightly down hill
and the furniture consequently seems
marching all one way. There is big.
shiny sofa with table before it. On
the walls are framed artificial wreaths
memorials of funerals of years gone
by.
In one corner is the stove, but Won
would never imagine it to be one, look
ing like great family monument.
painted black and as high as the door.
The easement window opens directly
on to the beds. for there are ALWAYS two
beds in a room for two persons. Thew
are narrow and have three or four mat
tresses each, which rise to a frowninp
height. The pillows are immense. two,
for each bed. and there is also a trian-
gular sort of bolster, which forces the
occupant to sleep at an angle of forty.
five degrees.
On top of the bed is the grandest in
stltution OF this country-the ..Plumo.''
dear to the Germans heart-a feather
bed in red or blue bag! So, when one
sleeps, his extremities are in the torrid
zone OF feathers, his heart and LUNGS in
tne temperate zone of the blankets, and
his head in the arctic circles of dranohts
from the window.
During the night the sleeper bedo8es
aware that something is the matter. Is
wakes !! IN terror, and finds the ..Plunsb''
Is gone. 1t generally falls off aboutl l9e
times before daylight. The pett;ng ,p ny
to rearrangethe thing is pleasant al.
version, even in these cold shrine
nights, and in the winter must be onits
exhilerating. "o 4ui'e
think much prefer the patent hook.
case bedsteads in America, which bava
all the clothes built in; but I once
hHala hind of 81 hsa woman who closed up that
1t and he was lost for half a dav E par -
haps German ways are the safest
Berlin Cor. Detroit Free Press. @-
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
NOT A BLAMED WORD.

How the Tender Feelings of Bright
Young Man Were Trampled Upon BY q
Designing Young Woman.
The Auditor of State, hearing some one
enter the room, looked up and beheld
man who looked as though he and
melancholy had long been compan.
ions.
Good morning." said the Auditor
''Only tolerable. i
He sat down and had, during a hall
hour, maintained an unbroken SILENCE,
when the Auditor said:
Have you any business with me?'
.'Not in particular.
Again he settled down into deep 81
lence The Auditor became impatient.
What can do for you9"
sHahr'
..What can do for you?' repeated
the Auditor.
well, if you were in my place what
would you do?''
Il don't know, l am sure"
Haven't heard anything about me,
then?''
"Nothing."
mot blamed word?''
mot a word"
"Well, I'll tell you. I live out about
twenty miles from here. I'm the
Teller that killed the big rattlesnake.
Now. you have heard of me, haven't
you?'
No
mot blamed word?"
''Not word. y
"That's strange. Well, some time
ago I fell in love with Nat Pearson 8
daughter. You've heard of that, ]
reckon?"
mo-
Not blamed word?'
''Not word. y
..Well, Nat he want agin the affair."
.tWasn't, ehs'' said the Auditor, be-
coming amused.
..No. When I asked him he lowed
that he didn't care, jes' so [ waited till
he got through plantin' corn, for Sock
that's her name-can kiver more
corn with hoe than any man in the
neighborhood. l hadn't said anything
to the girl all this time, thinkin' that l
would wait. Well. when spoke to her
about it she lowed that it suited her
well enough. Concluded to git mar
ried in town by Jestice Of the Peace.
so this mornin' We sot out an come to
town. l got my license an bou' t her
lot of apples an eatin' truck an sweet
stuff. left her at the 'Squire's office
while l went to the wagon yard after
our horses. 1ntendin' that as soon as we
was married we would ride. Well, sir,
when | came back she had dun married
Ike Jacobs. You know him. don't
you3"
"No."
you've heard of him, haven't you?"
"No, never heard of him.
Not blamed word?"
sNot word.
..Well. he is a little bit the ugliest
SIN good for nuthin' man l ever seed.
The State of Arkansaw can't show up
such another feller. Why, sir, he let
Darb Andrews fling him down. You've
hearn O. Darb?''
No"
Not planned word"
"Not a word9'
..Well now, if you was in my place
what would you do!''
Il wouldn't do anything"
Not a blamed thing?'
"No."
81 tell YOU, cap'n. 1t want so much
that l love the girl, but that | need
her,
s.Need her, eh?''
Eyes. I've got ten acres OF new
ground that want to put in corn. 1t
IS so rough that it can't be kivered 'cept
with a hoe. That gal can kiver it in
three days. It's awful to be disap.
pointed SO early in life. Well, don't
Say anything about it.
II won't. y
s.Not blamed word?'
'.Not word.
well. goodbye. Grief has tuck
possession of me. e."-ArkGnsaw Irde-
eker.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
A gentleman, scientifically inclined,

recently captured spider, and by care
full estimate, made by means of actual
ly weighing it and then confning it in
a cage, he found that it ate four times
its weight for breakfast. nearly nine
times its weight for dinner. and thir-
teen times its weight for supper. finish
ing up with an ounce. and at eight in
the evening, when he was released. ran
off in search of food. At this rate,
man weighing 100 pounds would require
the whole of fat steer for breakfast,
the dose repeated with the addition OF
half dozen well-fatted sheep for dinner.
and two bullocks. eight sheep and four
hogs for supper. and then. as lunch
before going to his club banquet. he
would indulge in about four barrels of
fresh fish.-N. Y. Times.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28
In a recent San Francisco murder

III C ItCtHI SdH TIdHCISCU HUTUtr
trial several Cinnamon who were called
to testify took first an oath in the US
ual form, which, by the way, they did
not hold in the slightest degree sacred.
and afterward signed an oath, which
was printed on a slip of yellow paper,
and then burned in the presence of the
jury. The written oath recited that
unless the defendant told the truth,
his soul would be Immediately ar
rested upon the oath in the form of
smoke reaching the land of the spirits,
and that his body would not be re-
turned to the Flowery Kingdom at
death.-San Francisco Call.
Iron County register., 1885-05-28

Sometimes, and quite often, I'm thinking,
"A naughty black elf comes around,
He steals through the cracks and the key