davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
HOuseWork-fOr the Boys.

The following good suggestions are
given by writer in the New England
Farmer:
II have often wondered why moth
ers do not more generally teach their
boys to do housework, and thus in
many cases secure the best of help.
One of the saddcst of the many sad
sights in this world, is that of poor,
wearied, over-worked mother, shaving
herself to death to wait upon her
boys, who are sitting around in her
way or learning the ways Of evil on
the street, when they might and
should be her efficient helpers. The
larger the family the more help she
ought to have. Even Ia families
where there are girls, the domestic
education of the boys should not be
omitted, unless, as is the case of most
farmers homes, there is plenty of
work outside for them to do.
The scarcity of good help is one of
the standing complaints of civilized
life. If the children-boys as well as
girls-were Systematically trained to
do homework, as they should be, this
difficulty would soon be obviated.
Besides the present help, such train
ing would be of the greatest advan
tage to them when they have homes
of their own. [ do not believe that
any one ever had reason to regret the
possession of thorough knowledge
of homework.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15

prove1 that sugar syrup answered the
same end as with honey. Giving an
imprisoned swarm an abundance of
fruit and bae-bread, he found that
they subsisted upon the fruit, but re-
fused to touch the pollen; and that
40 combs were constructed, nor any
wax-scales formed in their pouches.
Langstroth says: Notwithstanding
Heuber's extreme caution and I'M
wearied patience in conducting these
experiments, he did not discover the
whole truth on this important subject.
Though he demonstrated that bees
can construct comb from honey or
sugar, without the aid of bee-bred,
and that they can make it from bee
bread, without honey Or sugar, he did
not prove that when permanently de-
rived of bee bread they can continue to
work in wax, or if they can, that the
pollen does aid in its elaboration.
Some bee bread is always found in
the stomach Of wax-producing work
ers, and they never build comb so
rapidly as when they have free access
to this article. 1t must, therefore,
either furnish some of the elements of
wax or In some way assist in produ-
cling 1t.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
A Dog Story from Nova Scotia.
Yarmouth Times

A citizen went into store Port
Maitland to buy dozen eggs, but only
eleven could be found and he started
off with these. He was overtaken by
his dog, which had been in the store
with him. The animal had found
another egg in the store, and bringing
it in his mouth placed it in his masters
basket. During the past fail the dog
was gwen a basket full of corn to
carry home, and finding it too heavy
he took several ears out and left them
on the road, took the basket home,
then went back and brought the re-
maining ears in his mouth.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Women for Business.

What women need to make them
business Ike is to be brought into
contact with business, to hear it talk
ed about, to be expected to manage
their small affairs in business way.
The farmer gives his little boy a calf
and his little girl lamb, and accus-
toms them not merely to the care of
the animal, but to note it's market
value and the changes in that value
at different times. So, it seems to me,
every business man should put into
the hands of his daughters some small
piece Of property, railroad share for
instance, and teach her to observe it's
fluctuations in value and ask their
cause; and to learn by personal expe-
rience the difference Between princi-
pal and interest.
I once heard Mrs. E. D. Cheney say
that her father did this for his daugh-
tiers, but I never heard of any other
instance. It ought to be very com
mon thing. IF girls are to be rich they
need this kind of knowledge; if poor,
they need it still more. 1t will not in
terfere with the ideal side of the ma
ture; poets and artists, as far as I have
seen, are as practical as other people
but it will prevent that hopeless de-
pendence for the simplest business
matter upon the nearest man which
SO often make cultivated women the
objects either of pity or of fraud
The Countryside.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Popular Superstitions.
Atlanta Constitution,

Speaking of Grover Cleveland's
luck. the thought occurs that there
are undoubtedly lucky men and I'm
lucky ones. One of Girara's rules
was never to have anything to do with
an unlucky man. The Rothschllds
will not employ a man who has a
reputation for ill-luck. History is
full Of it. Cornwell trusted in Sept
3, Napoleon in Dec. 2. Many great
men have worn trinkets to give them
luck. Many a woman who puts on
hers stocking wrong side out will not
change it, Few care to be one at a
table of thirteen. La Russia they will
not pass the salt Men nate to do any
thing important on Friday Millions
believe virtue of the horseshoe. Even
the most sensible people have little
confidence In the ultimate success of a
man who has been the victim of an
extraordinary run of lllluck A
mans intelligence and integrity count
for nothing in the popular estimation
when people have seen bis enterprises
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
he "Health-GiYing Glow"

A most healthful and invigoratin g
practice, that costs nothing but a
trife of resoluteness and due care to
modify the dose according to the vital
force Of the individual, consists in
going into the pure cold air In the
morning before breakfast, inhaling
freely and exhaling slowly and forci-
bly,. so as to fill and rinse every cell
of the lungs. Then rinse the millions
of pores of the skin by way of secur-
ing then full and proper action.
This is done by exposing the whole
skin to chill, by going out lightly
clothed, or, without going out, expos
ing the barred skin to bath of chill
air or water.
The reaction from this brief expos
ure is what drives out through all the
countless skin pores the clogging
particles that make up the
waste which must pass off by the
skin to preserve health and glow and
hearty feeling. The effect of this
opening of the skin pores is immedi,
ately felt, il the reactive flow takes
place, and is delightfully."- agreeable.
The body feels warm and light; the
spirits rise, everything seems easy and
bright, and soon the appetite feels the
freshening effect and breakfast is en-
ioyed. A Turkish towel helps to start
the food of reaction indoors, and some
active stir soon brings it on out of
doors.
Those already enfeebled by illness
or mere confinement must take care
to make the chill so light or brief as
not to lose the essential and necessary
reaction on which all depends. All
sedentary persons should make it a
rule to develop this health giving
glow at least twice day, at going to
bed, and at rising.-B. P. T., in N. Y.
Tribune
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
The Amenities of War.
Atlanta Constitution.

Gems. Pierce Young ana Custer,
were mess-mates and class mates and
devoted friends at West Point. In
the war they were major generals Of
cavalry on opposing sides. One day
Gen. Young was invited to breakfast
at the Hunter mansion IN Virginia.
The beautiful young ladies had pre-
pared smoking breakfast, to which
the general was addressing himself
with ardor, when shell burst thr ough
the house. CHANGING through a win
dow, he saw Custer charging
toward the house at the head of his
staff. Dat the window Young went,
calling to the young ladies': Tell
Caster leave this breakfast for him. !"
Custer enjoyed it heartily, and looked
forward with pleasure to the dinner
in the distance. In the meantime
Young, smarting over the loss of his
breakfast and his hasty retreat, drove
the federal line back, and by dinner
time was in sight of the Hunter man
sion again. Custer, who was just sit
ting down to dinner. laughed AND
said: That's Pierce Young coming
back. / knew he wouldn't leave me
here in peace. Here's my picture;
give 1t to him, and tell him his OLD
class-mate leaves his love with this
excellent dinner" And out of the
window he went and away like a
fash, while the Georgia general walk
ed in and sat down to dinner.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Selected Gems.

WHAT a wonderful order there is
Ia all human labor While the hus-
bandman burrows his land and pre-
pares for every one his daily bread,
the town artisan far away weaves the
stuff in which he is to be clothed; the
miner seeks under ground the iron
against the invader; the Judge takes
care that the law protects his fields;
the merchant occupies himself In ex-
changing his products with those of
distant countries; the men of art and
science add every day few horses
to this ideal team, which draws along
the material world as steam impels
the gigantic trains of our iron roads.
THE knowledge Of courtesy and
good manners is a very necessary
study. It is, like grace and beauty,
that which begets liking and an in
clination to love one another at first
sight, and in the beginning Of an ac-
qaaintance a familiarity and conse-
quently that which opens the door,
and induces us to better ourselves by
the example of others, If there be
anything in the society worth taking
notice of.
A LAUGH can be very holy thing,
Or the hatefulcst thing beneath the
sun; ripple of praise to God and
love to man, or growl of defiance,
spasm of mortal hatred. 1t can be
the sparkle OF Gods countenance
upon the breast, as the green fields
shine in the broad beams when the
sky is blue. 1t can be an idotic grin.
WHAT is there so beautiful as lovely
old age? What does it matter if the
hair is white and the cheek has lost its
glow, if the eyes shine with a triumph
ant light, and one can fairly feel that
faith that lends a sweetness to the
glance, a cadence to the voice?
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
THE GOOD OLD FARM.

There's got ~ be revival
OF good sound sense among men,
Before the day of prosperity
Will dawn upon us again.
The boys must learn that learnin'
Means more than the essence Of books,
And the girls must learn that beauty
Consists in more than locks.
Before we eau steer clear of failures
And big financial alarms,
The boys have got to quit clerkln'
And get back onto the farms.
know it amt quiet SO nobby,
1t amt quiet SO easy, l know,
AS partin' your hair in the middle,
An sittin' up for a show.
But there's more hard dollars in it,
An more independence, too.
An more real peace and contentment
An health that is rudy an true,
know that it takes hard labor,
But you've got to 'bang on in store
Before you can earn a good Twin
And clothes, with but little more.
What hosts of 'em go back broken
10 health mind and purse,
To die in site of the clover,
Or linger along which is worse.
An how many mourn, when useless,
That they didn't see the charm,
The safety and independence
OF a life on p good old farm.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Wedding Cake Stolen.
London Standard.

[ was married Ola the 9th Of October
last, and after the wedding the usual
cake and cards were dispatched to the
friends of myself and wife in cake
boxes generally used fer the purpose.
In all seventy eight b oxes were sent
out at q cost for cake and postage of
"a. Most of these were sent by letter
post, and few by parcel post, but all
were posted together at the postofhce,
Canterbury. They were addressed to
persons living Ia all parts Of England
and Ireland. OF these seventy eight
boxes, so far as I have been able to
ascertain, not quite dozen reached
their destination intact. Some, on
arrival, contai ned a stray current or
two, others the cards without the cake,
and in one case at least the lid Of the
box was all that arrived. Complaint
was made in due course to the general
pestoff1ce. which, after few weeks
delay, informed US that ''our inquiries
as to the missing cake have proved
unsuccessful. Comment seems super.
huous.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Prices in 1891.
New York Tribune.

During the year there has been a
great decrease in prices. The sales Of
the same quantities of products, there
fore, have been represented by smaller
payments made through the banks.
Frem the beginning to the end of the
year, the fall IN prices has been apout
" per cent, but it is not possible to
calculate precisely how the average OF
prices through the year compares with
the average for the year previous.
Wheat has declined a little over %
cents bushel, corn over Is cents.
oats about 6 cents, oil about 40 cents
barrel, lard over 2 cents a pound.
cofee st cents pound, and poor re-
hned sugar II cents. No record of the
total transactions in grain or erovis-
ions is kept at the Produce Exchange.
but the volume of speculative business
has been enormous, as is Indicated by
the fact that nearly $27, 000 900 has
been deposited on option contracts.
In the Oil Exchange the volumes of
business has vastly increased, the sales
are reported as amounting to nearly
z, 40O, 200, goo barrels, IN the Cotton
Exchange the sales including future
contracts, exceeded $4,000, 900 bales.
against Is, 500, 900 bales In 1883. AT
the Coffee Exchange the sales aggre-
gated 1879, 600 bags, against z, $50, Geo
bags in 1888. Those figures Indicate
that the shrinkage In the volume OF
business measured in quantities can
not have been very large. The change
was mainly in the prices of products
bought and sold.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15

1t has always been thought that
ears of corn have an even number of
rows, and that one with an odd mum
Der of rows would be an imposibillty.
In slavery times this question was dis
cussed, and negro in Kentucky
claimed that he had seen ears of that
kind. His master told him he would
give him his-the negroe's-freedom
for an ear with an odd number of
rows. This was in the early spring,
but in the fail, during corn gathering
time, the negro came with small ear
of corn with thirteen rows. He got
his free papers. A long time after
ward the old negro said that in roast
ing ear time he took share knife,
cut out the one row of grains, bound
the ear together, and knew just where
to find it when gathering time came
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Senatorial Fish Story.
Gath.

Senator Coggeshall, of Watertown,
who has just returned from Florida,
carries off the palm in fish stories. Il
went out fishing on Balder Greek, he
says, 'the night after I arrived in
Florida. We put big light on the
bow of the boat and padded slowly
down stream. You may hang me if
the fish didn't crowd up to that light
so thick that some of them had to
jump out of the water to find room in
which to move. Enough jumped into
the boat to make a good breakfast"
Senator Lansing, who heard this tale,
said the fish were probably like men
who would believe the story-suck-
ers,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
NEVER POSTPONE A WEDDING.
HOW q Macon. Ga. Merchant Lost
and a Railroad Conductor Won a

AMERICUs, Ga, Dec. 90 The un-
expected marriage OF Miss Georgia
Laramore, of this city, to Mr.. Ward
Holt, conductor on the Southwestern
Road, has made quite stir here. Mr..
Holt being aware that Miss Laramore
was to marry a prominent Macon
merchant in a day or two, stepped
over to the hotel veranda where she
was standing and congratulated her.
Holding up letter, she said:
DO you see this? 1t is request
for a postponement, which I have
granted"
"Why," replied the conductor,
whose train was now ready to leave,
81 would not agree to that. Do not
postpone a wedding. If he is not
ready am, and you know I love you.
Will you marry me?"
She dropped her head. dropped her
eyes. and the next moment raised
them to his, and, although filled with
tears the answer was plain.
The conductor delayed the train for
five minutes, procured his license
from an ordinary who was within
call, and in less time than it takes to
tell it the two were made one. The
conductor then pulled out with his
train having first telegraphed to Ma
con for conductor to meet him half
way. The relief arrived at the place
designated, and Mr.. Holt returned to
his bride. The brides letter of post
ponement to her Tilted lover, by the
kindness of the Postmaster, was with
drawn from the mails.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
How a Mother Cuts the Boys Hair.
Philadelphia Press

You eau always tell a boy whose
mother cuts his hair by the way he
stops in the street and wriggles his
shoulders. When a fond mother has
to cut boys hair she draws the front
hair over his eyes and leaves it there
while she cuts that which is at the
back. The hair W hich lies over his
eyes appears to be surcharged with
electric needles, and that which is ST.
lently dropping down under his collar
band appears to be on fire. She has
unconsciously pushed his head for
ward until his nose presses his breast.
In the meantime he is seized with an
irresistible desire to blow his nose, but
he recollects that his handkerchief is
IN the other room. Then a fly lights
on his nose. and does it so uIexpect-
eddy that he involuntarily lodges,
and catches the point of the shears In
his left ear. At this he commences
to cry and wishes he was a man. But
his mother doesn't notice him. When
she is through she holds his Jacket
collar from his neck, and. with her
mouth, blows the short bits of hair
from the top of his head down his
back. He calls her attention to the
fact, but she looks for a new place in
his head and hits him there, and asks
him why he didn't use his handker-
chief. Then he goes out and wriggles
to get the hairs out of his neck, and
wonders what the other boys will say
to him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
BUCK GRANTS SAD STORY.
Another Chapter I'm His Narrative of
the fairs of Fgfs Late FirRa.

NEW YORK, Jan. st, ere was a
further hearing oday before the
referee on the application of Jerome
3. Chaffee, Buck Grants father-in
law, to determine the title to securi-
ties to the amount of $500, 900, placed
in the hands of the younger Grant,
and by him turned over to the firm of
Grant & Ward. The examination of
U. S. Grant, Jr., was resumed. He
had decided to make an assignment,
but tried to get back the securities IN
question to put them into the general
fund of the estate and then make an
assignment. The securities were Sc
cured before the assignment, and then
the witness quietly held them and
waited until Davies made his demand,
when the witness surrendered the keys
of the safe and box Witness had,
one or two months ago, received and
corrected the contract account receiy-
ed from Ward since the assignment,
and witness had corrected and return
ed the same. On that account were
new erasures of the amounts of checks
paid Chaffee. Everything in the ac-
count was in the handwriting of Fer
dinand Ward. Witness had never
known OF any government contract or
of any direct dealings with the gov
eminent. Witness saw Ward the day
after the failure and asked him about
affairs. Wards nerves were unstrung
and he q great deal. Ward said he
had been q very g. eat rascal; that he
had robbed every member of the
family; that he had robbed them
totally, and he humbly admitted it.
Il told him in reply" said the wit
ness, that he was a scoundrel, and
the most he could do would be to tell
the truth. He took Chaffee's funds as
late as November, because he would
have failed then if he had not. The
witness had no idea of the magnitude
of the so-called governments contracts
until after the failure. Up to the day
of the failure ne believed the firm was
rich. He had looked over the sur
plus, which was large, and his person
al ascounJ was a good one. Fish,
Grant and Ward were the first mem
bers. Witness put in 800, 900 cash,
and supposed Ward and Fish did, but
since he found that Ward put up
worthless securities, and Fish put in
the notes of Ward. Monthly state
ments Of profits were made out by
Ward and handed to the members Of
the firm. Witness supposed his part
was to find business, but soon found
it reduced to doing nothing. General
Grant seldom came to the Offices, but
once q month would ask how we
were getting along. Ward was the
man who acted for the firm.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
The Good Doctors Prescription.
Philadelphia Call

It is a matter of life and death. You
are overworked, sir, and must take a
rest"
"That is impossible, Doctor. Fly
best men are all sick, my customers
are coming by the hundreds, and L
must be at my post. "
eff your custom should temporari-
ly drop off you could then find time to
rest
Certainly; but how can I temper
arily stop all my old patrons from
rushing in on me, even il the case
should be, as you say matter of life
and death?'
''That's easy enough. Stop advertis-
ing
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
Cigars, Salt, SpOnges and Turtles.
PHILADELPHIA Record
ey West IL one of the most npcfllIar

Key West is one of the most peculiar
cities in the world 1t has a popula-
ton of more than Is, 900, principally
whites, but has no chimneys, no show
windows. no brick blocks, no fine
buildings, no machine shops, no
farmers driving with loaded teams,
40 country roads, no railroads, no
rattle of machinery, 40 noise of any
kind, except the beating OF the waves
against the coral bound shores, and
yet Key West, for its size, does very
large manufacturing and shipping
business.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
FIERCE ENCeUNr TER WITH A WILD
CAT.
Hunter Attacked BY the Animal in
the CaIskilI W curtains.

GNe CdtsA1Jk
KINGSTON. N. Y, Jan. THE de-
tails of q fierce encounter with huge
wildcat in the Catskills have just been
received here. On Saturday morning
William I. Humphrey and George
Cole started from the hotel of the lat
ter at Pine Hill village, fully armed
for bear hunt. 1t was a good day,
and only few old tracks were seen.
When the hunters reached the vicini-
ty Of Big Indian Creek, they saw an
immense wildcat crouched upon a
limb Of an old tree. These animals
are invariably ferocious at this season
in the mountains. Cole fired, but
Only wounded the animal slightly,
and with piercing yell it sprang at
the hunter, striking him In the breast
with it's paws, knocking him down.
The two rolled over and over together
in the snow, and the beast scratched
Cole terribly, Humphrey is said to
have been terribly scared, hardly
knowing what to do. But he finally
recovered his senses and by well di-
rected blow with the stock of his
breech loader he crushed in the skull
vi Iue DGcSt. SClC , C1OtuSS were bOFu
in shreds, and the snow all about was
red with his blood. The animal was
carried into Pine Hill village in the
afternoon by the sportsmen. The cat
weighed ninety-three pounds, and is
believed to be one of the largest ever
captured in the mountains The pelt
is handsome and valuable. Numerous
specimens of this species have already
been seen in the range this winter,
though few captures have yet been
renOrted
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15

fail one after another. There is 8
general disposition to believe that
It is better to be born lucky than
rich.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15

Dickens weller" who has just
died, was the grandfather of Eliza
beth Thompson, the artist.