davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
Rough on Rats,
From the Brooklyn Times.

from the Brooklyn Times
Here, Jonas, is quite an idea. We
can get rid OF the rats that bother us
so, remarked a lady as she came in
from calling on neighbor.
"Well, what is it?"
mix plaster of Paris, flour and salt
together and place it where the rats
will eat it. When they eat it they will
drink water which will cause the plas-
ter OF Paris to make a paste and
harden on their insides It will kill
them, don't you see?"
Yes, yes; quite a capital idea.
Well try it,
He tried it. Three weeks afterwards
he paid carpenters bill of a hundred
dollars for tearing up the floors and
base-boards to get at the dead rats,
whose carcasses were making it I'M
pleasant. He says what his wife don't
know about rat-killing can'tbe learned
out of an encyclopedia.
A SUBSCRIBER wants to know when
the Duke of Wellington fell" We
haven THE correct date at hand: but it
is our impression that he fell when
he lost his balance.-NorristoWD Her
aid.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
Iron Wagons.

Farmers who have been plagued by
the tires coming off wagon wheels are
apt to look with favor on the all-iron
wagon, which has wheels that cannot
easily get out of order unless broken
outright. 1t is thought by some farm
ers that these iron wagons are heavier
draught in proportion to weight, as
there is no "give'' when the wheels
strike an obstruction 1t is more
probable that this rigidity makes them
harder for the rider, though this may
be obviated, as in other wagons, by
springs.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
One of the most novel and interest

One of the most novel and interest
ing lawsuits that ever went to trial
was before the Helena, Ark, magis-
trate courts on the 18th inst. Mount
Zion Baptist church (colored) was
burned'to the ground Monday night,
and one portion of the congregation
had the other arrested, charged with
the burning. The entire congregation
were arraigned and a very bitter fight
made. The evidence produced was in
sufficient for conviction, and they were
DISCHARGED
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
Many a Lady

is beautiful, all but her skin :;
and nobody has ever told
her. how easy it is to put
beauty on the skin. Beauty
on the skin is Magnolia
Balm.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
Y .ISHLER;S
n, AERR
Differs

No remedy has yet been discovered
that IS 50 effective in all KIDNEY AND
LIVER COMPLAINTS. MALARIA, DYSPEP-
S|A etc, and get it is simple and HARM
less SCIENCE and medical skill have
combined with wonderful success those
herrs which nature has provided for the
cure OF disease. It strengthens and in
vgorates the whole system.
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens. the distinguished Con-
gresham. once wrote to = fellow mem Der who Was
suffering from indigestion and kidney disease:
Try Mishlers Herb Bitters, believe it will euro
you. have used it for both indigestion and ahec-
ton OF the kidneys, and it is the most wonderful
combination of medicinal herbs I ever saw"
A1SHLER HERB BITTERS CO.,
625 Commerce st., Philadelphia.
RaYka1la Ylasaanf Wnrm 4xrnn HaH.r Hails
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
Dr.. J.C.Ayer &co. =, Lowell, Mass.
Sold BY all Druegists; d, ok bottles for Is.
S |jj''ns'

~ ache all over!" What common ex-
preston; and how much it means to many
a poor sufferer! These aches have a
cause, and more frequently than is gener-
ally suspected. the cause is the Liver or
Kidneys. No disease is more painful or
serious than these. and no remedy is so
prompt and effective as
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15

The late Sergt. Plunkett. 1.-The
one-armed hero" of Boston, left $780,
600 worth Of property.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
Young Men-Rania This.

TIE Vo1EAlc BELT Co., OF Marshall, Mich.
offer to send their celebrated ELECTRO VoIrApe
BELT and other ELECTRIC APPLIANCES on trial
for thirty days, to men young or old) ofaicted
with nervous debility, loss Of vitality and man.
hood, and all kindred troubles. Also for rheu-
diseases Complete restoration to health, vieor
and manhood guaranteed. No risk is incurred
as thirty days trial is allowed. Write them at
once fox illustrated pamphlet freq.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
The Use of Books.


In a letter on books and reading
lately printed in alittle serial and pub
lished by the pupils of the Chicago
high schools, Mr.. W. F. Poole, the
well-known librarian and founder of
the valuable "Index to Periodicals"
says:
"My first remark is: Lay aside the
idea OF reading for the sake of reading
for the sake of Inconsistencies that
you have read this or that author, or
that you have read the history of this
or that country or period. 1t matters
very little that you have read many
authors and many big volumes; but
the question is, How much do you
know of these authors, and how much
of the contents of those big volumes
do you retain as part OF your men,
tai possessions, and how much can
you recall whenever you have occasion
to do SO? It is possible that you
have read too much. II you eat
more food than you can digest or as
simulate, it is positive injury to you;
and if the bad habit BE- continued it
will break down the healthy organism
of your physical system. frequently
meet people who say that in history,
for instance, they have read almost
everything, and as proof OF it they
mention the standard authors which
you will find recommended in every
course of reading In a brief CONVEX
sation with them on the great histor-
ical characters and events treated in
those works, it becomes obvious that
they retain little or no conception of
what they have read. They cannot
give date or sequence of events in
ancient or modern history if it would
save their lives. Now, I would like to
impress upon your minds the fact
that the less you do of such kind of
reading the better, for it weakens the
intellect and disquali6es q person for
any vigorous mental effort. tits aim
less and objectless and enfeebling.
Reading should be for definite and
specific purpose. We should read up
on subjects concerning which we wish
to be informed"
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15

THE CURRENT" f&!. !:!s:; s.s 5 S:ss!;;
Journal of our time.
Clean, perfect, grand! Over aO brilliant contrib.
ntors. q yearly; mo-, $a5O. Buy it at your news.
dealer's-Send 10 cents tor sample COPY.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15

The cost of patents has now been
reduced one-half in England.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15
= = y, - go. 5;s-,s -. =. : .
I WONDER.

am sitting, Mary, sitting
In our cabin In the lane;
And I'm looking, Mary, looking
At the cattle in the rain;
And see the water running
OH their skins that shine like silk;
And wonder muchly, Mary.
If it's that which spoils the milk.
Puck.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15

PROF. DAVID SWING has become a
regular contributor to the Current.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15

Parksr's Pleasant Worm syrup Never Tail,
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-04-15

got Mr.. Buffum's hat on your head
now. won't be deprived OF any relic
belonging to that dear, good man.
Give it back to me, l say, and go as
fast as you like
Mr.. Dumble. thus addressed, tore
the hat from his head, flung it with all
his might at Mrs. d., who was rapidly
getting hysterical, and rushed from the
room and out of the house.
As the hat fell at Mrs. Dumble's feet
a paper fell out, which had apparently
been concealed in the lining. She
picked it up, and. looking at it, gave a
scream and read it over again. The
paper contained the following words:
81 hereby revoke thelast codicil to my
will, and my wife Sophia can marry
whom she will; for if any one be silly
enough to take her, he needs some re-
ward for his trouble (Signed) Silas
Buffum.
Mrs. Dumble ut once went out and
told the story to the whole village.
Mr.. Dumble called the next day, and
many days after, but was not admit
ted. He exhausted his powers of per-
suasion and excuses in vain; he said
he was drunk that evening, for which
admission he lost his position as dea-
con in his church, and the respect OF
the community as well, all to no pur-
pose. Mrs. Dumble instituted a suit
for divorce on the ground of desertion
and won it, and Dumble was a ruined
man and left the town. When last
heard from he was driving a hearse.
Mrs. Dumble resumed her name of Buf-
fun. married her cousin, still keeps the
shop in Main Street, and is growing
fatter every day. For a long time at:
ter Mr.. Dumble's discontinue, sym
pathy and consolation were at a
heavy discount in Freeport, and men
who prayed much at prayer meetings
and went to funerals were regarded
with suspicion. It was said that Mr..
Dumble drove the hearse at his former
wife's funeral, which occurred a few
years later.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20

often used and added to, and were very
funny. Sir Walter Raleigh, the intro
ducer of the weed, is a favorite tobac-
conist sign in England; "Jim Crow"
"Uncle Tom" and captain Jinks," all
of American parentage. The "Indian
King" was popular after 1710, owing to
a visit of four Indian chiefs, who were
received with much ceremony by Queen
Anne, and were much sought after by
sight-seers.
Altogether old signs deserve a passing
mention and would be an interesting
corner in antiquarian research. Many
would require considerable ingenuity to
trace their origin and applicability. A
pair of snow-shoes" mysti6ed the in
habitants of Chelsea in the Revolutionary
war. They were set up over an inn
when snow-shoes were supposed to be
needful part of the equipment of soldiers
sent to fight "Mr. Washington and his
rebels" But l have drifted back to
signs, my original "moutons from our
American speciality, the wooden "mani-
kins, and before closing the interesting
subject l must mention the "holly-tree
inns" These were established in Eng
land in the interest of temperance and it
is only fair to give them passing men
tion, as mostly the signs mentioned have
been to the advertising of Bacchus.
These inns were admirable in their ar
rangements, bright, cosy and attractive.
They adopted the old-fashioned sign and
were economical and comfortable, so that
the sight of the bright berries and shin
ing leaves of the holly was very attrac
tive. These "holly- tree inns are still
scattered over England. philadelphia
Times.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20
Irrigation in Egypt.

The ancient wealth of Egypt has ever
been in its crop of corn. AS surely as
the seasons come round, so surely has
the Nile risen year by year. From the
earliest time the valley of the Nile has
been divided by earthen embankments
into a succession of great flats, measur.
ing occasionally as much as 100, 900
acres. The rising flood is diverted by a
series of short canals into these flats,
where the water stands two or three feet
deep until it has soaked the soil and
deposited its rich alluvial mud. By this
time the Nile has subsidized. The drying
mud is rudely plowed and sown, and
four on five months after the crop is
reaped. No rain has fallen on it,
but the soil has been sufficiently
saturated to require no further
watering. A rich crop is produced, but
by this system only one crop in the year,
and during the summer months, when,
from its latitude and temperature, one
might expect Egypt to be yielding sub
tropical fruits, the empty fields lie baked
and parched. Muhammed Ali Pasha,
whose genius and energy created modern
Egypt, soon recognize that more might
be obtained out of the soil than this one
crop of wheat or beans. He set to work,
therefore, in Lower Egypt to deepen the
canals, so that they should flow in low
as well as high Nile. His people were
not long in discovering the benefits this
conferred on them. Pumps and water
wheels soon lined the banks of the
canals. Egypt became known as a cot
ton producing country, and during the
American civil war, twenty yeam ago,
wealth poured into it. But this new
system was vastly more complicated
one than that which it superseded. To
suit the convenience of wealthy men
numerous canals were cut, without sys-
tenn or arrangement. Complaints soon
began that the crops were deteriorating,
that the soil was being exhausted, no
longer replenished by lying two months
year under muddy water. In many
places a salt illorescence appeared on
the surface fatal to vegetation. In high
Nile there was abundance of water for
all, but in low Nile, just when the cotton
crop wanted it most, there was least to
be had, and then the peasants poor little
patch had every chance of being with
cred. while the pasha's broad acres were
t1ouTishlng. Worst OF all, this great
network of canals was yearly filled
with Nile deposit which had yearly to
be removed. and an unpaid army of go,
600 peasants was employed for about
half of every year effecting the neces.
sary clearaaces. In the long, narrow
valley of Upper Egypt, except in one
portion, the old Pharaonic system of II
rigation still prevails, and here the
Egyptian has little to learn. In the
delta the new cultivation with perennial
irrigation is praoticed and in this, the
richest part of the country, Lord Duiier
in soon saw the gravest reasons for anx
iety. A system had been created which
the people did not understand. Ignor-
ance of the most ordinary rules of engi-
neerihg, Incidence, and corruption were
fast destroying the country. Nineteenth
Ceatayy.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20
The CrOrters of Scotland.

The cable dispatches during the past
few months frequently referred to troubles
with the Scotch Crofters. An article
in the Chicago Saturday Egeajag Herald
tells who and what the Crofters are. We
quote:
Much of the land in the Highlands of
Scotland is owned 10y landlords who
never go near their property, and all the
disadvantages Of absentee landlordism
are felt as much in the island of Skye as
in Cork or Tipperary, The landlord en-
trusts his land TO an agent, known as the
tacksman, and the tacksman in turn lets
out the land to farmers, who sub-let
patches, or crofts, to the crofter, who.
according to recent testimony, is Of all
men most miserable. These poor
wretches live at the mercy of their farmer
landlords, or the more cruel tacksmen.
In thousands of instances they live in
black, filthy novels, unfit for human
habitation. If they improve the croft
at their own expense, the rent is raised.
Iii they complain they are told to ''move
of, " as the land is wanted for sheep and
deer. 1t is reported that the island of
Skye alone, between 1910 and 1888, the
landlords served no less than 6, $50 no
tices of eviction on their tenants Goaded
on by untold sufferings, the crofters have
at length adopted the policy of mo
rent
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20

"That is one of the latest ideas in the
barber business, remarked the proprie-
tor Of large barber shop down, as he
pointed to several gentlemen with their
mustaches done up in curl papers.
THE trouble has ALWAYS been to give
the mustache nice curl, but the time
in which to do it was so short that it
was impossible. At last the idea of
using papers was tried and found to be
Just the thing, You see, when a custo-
mer gets into chair the FIRST
thing done is to roll the ends of his
mustaehe up in papers, in which condi-
ton they are left until the shaving and
combing has been completed, when they
are taken out Of the papers, and found
TO have a fine curl. n--Ne,0 York Sun.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20

completely. Flying wide of its intended
victim, it sped over the heads of the
crowd and struck Sylvia's father, who
was still speaking. He fell forward,
blood gushing from a wound in his side
''Mr. Scott is assassinated, was the
cry that echoed through the streets.
Sylvia heard it. and sank insensible into
Webster's arms.
That was an awful night. Fred, de-
layed in a scuflle with thief who tried
to pick his pocket, came home, wild
with anxiety, having failed on his re-
turn to find either Sylvia OF the carriage.
Mr.. Scott was in a dangerous condition.
but not dead. 1t was singular sight,
in the weeks that followed to see the OPP
position candidate spending all his leis-
ure time at the bedside of his antagon-
ist
you'll beat me now, Arbuthnot, :"
Mr.. Scott said, with the resignation of
extreme weakness. "Ten days before
election make or mar candidate, and
haven't the ghost of show, lying here
like helpless baby"
81 don't feel so sure, sir, /" SAID Web
ster, quietly. "You were very popular
as controller, and great many of the
opposition are going to vote for you"
Maybe so. But, If am beaten, I'll
have the consolation of knowing it was
by good man."
But Arbuthnot was right. A great
many of the opposition did vote for Mr..
Scott. The wound he had received,
moreover, awoke general sympathy, and
so brought him votes. He had in the
district majority of five hundred,
which elected him.
When the returns were all in, and
Webster knew positively that he was de-
feated, he came to Sylvia with smiling
face.
81 am beaten" he said bravely. "But
l shall count my loss as little if you will
only renominate me as your husband" "
She looked at him with shining eyes
and held out her hand with sweet i'm
pulsiveness.
"You are elected-bv an overwhelm-
ing majority" she said, softly.
He took her in his arms and politics
were nowhere.
"But l think that l ought to ask you
to forgive me-" she said at length. "You
have behaved beautifully, dear; and l
am proud of you-if-you do belong to
the opposition. l think every man has
right to his convictions, provided they
are generous, and-and-if man has Il
taste for politics-a real taste l mean
of course he can't be blamed for-n
Here she was spared the necessity for
further humiliation for Webster stopped
her mouth with kisses.
The second year of their marriage,
Arbuthnot was again nominated for Con-
gress, and ran so much better than the
candidate of the popular party that he
polled higher majority than any candi-
/ date who ever ran in that district.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20
I'm SEASON.

Oh, pallid meadsl oh, snow-clads hillsl
Oh, wind-swept dales Oh, frozen ril.sl
Oh, Nature-sad and sere and drear--
Cheer upl cheer upl
Sweet spring is herel
To beauty, life and love and glee
Her magic touch shall waken theo.
Oh. Nature-cold and chill and still
Awallel Awake
Thy sweets distill
Ahl who Springs glories doth not spanl
The editor: That mad-eyed man,
Who at the poet swears and glare
And kicks him down
The sanctum stairsl
jas. 4, Waldron, in the Current
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20
LITTLE THINGS.

A little thing, sunny smile,
A loving word at morn,
And all day long the sun shines bright
The cares of life were made more light,
And sweetest hopes were born.
A little thing, a hasty word,
A cruel frown at morn,
And aching hearts went on their way,
And toiled throughout dreary day
Disheartened, sad, and lorn.
All, bitter words and frowni With thee
No want nor pain compares.
Oh, pleasant words and sunny smiles,
Your hidden power our grief beguiles,
And drives away our cares
Charles Lovejoy Hill.
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20
LOVE AND POLITICS.

''Do you know sdid Sylvia, with
restless movement of her pretty peacock
fan, 81 am really unhappy this morning.
Webster Arbuthnot leaned over with
look of such obvious devotion that
third party, if there had been any such
a disagreeable person present, could not
possibly have doubted his hopeless in
fatuation.
"Tell me all about it, " he said, posses
eing himself of the hand nearest him.
''What is it that troubles my darling2"
Sylvia's sunny head dropped ON his
shoulder.
Papa is going to run for Congress, {"
she said, disconsoately; but was quite
unmindful of the start her lover gave.
''We always have such a disagreeable
time when pa is running for an office.
Oh, Webster" (sighingl, "after we are
married, hope you will never take to
politics."
Webster got up quickly.
81 am sorry you don't like it, Sylvia, !"
he began, in a nervous way. But sud-
len burst of music from II brass band
broke off his speech abruptly.
cit is a parade, Sylvia cried excitedly,
springing to the window as the band at
the head Of a body Of delegates, turned
the corner.
Webster followed her reluctantly. He
had grown suddenly pale.
"Sylvia," he said hurriedly. 81"
at is the opposition, she interrupted
"See There is the banner. ''We want
reform, and we have secured it by the
nomination for Congress"
Sylvia gasped.
OF Webster Arbuthnot9"
'DarlingI" he cried, flinging his arm
around her, 'Let me explain. l was
just going to tell you, when"
''Then you are are going to run for
Congress, tool And against papa~
''They forced the nomination upon
me. l was the compromise candidate.
Heaven knows | did not seek the honor,
but was IN such position that / could
not"
''Oh, no doubt, she answered causti-
cally, freeing herself from his embrace.
"Those honors usually are thrust upon
one, it seems"
"Sylvia, you are unkind."
''And no doubt you expect to defeat
papa Oh the arrogance of some men
is astounding"
'Don't be angry, darling. am sorry
that your father and happen to be the
opposing candidates. But every man
has a right to his opinion, and it cannot
make any difference to us, what are oul
respective politics.
dNol 1t makes just this difference,
Mr.. Arbuthnot-"
'AIr. Arbuthnot2 Sylyiap
81 should be sorry to marry politician
any how they are always a low set; but
i will not marry one of the opposition. >
"Oh, my darling, don't say thatp
81 mean it. Tou knew that did not
like politics, Il you would rather en-
gage in them than please me, you may
40 90. have nothing more to say"
The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-20
Food Wasted.

DIR. Smyth, of New Haven, in con
Guiding his series of sermons on social
ism, made this remark America wastes
enough yearly to feed the thousands who
are now said to be out of employment.
The time may yet come when it shall be
considered practical somewhere in the
course of the education which State
gives 10 the people to teach girls how to
extract the greatest amount of nutri-
ment from the common materials of food,
and careful statistician justly remarks
that whoever can teach the masses of
the people how to get five cents worth
day more comfort or force out of the
food which one consumes will add to
their productive power what would be
equal TO one thousand million dollars a
year in value. ~