davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11
A Cheap Excursion. -
D. G., 1886.

81 have been on an excursion to the
White mountains and back" said a
Hartford man to me few days ago.
'.My wife went with me, he added, but
that was not the most astonishing part
of his statement. This was the strange
assertion: The whole trip only cost
me 25 cents" Did he tell the truth? /
believe him. How did he manage to
make that single quarter of dollar go
80 farP This was my inquiry. He has
horse and he has a carriage; they
gave him his conveyance. At an easy
Jog he journeyed out of Connecticut,
through Massachusetts, and up into
New Hampshire and back again. For a
week or SO before he hitched up for the
excursion his wife lowered over the
kitchen stove preparing biscuit, chickens,
and other wherewithal for substantial
lunches, and in the body of the light
wagon was packed away provender for
the horse. So they journeyed. Man
and beast had each plenty, and not
one night on all the way, going or COM
ing, was any use found for the ham,
mocks that they took along in which to
dream the nights away out of doors; for
all along the route open farmhouse
doors invited them in not only to shelter
but to good, substantial supper and
breakfast tables. People spend hum
dreds of dollars on excursions to similar
resorts, 60 flying, sitting in hot and
dusty railroad cars to mean garrets in
fashionable hotels, and know not a
tlthe of the real pleasure that attended
this jaunt.
But how was that quarter spent? The
good wife had no share in that. Much
driving is exhausting, and the crooked
streets of Boston are wearing on the
faculties, for it was in Boston that that
quarter went. Twenty-Five cents is the
price of the matutinal cocktail in that
cultured TOWN. Y Times.
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11
MISSISSIPPI BILLS BEFORE CON
GRESS.

Now that Congress is upon the point
of freassembling, it will be interesting to
note what matters of legislation relating
to the States Of Mississippi and Ala
bama are already pending before it.
First, in Mississippi there is a bill
authorizing the Mississippi and Louis
lana Bridge and Railroad Company, of
Natchez, to construct bridge over the
Mississippi river at or near Natchez.
The main channel span shall not be less
than 700 feet wide in the clear, to be
placed at right angles to the direction
of the current, and the spans on either
side of the main one shall not be less
than 575 feet. The bill was introduced
by Mr.. Walthall.
A bill introduced by Mr. Van Eaton
provides for bridge over Bayou Bar
nard, near the town Of marlborough
proyided it have a draw of not less thar
thirty feet.
Mr.. CatchingS has bill before the
Senate making the counties Of Tunica
Coahoma, Bolivar, Washington Sun
flower, Sharkey, Issaquena and Warner
the Western division Of the Northern
Judicial District of Mississippi anc
providing for the holding of court al
Vicksburg on the first Monday of each
January and July.
Vicksburg is also proposed to be
benefited by the erection of building
there to be used for the United States
courts, postofice, custom Office and in
ternal revenue office. This building is
to cost not exceeding 100000.
Corinth is to come in for an improve
ment IN the shape of road to the Ma
tional Cemetery at that point. The bill
introduced by Mr.. Walthall appropri
atas $4,000 for a macadam, gravel, OF
partly gravel and partly stone road.
Mississippi is also interested in bill
authorizing the construction of a bridge
across the Mississippi at Memphis BY
the Kansas City and Memphis Railroad
and Bridge Company The provisions
ofthis bill are somewhat similar to the
one authorizing bridge at Natchez, re
fe,red to above.
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11
SWEET, SO SUITE.
By the New Mississippian Horse
Reporter.

OF beautiful rooms he had rented a suite,
For nice little cottage just over the struite
Held dear little maiden so winsome and
nuite
Whose smile made his heart like a churn-
dasher butte.
He moaned and he moped and but little did
ute,
For his heart hunger scorned the rough
bread and mute;
But sight of that girl made his gladnes
compluite.
BE turned from the world, from its sin and
decuite,'
From friendship SO tickle and pleasures SO
flute.
He had entered Loves ring with no thought
of defuite
Till the foot of her father him harshly did
gruite
On that part of his pants-put I'd blush to
repuite
Though that kick should have cooled of
Loves passionate huite,
He loved but the harder that maiden pc
IulGSt
He belonged, it is true, to the city's eluite,
And her pa was farmer who raised corn
and whuite.
Yet the proud maids of fashion with cool
ness he'd truite,
And always with rapture this girl he would
mute,
And in spite of the danger
Other father, the granger
They'd have run off and welded
Though greatly he dreaded
The license, three dollars, his purse would
depluite;
But a terrible thought turned him white as
shuttle
He could not wed girl with such awiu
big fuite!
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11
A Fable.

Two oysters, one of N.,ro n...sl
and the other well, were taking wal
when the healthy oyster said:
''You are miserable creature. You
are so infrm that you can't enjoy your
self, and if an enemy were to get after
you, you would be too weak to make
your escape. Now look at lie; wis
don't you brace up and look like thiss :
feel like an athlete and have diges-
ton like an Ostrich"
Just then two men came along. and
each one swallowed an oyster. But the
sick one made supreme effort. climbed
out of the stomach into which it had
been forced, and made its escape; while
the healthy oyster died an ignominious
death in a tank of gastric juice.
Moral: This fable teaches the supre.
macy of heroic spirit over the in,
firmities of the fesh.-LTe. -
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11

WHILE Dir. Blaine is artfully angling
for the labor vote, Master Workman
Powderly has felt. called upon to make
this observation / consider James G.
Rlaine the greatest fraud on earth. !"
Mr. Blaine is great national Snowman,
but he should not attempt to crowd
too many inharmonious animals into the
same cage.-& Louis Post Dispatch,
Dem.
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11

some branches of the army.
The subject of
COAST DEFENsEs AND FoRTIFCATIoNs
has been fully and carefully treated by
the board on Notifications, whose re-
port was submitted at the last session
of Congress, but no construction. work
of the kind recommended by the board
has been possible during the last year
from the lack of appropriations for such
purposes. The defenseless condition of
our seacost and lake frontier is perfect
ly palpable.
hope effective steps will be taken in
that direction Immediately. The val
liable and suggestive treatment Of this
subject by the Secretary of War is earn
estly recommended to the consideration
of the Congress.
In September and October last,
THE HOSTILE APACHES,
who under the leadership of Geronimo,
had for eighteen months been on the
warpath, and during that time had
committed many murders and been the
cause of constant terror to the settlers
of Arizona, surrendered to Gen. Miles,
the military commander who succeeded
Gen. Crook in the management and
directing of their pursuit. Under the
terms OF their surrender, as then re-
ported, and in view of the understand
ing which these murderous savages
seemed to entertain of the assurances
given them, it was considered best to
imprison them in such manner as to
prevent their ever engaging in such
outrages again instead of trying them
for murder.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY
contains a detailed exhibit Of the con-
| dition of his department, with such 8
statement of the action needed to i'm
prove the same as should challenge the
earnest attention of the Congress. The
present navy of the United States
aside from the ships in course of con
struction, consists Of
/. Fourteen single turreted monitors
| nopo IF which ara in commission no
at the present time serviceable. TIL
batteries of these ships are obsolete
and they can only be relied upon a
auxiliary ships in harbor defense, an,
then after such an expenditure upol
them as might not be deemed justif
able.
2. Five fourth rate vessels of sma
tonnage, only one of which was dt
signed as war vessel, and all of whic
: are auxiliary merely.
3. Twenty-seven ships, three {
which are built of iron, of small tOl
! mage, and twenty-four of these woode
< vessels.
1t is estimated by the chief col
structor of the navy that only thre
i, will be serviceable beyond period {
, six years, at which time it may
r said that of the present naval fore
nothing worthy the name will remain
The affairs of
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11

AN editor in western Texas writes
"He who steals our purse steals trash,
hnt he who has lifted our only pair OF
sc;ssorsis a-thief, out Of whom we in
+ond TO kick the stufing when caught.
We are now camping on his trail and it
is fresh"
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11
THE POSTAL SERVICE

show marked and gratifying improve
ment during the last year. A particu-
lar account of its transactions and con-
ditions is given in the report of the
Postmaster General, which will be laid
before you. The reduction of the rate
of letter postage in 1888 rendering the
postal revenue inadequate to sustain
the expenditures, and business depres-
sion also contributing, resulted in an
excess of cost for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1885, of eight one-third mil
lion dollars. But proper measures of
economy have so satisfactorily limited
the growth of expenditure that the
total deficiency in fact fell below that
of 1885, and at this time the increase
of revenue is in a gaining ratio over
the increase of cost, demonstrating the
sufficiency of the present rates of
postage ultimately to sustain. the SER
vice. This is the more pleasing, be-
cause our people enjoy now both
cheaper postage, proportionately to
distances, and vaster and more costly
service than any other upon the globes
The continued operation of the law
relative to our
CIVIL SERVICE
has added the most convincing proofs
of its necessity and usefulness. 1t is a
fact worthy of note that every public
officer who has just idea of bis duty
to the people testifies to the value of
this reform. Its staunchest friends are
found among those who understand it
best, and its warmest supporters are
restrained and protected by its require
Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-12-11

in our navy department, as well as in
some branches of the army.
The subject of
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
Colorado Potato Beetle.

This very destructive beetle seems
to be extending its work throughout
all parts of the state, each year
spreading over more territory until
there is now but few counties in the
eastern portion of Kansas that are
exempt from it's ravages. It comes
forth out of the earth just as the
potato vine is coming out Of the
ground in the spring. The female lays
her eggs in cluster, sometimes to the
number of 500 or more, either on the
under side of the leaves of the potato
vine, or on blades of grass or vegeta-
bles near. The eggs soon hatch, when
the young or Larvae are found to eat
quite as voraciously as the mature
beetle. In about fifteen days the
young become fully developed, when
they pass into the ground to pupate.
After about ten days of such quiet
they come forth in the beetle state.
The beetles, with their bright bands of
yellow and black, mate, deposit eggs
and soon die, behaving in all respects
as before. These are followed by q
third brood; but the pup@ of this last
brood remain in the ground until the
next season. Paris green and London
purple are the only sure cure remedies
that we know of, although N small
patches hand picking is sometimes re-
sorted to, with rather poor success,
however. Mix the arsenites with flour
in proportion of one to ten; keep the
mixture well stirred up, as these ar
senites will otherwise settle to the bot
tom Of the vessel containing. Sift 1T
on the vines when they are dry. If g.
rain soon follows it leaves it in the
form of a paste and in this form it
will remain a long time on the vines
Topeka Farmers Journal.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
Gen. Lee Too Easy.
From the New York Herald. |

From the New York Herald.l
Speaking of Senator Harris recalls 8
story that Judge Harris of Harrison
burg, Va, tells. Six miles from chat
quiet hamlet, during the war, lived an
old farmer named Jonathan Peel. He
never read q paper, but cane into
town once week for news. Fe was
confident that the South would win,
and his friends felt so kindly toward
the old man that they tempered the
latest intelligence to suit him. The
South never met a reverse, so far as he
learned. But when the word came OF
Appomattox it was evident that the
deception could not becarried out any
longer. Judge Harris and his friends
held g. conference on the subject and
decided to plumply tell the old man
the truth. An hour later Jonathan
Peel was seen coming down the road
toward the corner store astride his
gray horse.
"What word from our victorius
army?" ne asked.
"Gen. Lee has concluded to quit"
ssI thought them Northern chaps
would soon cry enough" said the
farmer, without the faintest trace of
surprise. 'Well, I cant agree with
Gen. Lee. He's dead wrong to let up
on them fellers. Got any plug tobac-
co? ?"
The judge tells this to show that
during the war everybody was not in
an excited frame of mind in Virginia.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
Curing Warts.

Warts on cattle and horses have
been trouble time out of mind. The
old German farmers of Pennsylvania
used to cure these warts In the moon.
We cannot recollect just when or how
it was done, but recollect it was to
take an onion on some Friday when
the moon and signs were right, cut it
in two and rub the cut parts on the
warts, and that it was an infallible
cure. But an old infdel who did not
believe in the moon or signs, conclud-
ed If onions would cure warts when
the moon and signs aided, the onions
would cure at any time. So he tried
the onions on warts on horses, eattle's
jaws, on cows teats, and various 9th
er warts, and they were always cured.
1t may be onions are the real antidote
for these annoying excrescences, and it
would be simple and easy thing for
our readers to try it. But the action
of the unbeliever in the moon and
signs, may not have decided these
things had nothing to do with the
cures. He was so indifferent about
the moon and the zodiac, that he
never examined to see whether they
were not in conjunction to aid him. 1t
is in this careless way, modern prog
ress disproves the traditions of our
fathers.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
Kraut for Stock.

A gentleman who is celebrated for
his practical ideas, wants to know why
agricultural writer's persist in talking
about ensilage Of green food for stock.
With these French terms the mass OF
the people are suspicious of it, and
think it is something intricate in ma.
nipulation. But if they would simply
call it what it really is, kraut for
stock, they would have more faith in
1t. The fact is, silo, is only a kraut
tub, on a larger scale, and ensilage is
only kraut, made of green corn, clover,
rye or Hungarian grass, instead OF
cabbage. The process is the same
the same chemical action takes place,
and the food has the same healthy &C.
ton on the stomach; and has the same
nutritive qualities as kraut. There is
no more mystery in it's preparation or
preservation. Millions have expert
enced that the krauU tub is the best
and easiest plan to keep cabbage
through the winter, and the time is
coming wheI farmers will know that
it is thecheapest and best way to keep
green food for their stock. Then let
us call it stock kraut.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
A Youthful Error.
From the Rockland Courier Gazette.]

From the Rockland Courier-Ga zette.l
"What's this 2" the managing editor
and proprietor inquired, as his critical
eye swept the new young reporter
copy, and rested on an item at the
bottom of the page. The new young
reporter, with g tremble in his voice,
slowly read: "Hez Buckeyes old plug
got across q picket fence yesterday,
and the hired man had to hit him in
the head with an axe" "That never
will do at ALL" said the managing
editor, severely, and drawing his pen
deity through the obnoxious item he
wrote on the margin below: "We re-
greet to say that B. valuable horse be-
longing to Hezekiah W. Buckley, Esq,
met with q severe accident last week,
necessitating putting the noble ami
NAL out Of the way, which was done
as gently and considerably as posi-
be-" "But, SIR" expostulated the
new young reporter, gasping slightly,
"the horse wasn't worth more than
500" "That isn't the point" the
managing editor returned firmly
''The point is to retain Buckeyes in
fuence with thecounty board. By the
time you've run q country paper as
long as | have, young man, you'll un-
derstand that nothing but valuable
horse ever dies" And when the paper
came out Mr.. Buckley called in and
had ten extra copies done up in wrap
pppa
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
POESY AND PROPHECY.

The Pail Mall Gazette illustrates currer
events from American literature thus: The o.
s.1rreDces i'll Chicago. which bring so forcibly b
fore all men the results of lnoculating the Ne
World with the revolutionary virus of the Oh,
recall the following stanzss in Lowels poem
THE Sower::"
/ saw q sower walking slow
Across the earth from East to West;
His b air was white as mountain snow;
His head dropped forward on his breast.
With sh riveled hands be flung his seed,
Nor ever turned to look behind;
OF sight or sound lie took no heed;
It seemed he was both deaf and blind.
heard as still the seed he cast,
How, grooming to himself he sung:
81 SOW again the holy Past,
The happy days when was young.
t'Then all was wheat, without tare;
Then all was righteous fair ard true;
And am he w.4Ose thoughtful care
Shall plant the Old World in the New"
Then looked back along the path,
And heard the clash of steel on steel;
When man faced man in deadly wrath
While changed the tocsins hurrying peal.
The eky was burning towers red
Nearer the noise of lighting rolled,
And brothers blood by brothers shed
Crept curdling over pavements cold.
Then marked how each germ of truth
Which through the dotard's fingers ran,
Was mated with dragons tooth,
Whence there sprang up an armed man.
Z shouted, but he could not hear,
Made signs, but these he could not see,
and still without q doubt or fear
broadcast he scattered Anarchy.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
Things Worth Knowing.

To learn to think and act for your
self.
To respect gray hairs, especially ou1
own.
To waste nothing, neither money
time nor talent.
If you have q place of business to be
found there when wanted.
To bear little trials patiently that
you may learn how to bear great
ones.
To be self-reliant and not take too
much advice, but rather depend on
yourself.
To keep alive in your breast that
little spark of celestial fire called con-
science.
To learn to say no; it will be oil
more service to you than to be able to
read Latin.
To do all the good you can in the
world and make as little noise about
it as possible.
To spare when you are young that
you may spend when you are old.
To stick to your own opinion if you
have one, allowing others, of course,
the same liberty to stick to theirs.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
Another Abraham Lincoln Story.
Washington Cor. New York telegram

Washington Cor. New York Telegram!
An old gentleman who was on inti-
mate terms at the White House dur
ing the war, said to the Telegram cor
respondent today "Storles about
Mr.. Lincoln are plenty enough, but [
will tell you one which [ can vouch for
as being true, and which, as far as my
knowledge is concerned, has never
been in print. One of Mr.. Lincoln
most esteemed friends was ex-Gov.
Tod, Of Ohio. He was q quaint old
character, and Lincoln loved him for
his honesty, ability and native shrewd-
ness. At one time be thought of Mr..
Tod in connection with the secretary
ship Of the treasury, but afterward he
gave him q foreign mission. One
evening when Mr.. Tod was in town
Mr.. Lincoln invited him over to the
White House. They had q long chat
together, when Mr.. Lincoln finally
said:-'Look here, Tod; how is it you
spell your name with only one d?
married q Todd, but she spelled her
name with two d's. All Of her rela-
tives do the same. You are the first
Tod [ ever met who spelled his name
with SO few letters
"Old Tod looked at Mr.. Lincoln in
his peculiarly quizzipg manner and
then replied Mr.. President, God
spells his name with only one d, and
what is good enough for God is good
enough for me-
''Mr. Lincoln used to repeat the
etory to some of his most intimate
friends, and every time be did 80, he
would laugh until the tears ran down
over that furrowed but grand face"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
FARM AND HOME.
The Housekeeper'a Song.

1t is sweep, sweep, sweep,
Though you've done it an hour before.
And it's scrub scrub, scrub
Table and chair and floor.
And you needn't be weary a bit
To find your labor in vain;
Do it as well as you can to-day
You can do it tomorrow again.
1t is cook, cook, cook,
There's meat and there's bread to bake
1t is cook, cook, cook,
There's pudding and pie to make.
The buttons are always dropping,
The stockings are ever to mend,
The men in the field to look after,
The children to wash and to tend.
It is fight, fight, fight,
For man in the tug of life;
And it's fight, fight, fight
For clean and tidy wife.
man can plant an acre of land,
And gather the golden wheat,
And get the price IN his open hand
And the price of labor is sweet.
But work, work, work,
Is ever q woman's lot;
1t is work, work, work,
If the weather be cold or hot.
And this is the worst of the trouble,
She hasn't shilling Of gain,
And, though she may scrub and clean to day
She must do it tomorrow again.
Oh, wife, wife, wife
Don't worry and fret and pout;
Oh, wife, wife, wife
You are cross to-day no doubt;
For you know very well your labor
Isn't done for a shilling or two:
just think how happy you make us all
OF the love we give to you'll
Oh, wife, wife, wife
If you could not cook and clean,
Oh, wife, wife, wife
What sorrow it all would mean.
To toll for love is better than gold,
And the way we differ is clear;
The work you do is done by the day,
And mine is done by the year.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
How L Raise NY Sheep.

This was the topic of a successful
woolgrower, at the late meeting of the
Iowa livestock men. He said: |
would prefer pure bred stock, but as
that is expensive, I usually get grades
and build up. for it takes but short
time to breed us a good flock. have
always used pure-med Merino rams,
being convinced that for profit, where
sheep are kept in focks of 100 or more,
there is no equal to the Merino and it's
crosses. l aim to couple so as TO
have lambs dropped as soon as grass
comes in spring. | want lambs 10
come early, yet not before there is
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02
The Georgia SOlace.
From the Atlanta Con

from the Atlanta CONSTITUTIONS
The newest Atlanta drink is 'smilk
shake" You get it at the soda fount-
aims. The mixer of cooling bever-
ages pours out g. glass of sweet milk,
puts in big spoonful OF crushed ice,
puts in a mixture of unknown ingredi-
ents, draws a bit of any desired syrup,
shakes the milk in tin can like bar
keeper mixes lemonade, sprinkles a
little nutmeg on the foaming milk, un-
til it looks something like Tom and
Jerry, sets it out foryou, and you pay
five cents.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-06-02

through it, according to it's depth;
and they must any casenot be too Jar
apart. It is rarely necessary, howev-
er, to drain at closer intervals than
Is feet, and on free soils the distance
between may often be increased to SO
feet or more. Forpurposes OF cultiva-
tion it is never desirable to have drains
less than 3 feet deep.