davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
70 Cure a Balky Horse.

A Connecticut farmer cured a balky
horse in the following manner: He drove
him, attached to a rack wagon, to the
wodlot for a small load of wood. The
animal would not pull pound. He did
not beat him, but tied him to tree and
let him stand. He went to the lot at sun
set, and asked him to draw, but he would
not straighten a tuff. Il made up my
mind" said the farmer, ''when that horse
went to the barn, he would take that load
of wood. I went to the barn, got blankets
and covered the horse warm, and he
stood until morning. Then he refused to
draw. At noon Invent down, and he was
hungry and lonesome. He drew that
load of wood the first time asked him.
[ returned, got another load before fed
him. [ have drawn several loads since.
Once he refused to draw, but soon as he
saw me start for the house, he started
after me with the load.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Curing Glover Hay.
Prairie Farmer.

L suppose at is hardly necessary for
me to say anything in regard to red
clover as a farm crop. All farmers ought
to know its value, both as a fertilizer and
as feed for nearly all kinds of farm stock
In this term [ include hogs, as well
as cattle, horses and sheep. At the
present low price of pork it can be made
with profit only when grown largely on
clover. Many farmers do not know its
feeding value, for the reason that they
have never saved it in manner to OBJ
tain the best results from it. It is usual
ly allowed TO get too ripe before cutting,
and IS then left in the sun and dew until
1T Is blackened, and when put in the barn
has but little feeding value than pea straw
Then comes the question, how shall we
save it? First if possible, by all means
build sllO to put it in. Build it inside
the barn. Put a grOut bottom into the
bay, line the sides With tarred building
paper and matched flooring, and you
have as perfect silO as can be built. The
clover may be put into a silo with less
expense, and much less time and
much less risk than it can be saved in the
ordinary way. But if it is not desired to
have silo, the next best thing is e have
practiced it for the last fifteen years. to
cut the clover when it is green, wilt it in
the field, and do the rest of the curing in
the NOV. My plan Is this Cut before
the blossoms are all out (say a little more
than half of them); never commence the
moving in the morning until the dew is
off; run the mower until noon. After
dinner, and as soon as O'Clock, rake,
and put up in large cocks; be sure that
it is all done before the dew begins to
fall. A tedder is useful, and should be
had If attainable. If put up while the
sun is shining on it warm, the hay
will begin at once to heat in the cock. and
by the next morning will be quite warm.
The next forenoon throw open to the sun
short time, aid put into the barn as
fast as possible. [ know some readers
will be ready to ask if it will not heat and
spoil. 1t will heat, and that is what we
want it to do; but if there is no moisture
in 1T except the juice of the hay it will
not spoil, provided the barn is reasonably
tight. An ordinary battened barn is
| tight enough if the doors are kept closed,
save when necessary to be open for put
ting In hay. If one has large amount
of clover to cut, the mower may be run
from say 3 o'clock in the afternoon until
the dew begins to fall, and the clover
handled the next day. If the work goes
on continuously from day to day, it will
be all right, but if from bad weather or
any other cause, break of two or three
days should occur, the hay will be wet as
1T falls from the fork, and it is a good
plan to pitch off some of the top to the
sides of the NOW. When the clover is all
in, it is we'll to put load or two of dry
straw on the top, otherwise some of the
top will be found spoiled. One word of
caution: Do not make the mistake of
suppOsing it will be the same to put in
wet hay as green hay. If rain falls on
it, or if is cut when the due is on, it must
be dried, or it will surely spoil.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
A Game of CheckerssDid it.

David brooks was manager of the Pitts
urg office when a boy named Andrew
Carnegie was messenger In it at salary
of So a week. He had just arrived with
his father and mother from Scotland,
the land of his birth. That was very lit
tie more than thirty-six years ago, yet to-
day he is the famous millionaire IRON
moger of Pittsburg. Andrew Carnegie
has said: Il owe my rise in life to a game
of checkers" l will explain to you what
that remark means. The elder Carnegie
was molder in a pottery: Like many
ScOtchmen he was very fond of playing
checkers. In Pittsburg at that time
was a well-known ale-house, in one room
of which those who loved to play checkers
were wont to assemble. Among them
were Carnegie and Brooks. and in this
way the two men became acquainted
Carnegie's son also came there at times
with his father, and he, too, tested David
Brooks prOwess at draughts. One day
the elder Carnegie remarked that he did
not know what to do with his son. 'ESend
him down to my office and I will make a
messenger boy out of him." said Mr.
Brooks. The next day he began his new
employment. The lad was intelligent and
industrious. Manager Brooks had an old
telegraph instrument fitted up in the
office, and when the messenger boys were
not engaged he showed them on this how
to tick out the Morse alphabet. With
this instruction young Carnegie soon be-
came a skillful operator.
Thomas A. Scott was at that time super
intendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad
in Pittsburg. He had telegram instru-
ment rugged up in his Office and wanted
some one to manipulate the key. Manager
Brooks recommended young Carnegie,
and he was employed. He showed such
aptitude in managing the movement of
trains by telegraph that he was transferr
ed to the uperintendent's Office at Al
tOona. There he continued to attract the
attention of Thomas A. Scott, and was
rapidly pushed along. He was given OPP
portunities to engage in coal and oil spec
ulatiOns that were successful, and after
ward made money from the first sleeping
cars that were built. Now, as | have said
he is the millionaire irOn-monger of Pitts
burg, and the same canny Scotchman,
who, when Colonel Scott was financially
embarrassed, was. it is said, the only man
requested to assist him who declined the
invitation.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Set Out Trees.
Country Gentleman

Much may be done to beautify and
adorn the rural homestead by the setting
Of'shade trees and shrubbery about the
premises. There is no better time to do
this than in the spring, while waiting for
the land to come into suitable condition
for working to put in the crops. The
work of setting trees, whether shade or
fruit may be done as soon as the frost is
out of the ground sufficiently to enable
one to take up the trees and to dig the
holes to set them in.
[ do not quite agree with the taste
which would always plant a fruit-tree in
stead of shade or ornamental. Good
taste can and should be consulted in the
makeup and surroundings of the rural
home as we'll as around the village or city
residence. FrUit-tree5 are good in their
place, but shade trees-the beautiful elms
and NAPLES, and other deciduous as well
as evergreen trees-should have a prom
inent place on the roadside and on the
lawn. There are many places about the
premises where both shade and fruit
trees may be planted to enhance the
looks comfort and value of the home.
Some people are great sticklers for
utility, but the idea is beginning to pre-
vail that it is quite as necessary to feed
the eyes as the stomach. Man shall not
live by bread alone, is an utterance of
much significance. The finer perceptions
of the inner being have claims as well as
the pocket of the outer practical iden
tity. Let US take the middle ground and
shape our ideal from the point where
these extremes meet. An apple tree
bordering the approach from the high
way or occupying the front yard may be
well enough for those who never lift
their gaze above the horizon of the plow-
handle or the manure spreader; but
there are those scattered here and there
on New England farms whose souls drink
in inspiration from higher ideal. For
them the lofty elms and wide-spreading
naples have charm which the extreme
practical ideal of the apple tree can new
er fill. We say set both, and don't be
sparing about it. 1t is easier to cut
down tree, if such is found to be in the
way, than to supply lack in after years.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Thinning Emit.

When planted in good sOil.gOOd thrifty
fruits will nearly always overload them,
selves, and in order to secure the best
smoOthest and largest fruit considerable
thinning must be done; this Is especially
the case with grapes and tree fruits.
Choice apples, peaches, pears and
ounces; in fact, the best of all kinds of
fruit command the best prices and al
ways sell. Outlines the market becomes
glutted with poor fruits, and the prices
realized are really, below what it costs to
produce them and sometimes they can
not be sold at any price, while at the
same time the choicest and best are sell
ing at profitable price.
Too many fall into the error of think
ing that by thinning they lessen the
quantity so much that they
prefer to let the fruit all remain. This
Is mistake, as well as to think that by
thinning they lessen the profit on the
fruit. When tree is heavily loaded, the
fruit must necessarily be small end this
will lessen the quantity: then the fruit be-
ing small will sell for a less price. and
really cost more to sell. and
you really lose rather than make by not
thinning. Then in addition. when tree
or vine Is allowed to overload and mature
the fruit it is strain upon the vitality of
the tree, SO much that rest must be
had and the next year the tree will fail tc
bear.
Whenever tried judiciously, thinning
fruit always pays; but it requires consid
cradle curage when the trees are laden
with young fruit to go over and pull of
and throw away considerable portion
of the fruit To one who has never tried
it, at first it would seem like a waste; yet
it has been tested sufficiently to prove its
value.
The work of course should be done
early. as soou after the fruit has set a:
possible. The longer the fruit grow;
after setting, the more waste of vitality
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
THE HOUSEHOLD.

When using buttermilk for griddle-
cakes, dilute it a third with cold water, so
that the cake will not be sticky.
shovelful of hot Goals held over var
nished furniture will, it is said, take out
warm with flannel
A dripping pan half full of of cold wa
ter on the upper CRATE in the oven will
prevent pies or cakes from burning.
The latest fancy in spIashers are large
fans spread against the wall behind the
wash-stand.
A tallow candle or piece of tallow wrap
ped in tissue paper and laid among furs
or other garments will, it is said, prevent
the rayages of moths. 1t is also pre-
tentative of the Baffalo bug.
1t is said that white silk lace can be
cleaned by washinging in bedtime. 1t is
best to do this work out of doors, away
from fires and lights.
The following cement is said to be
perfectly efficaciOus. 1t is so simple that
is worth trying: Take some old, soft
cheese, and beat it well in a mortar,
washing it thoroughly in hot water. After
the soluble matter is all washed away,
G white mass of nearly pure caseine will
remain. This should be squeezed in a
cloth to express moisture, dried, reduced
to power: and preserved in closely
stoppered bottle. When requised for
use, small quantity should be ground
with very little water, to make a thick
paste, which must be made at once, as it
hardens very quickly. Mix only as much
as may be needed, for after 1t once hard
ems it will not dissolve. 1t is not affected
by heat or water.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17

! opened, and row of stakes covered with
canvas making a fence upon each side
/ leading to 1t. Outside was quite a small
/ tent, trimmed with all kinds of pretty
feathers, and over the door a wildcats
skin trimmed with beads and porcupine
| quilts. In the large tent back in the CEN
ter, against very gay curtain, sat young
girl, a ha1f-breed, not more than 10 years
old, dressed in skirt and jacket of bright
buttons and boar's teeth, her hair long
and black and falling in front, while a
wreath of feathers on her head completed
her wedding outfit. Allaround were orna-
ments, and yards of pink, red and yellow
calico as drapery, and, on a little green
trunk near the bride sat the old chief
wrapped in a buffalo robe, looking like a
great bear. Along on one side of the tent
sat the women and girls, and upon the
other side the men, young and old. They
were all painted frightfully, and wore
dreadful ornaments, bright blankets and
feathers, and most of the men had on but
little clothing. Near the middle of this
group were piled the provisions of the
feast, pans and kettles of meat, bread and
boiled corn.
"The ceremonies began with the old
chief drumming upon drum, and making
a shout and noise like an animal. He
then rose and walked around the girl sew
eral times, got on his knees and again
walked around her, knocked her from side
to side, then smOothed her hair, gave her
something that he called medicine, then
took a dish and placed it before her,
knelt down and took a sip of what was in
1t, as she did also. He then stood up,
went through with some mumblings over
her head, and then began to pass the
feast, first to the women, and then to the
men. The girl took off her outside gray
robe, and it was given to her mother, as
we supposed Underneath she had a
short blue Dress, which was taken off: and
when the eating was concluded the poor
little girl" probably, as so often among
savages, sold for price, and with no
voice in her fate slipped out of the tent
in little plain pink calico Dakota dress,
and with bare feet and legs, looking
frightened and cold, went to her tent all
alone. Then they made ready for the
dance, but we did not stay to see that
and had no wish to larry"
Such scenes need no comment to the
Christian heart, but make their own pa
thetic and solemn appeal to the Christian
women of this nation to bring to these
native Americans the knowledge of that
gospel which displaces such barbarism
and by the voluntary and intelligent choice
ling influence of mutual affection, and
the conservation and perpetuity of Chris
tian marriage.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17

It matters not whether the seed corn
comes from the the butt, tip or middle
I'kernels of an ear of corn. Any notion
to the contrary is but a superstition or a
| delusion.
Experiments are now in progress to
make an artificial crossing between wheat
and rye, so as to obtain a new and stand
ard cereal for breadstuffs. So says the
New York Herald.
The orchard is a good place in which to
SOW field peas. The pigs should be al
lowed to harvest the crop. The peas and
fallen apples will make excellent pork be-
fore cold weather.
Manure is as necessary to successful
farming as an engine to a steamship, or
as fuel to a locomotive; and the amount
of discussion on the saving and use of
manures shows that their Importance
is well understood by Intelligent cultiva-
tors.
When there is full crop of fruit the
insects are not perceived, but the follow
ing year, when there is a light crop, the
insects in ure no more fruit, but 1T Is
more apparent and all the fruit will ap-
pear to be attacked.
1t is a wasteful policy, that of exhaust
ing the soil so it will no longer pay the
cost of cultivation. The feeding Of
stock, carting the manure on the land,
and proper rotation will keep the soil in
tact. Hence it is more profitable every
where to feed all the coarse grain on the
farm than to sell. Once the exhaustive
process is begun, it becomes every year
more difficult to make a change for the
better.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Carrots as Il Profitable Crop.
Farm and Stockman.

Farmers should make speciality of
carrots as farm crop in preference to
turnips, although we prefer to advise the
cultivation of both crops. The carrot is
usually neglected simply because it re-
quires considerable work in the begin
ming of its growth, which is not so with
turnips, which terminate quickly and
soon mature. But there are advantages
in favor of the carrot which makes it
preferable, in many respects, to all other
root crops. In the first place the carrot
keeps well during winter, and a large
yield can be secured from an acre of
ground. The crop is one that supplies a
change of food in the winter for horses
and CATTLE while they do not affect the
milk, or in ure its flavor, but on the con-
trary add to the quality and color of the
butter. In regard to the difficulty of
cultivating carrots the labor is ONLY at the
start, and much of it may be avoided by
working the soil to a very fine condition
and using we'll rOtted manure. The rows
should be far enough apart to admit of
the horse hoe or cultivatOr and the seed
should be dropped in stools one foot apart
in order to allow of the hoe being used.
As soon as the seeds are sprouted out of
the ground it may be necessary to clean
out the grass very carefully, but after
that the hoe will do all the work necessary
between the plants. If the seed is
sprouted in moist earth, placed in warm
place, before planting, much time will be
saved. Once the young plants are under
way they soon take care of themselves, as
they send down long tap roots and there
fore endure drought well. Their great
value as feeding crop for horses, steers,
COWS, hogs and sheep should make them
a necessary adjunct to all farms.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Little Wastes.
Farm and Live Stock.

Manure, the farmers bank stock, in
liquid form flows away to the stream and
is lost. Old machinery, in which are
many good bolts and screws, are allowed
to rust out in the field. In an emergency
he drives an over worked horse to the
nearest town or shop to duplicate an ar
ticle that should have been preserved
from the old one. He fails to keep his
tools in perfect order, and in haying time
when the weather is treatening, tire
rolls off, bolt is missing. And down
comes the rain and up goes the temper
The missing shingIe is never replaced
and a constant leak finds its way to the
grain bin and then he grOwls because his
wheat is locked for dampness. Odds
and ends of lumber remain where the last
job was finished, curling up and becom-
ing worthless in the hot sun. Good tools
often keep company with the perishing
boards. The weaklings of his herds and
fOcks are allowed to remain with the
strong until they drOop away and die.
This man tells continued story of bad
season, weather too hot or too cold, too
wet OF too dry, taxes too high. No intel
Iectual shadow falls across his pessimistic
path, and he never reaches the goal of the
successful farmer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
A WOman's Queer Freak.
New York Sun.

There is a woman in Middleton, train
men on the Erie railway say, who is doom
ed sooner Or later to be crushed to death
under the wheels of some locomotive, I'M
less her friends or the police authorities
Interfere with her recklessness. She is
one of great number of people who OBJ
tain their supplies of fuel by picking up
waste coal from the railroad track. She
is generally seen picking up coal at the
Genung crossing in Middletown. Every
day she subjects the nerves of some en-
glneer to terrible strain. She persists
In remaining on the track, quietly and I'M
concernedly picking coal, until the loco
motive is almost upon her, when she steps
to one side as if she was merely turning
out of the way of pedestrian instead of
a railroad train going at a very high rate
of speed.
Engineers have got so that they are on
the lookout for her as they approach the
crossing. AS soon as they see her they
sound the alarm whistle in the most blood
curdllng manner, but she simply looks up,
cs If measuring the distance between her
and the advancing train, and the probable
time 1t will consume in reaching her,
and then cody resumes her coal-picking
until the engine is within two or three
feet of her, when she steps from in front
of it.
The engineer of the Pine Island milk
train says the pilot of his engine actually
struck the skirt of her dress the other day.
He says he could not have felt more
broken up then if he had actually killed
her. The engineers declare that some
thing must be done to keep the woman off
the track, or they will neve have any peace
Of mind.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Beauty and Royalty.
London World.

1t was very generally remarked at the
last drawing room that there were NOR
pretty faces than ever, and many more
were present than we're expected. The
princess of Wales received the company
in place of her majesty, and, as this was
duly announced, there was none of the
nervous uncertainty about the debutantes
as to whether or no they must be ungloved.
The dresses were most lovely, and the fash
ion of wearing the trains from the shout
derwas very much adopted on Thursday.
The royal circle included three of the
younger generation of princes and prin-
cesses-Prince Albert Victor, Princess
Louise, and Princess Victoria of Teck.
Scarcely anyone among the stately Eng
lish women looked better than Lady de
Grey and the duchess of Westminster.
Lady Howard de Walden was immensely
admired, and very pretty young Ameri-
can bids fair to take her place among the
London beauties. Mrs. White, wife of the
secretary at the American legation, look
ed particularly well. A great number of
brides were presented, their lately-worn
wedding dresses forming part of their
costumes. The Hon. Mrs. Mills wore the
lovely jewels given to her on her marriage.
Lady Forbes looked very young to be pre-
sentlng her daughter, charming pretty
face. much like the Moncrieffe family
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
Ticks on Sheep.
Chicago Wool Journal.

the focks when the shepherd little sus-
poets the cause and this time of the year
is the time when they draw most heavily
on the vitality and strength of the sheep
If the sheep do not seem to improve for
ihe quantity of food given them and often
are found biting and rubbing themselves
it is sign that ticks are draining the
blood from their veins and some remedy
should be employed Immediately. Sui
phur is almost a certain remedy for these
pest and little of it should be given in
bran or meal to all the fiOcks occasionally
If this remedy does not prove effectual
as soon as it becomes warm enough the
sheep should be sheared and then dipped
in tobacco juice or other dip that will
answer the same purpose.