davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
AN UNPLEASANT DUTY.
People Who Dislike Very Much to Refuse
Kind Invitations.

People Who Dislike Very Much to Refuse
Kind Invitations.
Few people like to refuse invitations.
To write refusal with facts at COM
mand deprives the act of any suspicion
of ungraciousness; but the facts are not
always forthcoming, or are, perhaps,
of too private a nature to be made
public property, hence, in writing re-
fusals and excuses, certain knowledge
of letter writing is all-important to
novices in the art of saying the right
thing. But with regard to refusals, the
most decidedly disagreeable to write
are those in answer to invitations asked
for through third person. People
have various reasons for declining
general invitations besides the all
sufficient one of prior engagement.
"Mrs. A very much regrets that
prior engagement prevents her having
the pleasure of accepting Mrs. BIS
kind invitation" is the usual formula
in the conventional world; but, if these
ladies were on more friendly terms
with each other. Mrs. A would
probably write in the first person when
pleading a prior engagement. 1t is an
open question whether the nature
of the engagement should be
stated or not. Even intimate friends
often confine themselves to the state
ment of the bare fact only that prior
engagement exists; others. on the con-
trary, state the nature of the engage
ment, and there is no doubt that in so
doing compliment is conveyed, the
refusal softened and any sense of dis
appointment allayed. When a prior
engagement can not be made the basis
of refusal, then the refusal must rest
on the other lines, and how to avoid
giving annoyance or offense is so per-
picking that the acceptance of an I'M
welcome invitation is often preferable.
III health or severe cold are excuses
that can not be challenged; if neither
of these impediments can be advanced
politeness must fall back upon an
other resource, and this is exactly
what politeness finds a difficulty
in doing. And thus it is easier
on the spur of the moment to
create an engagement for the day
named in the invitation, than to seek
helplessly for further excuse. The
excuse of "a prior engagement" is
adopted by many in the same sense
which mot at home" is in everyday
use, signifying in the one case not to
accept an invitation, as in the other
an intention not to admit visitors. But
it is not every one who ventures to
take this latitude, considering that it
is not a straightforward course. prefer
ring to make a sacrifice of inclination
rather than thus evade an unwelcome
invitation. AS general rule, few in
vitations are declined, save under i'm
perative circumstances. which means
indisposition, illness or family bereave
ment or unavoidable absence from
home. Y. Telegram.
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
d

Nye Dicorering Comets for a Livelihood.
My first comet was discovered in the early
evening. 1t is not brilliant comet, but
rather inferior in its appearance. Its
motions, alSo, are erratic and at times aim
less. 1t has an elongated orbit. with a large
hole in it, l nope that this will make
no difference, however, as it is no fault of
mine will agree that it shall not occur
again.
hope some day to discover a comet with
a parabo.a to it, l have found place
where one of these had been the day before
and dragged its pnrabola across the milky
way What prize do you offer for a comet
with a parabolai Also, what will you give
me for a small comet in good condition,
with perihelion to iti
found a light sorrel comet last year. but
had not completed the discovery and filed on
it before it disappeared for the night /
learned tie next day that it was a comet
with large orbit, and that it would not
again return for 8 900 years The discovery
wa a ona tide one, however, and If you
w.l advance the amount of the prize, it
vii be Of great pecuniary advantage to me,
and II 1t does not return on time as l have
said, L will refund the money to you or
your heirs with pleasure. This comet had
a long, heavy name and tail, and seemed to
be feeling first rate. Its tail was turned
from me when discovered it, but when l
.oohed at it again l saw that it was turned
this way. When l next looked at it it
was gone. Should any other astronomer
find this omet and report it to you, l wish
you would tell him that it belongs to me- It
l. about the med um height, is good road
ster, and wears its tail at an angle of about
forty-five degrees wheh in motion.
l would rather discover comets for liveli-
hood than to do anything else, if it did not
keep me from my family so much.
Do YOU prefer a comet with a nucleus or
can you use one with parat oic hypothesis
to better advantagea Could you use a poem
on the presidential nuptialsl l often write
little poems OF this character while waiting
behind a tiee for a comet to come down past
me for II drink. / also have a double bar
rel shotgun in good order and the right to a
small chestnut comet of alb, ut the tenth
magnitude, / 9th Of which / would like to
dispose Of
In answering this letter please pin the
check to the upper left hand corner of your
manuscript. Write plainly on one side only,
with your Endorsement on the other. l can
not promise to return manuscript Please
write as soon a, possible and tell me whether
you wish me to continue my discoveries or
not.
Should there be anything I could do for
you or for science, let me know and will
give you inside figures and cut rates on
com is, microbes, or anything else in my
line.
Pl, ase write your name and pc 'toffice adj
dress plainly and tell the cashier to sign his
name lainly at the bottom OF the check.
Yours with telescope IN each eve and a
comet cork screw in each hand-Bill Nye
In Boston Cuba
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
BILL nye TURNS ASTRONOMERS
Bobtail Comet Unworthy to R...
His Name.

BobtaI Comet Unworthy to IA.
Dr. Corner, proprietor Of Corners ne MIN,
ultra kidney calmer, Jasperville, N. j:
DEAR SIR: write to say that last night
was so fortunate as to discover a new comst
for which you were kind enough to offer a
prize Of 800 last year. As soon as l read
your offer Immediately began to scan the
heavens. / presume that there isn't .
square foot of the whole sky that haven't
been over during that time in search Of
comets. In January, on the early morning
of the second, l think, while going home
after assisting in the ceremonies Of usherinp
in the new year, discovered a comet Of
great magnitude, but on the following
evening. when l attempted to put my hand
on it and classify it and draw on you for tina
prize money. found that it hal evaded me
now agree with my wife that it was an
optical illusion of thu fir magnitude.
Last week, however, l succeeded in run.
ming down a arge red comet which had
never been used before. 1t was situated in
the constellation of Cassabianca, about due
west of the M ,thodist church you look
out of my barn door on a clear night.
Its appearance is that of large nebulous
boly with central condensation and no
covery. | am sorry to come to you with a
tailess "omeS. After the long nights Of ankle
ty AID worry dislike to come to you, Doc.
bringing bobtai comet. | will, there fore
throw off so from the amount YOU offered.
Send me postal note for $50, Doc. and the
comet Il yours. You will find it where [
have said if you are careful to observe nv
rect;ons
Had this comet be m a SUCCESS, with a tail
TO it. l would have been glad to bestow nv
name upon it, never having put my name on
comet; but would prefer not to name a
mutilated comet after myself. A man
works too hard to win deathless name to
"a my ses 1t Tut on nebuous and skittish
bobtail comet with no record. / have had
wildcat mining claims named for me- and
my brief but contiguous cognomen will be
found here and there throughout the Ameri-
can herd book; but when l plaster it on a
heavenly body want it to be attached to
good one.
| am on the eve of discovering another
comet, however, to which l will not he
ashamed to attach my name l have only
partially discovsrei it at this time but as
Herschel would say, there is hen ON. got
a brief view of this comet last night, but be-
fore l could secure it, name it and draw on
you for the 800 it was gone As the bank will
be closed tonight ut the time the discovery
will no doubt be made. h I'VE taken the
liberty to draw on you to-day at sight II
do not succeed in discovering the comet
in time for June delivery l wi return the
money to you
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
NATURES ECONOMY.
Wonderfully Displayed In the Construc
tion of the Human Frame.

Wonderfully Displayed In the Construc-
tion of the Human Frame.
We may see glimpses of the great sys-
tenn of general regulation VIII ich guards
nature from overdrawing her accounts
in connection with the arrangement of
living things. Not only in beings of
high degree, but in animals of low es-
tate, do we meet with illustrations of
the economy of power and the saving
of needless expenditures of force and
energy which dame nature practises
The study of human anatomy which,
of course, is one in many points with
the comparative science as applied to
lower life, reveals not q few instructive
examples of this saving tendency in life 5
ways. The human head, for example,
is nicely balanced on the spine. Com
pared with heads of lower type, this
eluipose forms prominent feature of
mans estate. The head mass of dog,
horse or elephant requires to be tied on
as it were, to the spine. Ligaments
and muscular arrangements of complex
nature perform their part in securing
that the front extremity of these forms
should be safely adjusted. But in man
there is an absence of effort apparent
in Natures ways of securing the desired
end. The erect posture, too, is add
justed and arranged for on principles of
neat economy. The type of body is
the same as in lower life. Human tv
appears before us as a modification, an
evolution, but in no sense new crea-
{ on. Man rises from his "forelegs =
arms being identical, be it remarked
with the anterior pair of lmbs in lower
life-and speedily there ensaes IN
adaptation of means to ends, and all in
the direction of the economical CONVEX
sion of the lower to the higher type of
being. The head becomes balanced
and not secured as we have seen, and
thus saving of muscular power is en-
tailed. Adjustments of bones and
jo'nts take place, and the muscles OF
one aspect-say the front -of the BODY
counterbalance the action of those of
the other aspect, the back; and between
the two diverging tendencies the epect
position is maintained practically W tn
out effort So also in the petty deta Is
of the work nature has not bee nm
mi dtul of her ''saving clause We
see this latter fact illustrated in the d $
pos ton of the arrangements of foot
and heel. One may legitimately an
nounce that man owes much to his
head; but the truth is, he owes a great
deal of h s mental comfort and physical
economy to his heels. The heel bone
las become especially prominent in
man when compared with lower form
of quadrupeo life. 1t projects far be-
h nd the mass of foot and leg, aad thus
forms stable fulcrum of support
wherein the body may rest Here
sgain. economy of ways and means S
illustrated. -LonQman's Magazine.
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
NERVOUS COUGH.
An Addiction Whose True Nature IL N
Universally Understood.

An Addiction Whose True Nature II Not
Universally Understood.
One may have hard, dry and vio-
lent cough, and yet the lungs, bronchial
tubes and larynx be in perfectly nor
NAL condition.
Says Flint: 'In most of the cases of
this kind which have seen, the cough
has peculiar barking tone. and the
pitch has been low, showing that the
CLOTHS was dilated at the instant of
coughing. In some cases, however,
the tone is shrill and the quality of the
sound croupai, showing spasm OF the
CLOTHS In . case recently under OBJ
scrvation, the cough consisted of a
single, short, hoarse bark. often repeat
ed several times minute. 1t is some
times in paroxysms, having = resem-
blance to those of whooping cough.
The peculiar sound of the cough, to-
gether with its frequent recurrence, and
sometimes its violence, renders it dis
tressing 30 those whose sympathics are
excited, and annoying to others"
1t is mostly confined to femaies OF
hysterical tendencies. 1t may be in
duced by involuntary irritation. A
school for girls was once broken up by
it. The slightest change of tcmpera-
ture excite it, rs do also penetrating
odors. 1t is constantly attended by
sneezing and snulling.
Shadewald, who has recently given it
special attention, found it could be pro-
duced by gently touching q certain point
uritl,,u ,,Aot,.ilc This ,Nnint 10 m
termination of one of the iilaments of
the trigeminal Tor trifaciaD nerve. and
il is to its irritation that Shadewald re-
CARDS this cough as due. Hence he
calls it the trigeninat cough
1t bears striking resemblance to
nervous asthma, and the latter is now
thought to be the most pronounced form
of trigeminal cough, with its seat within
the nostrils. Ramitcations of the trige-
minial go to the pharvnx (the back part
of the mouth), and also to portion OF
the ear, and hence this cough may some
times be due to trigcminal irritation in
these parts, but it is most frequently
met with from irritation of the nerve
within the nostrils.
OF course no treatment directed TO the
throat or lungs will be of any avail.
and its persistence against all ordinary
remedies may cause the gravest fears.
But the peculiar barking tone of the
cough and a certain nervous character
OF the patient may suggest its real ma
turc. The medical attendant should at
once suspect its trigeminal origin. if he
fails to find any organic explanation OF
il. All treatment should be directed to
the nasal nerve. and the main object
should be to lessen its undue excita-
bility.
Galvanism is warmly recommended.
Cauterization is often eflectual, and so,
for time is slight bleeding of the
parts. The copious secretion to which
iodde of potassium, administered in
ternally, gives rise is helpful, by wash
ing out the irritating particles. In
lighter eases, this and the inhaling OF
vapor are often sufficient. - Youths
(O3nDu,liOH
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
ROMAN BOOK-MAKING.

stenographic Contractions Used by the
Expert Book Writers of Ancient Rome.
1t is stated that, Notwithstanding
the Romans had not print ing presses,
books were at that time produced much
more quickly and in larger numbers
than most modern works. Paper was
used which was almost woven out of
the fiber of the Egyptian papyrus, which
grows to height of ten feet, and which
has given its name to paper. A Roman
residing in Egypt assures US that the
yield of his paper mandatory would
be sufficient to support any army, and
whole ship-loads of paper were sent
from Egypt to Rome. Before books of
any description were reproduced in
large numbers, they were read mostly
in private circles, or publicly. so that
the author could adopt suggestions for
the Improvement of his work. Wealthy
Romans used to own a large number
of slaves for all kinds of service, which
rendered labor cheap. as they cost moth
ing in many cases, and had only to be
supported They were mostly prison.
ers of war, the pick of nations, an /
often more cultivated Especially the
Greeks) than their masters. They were
consequently also employed in the edu-
cation of Roman boys. The works of
authors were dictated to number of
slaves, women also being employed for
that purpose. Even among freemen and
liberated slaves the desire to obtain en-
of willing hands could be had for writing
no. &1r, . Iz,. 1T
instruction impaired in the workshops
of Roman publishers necessitated
regular course of training, which was
to teach the apprentices an easy and
elegant handwriting. If publisher
had at his disposal say hundred
writers, and reckoning the working
day at ten hours, document which
took an hour to write would be multi
piled in the course OF a day to a.
thousand copies. The writers became
in time expert to such degree that
they combined quickness with elegance.
1t must also be added that in cases
where speed was the first consideration,
the use of stenographic contractions be-
came general. and we possess illustra-
tions OF their employment in the old
manuscripts still in existence. We are
also informed that both readers and
copyists were instructed and trained,
the former in the solution. the latter in
the application, of contractions. Their
object was to copy work as quickly AZ
possible, the use of full words being
only resorted to for the best works.
The above brief account demonstrates
to us the fact that the Romans made
the nearest approach to the invention
of printing, although they never at
tanned to it. The movable stamps of
iron or other metals used by the Ro:
mans for marking earthenware vessels
and other utensils also prove this. But
the art of rapid writing, which was
perfected by them to an unusual de-
gree, counteracted a further develop
ment, while the number of slaves and
other willing hands at disposal, by
which means the most astonishing re-
suits were obtained, operated in the
same direction. -Stenographic JoundL
of Switzerland.
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
GOLD IN ALASKA.
Enthusiastic Reports Which Should Be
Taken with Grain of Allowance

Taken with Grain OF Allowance
The whole of Alaska Territory is
more or less a gold field needing capital
to develop it, quartz of low grade, but
in immense quantities, being found on
every hand. The Treadwell mine on
Douglass Island, almost opposite the
camp, is an example of this. They
have the largest quartz-mill in the
United States, viz: One hundred and
twenty stamps working night and day,
and averaging over fifty thousand
dollars per month. There are rich
diggings, both placer and quartz, four
miles from Juneau in the basin, but
owing to its inaccessibility and the lack
of water and capital invested to bring
it in, they are not worked to one-tenth
of their capacity. There are good
diggins almost in the town on Gold
creek, but the same obstacles render
them valueless and idle.
The Yukon river excitement has
broken out with increased vigor.
Hughes, the explorer, started for the
new diggins, closely followed by at
least dozen different parties of ex-
plorers and prospectors. Hughes is the
man who returned to juneau last fall
with siXty-two ounces fine as the prod
duct of eleven days work. From
latest information the new find is
located on Stewart river, in the North
western Territory. There are rumors
of a large party of Montanians who
have started for it from Benton. Mon
tana, but they will never reach it that
way.
There is only one route: from Frisco
to Portland, from Portland to Juneau
City via steamer Idaho, from Juneau
to Chilcoot, thence by portage over the
divide to the lakes. There they build
tlat-boats and glide peacefully down the
chain of lakes to the river and the
mines. Miners wages here are four
to five dollars per day. Carpenters
have more work than they can do at
five dollars per day, as over twenty
new buildings are going up and more
are having the foundations laid. A
new town has been started on Douglass
Island, directly opposite Juneau, keep
ing three small ferryboats running. 1
would advise no man to start here
without money, as, although provisions,
ETC., arc cheap, yet it takes money to
outfit and to pack said outfit over the
divide, but man with capital of
two hundred dollars can make the
Yukon country with case, and from all
reports, and the undisputed fact of the
gold being brought out from there by
Hughes and party, it will be his own
fault if he don't make a profitable in
vestment. San Francisco Examiner.
Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-11-19
n HOME AND FARM.

More than half the diseases so
prevalent among farm horses are due o
impro per attention to the common laws
of sanitation. -Eachdnge.
The advice to put a COW before
calving on short rations to prevent milk
fever is bad. The food should be reg
ular, not forced. - Western Rural.
"A farmer who had considerable ex-
perience with breeding live stock, says
that three colts can be grown on the
same feed that is required for two
calves. &C Chicago Tribune.
Milk Lemonade: Dissolve in one
quart of boiling water one and one-half
cups of loaf 81. gar, add one-half pint
of lemon juice, and lastly, one and one
half pints of boiling milk. Boston
Budget.
Corn and potatoes may often be
top-dressed to advantage for planting,
providing fine manure is used. The
cultivation of these crops during the
season will mix the manure with the
soil much more perfectly than it could
be if plowed under. -Prairie Farmer
The american Agricultarist says
that "buckwheat is one of the most val
liable grains both for human food and
for feeding animals. 1t is only slightly
inferior to rye in nutritious matter,
having much the same character as a
food, and containing very nearly as
much nutriment as oats"
One of the meanest of mean weeds
is plantain. 1t can not be eradicated
completely except by measures equiva-
lent to wearing out, root, leaf and
branch; then seeds are left in the soil to
make repetition of the process neces-
sary before determination of the pest is
effected. - Cincinnati Times.
A contributor to the Boston Tran
script gives the following remedy for
salt rheum in the hands. Prepare a
strong infusion of yellow dock root and
take a wineglassful n ht and morning.
An infusion of the leaves of the beech
tree used as lotion. will give relief. |
have known of three severe cases to
have been cured by this simple remedy.
In my own case took the yell wv dock
for three months.
You should keep disused coal-oil
barrel half full of the strongest I've, into
which to drop every bone that comes
from your table, or else pack them in
alternate layers with unslacked lime.
They will become so brittle that you
may have them broken fine and spread
them broadcast; and the I've, if you have
used that, can be diluted with many
times its bulk of water and be applied
wherever potash would be scrviceable.
THIS liquid, or soapsuds. is the surest
possible dressing for caulitlower and
cabbage. y. Telegram.
Milk Soup: Take four large pota-
toes, peeled and cut in quarters, one
onion cut up. put them into two quart;
of boiling water, with two ounces OF
butter, one-fourth ounce salt or pepper
to taste; boil till done to mash; stra n
through q colander, and rub the vegeta-
bles through with u wooden spoon; re,
turn the pulp and soup to the saucepan
add one pint of milk and put it on the
ire to boil; when it boils, sprinkle in by
degrees three tablespoonfuls of crushed
tapioca, stirring well all the time. Boil
frequently for fifteen minutes, and serve
in hot soup plate. journal.