davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16

lounger in the city hall if they saw fit.
But they are not at all likely to do so. Ii
any one who frequents the CITY hall will
take the trouble to stroll up Broadway
from Twenty-third street to the Gilsev
house, between these two points, on any
fine evening, he will encounter nearly all
the we'll dressed men who have lounged
in the city hall during the daytime.
Some of the them will be in evening
dress, lettering about the entrances to
the hotels as if waiting for some tardy
friend TO keep an appointment, while
others may be observed chatting with
keepers of gambling houses and other
disreputable resorts.
An old politician, who has seen the ups
and downs of life, but is now out in the
cold, chatted with a reporter about these
mysterious fellows, yesterday, and threw
some light on their calling.
''They are nothing better than go-be-
tweens." said he, ''and they manage to
dress we'll and have enough money in their
clothes, because some of the political
wire pullers in this town are in their
power. Such men are absolutely neces-
esary to the professional politician. In
politics an honest man has to wink at a
great many queer things. l don't care
how straightlaced he may be, if he is
running for big office he has to act up
on the advice of these wire-pullers. The
gambling house keepers and proprietors
of uncomfortable resorts are the power
behind the throne in many districts in
this city. They never appear on the sur
face in any scheme, but their agents are
ci4y-hal lonngers. They are men who
carry messages to the political leaders
and manipulate them to their personal
advantage. It is 1ntimated that even the
captains of the police in some of the
precincts are in the power of these 60
betweens. Why they make their head
quarters in the city hall is another con-
undrum. They have only been there in
their present force for a few months past.
1t is great change, indeed, to the class
of loungers who infested the city hall in
times gone by. When the offices of the
department of pnblic works occupied the
easterly end Of the hall the men who
thronged the corridors were for the most
part hard-fisted sons of toll looking for
work on the big pipes. After hanging
around for day or two, if their applica-
tions met with no favor, they generally
disappeared and sought for employment
elsewhere. The change is indeed to be
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
Marriage on the Stage.
Boston Post.


A party of gentlemen, including prom
inert clergyman, who is deeply inter
ested in one OF Boston's charitable insti-
tutions located at the South End, were
last evening discussing the feasibility of
giving an entertainment in Mechanics
Building in aid of the institution.
Among the party was a newspaper man
who answers to the call of slack, come
to dinner" Various plans were suggest
ed, and the discussion turned upon what
would draw best, when some one said
that a marriage on the stage would draw
we'll. Suddenly the Clergyman's face lit
up with bright smile, and, turning to
the newsE aper man, he said: Il will give
you $500 if you will be married on the
stage at our entertainment at Mechanics
Hail." eth do it," said the newspaper
man, II intended to wait about two
years before married, and hoped to
save that amount of money, but if I can
get $500 I'll be married at once. I'm
dead in earnest; name your date, and I'm
your man." The party were dumb found
ed, for the newspaper man asserted his
sincerity, and later told the writer that
he meant what he said.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
By the Way He Smokes.
Philadelphia News.

If a man smokes his cigar only enough
to keep it lighted and relishes taking it
from his mouth to cast look at the curl
of smoke in the air, set him down as an
easy-going man.
his grip on his cigar, and is Indifferent
whether it burns or not He is cool, cal
culating and exacting.
The man who smokes a bit, rests a bit
and fumbles the cigar more or less is
easily affected by circumstances.
If the cigar goes out frequently the
man has whole-souled disposition; is a
devil-may-care sort of a fellow, with a
lively brain and glib tongue, and gen
orally a fine fund of anecdotes.
To hold fast half the cigar in the
mouth and smoke indifferentiy is lazy
mans habit. They are generally of little
force, and their characters are not of the
highest strata.
nervous man, who fumbles his cigar
great deal, is a sort of popinjay among
men. Holding the cigar constantly be-
tween his teeth, chewing it occasionally,
and not caring if it is lighted at all. are
characteristics of men who have the
tenacity of bulldogs.
The fop stands his cigar on end, and
an experienced smoker points his straight
ahead or almost at right angles with his
course.
A poet sings: How shall I paint
my sweet-heart?" Save your little earn
ings. She will attend to that matter her
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
Chestnuts.

A suburban gentleman tells this, apro-
pos of the chestnut: He was sitting in
his library the other day, eating lone
chestnuts, when a book agent was ushered
in. The glib-tongusd canvasser opened
his book, and as he was rafting on at
rapid rate the gentleman, to show his
hospitality, pushed the dish of nuts to-
ward him, with the remark to help him
self.
To his great astonishment-for he was
unmindful of the Interpretation that
might be placed upon the act-the agent
stopped, gathered up his books, and shot
from the door, only saying:
'That's an awful mean way to tell a
man to shut up"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
CHIT CHAT.

! Il hope you are not disappointed in
John?" said a Philadelphia mother to
her daughter as she found her crying six
months after her marriage. ''Yes l am"
sobbed the young wife. HE doesn't
abuse you, does he?" mo, but he does
worse. He is experimenting with cleo
trio lights, and uses my new wire hustle
as conductor.
! "Was it love match?n ''Not exactly.
She lived next door you know. Charles
| had read somewhere that few people con-
! tlnus piano playing long after marriage,
and he concluded to try it. We didn't
want to leave the neighborhood, you see,
SO Charles married her. Very good of
him, wasn't it!"
scientist says that woman who
weighs 100 pounds here would weigh
| 200 pounds if on the surface of the sun.
But not one woman in a thousand will
start on Journey to the sun in order to
increase her weight If it were the moon
1t would be different. There is a man in
| that orb.
Little Emma not quite four years old,
l. refuses to consent that her auntie shall
go TO Europe. The latter, to conciIiate
her, says: Il will bring you a beautiful
| doll" The ready answer comes: "You
| needn't go so far; you can get one around
the corner.
Little Dot like my papa best; don't
you yours? Little Dick-No, don't; my
papa spanks me. "Mine don't me;
mamma does, though" "My mamma
hardly ever spanks. Wouldn't it be nice
If my mamma and your papa should get
married?"
"How's the good wife, Mr.. Hayseed?"
asked the minister of an Indiana farmer.
She's got the feyer'n ague powerful bad"
I'm sorry to hear that. Is she in bed?"
Fo; she's out in the back yard shakin' the
dlnin' rooE carpet"
Maud-Just think of it! Eighteen teIe-
phone girls in the Hartford office have
married within the last three years.
Edith-The men must have fallen in love
with their voices, then. Nonsense!
voice can't wear new dresses.
"Aiss De Jauns is a very self-possessed
young lady, isn't she?" remarked Jackson.
Eyes, she ought to be-" replied Dickson.
"Why so?" Because have asked her to
be mine three times and she said mo- each
time"
"The shades of night were falling fast
read the teacher. "What does that mean?"
And the smart bad boy reckoned ''the
women were pullin' down the blinds" for
which he got ten minutes in the merry
birch woods.
MA" said Clara, 81 think 1 will
have my new seal brown suit trimmed
with bows to match" Hun phr said
her father, ''you won't succeed" ''Whv
not, pa?" "Wen none of your beaux seem
to match"
"What wonderful power of adaptability
women possess" cries a sage writer.
This refers to the girl who adores ice
cream and at the same time is fond of
fried oysters.
CAV pardon me, Edith, I've thutch a
cold in my head; and when I've cold I'm
so stupid, don'tchewno." Poor Arthur
how sad! you seem always to have this
aff1ictisn.
- Clara-John, I dent Ebelieve you love
me any more. John-Why? Clara
You never turn down the gas now when
we sit in the rocking chair.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
HOW THEY MAKE 1T PAY.
Fellows Who Act as Go-Betweens for the Poll
ticians and Keep Up Style.

Fellows Who Act as Go-Betweens for the Poll
ticians and Keep Up Style
Like the lilies of the field, they reap
not, neither do they SOW, but the Fifth
avenue dude in all his glory is no better
dressed, nor has he more cash in his
pockets than the city hall lounger, says
the New York Mail and Express. From
the hour at which the veteran Marty Reese
unlocks the iron gates until shutdown, little
knots of well -dressed men, with shining
silk beavers, their diamonds glistening
and sparkling in the sunlight, stand
around the marble corridors and discuss
politics and the management of the var1-
Gus city departments. They are not Office
holders, nor are they engaged in mercan-
tile or professional pursuits. Their an
eestors left no fortunes to any Of them,
and they have no visible means of making
a livelihood.
To the casual observer 1t is source OF
wonder and speculation how these men
live on the fat of the land have their
pockets filled with money, and do not
work. Where do their means come from
That is one of the standing conundrums
of the city hall. A few of those myster-
ious individuals have held Office, but the
salaries attached thereto seldom exceed
81 900 per annum. Some Of the wire
pulling politicians could relate interest
ing stories about the new species of
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
An Odd Watering Trough
Boston Post.

There is a watering trough at Stock
bridge, in this state that is not wholly
without interest. It was made by dig
ging out large hole in an uncut block
of marble. Beside it stands another
rough post-like piece Of marble, and on
the face next to the trough is q bronze
mask of faun, copied from the antique,
and whose concentrated intention and ex-
preston is to convey the water that passes
through its mouth in the most spiteful
and Annually vigorous way. But in the
Stockbridge faun the water dripples
down as though it were ashamed of its
very existence, presenting an incongruity
of impression that can not be described
But this is only the suggestion, the deli
cate preliminary of the deep moral of
modern missionary aims. On one end CT
the trough is carved this pOnderous sen
tence:
''Utility is better than grandeur"
In an o ther part of the same town there
is fountain whose intention is more hui
man, and the moral of which is more
wisely left to the forcible charm of tradi-
ton. 1t represents cat and dog in
attitude natural to their species. The
latter, a finely Scotch terrier, approaches
the former in ready, inquiring and
doubtful way, as much as to say:
eff can get my Jaws on your neck,
I will paint the name of Edwards with
fur"
Tho cat crouches, ready to make blind
dog as soon as the occasions requires,
and Kisses through her mouth the water
into the dogs face. The older cruel in
.erpretors of Stockbridges animals assert
that this group is a symbol of the former
gossiping activities of that section of
Berkshire county. Later historians de-
clare that time has not lessened the truth
or force of its significance.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
Would Like to Liberate Some
From Tit-Ritl

Uncle Zeke, did you go to the poultry
exhibit yesterday"
No, NASSAU, Jones; couldn't spah de
time"
But thought you were fond of chick
ems"
$50 is. Massa Jones; but the fact is I
was afraid to trust myself dar. It affecs
me powerfully to see dem air birds in
captivity"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
A Firm Teacher.
Arkansaw Traveller


Firm Schoolmarm: You children must
behave yourselves. I'll go wild if you
don't. Jimmie Smith stop cutting that
desk. (Jimmie does not stop I'll put
your knife in the stove if you don't.
Never mind, I'm going to write note to
your father.
Jimmie: Don't care if you do.
Schoolmarm: Don't you talk to me that
way. Put up that knife this very instant
or I'll box your ears. (Starts toward
him. Never mind, sir, (taking her seat,
I'm going to tell your mother.
Jimmie. Don't care if you do.
Schoolmarm. Don't you talk to me-
that way. Never mind, sir, I'm going to
keep you in after school. Willie Brown.
you must not eat in school. Willie! Will
lie Brown! Never mind, sir. I'm going
to tell you father.
Willie. I amt got no father.
Schoolmarm. Well, I'll tell your moth
Willie. Ho, she won't do nothin' but
scold me.
Schoolmarm. Then I'll whip you my
self. Bobbie GUMS, go out and get me a
switch.
Bob. Bill might hit me after school.
Schoolmarm. I never saw the like in
my life. If you all don't stop making
such noise my head will split open. All
of you except Jimmie Smith may go
now. Jimmie, don't you go out of the
house. Jimmie, Jimmie! Well, then, go
on you d-for-nothing thing. No, I
won't kiss you. Go on away, I won't.
Well, then, kissing him) I'll kiss you this
once. Don't you put your dirty little
arms around my neck. Oh, lock how you
have mussed my hair. You little rascal
(hugging and kissing him) I can't help
loving you.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16

There was nothing to cause him
either surprise or establishment" says
Florence haughtily; "and | could well
have wished him out of the way!"
perhaps / misunderstood him" re-
joins Dora artfully. But certainly he
spoke 70 me of being unpleasantlv de-
layed by-by impossible peOple-those
were his very words; and really alto
gether-I may be wrOng-I believe he
alluded to you. Of course, [ would not
follow the matter up, because, much as
| like Sir Adrian, could not listen to
him speaking SO lightly of you'll"
OF me-you forget yourself, Dora!"
cries Florence. with pale lips, but head
erect. speaking lightly of mel" she
repeats.
Young men are often careless in
their language" explains Dora hur-
s'He meant nothing unkind, you may
be sure!"
Il am quite Sure"-firmly.
"Then no harm is done"-smiling
brightly. and now, goodnight, dear
est; go to bed instead of sitting there
looking like ghost in those mystical
moonbeams."
Goodnight" says Florence icily.
There is something about her that
causes Mrs. Talbot to feel almost
afraid to approach and kiss her as
usual.
want of rest will spoil your lovely
eyes," adds the widow airily; "and your
complexion, faultless as it always is,
will not be up to the mark tomorrow.
So sleep, foolish child, and gather roses
from your slumbers."
So saying, size kisses her hand gayly
to the unresponsive Florence, and trips
lightly from the room.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
How to Cook.
From Life.

Il see you fry your beefsteak, re-
marked the tramp with his mouth full.
YES" said the woman shortly, ROW
would you have it cooked. Roasted:
mo, certainly not. Brolled, madame,
broiled I may be tramp" ne added,
plain lively, 'b1t I'm no ostrich.
Feed the breeding ewes plenty OF oats
at this season, especially at night, and do
not depend upon the pastures. As the
grass begins to fail SO does its quality.
IF the ewes are expected to produce
strong early lambs grain must be fed
them literally.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16
The New Man Takes All the Tricks.

'Patrick, you told me you needed the
alcohol to clean the mirrors with, and
here find you drinking it,
Faith, mum, it's a drinkin' it and
brathin' on the glass Dim doin.''
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-16

A poet sings: How shall [ paint
my sweet-heart?" Save your little earn
ings. She will attend to that matter her
self.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08

Warmeline. Hubert Heine, George Heine,
George Bernhamer, Mrs. Sobbe and Mss Marie
Cole. The newly welded pair have taken up
their residence in this city.
Mrs. Shradsky and her sister, Anne Levy. of
Denver Col, are visiting their parents Mr. aud
Mrs. Levy. No IS North New Jersey street,
having come 20 attend the wedding of their sis
ter Miss Gertie Levy, to Mr.. Sam Haase, which
takes place Sunday, Aug. 10.
The choir at St Joseph's Church. one of the
best in the city, has been further improved by
the addition of Professor Ginnsz as ORGANISE
One of the new members of the choir is l. A
Dochez, formerly q well Unknown singer in Europe,
with repertoire of sixty Weight operas.
A party of gentlemen consisting of Albert
Tousey, Harry Lawrence, Thomas Kinney
Percy Hord, Herbert Collins and Will Taylor
went to Maxinkuckee last evening to attend a
german which is to be given at that place on
Monday evening by Miss Susie Van Valkenburg
+ Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Baumearten, of Chicago,
while on visit to relatives and friends in this
city. last week, celebrated the fifth anniversary
of their welded life, the festivities taking place
at the residence of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Schild
meyer, en- Spring street, Mrs. Baumgartens par
ents. A large number of friends from this city
Were present, besides q number from other
PLACES, among whom were Mr. and Mrs Henry
Wagner. of Chicago. The occaslou was enliv-
ened by vocal and instrumental music. Dir. and
Mrs Baumgarten were the recipients of great
many presents suitable to the occasion.
A party was given by Charles A. Nichols John
j. Newmaster and Harry Winterrowd last
Wednesday evening, at the home Of Harry Win
terrowd, the old summer resort at Brookside.
Music was furnished by the Apollo Musical Club,
and dancing was kept up until late hour.
Among the guests were the Misses Cora and
Guy Sutherland Mollie and Annie Hamilton,
Ibbie and Amy Winterrowd, Eria and Belle
Peake, Ella and Lulu Uneer, Belle WiDterrowd,
Amy Peake, Matte Hamilton, Belle Letterby,
Sallie Crouch. Jessie Robinson, Enola Worrall,
Clara Hunt and Carrie Melvin; and Messrs.
Lynn and James Millikan, Charles O. Nichols,
John j. Newmaster, Harry Winterrowd, G. E.
Ward G. A. Jewell, Harry e. Hand. Will Chris
tison, Charles Condo, Charles Bell Charles Van
Eaton, Joseph Hogue, Ezra Winterrowi Thomas
Hay, Frank Wallace, B. Gundelfnger, jr.,
James Heitz and William Bromley.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08

Harbor Harry Davis, of Chicago, is in the
city visiting his parents. :. Mrs. Dan White is
visiting friends in Rushville Will Carpen-
ter, of Toledo. is spending several
days with friends in this city.
Mr. and Mrs. S. NJ. Blount have just returned
from a pleasant visit to friends in Fort Wayne.
Bruce Brake. of Kansas City. is visiting Mr..
and Mrs Sam 6. Smiley, of East Main street.
Miss BERTHE Bebout, of Rushville. has re-
turned home after a pleasant visit of a week
with relatives here. :. Mrs Jennie McCabe, of
Sidney, O.. is visiting Charles Hutton and fam
lily. of West Hill street Miss Grace McHen-
ry entertained the Irving Club Tuesday even
ing. DR.. Frank Stewart, of Chicago,
who has been visiting friends here for
two weeks. returned on yesterday to Chicago
=. Miss Lena Warrener, of Battle Greek,
Mich, is in the city, the guest of Misses May
and Juva Tinker. Mrs. j. r. Polk is visiting
Mrs. Fred Graffe at Fort Wayne. Clayton
Thayer, popular young society man Of this
city, has gone to Wyoming. N. Y, where he will
engage in business Mrs. r ]. Mclean of
St. Louis, is visiting Mr.. and Mrs. Warren Big
Ter. Mr.. and Mrs. c. c. Clay. of Sedaia Mo-,
are visiting Mr. and Mrs. w. K. Davis and Mr..
and Mrs. John Cochrane, this city.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08
POLLY.
POLLY.
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:


To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
Why do people say ''polly" to parro.2
KNIGHTsTowN. SEVEN.
the country, was noted for its parrots, which
were brought there from Mexico and South
America, and dealt in chiefly by the French.
The American fat boatmen and others hearing
the command "parlez," speak, corrupted it into
polly"
THE NEGRO EXODUS.
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
What was the cause of the negro exodus from
the South to Kansas few years agoa
KoKoNo Ind. j. A. B.
They were oppressed in many ways. They had
to pay double the value of everything they
bought; they paid enormous rentals for land;
they were prevented from owning land; they
were the victims of fraud and cunning, and also
OF intimidation and violence.
CASE FOR LAWYER.
70 the Editor of the Indianapolis Jou rnal:
A and own a1ot half and half, undivided. B
builds house on the lot. Is half this house ASH
Can A collect one half the rentl Can A sell one
half the house with the lot2 READER
CLRRMoNT. Ind.
The improvements must follow the real estate
title unless there is an express agreement to the
contrary. This appears to be a good case for q
lawyer.
AFRICA.
To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
Are the inhabitants of Africa all savagesl
DANvILL4 Ind. L. & II.
No. There are Christians, Jews and Moham-
medans The savages are for the most part in
the interior and least known parts of Africa.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08
The Masculine Comtesse De Parts.

Modern Society.
The Comtesse de Paris is to her husband what
steam is to the locomotive, He would be inert
without her. She is a woman of masculine hab-
it's although devoid of much intellectual ca
pacity Notwithstanding her mannish ways,
she has been mother eight times and has six
living children. Having been brought up in
Spain in the midst of the intrigues OF her father
bella when she was queen, she is ready for any
thing in the way of political plot. and has a
Partially for the pronunciamento. Her tastes
are equestrian ana sylvan. She is fond of hunt
ing. shooting, and could drive four-in- hand as
Early to bed and early to rise is her way. Her
nose is long and hooked, and dips at the end.
The graces and she are utter strangers. Her
voice 10 strong, and the habit of speaking TO
deaf relations has robbed it Of all music--unless