davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
A Man Who Told Too Much Truth.

Edward E. Kidder, the author of
Sol Smith Russell's merry comedy of
ssBewitched'' tells an amusing story of
his experience in the Catskill noun
tains during the past summer. At an
informal party in the hotel parlor one
evening specimen of the genus tough
arose and said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I amt no
professional, but I'll recite recitation
that was recited by Nate Salisbury, of
Salisbury's Troubadours, called Der
Tramp"
my blood ran cold" said Mr.. Kid
der, for was the author of the feci-
tation. Well, he simply murdered it.
AT its conslusion somebody said:
''That's a nice poem. Who wrote it?'
''My wife replied: Mr.. Kidder.'
"There was glare of incredulity
from every one"
''Well, the next evening they were
singing a hymn written by my mother,
Mrs. M. A. Kidder, and at its conclu-
sion the question was asked: Who
wrote it?r
my wife replied: Mr.. Kidder's
mother
''There was sickening silence. It
was evident that our family was re-
garded by those present as impostors
and liars. The next day while indulg-
ing in a little game of poker young
man said: That was funny game of
poker that the Troubadours had in
Three of Kind Did you ever see
the play? Yes I replied calmly. i
wrote it (Which, by the way, I did).
This almost capped the climax of our
audacity, but it was accomplished the
next day when another young man re-
marked: AN actor named Sol Smith
Russell came to Danbury last winter
in play called 'sBewitched." Laugh?
How did laugh Did you ever see
that play?" Yes was my rejoinder.
4 wrote it, This was too much and
the company fed, leaving me to cogi-
tate OH the folly of speaking the truth
and to long for the presence of Eli
Perkins i,-Piftsb7lrO Ieu6er
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
The Prosperous Flannel Shirt.

The flannel shirt has come to stay.
This season has settled that fact be-
yond question. Never before has there
been SO many goods sold by the manu-
facturer to the retailer; never before
has the retailer sold outso thoroughly;
never before has the public bought
fannels so readily, so extensively, Or
used them for such variety of pur-
poses. Their comfort, convenience,
and fitness as hot-weather garments
has become so fairly fixed that to ques-
ton it is idle.
A year ago manufacturers went into
tiaunels with a good deal of confidence
on their own behalf, but there was
good deal of quiet questioning whether
or not the retailers would be able to
''clear up" all their purchases. Some
thought they would not, that the de-
mand for flannel shirts was temper
airy thing, and thatretailers would suf-
fer. There is no such belief this year,
and manufacturers are making pur-
chases of fannels for next season
which indicate an entire freedom from
timidity.
The apparently high cost of flannel
shirts, as it appears to the consumer,
is easily explained away. It does
seem somewhat expensive to the man
who pays the bill; to pay from So to
81 for shirt which bad washing
causes to shrink out of use in one sea-
son.
''Wel." says the dealer, ''you actual
ly save money on your flannel shirts.
Suppose you do pay twice as much for
a flannel as for white shirt, and that
the former lasts only half rs long. To
begin with, you only require one-third
as many fiannels as white. so that your
investment is not as much, even if you
wear the flannels only one season, and
during that season you will save about
so cents a week on your laundry bill,
so that you will actually make money.
But there is no reason why your fan
mel shirts need last only one season. 1t
is only question of washing them
properly, and they will last as long as
you want to wear them"
This feature of washing SO rs not to
shrink fannels is an important one.
Some laundries have learned how to
do it, and guarantee not to shrink fan
nels. To aid in making the knowledge
general, some manufacturers have
printed instructions accompanying each
garment; and those who do not send
out such instructions should do it.
The Raberd0sher.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
EATING FROM NECESSITY.
Uninyiting Rounds of Life of the Ordinary
Man of Business.

How many of US really and truly sit
down at the table, and. as we should,
enjoy our eating? asks writer in the
st. Louis Globe-Democrat. Eat to en-
joy life. We have no doubt but that
the following narrative will be recog-
nized as that of a personal experience
by many: Arise in the morn early or
late, as the case may be, under protest
"a sufficient testimony that balmy
sleep, his sweet restorer, has failed to
make proper connections, so to speak;
move about. strange to say, stretchey,
achey, even tired yet, eyes hard to get
open properly, maybe fall over chair
or two, or stoop over to get some
article of apparel and be compelled to
make an effort. In fact he must 90
through bracing-up process. After
performing his morning toilet he has
limbered up some, got his eyes open
and fioundered down stairs to the
breakfast table. Looked at the watch
mentally concluded or realized that he
must be at business right Of. Braces
up again and mechanically, may be
vigorously, proceeds to INCEST what he
can; matter of necessity, never hungry
for breakfast, you know.
Rush out of house for street cars,
stand up maybe all the way down town.
If he is fortunate enough to get a
seat he experiences a sort of relief,
and recognizes that he is still tired.
Get to work dull and listless. Necessi-
ties or excitement of work for five
hours or so occupies his attention.
Whistle blows, bell rings, clock strikes
or friend comes in. Dinner is sought;
feels somewhat empty, hardly hungry;
eats fair meal and feels full; empty
feeling gone. A desire to rest is eX-
perienced-even sleep. Braces up and
again gets to work for five hours or
more; has to struggle for awhile; eyes
are very heavy; sense of discomfort
about stomach. Finally time to stop
work comes; closes up active effort, but
mind and attention still fingers. He
starts home with heavy legs and feet;
headache; maybe somewhat dizzy. No
seat on cars this way either; recognizes
that he is very tired.
Gets home, crawls up the front steps
and exclaims: Supper ready?" Eyes,
come right along.n He sits down, has
no appetite, but eats again, ''from
necessity" Not much, easily satisfied.
Feels sort of weak about his stomach
as we'll as otherwise. Putters around
in or out of the house for while or
reads the paper; feels little better;
seeks, maybe, entertainment, the ex-
element of which fixes his attention
from self. At last he seeks repose ex-
hausted, and maybe sleeps heavy, or
not at all. The next morn and day
bring the same experience, and so on
day after day.
Eternal effort; eternal desire for rest;
eternal lack of enjoyment of life;
eternal eating from necessity. Can we
wonder that this man eats from
necessityp Yet this is an American of
to-day. His distemper is of his own
making. He is robber of nature and
has failed to put IN practice the full
meaning of the divine commandment:
ssThou shalt not kill"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

Warner Lake, which he did, and this
year Mr.. Martin, government inspec-
tor of surveys, visited Warner Lake to
inspect the surveying done by Mr..
Neil. He found the work all right,
but it did not conform to the water
line in that part of the lake above men,
toned.
Responsible parties who were at the
lake when SIR. Neil made his meander,
confirmed its truthfulness as TO the
water line when it was made, and Mr..
Martin became convinced by their tes-
timony that a wonderful change had
taken place.
The probable cause of the disappear
ance of this large body of water is the
light fall of snow in that section for
several years past, as all the lakes in
that section are lower than ever before
since the settlement of the country.
1t will hardly be safe to settle on
the bottom of a dried up lake or close
to low-water mark, as in case of a long,
hard winter, with great fall of snow
and late rains in the spring these lakes
will likely expand themselves to their
original size.
The fact that The lakes in that Sec
tor ore o. dis character is probably
he cause of all the trouble and mis-
understanding in regard to swamp
lands.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

and lean combined, add one pound
two ounces best salt, four ounces each
black pepper and pulverized sage, two
ounces saltpetre dissolved in q gill of
boiling water. Mix until thoroughly
incorporated; then pack tightly into
narrow cloth sacks and hang in a cool
cold weather. it will keep until late in
the spring. As many persons do not
like high-seasoned food, and if made
only for present use, | should advise
using only three ounces each of pepper
and sage for the above amount of
meat, the other proportions of season.
ing being correct.
In rendering lard for family use, we
usually keep the lard from the in
testines by itself and use it during the
winter. For long keeping, we cut the
leaf into small sections and place it
over slow fire stirring it often from
the bottom lest it scorch on the kettle
Gas we use no water), and cook it slow
~ until the scraps become slightly
crisp, when we remove the kettle from
the stove, and let stand until cool
enough to handle safely. We then
strain directly into well-cleansed stone
jars kept for the purpose, and, when
cold, cover and convey them to the
cellar. Lard rendered in this way
will be pure and white, and keep per-
fectly sweet for an indefinite length of
time.
add reliable receipt for curing
hams: To each 100 pounds of hams,
take pounds best coarse salt, 2
ounces saltpetre, 2 pounds brown
sugar, and gallons water. Slightly
rub the hams with fine salt, and pack
firmly into the barrel. Mix the above
after the hams have lain two days,
and pour over them; it will just cover
them. Let the hams remain in the
brine six weeks, and they are just right
for smoking. We have used the above
receipt for many years, and know
whereof we write Country Gentleman.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
Alpine AyaIanches.

We were now arrived in the country
of these ice seas, writes q New York
Times correspondent from Poutresima.
As far as my vision extended there was
nothing in sight but ice and snow, and
the snow was exceedingly white, as I
assure you. The driven snow you
have in towns and plains is a descided
brown compared with the dazzling
snow we saw up there at the tops Of
Swiss mountains. Forever and forever
this virgin gown lies on all the peaks,
as it also covers the lower valleys in
winter. 1t has the soft look of doves
breast, it rests on rocks thing of
beauty, and often it is dangerous. 1t
falls in soft, pure flakes, clings to all
the projections, covers rocks with
charming traceries. and spreads itself
like a sheet of white satin over the up
per wales. But the touch of a passing
eagles wing, the light weight of a
chamois, or the careful step of an ex-
pert climber will detatch it from it's
crest and send it down. Then it goes
sliding, rumbling along, breaking and
reforming as it falls, ever increasing
in volume and velocity, and, pursuing
its way, becomes a devastating, terri
BILE avalanche that bends and breaks
trees, gathers up earths and stones, and
rolls into the Engadine with an awful
sound, spreading destruction and dis
may in its path. They call these sort
of thing staublawinen, or dust ava
lanches, because they consistat the start
of cold, dry. powdery snow only, and
they are often far more powerful than
raging hurricane. But the ava
lanches usually seen flying in high
Alpine valleys, covered with the dust,
earth, and stones, and great trunks of
tress, are known as grundlawinen or
cOmpact aYalancheS.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
THREE CANES.
The Late Prof. Proctor's Estimate of Bill
iards, Whist, and Chess.

The writer, says the Atlanta ConSti-
tuition, was particularly anxious to get
Prof. Proctor's views touching the rel
alive value of these three games, and
he cheerfully gave them in the follow
ing words:
1.-The game of billiards stands first
in some respects, in that it affords
physical and mental exercise at once.
There is not much strain on the mind,
however, and l never knew billiard
expert to be the possessor of great
intellect. He must possess a peculiar
ly organized mind, but he may know
nothing of mathematics, and yet may
solve with lightning rapidity intricate
problems in geometry-practical prob
lens. 4 quick and true eye, good
nerves, and steady hand, all prac-
ticed and disciplined, enabled him to
make shots with mathematical pre-
cision. As l said, a great billiard
player may be man of little men
tality. AS rule the billiard cham
pions are men of low order of intel
lect. / have tried billiards, and | know
l never could reach the highest rank
because | am wanting in one of the
requisites.
ssWhist may be classed among the
of chance. 1t affords more pleasure
to its votaries than any other game l
know. The element of chance gives
the excitement. To play correct
game of whist requires brains, or 1
should, perhaps, say memory. The
greatest man living If he possesses q
defective memory can never become
good whist-player. [ believe l have
thoroughly mastered whist and not to be
egotistical hold myself to be player of
the highest rank. Iplay whist oftener
than any other game, for the reason
that it is not hard work and is just ex-
citing enough to afford me the sort of
diversion | need.
"Chess is the greatest of all games.
[ confess / have never succeeded in
mastering'it; have never fathomed its
depths. 1t is delightful pastime and
can not be commended too highly as a
mental disciplinarian; but if one
wishes to enjoy it he must not attempt
to become a great player. Nine times
out of ten he would meet disappoint-
ment, for only a few men achieve
greatness in chess. 1t is not likely
that Paul Morphy will be duplicated
in the present century. Chess is a
purely scientific game, wholly devoid
of the element of chance. The brain
must exercise itself in playing this
game. Jeanisch, the distinguished
Russian mathematician, gave it as his
opinion that chess is more intricate
than the integral calculus. Buckle,
the historian, held this same opinion.
1t is doubtful whether the game will
ever be improved"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
Profitable Poultry.

That the hen was specially designed
for the farmer has always been q pet
theory of mine, says writer in the
New Y ork Examiner, and every in
telligent poultry man knows that there
is an abundance ofevidence to subStan-
tiate this belief.
When we consider that almost every
product of the farm is keenly relished
by the fowls; that on the farm they can
obtain q greater and more wholesome
variety OF food than in any other place,
and that the barnyard and the broad
fields, affording ample opportunities
for exercise and insect hunting, are
sources of inestimable pleasure and
profit to the feathered stock, we can
not fail to see how well the farm is
adapted to the wants of the fowl.
Still, among the few farmers who
keep poultry, there is a comparatively
small number who go into the business
to any extent, and tits only in exception
al cases that they meet with more than
ordinary success.
There are many reasons to which
may be attributed the failure of farm
ers to succeed with poultry in the past.
One of the principle ones is their abb
horrence of anything new. I do not
wish to imply that poultry-keeping is
something .'new'' by this statement,
but that going into the business on a
large scale is of recent date. Many
farmers think that if a business isn't
as old as the constitution. it is little
unreliable. So they have left it to their
more enterprising city and village
brethren to take the cream of the
business and reap the gilt-edge profits
from the new breeds of high priced
fowls.
Their adherence to the belief that the
sold hardy dunghills" were safer in
vestments than the new-fangled
varieties has been another hindrance
to their progress.
Neglect to feed regularly, leaving
the fowls to roost in apple trees or on
the wood-pile over night, failure to
keep fresh supply of water on hand
at all times, and adherance to the
''dungAill' or mongrel varieties, are
not circumstances favorable to success
full poultry-keeping.
To succeed with poultry on the farm,
as in all other places, it is necessary
first to erect comfortable quarters;
second, to select sound birds of pure
stain adapted to your wants, climate,
and surroundings; third, to give them
the care ana attention regularly which
they deserve, even if the pillow stops a
moment.
With diligence. punctuality, and
enterprise as watchwords, no one need
fail in the poultry business.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

tering calves feed one pint of shelled
corn and handful of oil meal once a
day, and they will thrive and do well.
Rowen, or fine hay should be part Of
their daily rations. All the cattle
should be stabbed so that each one can
get his share of the food. 1t is ex-
pected that they can have water each
day and are sailed each week. Keep the
horses away from cattle; they are
liable to get hooked and they will
chase and kick the steers. Keep each
kind of stock separate.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
The Professors Adventure.

Prof. Butler of the Wisconsin State
University is great believer in out
door exercise, particularly walking,
though his flesh is not always as will
ing as his spirit. One day, when he
was trying to walk around Lake Men
dota, his legs began to swell, and so he
stopped not far from the insane hos
pital, and, sitting on the ground, stuck
his feet upon rail fence to reduce the
swelling. While in this awkward
posture two men drove up in a wagon,
and after a whispered consultation
jumped out, bounced upon the profess
sor, handcuffed him, bundled him into
the wagon, and in spite of his indig-
nant protestations carried him to the
hospital, thinking be was an escaped
patient.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
Wintering Cattle.

II we are feeding cattle for the win
ter or spring markets they should re-
ceive close attention before winter sets
in. As soon as grass commences to
fall we should stable the cattle every
night and feed two quarts of corn
meal. Give hay or corn fodder as
soon as it will be eaten. When we
have yarded our cattle for the winter,
do not let them out again until they
are driven to market. After Dee. l
feed four quarts OF bran twice i day.
For about five weeks previous to sell
ing give six quarts of meal and three
of bran morning and evening to a steer
weighing 1,200 pounds. Corn should
be the essential factor in making beef,
mutton, and pork. There are other
crops which the farmer can raise at
large profit, such rs roots, but COM
paratively few farmers raise turnips
and beets for their stock, says writer
in the Ohio Farmer. Yet two or three
feeds week are just what an animal
needs when confined on dry feed. Half
q bushel two or three times a week to
fifty sheep will do them good. except
in extreme cold weather. They can
be fed to cattle with as good results.
a drover told me of a man who has
wintered forty shoats on mangel-
wurzels as the principal food, and they
looked we'll and were in good stock
order. He cut them up with a root
cutter and fed in troughs. If you are
not feeding more than two bushels at a
time, throw them into large box, and
with a common shovel you can soon
have them ready to feed.
Keep the steers in the stable most of
the time; about three hours a day is
long enough for them to exercise and
get water. Salt once 4 week. If you
are caught with hard market and the
time is near for turning out to grass,
don't do it, unless you expect to carry
them through for the June market.
They will lose flesh fast for three
weeks after being turned out to grass.
If we are feeding for the June market
our steers can run out longer in the
fall. But it will pay to feed one bushel
of ears to ten steers when grass COM
mences to fail. 1t can be fed out in
the lot. but should be broken up. I
am of the opinion that there is more
money made by lighter feeding and
turning of cattle in June than in
any other way. Let the grass do some
of the fattening. Feed, after Dec. L
up to Feb. 1, two bushels of ears to ten
steers; after Feb. feed three bushels
the rest of the winter, and we should
keep up the grain for two weeks after
we have turned out to grass. BY June
20 they will bein good shape. A drove
o*Hshoats should follow our cattle if
fed on corn in the ear, SO that nothing
may be lost In regard to the amount
of hay or fodder. L am not prepared
to say; my plan is to feed all the cat
tie and sheep will eat If we are win
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
Not So Very Dumb.

One Of Somerville's most charitable
ladies was sitting in her library one
day this week when the door-bell rang,
and the servant brought in scrap of
paper on which was written: Please
give poor woman something to eat.
| am dune.
'.Shall give her something's" asked
the girl.
'.Of course" was the reply. II
never want anybody to go away from
my door hungry. and a poor dumb
woman least of all"
The pantry was visited and guam
tity of bread and butter, cake and
cookies was put up together and taken
to the door by the lady herself. The
mendicant stood on the steps with q
big basket on her arm. She took the
food that was offered her and put it in
the basket which, when the cover was
lifted was seen tie be filled almost to
the brim with cakes, pies, sandwiches
and other eatables. To say that the
charitable doner was surprised at this
discovery is to put it mildly but the
next instant she was surprised still
more, for the '.dume'' woman as she
walked off said sweetlE:
'.Thank you!'-iSonserUile Journal
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

Most brushes are made by machin-
ery, though the handmade article is
said to be the best.
Painting brushes are made of the
hair of camels, badgers, and goats and
consist of but one s'tuft."
The bristles of coarse brushes are
fastened to the back by wire made of
copper and tin. the back containing
holes for the purpose.
Tooth-brushes are not made much in
this country, the business being con-
fined to France. There the girls get
cents for drawing the bristles through
1000 holes.
Brushes made for toilet use should
not be permitted to remain wet long.
Standing them up makes them dry
quickly and the water should always
be shaken out on getting through with
them.
In France there are 22,313 national
schools for girls and 1924 for boys.
The first named are conducted by
female teachers and the last by males.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

Prof. Brainard 6. Smith has begun
the instruction of class in journal
ism at Cornell University. and has
more applicants than he can accommo-
date. Meantime the various newspa-
per offices throughout the country will
continue to educate in the good old
way and graduate the real newspaper
men of the future.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

The emperor of China is now In his
18th year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08

Three Good Receipts.
For fifty pounds chopped pork, fat