davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

the way that poor. stuffed cat would
run, jump, claw, spit and growl, would
have made you feel creepy all over
Billioy set It one night for some cats
and the next morning he found the re-
mains of nine cats in his yard, and the
struggle had only broken tooth il
the ratchet wheel that regulated the
| jaw of the mechanical tom-cat.
"Billjoy put some new steel sinews
and muscles into his cat, together with
new set of chilled iron teeth, and
used to go around the country in the
summer scooping in the shekels from
the country yokels by matching his CAT
against their dogs.
"a good deal of interest was mani
tested by the citizens in town about
the cat, and when it became known
that young Jenkins, son of Amaziah
Jenkins, the grocer, was training his
dog, 'Plunger, who was cross be-
tween bulldog and a mastiff, and
weighed fifty pounds, to fight match
to a finish with Billjoy's cat, which
weighed about twelve pounds, the
whole town was on the qui vive, so to
speak.
But I should explain, apostro-
phized McGuffin, why no one inter
fered in the preparations for the fight.
The tender-hearted knew that the cat
was only stuffed; wouldn't hurt it any
way, and as Jenkins dog was occasion
ally i'll the habit of lunching off stray
children who ventured into the store,
people really were eager to see the dog
worsted, and one or two of the deacons
of the church were so anxious to help
ont the good cause that several very
hearty bets were made as to the outcome
of the fight.
Meanwhile, preparations went Wig
orously on, and as Jenkins had read
somewhere about the toughening eff
sects of borax. the dog was bathed and
scrubbed in strong solution of borax
every morning, to tougher the skin
against the steel claws of the cat, Jen-
kins said.
"a town meeting was called, and a
legal holiday proclaimed for the day of
the fight, so as to enable all who wished
to see the match. A wave of immor-
atty seemed to have swept over the
village. Maidens, old and young, held
sewing-circles to discuss the matter,
and at the meeting of the Woman's
Helping Hand Society it was resolved,
That we attend the fight in body,
in full regalia and heavy marching or
der.
Thursday was appointed by the
selectmen as day for the meet, and as
the sun rose over the low mountains in
the east, and kissed the opening buds
on the sturdy maple tree, it shone
upon long chain of people, in We
hicles of all kinds, on horseback and
on foot, hurrying toward Pennyroyal
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
A Conjurer's Wonderful Trick.

The most popular newspaper Of
French metropolis invited a very Sc
number of notables to be present at
first appearance in Paris of marve
conjurer, and of a singularly comp
Russian Choral Society. The nam
the "illusioniste," as he calls himsel
Buatier de Kola, and he is a Hunga
by birth. His tricks are all orig
and perfectly incomprehensible,
to the adopts assembled to crit
them. I will only attempt to desd
one, which thoroughly puzzled
present.
After spreading newspaper on
floor he placed a chair upon it,
then asked young lady to sit ID
He threw over her a piece of silk, vi
barely covered her from head to
He then rapidly removed the drsl
and the chair was empty. As soo
the amazement of the spectators
them time to applaud, the young
walked on from the side and bowed
acknowledgements. There certainly
no trap in the floor, the chair was 0
ordinary kind, and the trick was q
in a strong light. The lady, in I
disappeared before the very eyes Of
audience; but so quickly was the Il
done that no one present saw hel
cape.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
A Providence.

He was great believer in spa
providence. To exemplify it he
the following charming little anecd|
Said he:
"Boss, one night I was gwine j
from chu'ch, feelin' mighty low-spir|
and down-hearted like. 1 had no n
ey, was powerful hungry, an l dl|
rally know whar I was goin
git a breakfus' from. I knowd
chilen an de ole CONAN was mos mi
bly, hungry, too, an I tell you
a-feelin' mighty bad. Hit seemed
me z if I had no friends, an l
prayed that a blessin' might desc
on a pore ole man. Hit was about y, !
night, an des' as I got near Cog
Mullins place 1 heard rooster 9
out mos beautiful. I des' elm de tel
sab, an I got dat rooster, an four
hens. Now, sah"-very Impressive
'spose dat rooster had crowed WI
I was in chu'ch, I wouldn't ha
him! 'Sposen he had crowed arte
got home, I wouldn't o heerd nm
he crowed des' as I got by dc re-
an 1 heerd him! Now, isn't dat p1
damon 91
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
A Hemp Hacienda in Yucatau.

There are no less than three hundred
poems and worklnen employed on this
estate, and everybody seems busy and
happy. Every servant we met saluted
us with CHEEKY buenos dias (good-day),
and when we left all added to their re-
gretful farewell an earnest ito God I
commend YOU" Outside the hacienda
walls the homes of the laborers are
scattered along the road, curious clip
teal huts with stone walls and matched
roofs. At sunset, when the chapel bell
sounded for oracion OF evening prayer,
all the poems and workmen, male and
female, gathered about with reverent
faces. When it was finished they came
in procession, one by one, and wished
their masters and ourselves buenos
noches (good-night). In every portion
of Yucatan this is the universal custom,
servants and children never failing to
give this salutation of peace as the
last stroke of the vesper bell dies upon
the all. We had intended to go on
that night, but yielded to earnest en-
treaties to remain-the more readily.
perhaps, because every one of us was
suffering horribly from garriopotas
(wood ticks), with which the whole
peninsula abounds. They are tiny
creatures, but produced an unbearable
itching, fostering bodily in the wounds
they make. 1t is impossible to travel
here without encountering them, and
the only remedy is to keep ones self
we'll saturated with petroleum, and
change ones clothes every time a tree
is passed. For dinner, in addition to
the usual eggs, frejoles and tortillas,
we had turtle-soup, roast pig, claret
and honey. Let me tell you how that
pig was cooked, in the national way de-
rived from their forefathers- same
manner in which Bernal Diaz says those
respectable people cooked men and
women-"by a sort of oven made with
heated stones, which are put under
ground A hole was dug in the court
yard, large fire kindled in it, and
kept burning until it was heated like
an oven. Two clean stones were placed
in the bottom, the dressed pig laid
upon them and covered with leaves and
bushes, packed down so closely as bare.
ly to allow the smoke to escape. The
result was a barbecue of finest flavor,
which even an enemy to pork must adj
miro
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
Umbrellas and Braces.

One that knows the petty o,,,.,
W hich have disturbed the 7 naas
churches might exclaim. para ,Iset
Madam Rolands famous wo pdss
religion! religion! how MANY ahs,
ties are committed in thy nama as'u
The historian Of Weare, n. II y,
that in the early days of that town
young ladies while on q visit ~ \
ton, bought two cotton umbralla.
carried them home. When thas
peared with them open, there y,
great excitement. Some ovens.
censors said the young ladies we,s
dulging in sinful vanity. Others ass1
ed that to carry an open umbrella
q defiance of Providence, for # III
cepted the rain which has intenda1
call upon the just and the unjust > /
The dangerous innovation, h
found very convenient, the re]irI
scruples were put aside, and umbrns
came into general use.
Another innovation also excited G
cism. Braces were not worn. but M
trousers We're kept in place by a ID
er belt girt about the waist. One
wore tow strings crossed over his 81
ders. A committee of the brethre
the church waited on him, and ur|
that he should abandon the use Of
string "suspenders," because by vi
ing them he encouraged popery. q,
wore q cross on his back. But d
the inconvenience overwhelmed
scruples, and braces soon BEGAN
common article of dress. - Tou
COMPANION.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

compensation of the batushkas, when Is
usually very small. The average eaiary Of
the village priest is $75 year. ana ne mus.
exc out living by cultivating piece OF
ground or stealing from the coners ol '"o
church.
When the bishop makes his annual rounds
he takes down the names of the girls In the
priests families who are old enough 10
marry, and from this list. without knowing
the characteristics or dispositions OF any
assigns them to the graduates Of the semi
naries. Thus, clergyman OF Russia gets
poke" 1t is q lottery OF marriage. Ihe
bishop is strictly impartial for he seldom
knows the man or woman. He has the two
names and makes the assignment. being
glad to get both off his hands.
Not only are the priests subjected to great
hardshlps and privations. but they are the
butt of all the wits and humorists of the en-
pire. Half the jokes in the funny papers arc
about them. and their lives suggest half the
Of tas seqn priest esr
ed as priest" "As hungry as priest.
ETC.. etc. are familiar expressions Under
the circumstances. little better can be ex-
pected of them. The average of morality
priesthood of the Russian than in the Ro-
man Church, which is due. perhaps. to the
fact that the former are compelled to marry.
are crushed by the heel OF the despot. and
are condemned to spend their entire lives In
tho villages. which they seldom leave.
The influence Of the priests over the peo-
pie is very great. They are the representa-
tivcs Of the church. in which the peasant de-
voutly believes. They baptize his children.
visit him when he is sick. marry him, bury
him. aud say masses for the repose of his
SOUL He is with them always. likethe poor.
and if he is man of any conscience or abil-
ity he cannot but WELD an immense power.
But. still further than this. the entire sys-
tenn of political. social. and domestic ccono-
my in Russia is based upon the doctrine of
autoeracy. As the Gear is the autocrat Of
all the Russias. as the bishop is the auto
crat of his diocese. so is tho priest the pope
of the parish. the autocrat of the village in
which he ministers. That is about ali the
satisfaction he gets. The peasant relies
upon the church. and, therefore. upon the
priest for salvation. He would rather die
than be cut off from the privileges of the
church. It is his home as we'll as his
heaven. and tho priest holds the key.
The mujik is essentially a religious being
He believes in only two things-the church
and the Car. One represents the powers
above and the other the powers below but
at the same time he regards religion as a
series of ceremonies Of Il magical rather
than spiritual significance. He is dull,
stupid. submissive: has never had q thought
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

me nearing OF his ears. He seldom goes
beyond the confines OF his native palish
unless he is conscripted into the ARM
ana then ne seldom returns; thinks ali the
" are IKE himself and his relatives, and
is satisfied with his lot because lie cannot
conceive OF existence under any other CIV
cumstances. eA eAi-
OF theology and spiritual life he has no
conception. For him the ceremonies Of the
church are sufficient. Ii he has hean HOY o,.o
tized in his infancy, if he has nartaIon n ual
uiafiy OF the holy communion and observea
MS lasts, II he has confessed his sins and
received the extreme JUNCTION he annrn,ohaa
death with perfect tranquility. and lies down
to pleasant dreams. oo"H
There are icons all over +bo
some OF them are large and consnicmous
whlle others are small and escann 1919
unless one is looking for them. Won tind
them in all the museums. the art oaiIar Hnu
IN an me stables OF the Gar, in the railwnv
stiltlons, and they usually have a lamn ,,,r.,
ing before them. Many are rich and Drtia-
NC .ic, ana the lamps are of beautiful dasians
oelhs suspended from Il bracket aho~n he,
icon: In the rooms Of the late Cav j., ny tho
Nh, M!httr ialace IS beautiful icon, and in :,
ilttle poudolr adj Joining the rooms -
by the present Czarina, before hnr GI 'ap
a rs the throne. I counted fn,n npanu
me CZarlna was u Protestant Nv h;rtl, 'e .';
education. but She joined the Greei C ~ anu
t',a tH.d ner marriage. Her right to share
VI. WV NOulu lOG nave been
had she not done SO. ''on recognized
Many of the icons in the na,aoos
tifully decorated with Jewels as Tha are 6eau.
some som, 81 them is enormous. but thew are eo 81
uoin disturbed, the veneration beino , ,no
fom o am9ag 6 all Glasses Of people w oe
stantne the eeu 1hat the fl Grand Duke Con-
some years ago stole jewels wPPic cSeh III Gar.
t 70 an American adventures named p P,5t awe
lord. He also robbed his mothcr' p'; ;as,iI,
eseap S is rd tire The woman
tI h9ss xea Ssts to- et 9s tIst
she was arrested and taken back l ~ where where
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
thing out of the common run until the

thing out of the common run until the
other day.
McGufin is my next door neighbour,
on the south, and has but recently
moved into this village.
He is benevolent-looking old gen.
tleman, of about fifty summers, and
has struggled through existence from
birth with totally bald head.
He says his grandfather was scalped
by the Indians out West somewhere,
and hethinks it "took," and has become
hereditary in the family.
But McGuffin's bald head has moth
ing to do with this story; but thought
would mention it, as a bald-headed
mans story generally carries more of
an air of truth with it thar one told by
those supplied with hirsutes covering.
I stayed at home, one fine day last
week, to prune our aged cherry tree in
the yard, and had just finished the Job,
and seated myself under the shade of
the tree to rest myself with quiet
smoke and meditation on the happiness
and appetites of those who earn their
bread by the sweat of their brow, when
McGufin, who had been critically
watching the pruning operation from
his porch, came up to the fence and
looked over at me.
"You didn't see the remains of any
cat in your yard this morning, did you ?"
he queried, introductively, as he helped
himself to seat on the top rail, and
vigorously secured his head with a
large cotton handkerchief
I told him I didn't, and asked him
why.
Il didn't know l fired most of my
furniture at some cats on the fence last
night, and 1 oughter to have killed
some of em. Blast the drafted cats !'
And he mopped his face more vigor-
ously than ever.
81 guess you don't like CATS" I vent
.ured to remark.
II should say. not = that is" he
hastily added, II never saw but one 1
admired, and that was mechanical
one; could lick any dog on the hill
down home" ct may be as we'll to
state that his home is somewhere in
Maine)
I said nothing, but watched him
through the. rings of tobacco smoke.
II never saw anything like it, lie
continued. "a tramp printer by the
name of Billjoy wandered into the
town down there one summer, and
getting 9 situation on the oxford
County Bear, married and settled
down. He was the greatest man on
inventions l ever saw; always putter-
ing away at something or other.
He had large house-cat which
met with sudden death one night.
He took the skin, stuffed it, and fixed
q sort Of Internal machine in it, and
had it arranged SO you could wind it
mp, set it a-going on the ground, and
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
.An HAYa1ck orrAn1l1 CARRIAGES
BY LARRY IrNNEr.

Tethsr day whom rid up to town for Iizy's
indy, 1t would drive 70 crazy plum the sights
thar is to see
sWas the Mayors bran'new carriage, thet
.t s aest the p sasa say
tho team, ye mind.
IN the front driver sot an some pore teller
hung on behind
It vas just a sight to see the critter bobbin tp
Like the actor in tho cirkis tibet they call the
funny clown.
Nov Of tibet amt fuss an humbug wus'n eny
travelin' show
whar ya git EN- I'd as leaf spend n nickel fer to
know.
Amt = wagon good enough fer folks ef it hes got
An think a quilt'd sarve as we'll as them air
butler things.
Don't the Bible tell us. Tidy, how it all he'd
Thet the blessid Savior rid Jerusalems streets
upon an ass?
He'd a-hed fancy carriage eff Ho thought fer
the best,
Hut He sot a good example an we orter to do the
rest.
Thar's limo an He has drawed it, eff we want
to foller Him,
An it never kin be did eff we so follerin' every
whim.
Now I'd ruther up IN foot it fer dozen milo
or 80
in IL show.
7laars the Squirrels single buggy, tibet is ruther
plain and neat,
But it wouldn't hurt him either Of he'd travel on
his feet.
Hes takin things too easy fer the solid rules
of health.
An his sadness increases in purportion to his
wealth.
Fer example, take the Joneses, who could bust
the village bank
Il they only had mind TO- an jest give an easy
yaDk.
ThemSs the sorter people, Tildy, us might hev
carriage fine
But ole Jones is quite determined to keep on the
good ole line
Say, it seems sorter curious Daddy Larkins
doesn t try
Fer to git fancy carriage, SO tibet he kin pass
us by
When we GO to meetin, sund'ys. an kin nod his
head m say:
wall now, howdy, Brother Hayrick! aren't we
out in style to-day?'
What! He's bought buggy, Tidy? Did hear
ye tell it right2
By the peramids of Equip, ye hev thrun me in
fright!
Now. how air we goin' to fix tan pore Lizyll
feel ashamed,
I0Ggin long in our ole wagon-Tildy, I'll be
switched an blamedl
Ef don't sell off some cattle an come out in
bigger style,
With n double scented carriage thet'll make the
kaboodle smile.
.Yee, we orter hev a carriage-passin' over what
said
Fer we've got to beat the I.arkins folks an keep
lap aheadi
Chicago LeklOer.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

black clergy. The latter are monks belong
ing to the several orders Of religious
seclusion. and from their numbers all the
bishops and higher ecclesiastical officials
are chosen. They are teachers in the
schools also tutors in the families of the
mobiles. and many of them have been cele-
genius. and literary gifts. Asceticism is not
practiced as it is in the Roman Church. en-
cept by certain orders in monastic life. and
in the fulillment of VOWS. During the last
century the church estates were secularized
and confiscated by the crown; then the
emancipation of the scrfs deprived the
religious orders of u great part OF their
wealth. some of the inconsistencies owning
serfs. This was severe blow to them and
only few. such as We're possessed of other
wealth. survived it. At present there are
about five hundred monastic establishments
throughout the empire. and most of them
are wealthy.
There is a feeling of bitter hostility exist
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
So Graceful.

A young fellow who felt much pride
in the gracefulness of his handwriting,
secured a position as reporter on a
daily paper. One night, having Just
completed an article entitled, aAris-
totle and His Philosophy he APP.
preached the city editor, and said:
Here's a beautiful piece of writ.
ing
Yes, it is very pretty"
$50 smooth, so rounded out with
graceful curves" said the youth, Chat
it seems a pity to transfer the article
to the cold and mechanical embraces
of commonplace type"
$50 it does, the city editor exclaim-
ed with enthusiasm, $50 it does, and in
order that it may not be vulgarized,
we'll put it down in this clean and
romantic basket"
What, aren't you going to use it ?"
cob, no; it would be shame to al
low the smutty fingered printers to
thumb such beautiful writing"
Il can copy it in rougher hand"
ooh, no, I could not think Of putting
you to SO much trouble. Run along,
now. Gocd-by. "--1rha1asar Traveller.
LITTLE maids, like weakest liquors,
a,
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

grooms. and after they are welded sends
them off to some village where they are
they are never changed from one parish
to another. except when they can command
great influence. Ninety nine per cent. OF
the original assignments are permanent,
The incomes of the priests are also fixed
ny the Bishop. All the money collected in
the parish is sent to him, and he fixes the
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
Definitions OF Bible Terms.

A gerah was cent.
A cab was three pints.
A farthing was 3 cents.
An omer was six pints.
A shekel of gold was 50.
A tirkin was seven pints.
A talent of gold was $l3, Soy:
A talent of silver was 1888. 20.
A bin was one gallon and two p
A sbekel of silver was aDou'
cents.
Ezekiel's reed was nearly eleven
: A cubit was nearly twenty-five Inc
A mite was less than a quarter
cent.
A piece of silver, or penny wa
cents.
A sabbath-day's journey was a00p
English mile. :.
An ephah, or bath, contains .
gallons and five pints.
A days journey was about t"'1
three and one-fifth miles. 4
A hands breadth is equal 70 y
and fiye-sighths inches. A 'i'1
breadth is equal to one inch.
EVERY day we live we make II ~ n' y
or easier, for the people nearest ID
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

that was not associated in some way with
the church; does nothing without saying q
prayer before the icon Of his patron saint;
accept as truth all the priest tells him. and
IS profoundly ignorant of everything that
is beyond the sight of his own eyes or
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16
MY NEAREST NElGIIBOR.
BY A. BOOMER.

I have always regarded Mr.. Jonas
AcGufin as sort of harmless indi-
'vidual, and did not think he was any
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

THE ROAD TO THE HEART TO rr,
THROAT.
allowed to command some troon,
southern part Of Russia. having 81 as. !,
self 10 be y gallant soldier dmr;n Sno "
with Turkey; but he will never i h .a y,
to appear at court again. VIC allo
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

EVERY day we live we make !. M
or easier, for the people nearest ID
right Or to do wrong"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

LITTLE maids, like weakest liquors,
are soonest soured.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-16

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