davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
Curious Lamps Of Long Ago.

The first lamps were probably the
skulls of animals, in which fat of some
kind was burned.
Among the many beautiful works of
art eXcayated at Herculaneum and
Pompeii none are more exquisite than
the candelabra.
Egyptian records say that the lamp
was invented in Egypt, but it is more
than probable that lamps originally
came from India or China.
Lanterns were also known to the
ancients. They were Of a cylindrical
form and built up of iron bars, the
intervals between being made of trans
lucent horn.
A five-lamp stand from Herculaneum
is shown at the Naples museum. The
platform of this candelabrum rests up
on three lion feet, while the stem is a
tree.
When lamps began to be made of
earth or metal they were in the form of
a shell, and in the earliest lamps we
find the shell reproduced in earthen-
ware, stone, or metal.
Many ''statue lamp-stands" have
been found in Pompeii, and among
them one is preserved in the NeapoG
tan museum which represents an image
which is doubtless meant for SilenUs.
In Zetland at the present time
travellers may see the shell of the
''roarin' buckle" the fusus antiquus,
hung up for lamps, to which, indeed,
their shape very well adapts them.
Lamps have been found of marble,
granite, bronze, gold, silver, ivory,
onyx, and other valuable materials,
and the labor expended on some por-
lions of their construction seems almost
Incredible.
The most common form of lamp in
Great Britain during the early middle
ages was that of the ordinary stone pot,
either round or square, from the side
of which hung a wick of twisted cord
or q piece of rope.
Another very beautiful lamp-stand
was found at Herculaneum. It repre-
scented the figure of boy standing by
column little higher than his head.
One arm is extended, the fingers hold
ing the chain from which the lamp is
suspended, the other hold the trim
mer. The statue is about two feet
high.
The ancient wicks consisted of few
threads, which were inadequate to soak
up the oil, and constant trimming and
adjusting were necessary in order to
preserve the light at all while the smoke
and smell inseparable from this kind of
light are insutficiently atteSted by fire.
quent illusions in the writings of the
ancient poets.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
Old Time Executions.

In the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries our method of execution was
most brutal. There was the long ride
of the criminal in an open cart, with
his coffin by his side, to Tyburn or to
the spot where he committed the MUIR
der; the cart was stopped under the
gal1ows. the rope was fastened round
the criminals neck, the cartman gave
the horses a lash. and the poor wretch
was left swaying to and fro. kicking.
If he had friends they would try to
shorten his agony by hanging on his
legs and beating his breast, shocking
sight But hanging then was looked
upon az holiday spectacle, in which
we find the lower class took great in
terest and evinced much sympathy
with the deceased. For instance,
Claude Duyal, the celebrated highway
man, lay in state at the Tangier tavern
in St. Giles i'll room hung with black
cloth, the bier covered with scutcheons
and with eight wax candles burning
around. He was buried by torchlight,
and was followed to Convent Garden
church by numerous train of mourn
ers, mostly women. Mission, French
writer who visited England in the reign
ofWilliam Ill, says: ale that is hang'd
or otherwise executed first takes care to
get himself shaved and handsomely
drest'. either in mourning or in the
dress of a bridegroom. This done, he
sets his friends to work to get him
leave to be bury'd and to carry his
coffin with him, which is easily obtain'd-
When his suit of clothes or nightgown,
his gloves, hat, PER- wig, nosegay,
coffin. flannel dress for his corps, and
all those things are brought and pre-
pared the main point is taken care Of
his mind is at peace then he
thinks Of his conscience Generally he
studies speech which he pronounces
under the gallows and gives in writing
to the sheriff or the minister that at
tends him in his last moments. desiring
that it may be printed. Sometimes the
girls dress in white, with great silk
scarves. and carry baskets full of
flowers and oranges, scattering these
favors all the way they go. But to
represent things as they really are /
must needs own that if a pretty many
Of these people dress thus gayly and
60 to it with such an air of Indifference
there are many others that goslovenly
enough and with very dismal puizzes.
remember one day [ saw in the park
8 handsome girl very well dressed that
was then in mourning for her father,
who had been hanged but month be-
fore at Tyburn for false coinage. So
many countries, so many fashions. "
Gea9tLeDlau's HGGdziue.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
Testimony of Mormon Wives.

The first question asked by the
stranger in Salt Lake City is this: ''Do
the MOrmOns still practice polygamy?"
They claim that they do not, but their
asseverations are taken cum grano sails
by the Gentiles here. The Edmunds
bill DISTINGUISHES women living in po-
lygamy and fines the man $500, with
imprisonment for six months. The
women are ''allowed'' = compelled
would be more appropriate term
"to testify against their husbands"
Despite this it is extremely difficult to
secure convictions. A womanis called
on the witness-stand and a cOlloquy
something like this occurs:
care you married."
Il do not know, sir.''
els not the defendent your husband
under the Mormon law?"
81 cannot say, sir"
Us this your d?"-showing an
infant Of two or three months age.
eyes, sir
"Who is its father?''
81 cannot say, sir
This is no uncommon occurrence the
attorneys tell me. And, after all, one
can scarcely blame the women for tes-
tifying thus if they believe in the ''di-
vine sanction of polygamy'' as taught
by the church. No less celebrated a
lawyer than the late Jere S. Black has
said: ''To compel husband and wife to
testify against each other is to change
every rule of evidence; contemptuous
defiance of the great principles which
protect the sanctity of the family and
lie at the basis of civil society. u !SaIe
Lake CGty Letter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
A Suspicious Ha1f-Do11ar.

They were in Europe travelling. There
was mighty pretty maid in the hotel,
and the wife early suspected the hus-
band of a Irritation with her. The hus-
band was always saying good things
about the maid and giving her the
highest character. The wife was not
quite sure, but her suspicious were
strong, and an opportunity came to
verify them. She placed her purse one
day in the bureau and went out. When
she returned she went back to look for
it. 1t was gone. She thought the girl
had taken it. When the husband came
home she told him she had lost her
purse and she was sure it had been
stolen.
Nonsense" said the husband. care
you sure you left it there?n
"Quite sure; and look here, John,
want that purse"
"My dear, you can't have been rob-
bed by her. I'm sure of that. You
must have left your purse somewhere. :"
II know where / left it; and look
here, John, want that purse"
She went out and they did aot meet
till evening. When the husband came
in he strolled carelessly up to the bu-
reau and opened the drawer.
well, declare" he said. There,
my dear, there's your purse, just where
you left it.
'Let me see it"
ITS all right, isn't it? The moneys
safe"
Eyes, John, the moneys safe. There's
81 more in it than when I lost it, and,
John, there's an American half-dollar
in it."
John did not firt any more with the
maid.-Sars Francisco Chronicle.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
Some Idea of Dignity.

In country town not far from Bos-
ton there is a man who has been try
ing long and hard to get into some
political office. A good many things
seemed to get pretty nearly in his
grasp, when, with a sort of fatal mock
cry, they would be sure to allude him.
His neighbors knew that what chiefly
stood in his way was his opinionated
and oyerbearing ignorance, but of
course this point never dawned upon
himself. He only realized that he was
waxing better off aud longed for some
sort of public power.
At last, and chiefly through the in
terventiOn of popular neighbOr, he
was made justice of the peace. This
was better than nothing, and it set him
up accordingly. Still, the days went
on, and nothing came in his way to
afford him an opportunity to exercise
his newly-found power.
At last rough-and-ready neighbor
came in one day to testify in regard to
something to which he had been wit
ness. He stalked in in his usual sUllen
manner, his hat on his head, and stood
before the new justice.
''Do you know you're going to be
sworn, sir?" Numbered the new official
The sullen visitor nodded.
''Then off with your hat, ssirr' roared
the justice. Don't We know better
than to come into the presence of me
and God with yer hat on?''--Boston
Record.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
Berlin Policemen.

The German police are, in effect, a
wing of the German army. Every man
in the force is trained soldier, disci-
plined by service in the ranks or as a
commissioned officer. The Berlin
police number about 5000 men. The
Chief of this force, or President as he
is called, ranks as an army Colonel.
There are Is Captains and 1873 Lieuten-
ants, who rank with army Captains and
Lieutenants and receive higher pay.
There are 301 sub, or nOn-commissioned
officers, and over 1000 privates. Then
there are one first secretary, five assist
ants, ten councillors, twenty chiefs of
precincts or department clerks, forty
five assistants, twenty-five cashiers or
bookkeepers, and 172 bureau employees
or laborers. A private in the police
must have served nine years in the army
and received honorable discharge.
After a certain period of police SER
vice officers and privates are retired
and pensioned. This is but one of
several rewards offered the German
policeman for good behavior and eff
cient service.
The Berlin police on duty are like
statues, silent and immovable They
stand in the middle of the street, or SIT
on horses, apparently like machines,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

Zone Of the most curious sights to
be seen at the diamond mines,n said
recently returned trader, els the in
spection of the Kaffirs as they come
up out of the mines each day. These
natives are hired for period of six
months, during which time they are
not allowed to go outside the enclosure
at the top of the mines, called the
compound containing only circle of
huts in which they sleep and store at
which they may purchase tobacco,
snuff, beads, and trinkets dear to the
savage heart. They work constantly
in the presence of white inspectors
who watch them closely to prevent
their secreting any diamonds about
their persons during the day, and at
night when they come up out of the
mine they are led out one by one
ghrough a narrow passage, fenced III
on either side with barbed wire fences
end each man removes the little bit of
clothing he wears before he enters the
narrow door which admits him to the
inspectors room. His clothing he car
ries in his hand to the officer, who pro-
ceeds to examine it carefully; then he
peeps into the Kaffir's ears, nostrils,
and mouth, under his tongue, between
his toes, into the snuff or tobacco box
he sometimes carries, and feels through
his woolly hair. The Kafirs frequent
ly cut deep cash in the fieshy part
of the thigh, into which they insert a
diamond and then bind it up in such a
way as to entirely conceal the stone.
Another common trick is to cut and ir-
ritate a place on their leg until Is be-
comes deep wound, in which they
may secrete a diamond with but small
chance of detection. Occasionally a
Kaffir will swallow a diamond, and if
undiscovered, will hasten home and
take an emetic to recover the stone. If,
however, the inspector suspects him
he is compelled to swallow the emetic
in his presence, which frequently re-
suits IN the discovery of the concealed
stone. At the end of the six months
the gang of natives are discharged
and return to their tribe, and another
set of men fill their place. As soon as
they receive the small amount of money
paid them for their labor, they proceed
to invest it in some of the most singu-
lar purchases. A favorite possession
is a small American trunk, which they
fill with various ornaments and if
they can find and purchase an English
officers scarlet coat they put it on
over their bare skins and strut off with
the trunk under their arms as proud as
peacocks.
The natives know well the value of
the precious stones they handle, and
in spite of all precautions, it is believ-
ed that very MANY are stolen each
year. 1t is impossible to wash the soil
SO thoroughly that some small stones
will not remain. A woman living near
mine kept quantity of fowls which,
when killed, very often had, among
the pebbles in their crops, the small
rough diamonds which they had pick
ed up, attracted by the glitter. An
English lady had employed this woman
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
When to Use the Fingers.

There are number of edibles that
the most fashionable and well-bred
people now eat at the dinner table with
their fingers. They are:
Olives, to which a fork should never
be applied.
Asparagus, whether hot or cold, when
served whole, as it should be.
Lettuce, which should be dipped in
the dressing or in little salt.
Celery. which may properly be placed
on the tablecloth beside the plate.
Strawberries, when served with the
stem on, as they usually arein the most
elegant houses.
Bread, toast and all tarts and small
cakes.
Fruit of all kinds, except melons and
preserves, which are eaten with a
spoon.
Cheese, which is almost invariably
eaten with the fingers by the most par
ticular people.
Even the leg or other small piece of
a bird is taken in the fingers at fash
ionable dinners, and at most of the
luncheons ladies pick small pieces Of
chicken without using fork.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
Travelling in the Desers.

On leaving for Batna, one of the
French military outposts, | take the
the train on the railroad. AS | hap
pened to be the only frst-class passen-
ger, | was accorded much attention
from the native officials. Onward we
went at snail's pace, the steep grade
of the mountain preventing quicker
travel, the air becoming keener every
mile of our progress. At Batna there
is military everywhere, and nothing
but the bUgle and the drum is heard.
Engaging seat in crazy old diligence,
/ start for two days journey to the
last military outpost of any import
ance.
We pass nothing but clumps of pool
tents and miserable droves of goats,
which suggested to me the reason for
the baroness of the country, for not a
tree or bush is to be met with, as these
animals eat up everything, and do not
give the hardest shrub or sapling
chance to survive. Arriving at the
mouth of the gorge El-Kantara, half
way to my destination-a grand spot
q steep range of mountains and up
heayed rocks based with miles of cac-
tus-we pass an old Roman bridge of a
few colossal stones with inscriptions,
and then on once more, the atmosphere
becoming gradually uncomfortably
warmer as we begin to descend into the
valley. We pass plains entirely
whitened with alkali and salts, the
water partaking so strongly of their
qualities that the bread made about
here is unpalatable. Still warmer, still
dustier, we grow as we enter the edge
of the desert, the plains studded with
green GASES and date-palms, while the
horizon seemed more like the sea than
the land. After presenting a letter
from the Minister of War at Paris, l
was most cordially welcomed by lie
vieuX colonel and officers of the garri-
son. They took me to pay my re-
spectS to 81 Mohammed ben Cana, the
caid or chief magistrate of Biskra, who
was governor of the entire province of
Constantine before the French con-
quered it. He was q very handsome
man, with harem of seven wives.
His four sons were all remarkably
handsome, over six feet in height, and
with their fine features and magnificent
ewes would make a sensation even in
our ungraceful modern dress. After
stopping some days at the Hotel de
Sahara-rightly so named, for it was a
desert where nothing could be had-I
was provided with an escort OF Arab
cavalry, or spahis, and every facility
for transportation. With this escort,
in company with party of French
officers and a lady, visited the tomb
of Sidi Okbar, about twenty miles dis
tant there and hack We went at a
hand gallop, and were received by the
sheik of this oasis, and by him escorted
to the tomb of this ancient warrior,
who well-nigh overran and conquered
northern Africa with comparatively
but handful offollowers. We center the
building, in the centre of which is a
small room, which the priest unlocked
with an air of mystery; in the interior
was the tomb, covered with a tine Arab
rug, but on the Ground were one or
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
At the Reception.

Mrs. Gadabout-''O, there you are,
with your devoted husband, Mrs. Love
match. / often think how much he re-
sembles the letter q, because he and
are always together"
Mrs. Lovematch-s'S Strange that T
should have had the same thought
about your husband. Heis very much
like q, because, while he has less to do
than any of the others, he never comes
after ur'-IabIe Tails.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

two of the commonest European manu-
facture, on which the natives seemed
to put high value. While the at
tendant turned to call our attention
to something in the mosque, the lady
OF our party, with the curiosity of
Ewes daughter, stepped in and lifted
the cover, OnIy to see structure of
common masonry. In traversing the
village the women and children hurried
after her, and kissed the hem of her
garments. After being regaled in a
garden of palms on some milk and
dates, we remounted our horses
z. P. jSangujnetti, tn Harper'S MagG-
zine.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

Some one has got up an alphabet of
precious stones as follows: Amethyst,
beryl, chrysoberyl, diamond, emerald,
feldspar, garnet, hyacynth, idocrase,
kyanite (more commonly cyanite, a
blue mineraD, lynx-sapphire, milk
opal, natrolite, opal, pyrope, quartz,
ruby, sapphire, topaz, uranite, yesavi-
ante Ga species of garnet), water sap
phire, xanthite, zircon Ga Cirgaiese
stonel.
The human heart has to do as much
work in twenty-four hours as machine
would 10 lift l24 tons of iron.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

as a nurse, and, learning of the little
box of stones she had collected from
the fowls, the lady sold them for her
servant in London, receiving for them
little more than $780,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26
How She Secured a Bargain.


There is a good moving story which
has just gained publicity regarding
some rather prominent furniture deal.
ers in Chicago. The firm alluded to
had very elegant parlor set of solid
mahogany and the finest upholstering.
1t also had duplicates in veneered wood
and cheap plush in the store-room. The
outfit, which was worth about $500,
was displayed in the front windows,
and marked: This elegant parlor
suit only $27." One day a mild, meek
looking woman came in, examined the
furniture and invested. She took q
receipt for her money, left her address,,
and VS. bowed out by the smiling
salesman, who assured her that 1.-The
| things would be sent right over" In
due time the wagon arrived at the
young Woman's house and backed up
in front of the door.
"Hold on, said the purchaser, ''don't
unload yet
Then she climbed on the van and
made very peculiar examination of
the load. At last she said to the driver.
and his assistant: ''Ill 90 back with
you to the store. These are not the
goods | purchased And back she.
did go, despite entreaties, and assur-
ance that everything was all right"
When she walked in she was not the
mild-mannered creature of two hours
before
you've tried to swindle me-" she
cried. Il bought one set of furniture
and you have sent me another. Now,
! want what [ have paid you for.
How do / knOwp Because in eyeryi
article of that set you sold me l stuck
pin while you were not looking.
Now, I'm going to pick out my prop
erty and see that you take it over. If
you don't there'll be trouble
There was no trouble and the little
woman is looking for some sharp mer-
chant with q similar ''bargain'' om
hand. Chicago Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

Guest Ito Florida hotelkeeper)-
What is this item among the extras:
"Weathervane, 81? Hotelkeeper-
Yes, sir; we charge 81 day for telling
which way the wind blows, and there
is no money in it at that.-Iid-Bits
4 New York halter says that none
of the so-called Panama hats are made
at Panama. The best of them, he ex-
plains. come from Guyaquil.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

4 stick of timber Isl feet long and
twenty inches square. believed to be.
the largest piece ever turned out from
any saw mill, has been sent from Pu-
get Sound to an exhibition in San
Francisco.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-26

and obliyious TO everything DuU unelr
own line Of performance. But there is
very little information desired by the
ordinary mortal not to be obtained
from the Berlin policeman for the ask
ing. he will not be aware of your
existence unless you accost him with
an inquiry. Then, he is ali attention,
intelligence, and civility. Speak to
him in English and he will Immediate
~ answer in German, at the same
time interpreting, with his hands and
eyes, until you are sureto comprehend,
and learn all you want to know. The
policemen are as neat in person and
well uniformed as the army. The de-
detective branch of police wear the
civilian dress.
NO stranger, man or woman, enters
Berlin and stops twenty-four hours who
IS not registered by the police. Itise easy
70 look up the person if at a hotel, where
ne Is asked to register his name, resi-
oence, birthplace, occupation, destina-
ton, and whether he travels for pleas
ure or on business, and the nature of
his business. If the person is not
ready about giving this information he
is asked for his passport. In the
boarding houses, most of them kept by
women, the police officer asks the land
lady to furnish this information about
her boarders. Every boarding house
is visited on an average of once a
week by police officer in civilian
dress. There is quiet, formal polite
ness about these visits that goes far to
divest them of all semblance of intru-
sion or inquisitiveness. But there is
also an authoritative ceremony not to
be misunderstood. This system of sur
veillance is no disadvantage to the
ordinary honest stranger. Not only
could he not get lost in Berlin, but he
could not lose his friends there either.
One has only to go to Police Head
quarters to learn the Whereabouts of
every nonresident visitor or stranger
in Berlin.
The Penn's Grove record., 1888-10-06

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