davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
THE ENGLISH tsPARRow.
An Attack on tho Cheeky Little Bird from
English Source.

1t is to the farmer, however, that the
sparrow is the greatest nuisance, caus-
ing him, as 1t does, actual loss; for no
sooner is the grain formed in the ear
than these birds, young and old to-
gether, descend on the fields literally in
swarms, their numbers being augment
ed by many town-bred birds, and begin
feeding on the unripe, milky grain; and
from this time until the crops are cut
and carried their depredations never
cease. The damage thus done is simply
enormous-far greater, we imagine,
than most people would consider possi-
BILE; it must, indeed, be seen and studied
TO be appreciated. The statement that
sparrows are the cause OF incalculable
loss to the country, in consequence OF
the amount of grain they consume, ap-
pears, doubtless, to many gross ex-
aggeration; il is, however, simple
statement of fact. Nor is it possible, ex-
cept by waging constant war against
them, to prevent this loss, as, in adj
dition to their possessing Unsuitable
appetites, they, unlike rocks, can not
be scared from the fields, but, when dis
turbed, merely shift their quarters and
renew their Gepredations within a very
few yards, and no known contrivance
will induce them to leave their feeding
grounds. As may be imagined, they
are most troublesome in fields sur
rounded with hedges, especially if they
are high and rough, as in such situa-
tions they find abundance OF shelter;
but they are by no means particular,
and no grain crops, however situated,
are entirely free from their ravages.
We hear INDEPENDENTLY, no doubt,
because political capital can be mada
of it-of the damage done to crops by
winged game, while comparatively
little is said of the damage inflicted by
sparrows. Yet we are convinced that,
were it possible to assess the loss to the
country caused by game and sparrows,
respectively, it would be found that tho
account against the latter was by far
the heavier. Saturday Review.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
HUNTING FOR HEADS.
Vicious Habit Prevailing Among New
Guinea Savages.

The bad habit some savages have oil
cutting off the heads of any strangers
who fall in their way simply because
heads are required to adorn their sa-
cred houses or to serve in the dedicato-
ry exercises of their war canoes, has
tragically ended the careers of num-
Der of white men within the past year.
The latest news from New Guinea is
that Mr.. Armstrong, an Englishman,
was recently lured to one of the coast
islands, where he was decapitated and
his head sent to the coast chiefs as
proofs that the islanders were attend
ing to business. About year ago a
brave in one of the wild tribes on the
Indian frontier was not permitted to
wed the maiden of his choice, because
her relatives were of the opinion that
he had not acquired a sufficient number
of heads to demonstrate his prowess.
1t was agreed that when he could show
two more heads he might have the
girl, and so he sailed forth to win rep
utation and bride. 1t happened that
Jlc hFsJ SuIduSefS Iuc DfdNt anu his
party encountered were Lieutenant
Stewart of the British army and his
small escort, who were led into an am
bush and slaughtered, and their heads
taken back in triumph TO the village.
This was the cap sheaf of series OF
head-hunting outrages, and the brave
had not long enjoyed his honeymoon
before an Indian expedition fell upon
the tribe and gave it some new views
on the ethics of head-hunting. This ia
vorite pastime has fourished greatly at
Borneo, but it is now in bad way in the
British part of that island. where the
penalty of death is visited upon every
head-hunter who is unlucky enough to
be caught. A while ago the British
authorities, in settling dispute be-
tween two tribes, found that one vii
lage persisted in head-hunting because
the other fellows had three heads the
advantage of them. The accounts were
balanced by small supply of trade
goods, and the rival head-hunters
promised thereafter to live in amity.-
Boston Herald.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
AGRICULTURAL ATOMS.

SAVE all the straw. II cut and mixed
with clover and bran good feed is Sc
cured, while it is one Of the best materials
for bedding that can be used.
IT is difficult matter to eradicate weeds
from the land, especially from pastures
which are seldom or never plowed, but
while they remain the owner will not find
it easy, or even possible, to make uniformly
good butter.'
The farmer or gardener who has q
variety of peas that suit him IN growing
WE'LL in yielding bountiful crops of large,
well-tlled pods, and which is early enough
for his market, will do well to sow few
rows expressly for seed, and to allow none
to be picked from them.
In land newly cleared from hard wood,
or land that has been dressed with wood
ashes, little phosphate will show good re-
suits. In old pasture land, or in land that
has been long in cultivation, it pays to use
it literally, and care should be taken to
procure fertilizer that Is rich in potash.
THOSE fruit growers who have firm faith
in the efficacy of whitewashing the trunks
of trees to discourage insects and remove
the growth of lichens, ETC., are advised
that the wash will be equally beneficial If
diluted until 1t will hardly whiten the bark,
and the trees will not look so ghostly after
its application, either. When the wash is
thick it forms scaly crust more likely TO
do harm than good.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
a PLEASANT VOICE.
1t Is to the Heart What Light Is to the
Human Eye.


Human Eye.
There is no power of love so hard to
get and keep as Il kind voice. A kind
hand is deaf and dumb 1t may be
rough in flesh and blood, yet do the
work of a soft heart, and do it with
soft touch. But there is no one thing
that love so much needs as a sweet
voice to tell what it means and feels,
and it is hard to get and keep it in the
right tone. One must start in youth
and be on the watch night and day, at
work, at play, to get and keep II voice
that shall speak at all times the
thought of u kind heart. But this is
the time when Il sharp voice is most
apt to be got. You often hear boys and
girls say words at play with quick,
sharp tone, as if it were the snap of II
whip When one of them gets veXed
you will hear voice that sounds as if
it were made up of a snarl, whine
and a bark. Such voice often speaks
worse than the heart feels. 1t shows
more ill-will in the tone than in the
words. 1t is often in mirth that one
gets voice or IA tone that is sharp and
sticks TO him through life, and stirs up
ill-will and griet, and falls like drop
of gall on the sweet joys at home. Such
as these get sharp home voice for
use, and keep their best voice for those
they meet elsewhere. / would say to
all the boys and girls: "Use your guest
voice at home.' Watch it day by day
as n pearl of great price, for it will be
worth to you in days to come more
than the best pearls hid in the sea. A
kind voice is larls's song to hearth
and home. 1t is to the heart what light
is to the eye.-Farm and Fireside.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
MISCELLANEOUS.

In 1860 the ladies OF the country
wore So, AGA, 900 worth of wire in their
hoop skirts.
"A silver pipe. on which is the in
scription: Presented by Major Gen
eral Harrison, u. S. A., on behalf OF
the United States, to the Shawaonese
tribe of Indians, 1Sl4,n has been pre-
sented to President Harrison by u gen-
tleman who secured the relic in the
Indian Territory.
"A farmer in East Corinth, Maine,
wouldn't give II copper for bounty on
crows. He is able to take care of his
own property. " hen he gets his corn
planted he carries out two coops, each
holding rooster, and sets them on the
two ends of his field. As soon Us it
begins to grow light tie roosters be-
gin TO challenge each other and their
music scares all the crows away.
Here is n remedy for cramp. sug>
gested by DR.. r. w. st. Clair, of Lon
don: Let the patient provide himself
with n good, strong cord and keep it
always by him. When the spasm comes
on let him wind this cord around the
affected part, take an end in each hand
and give them a good sharp pull. 1t
will hurt you n little-it is useless If il
does not-but the cramp will vanish at
once.
"A mechanical scarecrow has been
invented which represents man stand
ing with gun in hand. ready to fire at
the first intruder. The arm that is
holding the gun is made to move by
clockwork, which is inclosed in "a strong
iron box at his feet, and at proper
elevation it fires shot louder than an
ordinary gun. After the report the arm
lowers. The mechanism can be regu.
lated at the owners pleasure by reg
ulator like clock, and only requires
to be wound up once day.
"A man at Allegheny recently
sawed slit two inches wide and five
feet long in his parlor floor, rugged an
iron grating so that it would shoot up
through the slit on a spring being
touched, and then invited Alice Bliss, a
medium from Boston, to give a seance
at his house. When he supposed the
spirit of Little Daisy" had crossed the
line, he touched the spring. But il
turned out that the spirit was only hall
way across and she received tremend.
Gus thump.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
PUBLIC LIGHTING.
Growth of the Business of Illuminating
Streets and Squares.

The growth of the business of light
ing public streets and squares may
properly be classed as one of the Won
ders of modern times. The first feeble
attempts to light the highways were
made at Eddessa and Antioch in the
fifth century, laws being passed to
oblige persons to place lights in their
windows. Similar laws were not
passed in England until the sixteenth
century. In 1862 body of torch boys
was organized in London, who for a
small fee accompanied pedestrians.
Five years later. at Paris, chains were
hung across the streets and lanterns
suspended from them. Early in the
present century the streets of London
were lighted by insignificant oil lamps,
but they were still so dark that thieves
flourished and robberies were common
at night.
The great advance in the matter OF
lighting public streets has been made
within the last half century. OF the
three substances almost exclusively
used at present, viz: petroleum, gas
and electricity, in point of absolute
sconomy the first named outranks the
other two. Refined petroleum, at pres
ent low prices, and burned in vastly
improved lamps, has added much to
the social and intellectual enjoyment
ofmankind. 1t has found its way around
the world. so that in the solitudes OF
Eastern deserts or among the jungles
of Africa the traveller discovers its use
for light.
There were few years after the
whales became scarce in the Arctic
Ocean, and oil from that source high
in consequence, and prior to the ad-
vent of refined kerosene, that the gas
companies had the lighting field largely
to themselves Content with the large
profits from the business that was
forced TO rely on them, very little prog
ress was made either in improving the
manufacture or cheapening the price
to consumers. Detroit Free Press.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
He Didn't Finish the Job.

Winks-I didn't see you around yes
terday.
Minks-No. had room that need
ed papering and painting, and i thought
I'd stay home and do it myself. But
can't stop to talk-pm in II hurry.
whats upP"
'Well, Pve got to take my business
suit to the dyer's and cleaners, my
wife's best dress along with it, and
must stop at store for IA new carpet,
and then hunt up some painters and
paper-hangers TOTO put the finishing
touches on that room, you know. IN
Y. Weekly.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
OUTWARD MOURNING.
The Custom of Wearing Grape for Long
Periods Falling Into Disuse.

| tUtO
We go through q great deal of false
sentiment and false politeness in the
matter of our funeral ceremonies and
our mourning attire In the youthful
days of our present sexagenarians the
mark of nourning--a piece OF black
Grape around the sleeve of coored
coat,-was reserved for the army only.
Army and navy officers alone might
make this modest manifestation stand
In lieu of the glossy sables and deep
hat-bands of civilians. There was Il
howl, as well as u sneer, when these
civilians adopted the military custom,
and on the sleeve of colored coat
stitched black band to denote tho
death of dear friend or near relation.
Howls and sneers Notwithstanding, the
custom gained ground, and is now rec
ognized, adopted and approved of.
There are many who set their faces
against the excessive mourning of by
gone attire. No longer do all widows
even think it necessary TO clothe them
selves in Grape, and the lifelong obli-
CATION of the widows cap, like the life
long obligation of the widows black,
is at an end. Those who like to cling
to the ancient methods have their will
and do their pleasure, but those who
do not-thosc who carry death in their
hearts and do not care TO show it to the
world-or those who really are not
deeply afllicted-may dispense with
mourning altogether, if they have the
mind. Simple black answers all the
purpose, and the term for this is great
ly curtailed. We no longer feel that
we owe it to the memory of the dear
dead to make ourselves uncomfortable,
and to spend money on mere show-oa
mere signs and symbols-to crafty the
watching world. Deep in our hearts
we bear the sacred image-we keep
alive the holy flame. We have loved
that noble man, that pure-souled woman
the father, the husband, the glorious
brother, the mother who bore us, and
the sister who was our cradle
playmate. We have loved for all
our life; we shall love to tho
DOur Vi ueduL. DuU Heeu we Lnen
clothe ourselves in Grape and wooden,
and mark ourselves '.Bereaved' as by
a placard pinned to our breastp Far
better and more suitable-aye, and
sometimes far more sincere, too-the
undemonstrative acceptance of the in
evitable-the quiet cherishing Of secret
sorrow-the close concealment of the
sacred love. The sorrow lies there,
and we do not wish to show II to the
world as beggar unfolds his sore.
We do not wish to be questioned nor
condoled with. Who can comfort us?
No one! What good does it do us or
the world to haunt our grief in Grape
and weepers in the face of the curious,
the unsympathetic, the critical? Too
much or 'too little''-"too soon left
OFF, or "too long kept on''-''the fashion
too smart for mourning" or .the depth
ridiculous for the occasion" DO we
want to run the gauntlet of all our
dead friends criticisms? Far better
the slightest indication that is possi-
ble-so slight as'to escape general
notice-than this which attracts general
Observation-Disclosures of Rutland, i'll
London Queen.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
INVASION OF CATS.
A Medn Joke Perpetrated on the Peopl
of n Mississippi Town.

of n Mississippi Town.
-"When / was living in Il steamboat
town on the Mississippi remarked an
old man in a barber's shop IA few days
ago, "there was fellow who put up Il
very neat job on the inhabitants,
against whom he must have had some
terrible grudge. He came into the
town one day and distributed handbills
right and left, taking special pains to
put as many of them as possible into
the hands of farmers who had come in
TO sell their grain.
THAT was before the railroads came
TO take business away from the river
towns, some of which had an immense
trade. The place was in had 5000
or 5000 inhabitants, and was the
shipping port for all the grain raised
for miles around, as well as the place
where the farmers obtained all their
supplies. The last time / was there it
had dwindled down to Il village of 1000,
and perhaps by this time it has no
existence at all, even on the map.
These bills that were so freely
scattered about stated that the adver-
steamboat company for furnishing II
large number of cats to destroy the rats
and mice that were very numerous
about the warehouses at different land
ings along the river. He, therefore,
offered So for each full-grown Tom cat,
81 for each female puss, and 80 cents
head for kittens old enough to get
their own living. All the cats were to
be delivered at certain place in the
town on n Thursday evening - the
night that particular boat was due.
"Well, that Thursday afternoon came
and the streets of the town were just
crowded with people. They came in
wagons, on foot, and on horseback, and
every person carried sack, some of
them several.
"By evening between 5000 and 1000
cats had been brought into that de-
fenseless city. They were left in and
about vacant building near the land
ing. The man who was to purchase
the cats was nowhere in sight. The
country people were making inquiries
for him everywhere. A crowd of boys
attracted by the caterwauling went to
the old building and began to amuse
themselves by untying the bags and
letting out the cats. OF course the
cats began fighting and raised noise
like 10000 demons. Suddenly a stam-
pede occurred and the animals rushed
pell nell into the crowd, crawling over
people. jumping and fighting, and
climbing walls and roofs in mad
race for liberty. The boys took after
the cats, and the men joined in, de-
termined to rid the town of the feline
invaders. The next morning there
were II good many stray cats seen about
in back yards, and "a good many dead
ones lying in the streets and alleys.
One boatman said he counted over 400
dead cats in the river. The man who
perpetrated the joke was never seen in
the place, luckily for him. Pittsburgh
Dispatch.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

More Bad Luck. Mr.. Winks Cook
ing over the paper)-Cheap. Drug d
Co. are selling all sorts OF patent medi-
cines at hali-price. Mrs. Winks-Just
our luck. There isn't anything the
matter with any Of us,-N. Y. Weekly
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

Outside poulterer's shop the fol-
lowing notice was posted' "A lot of
live Ostend rabbits for sale. Any per-
SON wishing to buy one will be skinned
and trussed, ready for roasting, in five
minutes.n
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

81 saw such beautiful sky this after
loon," he said dreamily. "Was il
olue?" she inquired, eagerly. Yes,
love; with delicate white fleece"
'.And, oh, Harry, did it have lovely
soulful eyes and dear little cunning
black noseP" 81 am talking Oft heav-
ly blue sky" he said, gravely. That's
;he kind, dear Oh, won't you try to
get it for me? I'm just dying to have a
blue skye! They are such sweet pets!"
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

The millionaire railroad man.
Colonel Peters, who recently died at
Atlanta, was the first person to bring
the Angora goat from the Ural noun
tains to this country He was a great
scholar, and said to be one of the best
read men in the South. In his youth
he was an engineer on a Georgia rail-
road
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06
Boiler Explosions in 1888.

The Safety Valve gives this record
of boiler explosions during 1888:
Total number OF boiler exploded, 263;
estimated loss to property, 81, 100, 900;
estimated loss by stoppage of business.
81, 050 900; number of employees thrown
temporarily out of work, 10000; num-
Der of lives lost, $780, number of persons
injured, 491. OF boilers in saw-mills
and other woodworking establishments,
there were 50 explosions; locomotives,
2l; steamships, tugs and other steam
vessels, 10; portable boilers, holsters
and agricultural engines, 27; mines,
oil wells, colliers, IS; paper mills,
bleacheries, digestersf etc, 13; rolling
mills and iron works, %; distilleries.
breweries, dye works, sugar houses and
rendering works, 2l; flour mills and
grain elevators, IS; textile manufacto-
ries, 1G; miscellaneous, 2l.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

Ice was artifcially manufactured
by the use of chemical mixtures as
early as 1888.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

"A dry humorist-Oue who ia
pumped out. Puck.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-04-06

n MEASUhEMENI VI tuo DiB gus wen w
Lancaster shows the flow to be q, OBS, 800
cubic feet per day.
WILLIAM e. GATES, wanted at'Cleveland
for embezzlement, has been arrested at
New York.
FRANCIS S. BRADY, an old lake captain,
was struck by locomotive at Cleveland
and instantly killed.
The total registration in Cincinnati for
the April election is II, 466.
New LISBON girls have formed an ath-
letic club.
FRANK HICKS, Of Hicks Station, was
fined forty dollars for pulling bell
rope and stopping train.
AT Lima, VIM. Wendler, carpenter,
narrowly escaped sutfocation by being ac-
cidentally shut up in refrigerator car
which he was repairing.
HOTEL thieves are at work in Columbus.
AN eighteen months' old child choked to
death ON cabbage leaf near Mansfield.
A THREE-yEAR-oLD child was burned to
death near Crcleville.
The city council of Dayton has adopted
an ordinance granting to the Natural Gas
Company the privilege Of bringing gas
into that city.
JACOB WEINREIcH, formerly president Of
the Dayton city council, has been ad-
judged insane and sent to the asylum.
I. j. Mcs5wEENEY, a prominent member
of the Sidney bar, died the other night
He formerly lived at Wooster
WILLIAM and Andrew Maurer, who re-
side near Canton, are charged with abb
Quoting their niece.
AT Mansfield, Wm Sims has sued Perry
/ Vanzill for $1,000 for malicious prosecu'
tion.
GEO. F. BRETT. Seneca County farmer,
fifty years of age, was seriously injured
In a runaway accident
A MOTHER and daughter were arrested
at Springfield f9r. stealing.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-12

.o.;oa, naval officer who has been reported
- IN have been stationed ut that
MORT for the purpose of forwarding Important
rou.s was aot there at the beginning OF TINS
,,,orth These circumstances would nave Ia
a,;4otad tba receipt of exclusive information
:. porIi, from Samoa about the time when the
as.,so+;onal minors were first published. But,
a. otber hand those secret instructions
~ from Auckland by special steamer
undoubtedly warned the German n1vai anu
consular authorities that they had already gone
too far in proclaiming martial law tne ngns
20 .eon,bino vessels for contraband Oh war ana
control of the police arrangements a' Apia'
Tho Home Government in disaVowing tho
ants ~ its agents during January, must
- oyarcised Wholesome restraint upon DR..
Kra,,no and the German naval commanders.
r. Iyould seem safe to infer that If the captain
of the Nipsic had been able TO avert a collSon
Of naval forces during January, he would have
had less difficulty in doing SO during the fol-
Loving month. with the pacific intentions OF
prince bismarck plainly disclosed IN the secret
instructions.
The crisis remained, however, very serious
one, as the last number Of "Ihe samoan
Times,n now lying under our eyes fully at
tests. The leading article, which involved the
e,,nnression of the journal by the German au-
tborities. states that Tamasese's forces had
dvindled TO 700 or 800 men, and were COM
pletely hemmed in by Mataafa's army. The
nrediction is made that deserters were leav-
ing him nightly, and that unless he shonld be
again assisted by German marines and war
ships he would speedily be compelled to give
nm the struggle. The elimination OF the up
rising against the puppet King must have oc-
Cured during February, and his downfall ap-
parently could only have been averted by di-
rect acts Of intervention on the part Of the
feet. The commander of the Nipsic had only
received instructions to protest against out
RACES and to use his good Offices in maintain
ing peace; and II he followed orders strictly
he would have been ulost unlikely to bring on
a naval engagement with the German feet
It is to be hoped, in the interest Of both Ger
many and America, that the crisis has passed
without hostile demonstrations on either side,
and that the sensational stories telegraphed
from Germany are utterly without foundation.