davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
Six Astonished Boys.

The policeman who patrols Four
teenth street, between Sixth and Sew
enths avenues, attracted a good deal
of attention by his extraordinary be-
havior the other day, says the New
York San. Six small boys, with more
mischief than discretion in their nod
dies, had tipped over an ash-barrel.
They did not see the policeman
until the deed was done. Then they
ran for it. So did the policeman.
They had good start and terror lent
added speed to their swift legs, but
the policeman was determined and
conscious of right and at the end of
the long block he overlook and sur
rounded them. That is, breathless and
out of their wits, the fugitives huddled
together in a corner and the police
man cut off their retreat. Secure of
his captives he took off his helmet and
wiped the perspiratiOn from his face
while he labored with his breath.
When he could speak coherently he
put on his helmet and said:
"Now, boys, don't you think that it
was mean of you-real, downright
mean? Do you think you got any fun
out of it? Don't you know that some
body went to all the trouble of putting
those ashes in the barrel and that
somebody has got to 60 and scrape 'em
up again? He never did you no harm,
did he? Say, did hep"
"N-no, sir,'' whispered the most
courageous of the frightened young
sters.
"Well," continued the policeman,
''wasn't it mean to bother a man that
didn't bother you? just think of that
boys, and when you want some fun
just play marbles or run races, but
don't be mean about it. l might ar
rest you, but l don't believe you
thought what you was doing. You
didn't know how mean twas did you?"
No, SIR" responded one of the boys,
more confidently.
"Well, you'll think of it next time,
won't you? If l let you go without
even a cuff on the ears will you prom
Use to play together without doing
wrong"
Eyes, sir" was the reply in chorus.
''All right; run along now, and re-
member what I've said"
The policeman gave his brow an 9TH
er wipe, and six small boys, subdued
and relieved, went quietly down the
avenue. Some of the spectators ex-
pressed the idea that the policeman
either had boys of his own or did not
realize the powers confded to him by
the metropolis.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
Fish in Untold Number.

"There are 10000, 600 Goldfish caught
annually off the Newfoundland coast
observed a fish culturist the other day.
''You might think that would deplete
the yearly hatch. If so, you are mis-
taken. 1t has been calculated that, as fish
produce so mamy eggs, ifvast numbers
of the latter and of the fish them
selves were not continually destroyed
and taken they would soon fill up
every available space in the seas. For
instance, from 60,000,000 to 100000
Goldfish are annually caught on the
shores Of Newfoundland. But even
that quantity seems small when it is
considered that each cod yields about
4,500, 900 eggs every season, and that
even 100000 have been found in the
roe of a single cod. Were the 60,000,-
900 cod taken on the coast of New
foundland left to breed, the 30,000.C00
females producing 100000 eggs every
year, it would give an addition of 150,-
100000, 100000 young Goldfish. Other
fish, though not equaling the cod, are
wonderfully prolific. A herring
weighing six or seven ounces is pro-
vided with about 10000 eggs. After
making all reasonable allowances for
the destruction of eggs and the young
it has been estimated that in three
years a single pair of herrings would
produce ia, 100000. Button calculated
that if pair of herrings could be left
to breed and multiply undisturbed for
period of twenty years, they would
yield an amount of fish equal in bulk
to the globe on which we live =.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
Concerning Hereditys

There is no more useful philosophy
than that which has to do with the
laws of life. Profund thinkers and
spectators have occupied this field of
thought for ages, and the theme is
still so fertile that it yields bountiful-
ly under careful cultivation.
Mr.. G. B. Whitford has been plow-
ing his biological field for a number
of years, and here and there he has
turned up to the light some unique
and plausible theories regarding the
Laws of Breeding" in arecent issue
of the Iurf, Field and Farm he has
paper on "Ativism," which goes fur
Their toward showing the manner in
which reversion to ancestral type takes
place than anything of the kind vet
published. The gist of his argument
is that each organism is a double or
ganism, so to speak, and that the
minor organism, which is a copy of
the parent, carries the ancestral pecul-
iarity on to future generations, where
it crops out The theory is not likely
to be accepted in all its detail, but the
results are soin harmony with the gen.
eral proposition, and the argument is
so plausible, that his general plan Of
ativism will no doubt command a very
respectable endorsement.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
Chance to Go West.

Employment agent-"As [ UNDER
stand it, you want a regularly gradu-
ated ply stefan who knows how to mix
drinks, and you are willing to pay
such man big wages"
Stranger-..That's the talk"
want him as physician to private
family, perhaps?'
mo, sir but l keep hotel in Iowa.
where liquor can't be sold without a
doctors prescription, and 1 want him
for bartender. ~ Philadelphia Record.
To Rogers, the poet, beautiful face
was one that was "arch and tull of
mirth." No woman waiting for her
husband coming home from the lodge
at night would have appeared beauti-.
full to him--Bostoas Courier.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
Coil-OiI Johnny's" BootbIack.

On the Oil Creek flats, between Titus
vile and Oil City is situated the famous
farm that proved to be such mine of
wealth to John Steele, or "Coal-Oil
Johnny" as he was better known. The
wonderful wells that spouted their
streams of wealth into the lap of this
giddy youth ceased to flow many years
ago, and the farm was long considered
as valueless for oil purposes. With
the later improved methods of pro-
ducing oil, however, this old place is
being reclaimed, and is once more
figuring among the valuable oil farms
of the region. 1t is now owned by j.
W. Waite, who was a street urchin at
Housewife, mile from the farm, when
Coal Oil Johnny" was in the zenith
of his wild career. As boy young
Waite frequently blackened Johnny
Steele's boots, or held his team while
the youthful oil prince went in to get
a drink, and received for the service
anywhere from s. to $50, whichever
happened to suit the whim of the spend
thrift, who believed there was no end
to his suddenly acquired riches. 1t
was not many years till Goal Oil
Johnny" was labOrer working for a
dollar day. Now his wonderful farm
is again coming into the oil belt.
There are now about dozen new wells
drilled on the place and every one of
them is profitable. The place will
make young Waite rich man. He has
been operating the property about
year and values it at 500, 200. 1t has a
production of 1000 barrels a month
PHtsburg Commercial.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
A Singer that Stings.

When a Western wasp feels well
and is not troubled with rheumatism
in the back it can put more of its fine
work into the square inch of mans
cuticle than any other live fowl on the
globe. A man who has been thorough
~ stung by Mexican wasp takes de-
light in drinking melted lead or gal
Ion or two of hot liquid sulphur, they
are so delicious by contrast. A few
red hot nails driven into the soles of
ones feet seem to ease the pain mad
vertently left by these wasps.
eff you have never been stung by
an old-fashioned Mexican wasp
writes Charles Brazil from Pueblo.
Colo, sit is an experiencey you want to
avoid carefully. contenting yourself
with information about the little
beauty as you can gather from third
parties and documents. 1t is, when
mature and healthy, about two inches
long, with a sting that looks like the
point of a fine needle. 1t is brown
ish red in color, and its disposition il
always hostile. When it stings you
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31

mournfully on the ground, his clasped hands
resting on the hilt of his sword motionless as
statue. He raises not his eyes even when
after time the doors are re-opened and the
council returns, and one of them takes the
word:
Father Attaman! the chieftains do not
accuse thee either of treason or of cowardice;
they acknowledge thy valor, nor do they
complain of thy fidelity, and recognize thy
behavior to have been throughout upright
and honorable. Never yet has there been an
Attaman dearer to the hearts of the Kosaka
But the interests of the nation command US
to put aside all personal feelings, and there
fore, as till now there has been no instance
Of chief returning without his army, it will
be wise to make an example of this case, so
as to foresee and prevent any recurrence of
the same. A less noble man might be pun
ished by degradation from his Office, but
thou, Kunicki, shalt not be stripped of thy
dignity in favor of any other man. This
were ingratitude on our part. So Attaman
thou shall remain till thy death. Yet as the
council in its wisdom does not deem it to be
seemly that an Attaman should survive the
loss Of his army, it will be advisable that thy
noble life should come to a speedy termina-
ton.
Father Attaman! Thou shalt die by the
sword of thine own people, but thy death
shall be a noble and an honorable one, in
consideration of the many and valuable SER
vices thou hast rendered to the nation. Thou
shalt keep to the last the honors due to thy
rank, and be executed as belts an Attaman
and leader of the Kosaks. Only to lay thy
head on the block will thou put aside the
cranes feather, and thy successor shall not
be elected till thy body is laid in the earth."
Kunicki raised his head, and viewed the
assembly calmly, without agitation, without
fear, as he answered:
MY lords, far be it from me to make any
petition or prayer for mercy. Let your judg-
ment take its course; but before my death I
should wish once more to see my wife and
child, and say farewell. Fix day for my
execution, and l swear to be punctual, on my
honor as Kosak and as Attaman."
| Several voices answered sadly: Father
AttamanI Take as much time as thou pleas
est-a week, month if necessary"
! But Kunicki returns: 1.-THE longer l wait
! the greater will be the pain. What is defer
red must equally come to pass. One day will
i suffice, and 1 thank you for that Farewell,
| till Tomorrow"
| He leaves the assembly, passing down the
ranks of chiefs, who all uncover and pro-
! foundry salute the Attaman as he goes
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31

before fire or steel lose courage il obliged to
await their fate with folded arms.
At the head of his troops the Attaman adj
vances into the plain and ranges them for
battle, but the willy enemy keeps out OF
reach, and evades an encounter with the
Kosaks, who are obliged at nightfall to return
to the valley without having fired a shot or
crossed sword.
The snow is falling fast as they regain the
camp, and all night long it comes down 81
lently in large white fakes, blotting out all
marks on the landscapes, and filling up each
footprint of man or beast with soft white fur,
till at daybreak, when the Kosaks again adj
vance to seek the foe, an unbroken white
surface lies before them.
Thus they proceed through the silent val
ley, seeing not a hundred PAGES before them
for the dense white mist which the torpid
Winter sun has Mt had the strength to dis
perse. They can see naught but gray point
ed rocks on all sides Of them-gray rocks to
the front, to the right, and to the left of them,
all looming at them coldly through the fog.
But now the gray rocks in front seem to as
sumo other shapes; they grow at once more
distinct and more fantastic in appearance.
No longer mere rocks, they look like phan-
toms; no longer mere phantoms, they look
like men-like Tartars!
1t is but too true; the vast hordes are rang
ed in a semicircle awaiting them, and be
hind these are Tartars also-Tartars every
where closing round theml
The white pennon denoting the presence
Of the Khan is flying overhead, and the shrill
note of the tabalszana "a musical instrument)
resounds from the rocks, while hailstorm
of poisoned arrows comes pouring in on the
Kosaks.
They adjust their guns and prepare TO
make desperate resistance. Fifty times
are they forced back, but fifty times do they
advance again. Inch by inch do they fight
their way to the entrance of the valley, and
at last they reissue from it, victorious indeed,
but with the loss of five thousand brave men.
! They leave the cursed valley heaped with
the bodies of the slain, both men and horses,
terrible and hideous sight. Here lie the
Kosak and the Tartar clutching each other
in the last death struggle; there a grinning
head has rolled away from its trunk; dying
horses neigh piteously as the rabid vulture
bears down upon them, and everywhere the
/ snow has disappeared, melted away by the
j warm blood and the smoking corpses.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31

there is for moment or two sensa-
ton of numbness above the part, which
rapidly gives place to pain that can
only be described as agony. If yon
can imagine how it would feel to have
a wire drawn through the most sensi-
tive part of your body and then raise
slowly to a white heat you could per-
haps form theoretical idea of what
the feeling is like.
1.-The sting is never fatal, the pain
passes away after an hour or two. but
it is simply anguish while it lasts.
During the Mexican war one of the
companies of Doniphan's command
oamped in an old building where there
was a colony of these wasps. They
managed to disturb the insects in some
way, and the company was completely
routed and demoralized; some of the
men ran miles away from the place
before they were found and gathered
in. DR.. Cunning of Beshoar, Colo,
has made quite study of these articu-
lates. which, he says, represent an I'M
classified member of the wasp family.
There are, l believe, no living creatures
outside of the snakes, scorpions, and
centipedes which are able to infiict so
much suffering on their enemies."r
A Joke on Armour.
P. d. Armour, Chicago's millionaire
meat-packer. loves to crack a Joke
once in awhile with his employees, and
appreciates it all the more should the
mirth tables turn at his own expense.
He was very much surprised the other
day, however, when he was politely
but firmly told to vacate his own pack.
ing-house.
Come, come" said the man in
charge, supposing he was addressing
a stranger, ''no one is allowed in this
department. but those regularly con-
nected with the establishment. How
did you get in here, anyway"
swell, if that is your rule guess /
will have to obey ORDERS" replied Mr.
Armour, at which he made a sudden
break for the door.
"Who is that old fellow" inquired
ployes, pointing to the receding form
of Mr.. Armour.
"You mean the gentleman who just
went out?'
Yes, him."
wi ny, you numOSkull; that is MIR.
Armour
1.-The devil you say. I just ordered
him out of here"
A half-hour later the man had occa-
sion to report to his employer.
''That was nice trick you played
on calling him by name-said
Mr.. Armour. with merry twinkle in
his eye, cit has come to pretty state
when man gets the bounce from his
own establishment. y Chicago Times
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31
Brakemen's Slang.

The brakeman gives the prevailing
tone to the society" of dispatchers'
Hobbies and other lounging places which
he frcquents. He originates whatever
slang may be deemed necessary to
give spice to the talk of the caboose
and round-house. He calls gravel
train a "dust express, and re-
fers to the pump for COMPRISING air
for the power brakes as a wind jam
mer." The freman's prosaic labors
are lightened by being POLITICALLY men,
toned as the handling of black dia-
monds, and the modification of being
called into the superintendent Office
to explain some dereliction of duty is
disguised by referring to the episode
as dancing on the carpet. "-B. b.
adams Jr. IN lScribner's.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-31

and arranges his affairs as though he were
going off on distant journey, and gives in
structions with regard to the education of bis
son.
nandzia listens in kind of a stupor, and
freezing sensation comes over her. With
an effort at last she speaks
Dearest husband, surely thou art not go
ing off again on new expedition? 1t Is
time to take some rest and let us tend and
console thee for all thy troubles and suffer-
ings."
No, Ilandzia," he answers gloomily. at
Is not to new expedition that go; and
shall rest enough, never fear"
but surely thou wilt not leave Us al
ready?" she insists as he rises and prepares
to buckle on his sword. Look at our little
Sawka, see how he smiles and begs thee to
remain" and she pushes her son into his
fathers arms, not guessing how she is adj
ding to his tormentS.
The Attaman presses the boy to his heart,
and his tears rain fast and hot over the child's
curly head. IlandZia makes one last effort
before he leaves the room
'.At least take supper with US before going,
dear husband?"
Il have no hunger"
'Then rest thee for an hour longer"
81 cannot rest to-day; by daybreak to-mor-
row must be at Biala- Cerkiew to attend the
council of Chiefs" and his voice faltered at
the last words. Then calling an attendant:
"Bring out my horse"
(which horse, Father Attaman?
1.-THE chestnut; it has rested sufficiently,
and I shall want no other to render me this
last service"
He places one foot in the stirrup and pre-
pares to mount; then drawing back again he
once more seiZes uandZia in his arms; pas
sionately, almost violently, he strains her to
his breast, pressing fierce kisses on her pale,
anxious face
Come back quickly, for am sad" she
murmurS into his ear; and he answers
please God that we shall meet again, new
er more to partT Then with sudden move
ment he disengages himself from her cling
/. ing embrace and, vaulting into the saddle,
rides off at furious speed, never looking
around as Ilandzia's voice keeps calling aft
er him to return soon-yery soon.
The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15
GM9emorrat-S
HE HAD ONLY OGE cuOs,

A certain man, Nha.mo.
Wed, dwelt in The country f., i1 a.
The noise or any town, lar Ito
one night, says the Medical Hpanc c'
thal his wife fell sick, and 1 T't
ignorant of the ways Of ,hu Oeil
Iolk, he mounted his horse.o @Cnl'
galloped exceeding fast t awairtI a. y
town IN search Of a skilIInI 'I Lu. u
I'm the road he met a gaunt iee &C.
wilhered hag, who asked I bimo al
whittier so fast, good m mum j,
10 get a leech for nv r T'"I T.,
who is sick unto death !, soou vI
Know We how To toII
doctor p WI u 900
NAY, mother, | take ,La ..
which God leadelh me los r"e lt'
Whereupon the ancient
said P"'"Sy, an
Hold this to thy eve, v,..
lhou lookest at a doctors h %neI
and thou wilt straightway sou ""u is
ghosts iU Of those who have died eJ' r, ,n'
ms Dungllng. Takelehou lhe ' doa
tor with the lewc y glioslsn uO'
Thereafter, whenever tb,, >.
came to a Doctors housa Nv IH,
The mystic herb to his even "e9
Oddzooks A fearful sirbi' % "',
his cldirvoyant gaze. Aro" "rI
every doctors door shiver ,yl''a =
sh9s'ly Gro sd of uneasy r6".,.
and, what seemed strange 10 1SS,
man. the larger and more comf ;'''
able the houses The greater was Iba
aweSome group at the door. WV
Through the deserted strealo l.,
Salloped, from doctors honsa I ny
doctors house, seeking in vain G !,
Dne whose gates were not bcsian ~,
uneasy spirits. At length M y
quiet lane he espied a modes,
house bearing a doctors shinviS
and 10! but a solitary ghost sat
Up out on the doorstep. W
Here, by Gods grace" ooutb
ne man, us the doctor for me q
But a little time had passed 7
before that stout horse v,s
'earlng the man and his physician
the road to the sick woman
When they were near Ibo
md OF their journey the doclor
miled a pleasant smile To see, and
aid WV"
Il wonder right well BY what
GOD chance you called ON me, for
know | have only been prac.
medicine two days, and your
GOD wife will be The second "a.
'ent | have treated"
The profane ejaculation that
'llowed is perhaps belteromitted.
The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15
To LIVERPOOL BY Land.
New Orleans PIca yune.

New Orleans PIca yune.
MIR. John Arthur Lynch, of Chi
cago, has projected plans loracon
tlnuous line of railway northwarl
through Alaska 10 Behrng Strait,
and southwark along The American
lSthmuS into South America.
lie figures out that by means Of
the Behring Straits route passen.
gers will be able to visit Europe
with no more of a sea voyage han
The thirty mile width of the stralls,
as there will soon be RAILWAYS
across Siberia and China into
Western Europe. Such a trip 10
Asia and Europe by way of the
West and all the way by land
would be something remarkable.
Then with a rail line through Mex.
co, Central and South America it
Will be possible to make the tour
both hemispheres and all The
continents by a continuous railway
line as it is a part of the scheme 10
bridge Behring Straits and the
English Channel. A trip 10 Liver
by land will be one of the pos.
;ibilitieS Of the next century.
The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15

A mole spot on the forehead in-
dicates a person who is ~treacherous
and untidy ; on the chin, promises
riches on the ankle of man, be,
speaks mOdesty on The ankle oil
woman, tells of a courageous
heart ON the right temple, fore
shadows The friendship of The DIS
tinguished; on the left temple slg'
mites disaster. In America while
spcts on The nails are considered
lucky. In general, a white spot on
the thumb nail promises a present;
on The index finger. a friend on
the long finger, a foe ; on The Ilns
finger, a sweetheart on the llttis
finger, a journey 10 go.
The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15

Beware Of The long-haired m'A
and the shOrt-haired woman.
The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15

Blessed Is the man, says The
Royce City (Texas) Alta, that
steers clear of the way of the kick
er and mingles not in the cOngre.
CATION Of the mossbacks, but whose
delight is new railroads and brick
blocks, and a good paper with 9TH
er enterprises which will build up
himself AND his town. lie shall be
llken unk1he evergreen Tree plant.
ed at the waters edge /; his leal
shall not wIther in the early dawn
of summer, for the will of The
boomer shall GET there. But woe
be unto the kicker-lhe mOssback
who sits around never willing 10
help turn the wheel of progress,
for he shall be lett 10 hold The bag
and his name shall be Dennis.
The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15

In a review of a recent book on
the race problem the New loTA
Herald says that the social eqnalls
of the blacks and whltesIs unhear
of in the North, even in Repu6ll-
can circles. The Herald cOneludes
The matter by saving: The Ehl'e.
don't want it, and The blacks won
have 1t. ANY white person VIZ
advocaiesit here isquietly lgnorea
a an irredeemable crank, and lhI
South can afford to keep cool an1
follow The Northern example y
garding the deadestO l dead issne~
THIS is the true condition Of ahat'
in the North, and all candid NORM
ern men admit II.