davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
A New Cigar Horror.

Among the latest limitations which
have been successfully introduced into
the tobacco trade in this city and other
cities are cigars the wrappers of which
are made out of a specially perfumed
paper, says the Pittsburg Commercial
Gazette. A gentleman well known in
the iron manufacturing circles of this
vicinity was the first to inform a re-
porter that smoking material of this
kind was new in the market. He has
recently returned from visit to Nor
folk, Va, where he met a drummer
for large tobacco house in New York
State. This gentleman informed the
Pittsburger that he was then introduce
ing an imitation cigar wrapper which
was so deceiving in its character that
experts could scarcely distinguish it
from the genuine.
This preparation was made from rye
straw, and one portion of the process
was to steep the material in a strong
solution made from tobacco stems.
The grain of the straw. together with
the manner in which the material was
dressed, would lead any one to suppose
that it was sample of the leaf used
in making wrappers for cigars of a
more than ordinary quality. The
flavor of tobacco was also present,
owing to the paper having been I'M
mersed in the solution from the genu-
inc article.
The gentleman subsequently exam
med cigars on sale in Norfolk, and
discovered that they were made with
these patent wrappers. The samples
examined were of an extra fine qus'
ity.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
How Type is Made.

The first step in the manufacture
OF type is making punches; that is on
the end of a short bar of soft steel
there is cut model for each character
to be used in the font or assortment
of the types. This steel is hardened,
and the punch is then struck on the
side of a thin bar of rolled copper,
which gives reversed duplicate of the
model type, and this, when truly
squared and fitted to a mould, con.
stitutes the matrix. All the matrices
of font are made to fit a single mold.
Two firmly screwed com binations OF
several pieces of steel, which make
counterpart halves, form the type
mould. These halves are immovable
in the direction which determines the
height of the body of the letters, but
can readily be adjusted in the direc-
ton of its width. The matrix is fitted
at one end of the mould; at the other
end is an opening through which the
melted metal is injected. Type cast
ing or founding machines are now
used in the making of type. These
have framework-work, in the
center of which is a pot of type
metal kept fluid by fire beneath. The
mould is connected with the melted
metal through a channel. In the pot
is fitted a piston, which is kept in
motion forcing the fluid through the
channel into the mould. This injected
metal has been fused. at low heat, and,
being cooled by a blast of cold ali
upon it, solidifies it almost instantly.
BY a mechanical movement the mould
is made to open when it receives the
metal, and the matriX to spring back.
ward, while little hook throws out
the type. Then the mould closes, the
matriX falls into its place again, and
the piston again throws in a little
metal, 10 be thrown out again as type.
This machine works very rapidly,
throwing out the complete types at the
rate of from rs to $50 a minute ac-
cording to size. The type has now to
be finished off by rubbing off the sharp
edges Of the body, for the face is
usually perfect when it is thrown out
of the mould. The little types are
then picked up one by one and care.
fully examined under a magnifying
glass. All perfect letters are set in
rows and then wrapped in packages,
each containing a certain number of
pounds, and all defective letters are
thrown aside to be melted over again.
Types are now all not only made to a
standard height, but with bodies of the
same size, only the faces varying in the
different fonts.-C Chicago Inter- Ocean.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15

the barge of the governor, returning
from an unsuccessful search.
''There was a growl from the seamer
as they backed water. shrek of rage
and satisfaction from the old tyrant
himself, who half rose from his seat in
the stern, and the next instant, without
word but with eyes filled with horror
the fleeing wife sprung over the rail Of
our boat and into the deep water of the
bay, sinking instantly.
with shouts and curses-English,
American, and Chinese-the men in the
two boats watched for the fail body to
rise, but watched in vain. No human
eyes ever saw the woman again.
I'VE did not wait explanations, and
that night our steamer sailed.
at was my last trip, and l have not
visited Hong-Kong bay since. "-Satur.
day Night.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
The School Library.


Teachers realize, as no other class,
the extensive circulation of fashy
literature. If parents could but see
ana understand the nature of the mass
OF vicious books and papers that are to
De found IN the hands of their child
rem, then perhaps they might realize
that there are graver contagious than
those communicated by bacteria and
microbes. Particular reference ia
made TO the vast and villainous aprre-
CATION of the so-called libraries and
story papers that you can find on al
most every news stand in the CITY.
Fortunately obscene literature is no
longer circulated among the YOUNG.
owing to the energetic societies that
have taken the matter in hand. But
some of these residential sheets attain
a circulation of half a million copies.
| When we come to the consideration of
the right kind of reading matter for
the young, we are brought at once, as
has been well said, ito a means of
| education more potent than the
schools themselves. The problem is
not so much how to read as what to
read. NV experience has convinced
me that there are few, if any, children
in our schools in whom the experienced
teacher cannot develop the taste for
good reading. A great duty and re-
sponslbility rest on teachers from the
very outset of their school work; for
theirs it is to furnish the books and to
stimulate in their young charges the
taste of good reading. There are
children who greedily devour books,
reading anything and everything at all
times, but the end of all such mental
tipping is as manifest as that of
drunkard. What can we do in such
caseP Much. Not quite everything,
but more than most of us suspect. In
the contemplation of this problem let
US ever bear in mind that young peo-
pie acquiring the habit of good read
ing,-a habit fraught with conse-
quences more serious to them than any
of us can foresee,-stand more in need
of good opportunities and wise counsel
than of taskmasters.
We can train the moral natures of
our scholars through the books we
give them to read, and in this solve a
veXed question. But care should be
taken that the matter is not of a di-
QdCIlC tuIH, IOG Sucu IDNdEId DlI WedlS
and repels, if it does not disgust,
children. And very sharp distinction
should be draw II between those of the
right kind and those the boys desig-
nate goody-goody. An extended
course of such milk and waterreading,
which to-day unfortunately constitutes
the staple library of our Sunday
schools, will in a short time, trans
form the reader from an honest flesh
and blood boy to a smug-faced young
hypocrite, OF else to pulling, senti-
mental creature, the emotional side
of whose nature has been abnor-
mally developed at the expense of the
practical. Books bringing into the
lives of our children more of love of
God and country, higher reward for
truth and purity, and greater respect
for authority, will make successful
appeal to right thinking and right do
ing on their part, and offer to them
strong incentives to loftier ideals
Geo. b. Hardy, Nea0 York.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
Adventure With a Whale.

A few years ago while whaling in
Davis's straits, says a writer in the
New York World, we discovered a
whale, manned boat, and rowed to.
ward it threw a karpoon and struck
The whale, driving the weapon deep
into his back. Overcome with e1-
element l sank down on my seat.
Suddenly the whale gave a jerk which
tore the line out of our hands and sent
me spinning through the air. l land
ed on the whales back not far from
the harpoon. 1 grabbed its handle.
The whale darted up the bay with the
speed of electricity. l grew insensible.
When I recovered l was lying or
top of small iceberg. 1 arose
and motioned to vessel which came
sailing near by, was discovered
and taken aboard. Who can describe
my establishment when found in tow
of the vessel the whale which I haG
harpooned, and which was found float
ing down the bay, dead.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15

First clubman-What did you black
ball Goodman for? You don't even
know him. Second cIubman-No,
never spoke to him in my life, but |
hate him and his whole family. They
live in the fiat below US, and they have
corned beef and cabbage three days a
week.-NeO York Weekly.
Miss Magruder- say that tall,
handsome man over there is a real
foreign lord, Mr.. Maginnis How do
you knowP Maginnis-Yes, Miss
Magruder, I'm quite sure he is. He has
the rooms next to mine at the hotel
and hear him beating his wife every
morning. Philadelphia Inquirer.
Yadsley-Wen. Wickwire, | have
given up my position. [ have $1,000
saved up, and l am going to study law
and get into politics. Wickwire-You
haven't got the sense of a last years
oyster. If you want to get into politics
why don't you take that $1,000 and
start saloon?-Terre Haute Cypress.
Young wife-What? Do you mean
to say your brother and his wife have
given up housekeeping and gone to
boardP Husband-Yes; but what
difference does that make? Young
wife-O, nothing; only in about a
week or so they'll be dropping in every
other day to meals. -Nea0 York Weekly.
Guest Cat Mrs. De Fashions must
cale) Mercy! What are all these
wash-boilers, and fiat-irons. and things
in the parlor forp Mrs. De Fashion
(helplessly)-I had to get them. The
leader Of the orchestra came here at
the last minute and refused to play
unless | furnished those things for the
anvil chorus. He said that he was
bound to have one selection heard
above the conversation.-Neao York
WeekLg.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
Some Modern Proverbs.
Experience gets there every time.

Experience gets there every time.
Great men can outgrow nicknames.
Wisdom waits to be asked for adj
vice.
Many a man lives on the reputation
other people make for him.
The truth about some people is not
told until after they are dead.
If every man could have his way the
world would be almost depopulated.
Trusts are combinations of men and
corporations that cannot trust one an
other.
The man that never knows the time
of day is always too late or too early
to wait.
Truths differ. Sometimes they are
told to a mans face, and sometimes be-
hind his back.
The man that guesses at probabili-
ties often overreaches the man that
waits for the truth.
Much sympathy is thrown away on
an ambulance patient. 1t may be only
case of plain drunk.
Sometimes it is wiser to beg pardon
than to fight. The other fellow may
be bigger, and black eye is cloud.
When policeman says Move on!''
it is wise TO move. He has two adj
vantages-a club and the semblance of
the law.-Nea0 YORK. Sun.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
Some Good In Fools.

A fool is the wise mans ladder.
A fool who speaks the truth is better
than a hundred liars.
A fool may by chance say a wise
thing.
A FOOLS bolt may sometimes hit the
mark.
He who is born fool is never cured.
-ProUer6s
Mrs. Highbred: ''You said you knew
all about the duties of a dining-room
girl, | believe, Norah-how to walt
ON the table and all that?" Norah:
"Faith, mum. and do that Haven't
[ been Twin the last tin mont wild me
cousin, Moike Noonan's wife, who
kapes the boardin'-car on railroad
construction train; and didn't L wait
on the byes mesllf livery blessed mealp
[ did thatr'
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
RattIesnake's Deadly Bite.

Speaking of people bitten by rattle
snakes, Mr.. J. II. Estill of the Savan-
nah Neaos, says: ''Out of a thousand
people bitten by rattlesnakes do not
think dozen recover. There is no
known cure, in spite of the fact that
many people have said that they were
cured by whisky. You may depend
on it that when a man says he was
cured of rattlesnake bite, though not
necessarily liar, he is at least labor
ing under a misapprehension of the
facts. There is a small snake similar
to a rattlesnake in appearance, whose
poison is not so Venomous, and negroes
bitten by it place lime upon the spot
or else drink enough whisky to coun-
teract the poison. Whisky if taken in
large quantity, goes directly into
the blood and counteraats the poison
of the snake. But the regular Georgia
RATHER, from 5 to feet in length, is a
deadly customer to meet. 1t does not
give any warning, but strikes the mo-
ment it is disturbed, and it can strike
an object as far distant as it is long.
A friend of mind was riding along in
the saddle on day and big RATHER
lying in the road leaped at him as he
passed. 1t closed to his boot leg, driv-
ing one of its fangs clear through the
thick leather of his boot and through
his trousers, just escaping the flesh.
1t required considerable kicking to
shake that snake off, and when he was
finally got rid of he started in pursuit.
Ny friend faced bullets in the army
with nonchalance, but his hair stood
on end when he saw that snake COM
ing, and he jammed spurs to his nag
and didn't stop until he had gone a
quarter-stretch. My plantation is full
of rattlesnakes, and only last week my
hands killed twenty-six in field of
twenty acres.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
No Such Mountains.

The celebrated Kong mountains of
Africa are about to follow the Mount
aims of the moon, which have been ex-
plunged from the maps. These mount
aims were supposed to be stretched
across Africa for ten degrees of longi-
tude about 200 miles north of the Gulf
of Guinea. Capt. Binger, who has
now returned from nearly two years
explorations in the almost unknown
region north of the Gulf of Guinea,
says there is no such range as the Kong
mountains. :.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15

The Congo cannibals who chased
Stanley down the river yelling "Meat!'
at the top of their voices gave the
world the impression that the man.
eaters of this region mean business
every time. The impression has been
confirmed by later studies of these
savages.
Awhile ago an unfortunate negro in
the service of the Congo State fell into
kettle of hot water and was badly
scalded. The next day a delegation
of natives called to see the white man
in charge, and gravely requested that
the disabled negro be given to them
as present. They said he was evil
IDENTIFY destined to be eaten as he was
already half-cooked, and they desired
to finish the process. They were
much surprised TO find their suggestion
was not approved.
A fine specimen of a Congo native
has been described as living in a per-
petual state of terror because all the
neighboring villagers seemed to like
him well enough to eat him. Van
Francois, who employed him as an in
terpreter, says his physical proper
tions are uncommonly attractive, and
for long time he had not ventured
out of his village unless accompanied
by several comrades to protect him
against the greedy attentions of his
neighbors. He had no desire to be
the central figure at banquet. He
excited much admiration when Won
Francois took him up the Tchuapa
River. Several times the natives Of
fered to buy him, and frankly admit
ted that they would turn him into
provisions.
1t is curious fact that in Stanley's
last book describing several years
work on the Congo, he does not men,
ton cannibalism except to say that he
and his men were regarded as men,
eaters by many natives. The world
did not dream for years after Stanley
descended the Congo that in this
great basin anthropophagy is practiced
on far greater scale than in any 9TH
er land. -Ne9O York. Sun.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
Drawing.

Prof. Walter S. Perry of Brooklyn,
the intimate relation that drawing
bears to all constructive work,-there-
by demonstrating its universal appli-
cation to things practical. Yet nearly
all these drawings represent simply
facts. They represent top views,
side views, sectional views, and as
many views as are necessary to the
workmen. This is one phase of the
subject. Then there are drawings
which give to the eye the image or
pictorial appearance which the photo
graph would present if the buildings
were finished. All pictorial art opens
up to the mind a broad realization of
the whole expanse of nature. Decora-
ton in all its scope and detail of en-
richment forms third division, and
all art, industrial or otherwise, must
come under one of these three divisions.
Drawing is not merely means of
training the hand and eye to accuracy,
it is worldwide language. And if it
is a language, it is the embodiment of
thought, and drawing in the public
schools should be taught as a means of
thought expression. The pupil is to
be led to observe, to discover, to think,
and then to express his thought by
graphic and verbal language. Thought
first, then skill. Learning to draw is
learning to see. There are compare
lively few people who really see much;
they simply look at things. If you see
well, you can describe what you see.
Any system which does not recognize
the three fundamental divisions of the
subject, the facts of form, the appear
ance of form, and the decoration of
form,-is incomplete. These divisions
should go down into the lower schools.
One year of primary life is worth two
five or six years later, if the subject be
dropped till then. The schools should
be equipped with suitable models,
from the primary upward. They will
last for years, and their value cannot
be overestimated; they must be handled
and studied. Expression should be
given the greatest possible freedom.
Except in the highest grades, have the
work freehand altogether. Careless
ness is not to be encouraged, but re-
quire children to express their thoughts
freely, with a sweep and dash that
come from careful training. This
practice arouses interest. Pupils need
some copies. well-drawn and absolute
ly correct, and at times groups of good
composition and objects of good form,
and decorative figures of historic value.
as they get too much in the habit of
looking upon their own as standard
of excellence. But elaborate and con-
slant copying is dishonest and detri-
mental. The speaker gave resume of
the progress that has been made
in this branch of study in the past few
years, giving special prominence to
the great improvement that has been
made in the West.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
Getting Over the Difficulty.

"Such pity it isn't a girl!" said
The elderly and itch maiden aunt as
she looked regretfully at the infant.
81 have no namesake in your family
you know"
'tAunt Minerva" exclaimed the poor
relation eagerly, ''we will give the
boy your name with masculine ter
mination, and call him MinerYous.n
ihere Is an enormous Prohe In the
steamship business during the spring
and summer months. the gross receipts
from single voyage frequently rising
above 800, 900.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
Movable Torpedo.

A successful movable topedo seems
to be found at last. At recent trial
in England the Brennan torpedo was
made to play around hulk that was
moving, mile and half away, atthe
rate of twelve knots an hour, and f.
nally it struck her amidship, blowing
her into smithereens.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
A dairyman said to me the other da,

A dairyman said to me the other day:
do you know there is one thing in
my business which I cannot under.
standf'
''And what is that2' I asked.
why, do you know that dairymen
charge 40 cents quart for cream, and
when the same amount of cream is
churned it produces only three-fourths
of a pound of butter, which is worth
only 80 cents. In other words, the raw
material is held at higher price than
the manufactured article. Why don't
dairymen sell their cream at say % cents
quart and get rid of all the work and
trouble of g?"-AtLdntd Journal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
What We Are Coming To.

Justice Ga few years hence)-"What
is this lady arrested forP" Park po-
liceman = Vandalism. Her skirts
knocked over blade of grass" JUS
tice-'tMadam, have you anything to
say before sentence of death is pass
ed?"-NeW York WeekEa.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15

Leading statisticians of England as
sert that more persons annually choke
to death while eating in England than
are killed on the English railroads.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15

Papa" asked Johnny Cumso,
"what is a pessimist?" Mr.. Briggs
is pessimist, Johnny" replied papa;
''he always bets against the home
club. "-NeaU York Sun.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
SkiIIful F'inanciering.

The salary of New York alderman
Is s., 900 year, at which he some
times saves over so, 00O.-- Detroit Iri-
bune
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15
EDUCATIONAL.
The School Library Factor in Educa-
tion-Drawing as Related to Pub
lie School Work.

heeping Order in the Schoolroom-Teach-
ing English-What Teachers Say
on Educational Topics.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-15

of surgeon in the navy, for such was
my uniform-emerged from the state
room, and hurriedly told of the plan
of escape.
''She looked into my face with
frightened eyes.
"'Melican man no save me. Zen
glovenor kill me!
Il strove to explain to the frightened
her on board the steamer, but that we
would see her safely hidden in Hong.
Kong for the present, and then man.
age for her future salty afterward.
''As [ saw the rich color come and
go In her cheeks, and the bright eyes
MI with such a strange fear, made a
vow that if human aid could save this
poor victim of barbarism it should.
"Lieut. Swing now called US, saying
the boat was alongside, and we must
needs move quickly, before the harbo1
was astir.
Fastening to the gangway, we de.
scended, and soon were headed for the
distant shore.
LAS we proceeded, the runaway wife
related her story.
at seemed she was the daughter Of
an official under the governor, and
was in love with youth of her owl
city. They were to have been married
when the old, governor saw and coveted
her, and compelled the father to deliver
| her to him.
''Only three days before she had
| been married by force to her gray
headed husband, who already possessed
seven wives, and had been taken by
him to his yacht for a bridal trip
where he might watch over her will
less chance of escape. While he slep
she had crept from her cabin anG
dropped to the sea.
The story was but just told, when
as we passed beneath the bows of {
great Indian steamer which lay a
anchor, we suddenly almost ran upor