davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
The Engine Was Sulky.

He was the engineer of one of the
biggest locomotives on the New York
and New Haven road. and as the train
stopped, at Stamford he jumped out of
his cab and began fussing about his
iron steed. A little oil here and little
tightening there, and all the while he
was talking apparently to the engine.
1t seemed silly, but inquiry revealed
the fact that he was in dead earnest.
''Pll tell you what the trouble is,n
said he, as with grimy handhe patted
the glistening piston-rod. THE old
girl is balky and sulky. You may
laugh. but I'm telling you nothing but
the truth. This is one of the best en-
gines on the road and one of the larg-
est. She isn't but three years old and
is as sound as a dollar. | will defy
any mechanic in the world to find any
thing the matter with her machinery,
vet she is not working worth a cent
The truth is she is su1ky. Last week
she was changed from her regular run
to this one. The first two days she be-
haved all right, but the last two or
three she has been as nasty as pos
sible.
81 have one of the best firemen ON
the road, the coal is first class, her
trains are never heavy. yet she won't
work worth cent. When | start out
the steam is in good shape, her fires
are drawing and everything seems
just right, but by the time | get across
the Harlem she begins to sulk. Her
steam comes slowly, the fires don't
draw and she seems all out of gear.
There is but one thing to do, and that
is to lay her up for week. She don't
need any tinkering: all she wants is to
be left alone. Inside of a week l can
run her out and she'll work as well as
ever. Oh, no; it's not peculiar or un-
common at all. Ask any locomotive
engineer in the country and he'll tell
you the same thing. Why, out on the
western roads an engineer won't start
out with a sulky engine. They have
been known to die on the road between
stations. An engine is said to die, you
know, when her fires keep getting
lower and lower, her steam gets soggy
and weak, and the first thing you
know she is stone cold with her fires
out. Then you have got to get another
engine to pull her in, for she won't be
worth a cent until she has rested
awhile" and he climbed into his cab
and rolled out of the depot with his
train and sulky engine.-NeW York
Mail and Ecpress.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
Commodore Porter's Wooing.

Commodore Porter, the father of the
present admiral, had most romantic
marriage, says HaTper'S Bazaar. He
made a reputation at the age of &c,
and had become a commander after
only eight years of service. He had
shown himself brave man in our war
with Tripoli, and had been imprisoned
and was now back in the United States
on service ct the navy-yard at WASH
ington. Here he met a very pretty
young lady, Miss Evelina Anderson,
the daughter of a wealthy congress
man from Pennsylvania. When Com
mander Porter met her she way play
ing with a doll, for though she was in
society she was only Is years of age.
He fell in love with her at first sight
and asked her hand, and was referred
by Commodore Tingey to Mr.. Ander-
son, her father, who was at his home
in Chester, Pa. Commander Porter
hurried at once to Chester, but the
family had been apprised of his COM
ing and were prepared to give him
fat refusal. They did not consider
him, a poor naval officer, a suitable
match for their daughter, and Miss
Anderson's brother was deputed to re-
ceive the audacious sutton and give
him his walking papers. When Por-
ter made his appearance he was shown
into the parlor, where young Ander-
son met him and asked him his bust
ness in freezing tone. Commander
Porter replied that he wished to see
Mr.. William Anderson in relation to
his daughter, and that he could not
communicate what he had to say to
any one else but him.
''Sir," said the brother. "you have
come on a fools errand Ny father
can not see you and you can not mar
ry my sister or be connected with this
family"
The commander jumped from his
chair, his eyes flashing fire. Sir" he
exclaimed, tyou are meddling in a
matter that does not concern you.
did not come to marry you, and, -
you, if you do not leave the room
will throw you out of the window"
The young gentleman was quito
taken back. He sought his father and
told him that there was a piratical-
looking man downstairs who insisted
upon marrying mis- sister. He was GER
tain that the man would cut every
bodys throat if he did not get her, and
he washed his hands of the matter.
The result was that after weeks ac-
quaintance all the family took great
liking to the would-be bridegroom, and
the required consent was given to the
marriage. The two were married on
May 10, 1903, and Mr.. Anderson gave
them a very handsome residence ON
the banks of the Delaware as wedding
present. This house, though erected
IN 1921, is still standing, and its mas
sive stone walls are in good preserva~
ton. 1t is in possession of the family
to-day.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
Tricks of Diamond SmuggIers.

It sometimes happens, said a New
York jeweler, that the Collector is
notified of the coming of diamond
smugglers as he was in the case of James
Marriott some five or six years ago.
Marriott stole diamonds valued at
$4,000 from a Paris jeweler named
Kramer. Marriott was clerk in a
picture store, and, with his booty and
young girl named Peteux, fled to this
country. Two persons answering
their description soon after came in a
German Steamer, and hardly had they
landed before United States Deputy
Marshal Bernhard was on their track.
They we're finally traced to Staten
Island and arrested at the Battery
while coming up to the city. Nearly
all of the stones were discovered, some
of them being found sewed into PIN
cushion, a muff, and a pair of trousers
in the room of the thieves. Sometimes
diamond smugglers are reported by
fellow passengers in whom they have
confded, or who have had their sus-
pioions excited by some chance word
or act. Diamonds have been found
concealed in soap, in wOmen's back
hair, and in some instance fastened to
the plate of an upper set of false teeth.
Some people who are constantly on the
go between this country and Europe
are habitually watched. One of the
strangest cases that ever came under
my observation was that of man who
had subjected himself to a great deal OF
bodily pain to effect his purpose. 1t
was generally understood among his
fellow-passengers that he was a great
invalid and was suffering from some
incurable blood disease that would
eventually end his life. When he came
off the steamer, supported by attend
ants. he was indeed frightful looking
object, his face being mass of erup-
tons. What it was that excited my
suspicious | can't say, but something
told me that the man was an impostor
and l decided to have him searched.
You never saw such an indignant lot
of people as they were and their
protestations that search would en-
danger the life of the invalid almost
made me foregO my resolution. The
look of satisfaction on the invalid's
face, however, when l hesitated, set
tied me, and | had him brought into
the inspecting room, and sent for
physician before examining him, as /
wished to take no risks. When the
doctor came he felt the mans pulse
and looked puzzled. ''There is moth
ing the matter with the man. he said
finally, except extraneous skin
poisoning" You may be sure l had
him stripped pretty quickly. Would
YOU believe it? His skin was as white
and soft as baby's. with the excep-
ton of five red Jumps on the inner side
of the thighs that looked like large,
undeveloped boils or carbuncles. The
physician examined these curiously
and then said to hold him. Three or
four Of Us held him while the doctor
made an incision over one of the Jumps
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
Female SeIf1shnesS.

Much has been written about the
courtesy and Difference paid by the
average male American to women.
Envious foreigners have declared that
Americans spoil their women by this
course, making them both selfish and
useless. This assertion, coming from
a foreign source, is not likely to deter
the average American from rendering
life as easy and pleasant as possible to
wife, sister, or sweetheart. Yet it is
to be feared that the example of defer
ence and consideration for the comfort
of others set by the average male
American in his intercourse with
women is not followed by American
women in the treatment of each other.
This lack of courtesy to another on
the part of women is manifested in
various ways, but in none more con-
spicuously or Extensively than in the
street-cars. The other day a we'll
dressed woman, carrying baby, got
into a crowded car on Ridge avenue,
the seats were all occupied by women,
the only men in the car having given
up their seats. Not a woman moved
to offer the woman a place and she
was compelled to stand, holding her
baby in her arms for two squares until
one of the women occupying a seat
was ready to leave the car. Such a
sight would not have been witnessed
in a car filled with men. The same
day women entered a cable-car on
Columbia avenue with a hand satchel
and bundle. The hand satchel she
placed on her lap and the bundle on
the seat beside her. Shortly afterward
woman carrying baby got upon the
car. The bundle occupied the only
vacant seat. Its owner never lifted it
to make room for her burdened sister
and another women had to give up her
seat to the mother and stand because
the owner of the bundle lacked COM
mon politeness
1t may be claimed that these are ex-
ceptional cases of thoughtlessness or
heartlessness. Granted. But thew are
duplicated every day in some form
No regular patron of the street-cars
has failed to observe that women are
much more ready to move to make
room for a man than for another
woman. This is doubtless compli-
mentary to the men, but the woman
who is compelled to stand while one of
her own sex sits sideways occupying
the space of two seats or fills the
vacant seat beside her with bundles
has good reason to complain. And
the healthy woman who will sit and
allow a mother carrying baby to stand
little deserves the courtesy she almost
invariably receives at the hands of
gentlemen.
Whether this lack of courtesy to
each other on the part of women be
due to downright selfshness or only to
inattention, it is equally culpable. No
lady Will occupy the space of two
seats either herself or with her bundles
while another is standing, if she knows
it, and it is her business to know it if
such thing occurs. If the women
who are anxious to appear we'll in the
eyes of men knew the such exhibitions
Of selishnes on their part make upon
the men who witness them, they would
be more attentive while in the cars
Philadelphia Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02

ness than the others, he gets his leaves
and his papers from the same spot as
his competitors. There are. of course,
many other reputable establishments
in Cairo beside these four, which, as
have shown, supply every week one
million cigarettes to England alone,
and about the same number to other
parts of the world. My opinion is
that no opium or other drug is mixed
with the tobacco; and even in hasheesh
dens the devotee buys bit of the cam
nabis indica extract and mixes it him
self with the tobacco. In conclusion,
one practical hint from wise old
oriental who smokes seventy or eighty
cigarettes day, his wife smoking al
most as great number. Always use
a cigarette-holder, and in the holder
tiny plug of cotton wool previously
dipped in lemon juice and changed
every time with the cigarette.-London
Lancet.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
THE OIL SMELLER'S BUSINESS.
A New Industry Springing Up In the
Pennsylvania Oil Fields.

The oil business has developed a new
industry within the last few months
which in point of expert knowledge
required is more important than any
other connected with the petroleum
trade. This is the business of finding
rich oil pools. This is entirely dis
tinct from the work of the coil scout, :"
business that for some years has
been obsolete. The duty of the oil
scout was to report to his employer
on the floor of the oil exchange the
probable production of a new well
that the trade was watching, so that
the employer could make his deals on
the market accordingly. New wells
having ceased to effect values to any
great extent, the occupation of the
scout is gone.
The man who is an expert in dis
covering a new oil field has now taken
his place, and the scouts have drifted
into other business The industry is
not old enough to have any distinct
title, but the men engaged in it are as
often as any thing designated as "oil
smellers. These men must have
perfect knowledge of the producing
branch of the oil business. Their
chief expert knowledge must be with
reference to territory. They must have
good judgment in regard to the value
of tract of land for oil purposes.
They must have a knowledge of San
tichnals' and other information con-
tributed to the trade by geologists.
Large producing firms, such as the
Washington Oil Company, Forest Oil
Company. Producers Consolidated
Company, Anchor Oil Company, and
many individual operators employ
alert for the Indication of an oil field.
When well comes in anywhere that
gives the smallest promise of opening
up a new pool men are rushed in to
lease and buy as much of the territory
as possible. All wells drilling in new
or "wild-cat" districts are watched
with great vigilance. 1t is often neces-
sary for the s'oil smeller" to visit these
wells disguised, and his makeup at
times would do credit to an actor or
detective. a common disguise is the
outfit of hunter, and to make it more
complete the game is often purchased
before the "hunter" starts out. Thus
equipped he may ride hundred miles
on a railroad before embarking on a
few miles journey over the hills to
some well he may be intending to look
up.
An soil smeller" does not have to
depend upon the information given by
workmen on well as to the depth of |
it, or when they expect to reach the |
oil bearing rock. By the working of
the machinery alone his expert eye
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02

can determine about the depth OF the
hole, and if the machinery should be
stopped and no one about the premises
he can tell by the appearance of the
cable that is wound around the "bull
wheel" shaft. By means of little
instrument which he carries in his
pocket he can "level up" the well with
other districts. though they may be
miles apart, and determine just how
many feet remains to be drilled before
the well reaches the level where the
OIL ought TO be found. These "oil
smellers' are familiar with all the diff
ferent sand rocks in which oil is found.
and once seeing the sand taken from
a well they can estimate its probable
production and form a correct idea
as to the character and extent of the
pool. After seeing the oil that is
taken from new well they can classi.
fy it as to the district it belongs to or
is an offshOot of, and in this way also
estimate the probable value and ex.
tent of the new pool. These men COM
mand salaries ranging from 1925 to
$500 a month.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02

'There it is, Frank, the $40, 0O0-not q
penny touchedp'
"Good graciousr I exclaimed.
"Where did it come from?"
"Ask Luline. 1 found it there this
morning. and the key was in the
lock"
Then the old man turned away,
going from the room with his face IN
his hands.
Luline stood in the threshold.
looked my question, and she came for
ward and said:
at is easily explained. Papa was
the thief. I mistrusted it. He walks
in his sleep sometimes. | caught him
at it last night. He visited the garrett
and brought out the money package
and putsit in the safe. l saw it all,
and he was astounded to find it this
morning. L suppose he was thinking
about the money when he retired on
the night in question, and he rose in
the night and took it to the garrett for
safe keeping. It's too good for any
thing. Papa forgives Allen, and we'll
have his blessing now"
The dear girl smiled through her
tears, and | confess was little less happy
than she at the outcome of the rob berry.
!. ~ Merrill, IN the Inter Ocean.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
A GRAY WOLF tanned.
One of the Savage Breed of the Rocky
Mountains Made Domestic Pet.

A grey-haired, notwithstanding
man, known as "Uncle Dayy," recently
entered the Denver Republican office
in company with his pet wolf. Jack,
as his master called him, is fine speci-
men of the grey wolf. and weighs a
little more than so pounds, is months
old, has the sharp nose peculiar to
that animal, and carries his long,
bushy tail hanging in a graceful curve.
The thick, light-grey hair, evenly dis
tributed over his finely formed fat body,
gave him much the appearance of a
well-kept pet dog.
His actions are like those of cur
pup whose acquaintance with polite
society is rather limited. Uncle Davy
gave his history. Jack was found by
his owner in Middle Park last Summer.
Uncle Davy and his family were
camping in the park. and having oc-
casion to go some distance from camp
one bright afternoon, he was riding
along on one of those patient animals,
burro, and accompanied by a gray
hound. Suddenly he was started by
the savage yelp of wolf and cry of
pain from his pet greyhound.
Urging his burro to the scene, and for
getting that he was unarmed, Uncle
Davy found his dog in a serious posi-
! ton. An old she wolf, with her four
cubs budding closely under her, at
tackled the hound with her fore paws,
striking him two severe blows on the
head and laying him out on the ground.
! Instantly the wild beast caugk,s the
side of the hound in her teeth sad tore
a piece of flesh from the poor canine.
The wolf then made an attack upon
the man, and as she leaped toward him
the frightened burro SHE'D and Uncle
| Davy struck the attacking beast with
his stiff brimmed hat. The blow was
not of itself injurious, but the sudden
ness with which it was dealt so as
tonished the wolf that she ran away.
Uncle Dave quickly appropriated one
of the cubs which was probably two
weeks old, and very hastily retreated.
| The little stranger was taken in at the
camp and tenderly nursed until he had
grown to sufficient age to comprehend
his surroundings and associates. Then
the process of instruction was begun,
and he has shown himself an apt pupil
in acquiring such tricks as dogs are
tduSuU. hluuuGSS uCtS Ut6n GllO LuliHS
rod, and Jack, while he has learned
many things, has never developed the
least disposition to be ugly or savage.
He possesses noue of the wicked tricks
known to his kind, and his training has
disputed the assertion that a grey
wolf can not become a domesticated
animal.
While in the office his master put him
through a course of performances
which were surprising. He would lie
down, roll over, SIT up, take off his
masters hat, and, funniest of all,
would leap up, hug Uncle Davy with
wolfish fervor and mischievously take
off the old gentleman's spectacles.
Jack is a great pet and his master
would not part with him. He has
been offered 5000 for the animal and
says he would not take $500 for him.
Every motion of Jacks is watched with
smiling interest by Uncle Davy, who
regards him as a wondrous treasure
and prodigy of intelligence.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
What We Are Coming To.

Nominal mistress-I would like to
entertain few guests in the parlor
tonight, Bridget. Do you think the
gentleman who calls on You would
mind sitting in the kitchen for this
once?
Bridget-Indade he would, mumi
But Oi'll tell yez what Oh will do. DILL
schrub the kitchen windys and black
the sthove, and yez can take thin in
there, if yez loiks. It's not the loikes
of a lady like me that nd be disoblig-
ing to a woman loike yourself, mum.
fervently-Thank you'll
Time
George-After Miss De Pink. eha
Are You solid with her father? Gus
Solid? Every time | am with her
flasher | am petrihed.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
Respect for Women on the Border.

A dozen or fifteen years ago the
main street of every Nevada town was
a prolonged gambling saloon. Every
open door revealed a well-patronized
bar and more popular game of keno
or faro beyond the drinking-place. In
front of these resorts lounged scores of
the most reckless adventures that
ever congregated in one State of the
Union. A stranger might deem it
more than imprudent for an unprotect-
ed lady, or even one with formidab BILE
escort, to run the gantlet of the long
rows of gambling-houses and saloons;
but to the female residents of the town
the feat was anything but dangerous.
Day after day one might observe ladies
of blameleSs character and good social
position walking past the groups of
gamblers and adventures without any
interference or remark that might
bring a blush to the cheek of the most
prudish. 1t is one of the traditions of
Virginia, New, that on the memorial BILE
occasion when a celebrated shotgun
fighter was about to perforate an OPP
portunity in front of the famous Delta
Saloon, Jim Orndorff delayed the
bloody duel by quietly remarking:
Gentlemen, hold on minute; here's
Mrs. - "a respected society LADY,
coming down the street." Both des-
peradoes hid their pistols behind their
backs till the lady had turned the cor
ner, when they resumed hostiiities and
shot each other to death in a most
merry fashion without unnecessarily
wounding the sensitiveness of the fair
sex. The incident created such a IA
vorite impression that the chivalrous
duelists received the compliment of
quarter column notice in the papers
next day and were buried with all the
pomp of a mining superintendent who
dies suddenly when stocks are at the
top fgure.-San Francisco Chronicle.