davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
Touched The Old Mans Heart.
Nebraska State journal.

Once upon time an old man called his
three sons to him in the dusk Of the
evening, and in faltering voice said TO
them: 'My boys, in little while you
will have no father. 1 am standing on
the shore of the liver of death and soon
must launch my boat upcn it. Now,
have as you know, 8 splendid farm, upon
which one man can thrive, but as there
are three of you I have been sorely per-
picked as to which should have il. lave
therefore decided to give each of you
two dollars that you must spend TO
morrow, and to the one making the
Fisest purchase shall the farm be given.
Come to me tomorrow evening at this
time and tell me how you have each ex-
pended your money. Now, goodnight,
and heaven bless you ALL" On the follow
ing evening the three sons assembled
before their father. Reginald" said
the latter to the eldest, "wt at did you
purchase with your two dollars" Father"
returned the son, II poDdered long
that might make wise use of the money,
aud at last I bought a pair of stEong
shoes" "WeN done, well done; the
journey through life is rugged and hard,
and the thorns are thick upon the way.
You have shown prudence and fore
thought, and love yon the better for it,.
Aud what did you buy, Augustus ?" Il too
thou hit long and deeply" responded the
second son, "thst ] might not purchase
any thing trivial or foolish. Since the
cap that / wear is worn and ragged, l
bought hat with q wide brim, which /
show to you, my father" The old man
regarded him with glance of pride and
affection, and said: you too have done
well, Augustus often in the world the
brow is fevered and the sun rays beat
fiercely upon the aching head, and your
hat will comfort you. | rejoice that my
sons are so filed with wisdom. And you
| Theophilus, what did you buy?" my
| father" answered TheophiIus, 81 didn't
ponder worth 6 cent. As soon as I lefs
! you last evening I blew in my stuff for
! five tickets to the baseball games
With tears of joy streaming down his
| furrowed face. the venerable man en-
braced Theophilus, and murmured in a
voice hoarse with emotion: Had I a
farm as large as Texas, with wind mill
on 1t, 1t would be you And then
/ Reginald and Augustus moved sadly
away into the gathering gloom and while
| the one tried to keep the flies off him
self with mis- hat, the other kicked him
| self severely with his boots.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
POuItrY-Yard Suggestions.

The first question the person about to
embark in raising poultry asks is: What
breed of fowl shall / keepY Select the
kind you like the best, find that best
adapted to your surroundings, market, etc.
There are plenty to pick from; some are
noted for production, others for size,
and some for all purposes. They are all
good and far better than scrubs. After
choosing the ones You wish, provide suitR-
BILE shelter for their dwelling.
The fowl horse should not be looked
upon with Indifference, for it pays most
important part in successful or unsuccess-
full poultry-raising. [ do not meas that it
should be an expensive structure, with an
attractive and stylish appearance, but see
that it faces the south, and have a goo6,
tight roof, and a good, tight floor. These
are in3is oensable features. l would ele-
vata it a foot or more from the ground, so
that yermin cannot live under it and when
winter comes, bank it up we'll with strong
manure. Never have hooks or invisible
places in or about the poultry-house. Do
not use too much glass-for the "glass
craze" is subsiding. Too much is as bad
as too little, and why? Because the sun
shining upon the windows in the day
time causes the room to become very
warm, where there is such large windows,
and at night the room becomes too cold
and the variation in tie temperature is any
thing but good for the inmates. Two
ordinary "nine light" sashes are enough
for room eight by ten, and will give all
the light that is necessary.
Ba5ten the crack up tightly, and d.
not rely upon them for ventilation, but
so construct your ventilator that it will
not convey direct draft upoL the fowls.
a very good way is to make a square
pipe of inch or foot boards, and run it
from the floor out through the roof Put
two sian. cap upon the top, so as to
keep the rain out, and near the bottom
of the pipe, and the top thereof, bore
holes large or small, according to the
size of the room. You cen alco have
lids or little doors upon the pipe, to open
and shut as you think best. I think this
makes very durable "air conyeyer,
| especially for winter.
The next question which confronts the
beginner Is: How aud what shall l feed
| We take il for granted that he has pur-
! chased his birds already mated and We
| will, therefore, pass mating by. The YER
| dict of the most successful breeders ell
ways is in favor OF a varied diet, consist
| ing of corn. oats, wheat. meat, etc. Most
any one knows what is meant by varia-
! ton IN feeding. We all know fowls must
have grass, and there is no better drink
| for them than sweet or sour milk. Il
makes perfect food for them, young or
hid. Never omit the fOx of coal ashes.
lime and gravel, for they must have it,
especially when confined. Pure cold
water, furnished regularly and often, is
another necessity. Never overlook IL
When the young chicks come, if possible
put them in building with board floor
for week or two, after which they may
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23

be removed to their brood-coops outside,
where the mother can be oooped until the
'dew is off" in the morning, and then
turned out with her little family to
scratch until evening. The first feed should
be hard boiled eggs and bread crum bs.
As they become old enough, wheat and
cracked corn will be splendid, aud, once
in while, coarse corn meal, moist with
sour or sweet milk. Keep them free from
lice by greasing their heads and under
wings with lard. Feed four or six times
daily; use common sense and you will
not have TO fear for the future of the
chicks.
In conclusion I would say, some of the
most essential means to become pros
porous poultry-keeper are: Start with
one kindly; go slow; study your work and
be persistent and patient. Fowls pay as
we'll as any farm product, and now since
IL has been demonstrated that large rum
bers can be kept on the same place when
proper management is adopted, there is
room for not only thought but action, in
this matter, which, If properly used. will
be reoompensed handsomely. A deter
mination TO succeed with market poultry
or raising fowls for breeding purposes
will most usually, be crowned with sue
cess. The market remains sure, and
while other productions are low, the at
tention of those who are looking for the
mighty dollar cannot but be arrested
by this great industry.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
SOFT SOAP FOR FRUIT TREES.

If one has an old orchard the trunks
and larger branches covered With loose
bark, on which moses and licheps find
foothole, aud which afford a hiding place
for numerous injurious insects III var
ious states of development, the first
think to be done is to scrape off all the
loose scales of bark. Use a moderately
dull hoe-a sharp one might injure the
bark; one with n snort haddle will allow
the lower branches 20 be reached. Use
the home made soft soap, dilute it with
hot water, stir it well until 1t is thin
enough to apply with small wfitewash
brush or large paint brush. Put plenty
of il on the trunks and the larger branch
es. One should enoeavOr to apply the
soap very early in the spring, SO thai it
may not dry up at once, but be gradually
washed of by the rains that usually &C.
cur at this season. When the trees have
had q thorough washing, the bark will
present beautifully smooth appearance
that will amply repay one for the trouble.
For removing the green growth on the
outside of fOper pos, this soap Is excel
lent; il has also been recommended as
vehicle to apply kerocene for aphides
or plant lice and other insects. One
pint OF soft soap is mixed with half a
pint of kerosene. Nix thoroughly, add
to it seven or eight gallons of xater,
and apply with syringe. This has
been found destructive to the chinch
bug.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
SPARKS FROM THE WIRE.

G The so called beef bill was rejected by
the assembly at Albany, N. Y.
Gfeat damage has been done to the
vegetation in Virginia by hail storms.
A saloon keeper named Ferdina1 d
Schroeder, at indianapolis, cut his wite's
throat, and then slashed his own, dying
shortly afterward.
Robert I. Lincoln, United States min
is er TO the court of St. James, and FAM
~ were among the passengers on the
steamer City of Paris.
The attorney general has authorize
the marshal of Arizona to offer reward
of $500 each for the arrest and convic-
ton of the robbers of Paymaster Wham.
Men at the Michigan Car works, De-
troit, were engaged in unloading a car
of iron when brace broke and several
tons of iron fell on the men, killing one
and fatally wouEding three others.
The Bsitieh ship Altimore, from Syd
ney, n. S. w, for San Francisco, has
been wrecked at Mural island, in the
South Pacific. The first officer was
drowned, and boat load of the crew is
missing.
A large delegation of miners and
smeiters from the west, appeared before
Secretary Window, and Assistant Secre-
tary Tichenor yesterday, for hearing
touching the ruling of she treasury de-
partmenU, relating TO the Importation
lead ore from Ne xjco.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
Potatoes for Seed.

Tue importance of healthy tubers for
seed is too well known to require more
than a mere mention. Another import
ant fact is that no crop benefits more
from frequent change Of seed than po-
tatoeE. On the subject of cutting poUa-
toes for seed, a well-knOwn English au-
thority says: "Many growers prefer
planting the sets whole. OF course it
economies the seed if one potato can be
made TO do the work of two, but we
question whether the cut potato makes
the safest seed, especially on farms that
are addicted to potato disease. The
great drawback to the whole potato has
been that it sends up roo many stems to-
gether, and the crop is injured by over
crowding. But is 1t not possible to pre-
vent this by extracting all the eyes ex-
oepting, say two? We should think there
would be little difficulty about that; there
can be no doubt that the whole set this
far depleted of its sprout eyes would
have more nourishment to support the
young plant than the Seeding that has
b zen cut. Its nourishment moreover,
would be concentrated on the two shoots
left, which would tend to strengthen and
fortify them for the battle of life"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
THE FIREMAN.

The civ slumbers. Ger its mighty walls
NIGHTS dusky mantle soft and silent falls;
SIeel, DER the world slow waves its wand of lead
And ready torpors wrap each sinking head;
StilIed is the air of labor and of life;
flushed Is the hum, and tranqUilized the strife.
Man is at rest with aIl his hopes and fears;
The young forget their sports, the old their
The grave are careless: those who joy or weep;
All rest contented on the arm of sleep.
Sweet is the pilowed rest Of beauty now,
And sIumber smiles upon her tranquil brow.
Her bright dreams lead her to fha moonlit tide,
Her hearts own partner wandering by her side.
IT'S a summer eve; the soft gales scarcely rouse
The ow-yoiced ripple and the rustling boughs;
And faint and far, some minstrel'S melting tone
Breathes to her heart music like its own.
When, hark Oh, horror! What a crash is
therer
It's FIRE! FIREl" She wakes to dream no
morel
The hot blast rushes through the blazing door!
The dim smoke eddieS round; and harkl that cry
HELP! HELP, VIII no one aid? L die dle!''
She seeks the easement. shuddeTing at its height.
She turns again, the fierce flames mock her flight;
Along the cracking stairs they herceIy play,
And roar eXulting; as they seize thsir prey.
HELP HELP. VIII no one conner She says
no more
But pale and breathless, sinks upon the floor.
Will no one save thee? Yes, there yet is one
Remains to save when hope itself is gone;
When all have fied--when all but he would fly,
The fireman comes to rescue or to die!
He mounts the stair-it wavers meath his tread
He seeks the room = flames flashing round his
head;
He bursts the door, he lifts her PROSTATE frame,
And turns again to brave the raging flame.
The fre-blast smites him with its sitting BREATH
The falling timbers menace him with death
The sinking floors his steps betray,
And ruin crashes round his desperate way;
Hot smoke obscures-ten thousand cInders rise
Yet still he staggers forward with his prize,
He leaps frem burning stair to stair. On! Onl
Courage! One effort more and all is Won!
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23

the brigade! Why did I drop out!
am lying on my back, and struggle to sit
up again. There is red, fresh blood on
the grass-on nay hsnds-on my face.
l taste 1t on my lips as my parched
toogue thrusts itself out in search of
moisture.
Who is groanings Who is shrieking ?
Who is cheering? And why should I
laugh and exult? Have we held the line
against grand charged Did we scatter
and decimate the legions hurled against
US? Have we won a great victory to be
flashed over the country and cause the
bells to ring with gladness? Let me
think. Give me time TO remember how it
al happened. Strange that my thoughts
should be SO confused, and the desire to
sleep be so strong Upon me when shosld
be up and doing. will shake it of. l
will spring up and follow on after the
brigade. Here"
"How do you feel?"
Ny eyes are wide open, and am lying
on cot in a large room. I see people
walking about-other people lying on cots
like my own.
81 feel all right. Whyfn
"You were hard hit in the battle four
days ago, my boy"
$50 there was battle?"
eyes"
"And [ was woundedf"
HAD your left arm shattered by piece
of shell and We had to amputate it."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
Personal PARAGRAPHS.

It is stated that President Harrison
has engaged cottage at Deer Park for
the summer.
Gen. Lew Wallace says there are two
things of which ne is immoderately fond
horse racing, honestly conducted, and
case ball.
Sir Charles Dixie seems TO have out
grown the great scandal with which he
was connected, and expects to stand for
re election to parlmeut.
The fact that Henry Irving's real name
is not "Irving" proves the absurdiJy of
the rumor that he was to be knighted By
Queen Victoria. He could only be admit
ted into an order of chivalry by his own
name and under no circumstances under
al alias.
W. H. Chatford wholesale dealer IN
paper bags, of New York, dropped dead
IN the streets from heart disease,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23

The Milwaukee, Lake Shore q Western
Railway has been well named the Fishing
and Hunting Line Of Wisconsin, passing,
as it does, through thousands of acres of
but partially explore woods and within
easy reaching distance of lakes and
streams that have never been fshed by
white men, all well stocked with the game
fish for which Northern Wisconsin waters
are noted, The woods ABOUND with game,
deer, bear, wolf, mink, beaver, pheasant
and other game are quite plentiful.
T E ONLY LINE
From Milwaukee to the new Iron Mining
District in Wisconsin and Michigan that
reaches ALL of the developed Mining
towns; GOGEBIC, WAKEFIELD, BEST
SEMER, IRONWOOD AND HURLEY.
Direct line TO ASHLAND and DULUTH
Sleeping cars between l. Inland and
CHICAGO.
The GUIDE Book, and other descripaIy,
matter, containing foil information, maps
and engravings of the country traversed
by the line, will be sent to any address or
application to the General Passenger
Agent.
GAS. L RYDER. Gen1 ACT. ia Clark ST..
T. FLIET. CITY P. 6 T. Agt. CHICAGO.
milwaukee, Office g Hisconstn ST.
q. r. wHITCOMB. GEO. s. MARSH,
GeB7 Manager. Genl Pass & Tiki, AgL
MILWAUKEE,, WIS.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
A Man Who Fad the re mstie GOu'; :


New York Evening sun.
There is asman IN 10 WI who has rheu
matie govt. He has also great riches and
q collection of art and curios that have
been the Joy and solace of a life much
broken up by the twinges of his great
toe. This collection he values beyond his
money and is in great fear of it falling
into the hands of relative who is his
nearest heir. This he is determined at
all hazards shall not occur; at the same
time, he will not make will, although
his attacks of gout are frequent and
dangerous.
As many men, he is superstitious about
making g Will. He feels that if it were
once done there would be nothing left but
to wait for the undertaken. Tue result is
that when he is free from pain he feels
the collection to be safe, but when an
attack comes on it is intensified by the
mans ludicrous fear lest he will die be
core he has put it out of his brothers
reach.
His doctor and friends have argued
with him but to no purpose. Every time
he is violently seized the Servants run for
the doctor and lawyer at the same time.
Tables are drawn up and pen, ink and
medicines. Again and again wills have
been drawn up, but no matter how low he
has been he has never yet signed one.
The other day he had violent seizure.
There was the usual hurry and scurry.
He really felt to be dying, and as the
end was supposed to be near he Yves held
up ia bed, quill in hand ard the family
held their breath in suspense at the spect-
aclc. His breath was growing feinter and
fainter. His hand was carried to the paper,
but he did not sign. h seemed to be
calculating for just time enough TO scratch
his name, and then, in the language of
the novelist, to let the pen drop from his
nerveless grasp and expire.
The alarm of the family finally gave
way TO an unruly curiosity as to which
would win, the sick man or death. But the
old mau won. He breathed better and a.
length he spoke out with an air of decis-
len: I guess won't sign it today" They
knew then he was safe for another attack.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
Inc Fntnre of Photography.

The ease with which photographs can
now be taken by any one is destined to
have an important influence upon sci
ence, art, and literature. 1t must not be
supposed, however, that with the cheap
ness of material, and simplicity il apply
log it, perfection in the art of photo
graphy is any nearer TO its votary than
It was when the difficult wet plate was in
vogue. Pictures can be taken more read
lily than formerly; but the conditions of
light and composition remain as difficult
as ever-and the amateur every year
throws behind him his quickly taken pho
tographs and discovers that art is still
long.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
A japanese Doctor.

An amuring story comes from Japan of
native doctor who had so far assimilat-
ed his practice to European methods that
an English resident, being i'll, sent for
him in the absence of the only European
doctor of the district. The Engiishman
having deliberately described his symp-
toms, the Jap doctor in his tuin made a
long and very vague statement, from
which it vas i'm possible to gather any
thing really definite. "But come, doctor"
exclaimed the patient at last, naturally
anxious to know the nature of his com
plant, "you have not told me what it is ~
'Ah! you ask what il is?" returned the
native medico, in what he intended to be
his best European manner, "well. will
tell you, sar, it is shiiiings."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
How Romans Enjoyed Life,
National Review


The lavish expenditure of the Romans
on the cp1a, the great meal OF the day,
was often fabulous. VitelIus is actually
reported to have squandered 400 sester-
tia, about e3,228, on his daily supper,
though surely this must be q monstrous
exagg Grafton! The celebrated feast to
which he invited his brother Lucius cost
5000 sesterita, or e4O,S $50. Suetoniu
relates that it consisted of 1000 differ
ent dishes of fish and 1000 of fowls, ard
this did not exhaust the bill of fare.
His daily food was luxurious and varied
beyond precedent. The deserts of Lydia,
the shores of Spain, and the waters of
the Carpathian seas were diligently
searched to furnish his table with dain-
ties, while the savage wiIds of Britain
had to bear their part in repienishing
his Iarder. Had he reigned long Josephus
says that he woBld have exhausted the
wealth of the Roman Empire itself.
Il Jus Verus, another of these worthless,
was equally profuse in the extravaganza
OF his suppers. 1t is said that single
entertainment, to which only a dozsn
guests were invited, 100000 sesterces-
5000 sestertia, that is-Or nearly e58 500.
History relates that his whole life was
psa5Scu CdOlAS duA III tLS FOlup
tuous retreats Of Daphne, or at the luxur-
ious banquets OF Antioch. So profuse,
indeed, was the extravaganza of these
times that to entertain an emperor was
to face almost certain ruin; one dish
alone at the table of HetiOgabaius is said
TO have cost about $4,000 of our money.
No wonder these imperial feasts were
heightened out for hours, and that every
artifice, often revolving in the extreme,
was used to prolong the pleasure of eat
ing, or that PhiloxeLus should have
wished that he had the throat of crane
with delicate palate all the way down.
One does not like to associate the name
of julius Caesar with habits of low glut-
tony that would disgrace a prize fighter,
aud yet, if our memory does not play Us
false, even he did not disdain TO take
emetics to return to his banquet with a
keen appetite.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-23
What Railway superintendent Has to


The superintendent of a railway in this
country who has, let Us say, three hundred
miles of road in his charge, has perhaps
as great variety of occupation and as
many diffrent questions of Importance
depending upon his decision, as any other
business or professional man in the com
munity. Fully one half of his time will be
spent out of doors looking after the phys
zeal condition of his track, masonry,
bridges, stations, buildings of all kinds
Conserving the repair or renewal Of each
he will have TO pass judgment. He must
know intimately every foot of his track,
and in case of emergency or accident,
know j ust what resources he can depend
upon, and how to make them most i'm
mediately useful. He will visit the shops
and round-hoUses frequently, and will
know the construction and daily condition
of every locomotive, every passenger and
baggage car. He will consult with his
Master Mechanic, and often will decide
which car or engine shall and shall not be
taken in for repair, etc. He has to
plan and organize the work of every
yar8, every station. He must know the
duties of each employee on bis pay-rolls,
and instruct all new men, or see that it is
properly uones he must keep 1nceSSanG
and vigilent watch On the movement of
all trains, noting the slig htest variation
from the schedules which he has prepared
and looking carefully into the causes
therefor, so as 30 avoid it's recurrence.
The first thing in the morning he is greet
ed with report giving the situation OF
business on the read, the event of the
night, movement of trains, and location
and volume of freight to be handled.
The last thing at night he gets final
report of the location and movement of
important trains; and he never closes
bis eyes without thinking that perhaps
the telephone will ring and call him be-
fore dawn. During the day in his Office
he has reports to make out requestiops
to approve, varied correspondence, not
always agreeable, to answer.-From "The
Freight-car Service" by Theodore Voor-
bees, IN the Nay Scribner's.