davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.
A Condition of Things Existing I'm Thou.
sands of Homes.


The family were gathered about the
breakfast-table in pretty cottage in
one of the suburban villages near New
York. The circle was enriched by the
presence of two daughters one Of twelve
and the other of seven years The
father was little late in responding to
call to the table, and when he appeared
the younger daughter. in tones of dis
gust, said: There, papa is going to
stay down again tonight; he has on his
tail coat"
With look of patient endurance, the
older daughter looked up and asked:
Another committee meeting?'
PRO bono pubacOt" responded the
father.
The older daughter, proud of her
knowledge of Latin, translated the sem
tence, to which the younger responded:
"Ies, for the public good, but the
family bad!''
How truly the small maiden had de-
clared the conditions in thousands of
homes!-where the public good dis
places the family good; where the ex-
element of attending to the public az
the worker finds in attending to the
good of that part of the public which is
embraced under the item of family.
"What makes Mrs. Gadabout a phi
lanthropist?" "Her willingness to at
tend to every body's blu 3iness instead of
her own" is a recent newspaper joke,
and yet how many lives would seem to
justify it! The energy, the thought, the
time spent for the n bic good is often
time, interest, thodght, stolen from the
family.
Take it in the matter of public
health. Ii every housekeeper would
see to it that her own cellar, the street
before her door, the plum bling in her
own house, the cooking done in her
family, were in the condition demand
ed by hygienic knowledge, a pub
lie good would be accomplished which,
by force of example as well as by ac-
complished effort would surpass any
attempt to reform the world through
outside agitation. The public good ac-
complished at the expense Of the family
good is a very doubtful good. The en-
forced loss of panionship and inter-
est in the home and the circle within
II, the result of overtaxed mind and
nerves in outside service. is but sorry
recompense for the good accomplished.
Every family is such large item for
the public good, when organized with
lue regard to it's public relations,
that loss of power for good within it
reacts against the public good.
pro Iulo l1tlIJco i iuuti tio,. 81
too many individuals whose devotion to
the public is not the result of principle,
but the antidote of eaaut when private
life is the limit of their activity. We're
Pro bono d0mest5c0 the watchword in
every household, it would be pro bono
Du6kcO. Christian Union.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
THE PEACH BORER.
How an Ohio Farmer Finally stopped Its
Eavages


For the last two years | have been
successful in heading off this pest, so
liscouraging to the peach growers.
The grub never works in the body of
the tree for the reason. | suppose, that
the bark is tough and covered with a
hard scale which it can not penetrate.
IL always works at, or just beneath, the
surface of the ground. The bark of
the tree here is smooth, tender and
succulent, and the tiny creature, on
emerging from the egg, which had
been laid at this place by the parent
moth, is able to penetrate t the inner
portion of the bark, where it lives and
grows to maturity, eating its way along
for several inches during the period of
its existence. If the grub happens, as
is the case often, to work its way
around the tree, very serious injury is
done. In fact, | have known a single
borer to completely ruin young peach
trees two or three years of age. and
when two or more are at work on the
same tree its doom is usually sealed.
have an orchard of 800 peach trees
on something over two acres of ground.
These trees were put out in the spring
of 1882 and the two following years. As
fast as these trees have died they have
been replaced by others. | presume
that at the present time not much over
half of the original trees remain. Some
of them have winter-killed; others have
died without any apparent cause. find
peach tree, like a sheep, will often
times give up the ghost on very slight
provocations. But ! think that have
lost more trees by the depredations of
the borer than from all other causes put
together. | have tried putting ashes
and other substances around the trees,
and also digging them out, but always
with very unsatisfactory results.
For the last two years, while cultivat-
ing the ground in the spring, ! have
made small mound or cone of earth
around the base of each tree, some five
or six inches in height. taking care to
have it press closely about the tree so
as to cover all the bark up to where it
has been hardened by exposure to the
weather. Since doing this the trees
have been very thrifty and | have not
found any that have been affected by
the borer. This remedy is simple,
easily applied, and my experience leads
me to believe it an effectual one.-J. c.
Wells, in Ohio Farmer.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
PITH AND POINT.


The more honesty a man has, the
less he affects the air of saint.-Lava-
ter.
The egotist would be in bad way
If we were to revive the Mosaic law o;
an eye for an l. Puck.
Friendship diminishes when there
is too much happiness on either side
and too much misery on the other. The
Home.
"A most striking example of where
ignorance would be bliss is in the case
of the man who knows it all and wants
to tell Washington Post
The expression of the mouth in art
really constitutes the picture. In other
relations of life more depends on the
expression of the tongue. -Philadelphia
Times.
For him who perse Veres, there is no
such thing as ultimate failure in the
world, but let him consider well whether
the attainment of his ambition be
worth the time and labor he bestows. -
Van Dorn's Magazine.
Labor is not in itself disagreeable.
Activity is vital element in life and
growth; the young child is full of it,
the young man can not restrain it, and
If in maturity it seems to decline it is
but transferred from the bodily to the
mental functions.-0ld Homestead.
There is an oblique way of reproof
which takes off the sharpness of it, and
an address in fiattery which makes 1t
agreeable, though never so gross; but
of all flatterers the most skillful is he
who can do what you like without say
ing any thing which argues that he does
it for your sake.
The critics How often exasperat-
ing, yet who will question their useful
ness? 1t is not the part of wisdom to
angrily turn from them, or listen to
them only to increase irritation. They
are not necessarily unfriendly, and it is
proverbially wise to learn even from
enemies. United Presbyterian.
1t is only broad and generous mind
that is capable of holding strong opin-
ions of its own, and, at the same time,
respecting the opinions of others We
often shrug our shoulders and say: ''Oh,
she's crank" forgetting that, after
all, the little, slangy, expressive word
means only some one who does not think
the same as we do. West Shore.
Men say that time is money. This
is a wretched burlesque. 1t would be
as truthful to say that light is money,
that air is money that sleep is money.
Time is thought; time is knowledge;
time is character; time is power; time
is the threshold of eternity. An earnest
man will often reckon time as IL he
were on a death bed. There are hours
in a mans life in which the tick of
watch is more thrilling to an earnest
spirit than the roll of thunder There
will come. in the lives of us all, mo-
ments in which the beat of pulse will
be more awful than the roar of Niagara.
Austin Phelps, ID. ID
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
Some Dainty ContrIvances.

A pretty bookcase and one that can
be made with very little expense is as
follows: Take two pire boards forty
two inches long and eight broad,
two boards thirty-six inches long and
three others thirty-five. Screw OF nail
the two 36-inch boards to the top and
bottom of the 42-inch boards. Place the
other boards on wooden cleats fastened
to the inside of the frame on each side
at a suitable distance apart to accom-
modate your books. Use planned wood
and stain il cherry, maple or oak.
Fasten brass rod to the top, from
which suspend curtains OF China silk or
oft material A pretty corner piece
can be made similar to this by having
two boards much higher and broader
tnan those for the former. Fasten these
together to form triangle and fit in
shelves The first shelf should be the
height of table from the ground, and
the other shelves at certain regular dis
tances above. Have rods and curtains
attached 70 the frame and the wood
stained. If for the dining-room the bot
tom part may be shelved and used foT
table linen and the upper part for china.
n " Herald
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
THE HISTORICAL BULL
It Is Not the Irish Bull. But That Pu
llshed by the Pope.

IIshed by the Pope.
The Irish bull is well enough known
TO readers, and so Is that character who
appears on the stock exchange trying
TO put up the prices of whatever he
may be dealing in; but the historical
bull is that which is published by the
Pope. 1t may be an edict. decree. or
a rescript, which contains an order or a
decision to be publicly declared.
IL is only indirectly that the word
bull is applied to the document itself
1t belongs properly to the.seal without
which the paper would not be recog-
nized. This seal is rarely of gold or of
wax. 1t was originally of lead, and is
still commonly of that material. Lead
was used for seals in the time of the an
purpose in Italy.
An English traveller describes the
seal employed to indicate official sane
ton of weights and measures. In the
case of wine pitcher or jug, it would
strike us as something odd.
Near the rim it is pierced with a
small hole. through which is passed a
bit of lead fiattened out on each side so
as TO secure it, and stamped with the
cross and crown of the Italian kingdom.
1t is simply the official stamp, attest
ing the capacity of the pitcher"
The Italian name of this bit of lead is
bORd II was in Latin bUiid. The same
word occurs in .frdneO-bOllO, the Italian
name of the postage-stamp. In this in
stance only the name occurs. Both
the material and the form have dropped
out of sight
The Roman 6utta was circular disk,
or a case like a watch or a circular
locket 1t was worn by boys of noble
families, attached to a chain which was
wound several times around the neck.
and which fell in front so that the buHl
rested on the breast. This object was
frequently little case which contained
some charm against sickness and the
''evil eye" which was dreaded even
more than disease.
At later time the build was worn by
che sons of freedmen at Rome. Its use
was a mark OF rank and gentility. 1t
would be a curious question as 10
whether or not the use OF the bHlkd. rs a
seal or stamp of genuineness. was the
direct extension of its use as an article
of personal ornament which at the same
time attested noble birth. Youths
Companion.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
HOW TO TEST CEMENT.
\ Simple Process which Answers All Or.
binary Purposes.

purposes.
Rough testing of cement, so as to en-
able a workman to get a crude and in
perfect idea of its value, is easy
Enough of the pure cement should be
taken to make ball an inch in diane
ter and mixed with just sufficient water
to make 1T hold readily and be rolled
into ball. Then it should be exposed
to the air and left for two hours At
the end of that time It should be set;
then it should be put into water and
left. 1t should grow gradually harder,
and should show no signs of cracking or
crumbling, even when left for ten days.
ANY cement that does not endure this
test is not of sufficient good quality to
make satisfactory structures; any
cement that stands this properly will be
generally satisfactory If properly used.
In determining how to construct a
building, a series of tests is often re-
1uired that shall show tensile, break
ing. twisting and crushing strength,
and also adhesion of the materials used
for mortar. No one of these can be dis
oensed with, since material that will
endure one satisfactorily will often fail
utterly in another, and hence prove
worthless for the use desired; but for
General purposes the test of cement
which is the most valuable is that
which determines its tensile strength
Comparative tests of this show the
value of cements from different sources
better than any other one test-Prof
La Roy F. Griffin, in Popular Science
Monthly
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
LIFE AND HEALTH.
In Many Instances They Have Been Main
tanned without Exercise.

tatned without Exercise
Practically. do we really find so very
much evidence of the necessity or ad-
vantage of exercise? II long life and
freedom from illness are a proof of
health and who shall say they are not?
we need not go far to find abundant
examples of the attainment of these
things without the assistance of exer-
else There are the students, the men
of indoor sedentary life. 1t is enough
to mention the late Prof Ranke, the
late VI. Chevreuil and Cardinal New
man. Can the ranks of exercise wor-
shippers furnish three names to equal
these for length of serviceable days?
Can any one truly say within the limits
of his own experience that those ad-
dicted - exercise are most free from ill
ness and live the longest? Is it not
rather the case that they are apt to die
suddenly. before their time. as men who
have burnt the candle at both ends?
And women--hOw comes that green and
delightful old age which we so often see
in those who have never had days ex-
ercise in their lives, according to mod
ern notions? If half that is said be
true, they are flying in the face of
science in daring 10 live at all. How
many do We see guiltless of exercise
and sound in health from the highest
lady in the land downward, There is
something revolving in the demand that
grown women. married and matrons,
shall caper and frisk like young girls.
IL is not natures way. As in youth she
makes US active, so after a certain age
she gives rs all disinclination TO rapid
movement and severe exertion. which
it is not wise 10 ignore on the strength
of an imperfect physiology and a more
imperfect pathology; for it is profound
~ true that 1.-The body-Or, as some love
10 call il our inferior nature-is wiser
in its own plain way. and attends TO its
own business more directly than the
mind. with all its boosted subtlety."-
~. James Gazette.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
UNCLE SANS ADMIRER.
The King of Tari-Tari "a Candidate for
National Honors.


American vessels of war sailing on
the broad Pacific will hereafter have
noble King to salute. When the ensign
of the King of Tari-Tari is thrown to
the breeze in sight of the American
men-of-war the guns of the latter must
belch forth the National salute. The
King of Tari-Tari rules over some part
of the Gilbert Islands. There is dis
pute as TO just how far his dom,ui
extend. Heretofore the King Of Tari-
Tari has not been reckoned one of the
powers of the earth, but he has recently
come to the conclusion that he should
occupy that posi- ton and claim the dis
tinction of other great Kings. He has
therefore notified the Navy Department
of the adoption of a royal ensign, which
will hereafter claim the respect of Amer
lean sailors.
From the best authentic report it ap-
pears that the navy of the King of Tart
Tari consists of long dug-out canoes, so
constructed that, unlike the proverbial
tub, they viii not stand on their own
bottom. To overcome this popularity,
characteristic long arms are put across
each canoe, for and aft, at the ends of
which are dragged long planks, which
Tapping on the water serve to balance
the canoes like wings on either side.
These canoes are manned by naked
men, who are the subjects of the King
of Tari-Tari.
At the bureau of equipment and re-
cruiting of the Navy Department is
kept a design of the ensign of every ma
ton. The naval officers are notified of
any change in the design, such as has
recently occurred in the ensign of Bra
I'll. and the proper salute is always fired
That he may rank with the
other powers of the earth the
King of Tari-Tari has sent such
a design to the department He is an
admirer of America and American in
situations, and particularly of the gay
colOrs of our flag. and has adopted as
the wariike ensign of Tari-Tari the
same design and colors that float at the
mastheads of American men-of-war, but
has arranged the colors differently, put
ting white where we have blue and blue
where we have white.
The native ruler of the Marshall ISL
ands, in emulation of the King of Tari-
Tari, has also adopted an ensign and
set up as a power. He has less good
taste than His Royal Highness of Tari-
Tari, and has adopted terrible COM
bination of glaring colors made up of
the designs of the flags of several ma
tions which he has seen, and painted or
dyed on some heavy bamboo fabric of
native weaving. Washington Letter.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17

The world has more than its share OF
unhandy nan who can do nothing we'll
Their work hurts the labor market just
as any poor product Injuries trades in a
better kind. At the same time, where
poor workmen abound the really capa-
BILE man is sure to be singled out and
appreciated. Why have we so many
unskillful workmen? Whatconstitutes
the difference between hardness and
unhandiness? 1t is matter of educa-
ton and training. We do not mean
textbook education-the handy man
generally knows least about the rules
which our teachers have prescribed;
but we mean the habit of observing and
thinking. Many of our schools are
graduating boys who have been taught
such a reverence for textbooks that
they have come to believe that all
knowledge is contained in these vol
umes. 1t is from the ranks of such boys
that unhandy men come. The handy
mon are taught from childhood to think
and observe and reason from natural
causes. What Is our school system do
ing about this?-Rural New Yorker.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
TIE COMMONPLACE.
Every Body Takes It In as Naturally a
MILK and ThriNes IN IL

Great is the power of the common
place. my friends, says the preacher.
In an impressive manner. Alexander
died; Napoleon died; you will all die,"
This profound remark. so true, so
thoughtful, creates deep sensation.
1t is deepened by the statement that
''man is moral being" The profundi-
ty of such startling assertions cows the
spirit; they appeal to the universal con-
sciousness, and we bow to the genius
that delivers them. Glow truel" we
exclaim, and 60 away with an enlarged
sense of our own capacity for the COM
prehension of deep thought Our con-
ceit is fiattered. DO we not like the
books that raise us TO the great
level of the commonplace, where
on We move with sense OF
power? Did not Mr.. Upper,
that sweet, melodious shepherd of the
undisputed, lead about vast focks of
sheep over the satisfying plain of medi-
Ocrity? Was there ever greater ex-
4 hibition of power while il lasted? How
[ long did ''rhe Country Parson" feed a
hungry world with rhetorical state
ments of that which il already knew?
/ The thinner this sort of thing is spread
out, the more surface it covers, of
course. What is so captivating and
popular as book of essays which gath
ers together and arranges lot of facts
out of histories and encyclopedias, set
forth in the form of conversations that
any one could have taken part in? Is
not this book pleasing because it is
commonplace? And is this because we
do not like to be insulted with originate
ty, or because in our experience IL is only
the commonly accepted which is true?
The statesman or the poet who launches
out unmindful of these conditions will
be likely to come to grief in his gener-
alton. Will not the wise novelist seek
to encounter the least intellectual re-
sistance?
Should one take a cynical view of
mankind because he perceives this
great powder of the commonplace?
Not at all lie should recognize and
respect this power. He may even say
that it is this power that makes the
world go on as smoothly and contentedly
as il does, on the whole. Woe TO us,
is the thought of Carlyle, when a
thinker is let loose in this world He
becomes a cause of uneasiness, and a
source of rage very often. But his
power is limited. He filters tn rough a
few minds, until gradually his ideas
become commonplace enough to be
powerful. We draw our supply of water
from reservoirs, not from torrents.
Probably tho man who first said that
the line of rectitude corresponds with
the line of enjoyment was disliked as
well as disbelived. But how impressive
now is the idea that virtue and happi-
ness are twinsl
Perhaps it is true that the common
place needs no defense, since every
body takes it in as naturally as milk,
and thrives on it Beloved and read
and followed is the writer or the preach
er OF commonplace. But is not the sun
shine common, and the bloom of May?
Why struggle with these things in lit
erature and in life? Why not settle
down upon the formula that to be plati-
tudinous is to be happy?-Charles Dud-
lev Warner. in Harper's Magazine