davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
GORDON LOCATES EDEN.
How the Famous General Was Wont to
Explain HIS Pet Theory.

The General was very talkative one
evening, explaining to US his pet theory.
viz, that the Seychelles Islands, which
are situated to the northeast of NADIA
gascar. are the site of the Garden of
Eden. He gave many reasons for think
ing so. one being that there was a tree
found there that is not to be found in
any other part of the world. This, he is
confident, is the forbidden tree" 1t is
called the Coco-de-Mer. or nut of the
sea" and has many peculiarities- The
nut is shaped like heart but with its
husk taken off il is like a mans body
from the chest to the knees. To raise a
tree, he explained. nut is laid on the
ground and covered with leaves. BY
and by shoot comes out and runs along
the ground, and when about IL feet long
it takes root. The root is in the form
of bulb 4 feet in diameter. The tree
itself grows to the height of 100 feet,
and is only about . inches thick. 1t is
forty-seven years old before it bears
fruit. and its nuts grow seven in a bunch,
from the end of the extended arm, each
weighing perhaps forty pounds. They
take seven years to ripen. The leaves
are "a feet long and IA feet broad, and
can bear a mans weight 1t must indeed
be wonderful tree.
Many times during the voyage. in
conversation during the evening, Cor
don would revert to this pet theory.
But though he would sometimes become
quite eloquent over the subject his ar
guments hardly persuaded the other oc-
cupants of the cabin. The captain, a
sound-headed Scotsman, thinking to
himself that If the theory was a correct
one. then Eve must have experienced
considerable difficulty in getting the
apple conveyed to her husband. -
Contemporary Review
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
WHITE LILACS.

A year ago. year ago
She stood beneath the Elac-tree.
Her face with light and life aglOw.
And pulled the branches down for me.
The blossoms showed against her hair
Like fairy feathers. crisp and white;
She looked so radiant and 50 fair.
With flashing smile and glanees bright.
Now here the IiIaes bloom again;
They crown the tall and branching stem;
Fragrant and pure in sun anc rain.
A stately, spotiess diadem-
But where is she who stood below
And bent the wh.'e plumes down TO mes
Ah. mouruful gu ION. Wal and woe
Come signing through the lilac-tree.
Those eyes are sweet and bright no more;
They closed ere spring had breathed its
balm;
That living smile that flashed before
Is cold in deaths eternal calm
And now above her greening grave.
With other flowers by mourners strewed,
The lilac feathers softly wave.
And perfume all the solitude.
For life has gone and love has fed;
And yet the year comes round again,
Whatever futile tears arc shed.
Whatever hearts are broke with pain
There is no grief in flower or field;
No memory hath the hiactree;
Nor hope nor help the roses yield.
Nor weeps the dew for loves that fee.
Yet these themselves shall one day die,
When the wide heavens together roll,
And AL this beauteous earth and sky
Shall uprf-h ike 4 flaming scroll
But she who bent the lilac bOuch.
Who sleeps 70 day beneath the sod.
Shall live with glory on her brow
And greet me when ! 60 20 God
Rose Terry Cooke. in Harper's Bazaar.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
DAHoMEY's CRUEL DEsPoT.
A Country in Africa Where Life Is Al
most as Cheap as In Russia.

most as Cheap as In Russia.
The excessive and almost unparal-
leled babarities daily practiced in the
kingdom of Dahomey are now engaging
the serious attention of the European
powers and the different associations
for the suppression of slavery in view
of bringing to an end state of things
which is a standing outrage to humanity
and civilization. Dahomey. as we all
know, is situated on the northwest coast
of Africa, not far from the mouth OF the
Niger. 1t has this distinctive charac-
ter, that it may be considered as in
habited by an army rather than by a ma
ton. The source of its revenue is
neither agriculture nor any kind of in
dustry, but proceeds absolutely from
traffic in slaves. In the center of this
territory stands town, Abomey, where
the King, surrounded by his army, re-
sides and tyrannizes over 100, 900 slaves.
Abomey is eight miles in circumference
and is encircled by ditch five feet deep,
from which springs up in one continuous
line the thick row OF thorny acacias,
which are its only fertilization. 1t is
entered by six gates. profusely studded
heat of the sun. There is no stream
within the city, water being obtained
from ponds some distance off; but the
ordinary beverage of the inhabitants is
rum, and, in the barbaric orgies in
which they indulge, the blood of their
victims is mixed with it. The leader is
simply a cruel hunter of men. At stated
periods he sallies forth at the head of
his army, which knows not where IL is
being led. He alone is aware of its des-
tination; he alone has decided as to
which tribe shall be massacred or made
captive and brought into bondage.
Silently, at break of day, these demons
pounce down on some inoffensive, slum-
beriRg negroes and slaughter them in
hundreds as they rush. terror stricken,
out of their huts. Old people are in
variably killed. infants are trampled to
death and young men and women are
made prisoners and brutality yoked to-
gether in chains, being doomed to a life
of slavery or to become victims of human
sacrifice in a manner too terrible to re-
late. Such are the principal character
istic pursuits of this ferocious leader
and his army of blood-thirsty savages.-
Illustrated ZeifunO
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
SPANS PASSION PLAY.
A Spectacle That Moved Its Behoifsrs to
Tears and Lamentations.

lcafs anu Lamentations
The Passion play in which Sara
Bernhardt wishes to appear continues
to be the subject of an interesting dis
cussion in some of the French papers.
Sara in the role of the Virgin Mary
seems to be too much, even for Paris
ians. But in Spain they take quite a
different view of it. In his interesting
book upon the Spanish Theater M.
Charles Habeneck says:
"In 1857 saw at Madrid, during Holy
Week, The Passion of Our Lord a
drama in five acts, and know not how
many tableaux. The piece was by no
means bad-far from it; and remarked
some beautiful lines and splendid
scenes. Among the latter was one in
which Jesus, before his entry into Je-
rusalem. where he knew that they would
put him to death. asked the permission
of his mother 10 sacrifice himself for
| humanity. The mother reused, and
Mary Magdalen joined her in en-
| treating him to remain. In tears he
disobeyed. Then the scene changed,
and we saw Christ, surrounded by his
apostles, coming into Jerusalem, seated
tpoh a nnAbt ass lolloWtu Ny HtF llbllt
one. The actor who played the part of
Christ did it with profound faith. He
seemed 10 be reciting prayer. AS for
Judas, he wore an immense blonde wig.
viii ch mad him look like Louis XIV.
Wien he appeared upon the scene, the
audience murmured, and, if he had not
committed suicide, believe they would
have killed him. The several scenes of
the pretorium were represented, includ-
ing the fagellation and the browning
with thorns, which were rendered with
fearful realism. Then commenced the
ascent TO Calvary. / never witnessed a
spectacle more moving, more heartrend-
! ing. The actor never spared US a sigh,
tear or cry. Jesus was slowly nailed
to the cross, and each stroke of the ham,
mer echoed painfully in the hearts of
the spectators, who seemed terror
stricken. Finally the cross was raised.
Jesus tasted the sponge soaked in vine
gar, and spoke to the thieves. The sol
diers threw dice for his cloak, while the
holy women wept. Then, when Christ
cried out, 'Eti Eli! lama s05acthdnip
and let his head drop, ali the lights
were almost completely extinguished; a
strange flicker illuminated the scene;
the dull rumbling of bass drains sound
ed like thunder; the tombs opened, and
all the spectators fell upon their knees,
striking their breasts and murmuring
/ Jesus! Jesusr IN. Y sun.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
TOM ocHlLTREE OUTCOME.
Mississippi Congressman's Wonderful
and Astonishing Yarn.


''Did ever tell YOU" said Represent
alive Allen, of Mississippi. day or
two ago, and the gentlemen around him
drew their chairs closer, did ever tell
you about the coon hunt | witnessed
once in Florida? No? Well, / was
down in that part of the country some
time ago, and after spending an insult
ferably dull week, despite the presence
Of congenial companions, longed for
some excitement | was complaining
about the general dizziness one day when
a sport of the place said:
".Suppose we try a coon" hunt.
"'What?' i asked.
"a ''coon race,' said he; you don't
know what that is? Well. you set an
alligator after niger and see which
can cover the most ground in the short
est time
Sand then he proceeded to explain
for my benefit that while an alligator
will run away from :. white man, he
will always run as fast as he can after
a negro or hog, il he gets smell of
tho critter. Generally start of few
yards is given to the human being and
there is sure to be a great deal of fun.
The niger always takes to the woods
as fast as he is able, and tries to climb
tree before the alligator can gobble
him up. If he succeeds in escaping
from the reptiles jaws he is offered a
small prize. The idea caught our fancy,
and we determined TO enjoy the sport
We bought big alligator for S42, and
an offer of $40 secured a waiter from
our hotel as a victim. OF course, even
in Florida, such sport is not admissible,
and when the police heard of our pro-
posed amusement they objected. But
my friends were not TO be deprived of
their fun on this account. So at mid
night day or two afterward we and
the alligator and the niger got in a
wagon and rode TO an open place about
three miles from our hotel Wewent to a
spot which left distance of about mile
to the timber on every side. 1t was as
dark as pitch and one of the party held a
| light while l, with the alligator grasped
firmly around the waist, allowed the
beast to see and smell the coon. A sig
nal was given and the coon started
away with the gator close at his heels.
They dashed along, each making the
effort of his life. i tell you it was a
close and exciting race. One of the best
ever saw"
'.But who won?" asked one of the au-
iitors.
swell, really never heard. You see
no one ever saw either of the contest
ants again. When saw them the coon
was about ten yards from the woods and
the gater a couple of feet behind him. :"
''But you said the woods were mile
away and it was pitch dark" Tom 0chil-
tree ventured to remark, knowing by ex-
perience how to discomfort inventors of
fanciful tales.
Allen, however, was in no way discon-
certed. He replied carelessly:
"Oh, the darby was white with fright
and could be seen against the woods as
clearly as the white letters of patent
medicine advertisementon barn paint
ed black"
After that Ochiltree ''stood treat
Washington Cor. n. Y. Tribune.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

SIMPLICITY OF LIFE.
It's Not Wealth But the Contented Heart
That Makes Happiness.

fhat MAKES happihess.
In one of the public parks of Man
chester, England, there is marble
statue to the me nory OF Joseph Brother
ton, who represented that city in Par
lament for many years. On the monu-
ment there is this simple inscription:
'My wealth consisted not in the
abundance of my riches, but in the few
ness of my wants"
DIR. Fraser, the good Bishop of Man
chester, used frequently to quote the in
scription as an illustration of the fact
that il is not wealth, but the contented
heart that makes happiness. The
Bishop was also fond of telling a story
which showed how largeness of heart
and broad public spirit is sometimes
associated with simplicity and home
illness of life.
He was to go on certain day to con-
secrate one of the handsomest churches
South Lancashire, built at cost of
hundred thousand dollars, the gift
one man, a mill-owner. Upon arriv-
ng at the station nearest the place, he
had mile to walk before he came in
sight of the church.
Can you tell me where Mr.. W
lives, the gentleman who built that
noble church," asked the Bishop of
pedestrian.
'Oh! ayl it's yon cottage against yon
bank" answered the man, walking
away.
The Bishop thought that there must
be some mistake. Presently he over
took girl in Sunday attire.
''Can you tell me where Mr.. W
lives, who built that noble church,"
asked the Bishop.
O''That's it," she answered, pointing to
the same unpretentious cottage; ''rm
going to the conservation"
The Bishop made his way to the cot
tage door, still thinking it improbable
that a man who had built church at
such cost should dwell in house OF
that sort. He knocked, and the door
was opened by an old woman, simply
dressed. The Bishop did not dare to ask
If Mr.. W was in, and therefore re-
peated his question::
.'Can you tell me where Mr.. W
lives, who built this noble church,"
"Oh. you're the Bishop, are you?" re-
piled the woman. ''He's bein' expect
ing on you. Come forrard, you'll find
him i tn kitchen"
Ushered into the kitchen the Bishop
found an old fne-looking man sitting
by the fire smoking a church-warden
pipe.
$50 you've come. have you?" said the
Did man. ''Nowt like being in good
time. There'll be snack of something
when you've done"
"You have done nobly by the district,
Mr.. W" said the Bishop, seizing the
hand and giving it a hearty grasp.
Nav, naw," answered the old man,
cooking surprise, but returning the
hearty squeeze; nav, nav, made the
population with my mills, so maun do
my duty by them"
The old mill proprietor, who had made
such large -ift, was so simple as to
think he had only done his duty to his
ENTHUSIASTICALLY Communion.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
ExILES IN SIBERIA.
numbered i'm the Thousands and Treated
with Pitiless Severity.

with Pitiless Severity.
A letter has been received by Ivan
Smirnoff from Russian exile now in
London 1.-THE Countess Narraiknow),
which gives some painful revelations OF
the condition OF the exiles in Siberia.
The letter quotes from letters recently
received from Siberia. These letters
give statistics that the writer says
may be relied upon as nearly il not
quite correct" The statistics are, in
substance, that the exiles in Siberia in
1856 numbered is, 1s4 Nihilists, or their
reported supporters; in 1887 there was
added ART more; in 1883 the number
was 1908, and in 1889 the exiles were
IL, 600. OF the number exiled the deaths
range from $50 to 800 per 1000, due to
natural sickness, cold, exposure and the
knout punishment The suicides aver
age about twenty to 1000.
During the month of August, 1889, in
one of the central political prisons, 275
of the 400 prisoners were Frustrated with
typhoid fever. The letter says:
1.-The hospital accommodations being
insufficient, many of the fever-racked
patients were kept in the cells with
those not infected with the disease.
For lack of medical attendance many
died. In another part of the prison
what is called riot occurred, but which,
in reality, is only slight infringement
of some cast-iron prison rule. The av-
erage of those logged with the knout is
ten out of every hundred persons.
Instances of cruelty in various prisons
are quoted in which prisoners feet were
frozen in their cells and men were sent
out to wash clothes when the thermom-
eter was twenty-five degrees below zero.
Commander Massinkoff is also charged
with calling men before him in irons
and striking them in the face while they
were helpless.
Despite the facts, it il noted that the
Russian papers continue to represent
that the life of exiles in Siberia Is q
pleasant one.-N. Y. Letter.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

Sreening, have a more spreading
,rowth, and to train the young trees to
more upright shape cut the shoots i'm
nediately above the inside buds.
A common error in pruning is to thin
nut the central portion of the head,
eaving the outer part dense in growth.
This practice should be reversed, and
he outer part thinned, to let in the sun
light on the center.
1t should be remembered that the
roung trees from the nursery, if pruned
after they are set in the orchard, the
work must be done before the buds
well or the young leaves expand, or
Else formidable injury will be done
hem and their growth seriously
:hecked-if they are not destroyed by
the retarded operation.
"At the beginning of the second year
re probably find that great many of
our young trees have thrown out side
shoots, or branches along the side of the
rec, from near the ground to the top.
These would leave growing until june;
then, for the first time, / would use the
Snife. by cutting these side branches off
TO within two or three inches OF the
body of the tree and to the height of
three feet. The second year the orchard
should be cultivated as it was the first
adding, perhaps, one furrOw to the
cultivated ground, and in all other par
ticulars should receive the same atten-
ton given it the first year-mowing the
clover, keeping out cows, etc. All
these things should be carefully attend
ed to every year so long as the orchard
lasts or is profitable. The third year /
would follow out the same course of
cultivation and attention, and l would
now. in June, cut off close to the stem
Of the tree the side branches which have
been heretofore clipped back, and l
would now form the head of the tree,
topping it so that the lowest branch to
be left in forming the head will be as
near three feet from the ground as pos
sible. I would now keep all side shoots
rubbed off and do a great deal toward
the formation of symmetrical top.
The fourth year / would pursue the
same course Of cultivation, of course,
widening the cultivated strip, and give
the same attention to the trees as here
tofore. ! would this year pay great at
tention to forming a symmetrical head.
In doing this ] would endeavor so to
thin out the branches that there would
be no necessity for any further pruning
for the next six or eight years. 1t will
be necessary to rub off water sprouts
every year.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
A snrr..tlon fro,n Russia.

One would hardly look TO Russia for
new ideas in domestic or social prudence,
but an organization reported in one Of
the cities has suggestion in it. A club
composed of l25 families has employed
a capable physician by the year. each
family paying fifty cents month. The
doctor visits each family regularly, at
tends all their sick members, and gives
them advice as to health and occasional
lectures on hygiene and physiology.
The doctor wouldn't have much show TO
get rich out Of it The notable point is
that it is for the interest of the doctor
not to have sickness in his list He 10
q constant sanitary inspector for his
patrons.-St Paul Globe.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
AGRICULTURAL HINTS.
SHAPING APPLE TREES.
Some Timely Hints on an Iinportan
Gnlfanf

Some Timely Hints an Important
Subject.
Now that the time is approaching for
starting young apple orchards, few
suggestions will, says the Country GEN
tleman, be timely relative TO giving the
trees good shape, the correct remark
having been often made that IL they are
pruned into the rightshape when young
none hut light pruning will be required
afterwards. There are many good culti-
vators who take good care of their
trees and supply all the requirements
for a thrifty growth who nevertheless
allow them to take very irregular
shape. In the accompanying figures
directions are offered for keeping them
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

read, distorted in shape. In few more
years the owner will find it necessary to
tut off with the axe or saw some of the
arge limbs which have grown out of
limits or proportion, leaving large
wounds several inches in diameter, in
uring the health and vigor of the tree,
md endangering decay at the mutilated
points.
Some varieties naturally grow up
light like the Early Strawberry and
Northern Spy. A more spreading form
nay be given them in pruning by cut
ing tho shoots just above an outside
aud. Others, like the Rhode Island
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08
peter tn. Great in London,

The London tavern which Peter the
Great most favored was public house in
Great Tower, Tower Hill, where he took
his river companions in an evening TO
smoke and drink. The landlord thus
honored called his house after Peter,
and had 1.-THE Car of Muscovy's Head"
painted and put up for sign. In the
year 1905 curio collector bought the
sign and supplied the publican with a
new one. This and the old house have
now disappeared. A new hotel, how
sver. stands on the old site and is known
by the old name. The brief histories of
the time contain many notable anec-
Totes of Peter. He cannot have suffered
much from the legal profession, and yet
mis- dislike to lawyers as class seems
20 have been as keen as that of any dis
appointed litigant of these later days OF
100 much law and too little justice.
Taken to see Westminster Hall the Gar
asked what the busy gentlemen in wigs
and gowns were about "Lawyersw he
exclaimed, in response to the informs-
ion of his guide; why, have but two
in my whole dominions, and ! believe
shall hang one of them the moment i
rot borna MATHS and Queries
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

MnIEr is an important crop, and should
be grown more extensively. As soon a;
the warm days come on is the time FOL
seeding. The ground may be plowec
early in the season and we'll manfred
as millet thrives best on rich soil L
grows very rapidly, and yields large
crop of hay in short time
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

WHEN q farmer knows the capacity
and qualities Of each COW under hii
care, he Is on the road to success Cues
work will no more pay in dairying thar
In other pursuits The farmers guess
ing habit is one reason Tor farm dc
preston.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

properly pruned in the first place. Fig.
represents the young tree when first
set out 1t grew with single stem and
a few side shoots
These were cut off as represented. so
as to form the frame work of the new
head. In the course of year or two,
and by rubbing off needless shoots as
they start, the head is made to assume
the form represented by Fig. 2. BY a
little yearly attention in removing
upernumerary shoots as they start, the
tree is gradually brought into the regu-
lar shape in bearing represented after
the leaves have fallen) shown by Fig.
s. Fig. 4 represents the tree of equal
age and culture, but with no attention
given it for forming a symmetrical
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

ESsILAGE has been tested for sheep
and stands approved, especially for the
mutton breeds, where early lambs are a
desideratum. But it is advisable TO give
a portion of dry feed with the ensilage,
as it has a tendency. if given alone. &c
make the animals soft and sensitive tc
cold weather.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

"We by supposed oned tell
like settler
He lived bank of Misssp
Well
drinking would
fool do but swim the other d shake himself
walk down and-take drink"
let until thing
through tedious
Medical Discovery taken in time would all that There nothing
equal for Biousness Impure Blood So Consumption which
nothing "Golden
fair trial. will paid
will De
Lungs Splitting of Blood shotnes of Breath Bronchitis
ASSOCIATION Manufacturers,
Main Street, Buffalo,
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-05-08

MANY a time ten lines from the work
ing farmer is of more worth than g
column from those who get highly paid
and try to see how long they can spin
an article that amounts TO nothing
Northwestern Agriculturist.