davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
HIS WEB BEsIEcED BY A TOAD.
Persistent Attack and Courageous Defence
The Toad's Vegetable Ally.

A story copied into the Sun reminds
me of still more striking instance of
the toad's indomitable pluck than any
thing have ever seen in print, which
was observed in my boyhood at the
door of a farmhouse in Fairfax county,
Va. The doorsteps were cut from the
trunk of large tree, and a large spider
had spun strong web in a cosey
corner near the ground. between the
rounding curve of the block and the
side of the log house. The grass had
been worn from a space four or five
feet wide about the entrance to the
dwelling, leaving exposed patch of
hard reddish soil. There were locust
trees around the house. and punches of
plantain leaves grew rankly in the thin
grass of the lawn.
1t was late on a drowsy summer af-
ternoon. The spider was basking in
the sun waiting for flies. when a valor-
Gus young toad appeared on the scene,
hopping directly toward the spiders
citadel. As the enemy appeared in
sight the spider seemed to swell in size
and put on his war paint, for, whereas
he was dull in color before, he now be-
came all aglow with brilliant hues.
The toad advanced boldly to the invest
ment of the castle, halting for second
or two below, and leisurely surveying
the field. When these observations
had been taken, he leaped up half a
dozen times in quick succession at the
enemy, and then rapidly retreated to
the nearest tuft of plaintain leaves,
from whicn he nipped two or three
pieces and swallowed them. Returning
to the attack, the same series of opera
tions were repeated many times, until
the spider had spent all his venom, it
is supposed, and the web was broken
down and the brave defender was dead.
1t was nearly dark before the combat
closed. Nothing could exceed the
courage of the defence unless it was the
persistency of the attack. would not
venture to guess how many times the
toad got dose of virus from the spider,
and can account for his resort to the
| plantain leaves only on the supposition
that the courageous little warrior there
found a sufficient antidOte for the spid-
er's poison. But throughout the whole
of the lengthy contest it was the gamest
assault on an intrenched enemy | evel
witnessed. Besides this it afforded an
example of pertinacity on the part Of
the despised toad which fully parallels
the heroic quality of the spider, made
familiar to us in youth by the story O
the Bruce encouraged to renewed
effort by the example of one of these
little insects.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
AS Brave as Grace Darling.

A woman who is now assistant
keeper at White Head Light could en-
Tighten those who wish to know some
thing of the experiences of lighthouse
keepers. In 1856 this woman lived at
Matinicus Rock, twenty-five miles from
the mainland, and Inaccessible except
in pleasant weather. Her father,
Samuel Burgess, was the keeper at this
light, and his family consisted of an
invalid wife and five children, one
daughter, Abbie, being II years old,
At the time of the memorable gale that
swept Minot's Light into the sea the
keeper happened to be away. The
heavy seas broke over the rock, wash
ing every movable thing away until of
the dwelling not stone remained,
The little ones hurried the mother to
the tower, and then crept in themselves
as the sea cleared the rock of all save
the stone lighthouse. For four weeks
they lived there alone, for no human
being could go to their rescue, but
night after night Abbie lighted the
beacon, and it never failed to shine
through the gale.
One day in 1857 Mr.. Burgess left the
rock to obtain his salary and to secure
provisions. A gale prevented his re-
turn and the family ran short of food.
Abbie fashioned a sail, and her brother,
who happened to be at home, started
in a small skiff to procure food. For
twenty-one days the family lived on 4
cup of corn-meal and an egg each, per
day, for the son was not heard from
until the twenty-second day, and added
to the risk of famine was the suspense
as to the fate of their father and
brother, for were they drowned the
family would have starved on the desc
late rock. During all this time, at the
end of which the father returned, Alb
bic cared for the sick mother comfort
ed the children and kept the bright
light burning to save the passing ships
from dashing on Mantinicus Rock. To-
day says the Lewiston Journal her hus-
band is keeper at White Head Light
and she is the assistant, and Drawer
woman never lived.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
Territorial Hard Times.

During the spring and summer of
1887 about 800 colonists went to Port
Angeles, says the Seattle Press, and
during those same seasons over $780,
600 was spent. 1t was glorious big
picnic. The men would work on the
colony's tramways until they fancied
themselves tired, when they would call
a halt and stop work for the day.
They held stormy meetings, at which
all hands would pitch into the debate,
and then after adjournment they
would all attend dance and have a
gloriously good time of it. This was
kept up until the funds were all spent
aud big debt of about $40, 900 or more
was accumulated in Seattle and Port
Townsend. A cloud had gathered over
their heads and they could not see the
silver lining. Starvation stalkesl
through the colony wigwams and
pointed with bony fingers at the vic
Tins he intended to carry to his home
over the SHOWS of winter.
The beef supply was cut down from
| Il whole carcass a week to a quarter,
and then the beef supply was cut off
altogether. The butter bill, which had
| been ranging as high as $50 a week,
was wiped out, and the colonists had
no butter. Retrenchment was the
order Of the day, and it was carried to
such an extent that the standard bill OF
| fare was as follows:
Potatoes, bread, and cotton-seed oil
| gravy for breakfast.
| Bread, potatoes, and cotton-seed oil
gravy for dinner, and
Cotton-seed oil gravy, potatoes, and
bread for supper.
Some people did not even have
enough of this. Philip Meager, who
has lived in Port Angeles for twenty,
six years, says:
MANY a time have | stoo-- on this
wharf and counted from forty to fifty
lanterns going along the beach. They
were colonists, and they carried with
them each one spade and bucket
going after a meal of CLAIMS. They
were proud, but | tell you they wert
hungry, too, and no mistake
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02

coin of integrity for coined metal, who win out
ward and transient good, by fostering interior
decay and death. How sad the epitaph. and yet
how numerous, were the truth always carved on
the gravestone: " Beneath this rests one who
gained the world. at the cost of his true life"
The true life. the essential life. THE life, is not
days and years the life that throbs in the blood
and flames in the passions is but inferior and
dying life.
"Welive in Deeds not years;
In thoughts, not breaths,
In feelings, not in figures on the dial.
We should count time by heart throbs
He most lives who thinks most
Feels the nOblest acts the best.
And he whose heart beats quickest
Lives the longest;
Lives in an hour more than in years do some
Whose fat blood sleeps it slips along the veins.
Life is but a means to end
That end, beginning, mean and end to all things.
| God!''
Many human bodies are but the hearses con
veying dead souls. The soul unstirred by holy
aspirations. realizing not the Heavenly dover
ofimmortal hope" is struck with death. Under
God there is hope for it. but only as it shall
arouse itself. throw off the ,cerements of death
reverse its tendencies. rectify and reestablish
purify and exaltits affections. Oh, let us seek
more and more of this abundant exhaust
less life. 1t is the sufficient guard against
all lifes woes; with it the present trial and af-
fictions are incompetent to destroy our peace
and the future is light for US with the radiant
colors of hope; strife ap1 sorrow shall disappear
peace and love sh"... reign supreme. The dream
of poets. the lesson of priest and prophet the
inspiration of the great musician, is confirmed il
the lights of modern nv,Tledge, and as we giro
ourselves up for the work of life, we may looE
forward to the time when in the truest sense the
Kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom
of Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever
King of Kings, and Lord Lords" Let this b.
our impulse and our song, life, more abundan
life And when in the sad days we see the goins
out of this transient life. from eyes that have
brimmed over with love for US, then happy we
ifin this dark experience we hold that life more
abundant. eternal life, awaits our blessed ones
And when to us comes the " inevitable hour,
and the silver cord is loosed. the golden bowl il
broken the pitcher is broken at the fountain
and the wheel at the cistern, and this life of NOR
tai breath is ebbing away into the ocean C ater
nifty, happy we, if the ineffabe consciCi ess o
infowing. all abundant eternal life buoy u
through the stress of bodily death.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02

At the new "RavenDa LIVERY and
Feed Stable" on West Main Street
nearly opposite the Shannon House
you will find everything new and first
class, and can be furnished with con.
veyances, both single aud double, at
prices.
The building is comnodious and
well ventilated, the drainage excellent.
aking it one of the finest Feeding
Stables in the county.
MRS. s r. Poe,
GEORGE F. NJ ,1uors
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
Coffee and Brandy,

1t is considered quite swell swag.
ger to serve coffee and brandy in the
drawing-room after dinner. A maid
in cap and pinafore goes to each guest
with two trays, the first containing the
demitasse of coffee and the second a
basin of sugar, small carafe of bran
dy, and wax torch with which the
spirit is fired.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
A Fancy.

Nov you would not-would you-suppose"
1 said, "From those sweet lips of rose
I'll steal the perfume of a kiss?'
She answered me- and put it brief,
81 would you were an honest thief!'
And hereon hangs a tale of bliss.
Cbnra
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
1t Wasn't a Change of Heart.

Mame-Why, only last week you said that
nothing your father and mother could say
would ever make you marry Rob Bobbett,
and now you've engaged yourself to him
Why did you do it2
Lou-It was something Rob said himself.
He hadn't asked me last week-Louisville
COurier-.I Journal
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02

Just received, a supply of the Late
Improved Standard and Domestic
Sewing Machines, in walnut and an
ttque oak furniture; are fire. Call and
aexamine at T. F. Thcmpson's.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
His Reason,

Mabel-Hal, dear, what makes you always
call me your little lamb?
Hal-Because you always return to the
fold.
And he opened his arms with an expectant
and satisfied look upon his smiling face
Kearney Enterprise.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
My Lucy's Muf.

greaCIy envy Lucy hIIH
Whene'er her soft, white hand is in it;
'Twould give my poor heart joy enough
To hold her hand one little minute
But this cannot understand
could not do so, confess it
How Lucy's muff can hold her hand
And never dare to gently press it.
--Ininau.n Hara Id
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02

At three we love our mothers best,
Our fathers best at seven,
While holidays and sports of zeSt
Are dearest at eleven.
At fifteen we're in love with dress,
But soon in strange commotion
Our sweetheartS in their loveliness
Claim all our deep devotion
At twenty five we love our wives,
And later on the babies,
But every day throughout our lives
We're sure to love the ladies'
Chicago Herald.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
A Mutual Delight,

1T tickles me greatly to know that 1 can
raise mustache," said the youth.
1T tickles me, too," confessed she, shyly.-
Chicago Times.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
Sweet Hours.

OH to sit by the stove with
A maiden trim and neatI
Marriage may be failure,
But courtship's hours are sweet.
Boston Courier
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02

She-The moon looks different since we
were married.
He-How is that?
She-I used to think it was green cheese.
and now it is honey.-LoweIl Citizen.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
GA SOLID
.TEER EEAa@=e q
LEGAL ROTICE

THE STATE OF OHIo( plantha Wilson, Prf>
u. Int,,,ty w..
- John A Wilson, Deft.
IOHN A. WILSON. residing in Washington
- Washington County, Pa, will take notice
that on the 2lst day of March. ls9J the above
named plaintiff. Diantha Wilson filed her ne
tlt1on In the Common Pleas Court of Portage
Seunty: Ohio, against him. alleging that de-
1endant has been guilty of extreme cruelty
toward her, and g1oss neglect OF duty for more
than three years last past and praying that She
may be divorced from said defend nt<and de.
creed the custody and control ofNsheir minor
children, and other relief
Said petition Will he for hearing on or fto,-
six weeks from the date of this publication -
wit March 27th, 1890. ="
SIDDALL & nOUTHITT
u26-6w htIornevs for, pie,
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
A Large StC.oL

OF harness, just received, made from
best oak stock and all hand work.
Sold at rock bottom prices. Come in
nd ee. T. F. TIL oMPsoN.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
Soothing,

If you're not pretty when you re young,
This consolation hold:
That in some fifty years or so
You will be pretty old.-Judge
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
Nature Is Wis

Nature Is Wise.
'Tis said that thirty inches span
The average woman's waist,
And just SO long the arm of man.
So, when it's snugly placed
AroIud the damsel whom one treasures
There is conformity of measures.
How admirable are thy works,
Oh, Nature, kind and dearl
For, spite of all the kinks and quirks,
And various doings queer,
Thou m ,dest waists of proper bias,
With arms to fit thou dost supply US.
Chatter.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02

1t is easier to live within your in
come than to live without one.
, 1890-08-06
Drunkenness from Coffee.

DR.. Menlel Of Berlin "a Is attention to
the use of coffee in a manner 10 make his
remarks of Importance. The inebrlety of
coffee, if not as dangerous to others, may
be as harmful to IT'S subject as alcoholism,
and generally leads to it. DR.. M'nle''s
studies have covered Germany, hut ~ Ht3
given special observation TO th-
working force in the gun factories at ESaaI,
whore wages are high and employment
uninterrupted, and a cOmparal' we degree
OF luxury is within the reach of all.
1he people of Essen drink immense
quantities Of coffte, bringing the average
for a large portion of them up to a pound
a week, many men taking much more than
that. The result is a form of neurOsiS, in
which the nerves are disturbed in a decree
and manner approaching that viii .
companies deIiFiWm tremenS. 1ntOxican0n
is followed by gloom and sleeplessnesS,
and about all the disorders characteristic
of acute nervous arrangement, added to a
hate for work. AS in the use of alcohol or
opium, temporary relief can be had by
more and stronger cOtfre by tin lures OF
coffee formed by crushing the berries in
spirits hIt TIL cure of a confirmed coffee
drunkard is next to unknown, unless the
final change to pure alcoholism be counted
as a cure.
Troubles of this nature. are said to he
much more widely spread than one would
think from the immediate evidence. Most
Of the stages OF excessive coffteiSm are too
obscure 10 he apparent. And they are
Increasing. Tea is merely a weaker agent
OF the same sort, so that in fact there is
no such thing AZ Il cup which cheers with
out intbriating. Moderation must be the
law for ten and coffee as fot alcohol. The
San.
, 1890-08-06
N dneouS S.
rt-
-.
spectator, 28th June

Reports are current. not Uncommon at
this sea on, Of the reopenfng of The Eas-
tern Question The Bulgarian Note men
toned last week, demanding of the Sultan
recognition for Prince Ferdinand, has been
followed by q Note from the Russian
Ambassador a Constantin0pIe requiring
payment Of the arrears Of indemnity, and
ending with a threat that the GovernMent,
i:'the debt were hot discharged, would
take measures of its own. A squadron is.
even said to be getting ready in the Black
Sea- fora descent upon. some. Turkish port.
Tic Servia1i Government lis also excited,
expecting some revolutionary movement
from the presence of King, Milan in Bel
grade; and the Macedonian Bulgars are
complaining about their Exarchs, Archi-
mandrites, and other ecclesiastical digni-
t%aries, IN a way which sometimes portends
instruction. There is not much in it all,
we fancy, beyond q possibility that M.
Stambouloff, irritated by, the unsettled
condition of the Principally, may proclaim
Prince Ferdinand. King of an independent
Bulgaria. The great armies will not move
without their Sovereigns' orders, and the
S6Fereigns will not. decide on anything
, 1890-08-06

can enterprise there would by this time
have been three hundred thousand edltori-
ais in the French and English newspapers
on the fertile theme of "Yankee rascality."
1t looks very much as though, if all the
schemes, bubbles and SwindleS from the
beginning of time were rolled inro one they
would not equal the criminal enorfnity OF
the Panama Canal. The pity of it is that
fHeTiosseS fall upon the poorest citizenS OF
France. They believed in De LesSeps III
their blind, innocent fashion. They gave
him their hundreds of mlllionS-And FOR
what P-Ibi{.
, 1890-08-06

The amalgamatiOn OF the Offices Of
President (nOw COMMISSIONER and Trea-
snrer has not turned out well in Dominica.
The whole thing has been a bnngle and
the affairs ut the Treasury became so
muddled thai neither 'head nor tail" could
be made Of them, even by some of the
experts from the Audit Office, Antigua.
The latest news is that Mr.. w. II. Porter
of the I easury Department here has been
appointed, professionally, to the Treasurer
ship OF Dominica, and it is reported that
one MIR. Green from that island will come
here as clerk in the Treasury. IT this be
NO those who have borne the cheat of the
day. literally and practically, will be de-
barred from that promotion which it was
generally expected would be theirs.-St
Christopher AdUertiser.
The Government of this Colony have
been advised by the Royal Mail Steam
Packet Company that az there was some
difficulty experienced in obtaining a small
steamer of about 500 tons to undertake the
service among the .islands-frOm Dominica
to TortoIa-it has been decided to have
one built, which they hope will prove a
success. She will he specially designed
for the particular service and she is to be
of about 800 tons burthen. The c%O1trac-
tors have undertaken to complete the
craft within nine months, and it is hardly
possible that the Federal service can be
com menced before the beginning of next
year. The source whence we have derived
this information is the Antigua Observer.
and onr contemporary, while pegretting
the DELAY, considers it satisfactory that the
vessel. is to- be specially itte'f and that
she will be larger than THAT stipn ated for
under the contract. It is to DO hoped
that under the mana gement OF The Royal
Mail Steam Packet Company the vessel
will not tpra out another white elephant"
ibid.
, 1890-08-06
AFRAID or A FRIDAY WEDDING

Prekski n. Y. July II, l890.-lt was
made public to-day ny the filing of a Ger
titicate in the Bureau OF Vital Statistics
that Minna Irving and Irving j DsIama-
ter were married for a second time on Sat
urday last by the Rev. Daniel Mccartney.
Mr.. Delamatrr was form 'rly a cadet at
West Point. They were first married on
Friday October IS. of last year. Miss
Irving did not consider Friday a lucky day
but she had to consent to have a marriage
ceremony y termed on that day because
Young Delamater could not get Il leave OF
absence from West Point on any other
day. The couple and their friends dis
caSSed the question as to whether there
was anything in Friday being an unlucky
day, and Mrs DtIamatrr became SO worried
over the matter that il was decided to nave
Il sPcondmarriage ceremony performed. The
cISe is probably one OF the most unique on
record, aud considerable diff ;ulty was ex-
pericnced in inducing the Bureau of Vital
Statistics 70 accept the certificate, as Miss
Irving was confused when she was asked
10 say whether she was single, widowed or
divorced at the time Of thesecond marriage.
ibid.
, 1890-08-06

New York, Aug. 4th,-Mr. Chamberlain,
prior to his { na;ture for the United
States, deliyer.G speech at Birmingham
IN whje!i lie sail it was n mistake of the
Government to i troduce the licensing bill
during i '1Sy session, and It was a greater
mistake o. The Temperance fanatics 10 re-
ject an opportunity which is not likely to
occnr again soon. He praised the Marquis
of Salisbury for sending "a mission to the
Vatican.
London news says that the expenses Of
the Times Pam IL Commission amount TO
$1,000
NJ. jacques, a French soldier, has com.
ple'cd his II days fast.
Paris dispatches state that the Senate
h as passed the Sugar tax bill.
The Government has granted amnesty
10 al prisoners convicted III connection
with the Lahour Strikes.
The Cholera has appeared at Mecca, and
all Pilgrims arriving therefrom are qua
JantI4ed at the e yptian ports.
The Emp 'ror William visited King
leopold at Ostcnd, and then sailed for
England.
1t is reported that much discomfort pre-.
walls At Samoa in consequence OF the tx.
listing consular Governments.
ST. Vincent, Aug. 5th.-King ia ia is
to be allowed to return to his home on
signing an assurance that he will give no
further trouble. A man-of war will convey
him TO Africa.
New York, Aug. 5th-The Emperor
William and Prince Henry were welcomed
at Osborne. 1t is stated that if the Queen
consents, the Emperor will confer the
Black Eagle on the NJ rquis of Salisbury.
The Under Secretary tor toreigl At
fairs stated in the House Of Commons that
England was unable to complain to the
Porte Of HE Armenian outragrs having no
official information on the subject. Mr..
Gladstone held that the Porte ought to be
notified of tine course England will take II
the mis- government continues.
1t is stated that at The request Of Ger
taany England has ord red war ships so
Buenos Ayres to protect the Germans IN
that city.
Paris deslntchrs state that another explo-
sica OF five damp has occurred i a colliery
vi Ste. Etienne IN which II persons were
injured,
France has sent an ultimatum to the
King ofNahor demanding the cesSiOn Of
Kotouon ana NAydah.
The French Senate has voted 100000
francs to be expended ON precautions at
the frontier posts against cholera.
4 telegram from Athens reports that a
disastrous fire has occurred at Mount
AthUs.