davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

! indeed.
Henry Wynne thought it hard that,
though he was proved innocent, none
of the BurneYs sent him a kind word.
Mrs. Burney. in her ignorance of the
truth, had accused him falsely. but he
| forgave her from his soul and hoped
that Claretta would live to confirm the
assurance she had given him that she
loved him. Surely she had admitted
it, and after what had happened Ar
| thur could have no hope
| At last the latter also found himself
free. The Burney family had managed
it. Claretta would be quite well again,
it was said, and she knew he had not
intended to harm her.
If Henry Wynne had desired he might
have made charge against him, but
he refused to do so.
One evening Arthur walked up to
Henry in the street and addressed him.
"You have behaved very kindly" he
said.
well" said Henry, 'you gave your
I should never have known who fired
the shot. | was under frightful sus-
picion."
II wanted to kill you, I admit, but
God knows that / would never have
harmed Claretta,' y said Arthur.
II know that" said Henry.
'.And you have won what I have
lost" said Arthur. MY fury is over.
I congratulate you. Have you seen
her yet?''
NO said Henry. They walked on
together, and found themselves within
sight of the residence of Claretta's par
ents. Of late it had been dull and dark,
tonight it was lighted from roof to
basement.
Something has happened. She is
worse cried Henry.
'sGod forbid!' cried Arthur. At
this moment carriage drove up. An
other followed. Still third-all emp
ty.
81 cannot endure this suspense"
moaned Arthur.
'.Nor T. said Henry. He was about
door opened, and party of persons
descended the steps-one seemed to be
entirely dressed in white-they enter
ed the carriages, which drove away.
A servant fingered on the step, looking
after them. To her Henry addressed
himself.
How is Miss Claretta?n he asked.
''Miss Claretta?" repeated the girl.
"Oh, she is very well. sir. She has
just driven away to the church to be
married to DR.. Romer. If you like
to go around the corner you can see
the wedding. They make a lovely
couple"
''Thank YOU" said Henry. He step
ped back toward Arthur, who had
heard the girls words plainly.
''She was not worth a good mans
life," said the latter.
''Nor any mans heart" said Harry.
'tAs false woman as ever lived"
Perhaps the reader may think so;
but Claretta had been tenderly minis
tered to by DR.. Romer.
He had saved her life.
He had petted her as he might a
baby, and when he had whispered in
her ear, ''Claretta, live for me-" she
had been sure that she never loved any
one before, and that he was the best
and dearest being in all the world. She
still holds to that opinion.-Fanaily
StOrg Paper.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
A Woman Athlete.

Only one lady, so far as / know, has
distinguished herself as an athlete, and
that in very modest and wholesome
way. Miss Phoebe Boun of Matlock
never made an exhibition of herself in
any sense, but VIII Hutton, in one of
his tours, speaks of her with wonder as
well as praise. Her step at 80 was
very manly, and could cover forty
miles day" She could lift hum
dred weight with each hand and, with
the wind in her face, send her voice
mile. "She could knit. cook, and spin,
but hated them all with every accom-
paniment to the female character ex-
cept modesty." If any gentleman
made a mistake as to the latter attitude
she knocked him down. She could
hold the pillow, drive the team, and
thatch the rick, but her chief avocation
was breaking in horses, without
saddle, at guinea a week. She was
an excellent shot and great reader;
fond of Shakespeare, and doubtless,
also of the musical glasses, since she
played the bass VOL in Matlock church.
james Pay,a IN the London Illustrated
Mems
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
Your Billions of Ancestors.

Did you ever think, says the ST.
Louis Republic, how many male and
female ancestors were required to bring
you into the world? First, it was nee
essary that you should have a father
and mother--that makes two human
beings. Again, each of them must
have had father and matchmaking
eight more human beings. So on we
90 back to the time of Jesus Christ
tifty-six generations. The calculation
thus resulting shows that 1872, 235. 017,-
4S9, 534, 976 births must have taken
place in order to bring you into this
world-you, who read these lines. All
this since the birth of Christ-not since
the beginning of time. According to
Proctor, if from a single pair, for 5000
years, each husband and wife had
married at 81 years of age and there
had been no deaths, the population of
the earth would be 2,199,915 followed
by IA ciphers. 1t would require to
hold this population number of
worlds the size of this, equal to 3, 1861
526 followed by 125 ciphers. The hui
man mind shrinks in contemplating
such immense numbers.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

In stove store the other day a man
came rushing in and said to the pro-
prietor:
Have you gone into lying for
trade?"
ooh. no."
''Well. you lied about that stove"
"Man on his way up there now to put
it up. Rushed to death, you know.
Hope you haven't suffered
The next caller was a woman. who
fastened cold glare on the stove man
and deliberately said:
III never do a cents worth of bust
ness with you again if live here fifty
years"
''Stove pipe is on the wagon there
and ready to go up, ma'am. Woke up
in the night to hope you wouldn't be
put out"
The third caller was a boy, who
stood in the door and called:
'.Hey, you! My father says he'd like
to knock your head off,
'Oh, yes; you are Mr.. Blanks son.
just sent man up to your house with
that damper ten minutes ago. Lost
the sale of stove to hurry him off,"
AIO UuOS0 1dlI VI .fOuI
callers?' was asked the dealer.
Just about. catch it about twen-
ty times a day at this season of the
year"
"And you never talk back?"
Never. | hustle and do the best ]
can, and if a kicker comes in hold
my peace or talk taffy. One word
back talk would lose their trade.
Everybody waits till the last minute
for a stove or repairs, and then every
body comes with a rush. There comes
woman to blow me about fixing a
door to a stove. That door has been
broken for five years. but it's only
within the past week that she has de-
cided to have it fixed. She'll be saw
age, but I'll mollify her some way and
get that stove down by Monday So
long my busy day."-Deiroit Free
Press.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
The Women of CeyIon.

A woman in Ceylon, as elsewhere in
non-Christian lands, is simply chattel
without rights as a human being She
can be bought for almost any pur-
pose at a deplorably low price Of
course, if she is educated, if she can
sing, play, and dance, if she is intelli-
gent, her money valne is enhanced;
yet she still remains nothing more or
less than marketable piece of proper
ty. Many of the poor of that island
sell their little girls to men and women
who rear them for life of infamy-a
life of death to body, mind, and
spirit. The mothers of these unhappy
innocents, having as rule some nat
ural affection which the fathers have
not, seek to dispose of their girls
among Christians, in order to avert so
terrible a fate. A relative of mine,
while making recent tour over the
island, was again and again accosted
by such mothers, their children in their
arms, begging her to accept them as a
gift. "She nice little girl. You have
her for nothing" 1t went hard with
my friend to refuse this plea.-N. 7.
Tribune,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
FARMER LANC'S HUSKlNC-BEE.
All the Girls In Seymour and Derby Neck
Haye Been Well Kissed.

Eugene Lang, who lives in Derby
Neck. is a prosperous farmer whose
corn-felds have been usually productive
this year, SAYS the Ansonia Conn
correspondent of the n Y. Sun. When
he viewed the overburdened shocks of
corn few days ago and thought what
a tough job it would be to husk and
store the ears he felt depressed. He
spoke of it to his wife and Mrs. Lang's
quick wit came to the rescue. Lets
give huskin'- bee.n she suggested, and
the husband at once fell in with the
idea. Invitations were sent out to all
the boys and girls in the neighborhood
and up in Seymour and there was very
general response.
When the night came the barn floor
had been thoroughly swept. clean straw
had been laid down in a circle bic
enough to accommodate fifty persons
sitting Turk-fashion, and in the CEN
ter were several shocks of corn. The
barn was lighted with many lanterns,
back of which had been nailed to the
posts bright new sheets of tin. The
rows of stalls in which Mr.. Lang kept
his cows and horses faced toward the
room and the meek-eyed cattle stuck
their noses over the managers and
chewed their cuds contemplat1vely.
At s O'Clock the company were seated
around the cornstalks, and Mr. Lang,
mounting box, laid down one single
rule. The first red found by a young
man entitled him to kiss all the pretty
girls. The second red gave the privi-
iege of kissing only certain number,
and the third less number, and so on.
The same rule applied to the girls if
they cared to indulge. Then the
huskin' began. 1t was half and
hour before the first red came to view
and it was a Seymour youth who got
it. The first intimation that any of the
company had that a red ear had been
found was a sudden sweep of the arms
around the girl next to him and a re-
sounding smack full on the lips. Then
he held up the ear and collected the
forfeits. That is he tried to, but there
was more solid work for him in the
next half hour than he had ever done
in day before, and there was no corn
husked in that time either. The girls
screamed an giggled, then ran, with
the lucky Seymour youth after them.
1t was such fun that even the COWS
laughed. When the second ear was
found the scene was repeated. The
fourth and fifth and sixth came, and
then the girls gave up and submitted
with better grace.
After the corn was husked the floor
space was cleared again of everything,
and the fiddler tuned up her strings
and began to grind out Money Musk
with strength of feeling that set every
foot in the room to keeping time. 1t
was the jolliest, happiest, heartiest
dance that Derby ever saw. During
an interval supper was announced, and
the baked beans, boiled ham, cold roast
turkey and chicken, the cake, and the
Connecticut mince pie, all washed down
with sweet cider, filled the measure to
the guests happiness.
1t was profitable party for Mr..
Lang. He got his corn husked, his
supper cost him but little, but above all
he is to-day the most popular farmer in
this part of New Haven county.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
and where the dininp-room ispn

and where the dining-room is?n
IN take care of YOU"
Mr.. Brobst had forgotten all about
the former at s o'clock, when the latter
came skating into the Office.
Thought you said you would look
out for me-" he Grossly exclaimed.
Il will
''Then why under heavens didn't you
come up and call me for supper, We've
been waiting since o'clock and hadn't
heard no gong yet"
Il told you supper would be ready
at o'clock"
"Well, I kinder thought YOU would
tell fellow about it. don't like such
treatment anyway, and I want to get
out. What's the damaged"
Two dollars for the room.n
Two dollars?"
eyes, SIR"
Young fellow, that's too much.
I've travelled and know what's right.
The idea of of paying 81 for such ac-
commodations. Why, there ant even
a comb and brush in the ROOM
Chicago Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
Bathing in Sweden.

Baths in Sweden are of character
to embarrass modest American at the
start, but they are described as highly
enjoyable by a writer in the Boston
Globe. He says: The first dav I was
in Stockholm passed an arched way
upon the central island there and OBJ
served half dozen women with bare
arms lettering around the portal. Rails
ing my eyes to the Intel above I saw
the word Bad which means bath.
On this occasion it conveyed not bad
idea, and | wheeled about and went in.
Some slight emotion ensued among
these females, rather of a competitive
sort, and presenting myself at an office,
understanding female there granted
me ticket for small sum of money
about thirty cents, | think-and con-
signed me to notwithstanding wo-
man 80 years of age or Whereabouts.
Passing into the open court or paved
place in the bath, I was shown up
stairs to small parlor with two win
dows, at the farther end of which a
door opened into bathroom, much
larger than we are accustomed to. The
female Immediately began to draw
water from two spigots into the large
tub, and mixed up the required degree
OF heat. waited some time for her to
retire, but it was soon apparent that
she was not of a retiring disposition.
So the customs of the country had to
be observed. In few minutes / was
undergoing a scrubbing with soap in
that sort OF attire which I family re-
member to have been the domestic
habit upon my mothers knee when
Saturday night, if not oftener, she
deemed it Christian duty to scrub
me, fill my eyes with soap, tantalize
my hair, and finally discharge me veil
ing, but clean. to be put to bed as an
extremely bad boy who did not love to
be washed.
The Swedish female adhered to all
her clothing. In addition she tied
around her neck and waist the strings
of an oil-cloth, to prevent the splash
ing water, or possibly the resisting
hands, from taking the starch out of
her dress. With a scrubbing-brush
and soap she traversed me like law
yer In his replications. Having been
soused and scrubbed | was turned over
and rescrubbed and bound in full calf.
This, however, was only the COM
mencement of the exercise. The next
thing was to get some Mexican hemp,
or Swedish shavings, and with clean
water recommence the process. At last
| was stood up in state of Adam and
showered and needle-bathed, wearing
only a smile. was at last comprised
with long, warm towel, and after
that rubbed again with softer towel
and was then tucked up in my little
bed-a bewildered but clean being.
THE next process was to bring in
some beer. If i had hoped, however,
to get a nap, as in similar baths at
home, was mistaken, for in few
minutes the lady appeared and handed
me some articles of my clothing and
expressed desire that I should get
out, which she, being unable Co speak
my vulgar tongue, emphasized by
pointing to the ticket which had
brought me there, which indicated that
| was only to have that bath between
certain hours of the clock, say from ]
to o'clock. was then told to ask fol
No 9 the next time | came as a matter
of loyalty and gratitude"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
Quill Toothpicks.

Quill toothpicks come from France.
The largest factory in the world is near
Paris, where there is an annual pro-
duct of 20, 100000 quilts. The factory
was started to make quill pens, but
when these went out of general use it
was converted into toothpick mill
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
A Little Too Much.

During the performance of '.Hamiet''
at the theater of small town the actor
who took the principal part suddenly
tainted, whereupon the Director came
forward with the announcement, ask
ing: rs there no one in this highly
intelligent audience who will, to oblige
the rest, undertake the art?"-Fliegeasde
BLQetter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

Abbotsford is still so popular a re-
sort that the fees paid by tourists usu-
ally exceed e400 year, so that it is
twice as profitable to show the place
as to let it, for the rent paid by Mr..
Thorburn, who has has taken it for
five years, is only f200 year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
Mans Mental Superiority.

Mrs. Hayseed Con a crowded New
York thoroughfare)-Sak alive! How
air we goin' to git acrost the street?
Mr. Hayseed (pointing to an elevat-
ed railroad station)-Now, see here,
Amandy, you must stop actin as if you
was never in city before. Can't you
see that bridge?-N. 7. Weekly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
Fossil Forest.

A fossil forest has been discovered
near Franent, in Scotland. Forty or
fifty fossil tree trunks have been al
ready laid bare and the full dimensions
of the forest are as yet unknown. One
OF the trunks is about three feet in di-
ameter and they are for the most part
of freestone.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

A pure white English sparrow dwells
with colony of browns in Hartford
Conn.
There are 30, 900 benefit and burial
clubs registered in England and Wales,
with funds which amount to Ell, OOO,-
900.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

The vegetarians may say what they
please, but Adam was fond of spare
brakes Magazine.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

Yellow ehrysanthemums are made
hollow-hearted for elegant spreads and
filled with ice-cream.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23
A Versatile Liar.

In stove store the other day a man
came rushing in and said to the pro-
prietor:
Have you gone into lying for
trade?n
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-23

knew, was dying.
The next day the town rang with the
news that Miss Claretta Burney was
lying very i'll, having been shot by
young Henry Wynne, whom she refused
to marry, and the gossips enjoyed
themselves.
DR.. Romer was in close attendance
upon the wounded girl, and if she died,
Henry Wynne would be lucky if he
were left in the hands of the law. and
not dragged from them and lynched-
beautiful girl like that-a lovely crea-
ture. So those who talked of the affair
declared.
| The news reached Arthur Dare's
ears. He was in despair.
| He had no doubt killed Claretta. He
repented in dust and ashes-life would
| be valueless to him now. True, he
| had not intended to harm Claretta-
| he had tried to kill his rival. Henry
| Wynne. As far as Claretta went it
was a pure accident. But fate had
marked the bullet, and the deed was
/ done.
He could have escaped suspicion if
/ he had been bastard enough to hold his
| peace, but men of violent passions are
not often contemplate towards. As
soon. as Arthur Dare fully realized
Henry Wynne's position he went to the
authorities, told the story, and gave
himself up. Henry was released. and
Arthur was detained to await the re-
suit of Claretta's injuries, and the Cos
sips had another feast.
The doctors carriage stopped three
times day at the Burneys'. and
Claretta was supposed to be very i'll
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-07-24
ooUsHLrS BREAKING Dowy
ashe, Warden Thinks He Will He-
veal SOnsrfhtpE About the Cronin

a1uei Wnruem ph1ukH Rhe VIII tteH
veal SonssfhtnE About the Cronin
Murder.
CHICAGO, H., July 19.-Speaking of
DAN Coughlin, ono of the convicted
Jronin lmurdsrers, who has failed fear
ally since his confinement, Deputy
Warden Merrill said yesterday 10 re-
porter: ~ have watched Uoushlin pretty
closely and have formed decided
opinion. | know that he has built great
iopes on having new trial and that it
will be terrible blow to him If he does
not get II. believe he is broodinp over
he fact that he and his two companions
are suffering punishment for o crime
q which they were doubtless implicated
out i'm which they were after all
'nly subordinates. The iuroads made on
ais health, an satisfiod, are due wholly
mental trouble. There is no other
ssigned cause and am inclined to think
hat 1t would not take great deal to in
iuoa him to break down and tell ell he
tnowB of the murder. The decisive
moment, think, will be when 1t Ia known
.efnitely VIII .ther or not new trial will
% granted"
"Haye you bad any intimation directly
from him that would lead you to think
ne was weaksnine?r
No eau hardly say so. He 10 not
very communicative. He never has been
.ince he came here. l base my opinion
n this instance, as / have in the cage Of
many another convict, on the manifest
'igns Of an overburdened, careworn mind.
)an's got something to tell. He may have
Trengsh OF will enough to keep 1t to
rmself, but quetion 1t. The decision as
. a new trial may be a new epoch In the
Jronin MURDER
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-07-24
BLooDED BRAUrY mrs raB p1pn


A aair a-tOned Eaung Ghicag o
Woman. HOadod with Diamonds.
Arrested ia an Opt0m J0imt.
CHICAGO, July 10 "A woman found in
an opium den In Peck court last night
offered tho officers diamonds worth 1T
least - 900, If they would release her.
The den was discovered by this mereBt
accident. Officers passing along The
street detected tho odor OF opium noke
nsa- basement laundry kept by Lee
Sun. Tbs place seemed to have only
two rooma, ono occupied by the workmen
and tho other sle3piDg room. 1t was
noticed that the rear room had been
divided by partition OF plain boards
and that they had been covered with old
show bills ard newspapers. a sort Of
cupboard OF closet was placed agsinst the
partition. When this was removed o
email door was disclosed which opened
into second apartment. Heavy damask
ard satin drapery, rich curtains and
costly br c-a.brac adorned the place.
In luxurious bunk in this room the
woman and o man were found smoking q
pipe filled with opium. The woman al
mnst faniled away when the officers
entered. She was richly dressed, ycnog
and pretty. Diamonds spatkled ia her
ears, onher fingers and wrists and around
her NECK. she took the jewels off and
implored the officer TO take them and
release her. The man and woman were
taken TO the station and booked under
assumed names. The keeper of the place
and all OF the smoking paiapheEnAiia
were locke d up.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-07-24
Made THE pRopHEor aooD.
Fatal Result OF a FOrsune-teIler,n
Direful EaFedtcttOp

PIrTsDuBa, Pa, July 1s.--Miss Jennie
Mcdonald, aged 10 years, and the niece
OF Captain William Mcdonald, Superin-
tendent OF the Duquesne Steel Works,
committed suicide some time last night
by jumping into the Monongahela river.
She left the family last evening to 20 to
bed, hut did not come down to breakfast
this morning, and when her room was
entered it was found that it had not been
occupied. Men were sent out to search
for the girl, but they had not been gone
long before two Of her friends cams with
letters they had just received from Miss
Mcdonald. The letters were written last
night, and said the writer intended to
drown herself. She wrote that she had
been to SEQ fortune-teller, and that that
person had told her that she would surely
die on the 9th OF August.
"The words of the fortune-teller have
haunted me day and night" wrote Miss
Mcdonald, land I cannot wait for the
end. So will drown myself and have
peace" On the river bank the jacket and
hat of the girl we're found, but her body
has not been recovered. She was en-
gsged to be married next month and was
cultured and rarely beautiful. The for
tune-teller will be prosecuted.