davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
Caution With Poison.
The Country Gentleman.

In the early years of the use of arsenical
poison for checking and destroying the
| potato beetle, many persons felt great fear
| that they too might share the fate of the
insects, and it was not unusual to meet
with those who refused to eat potatoes in
any form They were not aware of the
| fact. whatever of arsenic was used, fell to
| the ground and remained on the surface,
while the tubers were some inches beneath
and beyond its reach; and they did not
know that paris green was insoluble by the
plant. Besides this security, there was
many times as much iron in all, or nearly
all, soils as would neutralize the minute
quantity of arsenic applied; while through
out the country at large, millions of per-
sons parto0k daily of what regarded as
poisoned potatoes without the slightest
harm.
But long escape from danger makes
many persons careless. We see the effects
of this carelessness on our railroads, on
which frequent accidents now occur after
long immunity from them. Employees, a.
first extremel y cautious, gradually become
inattentive through the lapse of years
when they see no harm come, and posi-
tive carelessness followed The frequent
and rapidly increasing use of paris green
is likely to be followed by similar use
carelessness and by accident. Working
men mix the poison and breathe the ris-
ing dust They leave the vessels in which
it is mixed uncleaned, and afterward feed
domestic animals in them Patches Of
potatoes are busted on the windward side
OF dwellings, and the wind carries the
dust to where it is breathed by women and
children. A cow pasture ON the lee side
of potato field receives the poisonous dust
on the breeze. Cattle break down a weak
fence and feast on the poisoned potato
leaves. All these accidents have occurred
In greater or less degree.
But an additional danger now threatens.
The efficiency of arsenical poison as remedy
for the codling worm is becoming widely
known they are extensively used. and their
value in destroying the curculio has been
proved at least partially. But the fruits
attacked by the curcuilo mores frequently
grow in the Immediate vicinity of small
and garden vegetables. Strawberries are
often planted Immediately under plum
trees, and other small fruits and vegetables
in near proximity. The poison is not so
easily washed from the soft and rough sur
face of the Strawberries and raspberries as
from smooth apples and glossy plums, and
some of them ripen nearly at the same time
as the spraying. 1t would hardly be sus-
pected that intelligent persons could care
lessly make the mistake here pointed out if
the mistake had not actually occurred, and is
is well at the present time to put owners on
their guard, while fruit is gathered early
in summer by a miscellaneous class of per-
sons, and while working men do not always
take the trouble to think where they are
scattering poison
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
A DIFFERENT COLORING.
Plans of the Conspirators in Lower Cali
fornia Fully Exposed

SAN Francisco, Cal, June 5.-The
Chronicle special from San Diego says
that the Investigation being made into the
proposed flibustering expedition against
Lower California continues to reveal start
ling facts and new phase is now put
upon the affair. From evidence furnished
by the agents of the Mexican
Land and Colonization company it appears
that the president of the company
had in view plan to annex the peninsula
to the British empire by pursuing the
same policy that was followed by the East
India company when Great Britain ac-
CURED possessions in Asia. 1t was dis
igned to colonize from the Mexican COVER
ment, and then provoke strife and foment
dissension
English capital and interests would
then be jeopardized and the interven-
ton of the mother country was to be in
voked. Proof of this statment of the
agents of the company, substantiated
by documentary evidence, has been Sc
cured. Maj. Scott manager of the
company, supposed that after the republic
had been established the United States
government would join with the Mexican
government in suppressing the INVASION
Then Great Britain would be appealed to to
protest the interests of her subjects and
would establish a protectorate over the
peninsula. 1t all goes to show that Maj
Scott was only using the American con-
spirators Smith, Merrill, Worthington and
others to give the plot the appearance Of
being an American movement
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
JOSH BILLINGS PHILOSOPHY.

per cent. haZ no rest, nor no religion;
it works nights, and Sundays, and even
wet days.
Thare IL az mulch difference in TAXI az
thar IL In the strength ov gunpowder; sum
kinds ov takt lokate their bullets, not only
right between the eyes, but deep in the
meat, while other kinds hit everything
but the center, and glance out at that.
Genus IL like hop vine; it will run
and spread emmy how, and hav whole
lot ov half wild hops on it; but tew be a
good krop, it must be poled, and cut back,
and suckered.
Precept IL a buck saw, Experience the
elbow grease that runs the cussed thing.
Thare IL this difference between talent
and genius-one IL a blood houn, that
follows only by scent, the other a gray
houn that runs only by sight.
Thare IL nothing more dangerous few
most men than praize-it IL like filing
them up with gunpowder, and putting a
slow match few them.
do unto others az yu would hay them
do unto yu.' Praize in others what yu
would like tew hav praized in yu, IL the
very sublimity ov blowing yure own trum-
pet.
If we would be happy in this world and
IN the world tew cum, we should live az
| tho this day waz our last here, and to.
morrow our first in eternity.
Ceremony IL the necessity ov phools
good breeding il the luxury ov the wise.
| Tew be agreeable IL tew be easily pleased
If this IL so, haw easy and pleasant it il
tew be agreeable!
He whom the good praize and the wick
ed hate, ought tew be satisfied with hi,
reputashun;
| E It haz been ascertained by learned FRO
fessor in Yale College, that the wicked
work so per cent. harder tew git to bel
than the righteous do to reach heaven
What waste ov time and muscle New
| York Weekly
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
A POEMS HISTORY,
The Origin of Bryant's Masterpiece and
How 1t Was Received by Appreciative
Souls.
YOuth's COMPANION

Youths Companion.
At the age of 81 years William Cullen
Bryant was licensed to practice law in the
courts of Massachusetts,. 1t was not the
calling for which he was fitted; his nature
was too shy and sensitive for the life of
conflict by which lawyers win fame and
fortune; but law seemed to him the read
lest means of earning his bread. while
literature, to which he would gladly have
devoted himself, offered him the scantiest
support.
While he and his father and the other
members of the family were discussing
where he should nail up the sign Of
William C. Bryant, Attorney-at-Law :"
he walked over the hills to Plainfeld. a
small village four or five miles distant
from Cummington, where his father re-
sided. The motive of the journey was to
see what inducements the village offered
for the practice of his profession.
He felt very forlorn and desoIate. for
the world seemed dark and his future un-
certain. The sun had set in a sea of chry-
solite and opal, and he stopped to contem-
plate the brilliant sky. Suddenly he saw
a solitary waterfowl winging its way along
the horizon, and watched Ii until it was
lost In the distance.
The contemplation gave him such a
stimulus that he went on with new
strength and courage, and when he reach
ed the house where he was to stay for the
night he sat down and wrote the lines
ITO Waterfowl" the concluding verse
of which expressed the hope impaired to
him by the fight of the lone wanderer:
she who, from zone to zone,
Guides through the boundless sky thy GER
tain flight,
In the long way that must tread alone,
Will lead my steps Alright
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12

Ambergris.-Th word ambergris is
French, and signifies gray amber; but by
whom or when first applied to this marine
phenomenon we have not been able to dis
cover.
The scientific explanation of the nature
Of ambergris is that it is the product of
some disease in the sperm whale analogous
to gall stones. 1t is found sometimes in
the intestines of the creature, but more
frequently is found, after expulsion, float
ing on the surface of tropical seas 1t
floats in masses which have a speckled-
gray appearance, and mixed with which
are generally found some remnants of the
known food of whales.
The best quality of ambergris is soft and
waxy, but it is said not to be uniform in
color. The streaky and marked speci-
ments are preferred. 1t is opaque and in
fammable, remarkably light as to specific
gravity, as may be understood from its
always keeping the surface, and it is rug
ged to the touch.
Most of what comes in to the market is
found near the Bahama ISLANDS, but it is
also found at the Moluccas and other parts
OF the Indian Ocean, off portion of the
coast of South America, and sometimes
floating on the Atlantic Ocean.
The essential characteristic of ambergris
is its powerful and peculiar odor. 1t is so
peculiar, that art has never been able to
initiate it. although the scarcity and en-
ormous price of ambergris has lent every
stimulus to invention 1t is so powerful
and ditfusive that the very minutest guam
tity is preceptible in the more agrant
perfumes.
The chief component of ambergris is a
fatty matter called amberein, which is OBJ
tanned by boiling in alcoholic. This
ambreian-an there is said to be about
IS per cent. of it in the best ambergris-
is what gives it its value, for it is in this
ingredient that the perfume lies.
There is another popularity ascribed to
ambergris, and that is the power to exalt
the flavor and perfume of other substances
with which it is brought into combination
Thus, grain or two rubbed down with
sugar is often added to hogshead of wine
giving preceptiblei and, what is con-
sidered by some. an improved flavor to the
whole. And small particle of ambergris
added to other perfumes is found to exalt
the odor of the blend.
In fact, ambergris is too dear to use alone
and 1t is so dear that it is one of the most
adulterated articles known to chemists. IT
is adulterated both by those who export it
and in the countries in which it is used
Chamhnr'S Journal
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
FACTS IN A NUTSHELL.

The Lutherans in the Baltic provinces of
Russia have undertaken vigorous cam
paign against intemperance, and have al
ready achieved notable success.
The Anglo Temperance Association is
making rapid advances in India. The Oh
ject of the organization is to secure the
ultimate prohibition of the sale of liquor
throughout India.
Towns and cities receive annually from
liquor licenses about 81 $50, 900. while over
s27 100000 is paid into saloons by the
people. For every dollar paid in for license
about twenty-one dollars are paid out by
the people. The saloon antagonizes all
good government and all educational in
fuences. Carroll D. Wright.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
The Power of Truth.

1t is related of a Persian mother. on Civ
ing her son forty pieces of silver as his
portion, that she made him vow never to
tell a lie and said: Go, my son, l con-
sign thee to God, and we shall not meet
again till the day of Judgment" The
youth went away and the party he travel
ed with were assaulted by robbers. One
fellow asked the boy what he had, and he
answered with candor that surprised his
questioner. Forty dinars are sewed up
in my garments" The robber laughed
thinking the boy jesting. Another asked
the same question and received the same
answer. At last the chief called him and
asked him what he had. And the boy re-
piled: 1 have told two of your people al
ready that have forty dinars sewedu up in
my Clothes The chief ordered his clothes
to be ripped open, and the money was
found. And how came you to do this ?"
replied the boy, Il would
not be false to my mother, whom SOLEMN
y promised never to tell a lie" "Child, :"
said the chief cart thou so mindful of thy
mother, while am insensible at the duty
| owe to God? Give me thy hand that 1
may swear repentance ON it." He did so,
and his followers were struck with the
scene. ''You have been our leader in
guilt" they said to the chief, '.be the
same in the path of s;rtue!'' And taking
the boys hand he swore repentance on it.
Boys, speak only that which is true You
may do as much good by it, if even you
never lead band of robbers to God and
honesty
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
A LEGEND.
ROSE OSBORNE.

There has come to my mind legend, a thing |
had half forgot, - .
And whether read it or dreamed IL, an, Wen, IL
matters not ;,
1t is said that in heaven, at twilight great bell
softly swings,
And man may listen and harken to the wonderful
music that rings,
If he put from his hearts inner chamber all the
passion, pain and strife,
Hearthache and weary longing throb in the pulses
of life
If he thrust from his soul all hatred, all thoughts
of wicked things,
He can hear in the holy twilight, how the bells OF
the angels rings.
And | think there is in this legend, II we open our
eyes to see
Somewhat of an inner meaning, my FRIEND TO you
and me-
Let us look in our hearts and question, can pure
thoughts enter in
To soul if it be already the dwelling of thoughts
of sin?
So then, let us ponder little; let us look in our
hearts and see
If the twilightbe of the angels could ring for us
and
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
A BACHELORS DESK.
1t is as Bad. as Boys Pocket For Mis-
celIany,

l am writing at the desk of friend,
bachelor he calls himself, says the Lewis
town (Me.) Journal. There is just room
for my elbow and papers, and while | am
waiting for mood | will steal surver
of what lies before men. On the south
west corner Of the desk is box cover con-
tanning small bottle of camphor, a bot
tie with a very small quantity of cologne,
some rubber bands, scrap of tinfoil, an
empty ink bottle, a bottle of Forest
Flower, a lump of sugar. Some political
scraps and envelopes are tucked behind
the box cover. | shall only mention
the things visable. for they lie deep on the
surface of this wonderful desk. Next to
the said box cover is match, one end of
which is visible, while the other is con-
cealed beneath a half-eaten apple. A lamp
situated in a tin basin, having an enor-
nous green shade, partly capsized by the
last Journal, occupies a conspicuous place.
From beneath the tin bottom of the lamp
peeps forth a church circular, torn envel-
ope, poem-''They Never Wed in the
City of the Dead ''-and a pamplet-"T
Higher Life A daily newspaper lies
near, with lonesome coat button and a
long piece of Irvine on its bosom. An
open encyclopedia-but hear my bachelor
coming, and with guilty conscience
gather up my stolen effects and disappear.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
Profits Depend on Labor.

The item of labor is the largest in the
list of the farmer, and its value is not de-
pendent on the amount performed, but
rather on time, place and mode of applica-
ton. 1t is very difficult matter to so reg
ulate The work as to make every hour
profitable and the skill and ingenuity of
the farmer can be called into service to its
fullest extent in this department Labor
may be reduced not by curtailing the num-
Der of persons employed in all cases, but
securing greater proportion of labor
with a corresponding increase of profit,
the cost eng reduced by the saving OF
til lie and lessening of the waste of force.
The usual farm crops grown are but
repetitions of one year after another.
A crop Of wheat must be seeded down, har-
vested. threshed, cleaned, bagged, and
hauled, the time required for so doing be-
ing equal to that which may be applied to
some other crops that may cost the same
but yielding a larger profit. The failure
of the farmer to grow the more profitable
crops is simply a misapplication of the
labor of his men aud teams. When a crop
fails to pay the work should be turned in
some other direction. What the change
of crops may be to the farmer only can de.
eide for himself, as climate, capital in.
vested, condition of soil and facilities fol-
reaching the market must serve as guides
but it is safe to state that on every farm
some crops may be grown to advantage II
he labor is properly applied and the far.
mer is progressive enough to venture out
side of grain growing, for until he deter
mines to devote his labor only to the crop;
that give greater opportunities for profit
he will incur risks of loss every season.
An acre devoted to grain may demand
more labor than an acre devoted to straw
berries, but the latter will pay a larger
profit. Crops of celery and asparagus ar,
grown in every section that yield enorm
Gus profits compared with the cost of pro
duction. These crops depend on eondi
tions. but the farmer can also be frui
grower, or make a speciality of certain
breed of stock The simple change o
one breed of cattle or sheep for anothe
better adapted for the farm is often turn
ing point of success. Failures may ais
occur by attempting to economic in tn
amount of work done by reducing the he'll
when additional assistance might have en-
abled the farmer to produce pro6tabl
crop Skilled laborers, at an advance Q
wages over those that are experienced
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
THE GRANDPA BURRUS CASE.
Its Decision by the Supreme Court of the
United States

United States.
A case that has excited much interest in
Nebraska, and particularly in Omaha.
known as the Grandpa Burrus case. was
decided IN the supreme court at Washing
ton May 10, and to the great satisfaction
of the Nebraska people Thomas F. Burrus
and his wife, aged people, had the custody
of Eva Miller. the child of a deceased
daughter. They held this right by virtue
of the decree of the state court. Miller.
the father of the child residing in Ohio.
brought action IN the United States dis
trict court for the custody of the child
and the finding of the court was in his
favor. Grandpa Burrus neglected to obey
order of the court, and through the active
sympathy of the people, touched by the
grief of the child and of the grandparents.
between whom the tenderest love exists.
Miller was unable to take the child away.
Grandpa Burrus was then arrested bv the
United States marshal for resisting the
court, and habeas corpus proceedings
were instituted for his release. The su-
preme court holds that the federal dis
trict court in this case had no jurisdiction.
and that the attempt to enforce its judg-
ment by attachment and imprisonment
of Burrus for contempt of the order of that
court is equally void. 1t was therefore
ruled that the prisoner is entitled to his
Among others taking deep interest in
this case were large number of children,
among whom about $500 was raised to
carry the issue to the supreme court.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12

may decrease expenses by the work being
done to greater advantage. The farmer
should not fear to grow a crop because of
the amount of work necessary, for, as a
rule, it is the cost of the labor that largely
fixes the price of the crop, and the profit
depends on the kind of crop grown.-Phila-
delphia Record.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
Which Is Your RIGHT Hand.

St. Louis Republic: An anatomist told
me the other day that could not tell him
which was my right had. Immediately
held out my right hand, but he objected.
He said that he did not say that could not
show or extend my right hand but that |
could not tell him which was my right
hand-that is, that could not describe it
in words so that one who had never heard
of the distinction we made between the
right and left hand would be able to find
it. | thought that would be easy enough
also until | took time to think the matter
over, then | gave it up, for ON the outside
of the human body there is nothing to
distinguish the right hand from the left.
No one can describe it in words so that an
gnorant person Zone not knowing the
distinctions we make can find and locate
it.
A New Yorker just returned from Vir-
ginia City tells of queer conjunction that
he saw there On the four corners of
Cove and Church streets in that city he
says, are to be seen, first liquor store,
then druggists store and doctor office,
then an undertaker's Office, and on the last
corner grave yard There is something
in this combination suggestive to getting
rid of a man with neatness and dispatch.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12

after his engagements in London have
been fulfilled, and here he is sure of
very cordial welcome.
W. SCoTT DALGLEIsH.
Edinburgh Correspondent of the London
Times
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12
RI J N

Fast Trains with Pullman Vestibuled Drawing
Room Sleepers, Dining Cars and Coaches of latest
design, between Chicago and Milwaukee and
st. Paul and Minneapolis.
Fast Trains with Pullman Vestibued Drawing
Room Sleepers, Dining Cars and Coaches of latest
design, between Chicago and Milwaukee and
Ashland and Duluth.
Through Pullman Vestibu1ed Drawing
Room and COlonist Sleepers via the North
ern Pacific Railroad between Chicago and
Portland, Ore.
Convenient Trains to and from Eastern,
Western, Northern and Central Wisconsin points,
affording unequalled service to and from Wau-
kesha, Fond du Lac, OSHKOSH, Neenah,
Menasha, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire,
Hurley, Wis, and Ironwood and Bessemer,
Mich.
For tickets, sleeping car reservations, tune
tables and other information, apply to agents OF
the line to Ticket Agents anywhere in the
United States or Canada.
S. X. AINSLIE, General Manager, MILWAUKEE,,
: Wis.
!. NJ HANNAFORD, Gen1 Traffic Manager,
ST. PAUL, MINN.
III. c. BARLOW, Traffic Manager, MILWAUKEE,
WIS.
LOUIS ECKSTEIN, Asst Gen1 Passr & Tk't
Agt, MILWAUKEE, WIS.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-12

Goldfish follow the ice of an iceberg
down until they reach the water under it,
which place affords them an excellent feed
ing ground