davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
Mushrooms in the Fields.

Most people like mushrooms, but 1
do not meet with many people who
know how to grow them. 1 allude to
those grown in the open fields and
parks. L have picked basketful of
mushrooms of all sizes each day on a
field of about eight acres of old pasture,
on which, about ten years ago, ap-
piled, in the month of February, about
three hundred weight of ordinary rough
salt to the acre, and soon after dibbled
in by means of a sharp spud. bits of
mushroom spawn as big as a bean all
over the field This 1 did by myself by
degrees during space of a month or
more, and the result has been that on
this field l have had a grand lot of
mushrooms every year, from about May
until September. l have some salt put
on this field, more or less. every year
since first did it, and shall continue to
do so. as the dressing not only assists
in the production of mushrooms, but it
also improves the quality of the grass.
which is grazed by cattle and horses,
and sometimes by sheep alternately
Land and Water.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
The Melancholy millionaire.

The interesting millionaire has turned
up aGain-we mean the one who
gloomily shakes his head and remarks,
with 4 long drawn sigh, that he doesn't
begin to be as happy as he used to be
when he walked FIVE miles every morn
ing over a rough road to his daily work
and only earned dollar day. Why
doesn't 1t occur to one OF these melan-
choly millionaires that IL he should adj
vertise he would doubtless find some
one ready to relieve him of his posses
sions, thus enabling him to return to
the simple, frugal life of earlier days?-
N Y. Tribune
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

tain of the vigilantes. and he approached
Mr.. Limerick. saying quietly in Span
ish: 81 wish a word with you. This
woman states that you know something
regarding the disappearance of Mr..
Huntly, the Englishman who was stay
ing at the Hotel Victoria
Certainly do" replied Mr. Emer-
lex. 81 have just received a letter
from him bearing the San Nicholas
postmark. He is about to take trip
into the interior and will not be back,
probably, for several weeks"
AS he uttered these words he drew
the letter from his pocket, and offered
it for inspection. Several of the by
ISLANDERS looked at it, but as none of
them knew the supposed Mr. Hun ly's
handwriting, none could dispute the
genuineness of the letter coming from
him.
''This clears up all the mystery" said
the captain as he walked away. Belle
Lorimgr, without vestige of color in
her cheek, was left alone beside Mr..
limerick. Il will be revenged for this, -
she Kissed in his ear Then she fol-
lowed the captain of the vigilantes
along the pier.
Mr.. limerick proceeded to Montivedeo,
where he hoped to catch the regular
steamer for Rio de JaneirO.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

he Had No Use for u Person That Ridis
culed n Rabbits Foot
1T saved me agin." exclaimed an old
darby who lodged an ice wagon on
Monroe avenue yesterday and pulled out
and waved ON high a rabbit foot
What is that?" asked one Of the
men who grouped around him
de hind fut Of an Alabama rabfNS.
sah-de bestest chain in de world tuS .
pusson to carry IN his pocket
How does 1t act like charm?N
Keeps ghosts away-doan' let any
robbers cum around-saves yer life
when somebody's gwine ter kill Va
Whar would i hev bin list now but fus
dis rabbits fut?''
''Boshi I don't believe there 10 aus
good in it
--You doanr Jist hear himl Doan
believe in no rabbits fut, Why, sab, 3
wouldn't be in your shoes fur no So
thousand dollars
''Go on, Its no better than q dogAs
hind foot
'-Hu, Hear him. OATS all want &C
know of yon, sah-dat's ALL You keeE
right away from mel Pusson that ridi-
cules n rabbits fut is bound to be un-
lucky, an doan' want muffin to do W.T.
him De ghosts am suah to pick his
bones sooner or LATER, an / doan' wanl
no truck wild him-no truck tall, sah- =
Detroit Free Press
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
RURAL BREVITIES,

An experienced herder says that
whenever sheep goes off by itself its
owner may be sure there is something
radically wrong with it.
A nervous, fiery man should never
undertake to teach a team to pull heavy
loads. What is wanted is to learn how
to use their power, and to do SO without
getting excited.
I'm painting hives do not use dark
cOlOrS for in extreme hot weather the
combs in dark colored hives will melt
down, while in hive which is painted
white, no damage will be DONE
DO not be alarmed if you find a
number of dead bees about the en-
trance of the hive. In summer time
you do not notice so many because the
colony carry their dead away in their
daily flight.
Young horses of nervous tempera-
ment are easily frightened. The only
way to prevent their ''shying' is to
make them acquainted with the cars,
robes, umbrellas, bridges, white stones
or whatever frightens them in such a
kind, gentle manner that they will
know they are not going to be hurt.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
Hedge Fences A,e the Rest.

I have one and one-half miles Of
hedge that has been set for thirty
years, and 1 must say 1 have had less
trouble from any kind of stock getting
over or through it, than with any other
fence on the farm. The most of my hedge
has been Topped down; think it the
best way to make tight fence. 1 trim
my hedge twice year. There is no
use having hedge over a foot wide:
the narrower it is trimmed, the thicker
1t will grow at the bottom. 1 like
hedges SO well that I have set one and
one-half miles more this spring 1 set
the plants foot apart. If hedge is
kept in the right shape, man can trim
one mile day, and not tear his shirt,
either My hedges have been good
fences for twenty-five years, and don't
see why they won't last fifty or seventy
five years longer. Some farmers in this
vicinity have lost enough by having
valuable horses ruined to have fenced
whole farms with hedge.-Farm and
Preside.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
a CALIFORNIA CART.
Spoked Wheels Unknown the Pacific
Coast in 1S41-

Spoked Wheels Unknown on the Pacific
Coast in 1S41-
At this time here was not in Califor-
mia any vehicle except a rude Califor-
mia cart; the wheels were without tires
and were made by telling an oak tree
and hewing it down till it made a solid
wheel nearly foot thick on the rim
and little larger where the axle went
through The hole for the axle wonld
be eight or nine inches in diameter, but
few years use would increase it to .
foot To make the hole, an auger, gouge
or chisel was sometimes used, but the
principal tool was an axe. A small tree
required but little hewing and shaping
to answer for an axle. These carts were
always drawn by oxen, the yoke being
dashed with rawhide TO the horns To
Intricate the aXles they used soap (that
is one thing the Mexicans could makel,
carrying along for the purpose a big
pail of thick soapsuds which was con-
stantly put in the box or hole: but you
could generally tell when a California
cart was coming half a mile away by the
saueaking. / have seen the families of
the wealthiest people go long distances
at the rate of thirty miles or more day.
visiting in one of these clumsy two
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
a Sensitive Patron.

you've got a fellow in there THAI
won't wait ON me again, not much, =
said an irate customer, as he emerged
from the dining-room and slapped his
check down before the hotel clerk
whats the trouble, sir?" asked the
clerk
I'm not stingy," continued the Gus
toner, land don't mind giving tips, but
when a waiter hangs round when a fell
low is nearly through eating, and
whistles DO Not Forget Me- think Ii
is about time something was done"
The offer OF twenty-fve-cent cigar
seemed to wonderfully pacify the en-
ragged c.lstomer.-Boston Herald
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

the former because they render the
walks unsightly and cause them a little
extra work, and the latter because, as
they think. the worms eat their sprout-
ing grain. These people would soon
find, however, that the earth without
worms would soon become cold, hard
bound, and void of all decomposition or
fermentation, and consequently sterile;
and besides, in favor of worms, it should
be known that green corn. plants and
flowers are not SO much injured by
them as by many species of bugs in
their larvae or grub state, and by count
less myriads of shelless snails, which
silently and imperceptibly make amaz-
ing havoc in the field and garden.
Worms work most in the spring and are
out every mild night in the winter, and
are very prolific.
An argument is often used that
worms are injurious to soil from the
simple fact that they are usually found
in the richer portions OF the field. This
argument is about equal to that
of some who state that when
the mercury contracts. goes down
the weather gets colder; whereas
the cold causes the contraction,
instead of the contraction causing cold.
The same is true regarding worms in
rich soil; instead of worms being in
rich soil, rich soil is usually found where
the worms are: the latter causes the
former, and not rice cersd.
Worms are readily destroyed by the
application of common salt, sown
broadcast at the rate of five or six
bushels per acre: or on grass plats, by
the application of lime water, or rather
milk of lime. which is readily made by
stirring for ten min utes pound of hot
lime in four pailfuls of water. But. for
a great many reasons, a few of which
are suggested in the foregoing, care
should be taken to encourage worms,
not to destroy them. They are among
the best aids in bringing back the lost
vitality of the soil.-Prof. j. f. Elsom,
in Prairie Farmer
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

Then hasty conversation ensued. and
arrangements in regard to their depart
ure were discussed
Soon afterwards Mr.. Limerick locked
his desk and they left the building to-
gother. After taking Belle Lorimer
home in carriage. Mr.. limerick went
to his club. wrote letter and seemed
very anxious to post it that night, for
he walked over to the post-off1ce and
put it in the letter-box himself 1t
was to friend of his in San Nicholas,
town about one hundred miles mp the
river.
On the afternoon of the third day
after Belle Lorimer's interview with
Mr.. limerick, the Spaniard, Miguel
Castillo, came to her rooms and excited
~ told her that Mr.. Emericks baggage
had been taken aboard the Montevideo
boat and he was going himself to that
port at once. Not moment was to be
lost, so the actress hurriedly prepared
| herself to accompany the informer. say
ing: HE thinks he can escape me after
all, but will intercept him."
The Two fastened to the pier, and
were just in time to see Mr.. limerick
going aboard the steamer. On their
| way down they had called for the cap
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
Very Hard Luck.

IBIS yere snow comes rough on me-
said Patsy, the tramp, looking out on
the falling flakes
Il get 'squeered on dis game like
wise,' said Slimsy- Il was getting up
4 syndicate to back 4 new deal of mime
which is now showed under"
What was the idea?"
An infallible method OF keeping off
mosquitoes Where does the snow de
you up2''
-1Oh, on little discovery of mine that
viii insure the detection of bacilh in
ice-cream-'
Him, playin' in hard luck, amt we?'s
ION the dead, we are-'-St- Joseph
News
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

an Archduke. saws the New York Press,
this young man felt that he was a fail
ure Born in the purple, the son OF
Leopold, Grand Duke OF Tuscany, and
the Grand Duchess Maria Antonio, he
passed his boyhood and youth in all the
luxury and splendid dissipation OF the
imperial and highest aristocratic circles
OF Austria A scion OF the younger gen
Grafton of the Hapsburgs and = Lieu
tenant Field Marshal of the Austrian
army, the career that opened before
him was one of opulence and military
distinction But the Archduke wearied
of it all. He cared little for the art OF
soldering. His inclination ran to the
high seas instead. He detested the
the pomp and ceremony of the gorgeous
court of Vienna and he had a perfect
passion for the science of navigation
To crown all he fell in love 1t was
with q Niennese dancing girl, but with
most unprincely manhood Archdnke
Johann desired to make her. not his
mistress. but his wife In spite OF the
bitter opposition of the imperial fam
lily he insisted on laying down all his
hono-s and descending into plebeian-
/, ism. He resigned his Field Marshal
ship, he gave up his proud Archdneal
title and he passed an examination
which satisfactorily proved his ability
TO do the work of q sea captain Then
in the Santa Margaretha, an iron three
master of 1000 tons that he had bought
the young merchant captain sailed fo1
London. In the British capital his Vi
ennese sweetheart met him, and they
were made man and wife The Santa
Margaretha then set sail for Buencs
Ayres.
From the Argentine city Captain Ortl.
sailed for Valparaiso about the middle
OF last July Since that time nothing
positive has been known of him or his
| ship or of the wife who was with him
1t is as if the hungry sea had swallowed
them up. A shattered wreck seen afloa1
near Cape Horn is supposed to have
been the missing Austrian merchant
man. The length of time since the YES
sci left Buenos Ayres renders it certain
in the opinion of maritime experts that
she has been wrecked and those CT
board of her drowned. The whole
affair is so tragic and strange that il
has aroused widespread attention and
comment. '.All the world loves lover,
and thousands of people in Europe and
America have read with eager iuteres'
the story of the Archduke Johann's de
votion to his plebeian sweetheart Thai
| death should so soon have come to tn,
pair seems pitiful- The entire episode
| goes to prove that there is plenty O.
chivalry and romance in this prosai.
old world vet.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

ADJUSTABLE HALTER. much more readl-
ly adjusted, since in the old-fashioned
halter the main and foretop are con-
stantly becoming entangled when this
headgear is being arranged. To re-
move the one illustrated, it is only
necessary to unbuckle the strap, when
the whCSe falls to the1fioor. Again, it
is specially convenient to carry upon
the road. since it can be adjusted over the
bride by frightening the strap when
buckling. When a halter is used in
this way the rope should be passed
through the bit-ring, giving much
greater control over the horse if he
should become frightened while stand
ing at the hitching-post. The snap and
rings are convenient arrangement for
frightening or shortening the amount
of rope.-American Agriculturist-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
Carbolic Acid for Corns.

DIR. Salemi has taken advantage Of
the escharotic property of carbolic acid
to remove corns which several other
remedies had failed to dislodge. He
gives the following directions: After
bathing the feet in soapy water, dry
the affected part and surround the corn
with a layer of collodion. Melt the
carbolic crystals by a gentle heat and
apply thick layer over the softened
surface of the corn, taking care not TO
touch the surrounding flesh After a
few minutes apply to the layer of acid
piece of wadding or blotting paper to
absorb the excess OF the acid Repeated
at intervals of three or four days, this
simple remedy is stated to effect COM
plete cure
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26

liked it was a fair, Stand-up fgh., nc
matter what tho weapons were. II
would never do for him to meet Percy
Lowell and he knew it, so his only course
was to settle with tho Spaniard and run
the chances of his finishing tie work.
After . moments reflection he went to a
safe in rhe corner, carefully counted out
the amount and handed it ove,.
"You have saved yourself great deal
of trouble" was the Spaniard's remark
as he pocketed the wealth.
THE vigilantes are making inquiries
regarding the missing man. The hotel
keeper has reported the case, and if it
should be learned that he spent the
night at your house some very unpleas-
ant inquiries may be made. Besides, I
am not sure about Miguel Castillo; he
may turn traitor after all He and the
Englishman were on very friendly
terms to judge from the looks which
they gave each other"
While these words were being ut
tered Mr.. Emerick's face was livid, he
clinched his fists and betrayed an in
tensely excited state of mind.
In two days 1 shall be away from
here, and if you carry out your contract
said Mr. limerick.
''You may rely upon my doing 1t"
was the answer. Saying which the
Spaniard rose to leave, and two minutes
later he was on the street.
About half an hour had elapsed since
the Spaniard's departure. Mr.. limerick
was plodding away industriously at his
desk, and one by one was disposing Of
the numerous papers piled before him.
Another half hour and he would have
finished the work he had made up his
mind TO accomplish that night But
no; he was doomed to another Interrupt
ton. gentle tap on the door, an In
quiry: who's there?" and there came
a reply In soft voice of woman:
''Opsn the door: it is a friend" In an
instant the door was opened, but look
of hate greeted the woman, who was
the same person Percy Lowell had seen
enter the carriage after leaving the
concert ball. She was taken aback, such
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT EARTHWORMS.

They Are Among the Best Aids in Re-
storing Lost Fertility.
Very often the most insignificant
causes produce the most important eff
fects. This applies very forcibly to
earthwormS. These little animals are
Of much more consequence and have
much more influence in farm economy
than most people are aware of. They
are mighty in their effect by virtue of
their minuteness. This property rem
derS them less an object of attention
and from their numbers and remark
able fecundity, though in appearance a
very insignificant and despisable link
in the chain of nature. yet, if lost,
would make 1amentab BILE chasm
To say nothing of half the birds and
many quadrupeds which are entirely
supported by them, worms, instead of
being a hindrance to and consumer of
vegetation, are really one of its best
promoters, in fact nearly all vegetation
would proceed but 1amely without
them, for by boring, perforating and
loosening the soil, they render it per
vious to the rain and the fibrous roots
of the plants by drawing straws and
stalks of leaves into it; and, above all,
they throw up such infinite numbers OF
heaps of earth called worm casts,
which, being their eXcrement, is one
of the finest fertilizers known to the
| chemist, and for this purpose alone
their increase and growth should be en-
| couraged.
In all probability, worms provide new
| soil for hills and slopes, where the rair
washes the earth away, and they pro
tect these slopes from being washed
away or flooded. Gardeners anc
farmers are as a unit almost in ex
| pressing their detestati"n of worms
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
AVENGED AT LAST;
Or, a Worldwide Chase.
A STORY OF RETRIBUTION.
By ""ABASH."
tcoPYRIGHT, 1901
CHAPTER XII.


Preparations for his departure kept
Mr.. limerick at his Office all day and
far into the night for the next few days.
He had decided to sell out his business
entirely and was disposing of his stock
of goods both in the warehouse and in
transit for any amount which they
would realize. He appeared to be in a
state of intense excitement which was
rather Unnatural for him, as he usually
maintained an exceedingly quiet de-
meanor. But the occurrences of the past
few days had apparently unnerved him.
His anxiety to get away was undis-
guised and at times he had good cause
to fear that his desires would not be &C
-complished. Disposing of the stock
was an easy matter, but many of the
outstanding bills due the firm were
difficult to settle in satisfactory man
ner, and many had to be relinquished
altogether.
One night as he sat at his desk, very
late, he heard knock ON the door and
upon opening it was confronted by the
tall, swarthy Spaniaru who had hired
the men to make away with Percy Lowell
limerick locked the door after admitting
his visitor, then turning to him with an
evil look in his eye, said in Spanish,
which language they always used in
conversing with each other: What
does this late call mean?'
81 want this dirty business settled, -
replied the Spaniard in any thing but a
pleasant tone; thereupon heated con-
versatiOn ensucd.
"What did you do with the English
man?"
lie is sixty miles up the country
safely guarded by some trusty friends
Of mine.
But your agreement was that his
body should float out on the next tide 81
The easy manner in which these words
came from Mr.. limerick would have
made an ordinary listeners blood run
cold, but the Spaniard sat stolid and un.
moved. He evidently understood the
extraordinary nature of the merchant
and with no more excited exclama alton
than Ugh" he said: 81 changed my
mind"
Changed you mind For what rea.
son?"
well, l thought it would be best TIC
have full settlement with you before
had the curly-haired Englishman's
blood on my hands"
'And that. l presume, is the purpose
of this visit?"
Nothing MORE" said the Spaniard.
This seemed to irritate the merchant
and he spoke sharply: pray. what proof
am 1 to have that you will carry out
your contract if / pay you?"
my word of honor as gentleman
and soilier.'
YOU A0n0r! A man whose hands
are as deeply dyed in blood as yours can
not know much Of honor"
II have sufficient left to stand my
ground and fight fair when occasion de-
mands it," was the retaliatory response
which Mr.. limerick heard as he met the
Spaniard's whitening gaze.
Il shall refuse to pay you until I
know positively that this Mr.. Huntly
us he calls himself is dead" was Mr..
Emerick's reply.
Then the prisoner will be set free at
,nce and take the first boat back to this
city,
''Let him come" said Mr. limerick,
defiantly.
You will have to fight him if he
does" said the Spaniard, in a sneering
tone. Now, if there was any thing
under the sun which Mr.. limerick dis
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
In Central Park.

THAT bust of Shakespeare ought to
be taken from its pedestal and cleaned"
But that would be doing him an in
jury"
How so?''
People would say that he was off his
base Judge.
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
An Important Point.

"Mrs- Small" asked prospective
customer, what is your charge per
week for boarding?"
Seven dollars, sir"
ttIs that with or Without"
with or without what?"
"Prunes-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
Patriotic Pride.

Mrs Sandy MacPharlaoe-Ah,S Sandy,
mon, the Germans and the Italians ma
talk about their great musicians. but
name o thin hae the reputation o Piper
Heidsieclz, for do see his name in big
letters N all O. the papers / pick up
Jury
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
Speculative Heredity,

rfamilias-Imogen, you mustn't
marry George Rockpate- He was such
hard-headed boy! l couldn't bear &c
have my grandchildren like him
Imogen-Yes, mamma. / know all
the Rockpates are awfully hard-headed
bat you must remember there is soften.
ing of the brain In our family.@Judge-
Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-26
The theory that swill must be sour

The theory that swil1 must be sour,
decayed, poison stuff is by no means
exploded as yet. If many a farmer
would pay for the outlay of a micro
scope he would see wondrous things IN
one of those old swill barrels it
would often deter him from eating
pork of his own raising and cause hi1n
to wonder why so many crawling things
had not destroyed the lives of his hogs