davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
FORTUNES IN SANDWICHES.
A Wealthy Blonde Gentleman Who Used
to be a Bowery Waiter. -

1t was in one of these resorts that
saw an elaborate blonde gentleman
with broad-striped shirt. shrieking
mustache, writes New York CORES
pendent of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
He is one of those omnipresent men
that haunt me wherever l 60 He is
always at the races, at all the the
atrcal first nights, and whenever | 90
to cafe for dinner he is pretty sure to
be at the next table. He seems 10 be
burdened with money.
DO you know him?" l asked of my
companion.
Not exactly" replied my friend,
''but | know of him, and he is a char
acter. He acts, | think, as a very
good example of what New York can
do for man of soundlv practical
ideas. As you say, he is burdened with
money-literally so. In view of this
it is somewhat surprising to know that
he was waiter in Il Bowerv restaurant
eight years ago. How did he make
his money? BY selling sandwiches
ham, roast beef, tongue, and cheese
sandwiches. From such unromantic
fields has his wealth been dug. will
tell you just how it all happened. As
| have said. the fellow was a Bowery
waiter ut one time. The cuisine ut the
restaurant where he worked was not
of the Demouico order bv any man
ner or means, and there was probably
more kicking done there than we have
heard tell of in Harlem boarding.
houses. One day man entered the
place whose appearance denoted that
he was from a choicer neighhorhood
than can be found in the purieus of
the Bowery. He was in hurry ard
wanted quick bite. He ordered soup
and one of the ready-made dishes.
Neither of these could he possibly eat.
The waiter, now a driver of tandems,
eyed his customer as he turned sadly
away from the unpalatable food, and
suggested that he might make him a
pretty good sandwich if the gentleman
wished 1t. There was Il good bit of
ham IN the place, he said, and the bread
was eatable bakers stuff. The custom
er assented, and the sandwich was SO
neatly made and was so palatable, con-
sidering the ordinary materials FORM
ing it, that the waiter was compli-
iiSh'S' " C'O WIZ III inc
same time advised the young fellow to
open a shop in a good neighborhood
and to make speciality of sandwiches.
The idea struck the waiter with full
force, and it was a very short time
after that he started his first shop in
factory neighborhood. Business was
brisk at once and the following wear
he had sandwich emporiums iourish-
inc in all parts of the city. He has
made fortune, has invested his profits
shrewdly, and can at this moment he
called a man of sound business judg-
mcnt. Like most men of his origin he
is loud in his attire and is given to
aping the fashionable set. | shouldn't
be Il bit surprised to see his children,
if he has any, figuring among the 400.
And, after all, how can man make
money more honorably than in minis
tering to the humble and hard work.
ing stomach?"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
A Doctor Without a Diploma.

| have said that there was no regu-
lar physician in California. Later in
1913. in company that came from
Oregon, was one Joe Meeks a noted
character in the Rocky Mountains On
the way he said Boys, when | get
down to California among the Greasers
| am going to palm myself off as a
DOCTOR" and from that time they dub
bed him DIR. Meeks. He could neither
read nor write. AS soon as the Cali
terey they began to come to him with
their different ailments. His first pro-
fessional service was to a boy who had
a toe cut off. Meeks, happening to be
near, stuck the toe on, binding it in a
poult;ce of mud, and it grew on again.
The new governor. Micheltorena, en-
ployed him as surgeon. Meeks had a
way of looking and acting very wise,
and of being reticent when people
talked about things which he did not
understand. One day he went into a
little shop kept by a man known as
DR.. Stokes, who had been kind of
hospital steward on board ship. and
who had brought ashore one of those
taken to sea, with aDothecary scales.
and a pamphlet giving short synopsis
of diseases and table of weights and
medicines, so that almost anybody
could administer relief to sick sailors.
Meeks went to him and said, Doctor,
| want you to put me up some pow
ders." So Stokes went behind his
table and got out his scales and medi-
zines, and asked, What kind of pow
ders?" Just common powders
patient not very sick" IF you will
tell me what kind of powders, DR..
Meeks-" ''Oh, just common powders. "
That is all he would say. DR.. Stokes
told about town that Meeks knew moth
ing about medicine, but people thought
that perhaps Meeks had given the pre-
scription in Latin and that DR.. Stokes
could not read it. But MeekS's reign
was to have an end. An American
man-of-war came into the harbor.
Thomas .. Larkin was then the United
States consul at Monterey, and the
commander and all his officers went
up to Larkin's store, among them the
surgeon, who was introduced to DR..
Meek3. The conversation turning up
on the diseases incident to the cOun-
try. Meeks became reticest, saying
merely that he was going out of prac-
tice and intended to leave the country,
because he could not get medicines.
The surgeon expressed much sympathy
and said, DIR. Meeks, if you will make
me out list | will very cheerfully
divide with Won such medicine as can
spare" Meeks did not know the
names of three kinds of medicine, and
tried evasion, but the surgeon cornered
him and put the question so direct that
he had to answer. He asked him what
medicine he needed most. Finally
Meeks said he wanted some ''draps
and that was all that could be got out
of him. When the story came out his
career as doctor was at IN end, and
he soon after left the country.-Ge1a-
eraL Bida0oU, IN Century.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
Married Life in Tibet.

Among the Ilbetans man marrle5
only one wife whom he purchases
from her parents, a belle often costing
as much as ten ponies and thirty yaks.
The price to he paid for the wife is ar
ranged by relative or friend who acts
as go-between. and the only marriage
ceremony is a grand spree lasting as
long as the bridegroom can afford to
keep it up.
The life of Tibetan woman in this
part of the country cannot be deemed
a hard one. Sne makes the tea. it is
true, but with that the housekeeping
ends; for no one ever dreams of clean
inc the kettle afterwards, and every
one has to mix his own tsamba and
lick his bowl clean when he has finished.
Every four or five years she may have
to sew a new sheep>kin gown for her
self or for some one Of her family, but
certainly not Oftener. She cannot herd
the cattle or sheep; men must do that.
as there is danger from marauders. She
passes her time spinning yarn, weaving
II coarse kind of cloth ont of which
bags are made. turning a PRAYER
wheel. notwithstanding too yoracious
VerIDIn.
Her toilet requires rearranoing only
four or five times year-when she
visits K"mhum or some other fair; she
never washes herself or her garments.
and her children cannot outGrow their
clothes: they have only to let out a
little the folds of the gown. their uni
que garment, tucked up around the
waist. and it will tit them until they
are grown up.-Ihe CcntaIrV.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
England's Crown Jewels.

Everybody who visits the town goes
to see the crown jewels. They are in
a stone chamber in the Wakefield tow
en- under Il heavy cage of iron and at
tended by "beefeaterS." Here is the
crown of Queen Victoria, set with sew
eral thousand diamonds. having in it
the ruby which Henry V. wore in lis
helmet at the battle of Aginc0urt-a
very pretty crown, but not comfort
able enough. it would seem, to make
one desire to wear it every day.
Here is the royal scepter, Of gold set
with precious stones. And the great
gold s;ltcclar used ut coronation ban
quets. and marking rank according to
the position of the guests above or he
low the salt. And the collar Of the
Order of the Garter, and a whole lew
elry store of other sparkling and Shin
ing things which, l suppose have their
due share in the government of the
English Empire.
The Norman chapel and the armory
are in the White Tower. The White
Tower is black. Six hundred years
ago they whitewashed the old walls,
and the name they gave it then has
Stalu ny lt. DuC it - OItch enOHgn,
with walls of flint. A great, square,
solid building, with turrets at the four
corners.
You can see the chapel which the
Conqueror had set among the sleeping
rooms and the fifty rooms of his strong
house. There is an upper gallery,
where he sat with his family in stately
secIusion when he came to church,
L0aad0n letter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
Causes of Death.

Shakespeare says: Men have died
and WORMS have eaten them. but not
for love" Some one else says very
few men die of age. Death is the re-
suit of disappointment. personal. men,
tai, or bodily toll or accident. We
often see the strong man cut down
suddenly and the invalid living his
four score years and ten. The fact is
that the strong man uses mp his
strength and the weak one nurses The
little given him. The passions certain
~ shorten life. and sometimes sudden
ly end it. ''Choked" with passion is
very often not IN exaggeration. TIE
lower animals which live temperate
lives have their prescribed term of
years. The horse lives % wears. the OK
ID or =. the hog 10 or Il the rab-
bit 8 or 9. the guinea-pig 6 or Z. The
nUm 5ers all bear proportion to the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
The Bears of Alaska.

10 the bear hunter the wildS of
Alaska offer paradise that can be
found in no other country on the globe,
rs is attested by the yearly shipments
of choice hides, which reach an enOr-
NOUS amount. The most choice of
these are the black bear, which roam
the woods by hundreds. and prime
skins Of which bring from $24 up to us
high rs 500 each in the market Dur
ing the excursion season tourists from
all parts of the globe make thriving
trade for Alaska merchants in the bear
skin line. There are five distinct
species of bear in Alaska-the black.
brown, or cinnamon, and cross. which
inhabit all portions of southeastern
Alaska and the upper portion Of the
Yukon country. Further north, in the
ST. Elias alps is the home of the st.
Elias grizzly, which in size ferocity.
and color much resembles the grizzlies
of the Sierra Nevadas, and still further
north along the lower reaches of the
Yukon and the ice-tieds of the Arctic
Ocean is the white polar bear. AS
brave and skillfnl in hunting bear as
the Alaska Indian is, he seldom hunts
the st. Elias grizzly, both for the
reaso. that there is little profit in the
hides, and the ferocity Of the beast
makes hunting them Il most hazardous
undertaking. Their mode, however.
of killing them is by shooting into
them from heavily charged smooth
bore musket a heavy slug of either
lead. copper. or iron. then awaiting
their charge, which never fails to follow
the shot. with a long, heavy, and
strongly made spear. resting the butt
of the weapon on the ground and
planting the foot firmly against it.
The point of the spear rests at an
angle to pierce the bear in the
breast. and the bears own weight,
when it strikes the spear in its mad
Charge. is calculated to drive the
weapon through him or pierce him
deep enough TO cause death. AS will be
READILY seen. if at this critical moment
the hunters courage should fail him.
or by miscalculaton the spear failed
to impale the charging beast, the hunt
or would be knocked senseless and
Immediately torn into shreds. This
mode of bear hunting may have its adj
vantages. but there is none but the
Alaska Indian who has the nerve and
courage to try the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Letter.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
The California Horse.

In reading the accounts of early days
in California | am struck with the en-
durance of hardship. exposure, AMI
wounds by the natives and the adven-
turers. the rancheros horseman. herds
men, the descendants of soldiers. and
the Indians. their insensibility to
fatigue, and their agility and strength.
This is ascribed to the climate; and
what is true Of man is true of The
native horse. His only rival in strength.
endurance, speed, and intelligence is
the Arabian. 1t was long supposed
that this was racial, and that but for
the smallness of the size of the native
horse, crossing with it would improve
the breed of the Eastern and Kentucky
racers. But there was reluctance to
cross the finely proportioned Eastern
horse with his diminutive Western
brother. The importation and breed
ing of thorough-br eds on this coast has
led to the discovery that the desirable
qualities of the California horse were
not racial but climatic. The Eastern
horse has been found to improve in
size. cOmpactnesS of muscle. IN strength
OF limb, in wind. with marked III
crease in power of endurance. The
traveller here notices the line horses
and their excellent condition, and the
power and endurance Of those that
have considerable age. The records
made on Eastern race-cGurSeS by horses
from California breeding farms have
already attracted attention. 1t IS also
remarked that the eastern horse is
usually improved greatly by sojourn
of Il season or two on this coast. and
the plan of bringing Eastern race
horses here for the winter is already
adopted Churies Dudley Warner, IN
Narper's MaQdztne.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05

the mouse ana sang 'Inere-s MUSIC IN
the Air. 'n-Boston Courier
Wilson-"I despise a hypocrite. ~
Tomson-"So do l." Now, take
Jackson for example; he's the biggest
hypocrite on earth. l despise that
man" But you appear to be his best
friend" 20. yes; l try to appear
friendly toward him. 1t pays better
in the end. "-Brooktyn Life.
First Tramp-"Where did you get
that fine overcoat?n Second Tramp
I'm the big house at the corner" Il
went there only dis mornin' shiverin'
wild cold, an they wouldn't give me "a
rag" Il didn't ask fer clothes fer
meself. l told 'em it was fer tn poor
heather in Central Africa. "-Epoch.
A follower of the profession of jest
ing having taken occasion to speak of
the vein of humor. was asked by his
t1ippant vis-a-vis: In what part of
body does the vein of humor lie?'
Without moments hesitation he re-
piled: 1T starts from the funnv-bone,
skirts the humerus. and discharges in
the Jest. "-Hdrper'S Mdqdzi7ae.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
A Very Queer Old Hen.

Hens are funny critters" says an
old farmer, "and | have one on my
place that is about the funniest of the
lot. A few months ago she took II
most viole@t liking for an old brindle
cow of mine. At first all s:<e did was
to 90 out 10 pasture with the COW, but
after Il while she began to jump on the
cows back. For long time the COW
resented this novel arrangement and
Indignantly shook the hen off But
it did not do any good. the hen hop
ped right or again, until at last in
sheer despair. she philosophicallr ac-
cepted the situation. She was proba-
bly, the more inclined to do so when
she discovered, as she soon did, that
Biddv. as much as possible, kept all
the insects from annoying her. In
fact. she even went further that that;
for when she discovered that the COW
would like to have her back scratched
she scratched it in II way to make the
COW very happy. AS IL re.ult of this
the COW soon began to enjoy the com
partnership IF the hen; anu now, when
the hen gets off for Il while to eat, old
BrindIe is evidently uneasy until she
comes back again y
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
The Past Love.

bate the bronze leaves and the red,
Aud hat pale flower with ring Stalk
That lined the sha iOwy pOphr walk
Where our first words of love were said.
We loved; the corn was in the ear;
Gay hunters made the hillside ring;
And oh love seem a beauteOus thing,
And all we sighed for close and nearl
hate the woodlands spicy smell,
Through whose wild sweets at dusk We
strdyed,
Arm linked in arm, by rock and glade,
While the heart whispered, ''All is wellP'
Was mine the fault that love was brief
TIE wonder of matches day
Whose glory dimmed and died away
Like tue red color On a leaf?
Yves mine the fault that all that fame
Passed IL breath and ceased to be2
Heirs of Il frutless hope we're we;
Worthy of pity more than blame.
We parted: and tho lev gust
Stripped tie duh forests withered plume,
Ana cast it through the eclOing gloom
In purple frnges mixed with dust.
Let winter sweep the desolate aisles.
An0 make their stones his winnOwing floor.
Nay, let the green spring come once more
And ighl it with immortal smiles!
bora Read 6, Odale, in Harper's Weekly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
DEATH COMES PAlNLeSSt.Y.
Scientific Opinion That VIII Be Con-
soling to All Humanity.

The signs of impending death are
many and variable. No two instances
are precisely identical, yet several
signs are common to many cases.
Shakespeare, who observed everything
else, observed and recorded some OF
the premonitory signs of death. also.
In the account of the death of Falstaff
the sharpness of the nose, the GOODNESS
of the feet, gradually extending up
ward, and the picking at the bed
clothes are accurately described.
For some time before death indica.
lions of its approach become apparent.
Speech grows thick and labored; the
hands. if raised fall instantly, the re.
spiration is difficult, the heart loses its
power to propei the blood to the ex,
tremities, which consequently become
cold; ciammy moisture oOZes through
the pores of the skin, the voice grows
weak and husky or piping, the eyes
begin to lose their luster. In death at
old age there is a gradual dulling of all
the bodily senses and of many of the
mental faculties; memory fails. judg-
ment wavers, imagination goes out like
a candle. The muscles and tendons
get stiff, the voice breaks, the cords OF
the tabernacle are loosening. Small
noises irritate. sight becomes dim,
nutrition goes on feebly, digestion is
impaired, the secretions are insufficient
or vitktted or cease capillary circua-
ton is clogged. Finally, the central
organ of the circulation comes to d
stop-a full stop-and this stoppage
means dissolution. This is the death
of old age, which few attain to.
Many people have an idea that death
is necessarily painful, even agonizing;
but there is no reason whatever to sup.
pose that death is more painful than
birth. 1t is because in a certain pro-
portion of cases dissolution is accom-
panied by a visible spasm and distor-
ton of the countenance that the idea
exists, but it is nearly as certain as
anything can be that these distortions
of the facial muscles are not only pain.
less, but take place uncOnsciously, In
many instances, too, a comatOSe, OF
serni-comatose state superyeneS, and it
if altogether probable that more or less
| complete unconsciousness then pre-
walls. We have, too. abundant evil
drowned and resusctated, and they all
agree in the statement that after few
moments of painful struggling, fear
and anxiety pass away, and a state OF
tranquility succeeds. They see the
visions of green fields and, in some
cases, hear pleasing music, and, SO fan
from being miserable their sensations
are delightful. But where attempts al
resuScitation we successful, the resus
citated persons almost invariably pro
test against being brought back to life
and declare that resuscitation is &C
companied by physical pain and acute
mental misery.
Death is fact which every man
must personally experience and con.
sequently is of universal interest. and
as facts are facts, the wiser course is tc
look them squarely in the face, TO,
necessity is coal black. and death keep:
no calendar. Medical Journat.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
Growth of London.

One of the most singular facts about
the growth of London is its regularity.
1t may be roughly taken that every
month about ZOO houses are added to
London. In August of this year 766. 57
houses had to be supplied by the water
companies with water; in September
that number had increased to 166, 191.
In August of last year 754 464 houses
had to he supplied, or l2.1 below the
number i'm the same month of this year.
In September. 1890. the companies had
to supply 1896 houses more than in
September of 1883. Imis extension is
not confined to any one portion OF the
capital. but preference is still being
shown for the north and northwest
suburbs,-PM Null Gdzette.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
EaSeline for Lather.

To shave easily and painlessly is to
use oil or grease instead of soap to
prepare the chin and soften the beard
Vaseline is the most convenient, and
it should be rubbed in quite freely
Then. with Il keen razor. shaving can
be done quickly and without srrs-
picion nj pain. Soap is really I'M
necessary, and shaving with oil or
vaseline is cleaner. as well as pleas
nnter. and. what is more to the point,
there is no irritation whatever to the
skin.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05

,rrne the amman taxes TO grow It's Iui
size. Man is the only animal that
fails to come up to the average. He
ought to live 100 years according to
the physiological law, for 5 times 20
are 100 but he scarcely reaches the
period of four times the growing
period. To sum it all up, man is the
most hard working and laborious OF
animals, also the most irregular and
Incorporate. He is irritable and often
wears out. and is consumed by the lire
of his own reflections.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
An African Railroad.

STANLEY SAYS the railroad from Nom
hasa to Victoria Nyanza, the building
OF which has begun, will be about
600 miles long. and that its total cost
will probably not exceed So 900. 0OD.
1t is to he Il light narrow-gauge rail-
road. All the money required to build
it has not yet been raised. The road
can easily be completed in four wears
but it is not known vet how soon it
will be run through to the lake. Stan
ley thinks it wound begin topay interest
on the investment as soon as COM
pieted. He believes the British gov
ernment should help build the road.
and its completion will advance the
Interests of the country.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
CALIFORNIA; Vineyard Possibilities

California contains 80. 600 square
miles, and. if she had LOCO more
square miles. three states like New
York and three more like Connecticut
could be laid on her surface, One.
third of her are. is adapted to grape
culture, which gives her vineyard
possibilities as great rs France would
have if she were all vineyard. The
wine production of France is 400, 0On,.
600 gallons while California has only
attained result OF y. OOO. 900 GALLONS
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
Profitable Industry.

Pecan nut growing is one of the ris-
ing industries of the Gulf States. After
the trees begin to hear they involve
no labor or expense and yield. it is
said. an income of $5JJ to $1,000 per
acre. according to the quality OF the nut.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05

A novelty in bookhinding is an
nouncei in the employ ment in it Of
metal u il substitute for cardboard.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-05
BODYBUILDING Novelty.

Or every million people in the world
800 are blind.