davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12
A Crow Court.

Inever would have believed stories told
about crow justice had not attended
their "court. One beautiful day in De
cember was riding on the public road
two miles north of Hamlin, Kan. had
noticed great focks of crows flying about
me, and when nearing a cottonwood
grove, in making a turn to the right, /
saw hundreds of them perched in the
trees in solid lines to the ends of the rows.
I had read somewhere that crows were
well governed birds, and when | saw this
fine looking body Judged that it sat
there to give trial to an offender of some
sort. 1 stopped my horse, half fearing
the crafty birds would fy-adjour court
or continue the case. To my delight no
attention was paid to nett takes man
with gun to disturb these mocking, inn
pudent blacklegs. was just in time to
hear and see all that was done.
From tree at the head of a row, where
10 crows sat, there came such loud and
rapid cawing as l never heard before
from so few throats, and every now and
then all the flock Joined in making the
noise, and the chorus thus furnished was
all that could have been asked if noise
was desired. After two or three minutes
of this racket silent rest was taken,
which was broken by single crow, who
made little talk in the crow dialect, fol-
lowed quickly by others.
Things became more dignifed, and
my interest in the proceedings was so in
tense that when a fine, fat bird submitted
few remarks and was applauded by
general cawing from every bird present
/ conld scarcely keep from clapping my
hands.
Suddenly 10 crows flew down the lines
twice and back and all was still as they
did so. I was amused and startled. This
might be a jury of crows on parade. And
/ believe it was. After two or three
crows had again spoken the 10 flew down
the lines once more; but this time there
were fierce caws from every crow in
answer to caws from the 10. My fancy
explained: The jury was seeking its YER
dict in public opinion, and the excited
crows, like revolutionary mobs, de-
manded blood. Back to their perches
for the last time flew the crows. and
again silence fell, not unlike the abrupt
hush of court room whispers as the
prisoner steps forward to learn the worst.
But could distinguish no criminal. AS
looked for the poor fellow there was
great angry cav from every crow and
all flew to the center of the line, where,
as live, they tore three of their unsus-
pecting kind in shreds, leaving only few
feathers to float upward and out of sight
as they separated and noiselessly flew
away, seeming satisfied with what they
had done.-TKansas City Star.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12
A FAT MANS AMBITION.
John Craig Weighs 975 Pounds and Is
Anxious to Add IS to It.

John Craig Weighs e75 Pounds and Is
Anxious to Add IS to It.
Some men travel on their nerve, some
on their shape. John Harmon Craig
travels on his size, says the Kansas City
Star.
Before his recent visit to wonderland,
in this city, John had travelled more than
100000 miles. 1t is a long journey, but
John has much size.
The floor over which John may choose
to walk must be prepared to withstand a
strain of 975 pounds Nevertheless he
eats and sleeps regularly and conse-
quently is healthy. His ambition is to
weigh 1000 pounds, which would shatter
the records of both historical and myth
ological heavy weights. He thinks he
will do it shortly, unless his anxiety to
do SO retards his growth.
ut has been the law with people of alb
normal weight and size, said Mr.. Craig
during his recent exhibition here, "to be
short lived and subject to violent attacks
of illness. lam the only one who has
enjoyed throughout life perfect health.
Craig has accumulated several fortunes
and lost two OF three in an attempt to
run a circus. He yet possesses a bank
account well proportioned to his own
size. Besides being fat man he is a
Knight of Pythias, Odd Fellow, and
United Workman. Those who know
him best say that he is also regular
bureau of charity.
He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, and is
35 years old. At birth he weighed II
pounds. At II months he weighed "
pounds, and at the age of 2 years he
weighed 206 pounds. He was the biggest
baby in the world for his age, and cap
tured the 81 900 cash prize offered by Bar
mum in 1858. For the next two years he
travelled in Europe. When he returned
he weighed 300 pounds, and year later
he weighed 405 pounds. When % years
old he weighed 625 pounds.
There is Mrs. Craig and Mr.. Craig,
Jr. Mrs. Craig is a blonde, "a years of
age, and weighs 1T pounds. They met
for the first time in ST. Joseph in 1884,
when Craig was on exhibition there. It
was case of love at first sight for both,
and in less than week after the meeting
matrimonial negotiations had ended sue
cessfully. They were married in Fort
Scott, Kan, two weeks later.
Craig's father weighed III pounds, his
mother 1876 pounds.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12
THE JOKER NuGGET.

a Story of Wonderful Find i'm the
Australian Gold Fields.
No one who was on the field at the time
will forget the excitement that was
aroused when the "Joker" nugget was
found at Teetulpa No other has yet
been obtained on Teetulpa that can equal
it in weight. 1t turned the scale at 80
ounces, and was bought by the govern
ment for the sum of e120. In size and
shape it resembled mans hand; it was
thick at the wrist part and tapered off to-
ward the fingers.
The claim had been good one from
the first, and the owner was one of the
wealthy men of Teetulpa. So on this
day, reclining full length, leaning on one
arm, the man searched for nuggets. He
made sweep with his knife to push back
some of the gravel and his eye caught
sight of the Joker. !" He at once covered
it with his hand and sat up, rather won
dering how he would secure his treasure
without being seen. If the find became
known every man in the field would
tramp to the spot and invade his claim,
and SO prevent him working. A man in
an adjoining claim looked up.
"Found anything?" he asked.
sNo. Seen the color, that's all. Pitch
my coat over to me, will you? It's lying
near you there. I want smoke.
Here you are, mate. But what's the
matter? You look pale. Don't you feel
right?"
4Pm all right; only the sun is a bit
hot"
He was struggling with an insane de-
sire to laugh; but he got his coat over the
nugget and seated himself on the top of
it. Then laughter overpowered him and
he became hysterical. Those about him
wondered, but thought the sun had af-
fected him. In little while he gained
his composure and decided to go to his
tent. In lifting his coat he managed to
take up the lump of gold, and no one
knew that he had found anything.
1t was not until 10 days had passed that
the fact was noised abroad, and even
then few knew the claim whence the
Joker" came.IC Cassels Picturesque
Australia.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12

Comparatively few persons have ever
seen absolutely pure water. Even rain
water, which is the nearest common APP
Proclamation to it, is far from reaching
the absolute standard, and though it is
good for washing, not many persons
would care to drink it. Spring water is
popularity supposed to be pure, but it al
ways contains more or less earthly or sa-
line substances. Indeed, the value of
most springs is due to this fact.
The ocean itself is huge spring, con-
tanning not only salt, but many other
minerals in solution. The Dead Sea is
charged with such elements almost to
saturation. Only distilled water is pure.
By distillation sea water itself is rem
dered drinkable, though not pleasant.
AS sand consists largely of silex, which
water at the ordinary temperature does
not dissolve, the water of a sandy region
is comparatively pure. The "hard water
of other regions is due to earthly matter
held in solution. This earthly matter,
however, is seldom harmful to those who
drink it.
Impure water, in the medical sense of
the word, is water that contains in
fectious microbes. Water, as such,
never contains these; nor does any form
of simple impurity ever give rise to
them, though it may greatly facilitate
their multiplication.
Every case of infectious disease implies
previous case, and when water is in
fected it is because infected secretions
have in some way entered it, having been
thrown upon the ground and thence
carried to the well or spring, or river
which supplies the family or community.
1t should be remembered that the
deeper the well the larger the area from
which the rainwater finds its way into
it. No discharges or other secretions
from the room of sick person should be
thrown on the ground or buried in it.,
within at least 100 feet of the well.
But water which is drank is not the
only source of danger. Many wide
spread and fatal epidemic has been
traced to milk from dairies where the
pans had been washed in impure water,
or the milk itself adulterated with it.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12

The explanation of it all was simple
enough. Emma Naples was at the bot
tom of the whole affair. She and Captain
Brague had been having a most desperate
and unsuspected Irritation. and she had
been unable to give up the idea of going to
the Maennerchor with him. Consequently
she had arranged with him to meet her at
the ball, thinking that she would run less
risk of detection, and had told him that
she would wear black domino, with a
knot of Jacks on her left shoulder. She
had pretended to me that she was going
with me, and had written at the last mo-
ment so as not to arouse my suspicious.
Then, after all. just as she was about to
start out, her brother-in-law came after
her with the news that her sister had fallen
down stairs and broken her leg. She could
not communicate with Captain Brague,
and affairs so arranged themselves that he
took me for her, but did not like to accost
me while l still carried the roses in my
hand Consequently he had felt bound to
follow me when did give what he sup
posed was the signal for which he had been
waiting, and as for my husband, his actions
are easily understood. Moreover, the res
taurant being but short distance from
the Academy. and our driver being forced
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12
GIRLS NAMES.

Frances is @unstained and frees"
Bertha -pellucid, purely bright;"
Clara, "clear" as the crystal sea;
Lucy, star of radiant Light"
Catharine is pure" as the mountain air;
Henrietta, soft, sweet star"
Felicia is a happy girl;"
Matilda is a LADY true;n
Margaret is shining pearl"
Rebecca, with the faithful few;n
Susan is lily white;n
Jane has the willows curve and grace
Cecilia, dear, Ais dim of sight,"
Sophia shows wisdom on her face;"
Constance is firm and "resolute;"
Grace, delicious, "favor meet;n
Charlotte, mobile, good repute;n
Harriet,a fine @odor sweet;"
Isabella is LADY rare;"
Lucinda. constant as the days.
Marie means "a lady fair;"
Abigail, sjoyful" as May;
Elizabeth, ian oath of trust;n
Adelia mice princess, proud;"
Agatha lis truly good and just;"
Letitia, "a joy avowed;"
Jemima, "a soft sound in the air..
Caroline, "a sweet spirit hale;"
Cornelia, harmonious and fair;"
Selma, "a sweet nightingale;n
Lydia, "a refreshing well;'
Judith, "a song of sacred praise;"
Julia, "a jewel none excel;"
Priscilla, ancient of days."
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12

A Story of wonderful Find i'm the
Australian Gold Fields.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-06-12

heard a good story the other day of
Boston woman's poodle. True or not, 1
dare to publish it, for doggie, bright as
his mistress thinks he is, hasn't learned
to read the newspapers yet. and so can't
sue me for libel. liking Charles" ran
away few weeks ago, but profuse adj
vertising and offers of reward brought
him home again.
"Where did you find him?" asked his
mistress of the man who returned him.
@Oh, burly negro had him hitched to
the end of mop stick and was washing
windows with him. ri Boston Traveller.
The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-02-21
NOTICE.

( NY person or persons found shoot
e ing on the lands OF kukulHaeo
ard koula. will he prosecuted to the
full extent of the law
737 I'm Mrs G. p. WARD.
The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-02-21

NJ ). Glinbaum........ President,
{. Bolte.
....Nice- President 4 Treasurer,
A. Aschheim. ............Secretary,
NJ Iouisson ........ Auditor.
NJ. ). Grinbaum & Co, [L'O, Homo
lula. If. l.. and san Francisco. Cal. has
assumed the ~ ST. and liabilities OF NJ.
:. Grinbaum 4 90 AMI of G.. Bolte, and
will continue t.a general business for
merv carried on b those two firms.
Unnprulu. I.n :: 1881. - In
rJNAE BULLETIN has double The
circulation of any English daily
newspaper published in the Kingdom.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-12-05

commencing at
Apost ut G side OF
sec Is. thence II 40
rods thence W 20
rods thence = 40
rods thence e 20
rods to. place of
beginning. .......l
commencing I
chs $ of ne cor of
sch of nwA OF
see - running
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11

several weeks, and the close encounter
frightened us.
He rushed through the water like a
whirlwind, but sudden twist of the
paddle brought the canoe about 50 that
he missed striking the side. We picked
up our paddles instantly and began
working the boat out of his reach. But
the saurian was not so easily bafiled.
Anger and hunger made him return to
the attack, and he started in rapid pur.
suit. The cries of the wounded peli.
cans seemed to increase his desire TO
overtake us, and he doubtless felt that
we were robbing him of his game.
We could not hold our own in the
race, and the monster overhaulcd us
foot by foot. He was close to us, and
almost ready to open his jaws for an
other charge when threw one of the
pelicans overheard. There was a sud-
den snap of the jaws, and the bird dis
appeared down the red throat.
The speed of the alligator was stopped
for an instant, but he soon renewed the
chase. At this moment we saw other
ripples on the lake, and we knew that
we were being pursued by whole col
ony of saurians. The cries of the birds
had indeed attracted the hungry alliga-
tors from all the neighboring lagoons
and swamps.
"0uich, over with the BIRDS" James
shouted "They are calling all the
gators in the woods"
threw the remaining birds in the
water, and saw them disappear down
the throats of our enemies. Then seiz-
ing our paddles again we redoubled our
efforts, knowing that our lives depended
upon the result of the race. The rip
pies all around us, and over the stern
of the canoe, approached closer, and in
fifteen minutes the black heads and
snouts of the pursuing alligators could
be plainly seen. They were all gigan-
tic fellows, and were swimming in a
body after us. The cries of the birds
no longer melted them on, but they had
evidently made up their minds to have
us for meal.
1t was long distance to the camp,
and our chances of reaching it before
we were overtaken appeared less every
five minutes. We padded on, hoping
almost against hope that the alligators
would get tired of the chase and give it
up. We had good start of them, and
we determined to make the best of it.
But the persistency of the alligator
is well known when its desires are
aroused, and we could neither tire the
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11
OUR FRIENDS In ITALY.
They Form a Powerful Minority,
and Don't Want War.
Baron Fhva Prejudlccd Against Repub-
llcan Instltutlons-ItaIy's Finances
Too Ragged for War.

The conflict between Italy and the
United States continues TO attract at
tention. Signor Raquem, a former Gar
ibaldian now editor Of the Epoque, the
the organ of the Italian colony at Paris,
said in an interview: ''Of course there
will be no war. The republicans in It
ally, who form powerful minority, en-
tertain friendly feeling toward Amer
lea and would consider war with the
United States simply an attempt to dis
credit in the eyes of the Italian
people republican institutions. A re-
cent meeting of Italians in Paris dis
cussed the New Orleans affair, and
while everybody reprobated the con-
duct OF the lynchers, nobody approved
the action of the Marquis Di Rudini.
Baron Fava was greatly blamed for
creating the difficulty. He is an aristo-
crat and is not in sympathy with re-
publican institutions. His reports to
the Italian cabinet, doubtless colored
by his own antipathies, precipitated
matters. The Epoque faithfully re-
fleets the feeling of republican Italy
in advocating arbitration. According
to our view, nothing ought to be done
to embarrass Mr.. Blaine in his efforts to
effect an early and pacific settlement" "
Signor Raquem's view of the situation
does not cover apotent factor which has
given the Italian government reason to
pause in its hostile negotiations. Finan-
cial houses there having the closest rela-
tions with Italian houses, state that in
Italy widespread commercial troubles,
long chronic, are becoming critical,
and that apart from Italy's overwhelm-
ing public debt, which would disable
her in an attempt to go to war, unless
backed by other European powers, any
measures imperiling peace would pro-
duce general financial crash. AL
ready an effect of the American-Italian
difficulty is felt in the hesitation of
French financial houses to proceed with
the negotiations pending for the pro-
spective Italian loan, in which German
houses are also concerned.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11
CHILD SUICIDES IN GERMANY.
Report of the Motives Assigned for These
Extraordinary Acts.

Report oil the Motives Assigned IheSe
Extraordinary Acts.
A curious return has been made con-
cerning two hundred and eighty-nine
instances of suicide by school children
in the German empire during the six
years 1883 to 1888 inclusive. The inter
est of the return centers in the motives
assigned for these extraordinary acts.
Among the cases which could be so eX-
planned the largest proportion appear to
have been attributable to fear of pun
ishment This, perhaps, might have
been expected, nor is it altogether sur
prising that such extreme terror should
be chiefly exhibited among pupils of the
elementary schools. The fact that 20
per cent. of all the collected cases falls
into this particular class should, how
ever, afford food for reflection. 1t is
certain that undue severity has been
practiced, or at least undue apprehen-
sion has been aroused in every one of
these instances, seeing that the little
victims were so far thrown off their
balance by it as to be driven to the eX-
tremity of suicide. 1t would be unjust
to assume that for these exaggerated
fears the teachers are wholly, or even
mainly responsible; but, on the other
hand, no really efficient teacher would
ever leave upon child's mind an i'm
preston so horrible as to precipitate
such crisis as this. The child who
takes his own life rather than face an
angry teacher must believe, rightly or
wrongly, in the ferocity of the teacher;
and it is much to be feared that children
of tender years, even when they are not
so terror-stricken as this, are apt to
nurse suspicion that most strangers
and some friends-the teacher in par
ticular among the latter-are human
wolves. To eradicate this mischievous
misapprehensiono ought to be one of the
first tasks of a successful preceptor.
Among the high school pupils the sui
cides are almost exclusively boys, and
here the most common motive is dread
or disappointment in connection with
examinations. Mental arrangement
and thwarted ambition come next in
order, while precocious sentiment
claims it's share to the extent of four
boys and one girl, whose unhappiness
is recorded as due to une affaire dc
ceur. 1t is some satisfaction to be able
to add that these emotional young peo-
pie were all past the elementary school
age.-Chicago News.
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11
RidIculous Ceremonles.

The garter of the late king of the
Netherlands will be returned shortly to
the Lord Chamberlain. This is not per-
sonally delivered up, but it is recovered
by lengthy process A functionary
known as the garter king of arms inti-
mates the kings demise to the Lord
Chamberlain, and reminds him of the
fact that the king was knight of our
NEST ancient and honorable order. The
Lord Chamberlain communicates with
the foreign secretary, who sends dis
patch on the subject to our minister at
the Hague, who mentions the matter t.
the Dutch minister of foreign affairs,
and he requests the master of the royal
household to send the insignia forth
with, either to the British legation or
the Dutch minister in London, for deliv-
cry to the Lord Chamberlain at st.
James palace. The robes and outfit of
the royal knights, which cost nearly
$40, 900, are not returned, but only the
insignia. The death of King William
did not make a vacancy, as, like all
other royalties, he was an extra knight
Chicago Tribune
The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11

ern part of the peninsula was especially
flooded, and many of the low-lying man
grove swamps had the appearance of
forest trees growing in the middle of
the sea.
We were spending the winter along
the coast, making occasional brief ex-
cursions into the interior to obtain
whatever of scientific interest that we
could find, or to enjoy few days sport
in hunting the wild game.
James Walton was fellow student
with myself, and through the advice of
a physician we had both exchanged
books of natural history for study in
the field. South Florida opened up a
field that was rich in every department
of science, and when we were engaged
in studying the flora or fauna of that
region we never failed to make obser-
vations and discoveries that interested
and instructed.
In the course of time, however, the
continually rising waters forced us
from dry land, and we had to construct
rude platform for our home. This
was built by driving heavy stakes in
the ground, and then putting a log
platform on the top of the stakes. The
water never rose quite up to the top of
this platform, but once or twice it
reached within several inches of it.
The platform, with our rude shanty
on it, was situated close to huge man
grove swamp, and near enough to
Jupiter inlet to give us distinct view
of the ocean. We could thus reach sa 1t
and fresh water birds and fish with but
little difficulty.
Shortly after the holidays the water
reached it's highest mark, and we found
ourselves living, as it were, right in the
midst of large sea, and with here and
there forests of trees growing out of it.
With our little canoe we could paddle
far up into the interior, and we fre-
quently spent days in exploring the sub
merged country.
One day James and 1 entered little
cove in one of the large mangrove
swamps, or lakes, as they really
were, some two or three miles from
the camp. We shot few wild
ducks to replenish our stock Of pro-
visions. After padding around for
some time we startled up flock of wild
birds, which scurried out of the brakes
so rapidly and suddenly that we could
not get a good glimpse of them. To
prevent any great prize from escaping,
we shot indiscriminately into the flock,
and brought three down.
The three birds were wounded and
their cries soon attracted the other
birds of the swamp They proved to be
pelicans and they made desperate eff
forts to get beyond our reach. We
picked up two of the screaming crea-
lures, and then started for the third.
Before we reached the last one our
attention was attracted by ripple in
the water, and then by the black head