davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02

and rocky heights close in the green and
rapid-howing waters, and the trackless
forests come close to the steamer side
ard now and then mountain-goat or
stealthy bear looks from his haunts upon
the steamer as upon passing show.
Again the hills become scanned and sea-
red mountains, with scraps of glaciers
clinging to the sides and pouring down in
deepened burrows and cascades ranging in
size from silver thread to broad bawl,
ing torrent which has cut IFS way through
evergreen forests And these coniferous
forests are sight in themselves They
are like huge communities of patrichal
families in which are five and six genera
tons Light gray and hoary is the
branches stem of the old tree, which will
fall before the sweeping blast of the next
tempest, and close to 1t the branched and
gray tree of the next generation, which ell
bows the deep gray-green tree its neigh
Dor, which looks down upon the genera
tons Of green trees, shading ever into
lighter and hvlier vendure, down to the
youngest sapling. Again the mountains
recede, and an extensive archipelago is en-
tered, filed with islands innumerable and
of every form Then there are the Mount
st. Elias Alps, with their snow-clad sum-
mits losing themselves In the clouds or
lifting their regal heads high into the sap
phire heavens.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
FILTERED PHILOSOPHY.

The man who IS always thinking of
himself seldom has any collaboratus.
What is the use of trying to convince
the young man in love that he will love
again?
If all people knew what they were talk
ing about, there wouldn't be nearly so
much said as there is now.
1t is very hard to believe sometimes that
man can be doing thing right when he
IS not doing t OAR way.
1t is easy to tell when a man is fatter-
ing your neighbor, but it isn't so easy to
decide when he is hattering you.
The man who goes to the theater once a
year is the man who complains most loud
~ about the nuisance of the theater hat.
We are all apt to complain about the
arrogance of wealth, out 1t would be DIFF
ferent. in most cases, if it were our own
wealth.
Pride of ancestry never seems so foolish
to any ore else as it does to people who
can hardly remember who their grand
fathers were.
1t Is the fashion now for friends to send
cups to young lady when it is annuunc-
ed that she is engaged. 1t seems as if
spoons would be more appropriate
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
different direction when lie wants 10 makn
money.-New York Herald
The Studies of Copernicus.

His earlier instruction. given Copernicus
in the school at Thorn included Greek and
Latin letters. He then went, under the
patronage of his uncle Lukas who after
ward became bishop, TO the University Of
Cracow, where he applied himself to phi
losophy and medicine, but more ardently
than to either of these branches, under thu
inspiration of the lessons of Albert Brud-
zewki, to mathematics and astronomy, in
which he made himself familiar with thu
use of the instruments. He also, in his in
tervals of leisure, practiced in painting
with considerable success.
When TWEEN y-three years of age he pro-
ceeded to the University of Bologna, where
he attended the lectures of Dominica Maria
Novarra in astronomy and formed a per
sonal friendship with him; and then to
Padua, where he studied mathematics and
astronomy, and obtained the degree of
doctor of medicine. In 1899 and 800 he
was in Rome, the associate of the astron-
omer Regiomontanus, and lecturing on
science to a numerous class. He then re-
turned to his native land, where his repu-
tation for learning and his gentle bearing
gained him cordial welcome He be-
came priest, and under the patronage of
his episcopal uncle, canon of Frauen-
burg, on the banks of the Vistula
Here, from 1903, he spent the remainder
of his life, dividing his lime between the
duties of his profession, works of charity,
and the study of astronomy. He visited
the poor and sick, gave them medical at
tention, and relieved their wants at his
own expense; devised a hydraulic system
for the distribution of water through the
city, remains of which are still to be seen;
and composed a treatise on the coinage of
money, which was preserved in the arch
ives of the Diet of Grodno.-Popular Sci
ence Monthly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
Owner of the Bull Run Battlefield.

Although | am the owner of the prop
erty on which the first battle of Bull Run
was fought, did not see the battle I re-
turned from Alexandria soon after that
event and witnessed the second battle at
this point Ny mother was killed in her
bed with shell from a Federal battery at
the first battle. She was blind, aged and
helpless at the time, and as the battle
ragged about the house it was as safe to
remain indoors as on any other spot. Gen
eral Sherman and Senator Cameron visited
here few years since Sherman had not
been on the field since the battle in July,
1861. He asked no questions. He seemed
to know every point of interest, and the
several positions of troops. During his
stay he made but one wrong observation
He said. ''Mr. Henry, was in your house
during the BATTLE" II said; mo, general.
The house then standing was destroyed"
ooh, yes," he replied. ~ remember there
was wide hall in the house, and this one
has none" | recite this to demonstrate
Sherman's careful attention to details
General Sherman asked me if | would sell
my property. If / cared to part with it he
knew man who would buy it. | learned
subsequently that the intending purchaser
was Senator Don Cameron. Senator Cam
eron's uncle was killed at the head of the
Seventy ninth Highlanders few rods
from my house
Generals Bee and Barton, of South Caro-
lima, were also killed forty rods distant,
and quarter of mile distalr was killed
Colonel Fletcher Webster, of the Twelfth
Massachusetts, volunteers, son of the great
Daniel Webster, in the second battle of
Bull Run. 1t is a singular coincidence
that the second battle ended on the same
spot that the first engagement ended.-A.
M. Henry in St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
worst he SaNS dpfiantIv

worst he says, detiantly,-
IF you do go to this dance, may consid-
er myself engaged to you for the first waltz"
There is quite frown upon his face as he
says this; but it hasn't the faintest effec:
upon Monica. She is not at all impressed.
and is, in fact, enjoying herself immensely.
IF go, which is more than improbable,
l shall certainly not dance with you at oil, !"
she says, calmly, because Aunt Priscilla
will be there too, and she would not hear OF
my doing even mild Quadrille with Des-
mond."
81 see," with melancholy assumption OF
composure. ''All your dances, then are to
be preserved for Ryde."
IF Mr.. Ryde asks me to dance, of course
l shall not refuse"
You mean to tell me'-even the poor as
sumption is now gone-'that you are going
to give him all and me nO1le?'
Il shall not give anyon oil; how can you
talk like that? But cannot defy Aunt PriS-
ella. 1t is very unkind of you to desire it.
l suppose you think | should enjoy being
tormented from morning till night all about
you?'
Certainly not. l don't want you to be
tOrmented on any account, and, above all,
on mine," very stiffiy. ''Io prevent any
thing of the kind, | shall not go to Cobbett's
dance"
IF you choose to get into bad temper l
can't help you"
4 am not in bad temper, and even if l
were [ have cause. But it is not temper
will prevent my going to the Barracks"
''What them"
''Why should [ go there to be made mis-
cradle? You can go and dance with Ryde
to your hearts content but [ shall spare
myself the pain of seeing you. Did You say
you wanted your sister? Shall | call ier
now? | am sure YOU must want t. 20 home"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
Genius in Danger.

Mr.. Charles E. Proctor is an artist. His
father is vice president and his grandfather
president Of the Singer Sewing Machine
company. He is also very clever with PEN
Gil and brush. A short time ago he paint
ed portrait ca the late lamented Fessen-
den that has attracted considerable atten-
ton. The familiar background of the
picture, the face of a ten dollar bill, was
also reproduced with true artistic skill.
The whole was placed in jewelers. win
dow Oh Broadway, and was very much ad-
mired. A couple of these admirers shortly
afterward called on the youthful artist and
inquired If the picture was really and truly
his work, you know.
"Tm the man." said Mr.. Proctor, scent
ing an important order.
''Then, sir, will you kindly come along
with us?' said one of the gentlemen.
eyes, you'll have to come along with US"
said the other gentleman little more per-
emptorily.
Where? What? 1 don't exactly under
stand" stammered the artist.
I'VE are United States detectives" re-
piled the first speaker very blandly, land
fear your picture is a violation of the law.
1t is question for the secretary of the
treasury to decide"
And they marched the talented artist to
that dingY old building down town that
flies a nondescript flag, the stripes of which
run up and down instead of the good old
way. The picture went along. A consul
tation was held. 1t was sent to Washing
ton, where another consultation was held,
in which the artists talents formed the
principal subject of discussion. 1t came
back again and another consultation was
held, in which the artist was an interested
listener
Finally both picture and artist were re-
leased, the former properly stamped ''coun-
terfeit,' the latter excessively f1attered by
this official tribute to his genius. He will
hereafter carefully direct that genius in a
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
Depopulating a Country.

The census of the United Kingdom just
completed shows the total population of Ire
land to be 4, 706, decrease of 9,05 per cent,
since 1881. This is a greater ratio of
decrease than was shown by either Of the
two preceding censuses, though the de-
popuIating of Ireland has been going ON
steadily for the past half century, and
with rapidity unknown in any other
part of the civilized world.
The population of Ireland in 1841 was
1916, 597. By 1851 it had fallen to 6,547,
III, the loss of nearly one-ffth being
largely by emigration to the United
States In the following decade the loss
was II 50 per cent: from 1861 to 1871 it
was 665 per cent. and from 1871 to 1881
il was a. 40 per cent. In Fifty years Ire
l.nd has lost 4, 706 1852 from a population
Of 8, 1876, 597 or 1859 per cent. The actual
loss is, of course, greater than this when
allowance is made for the natural increase
by births. And still the remnants that are
left find it hard to make living.
These bare figures constitute in them
selves one of the strongest indictments
thai could be framed against the political
conditions to which Ireland has been sub
jected-conditions which have made ex-
patriations the only resort of more than
0ne-half the people of the country.
Fifty years more of the same policy will
depopulate Ireland entirely, and then the
English will doubtless be able to govern
it to their satisfaa ton.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
HOW Banana Trees Grng.

1t is a peculiar fact that but one bunch
of bananas grows on a tree. After the
fruit has been cut the tree is then cut down
to the ground, and from the stump an
other tree sprouts which bears another
bunch the following year. The greatest
trouble of farmers is to keep the farms
clear of sprouts. They shoot up from the
roots of the tree for radius of ten feet
and grow like weeds
AS the fruit is cut from the trees it is
placed on the backs of little pack donkeys
and transported in this way to the coast.
One donkey can carry from three to six
punches, according to the size of the
punches and the distance from the coast.
In the season at Baracoa there are more
than 5000 dor Keys that stretch along in a
line for miles, plodding toward the coast
with their loads of bananas.-New York
Herald
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02

At last there was an alteration between
the two miners Hot words ensued and
revolvers were drawn. Some of the by
ISLANDERS interfered at this point, and in
the scuffle that followed heard the sharp
whistle and sping of a bullet. Lucky Bill
(his good star in the descendanD fell to the
floor and expired without groan He
had been killed by the accidental discharge
of a pistol in the hands of one of the
miners.
! was Mortified at the occurrence, and
that evening after | reached home
thought of the line the gambler had writ
ten me. | took it from my pocket and
read as follows:
Il have drawn pair of sevens. l now
hold jacks full on red sevens 1t is fatal
hand No one ever yet held it and left the
card table alive shall die. l have Sc, 600
in the First National of Bismarck Notify
my mother, Mrs. --, of Franklin, Ky"
New York Telegram.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
Downfall of Tcheng-Ki-Tong

A special interest attaches to the fate of
Icheng-kl-IOng, the young and brilliant
Oriental diplomatist.
He had discredited his rank and station
by wholesale swindling, and for this he has
been doomed to die.
The name Of Tcheng- XII Tong is not
quite strange to Americans. From time
immemorial all heard of his achieveme ats.
For ten years past he had adorned the
diplomatic service. His wit, his taste,
his literary gifts, his culture, his good
looks, had made him popular in Europe
He was welcome guest in all the Paris
saloons and an ornament of many London
drawing-roOms.
No Chinaman that ever went abroad
had done so much as he to break down the
long standing prejudice, which, through
ages upon ages. had parted east from
west. He was himself living proof OF
what he showed ir mis- books and essays
that the distance between the ancient and
the modern ideas of justice, faith, morali
ty and progress was less wide than had
been fancied.
A graceful writer, both in French and
Chinese; a student and a man of courtly
ways, he had won himself an enviable
place In the domains of society and let
tiers.
No wonder that his success turned his
brain.
He owes his downfall to his weakness
and his vanity. The women of Paris set
their caps at the young Oriental and he
promptly succumbed. To please the wo-
men he squandered his money, gambed.
ran into debt, and, at last, they say went
further.
One day the boulevard woke up and
looked for Tcheng-Ki-Tong. But Tcheng-
Ki-Tong, alas had vanished
At the Chinese legation is was whisper
ed that he had suddenly been recalled to
Pekin; and in the clubs it was soor known
that he had been recalled in disgrace.
By now he has, perhaps, made expiation
for his sins. Toll, toll the bell for
Tcheng-Ki-Tong, the gay and gifted.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
IS ALASKA WORTH VISITING?
The visitor to Alaska is Surfeited With
Scenery of Every Variety.
Lippincott's

Llpplncotts
This is the unvarylng question which
the returned Alaskan tourist hears and
which he is put upon his conscience to
answer. Immediately a panoramic pro-
cession of the scenic g!ories of trans con-
tinental and Alaskan pictures, endless in
variety, passes before the imagination, and
a glowing, enthusiastic Yes falls un-
hesitatingly from his lips.
but what did you see?" at is a will
derness, is it. not p pursues the merciless
der his precious sightseeing, with its
time, money, and fatigue, for that which
profteth not. The tourist from distant
Alaska feels his enthusiasm blown upon by
the cold breath of an iceberg judgment,
and is called upon to seriously consider the
question for his friends and to defend the
position which he takes.
1t is wilderness, tangle of wilder
ness, a God-forsaken desert with few
GASES 1t is seldom given to traveller
who cannot be a Stanley and penetrate
the dark depths of Africa, or Verestcha-
gin who can scale with his easel and his
palette the dizzy Himalayan heights,
startling the solitude and soaring the
eagle, to witness such isolation, such re-
moteness from the civilized world. If you
go to Alaska you will be surfeited with
scenery, scenery, scenery. Never In your
life will you be so gored with scenery 1t
comes upon you in every variety, and you
are convinced that never more will gaze
upon new type of scenery. You have
now the whole gamut of wilderness
scenery You come to tranquil reaches of
water, suggestive of lake and river, with
islands covered with undulating hills
Again the water becomes oceanic, and on
are on the ocean voyage with shoals of
proposes gaEly accompanying the ship,
and huge whales and numerous sea
monsters disporting themselves In the
deep waters. safe from the whaler's har-
poon. since the depths of the Pacific and
and St. Georges Channel are so great that
they would not be returned to the surface
for their capture till after many days.
Again the channel narrows. Precipitous
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
THAT'S THE GIRL .
The One Whose Ingenious Naturalness
Renders Her Particularly Agreeable.

Renders Her Particularly Agreeable.
In glancing over the columns of news
paper recently my attention was caught
by an article in which a lady discussed
the attractive qualities of manageable
girls in the eyes of eligible men.
If my understanding of the writer s
conclusions is correct, the inference may
be drawn that as there are all kinds of
girls and all kinds of men, almost any
kind of girl will please some kind of a
man, observation undoubtedly justifyiug
such an opinion.
There is. however, one girl-every man
knows which one | mean-whose versa
tiity renders her particularly agreeable.
She is always frank and free in CONVEX
sation, even on unconventional subjects,
but she is never bold, and will tolerate
nothing approaching coarseness.
You are positive that her seeming in
terest in the matter which interests you is
not entirely assumed, and you are con-
scious also that she knows whether your
affected desire to understand the affairs &C.
cupying her attention is genuine.
There is no indication, either. when
You when absent to any greater degree,
or in any other way, than your male &C
quaintances do.
In conversation, her large fund of gener-
al information is evideut yet you are not
impressed by a display of knowledge
greater than your own.
Ii you desire to air your stock of COM
plimentary nothlngs, she can handle them
more gracefully that other girls with
whom you can talk nothing else, and there
is delightfully."- missing all sensation of
having them extorted from you
Perhaps, in a momentarily cynical mood,
you sit down to reflect on this girls charm,
determined to discover naturalness or the
most consummate art. What is your con-
clusion? Hmm, yes, but one thing is
certain-the charm is there, isn't it?.
Now, to be honest, doesn't it lie in the
fact that she apparently receives just that
impression of your character and person
atty which you know, in the depths of
your consciousness, is little too favor
able for uninfated truth, yet it is not so
G,bsurdly hattering but that you can hon
estly endeavor to believe it correct.
This girl. who meets on level ground
every man worth meeting, though not
challeging admiration, usually takes her
choice among several suitors, and if that
man is sensible enough to treat her after
marriage as he did before, he seldom re-
grets the choice.
Any disappointment she may feel is
never publicly admitted
FREDERICK MANJJEL VIERA
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
A Fatal Poker Hand.

Twas watching game of poker once at
Helena, Mon. The players were gambler
(whom | knew slightly, and who bore the
sobriquet of Lucky BID and two miners.
Suddenly, after the hands were dealt and
the players had ''chipped i'm and drawn
cards, Lucky Bill, with perfect calmness
and not so much as a shadow of change
in the expression of his face, laid his cards
on the table, took a notebook from his
pocket and deliberately wrote a few
words. Then he tore out the leaf and
handed it to me.
Look at tsat when you get home to-
night"
His voice was steady and did not betray
q particle of excitement. thrust the pa
per aimlessly into my pocket and gave the
matter hardly a second thought.
The play progressed. Lucky Bits face
was unyielding as a stone and entirely in
expressive. he noticed everything. how
ever. and his sigilant eye did not mrs the
slightest move on the part of the other
players. He was a typical gambler and
one of the most successful Of his guild.
Hence his sobriauet
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
Hereditary Tranps.

The French naturalist, Bonpland, no
ticed that sea turtles get restless in captiv-
ity at the time of the year when their par
ents used to begin their annual migration
to the breeding grounds, and for similar
reasons the nomads of modern civilization
may prefer the hardships of vagrancy to
the comforts of indoor life. The fact is
that at least half the inhabitants of Europe
and North America are descended from
nations who were incurably addicted to
adventure trips, and at the beginning of
summer rarely failed to start on a flibus-
tering cruise by sea or by land.-Philadcl
phia Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
LEPROSY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Two Chinese Victims of the Disease
Murdered by IheIr Countrymen.

OTTAWA. Ont. June 29.-Dr. Smith
superintendent of the Traceie lazar
etto, has returned from British Column
bia, whittier he was sent to Investigate
cases of leprosy among the Chinese in
that province. He found that all the
developed eases in Victoria, six in mum
Der. had been segregated on an island
about seventeen miles from Vancou-
yer, where they have been supplied with
necessaries sufficient to last them eigh
months. He believes that most case
of leprosy will be found in Victoria anG
New Westminster, for the reason tina,
when the Cinnamon observe symptom
of leprosy in a countryman they in
mediately eNpel him from the settle
ment and the Outcast naturally wandcTS
to the more populous centers, where lie
is more likely to be unobserved. In
two cases DR.. Smith found that tn
victims of the lOathsOme disease wor-
secretly slain by their fellow country
men to prevent the possibility of con
tagion.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
NOT READY FOR RECIPROCITY
The Governor of Jamaica Contra
diets Recent Cable Dispatch.

LONDON, June ga letter is pub
ished here to-day from Sir Henry
Arthur Blake, governor and command
er-in-chief in Jamaica, who is now IN
this city. Sir Henry contradicts the
cable dispatch dated New York, June
26, stating that Jamaica was anxious
for reciprocity with the United
States and asserting that the inhabi-
tants of that island were holding
public meetings to advocate reciprocity.
Gov. Blake cabled to the acting colon
ial secretary at Jamaica, who replied
that no such meetings had beer held
and every statement made in this com
munication is untrue. Gov. Blake says
that the merchants and people of ia
maica are anxious to extend their trade
in any and every direction, but Jamaica
is not prepared to concede differential
duties to the United States.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-02
THE MARKET s.
Chicago.

CHICAGO, June 29.-Wheat opened bearish
this morning and declined. oats, corn. and
provisions advanced a few points. Opening
and closing prices: WHEAT-JuIy, !012@
9Oac: September. S6086 &C: December, stag
IS use. C0HN-June, 544c; July, 512c; Sep
TENDER, 45 1-S04S3-Sc. OATS July, 50 G3 Z C;
September 2SRc. PORK-June 077Ha; July
1885 9.S2 :; September o.I5 1910 LARD
June, 5000; July. COS sos Septem-
ber a6.27a $50. RIBS-June. - .61A; July.
S5.150572 !; September. COZ , 9 CO.,