davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15

Professor Foster, the we'll known
though oft mistaken weather
prophet" takes the ground that the
earth's equator is now nearly at right
angles with its former position, and
that in early ages the earth rev0lved
toward what is the northwest, in
stead of the east, as now. He also
believes that change to have been
sudden and to- have wholly exter.
minated animal life
In defense of his theory of a cata-
clysmic shifting OF the earth's equa.
tor, Mr.. Foster says:
'NO other cause than sudden
change OF the earth's equator can &C
count for this ancient and universal
flood Of waves that occurred long be-
fore Noah's flood.
A theory that accounts for every
change in the earth's surface and
with every known fact cannot be
thrust aside for orthodox theories
that disagree with almost all knowl-
edge that has come to man. Scien.
lists have tried to frame a theory
that will correspond with COM
pleted world, finished universe, now
going to decay while in reality our
earth and our universe are in the
youthful age, and can never be other.
wise"
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
Freaks of Memory,

A smart young cavalry officer was
recently exercising his regiment upon
the drill ground wnen the familiar
words of command suddenly slipped
from his mind, and the strenuous
effort made to recall them was ut
terly futile. In order to cover his
embarrassment he was compelled to
retire from command. under the plea
OF illness. The fugitive sentence
came to him when he reached his
rooms. A still more singular case is
that of we'll known and esteemed
merchant. whose memory so treach.
erously failed him one morning after
leaving home that he was totally I'M
able to locate his offices, and was
actually compelled to inquire as to
their whereabouts Another interest
ing example is that of a popular
novelist who had nearly finished an
important work upon which he was
engaged when sudden failure Of
memory deprived him Of his plot and
necessitated the laying aside of the
book for more than a week; then an
association of ideas recalled the miss.
ing plot. the novel was brought to a
successful issue and enjoyed a wide
circulation. Boston Globe.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
BABY AND HIS CAT.
The Unwonted sight Which Attracted An
Eyes q Crowded Street.

The Unwonted sight Which Attracted An
Eyes ON q Crowded Street.
The sidewalk was filed with hurry
ing people, says the New York Time&
Three peddlers stood on the curb. one
with shoelaces, another with candy,
another with gold paint Neither
looked as II he expected to sell any
thing. Nobody paid the slightest
attention to them. A man without
legs came stamping over the side
walk. People merely hurried out OF
his way. A man passed, dressed in
outlandish garments, ADVERT ing a
patent medicine. Nobody looked
twice at him. An old woman whose
tangled gray hairs were blown ia the
wind shuffled feebly along and no.
body saw her. A pair Of Chinese, an
Italian woman dressed as for a fete,
a negro nearly seven feet in height,
a Turk swaddled in turban and baggy
trousers drunken woman, man
with locomotor ataxia-all pas sed
within few minutes aud nobody
stopped even for moment to look at
anybody else, except the beggars aud
they were utterly disregarded.
Then appeared from Omewhere, as
II out OF a hole in the ground, a child
about two years old, ragged and
smeared as to its hands with mud
and as to its face with traces of bread
and molasses, besides plain dirt. Its
hair was :ousled and its large blue
eyes were fixed straight ahead with
all that sweet Inconsistencies OF
childhood written of by poets In
It's hands 1t carried gray striped
cat. One little fist grabbed the loose
skin at the nape, the other grasped it
firmly over the hind quarters. Each
particular leg Of that cat stuck out
straight and rigid; each claw showed
its shining curve. The cat did not
appear to be uncomfortable, and the
child was glOriously unconscious of
everything but its own baby thoughts.
The child was so young that it went
unsLeadily, tOttering down the middle
of the sidewalk, with the cat held up
in front OF it like drum-m majors
stan. There was not one hurrying
wayfarer-man or wOman-who did
not pause and laugh. A number
stopped short and followed the child
as 1t staggered along. BY the time
the baby had Travelled half a block it
had an escort of twenty grown per-
sons besides the swarm Of boys. The
baby tottered along, its magnificent
gravity undisturbed, and when
breathless, bareheaded woman came
running and snatched up the young
explorer Still holding on bravely to
the cat) each person in the crowd
looked sheepish and hurried away. q
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
HAD AN EAR FOR MUSIC.
The Weakness to Which n Badger Yielded
and Lost His Freedom.


A real, live, savage, untamed
badger is now staying at the melodi-
Gus home of I. G. Coggin, at 1873 Nor
ris avenue, San Francisco Coggin
is the cornetist of the Golden Gate
Band. That animal had been prowl-
ing around the house for weeks, d.
viding its attention between the
chickens of the neighbors (Will a
badger climb roost after chicken?
The neighbors told a Call reporter
that one did. anyway and the carrots
OF the French Hospital garden. But
it always came back to Ccggin's at
night to hear him play Coggin's
fine ear, trained to discriminate be.
tween all shades of sound, detected
the presence of his unbidden auditor.
He dropped his cornet and set trap.
The trap did its work. Music-loving
badger was nipped by the claws, and
then Mr.. Coggin. after an exhaustive
wrestle with an improvised RATA and
an iron ash barrel, succeeded in bar
reling his prey. Afterward it was an
easy matter to confine his catch in a
cage OF stout trellis wire and place it
in the kitchen. That kitchen is
now the center Of attraction in the
neigborhood. People call all day by
scores to see and speculate on the
strange animal. 1t is a big badger
and pretty one. 1t is foot broad
and about thirty inches long. Its
fur is soft gray, finely marked on the
under side with white. A white
streak runs from the top of its head
up toward its queer pointed nose
Its eyes are as bright as diamonds
There in captivity in the kitchen it
gamely deties the whole circle of
critics. 1t Kisses and growls and
makes little darts and rushes in the
direction OF any suppose assailant
1t refuses to eat or make friends, and
is just as mad as ''pug" in chancery.
Mr.. Coggin is going to try his cOrnet
upon him at close range, and If that
fails he knows he cannot be tanned.
He will then offer him to the Sutro
or some other menagerie.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
AN ORIENTAL BUNCO GAME.
How Nadir Shah Gained Jewel He
Coveted.

How Nadir Shah Gained Jewel He
Coveted.
One of the cleverest and vet most
simple buncO games ever accomplished
was worked by Nadir Shah, a robber.
who became King of Persia, and SUBJ
sequently conquered great part of
India about century and half ago,
During his progress through the latter
country he defeated the Tartar King
of Delhi, and after appropriating
everything in sight, he graciously Of
fered to reinstate the fallen monarch
as his representative and vassal.
The King accepted with alacrity,
and the two swore eternal friendship,
and service and protection respect
lively.
An elaborate ceremony was ar
ranged to celebrate the event, and the
Tartar chief made his appearance at
the proper time, dressed in all the
magnitlcence he could muster, but
there was that about him which made
the conquerer start, for, blazing in
his turban was diamond such as
Persian eyes had never looked upon
before. 1t was in fact no less than
the famous koh-i-noor, or mountain of
light.
Nadir Shah was overcome with
modification and regret that he
should have left such gem in the
Kings possession, sbut he could not
consistently plumber the man whom
he had just promised to protect
At last an idea struck him. There
was an ancient Oriental custom OF
exchanging turbans as a token of
amity.
Nadir at once put it into practice.
He removed his own handsome head
gear, and rendered it to the other.
The Tartar could not refuse this mark
of condescensiQn, and so he reluct-
antly accepted Nadir's turban, handed
over his own, and the mountain of
light passed away from Delhi forever.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
MISS CLARA BARTON.
How the Head of the Red Cross Society
Began Her Life Work.

How the Head of the Red Cross Society
Began Her Life Work.
Miss Clara Barton, head of the
Red Cross Society in this country,
began her career as nurse and con-
soler at the breaking out of the civil
war. When the famous Sixth Mass
achusetts Regiment was attacked by
mob in the streets OF Baltimore and
number shot down she was en-
ployed as copying clerk in the pat
ent Office at Washington. speaking
of these days she says: II was
greatly panied on hearing that many
of the brave soldiers from my native
State were killed and injured and nv
tenderest passions were aroused. 1
went along with the crowd to the
Baltimore and Ohio depot, where a
train had just pulled in with the
regiment There l saw forty men,
covered with blood, many of them
faint and helpless, landed from the
cars and borne away for shelter and
treatment They found a resting
place at what was then the infirmary,
on judiciary Square, and l followed
them. did what l could for their
relief, and was SO deeply interested
that l went again the next day and
the next, and on many subsequent
days. l distributed food among
them, and frequently read the news
papers to them.
Miss Barton had no special train.
ing for the hospital, but her heart
was full of pity and the need was
great. Washington was soon sur
rounded by camps, and the sick and
wounded were brought their from
the front. Before long she re-
signed her position in the pat
emit office and gave herself up en-.
tirely to the work. She soon realized
that the great necessity was for i'm
mediate attention to the wounded,
and full of this thought, she pro-
Cured pass and loading a railroad
car with supplies, went to Culpeper
Court House, which was crowded
with wounded soldiers from the bat.
tie of Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862.
Next she loaded an army wagon with
supplies and joined McClellan's army
in Maryland. She arrived on the eve
of the battle Of Antietam, and early
the next morning she took her wagon
to the shelter OF a barn and there
remained all day caring for the
wounded and dying. BY night her
face was so blackened by gunpowder
that she could scarcely be recognized
from one OF her own contrabands.
After the close Of the war Miss
Barton was SO exhausted that she
finally, in 1869. sailed for Europe.
Then came the Franco Prussian war,
and she became a ministering angel
in Germany and France, as she had
been in America. The pin she wears,
the Red Cross OF Geneva in gold
circle. was given her by the Grand
Duchess of Baden. The German EN-
peror also conferred on her several
decorations. Later came the James
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
ClvlllTY At SEA.
A story Illustrating Its Value to . surly
Captain.

"A Story Illustrating It's Value to . Surly
Captain.
An American steamer anchored Oh
the port of Nassau early one morning,
anc transferred all her passengers
who wished to 10 ashore, with one ex-
ceptlon, to q steam tender. The excep-
ton was a traveller who had not heard
on the previous night the warning that
every one who wished to 60 ashore
Tor the morning must be on deck by
8 O'Clock. He appeared upon the
scene moment after the tender had
cast Of.
His fellow passengers waived their
handkerchiefs and laughed at him.
The captain undertook to discipline
him roughly.
There is always one fool left be-
hind" he shouted, angrllv. "'You
didn't know enough to get up when
l warned you it would be your only
chance of going ashore"
"But l received no warning!"
meekly answered the traveller,
This protest called out n volley Of
oaths from the captain. The traveller
bristled in his turn.
1t is my misfortune to be left he
hind" he said. But it is not a
brave officer who abuses a passenger
for his hard luck. l have travelled
under many flags and am sorry that
the tirst captain to treat me with
Siscourtesv should be an American. 4"
Before half an hour had passed a
sailboat ran in close to the steamer,
n tsNn OF 4,
passenger carried him ashore. Soon
after he turned the tables upon the
CAPTAIN and the passengers.
He had letters of introduction to
present to the Governor Of the Ba-
hamas, and was Hospitality received
by him. When pressed to rem ain
over night he explained that the
steamer was to sail at o'clock for
Cuba The Governor turned to his
secretary.
'Tell the agent that the steamer
must not sail until he hears from me, I"
was the order.
Then the Governor explained to
his guest that by virtue of a mail
subsidy he could detain the ship for
twenty-fOur hours. "You can stay
OVOI AiSuU ouu HcU Ou Ill UUc morn.
ing" he added.
1t was complete reversal of condi-
tions. At sunrise the traveller had
been alone on the ship, looking re-
gretfully after his fellow passengers
who were on their way to the shore
At noon they were back on the
steamer, and he was on shore, hold
ing the ship for his own convenience
with the Governors permission.
The traveller, however, was merci-
full to the captain. He did not de-
tain the steamer longer than six
hours, and returned to it at nightfall
to meet the captains flashing eve.
always behind time." exclaimed
the martinez you've kept all
hands waiting since noon"
Long enough, hope" was the
cool reply, "for you, sir, to learn that
civility should be one of the rules of
the sea, and that the use of abusive
language may be at least-inJu-
diciOus."
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
Ostrich Farming In Africa,


Ostrich farming is one of the i'm
portant industries of South Africa,
which. rs yet, furnishes the bulk OF
the ostrich plumes for the markets
Of the world. The American Agri-
culturist thinks there are probably
200. 900 domesticated ostriches in
Cape Colony. Each bird is supposed
to net his owner $40 per annum. The
Enclosures in which they are kept are
usually built Of stone, but where
stone Is not abundant wire fences
have been employed with equal sue
cess. The birds are commonly plucked
once every eight months, yielding one
pound weight of feathers each; but
many farmers only pluck sixty feath-
ers at time so as not to cause too
much irritation and resulting inflam-
nation, which is very injurious to
the health Of the birds and lessons
the next crop Of feathers. The birds
IN these large fields find plenty Of
food. rarely having to be fed with
mealies, beans, lucurne, or other cul-
tivated food products
The number OF eggs laid varies
from eighteen to twenty.four, the
male bird usually eXcavating the nest
in some sandy spot, but both birds as
sisting in the incubation. taking turn
about. But it is during this period
OF incubation that the plumes are at
their best, and many OF them are
utterly spoiled for commercial pur-
poses. or late years artificial incu-
batting has been resorted to, and with
perfect success, for it has been found
that fewer eggs are spoiled by this
method and that the young thus
Matched are no less vigorous than
those brought up by the birds them
selves. The value OF feathers ex-
ported from Cape Colony during the
past thirty years is estimated at over
$50, 600, 900, the total weight being
l, 200 tons.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
Recent History Of the Tomato.


Mr.. Fred May gives in the North
west Trade, the following history OF
the introduction OF the Tomato into
the United States:
'In the history of the tomato it is
told how man who had arrived from
the Bermuda Islands, was sent to
York County, Pa, Jail for some of.
Tense committed against the laws of
the commonwealth. He had with
him a few seeds which he planted in
the soil of the jailyard. Before the
plants which sprang from the seeds
reached maturity he was discharged
and no one ever knew the nature of
them. They grew luxuriantly. bear
ing fruit of a large size, and as this
strange fruit ripened, its color changed
from green to brilliant red. The
woman keeper at the Jail cautioned
all the prisoners against eating of the
fruit as she was sure it was poison.
GUS. Just as the fruit was fully ma
tured the Bermuda prisoner revisited
the jail and asked to see the plant.
This was granted. He next called
for pepper. salt, and vinegar and ate
of the poisonous fruit with a relish
that astOunded the beholders. The
seeds Of the remaining tomatoes were
carefully preserved and distributed
among the friends of the keeper.
For many years thereafter it was Gull
tivated as an ornament rather than
for table use, but by degrees its merits
began to be more fully understo
ard appreciated and II grew into gen.
eral public favor, being now raised in
great quantities.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15

Hot alum water is the best insect
destroyer known. Put the alum into
hot water and let it boil till it is all
dissolved; then apply the solution hot
with brush to all cracks, closets,
bedsteads, and other places, where
any insects are found. Ants, bed
bugs; cockroaches, and creeping
things are killed by it; while it has
no danger OF poisoning the family or
injuring the property.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
They Dig Their Own Graves.

The only animal known in the
world which on the approach of dis.
solution seeks out the general bury
ing ground OF its species, and tSere
digs its own grave and lies down to
die, is the huanaco; found in the val
leys of the Santa Cruz aud GallegOs
in Patagonia Darwin and Fitzroy,
the celebrated naturalists, have both
MADE mention Of this strange fact.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15
Simple Disinfectaut.

Cut Two or three good-sized onions
in halves. and place them on a plate
on the floor; they absorb noxious
effluvia, ETC., in the sick room, in an
incredibly short space OF time. and
are greatly to be preferred to per-
fumery for the same purpose They
should be changed every six hours.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15

Stove luster, when mixed with tur-
pentine. and applied in the usual
manner, is blacker, more glossy, and
more durable than when mixed with
any liquid. The turpentine prevents
rust, and when put on an old rusty
stove will make it look as well as
new.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15

town food, where Miss Barton led
the work of rescue, and, last of all,
she has turned her plying thoughts
toward Siberia.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15

Hot SPRINGs-jumping from the
frying pan into the fire.
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-15

EuWdrQS lace.
With this question came thought
to Edward "You've got diamonds.
have you?" he asked.
"Will you let me 90 if I'll show
you two as handsome as you ever
saw" asked the man who had an
idea that he had struck weak spot
in the boys nature.
'I'll think about that later" re-
p led Edward. "Put your face to
the wall and flatten Yourself out
against it. Don't forget that l shall
shoot. you if you move"
The burglars face wore a puzzled
look, but he saw that Edward meant
what he said and he doggedly went
up to the wall and flattened himself
against 1t. From behind Edward
proceeded to search the pockets of
the burglar. He found several pieces
of jewelry. among which were a dia-
mond bracelet and a gold watch.
Both of these articles were apparently
OF great value. In examining the
hacelet Edward found engraved on
the inside the name of one of the
North side citizens, whose residence
had been robbed the previous night.
Edwards suspicion that he had
captured a man for whom the best
detectives it the city were searching
was verified, and with this knowl-
edge came the thought that he might
possibly turn the apprehension of the
third into piece of exclusive news
He glanced at the clock ON the man.
Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1893-04-27
Reason for Thinking So.

"How much commission do YOU people
get from the collar and cuff factoriesin
asked an Indignant patron of a laundry
the other day. "What do you mean 81,
asked the proprietor in concilitary tone.
Mean just what say" was the response.
"of course, people in your business are not
helping the collar and cuff factories for
nothing, and without the destructive power
OF your acids aud your mangles they would
not have one-tenth of the trade they now
enjoy. Come, now, tell me what your com.
mission is for destroying collars and cuffs
and will pay you my proportion Of it il
you Will let up on my linen" The laun-
dryman forced a smile and endeavored to
treat the questson as joke II am not
joking" persisted the customer; "you have
smashed fifty collars and nearly as many
pairs of cuffs Of mine all to pieces In three
months, and that is no joke. | buy the
best of linen goods and you invariably ruin
each article at the second wash.
"Now, Of course there must be motive
In that | believe that you chaps are in
league with the manufacturers of collars
and cuffs, and propose to organize a laun.
dry syndicate and start lot Of fair and
square laundries, unless you let me into
your scheme" The laundryman then be-
came serious, and earnestly protested that
be was not in collusion with any collar and
cuff factories, The frayed and broken CON
dition of his patrons linen he attributed
entirely to an occasional accident. ~
New York Times.
Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1893-04-27

Gloves, the crowning finish of a well
dressed womans costume in public, have
been Of late years greatly misused in
American society. One sees them worn
at tea tables by the woman elected to
represent the hostess in pouring tea, and
even at dinner tables, where the wear
ers have been known to sit through
many courses with their right hands
barred, the hand of the right glove
tucked under the wrist, and the entire
left glove kept on. From time immemo-
rial the habitual dinner goers of good
society have removed both gloves imme-
diately after taking their places at the
table, and have resumed them upon re-
turning to the drawing room, or after
using the finger bowls, and before aris-
ing from the feast.
Any departure from accepted custom
that has only eccentricity or desire for
innovation to recommend it should be
avoided; hence there seems no cause for
taking mp the curious fashion just men,
toned, probably set in a needless mo-
ment by some leader of vogue or by an
unfortunate woman of rank whose hand
was made unpresentable by a disfguring
injury.-Ladies' Home Journal