davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
SNAKES FOR FOOD.
Only Prejudice Excludes Them from the
Bill of Fare.

''Why don't people eat suakes?"
because it is not stylish"
The above question and answer are
really all that is necessary at this date.
The question is suggested because, at
the present day, there is a great de-
mand for two other classes of reptiles,
namely, frogs and turtles-for food
and yot we never hear of snakes being
offered on the market. The answer
follows, for the reason that fashion
dictates all things, from our birth to
our death, and as yet snakes are inter
dicted as food. to Americans, at least.
Frenchmen are generally credited
with knowing a good thing" and
they practieed frog eating for
centuries before other countries ac-
knowledged the delicacy of frags'
legs. At last the cpstom reached
the United States. and was
quite generally adopted. snd the term
''frog-eaters" was no loa.ger consid-
cred opprobrious. Somewhat over e
century ago there was revolt on
Virginia plantation because the slaves
were principally fed on diamond
backed terrapins, which could be Sc
cured at an expense of one dollar
cart-load. Now these terrapins bring
from forty dollars to sixty dollars
dozen.
Snake flesh is white and tender, and
doubt not is as good as that of any
other eold-blooded animal. There is
no earthly reason to doubt ii and it
would be unreasona BILE to dispute it.
Prejudice alone prevents our trying
fried snakes and the same prejudice
keeps many persons from eating nicely
cooked cells, because they so closely re-
semble snakes. Let us compare snakes
and cells, and we shall find that snakes,
and, in fact, all reptiles including our
favorite green turtle and delicate frog,
are UNNECESSARILY above the cells and
all other fishes in the scale of animal
life. But allowing that mammals.
reptiles and clear down to the de-
generate fishes are all good because
they are vertebrates, why do we not
limit ourselves to this subkingdom IN
stead of dropping to the lower and
serving up crabs. lobster and shrimps?
But not content with this drop we
take another plunge, and going away,
away below the insects we reach the
clam and oyster, which we eat entire,
and often in raw state
In certain parts of Europe snakes
are eaten by the lower class of people.
They are sold prepared at the markets
as hedge-eels, and are in considerable
demand in southern France. In many
parts of the uncivilized world the flesh
of serpents is eaten, and we have it on
the authority of well-bnown travellers
and explorers that, although not
tempting, the dish is in no wise I'M
palatable.
1t may be long time before the
fashion generally adopts snakes as
food, but il should be borne in mind
that we descend lower in the scale
when we feed on fish, and immeasura-
bly, lower in our cultivated taste for
oysters American Field.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
where He Worked.

The prisoner was before the police
Judge for the greatmanyth time.
We'll" said his honor, you here
again?''
Eyes, your honor" responded the
prisoner.
whats the charger"
"Vagraney; same as before, your
honor"
at seems to me you are here about
half your time"
"A little uppards. your honor.
"well, what do you do it for? Why
don't you work?''
II do, your honor, more than half
my time"
Jaw. now" said his honor, good
naturally, ''if you can tell me truth
fully where you have ever worked I'll
let you off"
''At the house of correction, your
honor" smiled the prisoner, and the
court kept it's word. = Detroit Free
Press.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28

glanced up as ne passed on the high
seat, raised his hat and distinctly
bowed To the sisters
The man bowed to us said Belle.
dropping her work in amazemenL
''What does he mean?''
'-Oh. he's country Jake. | suppose.
and thinks that the proper thing" said
Lillian. laughing. but see how clev-
erlv the work Is done here"
The man had driven close to n cellar
window, adjusted a narrow slide, and
was shOveling the coal into 4 with a
display Of muscular strength that was
quite interesting. while the rafting
noise was deafening lie wore blue
overalls, and his hat shaded his fea-
lures; but as he drove away the sisters
stared at each other ineredulOusly.
why. that's Mr.. Gordon cried
Belle
i really believe il is said Lillian.
''What on earth is hep
"Why. a goldman. of coarse"
"Will YOU tell father?"
Indeed. I will mott He'll saw It
serves rs right. going to public balls
and meeting all sorts and conditions of
men. Wen simply have to cut him"
such a dancer, too, ] never had
such walt"
What could have possessed Mr.. Eel
ter 10 ia.rOduce him?"
Spirit of American equality, no
doubt. Whenever we see coal-cart.
we'll have 10 avoid it.
Dear me. he'll be back with another
ton as soon as possible
We'll. he'll not see me- Lillian
sprang 10 her feet, seized her work and
disappeared. Belle remained in her low
chair and calmly put ip her stitches.
''PshPw.' she reflected I'VE must
be mistaken II IS a strange likeness,
nothing more"
She was absorbed in a rosebud when
the mingled sounds Of a child scream
ing and horses wildly prancing startled
her. The scene made her heart throb
wildly. Her small brother. mischiev-
Gus elf of six years. had fallen in front
of the coming cOal-cart, and its driver
was pulling back the frightened strug-
Cling animals. The terrified child did
not move Belle recovered her senses.
ran down the steps. aud picked mp the
little man. setting him on his feet in
the lawn grass.
Bravo. Miss Grant" cried familiar
voice. and she raised her eyes 10 meet
Gordon's- That WAS a close call. The
youngster isn't hurt?~
on 40, thanks to you. Mr.. GORDON"
Keep him in the house iii I get
through here lie started the horses
with his prankks
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
THE FLlPPANT MISS.
she Thinks she l. Clever, hut Others Do
Not Agree With Her.

u
Not Agree With Her.
There is nothing so bright or SO alto
yether attractive as girl who is witty
and interesting in her conversation
without appearing to be So Such a
)ne wins readily the praise and pleas
ant comment of those about her, but
here is a type of young woman who
thinks TO be fippant is to be witty.
md to be absolutely impertinent is to
ler a means of showing her unusual
qualifications.
The flippant young woman shows
her peculiar accomplishments in speak
ing of her parents. whom she regards
as being far behind her in the intel
leetual race. and who have been put
upon this earth for the sole purpose of
being the butt of her witticisms
AS pitiful as it seems to others. the
parents of such a young woman fire.
luently feel no humiliation in the be-
havior of their daughter and are will
ing 10 be laughed al in order that she
may show off before those who are
about her.
If. however, she really thinks that
her audience admires such conduct she
is mistaken, for, even though they may
laugh, in their hearts they have no re-
spect for the girl who has no respect
for her parents. There is certain de-
ference due 10 age thai should be re-
spected by everyone. Particularly is
this so in the treatment children show
their parents Though many young
person is far better educated than the
Woodworking man or woman whom
they so persistently make fun of, the
people who are able to appreciate real
merit will find more of it in the elder
than in the younger person.
Dignity of demeanor marks the lady
everywhere. and. though a very witty
speech may have to be strangled at its
birth, il Is better to do 50 than to in
dulge in a style of conversation that
hurts those who are made the subject
Of il. and also offends those who NAV
not be personally interested in it.
After awhile the hippant young per-
son will be avoided by those who know
the quality of what she calls her wit.
and the friendship of those worth eul-
tivating will be given to the girl who
in every way shows a Difference TO
those older than herself. and who, in
her communication with those of her
own age, does not try to be funny at
the expense of others Life is too short
to stand any such nonsense, and though
she may think herself something above
the average in mentality. the great
majority of people will dubb her flip
pant and impertinent, and have no
wish to continue her acquaintance.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
a WILD BEAST CARAVAN.
The Journey of Some of the Animals See
In Our Menageries.

The Journey or some or the Animals Seen
In Our Menageries.
Few of those people who go to a
menagerie realize what an immense
undertaking it is to transport wild
beasts from the land of their birth and
of their freedom 70 the land of their
imprisonment. and, too frequently, of
their death. ! will ask my readers to
picture for themselves an African
desert blazing beneath burning sun.
Across the weary waste of sand long
column of men and animals is wend-
Ing its slow way. AS it draws nearer
we see that it is caravan of wild ami
mails on their way from the interior to
the seaboard. And as it passes us. the
vast mass of living creatures, as in
chemical process. slowly dissolves itself
into distinct particles and individuali-
ties. Let us regard them carefully.
In the first place we notice a process
sion of fourteen stately giraffes, then
come five elephants, huge rhinoceros,
four wild buffaloes believing sadly
after the mates they have forever left
behind Then there go numbering by
number of enormous carts or
wagons, in which are safely
confined thirty hvenas, five leop-
ards, six lions, two cheetahs. sixteen
antelopes, two lynxes, one serval, one
wardbob. twenty smaller carnivorous
animals, four African ant-eaters and
forty-five monkeys And then there
come slowly prancing by, wary, rest
less, cunning, twenty-six ostriches.
There are twenty boxes of birds, from
which sounds of shrill screaming are
constantly proceeding. There are up
ward of a hundred Abyssinian goats
scattered here and there in the pro-
cession. These are to give milk for
the young animals, and to serve as food
and meat for the old. The caravan is
on its way through the desert to
Saulxim. which is the first shipping
place for Europe. There are no less
than one hundred and twenty camels
in it. which are required to carry the
food for this caravan, and there are up
wards of one hundred and sixty drivers
in the procession. 1t takes the caravan
upwards of thirtv-six days to cover the
distance which lies between Cassala in
the interior of Nubia and the port of
Suakim, for which they are bound.
The same journey is usually performed
by quick post camels in twelve days
McClure's Magazine.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
THE CAMEL.
Most Picturesque Description of the Most
Picturesque Mode of Motion.

Most Picturesque Description of the Mos
Picturesque Mode of Motion.
Miss Amelia Il. Edwards wrote the
most appropriate description of that
almost indescribable method of locomo-
ton known as camel-riding. II may
appeal to some of those more daring
spirits we have seen with looks of i'll
suppressed agony on their faces while
a camel plays cup and ball with then
unresisting forms. This is it:
1.-The camel has his virtues, so much
at least must be admitted, but they dc
not lie on the surface. My Button tells
me, for instance, that he carries a wa.
ter cistern in his stomach, which is
meritorious. But the cistern anchor
ates neither his gate nor his temper
which are abominable. Irreproachable
as beast of burden. he is open
to many objections as a steed. 1t is
not pleasant 70 ride beast which not
only objects to being ridden. but which
eherishes strong personal antipathy
to the rider. You know he hates YOU
from the moment you walk around
him, hesitating where and how TO be-
gin the ascent of his hump He does
not hesitate to tell you so in the round
est terms. He swears freely vl,ile you
are taking your seat, snarls if you but
move in the saddle, and stares angrily
around at you if You attempt to move
him it any direction save that in which
he himself intended to go. If you per-
sist lie tries to bite your feet. If
biting your doesn't answer. he
lies down. Now, the lying
down and getting up of a
camel are performances designed ex-
pressly to inflict grievous bodily harm
upon the rider Thrown twice forward
and twice backward, punched in his
wind and damaged in his spine, the
luckless novice receives four distinct
shocks, each more sudden and unex-
pected than the last. For this execra-
BILE hunchback is fearfully and won
derfully made. He has superfuous
joint somewhere in his legs and uses it
to revenge himself upon mankind.
"IIis PAGES, however, are more COM
plicated than his joints and more try
ing than his temper. He has four-a
shot walk. like the rolling of a small
boat in a chopping sea; long walk,
which dislocates every bone in your
body; trot that reduces you to inn
becility, and a gallop that is sudden
death. Chicago Post.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
ELECTRIC LIGHT BATHS.
Curative Properties said to Re Poss.sse
nv such Treatment

Curative Properties said tn Re Possessed
by such Treatment.
There are a few people who believe
that electric lights possess great cura-
tive powers II is known that the
transmission of the electric current
through the atmosphere converts the
oxygen into ozone. thunderstorm
clears the air. On such established
facts as these the electricians base
their claims that the electric light has
a curative property. When the rays
are directed from properly-devised
apparatus to any part of the body the
the effect Is TO increase the circulation
and TO bring on a cOpious perspiration
where the light strikes. If il is desired
To treat some particular part of the
body, screens and refiectors are adjust
ed so that the electric light is thrown
to that place alone.
II general treatment as we'll as local
application is wanted the patient sits
with his back to the apparatus The
specific rays are thrown upon the dis
eased spot and the general electric
light is thrown upon the whole body
Different colored lights are employed
for different diseases. For some cases
the electric light is throws through
blue glass. For special effect on the
blood red electric light is used. and for
results on the nervous system the color
Is yellow. sun baths are as old as the
hills Electric light baths are some
thing entirely new. The astonishing
claim is made by the electricians that
this treatment is more rapid in its ac-
tion than drugs.
There is almost nothing TO which the
electric treatment is not applied. IL
the trouble is in the head blue or
violet ray Is turned on For the ex-
treIuities the red light IS applied to
help the circulation. Dormant livers
aud bowels are brought TO sense %
duty by the yellow or orange ray.
Upon infiammatiOns the blue is turned
ON. Y. Weekly.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28

a goldman. Haven't told You the re
suit of these mixed gatherings
| But ne waltzes so we'll" said Belle.
He puts in coal very well, too"
"Mr. .Felter introduced him." cried
Lillian Have it out with him."
- intend to-"
''If he is a specimen goldman. the
order IS very nice said Belle
That evening the girls met Mr.. Cor
don at dinner party, and observed the
attention and interest that he com
manded when coEversing. IL was evil
dent that he had Travelled extensively,
and had met with strange adventures.
He is quite a mysterious person, s.
Belle remarked TO Mr.. Felter at the
first opportunity. Papa is quite irate
with you"
They were partners in the dance that
followed the dinner and could talk con-
fdentially.
How s0e"
why, your friend came to our house
this morning and put in COAL
Felter laughed out.
''Oh. he is very independent. lie is
Obliged 20 live in the open air-the re-
suit of Over-studv. He combines pleas
ure with profit, and as this climate
suits him, he sells coal and. stays here
all the year round. However, he is
rapidly recovering. and no doubt will
resume his profession very soon. Sam
Gordon is brilliant scholar, and gen.
tleman."
And a dancer"
Il see him coming this way"
Yes, promised him this waltz"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
PEACHES as MEDICINE
they Are Good for the Blood. the Diges-
tion and the Complexion.

They Are Good for the Blood. the Diges-
tiOn and the Complexion.
A dish of peaches is better than a
dose of medicine. There seems to be
difference of opinion as to whether or
not the fuzz on the skin is injurious,
but the do-oors agree that the ripe
peaches rank with the best OF summer
foods. Seed fruits particularly figs,
Strawberries, blackberries and cram
berries, aid digestion; grapes, grape
fruit, lines and oranges are prime
apperients; apples. dates, melons, cher
ries and plums are nourishing and re-
freshing, but peaches are a tonic, an
aperient, a food and drink combined;
or, to put il briefly, they are meat and
medicine.
good meal may be made on cut
peaches, with sugar and cream. bread
and butter, and, considering the I'M
wholesome character of the water sup
ply just now it is a lunch for man and
child. After repast of this sort the
individual will feel more like attend
ing to the duties of the afternoon than
if he or she INDUCED in heavy food.
Peaches are good before breakfast and
after dinner; they are good for the di
gestion, good for the blood and good
for the complexion. Some people eat
them without cream or sugar, and with
good result. The fruit is so rich in SUI
gar and acid that il preserves its favor
a long while, but to get the full benefit
it should be eaten as soon as it is cut.
Redness of the nose, due TO conges-
ton, infiammed complexion, scrofulous
and bilious tedencies are said to be ma
terially influenced by a liberal con-
sumption of this luscious fruit. Mixed
fruits are always advisable, but the
peach in season, used as an alternate
with plums, cherries. melons and Der
ries, will vanquish the enemies of the
complexion. This is peach year. The
market is supplied by the California
crop. but harvest is expected about
the middle of August from Michigan,
Delaware and New Jersey. It will
profit the girl who studies her glass to
leave off drinking ice cream soda and
eating meat, pie and candy and give
the beatifying peach a chance to cool
her blood and tone up her digestive sys
tenn The complexion, whatever it may
be, depends upon the health and con-
stitution, and it is from hygienics and
not cosmetics that permanent improve
ment must come.-Chicago Post.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28

You're not BIT nice, Fred" She
shook her head at the little culprit-
Rugged him and led him into the house.
The whole family had assembled. and
Lillian, in her agitation, forgot he'
prudence.
1T is Mr.. Gordon Belle. l heard him
speaking 10 you"
Mr.. Gordon?r cried Mrs. Grant. 81
didn't see Mr.. Gordon"
We'll, you can see him now" said
Belle, eourteously. Hes putting the
coal in.
''oh. | thought you meant the young
fellow that You met at the hop"
so do, mother. He's a goldman. -
''Nonsense,'
And he kept the horses from crush
ing Fred's little body"
What are you all talking about?''
asked Mr.. Grant So they all explained
together.
$50 you've been Waiting about with
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
nlae, ,or Autumn ANA win.er ,rs.,

In Europe black has come iuto strong
favor during the latter part Of the sea.
son. and American importers have al
ready felt the ripple of the coming
black-goods wave. Black, however.
will not prevail over all other dyes, but
merely show as color note in excel
lent contrast against the display of rich
autumnal effects-the changeat lie Pan
amas, two-toned woods and sii,. and
wool goods, shot and striped bengalines.
etc. The mode shades are represented
by Carmelite, autumn sky and frost
gray. Crepon effects in camel's-hair
weaves will appear, and whipeords, di-
agonals, English serges and Henriettas
will come in for good share of patron
age.-N. Y. Post.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
FINANCIAL Episode.

A Pittsburgher who found himself in
possession of a check for six hundred
dollars. marked payable only through
the clearing house." presented the pa
per at the bank on which it was drawn.
I'VE can't cash it, said the teller, as
he handed the check back. 1T must
go through the clearing house in the
regular way Deposit it in the bank
where you do business"
Il have no bank account" replied
the man with the check.
Then take il TO some man you owe
money to. He win know il is perfectly
good and viii be glad to cash it for you:
TO get what is due him..
Don't be 50 fast. I don't owe any
body anything
Don't owe anything repeated the
bank officer. in establishment Great
Scott. man, then you don't need the
money."-Pittsburgh Chronicle.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
QUEER IDEAS OF BEAUTY.
How Women of Various Countries Think
to Aid Their Natural Charms.


to Aid Their Natural Charms.
In some countries the mothers break
the noses of their children and others
press the head between two boards
that il may become square. The mod
ern Persians have a strong aversion to
red hair; the Turks, on the contrary,
are warm admirers of it. In China
small round eyes are liked, and the
girls are continually plucking their
eyebrows that they may be thin and
long.
The Turkish women dip gold brush
in the tincture of black drug, which
they pass over their eyebrows. 1t is
too visible by day, but looks shining
with rose color. An African
beauty must have small eyes, thick
lips. large, fat nose, and a skin beauti-
fully black The emperor of Monomo-
tapa would not change his amiable ne
proes for the most brilliant European
beauty. An ornament for the nose is
necessary for the Peruvians. They
hang on it a weighty ring, the thick
ness of which is proportioned by the
rank of their husbands. The custom of
boring II, as our ladies do their ears, is
very common in several nations.
Through the perforation are hung vari-
Gus materials-gold, stones, single
and sometimes great number of gold
rings.
The inhabitants of the land of Natal
wear caps or bonnets from six to ten
inches high, composed of the fat of
oxen. They then gradually anoint the
head with purer grease, which mix
ing with the hair. fastens these bon
nets for their lives.-Cincinnati Com
mercial- Gazette
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-09-28
WHEN TO REST.
Also just What Processes VIII Prove Use-
full TO the Worker.


To possess youth when she is seventy
should be the aim of every woman
worthy the name. How she will have
10 act in order to attain that end is best
known by each individual. But there
is one rule which applies to all. That
is-rest.
The time to rest is not confined to the
hours between nine and six or ten and
seven. although il is necessary to OBJ
serve that period. The time to rest is
when one is tired; not when one finds
time to rest. When the woman who la
bors all day gets home at night il is time
for her to rest. She should stretch her.
self ont on the floor. close her eyes, and
dismiss thought. In five minutes she
may get up. Then she should rest
the muscles of her neck by bathing in
hot water; she should rest her ewes by
washing them in water. She should
rest her head by brushing her hair un-
til the strained feeling that belongs to
coils and braids is gone. She should
rest her feet with fresh shoes She
should try the restful influence of a
fresh gown. Then she is ready for
uinutts NiiCu SiOutN dlSO NC "a EtStiui
thing. utterly unlike the breakfast
eaten in a business suit, with the days
work ahead, and the luncheon snatehed
in the middle of the day.
Then she should have her evenings
recreation and then her restful bath.
After that the long nights sleep will
make her as fresh and young for the
next days work as though she were
not a Woodworking woman. N. Y.
World.