davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
THE SECRETARY BIRD.
The Cool Manner In Which 1t Kills n Snake.
Its Natural Prey.


As soon as the secretary bird, or
make eater, of South Africa discovers
a make, ii advances toward 1t without
hurry and without hesitation, and when
within striking distance IL Immediately
elevateS its crest aud the feathers OF the
neck and without losing any time de-
livers "A blow with its foot. II the snake
has avoided the blow and attempts TO
strike back. the bird lnterposes wing,
thus receiving the deadly iangs harm
lessly upon the long feathers ana I'M
mediately strikes again,
The fight is then virtually over, FOR
if the secretary gets III single blow
the snake back is broken. ana the blrd'
ightnngllke, plants It's 1901 hrmly on
the reptile neck and mead pressing
them into the ground, while IL delivers
the coup de grace with It's peaR, ana
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
TALKS WITH MOTHERs.-No. 2.


Much is written at the present day about
the care and feeding of infants by people
whose only capabiity for dealing with the
subject is "A fertile brain, and whose only
aim is to appear in print; every mother
knows how unsatisfactory and fallacious
such advice is when she attempts to follow
it. How 20 feed the baby is the greatest
problem met with in the happy state OF
motherhood, and upon its solution depends
the health, the happiness and the life of the
child, the question of feeding is practically
settled IL she is not, she should be guided
by those who have had successful expert
ence in feeding babies and not allow herself
to exper lment with different foods. There
are scores of artificial foods offered for sale,
but the best is none too good for the baby.
Eminent authorities who have thoroughly
investigated the subject of infant feeding,
and scientists who have analysed infant
foods, unite in pronouncing Mellin's Food
to lie the only perfect substitute for mother $
milk. 1t is palatable, nourishing and
strengthening; the weakest stomach will
retain and digest it, and the punlest child
will thrive upon it beyond the mothers
fondest expectations.
FOR cOnvalescentS, conSumptiveS, dyspep-
ties and the aged Mellins Food is also Of
incalcuable value. 1t is a food, not a medi-
cine, ana the system receives the nourish-
ment 1T demands for its daily needs. For
those severely i'll Mellin's Food will sustain
recovery when convalescence has been
established
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
GENIUS IS INDIFFERENT.
sirroundings Have Naught to do With the
Thread of Thought,


1t might he conjectured perhaps that
SCOTS and Byron genius was favored
by the circumstances of their birth,
that the wild scenes in which Scott S
infancy WAS passed, and the local leg
ends with which his head was filled de-
termined him to ballad writing, and
that the ballad writing led naturally in
its turn To romance and that the high
station and undisciplined liberty of
Byron ; childhood fostcred that passion
ate self Will and broudiug Imagination
which showed themselves in his fierce,
scornfnl and moody verse This, we
say. might perhaps he conjectured with
some praba hility. and the like might be
said Of Wordsworth infancy,
But haw shall we maintain that the
conditions of Keats cockney birth in a
livery stable or his education in dis
seeing room favored the growth of that
most delicate and rich type or almost
Hellenic clealness and beauty of mag
inations And how shall we maintain
that Dickens mental task in the cork
ing of hlacking bottles fostered the
gro" III 9i 'h"t "o"'''iiul nuiioi anu
'iiat NJ. - oi''' az, t'i"' =, is.o.
"i'''.i ,''.''' t,'' Woiii VIZ ''"s n'e.
anu WIN iiiiiii'""'o .a' :. "'uie a"e i 90
no comedy. not even Moliere's, had an
III, i''isi =, -.-.z..5,. :
Ns'i'., y ~ Mp,''' n',' ','''piau -
p'giie' 'iiit d VIM SUI 'ii,'' ~
stiie'i sPii - ''Ho "ei - i'to''.' o'.m
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
The 1rotting OK.

Next TO the elephant in general useful
ness we should be inclined to place the
"trotting OK of India. "All Indian
oxen can be trained 10 trot.' says Mr..
LockW God kiping. The sloping quar-
ter and straight hook may possibly
account for something in their more
horselike gait. One of the first things
to strike "A stranger Is the hurrying OK. -
The rekla. a light, two-wheeled cart
drawn by pair of oxen, cheap, speedy
and convenient. i the hanson cab of the
natives of Bombay.
All through the Iahratta country the
OK is the common draugllt animal,
differing in speed and sic according to
the work for which hr j. required,
Cattle of HE Nagore breed. used by rich
men I" draw their sfate carriages. used
to be kept near Delhi Tor carving dis
patches. Mr.. ouatl WIS informed that
they would fraGel with u -ol Tier "u their
back fifteen ~ sixteen miles in the day,
At the rate ut siN mics an hour.
Ih" \a%ore cattle have none Of the
aWhW rrd swinging motion of the Il g of
the English COW. They bring heir hind
legs uhdrr TIN III in II straight line n
the horse. II hey are very ACTIVE" con-
tinucs Mr.. lnnaft. and can ,clea" II five
barred gate with the greatest case -
one owner possessed calf which
would nnp an iron III liz q higher than a
gate. and IA bull which would leap the
same railing To "a to wafer, and. having
drunk. leap back again.
Napoleon borrowed hi~ idea of bullock
Transport for The first stages of his
Russian camp1ign from he Indian ar
mics, but the inian buIlocks are shod
Nap"eons were not, aud the bullock
transport was ruined before the frontiers
of Poland were reached.-London .Specta-
tar.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
A Good Word.

Joe was youth of such exceeding pop
nlarity with his uncleS and aunts that his
mother was compelled to call IA halt on
her too indulgent brothers and sisters.
who, she claimed, with Justice. were
spelling the youngster with their reck-
less generosity, and rendering him heed
less OF the value of property.
"Why, do YOU know. she said to one
OF the too indulgent aunts. to whom she
was explaining her trouble, "the little
rascal received fifty presents This very
Christmas"
son. mamma exclaimed the Young
person in question, more than that, /
received sixty-two PRESENTS
''Wen. knew ii WAS great MANY
sighed his mother, but wanted to
keep on the safe side. tried not to
eXaggerate."
"No," demonstrated Master Joe. in a
patronizing tone; but YOU should tly
not to eXsmallerate, either. - EdHoy'S
Dro"cr, in Jumpers Naq.ine.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
SUDDEN DEATH!
The Community Shocked.

" Last evening, just after tea, while Mr.
Thomas Hartman, promine' and highly
respected citizen, apparently IN the best OF
health and spirits, was reading newspaper,
the sheet suddenly fell TO the floor; he
placed one hand over his heart, gasped, and
sank back in his chair, evidently uncon-
scious. The family were stricken with con-
sternation, and Immediately summoned a
physician, But it was too late. The old
gentleman was dead. Physicians gave heart
disease as the cause '-Hoibrook Herald
Every day the papers contain statements
similar to the above. Even youth is no de-
tense against heart disease, and the awful
rapidity with which it is claiming victims
forces upon all conviction of its prevalence.
Reader, if you have symptom of this
dread disease do not hesitate a moment in
attending to it, Delay is always dangerous,
and in heart disease too often fatal. Some
symptoms of heart disease are shortness of
breath, futtering or palpitation, pain or
tenderness in left side, shoulder, or arm ir-
regular pulse, smotherng, weak or hungry
spells, fainting spells, dropsy, etc.
Charles Raven York, Pa, writes II suffered
from heart disease % years Frequently my
heart would seem to jump into my mouth and my
condition made me very melancholy. Physicians
gave me no relief. ] became so much worse that
WAS not expected to live, but was induced as a
last resort to use DR.. Miles New Heart Cure The
second day felt greatly relieved and at the end
Of ten days felt like king My gratitude is too
deep for expression"
Joseph Rockwell. UniontoUn. Pa. aged SO
years, says: For four years previous to begin
ming the use OF DR.. Niles New Heart Cure was
afflicted with heart disease in very severe form.
Had taken all so.called cures but with no benefit
until used DR.. Miles remedy, one bottle Of which
cured me-"
J. D. Bethards, Nigh Point, Ia. makes the fol-
lowing statement: ~ was a wreck from heart
disease and stomach trouble when began using
Or. Miles New Heart Cure and Nerve and Liver
Pills. Asa result Of their use am we'll"
Or. Miles New Heart Cure Is sold by all drug
Miles Medical Co. Elkhart Ind on recent OF
price. 81 per bottle six bottles for S. express pre-
paid. It is positively free from all opiates or
dangerous drugs. DR.. Miles Nerve and Liver
Pills. 25 cents per box, Ave boxes, 90. Mailed
anywhere. Free book at druggists, or by mail.
Sold by II. W Gushing. Skowhegan, Me,
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
Negro SuDerstitions.

Among the supersttions of southern
negroes are those which make it most
unfavorable thing to see a black cat
crossing ones path, or to turn back
without making a cross" in the street,
road or path. The belief in witches
is perhaps more general than any other,
and an ex congressman tells of case in
this section within the past 80 years in
which Il witch was killed in very
strange fashion. A negro called on
witch doctor, very old woman, and
was told that the cause of the trouble
was witch and that she must be kill
ed; that the only way possible to thus
put her out of the way was to go into
the woods and cut the figure of per-
son on the bark of big pine tree mark
a cross on the body and shoot this with
a silver bullet, the cross representing
the witch s heart. The shooting was
duly done in the presence of quite a
number of persons. This occurred in
the northern part of this county. Ce-
dar balls are carried in the pockets as
a protection against witches The ne
gro belief in these is certainly fully
matched by that of white men who car
ny in their pockets buckeyes and Irish
potatoes, or who wear thick iron rings
on their fingers as a preventive of rheu-
matism. Washington Star.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
Women Clerks In Washington.

There have been great changes in the
government departments in the last 80
yeals The first woman regularly en-
ployed was put on the rolls of the navy
department. 30 years ago. She was a
young widow, and the officials consid-
sred it AN awful problem how to dis
pose of her. Finally they hit upon a
plan. They treated her as if she was a
contagious disease and isolated her in
an attic room. She received and re-
turned her copying by a messenger.
But the disease caught on, Sc TO speak,
and today there are 900 women in the
treasury alone. There is one woman to
every seven men.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
A Case of Contempt.

The prisoner was bold faced va
grant, and the judge had it in for him
from the start
"How many times have yon been
here he asked.
Really, your honor, never kept
count after the twentieth time.
I'm give You six months, said the
judge sternly.
"All right, your honor
But it ism 1 all right, 1t is all wrong,
and you ought to he ashamed of your
self "
We'll, your honor, was the impu-
dent response, you oughtn't to com
plain. The state gets my services for
nothing and you make it pay you for
yours, and the judge gave him 30 days
more for contempt,-Detroit Free Press.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
English Criminals.

Doubtless, to judge from your aver
ago daily journal. murders and sui
cidcs. crimes and catastrophes, wars
and feuds and frauds. would seem to re-
main the staple of the human record.
But be it remembered that. fer obvious
reasons. all our worst and darkest is col
lected there. One might as well judge
of public health by the painful cases
described in medical publication as
of the vast mass of solid human happi-
ness and innocent living joy by the dali
" catalogue of these really trivial ex-
ceptiuns to it, AS for sins the most Sc
rious of which are only such as are
malicious though the population in
crease, they seem steadily to diminish.
We had 81, 66s "habituals' In 1868;
now the evil roll is only -, 1873.
When the population of England was
10, 2j7 900 in 1869, there were 2, $50
persons undergoing penal servitude;
now, with population of 1880, 179,
the number is only 941. In 1878 the en-
tire number of prisoners in our jalls
was 90, 1913; the entire number at the
same date last year WIS ,, 663, though
the population had increased by 6, 000,-
600. Pau2erism is also declining. In
1870, 1.079, 39l persons were in receipt
of relief; in 1891, with an addition of
more than :, 900, 600 Inhabitants. there
were only IA, 905. The upshot of these
figures - without pressing them too
much-seems surely to be that the " cos
mic process in our own little corner Of
the universe is not doing so badly. Sir
Edwin Arnold in Longman Magazine.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
Ex-EmpresS Emgemie.

The exEmpress Eugene has settled
down into the solitude which best ena-
bles her to endure her memorable and
cumulative sorrows. Her tall, sad fig
ure goes in and out among us with only
the recognition of silent sympathy The
empress likes to have communication
with as few people as possible For
instance, when she shops-she does her
own shopping likes to be waited
on by the same salesman always |
was witness of an incident of this sort
the other day. The empress walked
into we'll known west end shop and
asked for Mr.. --. naming one OF the
head men. She was told he was out
whereupon she remarked that she would
call again and went away | was told
that she certainly would come again
that Mr.. - always waited on her,
and that she would not be served by
my one else. london Western Mail.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
but you know, my dear, II you keep try
ing, YOU will succeed

but you know, my dear, II you keep try
ing, you will succeed
When Miss Henderson said "my dear
to her and kissed her, Maria knew she
would follow her directions. no matter
how hard they wee.
should like to tell YOU about the he
ginnings of this auge, and, indeed,
about how the change kept growing
from day 70 day. Some time think |
will. But Just NOW have only space to
give YOU Il bit of talk that was over
heard between Two Sunaay-school teach
ers. 1t took place nearly a year after
Miss Henderson had her first talk with
Maria. One Sunday-schooi teacher was
to be married and ~ Ia another city to
live: the other was Ia have charge of her
class. II was on Sunday morning be-
fore service, and The two friends we're
talking together about the class.
"Whn was that girl with lovely au-
burn curls :" asked the stranger,
"That is Maria Coleman. She is Il
wonderful girl: size iia> more influence
in the school than any othrr Young per-
son. | think. Every body lpv''s her. au d
does as she wants them Ia. She is 80
unseffish and sweet and bright they can
not help being won to her.
''She has rather irregular features,
said the stranger; but her face wins
one, it is SO bright aud pleasant-look-
ing"
"She is Just as pleasant rs She looks,
| never knew II person so generally
loved. People say she has changed very
greatlv-that she used to have 4 bad
temper, and was selfish and disagreed
Bile; but can hardly believe it: certain
~ in my three months acquaintance
with her | have found no such traits.
She came into my class only three
months ago; but she is treasure, and
her day-scho0l teachers will give her
the same character, Mr.. Dinsmore was
telling me last week what comfort she
was to them"
Yes. it was the very same Maria Cole
man, so you see the experiment worked,
--GoideH Rule.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
What Decidn1 Him.

Its no use, said the poet TO the bar
ber, Il will have to get my hair cut. y
"All right. Want it pretty short?"
"Close up. want the job attended
to thoroughly.
Long hair ain in style an, more, "
ventured the barber in an effort to be
genial.
ut isn't the style care for Just
a few minutes ago | was introduced to
a man and he said, Which do You play,
football or the piano. ~ Washington
Star.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

A treasury agent speaking OF the
watchfulncss of Uncle Sam $ officials,
said "A handsomely dressed man got
off a ferryboat and seemed to be unusu
ally nervous. A moment more and he
was struggling i'll the hands of the Off
GERS and desperately clutching at the
lapels of his coat. It's no use, the
officers remarked, we know what you
have and where it is. Better give it up
and save trouble. Apparently crushed
by the discovery, the man quietly as
sisted in opening seams and produced
the diamonds from various portions of
his clothing. Your shoes, please' This
rather staggered him, but he submitted
with good grace, and one of the heels
being unscrewed another lot, though
smaller and less valuable than the first,
was found there The diamonds were
examined and pronounced to be splen-
did article of paste, worth about 20
cents each. This did not satisfy us, and
the man was stripped to the skin. A
huge piece of sticking plaster was on
his back, which was removed. and I'M
der it were concealed scores of genuine
diamonds 1t is not often that a ruse
is so adIoitly planned and practiced. !"
New York Times.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
Mai Gen. o. o, Howard

The Board of Manager, OF the Nation
al Temperance society and Publication
House. at it, meeting held last month,
unanimously elected Mai..Gen. O. o.
Howard to serve ~ President of the
society for the remainder OF the year
till the annual meeting in May next in
place of John Wanamal>er, who had de-
rlined the position. This is most cx-
.cellrut and Il. sisthle selection He has
consented to at least fill out the uneX-
pii ed term, He Is in most hearty SYM
pathv with the plan. aud objects of this
society, Is in Every way Il CHRISTIAN
gentleman. and We trust he will receive
ihe hearty cooperation Of every friend
of Temperance throughout the land
Nafioum Tcnpcyptnce Idrocafc.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
His Wifc's Name.

An old farmer, intent ON making his
will, was asked by lawyer the name
of his wife, when he gravely replied:
We'll, indeed, l really don't recollect
what it is. We've been married for up
ward of 40 years, and I've always called
her my old woman. The lawyer left
blank to be filled up when his old
woman's name was ascertained. New
York Mail and Express.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
Guaranteed Cure for La Crime

We authorize our advertised druggists to sell
you DIR. Kings New Discovery for Consump-
ton, Coughs and Colds, upon this condition
II you are afflicted with La Grippe and will
use this remedy according to directions, giving
it fair trial, and experience no benefit, you
MAJ, return the bottle and have your money re-
funded. We make this offer because OF the
wonderful success of DR.. Kings. New Discov-
cry during last seasons epidemic. Have heard
of no case in which it failed. Try it. Trial
bottles free at r. T. PArTBN's Drug Store.
Large size Soc. and $l.00.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
USE DANA'S SARS APAR1LLA IT'S
THE KIND THAT CURES"

The temperance question is "A part of
the labor question. The complaint of
the lahoriug man that he fails to receive
"A fair share Of the wealth he helps to
create is undoubtedly true; and when
his scanty earnings are diminished by
the wastes of intoXicants and tobacco
desitutiou and Indebtedness are certain
to ovcrwhelm both himself and family.
-HdIv 4. LicerHi0rp.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
Sweets of Solitude.

Sheep aud geese become restless when
separated from the flock; the eagle and
lion seek isolation. From quiet and
solitude spring the greatest thoughts
inventions and formation. Our most
valuable acquisition in the time of our
Development through nature. art and
circumstance is the fruit OF hours spent
in quietude, desirable for our growing
youth and absolutely essential for our
future philosopher, poet and artist.
George Ebers in the Forum.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

One of the most interesting collec-
tons of historical papers in the country
is in the possession of Joseph Hilton of
Pittsburg. The collection includes many
old, rare autographs and newspapers.
An ELECTION extra issued by The
Ledger in 1874, is a priced relic belong
ing to Mr.. Hilton.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
3szg&z
~
A Flesh Forming Food.

"A r leSn FORMING ROOD.
(ArtifciaHy Digested.)
For pale, thin people. The
tired and weary feeling which
accompanies all 7vasfing dis
eases will be relieved at once,
the wasting will be arrested
and new healthy tissue will be
formed so that they will be-
come plump and strong. An
increase in weight will be no.
ticed at once. 1t is stimulat-
ing although it cantains no
alcohol. 1t is assimilated with
out digestive effort. Paskola
supersedes Cod Liver Oil
but has not its repulsive taste.
Send for pamphlet. Agents
wanted everywhere Address
The Pre-Digested Food Co.,
1853 Duane Street, New York,
For al nm 81.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
some hitherto nnnnhlished lott,

some hitherto unpublished letters of
Whittier's, written to an intimate friend,
Charlotte Fiske Bates, appear in the
January number of McClnres Maya
zine. The' are especially important as
being the direct expression of that sweet,
serene faith in an overriding Providence
and the souls Immortality of which de-
lightful glimpSeS are given in Whittier :
poems.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

The Christian Temperance Alliance of
Illinois is the nanr OF II new State tenn
peraucc organization recently formed at
Peoria by representatives of the various
religious denominations.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
NOn-Partisan w. C. 7. u.

The Skowhcgan Non-partisan W. G. T. u
meets at the Parlors Of the G. \. Il. Hall the
second and fourth Tuesdays Of each month";
at three O'Clock. T.. N.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

Tine newly proposed tariff bill is in
the interests of the liquor interests,
Brewers hurley is to be adiatted at
greatly reduced rates, and the tax on
spi tuous liquors reduced.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

A fountain that stood for many years
on the Main street square in Pawtuck-
ct, R. l., has been removed and set up
in a cemetery. Its base bears in big
letters the touchingly appropriate word
WELCOME. -
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

At the recent opening OF IA new brew
cry by the Omaha krugg Brewing Com
pany, the establishment was decorated
with flags, plans, and flowers, and from
900 to 5000 guests sampled the beer.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
w E.

will give you the
benefit of our exper-
fence in the printing
business and help
you to get out a job
that will both please
your eye and the eye
of the public.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

For sale BY II. W. Gushing skowhegan. Me
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18
w f.

will do your work
promptly and have it
at the time promised.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-01-18

w ould like to do
your PRINTING, such
as Bill Beads, Bust
ness Cards, Circulars,
Letter Heads, Envel-
opes, Hand Bills, &c.