davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

why Experienced Practitioners Are Cool
While Operating.

An old surgeon, engaged for the mo-
ment in dissecting "A cold roast quail,
and making, il must be confessed, only
an Indifferent job of IL, had been lis
tening Incidentally 20 the conversation
of his table companions who were dis
cussing the calmness and nerve dis
played by the average practitionerdur-
ing surgical operations, says the New
York Herald. Both agreed that the
poise and GOODNESS shown by surgeons
at times were extraordinary and hard
to understand.
"Now, friends, IL you will permit
me-" interrupted the surgeon at this
point, al would like to tell you that
there is nothing extraordinary about
It, The nerve as you call it, of the
surgeon under such circumstances Is
the most natural thing in the world.
1t is not display Of calmness which
has been put on for that occasion, or
an exhibition OF courage summoned up
for an unusual emergency, but simply
the normal demeanor of practical,
matter-of-fact man who knows what
he has to do and how he is going TO do
it.
1.-THE trouble with many people who
marvel at what they call surgeons
courage is that they fail utterly TO
comprehend the conditions under
which he performs his work. They
imagine that he is experimenting, or
that he doesn't know his ground, or
that he will cut something that he
ought not TO cut. Nothing could be
further from the facts. No movement
in science or mechanics is preceded by
more accurate foreltnowledge of it's
results than the average operation in
surgery There is no such thing as
guesswork about it. The operator
knows he is performing an operation
which Is based upon an exact science.
He follows rules which apply TO all
cases, and is secure in the confidence
that causes which have produced cer-
tain effects in given instances will do
so in all others.
"Why, then, should there be any
need in his work for extraordinary
courage? There are cases. of course,
so critical or so unusual as TO excite
even the calmest and most self-con-
tanned operator, and when these are
under treatment the surgeons powers
of self-control are frequently taxed to
their utmost limit. To the man who,
in such a case, can WELD the knife
without tremor, when life itself de-
ponds upon the accuracy and delicacy
of his touch, we must award the praise
due TO real heroes. But in the aver
age case, say of amputation or of skull
fracture involving cranial operations,
the surgeon neither needs nor possesses
more than the courage of an intelli-
gent, sincere man. who knows his duty
and has learned how TO perform it.
His technical knowledge of anatomy
and its methodical habit of work ac-
custom him to conditions which alarm
and excite non-professional minds, and
he goes about his task with certain
quiet, vigorous, assertive confidence in
the result of his movements which the
observer is quite likely to mistake for
a marvellous courage summoned up for
that particular occasion. 1t is courage
of certain sort, / confess--the cour-
age of absolute confidence in the in
fallibility Of the science he repre-
sents."
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
T9,zAsBa,Ig5 vs.
&zzsHHoNfRS'
STRAWBERRIES FOR HOME USE.

Conclusions Dedusted After sn Experience
Of Forty Years In Cultivating This Plant.
Firet-ThsS the best time TO plant n
as early ~ you can work your ground In
the spring.
Second-To plant IS inches apart IN
the row, making your row as long as
your garden. Ii more than one row, let
them be four feet apart. Any good gar
den soil-the richer the better-will grow
Strawberries.
Third-Cultivote thoroughly all sum-
mer, allowing he plants to cover the
ground 'excspt for space of i9 inches
between the rows.
Fourth-Aftar the ground is slightly
frozen mulch thom lightly with leaves
held in place with cornstalks or light
brush Il find old raspberry canes and
trimmings to be fret rate.
Fifth-Afte< the frost is out of the
ground in the spring remove the stalks
or brush, but let the leaves remain.
They will keep the fruit clean and be Of
advantage in case Of drought.
This brings us 10 spring again. Now
take up plants and make another bed
just as you did last year.
Sixth-When your strawberries are
ripe, gather and eat.
Seventh-When they are gone, plow
up the bed and plant some late crop
sugar corn, cabbage, beans or celery.
The reasons for planting every spring
are that it is less work TO plant and cul-
tivate new bed than to properly take
care of an old one; that the first crop Of
fruit is the finest, and that by changing
the bed every year you are not so likely
to be troubled by the insect enemies OF
the plant. Plant strawberries as you do
potatoes and corn. every spring, and
care for them as you do for those crops,
and you will reap abundant reward.
About varieties: Plant such as upon
inquiry you find succeed best in your
own neighborhood, getting the plants as
near home as you can. Two varieties
are enough for beginner.
The foregoing is from an Indiana
fruitgrower's communication TO The
Farm Journal.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
How Farmers Paint.

A brush is bought for the work of
house or barn painting at 40 to 60 cents,
lays The Country Gentleman, the farmer
puts in six to eight days or more using
this cheap brush. He does 80 per cent
less work with IL than he could do with
a first class brush costing, say, 90 cents
10 81; besides. he does 20 per cent poorer
work. with the cheap brush. Does he
not feally pay about So or 81 for the
cheap brushf Many farmers buy paint
st about 10 per cent less than first class
paint would cost. The cheaper paint
wears anywhere from three to four
years, and the good paint nearly twice
81 long. ! have no paint or brushes to
sell, bat I pay out many hundred dol
lars year for paint and brushes in my
factory and find no economy In ever
using the cheaper grades.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
NaDhIllalpne.

According TO recent chemical investiga-
tions, naphthalene is not formed in coal
gas while in the pipes, but in the retorts,
and only at a high temperature. Thus,
in the process Of gasmaking, the gas
which first comes off is rich in marsh gas
and poor in hydrogen, while toward the
end hydrogen predominates, and if benzol
is overheated there is a slight separation
of carbon and hydrogen, and naphthalene
is formed very staple substance, pro
duced whenever organic substances are
decomposed 10y very high temperature,
which accounts for its unavoidable pres
ence in coal gas. If the temperature be
still further raised, there results still more
coalescence, anthracCne and chrysene be
ing formed, and beyond these there is alb
solute charing, as IN the formation of
graphite on the walls of the retort. There
is really very little naphthalene in gas,
but the amount produced in the retort is
TAR greater than that required to saturate
the gas, which will only take up about O.3
grain per foot, at 10 degrees c., and
there is ten times this quantity Of naphtha
lene produced-the gas being therefore
saturated with naphthaleue, while with
benzol il is not so, and if 10 be condensed
60 10 degrees, then sent on, and afterward
cooled down beyond that temperature, it
must deposit naphthalene. - New York
Sun
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
pRescIENce.

Along the new wind drifted snow,
Caryen in dome and minaret.
An arabesquo in beauty, glow
Rich tones of blue and violet.
And then an olive jewel burns
And sparkle I'm the LIQUID light,
And suddenly 10 turquoise turns
Upon the chill unbrokou white.
Here is cry stal flaming green,
Wind polishcd.s its light IL throws.
And bright amid the lively sheen
Flash beryl, chrysoprase and rose.
Within my musing dream these glints
That gem my snowy gardenway
With colors fine are subtle hints
OF balmy blooms To cumo-and May.
-R. X. Munkittrick IN llarper's Weekly.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

Wife-You can see now how much your
friends cared for you. During your long
illness only one has called TO see you.
Husband-And that was Jones, wasn't
itS
Eyes: he came every day, and he said
be was very sorry that you were too sick
to see him. He is the only real friend
you We got. t."
''Yes, ! suppose 80. The day before
was taken down promised to lend him
ESQ. Texas Siftings.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
"Huck EeRer."

Adirondack Guide-Hear them dogsf
Jest you rest your barrel on that log. In
a minute you'll zee EN- break into the
clearin.
Young City Sport 40 seconds later, IA
buck springs into sight)-There he comes
There he comes Oh, there he goesl There
DE goesl
Guide-Did yer think he was goin to
camp here over nightS Pick up your gun
boston Traveller.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

The name Of Herr Brennan, the statisti.
clan, is well known in Germany. His lat
est discovery is that in 1900 years there
will be only one man to every 220 women
Unfortunately this does not interest Us,
and there Is no way Ut warning out de
scendants
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

Waters of Zemzem, the sacred we'll Of
Mecca, procured 40 years ago by Sir Rich.
ard Burton and kept in Theoretically seal
ed tin cases since, have Just been subject
ed to chemical analysis in London. As
living organisms were absent. the analysis
was of no special value
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

Citizen (who likes homemade bread)-
My dear, / hear that the bakers trust has
rushed through law forbidding women
to make their own bread.
Wife dndignantlyl-They have, have
theyf I'll show 'em. Here, Maria, run
out and get me some yeast. New York
Weekly
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
ErnInnatnrx.

"Jim, wot Is steam anyhow"
cts sort o. waporous sweat wot the
millions of hauinlalcula wot's I'm the wa
ter throws off In their hauguish ut beir
scalded to death''
"Wot Rilly Iam Knight ha' knowed
az much. v-Life.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
FLORENCE L. Briggs.

One of the best elocutionists OF the coun-
try Is Miss Florence l.. Briggs of Philadel
phia. Although now so successful pro
fessionally, she first took up the study of
dramatic and physical expression as rem
edy for nervous prostration-fer physi
clans having despaired Of cu'ipg her by
all other means Philadelphia Press
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04
MUMBLING LECTURERS.
How English Audiences Are Entertained
by Men of Science.

Nothing can surpass the patience of
the British audience at certain of these
lectures. We have been present, says
"a writer in the London Globe, on one
such occasion when a distinguished,
but perfectly unintelligible, member
of the Royal society engrossed the at
tention of about nine hundred ladies
and gentlemen from eight o'clock until
ten. What he was saying no one
knew. He mumbled on unremittingly
and the company loudly applauded
him in the intervals, when he drew
breath for fresh lease of indifference.
But he held n long rod in his hand and
pei iodically he raised IL and pointed at
an snigmatic agglomeration of lines,
which were believed To be an illustra-
ton. This of itself alone would have
satisfied his audience, coupled, Of
course, with the spectacle of his own
respectable person. And when the
lecture was over the secretary compli-
mented the old gentleman on his most
instructive discourse, there was a rush
of eager seconders of the resolution,
and the general public streamed out,
yawning and happy. This gentleman
received twenty-five guineas for his
effort, and it is not known TO this day
what he was talking about. There is
no civilization in the world to equal
that of the average provincial audience
at a lecture 1t tolerates all things
uncomplainingly. We have known
these kindly people endure long Sc
ries of lantern slides upside down with
out murmur, though their pictorial
matter was believed to be of very ex-
citing nature.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

MENDING BREAKS IN GREENHOUSE.
the two or more cracks meet, remove the
pointed piece and carefully break off
small bit of the point; replace the piece
lay one button face down on the outside,
with the ends of the wire down through
opposite holes and both ends through
the opening in the glass; put the other
button on the wire face up; twist the wire
Intil the buttons press the glass firmly
and the pieces will be held securely.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

In the end Of December, 1893, Yamhill
county, Or, with population Of nearly
1900 had only three persons on the pau
per list.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

A correspondent in American Garden.
ing tells that two large metal buttons
and bit of copper wire are efficient
means OF temporarily mending a break
in greenhouse or elsewhere, provided that
none Of the pieces hs fallen out. Where
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

The marriage OF Henry Wis daughter
Margaret with James led to the union
between England and Scotland.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-04

Circuit Court Commissioner IN and tor
Gratiot County, Michigan.
q. j.. WILsoN, solicitor for complainant,
Saranac. Michigan. Iot-iw
The Van Buren press., 1894-04-14
ParadinC His Green Hair.

Baudelaire's really original character
would have been more interesting had
he not made such obvious efforts to
call attention to it. One Sunday, tho
day my friends are kind enough to visit
me, long after our first interview, he
came to see me with his hair painted
green. pretended not to notice it.
He stood and looked at himself in front
of the mirror, strohed bis hair with
his hand, and did his best TO attract my
attention. At last, unable any longer
to control himself, he said: "Do you
see nothing extraordinary In my APP
pearance?" mo" "But my hair is
dyed green, and that is unusual" l
answered: "Everybody's hair is more
or less green. Now, II your hair were
skyblue, l might, perhaps, be aston.
ished. But one may SEQ green hair
under many hat in Paris" He took
his departure very soon afterward. aud
meeting o friend Of mine in the court
ward he said to him: II recommend
you not to go and see Du Camp to-dayt
he is in vile temper!"-Literary REQ.
objections of Maxine du Camp.
The Van Buren press., 1894-04-14

lieved It possible for human being to
live through. That did not succumb
to death is almost miracle. was
smothered until l was to all appear
ances lifeless corpse.
A year ago was q reporter for st.
Louis morning paper. had been en-
ployed on the paper several months,
but during that time had not dis
tinguished myself by any daring or
brilliant work, and l was therefore
anxious for an opportunity to present
itself. sat In the corridor Of q hotel
one night und overheard man sitting
near me tell a curious story of q hermit
who lived in an old building that was
nearly ruin, on the outskirts of the
CITY, 1t was mysterious case, he
said, as the hermit was believed to
have a woman prisoner in the house
with him who had not been allowed
outside Of her living tomb for many
years. There were other mysteries
connected with the place, and Us lis
tened resolved to enter the strange
house and learn its secrets. l started
at once, without informing anyone OF
my intentions
The house was on Wash street, In q
lonely part of the city. l found it to
be large brick structure, fast falling
into decay, standing back from the
street upon a high embankment. 1t
was surrounded by trees and shrub
berry that during the growth Of years
had become as dense as the under
brush Of Jungle. Outside there was
no indication that the house was occu-
pied Dead grass and weeds covered
tho places where once there had been
walks. The roofs of the outbuildings
had rotted away, and the house itself
was old and dilapidatcd. Tho doors
were fastened and the lower windows
boarded up. AS looked at 1t became
almost convinced that had been made
the victim of story in which there
was not word Of truth, for I could
not believe that the weatherbeaten old
house was occupied. There was no
light within, and beating the door with
club brought no response. After
stumbling about the place for nearly
an hour pulled the boards from one
of the windows and effected an en-
trance.
1t was dark inside. l had matches,
and striking them ! examined the
rooms without finding any signs Of hui
man habitation. Upstairs the moon
shone in through the broken windows,
and found nothing there but dust and
The Van Buren press., 1894-04-14
WATERPROOF MASONRY.
Tar IL Said to Render Walls Impervi0ul
to Moisture.


Tar II Said to Render Walls Impervious
to Moisture.
What was at first considered doubt
full experiment, viz, the use Of coal tar
us q means Of rendering masonry i'm
pervious to water, especially in posi-
tions exposed to direct contact with
the latter, has proved practically
valuable resort. Used as q coating for
masonry built up Of very porous stone.
tar renders it quite impervious, even
at depth of some fifty feet of water.
and, according to the opinion of those
whose experience has been extensive
with it, the article should be utilized
in all public buildings, particularly
those designed for the preservation OF
works Of nrt, tho dissolving action Of
water, even upon mortar Of superior
quality, being well known, and also
the unfavorable effect of the exuda-
ton of water charged with lime salts
from the mortar. Two methods Of
using the tar are named, viz, in boil
ing state in one or several layers, this
being suitable for surfaces exposed to
the air; or it may be made to fame up
before using, this being appropriate to
surfaces which have to be covered up
It is stated that when boiling coal tar
is employed in three coats on masonry
the result is black and very brilliant
varnish, which perfectly resists the ac-
ton of frost, water and sun, being
likewise absolutely impervious; and
the tendency of the black coating to
absorb heat may be overcome by
white-dusting the whole before the
tar is quite dry.--National Builder.
The Van Buren press., 1894-04-14
Nidn,t LiIka tho Job.

In a Yorkshire village there lived
three brothers, bachelors. The only
other inmate of their household was q
housekeeper. The brothers, returning
home to dinner one day, found the
housekeeper missing. On making in'
quiries. they discovered that she had
that morning married farmer who
lived near. 1t was evident there was
no chance Of getting back their runa.
way housekeeper, and equally so that
they must have some one to manage
their domestic affairs.
The elder brother said that the best
thing would be for one of them to
marry, but, nc added: II shall not be
that one; am too old to marry.
Nor l." said the second one, who
considered himself something of an in
valid; 81 shall never think of marry
ing"
"Ah!" said the younger brother, II
see what you are driving at. 1t is just
what ] expected--if ever there is a
nasty job to do, it Is always left fox
me. ."-London answers
The Van Buren press., 1894-04-14
ARTIFICIAL SUNLIGHT.
Strange Phenomenon Produced by Tesla,
the Electrician.

Strange Phenomenon Produced by Tesla,
the Electrician.
In q dark room with alternating cur
rents of 100000 voltage, Nikola Tesla,
by means of atmospheric vibrations,
caused faint glow Of light to appear.
Explaining the phenomenon, he said:
"If can increase the atmospheric vi.
brations, say 100000 or ten thousand
millions, l can produce sunlight in
this room. OF course, l can increase
the vibrations by increasing the vol
tagc. can make the voltage S,00O,-
900 as easily as 100000; but am not
ready to handle 100000 volts Of cleo
tricity. Currents OF such strength
would kill everybody in the room. 1
expect, however, to learn how to
control large voltage. When have
increased the atmospheric vibrn-
tion perhaps thousand times,
the phenomenon will be no longer
electricity. 1t will be light. l
am satisfied that sunlight can be
made from electricity without doing
harm to anybody, and l expect to dis
cover how 1t is done. 1t is a grand
idea, and whether the voice through
which it came be hushed and still or
yet rcsounds in the proclamations Of
new truths, the idea itself will be cnr-
ried to fruitage, and tho world will be
wiser, whatever may be the issue"
The Van Buren press., 1894-04-14

merly occupied by the state department
of agriculture, a bureau which was leg.
islated out OF existence few years
ago. In It's place the populist legisla-
ture established state agricultural
college which is being conducted in
conformity with the most modern
ideas. The affairs of the dispensary
are managed by Mr.. d. II. Troxler,
who bears the official title of state
liquor commissioner. Mr.. Troxler Is
an able executive officer and probably
the only manager of gigantic whole
sale liquor house who is u total abb
stainer
The state commissioner is RESPONSE
BILE for many things. He must see that
every flask of liquor is properly
labeled. The labels-a picture OF one
of them forms the subject for an illus
tration-are very pretty, and are at
fixed to the bottles by little army Of
women and girls. The dispcnsary is
supplied with the latest improved ma
chinery for drawing liquor from bar
rels and vats. 1t has steam stopper
machine for corlsing bottles and q
bottling machine. Every package,
after having been examined, is closed
with sealing wax on which is impressed
the official state stamp.
The state government has had con-
siderable trouble with o number OF
transportation companies whose man-
ayers have violated the law many
times Peace cannot be restored until
the supreme court of the United States
has passed authoritatively on the con-
stitutionality of the dispensary act.
Meanwhile spies by the score are
kept busy hunting up bootleggers,
managers Of so-called clubrooms and
other violators OF the law. 1t may
seem strange that thousands Of thirsty
South Carolinians would rather pay
exorbitant prices to Illicit dealers for
poisonous stuff than buy pure goods
from the official county dispensers.
The only explanation can be the human
weakness for forbidden fruit.
Many citizens object to the law be-
cause it has created a numerous body
of professional spies who are recruited
from a questionable stratum OF socie-
ty The idea of state constabulary
Is repulsive to many who take sin
cere interest in the temperance move
ment 1t is, to say the least, un-Amer-
lean, and has but little excuse for ex-
isting In country where the people
are clothed with law-making powers
But it is entirely too early to pass q
just opinion on the merits or dement's
of the dispensary act. After trial OF
two years the people OF South Carroll
ma can return to their old system OF
local option, or they can rid the exist
ing law Of some of its Objectionable
features. In the meantime the Till
mantle plan will be watched with in
terest by the nation at large.
G. w. WEIPPIERT.