davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

Next came jockey race, in which a
dozen long-limbed Malays took each
fiYe-year-old child astride his Shout
ders and raced for seventy-five yards.
There were sack-races and CREASED
pole climbing and pig-catching.
Now came a singular contest-an
eating-match. Two dozen little Ma
lay, King, Chinese and Tamil boys
were seated at regular intervals about
an open circle by one of the governors
aides. Not one could touch the others
in any way. Each had u hard, dry
Ship-biscuit before him.
At the firing of n pistol, two dozen
pairs of little brown fists went pit-a-
pat on the two dozen hard biscuits.
and in an instant the circular crackers
were broken into a mass of powdered
pieces.
Then commenced the difficult task
of forcing the powdered pulp down
the little threats. Both hands were
called into full play during the opera
ton. one for crowding in. and the 9TH
er for grinding the residue and pat
ting the stomach and throat. Each
little competitor would slyly rub into
the warm earth, or hide away into the
folds of his mauy-cOlored sarong, as
much as possible, or, when rival was
looking the other way, would snap a
good-sized piece across the lawn to n
spot within his reach.
The little brown fellow who won the
5O-cent piece by finishing his biscuit
first simply put into his mouth GER
tain quantity of the crushed biscuit,
and, with little or no mastication,
pushed the whole mass down his
throat by sheer force.
The minute the contest was decided
all the participants, and many other
BOYS, rushed to great tub of molaS-
ses to duck for half-dollars. One after
another their heads would disappear
into the sticky, binding mass, as they
fished with their teeth for the shining
prizes at the bottom.
Successful or otherwise, after their
powers were exhausted they would
suddenly pull out their heads, reeking
with the moiasSes, and make for the
ocean, unmindful of the crowds of ma
tives in holiday attire who blocked
their way. Smearing everyone they
touched, the boys ran on. amid shrieks
of laugter from their victims.
Then came a jinriksha race. with
Chinese coolies pulling Malay passen-
gers around half-mile course. Let
ting go the handles of their wagons as
they crossed the line, the coolies threw
their unfortunate passengers over
backward into space.
Tugs of war, wrestling matches and
boxing bouts on the turf finished the
land sports, and we all adjourned to
q ,n a.I1t 70 IF no
There were races between men-of-war
cutters, European yachts, rowing
shells, Chinese sampans and Malay
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
A Turnip Story.

John f. Cooper of Winamac, Indiana,
has huge turnip. The actual meas
urement around the turnip is four feet,
in diameter thirty-six inches, and in
height 1t stands three feet and weighs
over 120 pounds. Mr. Cooper states
when he was boy, back in 1889 he re-
members full well of hearing his Uncle
Charlie Wait tell of where he had hid
den some turnip seed in the hollow Of
an old white oak tree just back of the
creek behind the sand hill. During the
last hot spell he noticed the old tree
was topping over and he went to see
what caused the trouble. There he
found that turnip growing inside Of the
tree and lifting 1t almost out of it's
roots. After waiting several weeks the
tree fell down and left the turnip grow
ing in the ground
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Enr-RinHn to he Rexixed

1t Is rumored that the use of ear
rings is to be revived, and as these
ornaments have frequently been given
as wedding presents in fashiona bic cir
cles lately, ] am afraid it is likely to
be true. / noticed that the Duke and
Duchess Of York presented a brooch
and earrings to Lady Eva Greville.
do sincerely hope that women Of
to-day will not often be found willing
to revert TO fashion which is but
remnant of barbarism. and that they
will not spoil the natural beauty OF
their ears for the sake of sticking Jew
els in them. If once the fashion of ear
rings should become general again it
will only be a matter Of time before
the reintroduction of those hideously
vulgar-looking, long appendices, which
distorted so many pretty ears in the
past. Before any of our readers has
her ears pierced | hope she will con-
slider that the fashion may be very
transitory, and that even If the rings
are not worn the mark very seldom
disappears; moreover, any weight at
tached To the lobe of the ear is likely
to drag it down and spoil its proper
shape.-Home Notes.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Did Not Mean to Starye.

Con. Dwyer, of Sears, Mich, recently
died, and his heirs found an odd col
lection awaiting them. Predicting war,
he had stored away for the future thir-
ty-nine barrels of flour, which, when
piled up, could be measured almost by the
cord; boxes of yeast and other groceries,
worth many dollars. When he found he
could not live he revealed the hiding
places Of his wealth. Two hundred dol
lars in gold was found beneath the cell
lar, paper money was sewed in an old
vest and in bed quilt, the money in all
amounting to over $500. Dangerous
weapons were found in all parts of the
house, daggers and firearms, showing he
was afraid of being robbed. Expensive
and elegant clothing was found, which
had been stored away for years.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
NEW YEAR'S Day IN THE ORIENT |
A Holiday Among the Mainys.

My Malay syce came close up to
the veranda and touched his brown
forehead with the back of his open
hand.
ness, two one-half cents; black oil for
cudah's (horse) feet, three cents; oil,
one cent one-half for bits; oil, seven
cents for cretah (carrlage) Fourteen
cents, tuan."
/ put my hand into the pockets Of
my white duck jacket and drew out a
roll of big Borneo coppers.
The syce counted out the desired
amount, and handed back what was
left through the bamboo chicks or
curtains that reduced the binding
glare of the sun to soft, translucent
gray. l closed my eyes and stretched
back in my long chair, wondering
vaguely at the occasion that called
for such an outlay of oils, when
heard once more the quiet, insistert
"Tuanw l opened my eyes.
"Not got red, white, blue ribbon for
whip"
'Sudah chukup" C'Stop talkingD
commanded, angrily. The syche
shrugged his bare shoulders and gave
a hitch 10 his cotton sarong.
"Tuan, tomorrow New Years day.
Tuan, mem Qady) drive to Espianade.
Governor general, all white tuans and
mems there. 1uan consul's cretah
tedah biak carriage not nice) Shall
syce buy ribbons|
Eyes," / answered, tossing him the
rest OF the coppers, ''and get new
one for your arm"
l had forgotten for the moment that
It was the 31st of December. The
syche touched his hand to his fore
head and salaamed.
Through the space of the protecting
chicks caught glimpse of my May
lay kebun, or gardener, squatting on
his bare feet, with his bare knees
drawn up under his armpits, hacking
with heavy knife at the short grass.
The notified crotons, the yellow ALA
manda and pink hibiscus bushes, the
ciump of Eucharist lilies, the great,
trailing masses of orchids that hung
among the red flowers of the stately
flamboyant tree by the green hedge
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
A Proyident Woman,

An aged spinster living in Milford,
Conn.,, has carefully slowed away in her
attic the timber for a coffin, which she
has instructed her relatives to use when
she dies. The woman is nearly 10
years old, but gives evidence Of living
to a ripe old age. A peculiar fact is
that she planted black walnut tree
many years ago, when she was a girl,
with the sole purpose of using its tim
Der for her coffin. When 1t was full
grown tree she hired a farmer to cut
it down, and, taking the body to a saw
mill, she had the boards sawed out,
giving full instructions as to the thick
ness, width, etc. After the work was
completed, she told her nearest neigh
Dor all about the matter. A local I'M
dertaker has been engaged to make the
coffin at her decease. RI - ~
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
His Conscience.

Talk about conscience gnawing at
ones vitals! A Watertown, N. Y,
youngster was thrashed by his teacher
the other day for some misdemeanor,
and when school was dismissed he
fastened home and skunk into the hen
house to mediate. The lads parents
waited dinner for him, and within a
few minutes of the afternoon session he
crawled out of his hiding place and pre-
sented himself for his noon meal.
why, where on earth have yoN
been?" asked the mother in astonish.
ment.
ITO school," was the reply.
but where did you get all those
feathers and that dirt on your cloth
ing?"
"Well," said the little fellow, digging
his fists into his eyes, Il was naughty
an throwed paper wads an the teacher
whipped me an'-an'-I w-w-went into
the h-hen house tito think about it.
An I'm so 'shamcd LII don't know
what to do-o-ow and the conscience
stricken youngster sobbed his sorrow
out in his mothers arms.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Fears a Ghost.

Mrs. Ida Hamilton has left her hus-
band, and all on account of the ghost of
her first husband Mrs. Hamilton
states that her first husband, Mr.. Cant,
told her before his death that if she
ever married again he would haunt her
until doomsday. She says she had a
terrible feeling come over her on the
way out to Colorado, where her second
husband lived, and could not shake 1t
off. At the wedding everybody noticed
her pallor, and she nearly tainted dur
ing the ceremony. Every time her
husband came near her, she says, she
felt a nameless horror steal over her.
She could stand it only few days, she
says, and then, kissing his seven chill
dren, while he was out on the ranch,
left the place for Denver, and says she
is now happy again.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Held for Ransom.

A Decatur, Ind, dispatch says that
three weeks ago John Trentman, re-
tired merchant went to West Baden
Springs for his health. About a week
ago he started for home. When the
train arrived at Mitchell, Ind, he was
kidnapped from 1t, placed in cell and
kept for six days, presumably for the
purpose of extorting ransom from his
relatives. who are quite wealthy He
was finally released after being robbed
of several hundred dollars. Detectives
are investigating.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
A DOctOr's Hint.

Says a New York physician: HALF
the calls have are for imaginary all
ments. Pain is apt to brighten people,
too, and I have probably lost money,
although have saved my rest, by tell
ing the anxious ones that even quite
severe pain without any fever means
nothing, and that almost any serious
trouble that causes pain must neces-
sarily produce fever. 1t is a very sim
pie rule to remember, and one that will
save much useless anxiety"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Coffee Crazy.

At Fort Dodge, Iowa, Mrs. Sarah Muir
dock has bad case of jim jams, al
though she never took a drink of in
toxicating liquor. For number of
years she has been addicted to the use
OF very strong coffee, taking as many
as a dozen cups at a meal and never
fewer than six. Her nervous system
has suffered terribly. She has made
numerous attempts to break herself of
the habit, but without success. A few
days ago she resolved to make desper-
ate effort to give up the beverage and
for two days she fought the Unsuitable
craving. At the end of the second day
came the collapse and she suffered
every symptom experienced by heavy
drinker of alcoholic liquors when de-
prived of 1t after long debauch. The
physician called stated that she had
delirium tremens and could hardly be
convinced that the patient had never
touched alcoholic stimulants in her life.
When the case was explained he pro-
nounced it the most remarkable one he
had ever heard of. This case doubtless
will become famous one to the medical
world. .g II ~ Tg5,sT
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

colehs with great, dart-like sails, so
widely spreading that ropes were at
tached to the tops of the masts, and q
dozen naked natives hung far out over
the side Of the slender boat TO keep it
from blowing over. In making the
circle of the harbor they would spring
from side TO side of the boat, some
times lost TO our view in the spray,
often missing their footholds, and
dragging through the tcpid water at
furious rate.
Between times, while watching the
races. we amused ourselves throwing
coppers to fleet of native boys in
small dug-out beneath our bows. Ev-
cry time penny dropped into the
water a dozen little bronze forms
would fash in the sunlight, and nine
times out of ten the coin would be
rescued before it reached the bottom.
Last of all came the trooping of the
English colors on the magnificent es-
planade, within the shadow of the ca
thedral; the march past Of the sturdy
British artillery and engineers. with
their native allies, the Sikhs and Sc
poys: then the feu-de-j Oie, and New
Years was officially recognized by
the guns of the fleet.
That night we danced at Govern
ment House-we exiles of the temper
ate housekeeping up to the last the
fiction, that New Years day under a
tropic sky and within sound of the
tigers wall was really Jan. 1st. But
every remembrance and association
was, in our hOmesick thoughts,
grouped about an open-arch fire. with
the sharp, crisp creak OF slelgh-run-
ners outside, in frozen land fourteen
thousand miles away-Rounsevell
Wildman, in Youths Companion.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
A Wonderful Man.

Fl. S. Fitzgerald, aged AZ, of Harris
burg, Pa, can dislocate at will any joint
in his body from his little toe to his
spinal column, and has absolute control
over every muscle. He has been exhib-
iting before medical colleges for about
twenty-seven years. Muscles that ply
sicians have hitherto been unable to
reach he brings into plain view and ac-
ton. Ligaments so deep in the flesh
that they could only be reached with a
carving knife are brought into action
apparently just under the skin.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Divorce in seven Minutes.

Sioux City claims just now to hold
the time record for divorce proceed
ings. At 4:38 one afternoon Sarah j.
Wallace filed an application for divorce
from her husband, w. j. Wallace, on the
ground of cruel and inhuman treatment.
At 4:39 an answer had been filed, at 4:40
the taking of testimony was COM
menced, and at Las decree of separa-
ton, fixing the amount of alimony and
granting the plaintiff the custody of her
children, had been granted.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

scined to make me forget the midwin-
ter GATE on the calendar. The time
seemed. In my half-dream. July In
New York or August in Washington.
All Minga, the "boy" in flowing
nantalets and stiffiy-starched blouse,
came silently along the wide veranda.
with cup of tea and a plate or
opened mangosteens. L reused myselr,
and the dreams of sleigh bells and Ice
on window paDes, that had been NIT
ting through my mind at the nrst
mention of New Years day by the
syce, vanished.
All Minga, too, mentioned as he
placed the cool pellucid globes before
ME: "To-mollow New Year dlay,
tuanw
On Christmas day All Minga had
presented the mistress with the gilded
counterfeit presentment of a Joss.
The servants, one and ALL from jim,
the cookie, to the wretched King
Dhobie (washmam' had brought some
little remembrance of their Christian
masters great holiday.
In respecting our customs they had
taken occasion TO establish one or
their own. They had adopted New
Years day as the day when their
masters should return their presents
and good will in solid cash.
At midnight we were awakened by
a regular Fourth of July pandemoni-
UNI. Whistles from the factories, sal
vos from Fort Canning, bells from the
churches, Chinese tom-toms, Malay
horns rent the air from that hour I'M
Gil dawn with all the discords of the
Orient and a few from Europe. BY
daylight the thousands Of natives
from all quarters of the peninsula and
neighboring islands had gathered
along the broad Ocean Esplanade in
front of the Cricket Club house. to
take part in or watch the native
sports by land and sea.
The inevitable Chinaman was there,
the King, the Madrasman, the Sikh.
the Arab, the Jew, the Gritty or Indi-
an money-lender, they were all there,
many times multiplied, unconsciously
furnishing q background Of extraor-
binary variety and plcturesqueness.
At 10 o'clock we, the favored repre-
sentatives OF the Anglo-Saxon race.
took our place on the great veranda OF
the Cricket club, and gave the signal
that we owuid condescend to be
amused for ten hours. Then the show
commenced. There We're not over two
hundred Of us white people to repre-
sent law and civilization amid the
eeming native population.
In the center of the beautiful espla-
lde or play ground rose the heroic
eute of Sir Stamford Rallies. the
iish governor who made Singa-
possible. To my right on the
nda, stood a modest. gray-haired
man who had cleared the seas OF
.cy and insured Singapore's com
-cial ascendancy - Sir Charles
e, rajah Of Sarawak. A little
,r on, surrounded by brilliant
of Malay princes, was the sultan
lore, whose father sold the island
gapore to the British.
first OF the Sports was series
ot-races between Malay and
boys, almost invariably won by
alays, who are the North Ameri-
adams OF Malaysia-the old-time
of the soil They are never like
iineSe-mere beasts of burden or
merchants nor do they descend
ty trade, like the Indians and
lese. II Tiny must work, they
hcrsemer.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Strange Suicide.

At Caldwell, Ohio, few days ago.
Webb. A day or so later the bride was
missed for several hours and a search
was instituted. She was found in the
garnet dying from the effects of arsenic
administered by herself, and before
doctors could reach her she was dead.
The reason for tho suicide is deep
mystery.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Snake Story.

Samuel Staples, a sober citizen Of
Deer Isle, in the prohibition state of
Maine, AYERS that the other day he dug
out of one post hole 259 snakes of vari-
Gus kinds and sizes. There were green
and striped and brown snakes, and
they measured two and half inches
to eighteen inches in length.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
HOW TO MAKE MONEY.

MR. EDIToR:-Tell others of my success.
Fifteen years farming and hustling discouraged
me. My cousin made 5000 last year plating
tableware, jewelry etc. ] ordered an OUTFIT
from Gray 81 Co., Plating Works Dept, IS,
Columbus, o. 1t was complete, all materials,
formulas. trade secrets and instructions. They
teach agents free. Goods easy plated nice as
new, guaranteed ten years Made t32 first
week S47 second, $2o3 first month, get all work
I can do; brother made S75 selling outfits.
Write firm for sample. u. Is. SHAW.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Earthquake Made Him Insane.

The recent earthquake disturbance
has caused d. l.. Pierson, prosperous
resident of New Buffalo, Mich, to be-
come insane. When the earthquake oc-
Cured Mr.. Pierson was suddenly
aroused, and in his frightened state
imagined that the end Of the world had
come. Since then he has been unable
to recover from the hallucination, and
has been placed in an asylum.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Another Automaton.

A recent invention provides for the
automatic filling of shuttles in cloth
weaving looms; by this invention one
man can attend sixteen looms; and as
there is no necessity for stopping the
looms while the shuttles are being
filled, the quantity of cloth produced is
doubled
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Fire, Fire, That Dreadful Cry

Is fraught with import doubly dire to the UNI
happy man who beholds his dwelling or his
warehouse feeding the devouring element unin-
sured. Happily most people who can, insure
everything but health Nine-tenths of US
neglect the preservation Of this when II Is In
palpable jeopardy Incipient indigestion, liver
complaint la grippe. inacton of the kidneys
and bladder and malaria are all counteracted
by Hostetter's Stomach BitterS.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
White Eramea.

If any housewife, says an artist, Is
burdened with white frames whose ug-
Illness stares at her, coat of gliding
or ebony will relieve the situation. BY
all means strive to abolish every bit
of white enamel or silver from the walls
unless one has that elaborate and per-
ishable possession-a white and gold
drawing room.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
Final.

SIN 1885," said he,
81 am resolved no girls to see"
Her face grew dark, she gave pOut,
"You do not know what you're
about"
She cried, "when such resolves you
make;
And you have made sad mistake
If you suppose, one instant, sir,
In this resolve L shall concur;
For. though / am your wife, tbs
true,
| shall not hire the help for you"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

Fern Johnson, a little miss. who lives
in Parkhurst, Me-, is 0 years old and
weighs only SO pounds. One day last
week, just to pass away the time. she
shoveled up eighty-one barrels OF pota-
toes in four hours.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
INCREASE YOUR INCOME

by careful investments in grain through a
responsible firm of large experience and
great success. viii send you particulars
free showing how n small amount of money
can be easily multiplied by successful In
vestments. Highest Bank references. OPP
portunities excellent. Pattison a. Co.,
Bankers and Brokers, Room w, Omaha
Building, Chicago.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
DANGEROUS

Cleverton--I am going to keep n
record in 1896 Of all the girls / kiss.
Dashaway-I wouldn't.
Cleverton-Why not?
Dashaway-You might have to pro-
duce Ii in court.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
WHAT WILL HE OFFER |:

What will the New Year
Offer to you. dear?
Springs daffodilly,
And summers lily,
Ripe nuts when the autumn winds are
chilly,
And snowbals white and frost-fowers
bright,
When he's grown TO an Old Year, and then.
good night!
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

Hankleigh-What have you been
drinking so hard for, the last two or
three weeks?
Tankleigh-Trying to---hic.-get up
courage to swear oif-New Yearsh.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27
A Long Smoke.

Cobble-Wingate's wife has made
him promise that he will smoke but
one cigar day after New Years.
Stone-Does he intend to keep it?
Cobble-Oh, yes. He has ordered
new brand, eighteen inches long.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

Until January 1st, 1896, subscriptions
will be received for Des Moines Daily
News one year for one dollar. Full legis-
lative reports--accurate markets-al the
news. Address, The News, Des Moines,
Iowa
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

Dion, France, has poplar tree with
a record that can be traced to 722 A.
D. 1t is 122 feet high and forty-five feet
in circumference at the base.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-27

Fire losses in the United States and
Canada seem to be increasing. Total
for October, $13, All 500. For ten months,
$109, $685., 400.