davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
THE TILDEN PLANTS SOLD.
A Palm Said to Have Belonged to George
Washington in the Collection.

A Palm Said to Have Belonged to George
Washington in the Collection.
About 10000 greenhouse plants belong
ing to the estate of the late Samuel j.
Tilden were sold at auction at Grey
stone, Yonkers. The collection consisted
chiefly of palms, orchids and ornamental
foliage plants and filed fourteen green
houses, which were built and stocked
by Mr.. Tilden in 1885, about a year be-
fore his death.
Greystone has been unoccupied for sew
en- of the nine years since he died, but
the conservatory has been kept up and a
full force of gardeners employed there.
Owing to litigation now pending, the ex-
ecutors decided to sell the plants.
The collection, while of frst-class quail
ity, did not contain many rare or valu-
able plants. Nearly all of the palms
were bought by Mr.. Tilden at the sale
of the Kelly collection at Rhinecliff, on
the estate now owned by Gov. Morton
Among these was a Cycas revoluta 200
years old, which is reputed to have been
at one time the property of George
tered in the sale of this piece. Several
asked beforehand for certificates of the
Washington ownership. but no certificate
was Forthcoming. This lack, coupled
with the fact that the palm was not pot
ted and would be difficult to remove,
destroyed part or Its value. 1t was start
ed at $50. The next bid was $50, and
then by easy stages $50 was reached, at
which figure it went to w. Albert Man
da. florist.
Most Of the buying was by commercial
florists. The highest price paid was 1925
for Zamia, which went to Siebrecht &
Wadley. This plant is well-known
specimen among florists and is consid-
cred the best of it's kind in this vicinity
Of the other palms the majority brought
fair prices. A Latania borbonica thirty
feet tall brought SIT, Kentia Belmore-
ana $31 and Kentia Forsteriana $14.
A Phaloenopsis sold for SIS.
Six hundred and fifty tea roses went
at 4 cents apiece. Among the bargains
were an Alpha nutans at So, 400 Adj
anita cuneata at 4 to 6 cents each and
fifty nepenthes at from SO cents to $3.50
each. Several ponds of lotus lilies, con-
tanning from twelve to fifteen each. were
sold for IS cents to 1925 a pond. The
orchids. which were of no especial rarity,
brought low prices. The same was true
of the chrysanthemums. Fifty of these
went for $3.50 and another lot of 100
at 1878. In all the sale netted about
S2000.-NeW York Sun.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
ACRES OF MUSHROOMS.
Some of Them Large as Soup Plates and
Weighing Several Ounces.


Weighing Several Ounces.
A gentleman who recently returned
from a visit to Astoria says that while
there he went over to look at what the
Astorians call the mushroom town" site
of tlavel. He is not interested in the ri
valry between the two terminal cities,
but says that in the line of mushrooms
he has never seen anything to equal
the Flayel townsite and vicinity. There
were acres and acres lierally covered
with the delicious and nutritious fungus,
which were of astonishing size. He
secured one which was inches across
as big as soup plate, and weighed half
a pound, the largest mushroom he has
ever seen. There were others nearly
as large and any number of good-sized
ones.
The boys of Flavel, if there are any,
might make plenty of spending money
by gathering mushrooms for the Port
land market, if they would select nice,
fresh ones, cut and pack them carefully,
as grapes, etc., are packed. They could
be gathered during the day, sent up on
the next boat and be here all nice and
fresh next morning. Mushrooms sell
here at retail at 30 cents per pound.
and the dealers probably pay 10 and 10
cents for them. All sorts and sizes are
gathered, including stale ones, and no
care is taken to get them to market in
presentable condition.
The large mushrooms are broken, and
they are gathered stems and all, and
the earth from the roots is scattered
among them. This makes the demand
small to what it would be if the fungus
were properly handled. Tons of fine
mushrooms are to be had in the coun-
try, and, besides furnishing a very pal
atable and wholesome dish, they make
the finest kind of catsup. But one varie-
ty is in common use, although two or
three other kinds are occasionally seen
in the market, and at least six or eight
wholesome varieties are to be found in
the region.-PoEtland Oregonian.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Marriage Competition.

A competition in marriages between
two political parties is novel idea, but
it is actually taking place in Hungary
at the present time. The civil-marriage
act becomes law this fall and all the
pious opponents of the measure are get
ting married as fast as they can before
it gets into operation. The supporters
of the act, on the other hand, are en-
deavoring to bring about an unprecedent-
ed rush of marriages on the first day on
which the law takes effect. One won
ders whether any inducements are of
fered on either side to intending couples
to hasten their nuptial day. A little
assistance towards the brides trousseau
or charming wedding present might
have a powerful effect.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
DICK IS A GOOD GOOSE.
Faithful to His Mate, the Pet of the Nip
antuck Acquitted Himself at Last.


antuck Acquitted Himself at Last.
About year ago Ole Nelson, skipper
of the barge Nipantuck, plying on the
Delaware and Raritan canal, tied up
near Washington's Crossing, N. j. and
went to sleep. Mrs. Nelson was awak-
ened by sounds like the pattering of
feet on the deck. Ole, going stealthily
upward, saw dark object and struck it
with stove poker. It was huge wild
goose.
Mrs. Nelson tanned the bird and named
it Dick. A silver band engraved with
her name was fastened around one leg,
and Richard became a willing captive.
He grew in favor among the people all
along the canal.
One morning last spring, when the Nip
antuck was making ready to leave Stock
ton, flock of wild geese came over
the mountain, and as they lowered about
the barge communication between Dick
and his old associates was established.
Suddenly one goose cut away from the
flock and lit on the barge. Dick ut
tered a shrill cry, and, spreading his
wings, accompanied his visitor, joined
the flock and off northward they flew.
Mrs. Nelson called after Dick, but he
needed her not.
One night last week, while the Nipan-
tuck was at Washington's Crossing, the
Nelson's were awakened by continual
rapping on the cabin door. He opened it
and 10! it was Dick. The bird caught
Nelson by the trousers leg and tried to
drag him to the edge of the barge Nell
son went and found another goose, APP
parently helpless, in the water.
Dicks companion was sick, but in a
few days Mrs. Nelson had nursed it back
to health. and now the captain of the
Nipantuck and his wife have two pets.
But Dick is kept tied up.
The supposition is that the birds were
faithful mates
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
FROG-KILLING FLEAS.
The Water Flea is Pest to Those Who
Have Frog Ponds on Their Farms.

The Water Flea is Pest to Those Who
Have Frog Ponds on Their Farms.
The trouble which now broods upon
Col. Ben Cason, the well-known superin-
tendent of the Pacific Express company,
and which is swiftly bringing his raven
locks to the complexion of cotton, is all
brought about by what is known as the
water flea.
The water flea has suddenly appeared
in Col. Cason's frog pond, and the poor
little and large frogs, for the colonel
says he has some as large as small
sized dog, are being gradually killed off.
The water flea is a very peculiar kind Of
animal, Col. Cason says, and he is at
some loss how to deal with it. He says
the water flea has long, bill-sort of
mouth, similar to that of vampire, and
that it sinks its bill deep into the top
of his frogs backs and there sucks their
very life blood. He caught one of his
best and latest frogs yesterday and
found on it over 100 water feas.
Col. Cason has very large frog pond
now, and this trouble comes very near
to his heart, for he is devoted to the
culture of the animal, SO much so that
he has built large pond and has sup
piled it with all that frog would need
in his business He says that the latest
crop of young frogs which he is raising,
and which as yet have hardly gotten out
of tadpoledom, are gradually being bitten
to death by the water flea and there is
no remedy.-New Orleans Picayune.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN
Indian summer.

Across the billowy meadow grasses
The summer passes with languid tread
And where she journeys the path is burn
ing,
And leaves are turning to brown and red.
She goes in silence across the valley,
And ten lJ" ber oarmopts and mnrmnr
Maiden,
With roses laden, come backbone
back!'
She does not heed them-she does not listen;
Her soft eyes glisten with yelling tears;
Her heart grows heavy for not replying
To verdure dying, to prayers she hears,
Until, in pity, she turns and fingers
To kiss the fingers fast growing cold.
Yields up her treasure of yellow gold
Frank Dempster Sherman.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
GOSSIP FOR THE LADIES
Little Boy Blue.

The little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and staunch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket moulds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new,
And the soldier was passing fair,
And that was the time when our little Boy
Blue
Kissed them and put them there.
''Now don't you go till come he said,
''And don't you make any noise;"
So toddling off to his trundle bed
He dreamt of the pretty toys;
And as he was dreaming, an angel song
Awakened our little Boy Blue
Oh, the years are many, the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true.
Aye, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
Each in the same old place,
Awaiting the touch of little hand,
The smile Of a little face!
And they wonder, as waiting those long
years through
In the dust of that little chair,
What has become CT that little Boy Blue,
Since he kissed them and put them there.
Eugene Field.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Dry Ball Bearings.

A rider who does not believe in oiling
bicycle bearings writes as follows: When
we have a load to move, such as heavy
piece of machinery, on floor, we find
by placing few rollers underneath that
much less power is required, but would
anything be gained by greasing the roll
ers? l have never tried it, but ina CINE
that the result would be such collec-
ton of dirt as would at once discourage
the practice. It is true that there {ls
of one ball against the next, as their
surfaces run in opposite directions, but
the pressure between them is so slight
that wearing or cutting is not likely to
occur when no oil is used. I prefer to
run my ball bearings dry.-American Ma
ohipicf
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
A NOVEL DEVICE.
To save street Cars from Burning Car
Barn.
Democrat

Barn.
Some person tried to burn the car
barns of the Detroit railway at Warren
and Humboldt avenues early Tuesday
morning The barn is now being fitted
with device which is expected to be of
great use to trolley companies in saving
rolling stock in case of fire. An outside
switch is the principal feature. When
a track in barn has been filled with
cars, the current is turned off the trolley
wire over that track by means of a
switch attached to post, some distance
from the barn. When the next track
is filed its current is also switched off,
and so on, until the barn is full of cars
with no current to run them. The watch
man then goes through the barn and sets
each motor at the low point-a speed of
three miles an hour. In case of fire
a switch for each track, when the cars
will run themselves slowly out of the
barn and down the tracks. If one motor
is disabled, those behind will push it
along. Many cars have heretofore been
lost through barns becoming too full of
fire to allow men to enter and run them
out.-Detroit Journal.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Did NOT Fancy Him.

Froude couldn't read Browning S
poetry though he admired the man. II
tried 'Paracelsus' twenty years ago un-
successfully" he wrote to Shelton, land
this, suppose, has prevented me from
exciting myself about him as | ought"
And in another letter he said: But
Browning's verse! - what intellect,
thought, power. grace, all the charms in
detail which poetry should have, it rings
after all like bell of lead. To this gen.
GRAFTON Browning is as uninteresting as
Shakespeares sonnets were to the last
century. In making the comparison you
see / admit that you may be right"
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
A Huge Birds Nest.

The hammerkop, or "rain DOCTOR" a
member of the stork family, is one of the
most remarkable of African birds. Its
name-n' jaka, in the native dialect-has
been given it on account of it's peculiari-
ty of screaming loudly before a rain sets
in. 1t is also called the philosopher. ;"
One can observe it for hours, walking
up and down on small woody places
along river bank. During it's "medita-
ton" the hammerkop frequently shakes
it's head, but will not utter sound
Often it's noiseless walk will turn sud-
denly into a wild dance, the cause of
this abrupt change OF behavior being
the arrival of it's mate, just come from
adding the finishing touches to the large
and curious mud nest which the pair
have been for several weeks busily con
structing near the river bank.
This nest is so extraordinary a struct-
ure that it Immediately attracts the at
tention of the traveller. DR.. Holub de-
scribes two, one of which was $50 and
the other 600 pounds in weight.
The nests are usually in the forks of
trees, are about 2 feet high and measure
from 8 to 8 feet in circumference, 1t is
really rainprOOf hut, and SO well built
that it lasts for years. Sticks, bones,
large stones and various material are
cemented into the mud. The entrance
is from 6 to 8 inches square, the walls
being from 5 to inches thick. On a
number of occasions DIR. Holub found
other birds occupying the deserted nests
of the hammerkOp. One was occupied
by the big-eared South African owl, in
locality pair of Egyptian geese were
found in possession of nest, in which
they had laid nine eggs. St. Louis
GlObe-DemOcrat.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Lives in a Church.

In large church in Birmingham, Ala,
a little sparrow has lived ever since it
was finished and opened. He fits from
arch to arch, sometimes flying to the
highest gable and perching on the oval
window, near the little cherub that re-
clines so gracefully On the soft silvery
clouds.
Then he darts, swift as an arrow to
the far end of the church, seeming to
pause for an instant before long clock
that ticks away in the solemn quiet, as
if to see if it is not time for the preacher
to begin service. AS the peals of the
organ roll through the building he flies
to the highest beam in the roof, and
there sits, awe-struck and subdued.
But he remains so only for a short
time. Gaining confidence, he moves his
head from side to side, gives a soft chirp,
and finding that he is not interfered with.
he bursts into the cheeriest twitter that
even sparrow was ever heard to make.
Once when the preacher raised his
hand to emphasize some point, the spar
row few directly towards him, but
swerving to the right he disappeared
through the vestry room door,
Though the windows are frequently
open the little bird is never seen to go
out What he gets to eat is not known,
but he seems to be quite happy in his
strange abode. Everybody in the con-
gregation knows him and he is considered
fhn church'S net
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
REAL WOODEN WEDDINGS.
A Curious Custom Which Provides Hus
ban DIS Galore.

A Curious Custom Which Provides Hus-
ban DIS Galore.
Young women in Southern India need
not be afraid of ''old maidhood" if there
is any truth in the report of curious
custom which prevails there. This con-
sists in wedding girl to plant, a tree,
an animal, or even to an inanimate OBJ
ject, the object being that any ill luck
which may follow an actual marriage
will be averted by union of this kind,
the first husband" acting as scapegoat
for the second. The superstition which
ried before the older ones is set aside by
the eldest daughter marrying the branch
of tree, after which number two may
safely enter into the bonds of matrimonY.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
American Humor.

In an article in Blackwood on liar
Messing Niagara" George Forbes re-
counts a good story, told him by the edi-
tor of an American weekly journal. to
illustrate the contention that American
humor is without spontaneity and smells
Of the midnight oil. Yesterday" said
the editor. "a poor miserable man came
into my Office and laid before me some
manuscript and said, oh, Mr.. -,
wish you would look through these jokes
and pick out any you can use. l was
working at them all last night, and /
need money badly to bury my poor
wife,"
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Fresh.Lonkine Women.

A recent magazine article declares that
the city woman is much more success
full than her country sister in concealing
the ravages of time and holding that
grim monster at bay. The farmers wife,
from hard work and monotonous life,
does fade quickly, but the freshest-look-
ing women live in country towns. They
have no wear or tear of nerves, they
are usually provided with the absolute
necessities for their very modest wants,
they have few occasions for worries or
distraction of mind. And they keep girl
ish appearance until they die, or until
they have reached the years OF grand
motherhood. This is no eXaggeration;
the writer saw, few days ago, such a
woman, and certainly possessed of some
fifty-fve years of her own, yet who
looked, in her shady hat and light au-
tumn gown, not one day over 25. She
had led peaceful, vegetation sort of
existence in little village, with no
great family cares, although she was
poor and the mother of number of
children. There are many women like
her in every such country place. They
never seem, to those out in the world.
TO really live. but only to vegetate. But
that is, at least, healthful life, as their
faces and youthful figures prove.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Begged His Pardon.

The biography of the late John Stuart
Edinburg. contains many anecdotes of
that quaint and lovable old Scotchman.
He was the most popular professor who
ever lectured in Edinburgh, and it was
not only his students who adored him.
"Will We shake hands, professor" said a
cabman. coming up to him one day; and
he added. Man, we all love ye." Here
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
GOOD Read Waiter.

Some time ago Prince Bismarck was
pressed by certain British official, who
son for a diplomatic post. "He is a
very remarkable fellow" said the proud
father; she speaks seven languages"
''What wonderful head waiter he
would make,'' said Bismarck, who has
not very high opinion of linguistic ac-
10
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
Useful Table Hints.

In talking at the table, if the company
is large, you will usually converse more
with your neighbor than with the circle
as a whole. But at home and in the
family, Or at the house of an intimate
friend. you must do your share of the
entertainment. Save up the bright little
story and the witty speech, the funny
sayings of child. the scrap of news in
your Aunt Mary's last letter, and when a
good opportunity offers, add your mite to
the general fund of amusement
There are dear old gentlemen-and old
ladies. too-who have favorite stories
which they are rather fond of telling.
their very intimate acquaintance, hear
these stories more than once indeed, they
sometimes hear them till they become
very familiar. Good manners forbid any
showing of this. any look of impotence
or appearance of boredom on the part of
the listener. The really well-bred woman
or girl listens to the thrice-told tale, the
well-worn anecdote, says pleasant word,
smiles, forgets that she has heard it be-
fore, and does not allow the dear racon-
teur to fancy that the story is being
brought out too often. Good manners at
the table are infexible on this point. You
must appear pleased. You must give
your mind to receive qualification by i'm
parting it.
Once in a while an accident happens at
a meal. A cup is overturned; some I'M
happy person swallows 'the wrong way"
somebody makes a mistake. Look at
your plate at such a moment, and no
where else. unless you can sufficiently
control your face and appear entirely un-
conscious that anything has occurred out
of the usual routine Take no notice and
go on with instrumentation, and in Sec
ond the incident will have been forgotten
by every one.-Harper's Round Table.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
CIeanest City in the World.

Paris is said to be the cleanest city
in the world. Every morning 1000 male
and 600 female scavengers, divided into
149 brigades, turn out to perform the tot
let of the capital. The men work from
in the morning to 4 in the evening,
less two hours off for meals, or ten hours
day. The women are engaged in the
morning only.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
The Weekly Cleaning.

1t is very much better for the furniture
and all your rooms to he treated syste-
matically all the year than to have one
annual upheaving. Except in the mat
ter of carpet cleaning and repapering it
is quite possible to do away with the
spring or fall cleaning by simply doing
one room thoroughly every week. If
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
angle, the apex being beyond the smaller

Now, place the double cone on the
sticks, near the small book, and you will
see it begin at once to roll uphill. Why :?
Simply because the widening angle be-
tween the sticks allow the center of
gravity of the cone to get lower and
lower, and therefore it appears to roll
uphill Philadelphia Times.
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11

the pretty experiment illustrated here
shows that body may be made to roll
uphill, thus apparently defying gravity.
Take two cones of cardboard and fast
en- them together at their base. Then,
with two walking sticks, construct an
inclined plane by laying them on two
books of unequal height, as shown in the
cut. You must be sure, however, that
they are so placed as to form an acute
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11
The GYnogranh.

This engraving shows novelty in
tops recently added to the long list of
interesting notifications of this old-time
toy.
The novelty in the present case CON
sists in making the point upon which the
ments.
The top consists of a heavy disk of
iron secured to spool on which to wind
the string. The spool is bored axially
Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-11-11

to receive a pencil which forms the
point on which the top spins. The ham
die is swiveled so that the top may be
spun while the handle is held in the
hand. After the top is set in motion it
is placed on paper in the position shown
in the engraving. The pencil point then
traces the intricate curves as shown.
If desired, a slate pencil may be sub
stituted for the lead pencil The manu-
facturers state that well-centered hard
pencil with the lead cut square across
gives the most accurate curves, though
not necessarily the most beautiful Phil
adelphia Times.