davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
An Interesting Test.

The question had come up among the
passengers of the steamship as to
whether the gullS which appeared
around the ship each morning were the
same birds as had been with the ship
OH the day previous. To test the mat
ter line and fish hook were procured,
and with bait of salt pork the fishing
for sea gull was commenced. The
first cast of the line was successful, n
big gray bird SwOoping down on the
bait He was hauled aboard and found
to be uninjured, the hook having caught
in one of the glands of the beak, from
which it was readily loosened. After
detaching the hook a strip Of red fan
mel was brought and carefully tied
around the gull's left leg by one Of the
seamen, the bird being then turned
loose. 1t soon disappeared in the di-
rectiOn of the coast line, and 1t was
generally allowed that each day
brought new contingent of gulls to
follow the steamer and pick up the
waste scraps from the table; but on
deck after breakfast the next morning
there was the fiannel-bedecke gull to
be seen, the most clamorOuS of all the
birds. To test the gulrs reasoning
power. if it had any, the same line and
bait was drifted aStern, the gull caught
the day before being one Of the first to
strike for 1t.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21

1t does not seem possible to blow out
a candle through brickbat, yet those
who have tried it say it can be done.
Most rooms are largely ventilated
through their walls, and the brick and
mortar are merely very rudimentary
lungs, which take in and throw out
the atmosphere with but little him
drance. You may try the eXpirement
yourself. Place a candle on the other
side of your brick and use two fun
nels. with the fiaring ends on the oppO-
site side of the brickbat, with the small
end Of one In line with your mouth and
the other turned on the candle flame.
The least breath will make the light
flicker and hearty expiration will
oxtinguish it altogether. Try it and
coo
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
Odd Things of Interest.

EntomolOgiStS who understand their
business take a white, shaggy haired
dog with them when they 60 bug hunt
ing at night. The bugs are attracted
by the dogs white coat, just as they are
by lamp, and fall easy victims to the
hunters.
This is a great apple year. The Amer
dean crop is estimated at 10000, 900 bar
relS, which beats the record by 2,000,-
600. Prices average 81 a barrel, which
Is about one-half last years price.
New York butter dealers are com
planning of dishonest farmers who soak
their butter tubs in water. A spruce
wood tub holding 100 pounds of butter
will absorb six pounds of water in q
few hours, and the farmer gets the
price of good butter for the moisture.
Prof. Workman insists that the mon
key bones COR fossil which he found
IN Wye>ling date back to the Eocene
age. He laughs at the story that they
are the remains of monkey Of modern
times.
1t required the labor of 900 people
aoi tHTee WethS uO SdtueT tlle mop crop
on the farm of James +. Clarke in Cen
trail New York, and yet he complains
that the yield is 500 boxes less than
last years. He will turn out 100000
pounds of dried hops.
There have been JOG bank failures
with aggregate liabilities of 500, 600, OOO
in Ohio since 1865. OF ten national
banks which suspended three paid
their debts in full and the others paid
from % to 69h per cent.
Efforts to inOculate Washington with
the Pingree vegetable raising plan have
failed. Worms ate up the beans and
cabbage the corn failed to ear. and
only potatoes of small size and poor
quality were harvested.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
Not to BE "PiuckeA."

When questioning Il student * 70 the
classes be had attended. IN examiner
said: Ard YOU have attended ,he class
for mathematics:
Yes
How many sides has circle?"
1.-Two" said the student.
What are they"
There was a laugh in the room wher.
the student answered, An inside AID
an outside"
But this was nothing comnared to
what followed.
The examiner said to the student.
"And YOU attended the moral philos-
Ophy class also!'
Yes
We'll. YOU would hear lectures on,
various subjects. Did you ever hear one
on cause and effect?"
Yes"
Does an effect 60 before cause"
Yes
Give nle an instance"
a man wheeling Il barrow"
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
The Picture of an Island.

On his second voyage, in 1893. Column
bus discovered an island on a Sunday.
from which circumstance he gave it the
name of Dominica, which, being in
terpreted, means Lords Day, or Sun
day, Island. When the great sailor re,
turned ITO Spain and told the story Of
his adventures. Queen Isabella asked
him what the island was like. Crump-
ling up piece of paper in his hand
and throwing it down before her, Co
lumbus said. That is the nearest pic
ture l can give" whereby he intended
to convey the notion that Dominica
is largely made up of steep mountains
and deep ravines. In 1871 the island
became one of the British West indies.
but is now not in too flOurishing a con
dition
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21

good in sick-room than a cat would
be. It's all she can do to cook the
Cruel stuff an keep out firm under foot;
rs all ask Of her."
"Aint Asy's fever left HIM." asked
Mrs. Pollock, timidly.
Eyes, it has" returned Miss Sprawle,
FAN it's left him Slower'n ever. 1 have
to ask him questions three times over
before can git q word out of him, an
then he'll say, 'Don't-hur-ry me, Min
dy; femme think minute My land!
"An' this mornin'," said Miss Sprawle
in tone of evaporation, this morn
in, whilst 1 was out givin' M'hitty a
piece o my mind in the hen-yard, jest
TO ease my feelin'S a mite, l heard a
thump in the house and then a couple o
groans.
Il run into the kitchen bedroom,
where Asy's ben in this sickness, an
there he was on the floor. I'd left him
fast asleep about ten minutes before.
"'Well, Asy Trumbull,' says /, how
did you manage to fall out o bed?'
"An' he looked up ait me. jest as calm
as a clock, an says he, BY degrees,
Mlindy, presume
MY landr' said Miss Sprawle, as she
retied her bonnet strings in n hard
knot, and prepared TO return to the
Trumbull mansion; 'my land" And
there speech deserted her. and in grim
silence she opened and shut Mrs. Pol
lock s kitchen door. and Stalked down
the road on her self-apponted mission.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
ROOTED BY THE SKY,
Mexicans Delight to Live az Much as
1 Possible in the Open Air.

Mexicans Delight to Live az Much as
Possible in the Open Air.
The population of the City of Mexico
a about 100000, and Of these at least
two-thirds live literally in the streets.
THE high altitude, the mildnesS and dry
mess OF the atmosphere, even in the
depth of winter, and the almost con-
stanuy clear blue sky combine to make
out-of-door life as attractive as may be
found, perhaps, anywhere in the world.
There is an exhilarating lightness and
uplifting buoyancy in the air that gives
people dislike for confinement in the
close, heavy houses of Mexico.
MultitudeS of persons of wealth eat,
sleep, work, visit, and idle away their
time through the whole year in their
gardens or on the very broad pOrcheS
that extend all about the universal
patio OF their low, rambling houses.
Thousands of the poorer classes here
never have any homes but cheap tent
and hut-like adobes, and for years have
slept wherever drowsineSS may over
take them-whether in the open door
ways. on the cathedral step, in the mar
ket places or in the fields about the city.
The people Of the City of Mexico are,
therefore, noted for habits of early
rising.
At SO early an hoJ.r rs 4 o'clock almost
any morning, especially after the long.
hot summer season is over, elegant
equipageS may be seen daShing through
the park, not few Of the liveried driy-
ers holding the ribbons over sleel. buck
skin mules-for here the mule is not rel
egated to the plebs, but holds its own
with equine aTistocracy. And certainly
his satiny skin, his dainty ebonized
hOofs and neatly shorn tail ending in Il
jaunty taSSel. and his aggressive ears.
subdued with fancy nets assuming I
look of conservative meekneSS), merit
the distinction and show how one may
feed mule. as well as feed a man
into Il higher state of existence
While the latest Partisan styles pre-
vail among the Mexican ladies, the
black lace mantilla still anticipates mil
linery confections. Conscious. no doubt,
of the charm that lies in the black lace
mantilla so bewitchingly disposed over
her inky braids, softening the outline
of the face and lending pensive dig
nifty TO the carriage. the senorita clings
to 1T. A Spanish woman in a new
tangled hat or bonnet loses half her
interest, and she is wise enough 10
know it.-New York Evening Post.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
Not Vain.

Even the LATEST of tramps makes an,
effort to secure n substantial brea kfast.
which is generally the only regular
meal he has during the day. If he il
fairly lucky. il consists of coffee. a lit
tie meat. some potatoes. and punk an
plaster" as he calls bread and butter.
Coffee, more than anything else il
what every man of his kind wants early
in the morning. The clothes OF the
''poke-out' beggar are not much. if
any better. than his food. In summer
he seldom has more than n shirt. a pair
of trousers. a coat, some old shoes. and
Il battered hat. Even in winter he
wears little more. especially if he goes
South. If he can procure nothing more
suitable he Will don n garment which
belongs To a woman'S wardrobe In
fact. he gladly wears anything thar will
cover him. The only dress he does not
fancy is the one to which he has earned
right-the famous zebra OF the
penitentiary.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
Another Story.

The fabulist of the Chicago World
has invented Il little tale of two men
and dog Its lesson is toe obvious for
ccment, perhaps. but cmannOt be learn
ed too often. 1t is commended to all
readers. both TO those who keep dogs
and to those who do not
Johnson and Thompson were next
door neiShbors. Johnson had Il dog
that barked 4 considerable part OF ev-
cry night Finally Thompson said to
Johnson:
Look here. Johnson. we have always
been friends, and hope you won't take
offense if tell you that the barking
Of your dog is driving me and my fam
lily mad for want OF sleep"
Dear me"' said Johnson. "That's
queer ] haven't noticed that Leo ever
b1rked any 20 speak Of
Two or three evenings afterward
Thompson came home leading a dog
the doggy a string.
''Now. then" said he TO Mrs. Thomp-
son. I'VE will soon have a chance to
sleep. / didn't like to shoot the beast
while he belonged to Johnson, so have
bought him. Nobody can blame us for
killing our own dog. I'll get some chic
reform tomorrow"
A month passed, and Johnson and
Thompson met.
well, Thompson. you haven't chic
reformed the dog yet"
NO" said Thompson. "The truth Is
we have become rather fond Of the fell
low. He is so lively and playful"
But doesn't his barking AZ night an
nOy you:"
Il haven't noticed it."
HIM. said Johnson. "The brute
keeps us awake half the night. l don't
see how you can put up with it."
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
SPEED OF NAVAL VESSELS.
There Is Something Wrong that Should
BE Made Right.

The statements made in the Wishing
ton correspondence that the speed at
tanned by our war vessels when upon
trial trip for the purpose OF obtain
ing premium are instances OF naval
jockeying. are those which should en-
list public interest. and if statements.
To this effect are To be officially support
ed in the annual report OF the Secre-
tary or the Navy. then the subject is one
which will bear Congressional inves;i-
CATION. II is not, of course. expected
that Il war vessel when fitted for ser
vice Will keep up the same rate o. speed
that ii is possible for her to attain for
n short time under extraordinarily IA
vorable conditions. and doubtless our
experience in this respect does not diff
fer from that of all other countries
which have recently made additions to
their naval strength. In fact the per
fOrmance of the Columbia in sailing
across the Atlantic from southampton
TO New York 1t an average rate Of
eighteen knots per hour * said 20 have
been better work than anything ever
ptiIoi illt'ti ny I-ll--ilStl or l. feiitl n1N:i4
cruisers. But. on the other hand. il
steamer ike the I-ucania or t':mpania
can make a series Of trips across the
Atlantic. and maintain. IL making
them. an average. voyage after voyage,
OF over tWenty-one knots PEI hour. an
average quite as good ~ either made
In lis trial "Trip. il would seem aS Il tie
Theoretical and actual speeds OF our
war vessels. even when a h.-1 rate OF
speed is demanded. should mu.A more
nearly correspond. 1t is evident that
something i Il fault when rar vessels
that are credited with a spcel ~ nearly
twenty knots p,r hour arr Only capable
in everyday Practice Of mak.l.- ten or
eleven knots I'm hour. or vAta "a gun
boat has Trial made az Suee,. - ninc-
teen hno5san hour and an ~ aaI maxi
mum service speed If less tAaa Hino
knots an hour Sucl, diff nee be-
tween promise and performance. i too
great to be tolerated. and reminds one
of some of the experiences II lie Chi
neSe army.-Bosjon Herald.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
From 1 to 100000.

Not many years ago a skilled Scot
fish gardener went to the province of
Shire, in British Central Africa, taking
with him coffee plant which he had
obtained at the Edinburgh Botanical
Gardens. From this bush, which was
planted at Blantyre, where it still -four
ishes, there have b2cn derived no less
than 100000 of trees. The original
planter has now the biggest planta-
tons in that part OF the once Dark
Continent, and n trade In coffee has
grown up which promises to become
the leading industry in that portion of
the British Empire which is located In
Central Africa.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
The Sin-Eater.

Among curious customs and super
sti:ions noticed in recent article in
Black wood on the Legends and Folk
Lore Of North Wales" there is one the
singularity of which is heightened by
the statement that it still survives in
North and South Wales and the Bor-
der. At a funeral "a hirefing who lives
by such services has handed over to
him loaf of bread, a maple bowl full
of beer or milk, and a sixpence. in con-
sideraton of which he takes upon him
all the sins of the defunct, and frees
him or her from walking after death"
The scape- goat is currently called q
"Sin-eater."
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
For EOrS.

4 novel arrangement for signaling ut
sea during fogs has been placed in posi-
ton on Winter Quarter Lightship. No ~.
now repairing and refitting al Whining
ton, Del. 1t consists of two safety OF
engines. supplying compressed air to
automatically acted upon 10y time
clocks. placed above. These open and
close the whistle valves alternately
every ffty-five seconds. No steam pow.
err is used. tn" power being derived
from explosions of oil vapor.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21

Pats face, according to one of his
friends, was so ugly that it was Ian
Ofiince to the landscape" Next to his
LONELINESS his poverty was the most
conspicuous thing about him. Hence
the unsympathetic comment of a neigh
Dor. "IIOw are We, Pati" he asked.
Mighty bad" was the reply; "sure
face" as that 500" rejOned his friend.
"Sure 1t can't be pleasant for ayther
of yeZ"
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
ExaSDeratiu1.

"When n man is o tursrible celebrate
as Asy Trumbull, there's times when
hes downright aggravatin'," said Miss
Melinda Sprawle. referring TO her
brOther-in-law. "Why. what's poor Asy
done nOwY inquired little Mrs. Pollock,
Miss Sprayle's oldest sister, with whom
thatcapablebut uncompromising spins
ter resided.
HE wears me out. that's jest all there
Is to it." snapped Mishs Melinda. "How
in the world M'hitty come to marry
seen a snail-tongue, don't know. If
ever git him nussed through this sick
ness without my narves givin' out, it'll
De more'n expect Mhitty's no more
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
He Was.

Mamma" remarked Johnnie Run
kles, after he had absorbed potash
loZenge which had been given him for
his sore throat, wasn't Esau blamed
idiot to sell his birthright for mess
O fthis stuff ?"-BrOOklyn Life.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
A New Call for the Phone.

what is heavens number?" said a
little New York girl to her mother one
day last week.
what do you mean, dear?" was the
reply.
Heavens telephone number. dess
want to ring up bod and ask Him to
I'm tired of this added the little maid.
New York Sun.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
WOuldn't Believe 1t.

Carson-One- the world doesn't
know what the other half is doing.
VOkes No. And If you were to tell
them they wouldn't believe word Of
it.-Truth.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
Relieving His Feelings.

Magistrate will be bound over
to keep the peace toward all her males
tvs subjects for six months.
Bill Sykes-Well, even 'elp the first
furriner as / comes across!Pick- me
Up.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
RIoOu,er Effect.

"WOman has resolved to be 10 longer
the one-sidcd creature she has been"
"Er-referring particularly to eQues-
trianism, presume ?'-Indianapolis
Journal
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
The Differences.

"Our minister Is one of the salt Of the
earth"
"Humph! Ours is so fresh we hardly
expect to keep him!'-Life.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
COnRtnnCy.

She-They tell me you are tickle.
He-Impossible! Why, 1 have been
engaged to two girls now for over
year.-Life.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21

Anantis said to live only one summer.
Perhaps this Is the reason that old Solo
mon advised the sluggard to interview
this interesting insect.
Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
They Would Modify 1t.

Hills-Foreigners say that our stand
Ing army is too small by all odds.
Mills-Pooh. Guess they never saw
Il stage door after n comic opera with
full female chorus.-New York World.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-06
ANNOUNCEME ENT.

Through the efforts and solicitation of
some of our hustling advertisers, the
RECORD will commence next week and
issue six hundred extra copies of this
paper which will be distributed among
that many people for three months
Their aim is TO put their advertisements
into the hands of good farmers in Emer-
son, Pine River, Seville, Sumner and
Arcadia who do not take the RECORD,
and by so doing not only improve their
trade but show people in this section of
TIE county that Alma is not only the
cheapest place in the county TO buy
goods but that She cXcells al others rs IA
market This, in'addition TO our already
large circulation, makes it very desir-
able advertising medium. During this
time we will take subscriptions for the
RECORD until January /, 1897, l6
months, for 90 All old subscribers
paving up To date and Sl.00 III advance
Will be given the advantage of this offer.
There is not Il farmer within ten miles
of Alma but what can save the price of
the RECORD one year by taking advan-
tagc of its advertisements.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-06
OUTSIDE OF AIM A.

Samuel +. Sibley of Wheeler has been
granted II pension.
Ithaca's common council has ordered
IL additional arc lights.
The North Star post Office was robbed
of S22, -, Il lot of stamps, and consider
able merchandise the other night.
George Humphrey, living near Elwell,
lost valuable three -year-old steer last
week. The animal went TO the river 10
drink, slipped and fell into the river
and was drowned.
George Packard, resident of Pine
River township for many years, died
Thursday of last week. The funeral
was held last Saturday, and the remains
takne to st. Louis for interment.
There is church in Pine River town
ship which is known as the Church of
Jesus Christ and God Almighty and
the deed of the church property is made
out To God Almighty. y look at the
exterior of the building is prima facie
evidence that the owner ought 10 pay NJ
his tax assessments and spend Il few
dollars in the improvement of his
property.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-06

This department is under the control OF the
W. g. L L.. aud the editor of this paper is not
responsible for anything that appears under
this head.
The next regular meeting of the Alma
Union viii bc held Wednesday Sept. u
at 300 D.. m in the Methodist church.
Subject Great Temperance Reformcrs. -
led 10y Mr., McAllistcr.
\ Clergyman once complained to Sir
Andrew Clark Of feeling low and
depressed, unable to face his work. and
tempted to rely ON >timulants. Sir An
drew saw that the position was a
pcrilous one. and that it was a crisis in
the mans life. He dealt with the case,
and forbade the use of stimulantS. The
patient declared ne would be unequal
to his work and ready to sink. Then, -
said Sir Andrew, "sink like man,
The cautcon, "a, the army saloon is
called, is cooperative institution
which gave S2l9, 900 profit, for the men
last year. Nothing stronger than wine
or bccris sold But nevertheless, the
army has forty drunkards to the thous-
and 1t takes 100000 year TO main
tain our two military prisons. The
British army has two sotS to the thous-
aud. while the German army has only
two among a hundred thousand and
italy three. With two thousand times
AZ many drundards in proportion a~
Germany, we ought 10 seal up that
"cantccn. North and West.
The liquor law recently passed in Nor
way provides that 10 liquor association
can be formed for doing business IN a
city or village. until the question
whether liquor is to bc sold has been
voted upon 10y the resident men and
women who have reached the age OF
twenty-five years Decisions thur
reached 10y popular vote are valid foi
five years.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-06
He is InCurable.

Mont Evcrden's malady has assumed
a now and more dangerous character.
After his fishing expedition here July I,
a slight improvement was noticed, but
in spite of the best care and treatment
dangerous symptoms have developed.
and in company with few Others only
degree less "luny" than himself. Mont
wandered 30 or 10 miles from home last
week, and tried 10 lure his tinny friends
from their natural element. He met
with no success, however, and passed
through Alma. dazcd to that extent that
hc could not recognize those who have
been his lifelong friends. His friends
have given him up as an "incurable."
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-06
PoStDonennent.

Owing to the fact that the prclimina-
ry arrangements have not been perfect
ed, and that many farmers who would
like To join the organization are now
in the midst of their busy season. the
local organziation of the Honest Dollar
League at Ithaca has been postponed To
some time in the near future. The
time, when decided upon. will bc
mentioned i'll the papers in ample time.