davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
GRANDFATHER's CIDER BARRELS.

The old-fashioned farmer no more
thought Of entering upon win4er'a
campaign without long row of we'll
filled cider barrels ranged around his
cellar than without well-filled potato
bins or pork barrels. His own taste
and the number of his friends regulat-
ed the number. Sometimes it was not
over fifteen, but more often it was
nearly fifty. That was when the cloth
ing of the farmer and his family came
off the backs of their own sheep; when
the sweetening of cakes, pies, buildings
and preserves came from the maple
trees of the farm, and the barrel or
two of shaker apple sauce took its
flavor and consistency from boiled
down cider, like cooking a goose in
it's own gravy. So cider was a good,
honest and honored beverage, drunk
for its own sake in quantities to suit
the imbiber, with no apologies like
sickness or fatigue which are now fire.
quently employed as a pretext. Even
such stern spirits as the old puritans
recognized it as bond of friendship,
for in the winter of 1860, in letter to
the younger Winthrop, Roger Williams
wrote: Your loving lines in this cold,
dreary season were as a cup of your
Connecticut cider which we are glad
to hear abounds with you, or of that
western metheglin which you and I
have drunk at Bristol together. '-Bos-
ton Transcript
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
EUGENIE'S CARRIAGES.
They Were Made in 1856 for Princes
Baptism.

The state carriages used by the
French ENJOYS in the cars coronation
have curious history. They were
constructed for the prince imperials
baptism in 1856, and bore the imperial
arms. They were the work of Ehrler,
the court coach builder, and were very
costly and imposing. They had not
been used a second time in 1868, when
they were sent back to Ehrler to be
renovated They were still in his fac
tory in 1876 when the war broke out,
and remained there The empress re-
peatedly asked Ehrler to destroy them,
for she saw that she could not sell
them and she could not bear the idea
of their coming down to be used by
wedding parties in the Bots du Bulogne.
But Ehrler evaded her request, telling
her that they might eventually find a
wealthy purchaser, and that meanwhile
they were no incumbrauce to him.
When parliament recently voted
1,000,0 francs for the republic to be
properly represented at the Moscow
celebration the question of carriages
found, with some difficulty, as were
also two coachmen, one of whom had
just left the service of an American
millionaire. The harness was speedily
made, and there only remained the
carriages, but these could not be built
in time. The prince imperial's baptis-
NAL carriages were then remembered.
There could be no idea of buying them
indeed, they were scarcely for sale
but the Empress Eugene was asked If
she would let them.
She refused to do this, but offered
to lend them. The offer was accepted.
They were repainted the imperial arms
being effaced by the ambassadors
arms, and the one intended for General
de Boisdeffre having the body blue, the
wheels red and the padding white, and
thus showing the tricolor. The en-
press has declined an offer to restore
them on their return to their former
condition, and to avoid any mischance
has given positive orders that they
shall then be broken up.-London
Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

London, Nov 9.-Twenty-two
miles from here, in the county OF
Kent. is the parliamentary borough of
Greenwich. The census folk give it
a population of about 10000, but it
has none of the bustling activity of an
American city Of the same size. Yet
1t has it's share of fame, but not as
1t should have, considering that it en-
tiers into the minute affairs of every
man, woman and child in the civilized
world. This is pretty broad state
ment, but it is the truth, as will speed
lily be shown.
Ask any residenL of Greenwich to
point out the most prominent feature
OF the town, and it is ten to one that
he will indicate the historic Green
witch hospital Ask him about the
second most important feature, and #
he be particularly shrewd, he may say
the Royal observatory. Locally, the
hospital is a thing of tremendous i'm
portance, while the observatory is
seldom thought of.
Yet the observatory is the manu-
facturer, or creator, of time for the
whole civilized world. Pretty near
ly every one has heard of Greenwich
time, although few may have taken
the pains to find out what it means.
But Greenwich time, as it is deter
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

tion with the twenty-four hours and
the 800 degrees of the circle.
An astronomical clock viii beat
sc, 400 seconds in twenty-four hours,
when going to it's utmost eXactitude:
but as NO mechanism is absolutely
perfect, it may be either a second IN
der Or a, second over this number, and
it is this variation which the astrOno-
mer has to discover and allow for.
All of the chronometers used in the
British navy are first tested in the
observatory the test lasting eight
months. From January to August
are the best months for making the
test. Those intended for use in the
tropics are placed for weeks at a time
in ovens heated by gas, and it takes
first class chronometer to withstand
this ordeal.
Prior to 1883 each country had its
own meridian of inheritance at Paris,
the United States at Washington, and
the others at their capitals. This led
to serious differences in navigation,
and a compromise was effected by
which the Greenwich meridian was
settled upon with uniform allowances
for distances of various countries.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

is the case with many of the books
which came from Wittenberg, is a
wood cut, as bock-mark of the bust Of
the elector, Jhann Friedrich, the Mag
nanimus, with some Latin verses in
his praise. To the outer side of the
same cover is attached strip Of parch-
ment, with the inscription, Elm aIdt
Meistergesan auff pergamen" Can
old Meister singbook on parchment J
The Jena manuscript has one very
special merit, viz, that to the words
are added the tunes. This makes 1t of
particular Importance in the study of
music. The notes are written On only
four lines-as always at that time-and
in the keys of c and F. The fats only
are marked. The manuscript is writ
ten almost throughout by one and the
same hand of the fourteenth century;
some notes in the margin and Wiz
Laws poems alone are written by later
hand. The contents of the manu-
script include poems by Meister Alex
ander, Meister Boppe, F'rauenlob, Gold
ner, Gutter, Meister Friedrich Won Son
nebuIg, Grevelin, HennebergeG Hoel-
lenfeuer, Meister Kehn, Meister Con-
rad Won Wuerzbrug, .Litschower, Meiss-
ner, Reynold Won der Lippe, Rubins,
Meister Ruediger, Rumeland Won
Schwaben, Meister Rumsland, Meister
Singauf, Spevogel, MeisteT1 Stole,
Tannhauser, Unverzagaten, Urenheim~
er, Bruder Wernhers, Prince Wizlav
Won Ruegen, Meister Zili Won Seine, an
unknown author, as we'll as songs for
the ''Saengerkrieg, ON the Wart-
burg.-London Standard.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
AUTOCRAT OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
| She Presides in the Kitchen, but is
| Consulted ON All Subjects

She had turned to leave the intel
ligence Office, but happened to think of
something and came back
There is one thing more that I want
to ask about" she said to the woman
in charge. do you personally know
the girl that you recommended to
me?"
Not personally. But she ought to
know all about homework of every
kind"
Has she had varied experienced"
Indeed she has. She has worked in
ten families inside of the last six
months. You needn't have the slight
est fear about her not being used to
people and their ways"
II haven't been keeping house very
long" she said timidly, "but find that
servants don't care so very much about
the ways of the people they work for.
People have to care for their ways.
Some little thing that l would say
would cause the girl to walk out and
leave me with the house all in dis
order. The reason I asked you if you
know this girl personally is that I
should like to know what her politics
and religion are. AS to the house
furnishings and the kind of food we
have, she can, of course, go to the store
and order them to suit herself"
THAT would be a very good way"
assented the keeper Of the intelligence
office. ut would insure her staying
with you for much longer time than
she would be likely to under ordinary
conditions"
"But it's different with politics and
religion. If we don't find out just what
her sentiments are beforehand, we are
as likely as not to say something to
hurt her feelings before we think. It's
very hard to carry on conversation at
the table without touching on these
two subjects once in a while and
would like to know just what she
would like our views TO be, so that we
can prevent her leaving dinner half
served to go and pack her trunk be-
cause we failed to speak with proper
| appreciation of her party's actions"
The intelligence woman said that il
| was a very important question, and
/ she would send her d special delivery
letter with full particulars as soon as
| she could learn them. = Detroit Free
| Press
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

dry one 20 the reader, so merely an
outline will be given. The mean time
standard clock, which gives the time
of day to the world, is connected by
electric action with the mean solar
clock, and is further kept correct by
calculation and comparison with the
standard sidereal clock, whose error is
determined by observations of the
stars.
The sidereal clock is considered the
most wonderful Instrument in the OBJ
servatory. This marvellous instrument
is in an underground room called the
magnetic basement, where it stands
like a, sentinel with back against the
wall, ticking its seconds as pre-
scribed by the clock stars.
This reference to the 'clock stars
fixed stars, slightly over two hundred
in number, which are used for deter
mining sidereal time-brings us to the
transit circle, the most important in
| strument in the observatory, and one
| of the most interesting.
It consists Of a large telescope the
outside of which is not unlike a great
| cannon, as it is Of solid iron. This
| instrument is supported by trunnions
4 which allow the telescope to be ele-
waited or depressed, to point north OF
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
PERILS OF BALLOONIG
Aeronaut Tells of His Terrible Ex-
perience in the Jupiter.

per1ence in the Jupiter.
When we had risen 500 yards or
more We found ourselves in such thick
clouds that we could distinguish moth
ing. Suddenly the Jupiter lay on one
side and the car leaped terribly. At
the same time we were dashed by large
hailstones and heavy rain. We were
driven forward with bewlldering speed.
In our fright we threw out everything
that our hands came across. The ball
loon sprang upward like an arrow, and
soon passed through the clouds. we
were under clear sky, in the light OF
the setting sun. Gradually it grew
colder and colder, AMI our wet clothes
were frozen stiff. Crepillon fell faint
ing to the bottom of the boat and we
others were not much better off. We
were all bleeding, for the hail han
wounded us. AS | looked out | saw a
large, black cloud moving from south
west to northeast. The blood streamed
from my nose and ears. My hands
were frozen hard as board.
"In a few minutes we had risen to a
height of nearly 5000 yards. Then we
began to sink, at first slowly, and then
rapidly. All at once we were again in
complete darkness. We were in the
midst of thunder clouds. Again, amid
hail and rain, the wind drove the
Jupiter ON at a speed of ninety miles an
hour. We were blinded b. the hail and
could scarcely breathe. But I did not
lose hope of reaching the earth safely.
The hail and rain now began to be
mixed with leaves and particles OF
earth. The car was violently shaken
and we fell against each other, and had
to hold On to the ropes. Then we be-
gan to drag along the ground. The
balloon suddenly rose again. | let my
rope go and was dashed to the ground.
Legran believed that | had voluntarily
jumped out. He jumped after me, and
fell near me, with a broken leg. Thus
lightened Of weight the balloon rose
more rapidly. Rushing through the
tree tops, it went on about six miles in
the direction of GretZ. AS it hung on
the top of tree Foucard tried to land,
caught a rope, but was thrown vio-
lently to the earth. A woman saw the
balloon hanging in the tree and sent
the people at her inn to our 53istance
Foucard was found covered with mud
and ice, his face all torn. He still
breathed. When his head was raised,
with the intention of giving him slim
ulants, he was seized with a CONFUSION
and soon expired.
"As he was carried away a weak
voice was heard calling from the car
for help. Two ladders were brought
and tied together and a gendarme
climbed up to assist Crepillon. 1t
took and hour to get him down. On
reaching the ground he tainted away.
He was as cold as ice, and only re-
gained his senses after continued
friction. In a few hours he was out or
danger" Berlin Vossische Zeitung.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

What he sees gives no evidence of the
uses to which the buildings are put,
except what may be gathered from the
Sits covered by shutters, which in two
places intersect them, and the Gomes
that fiaak them at their eastern ana
southwestern eXtremities.
Indeed, the whole place has a do
nestle rather than a scientific look,
and this air of domesticity is not
greatly-if at alI-detracted from by
the business" look of the time-ball
turret in the corner of the Enclosure
to the left, adjoining the Astronomer
Royals residence, with its rooms all
on the ground floor.
While much time is given to the
study of the moon and the other PLAN
cts, the main business of the observ-
atOry is to secure the correct time To
detail ell of the labors regarding the
latter would be an endless task, and
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
SONGS OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
Manuscript Song-Book Preserved in a
German Library.

An extremely interesting fragment Of
the middle ages has just received a
fresh lease of life. For the last 300
years there has been preserved in the
university library at jena a manuscript
song-book of 266 large folio pages,
which contains rich collection Of Mill
nesinger songs, with their melodies,
together with the "Saengerkrieg," all
written in superb fourteen century
German text. This book, which is an
invaluable authority for the study of
the music Of the middle ages, has now
been made accessible to wider circle
by Photographic reproduction on the
same scale as the original. The work
was undertaken some years ago by the
Jena publishing firm of Strobel. in the
hope that a sufficient number of sub
scribers might be found to allow of it's
completion. This hope has been full
filled and the work is now ready. The
1873 leaves of the precious parchment
manuscript were photographed and re-
produced by the phototype process.
Two separate editions have been pre-
pared. one of 10 copies, printed on two
sides on 1873 leaves, as In the or ginal;
the other, of thirty copies, printed on
one side only on 266 leaves.
In the preface Dr. K. Mueller, di-
rector of the University Library, gives
brief account of what is known con
corning the manuscript 1t came in
1913 from Wittenberg,, with the cleo
tors library, into the keeping Of the
Jena University. Nothing certain is
known as to its origin and previous
history the care with which it is eX-
ecuted and it's unusual size-the leaves
are ffty-six centimeters long by forty
| enc broad-would seem to show that II
was designed for some special purpose.
The initial and final pages, which may
have contained remarks that could give
some information on this matter, are,
| unfortunately, missing. The binding,
| of wooden covers, completely incased n
beautiful pressed white leather, be-
| longs to the sixteenth century; the
| chain, by which the precious manu-
script, in accordance with the custom
| of those times. was fastened to the
reading desk, is still preserved. On
! the inner side Of the front cover, as
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

mined in this observatory, dominates
the earth. The financier of Wall
street is it's slave; the school boy Of
San Francisco must hasten at it's bid
ding; the army officer of Berlin is gov
erned by it; the bells of the great
ocean liner in the middle OF the Allan
tic ring at its bidding; the factory
whistles of the world blow at it's call;
every single line OF human endeavor is
under its domination.
That questionable monarch, Charles
H.. established the observatory in 1919
and while he did not know much about
astronomy, he had sense enough to
appreciate the value to commerce Or
a correst standard of time, sc he gave
these instructions for Flamsteed, the
FIRST astronomer: Forthwith to apply
himself with the utmost care and dill
fgence to the reCtlfying of the tables
OF the motions of the heavens. and the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
TO KEEP OUT TOURISTS.
Owner of Washington Irvings Home
Has Had to Close the House.

Sunnyside, formerly the home OF
Washington Irving, has been closed to
the public. 1t may surprise critics OF
the Bookman school to learn that
Washington Irving is still read and re-
membered, although he did not write
in the Scotch dialect, and that literary
pilgrims desire to visit Sunnyside,
when they ought to De hieing them
selves TO Dhumtochty, but these appear
TO be the melancholy facts.
The present owner of Sunnyside de-
clares that the worshipers of Irving
have tramped over his grounds, chip
ped corners from his house, worn out
his carpets, carried off his bric-a-brac,
and so disturbed his household that his
patience is exhausted, and he has de-
cided to fence them out.
1 remember that the same complaint
was made by the present owner of
Gadshill, q captain in the local militia,
when the Dickens family sold him the
estate.
1t is difficult to draw the line between
the private ownership of house and
the public interest in the homes Of the
dead geniuses, but should say that IL
the public want to visit the former res
idence of a departed favorite they
ought to buy the place and maintain 1t
as a free show.
The nuisances of a man that oc-
cupied hallowed house were pictured
in John Hollinghead's farce, The
Birthplace of Podgers." that Toole, the
famous London comedian, used to play.
81 as but a our to heat my dinner,
the occupant demonstrated but the ad-
mirers of Podge"s swarmed into the
room and seized upon pots, plates and
pans as souvenirs.
1t turned out, at the end Of the farce,
that Podgers was not born at his
reputed birthplace, and notice to this
effect prevented further intrusion.
Here, then, is a suggestion for the
present occupant of Sunnyside. He
should put up signboard inscribed:
Washington Irving never lived here.
Go right ahead to the Jay Gould place
and get your moneys worth. "-Collec-
| tor.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

center of Greenwich park, a beautiful
piece of ground 200 acres in extent.
They are a curious mixture of the an
cient and the modern, and they tell
the history of the growth of the place
more clearly than mere words. With
in the last few years great additions
have been made to the observatory
under the direction of Mr.. Christie.
These include the putting up Of fresh
buildings, which are just now in the
course of completion and equipment.
The visitor to the observatory, there
fore-and the visitors are extremely
few, strangers in the place causing
interruption to very careful and deli
cate business-frds himself con-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
THANKSGIVING GENEROSITY.

And so tomorrow is the day
That folks pitch in and eat;
Well kill the gobbler, Hammer
Jane.
For looks he can't be beat.
l know he's old, but what Of that?
He'll last the longer; see?
They'll only want one piece
around,
Instead Of eatin three.
And there's the feathers, Hammer
Jane,
Don't waste single one;
They'll make a pillar for the
lounge,
A soft one when its done.
And then the giblets, them Wen
make
Into a chicken pie,
And send it in a basket, down
To good old Elder Nye.
And while we're at it, Hammer
Jane,
Just put some Baldwins in;
The ones that growed behind the
barn;
They're hard and tough as sin
And there's them 'taters, Hammer
Jane,
Them pesky Early Rose"
What's got boiler in each one,
(But that nobody knows)
| don't believe in stinginess
Not on Thanksgiving day;
l always try to do my part
To make folks glad and gay.
And hat air coal what we can
''Se
Because it smokes like fun,
Well fill some sacks and haul 'en
down
To poor old Wilder Dunn.
And, Hammer Jane, I surely hope
These folks I'm givin' things,
Will call down blessin's On N!
head.
And long my praises sing.
May Phillips Tatro.
A cyclone did much damage nea
Waco Tayes
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
AT THE DOOR.

I thought myself indeed secure,
So fast the door, SO firm the lock;
But 10. the toddling comes to lure
My parent ear with timorous knock.
My heart were stone could it with
stand
The sweetness Of my baby's plea
That timorous, baby knocking and .
Please let me in-it's only me-"
l threw aside the unfinished book,
Regardless Of its tempting charms,
And opening wide the door, l took
My laughing darling in my arms.
Who knows but in Eternity,
I, like a truant child, shall wait
The glories of life to be
Beyond the Heavenly Fathers
gate?
And will that Heavenly Father heed
The truant's supplicating cry,
AS the outer door | plead,
'"Tis I, o Father! only I?''
Eugene Field
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

fronted by the old and the new por-
tions, the former, with it's quantity
picturesque gables and roughly tiled
roofs, forming a strong contrast to the
new erection with its central towef
capped by a dome, and it's four wings
adjusted to the four points Of the COM
pass.
The first thing that strikes the Wis
itor on entering the gate is the hum
lie aspect of this temple of science
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

A novel election bet was paid at Wa
pskoneta. Ohio. Three Democratic
girls in a millinery establishment rode
in an old spring wagon dressed in
mourning, and with Bryans picture
hung in the back draped in black,
while four Republican girls in a fine
barouche, hung with flags and McKin-
ley and Hobart pictures. The process
sion passed through the principal
streets. The three Democratic girls
had to defray ali expenses.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10
HOW TIME Is MADE
INTRICATE WORKINGS OF THE
GREENWICH OBSERVATORY.
rs TERESTkG history

An Institution that Charles IL. EStab-
lished 221 Years ago with a Deluge
of Advice and a Tiny Donation
Modest Appearance OF a Famous
Place.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

People in India are killed in a panic
at a fete.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

Four inches of snow has fallen at
Ga.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

A cyclone did much damage near
Waco, Texas.