davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
Trained C-hameleons.

Much has been written about the
beauty, the stupidity and the vicious
ness of the lizard tribe, and ! want to
say a word about the intelligence of the
chameleon, a little reptile belonging to
the great lizard family and in size the
antipodes of the alligator, its big brother.
The incident | now relate came under
my personal observation and demon
etrates that the chameleon is susceptible
Of education and can be ranked with
animals classed much higher in the
scale of intellectual development.
Miss Henrietta Keene, a little lady of
10 years, living i'll Philadelphia, was
presented with two Florida chameleons,
and she at once began i%nstructing and
educating her pets. By continued gen.
tleness and kindness she won their con-
fidence, and at her call they would raise
their heads, listen and then come run-
ming quickly. Soon they responded to
their names-Brinton and Baby-and
nodded their little heads knowingly.
She then taught them to stand up OH
their hind legs and put their little fore
paws together and stand in the attitude
of prayer, looking solemn and closing
their eyes. AT a signal they would
quickly PROSTATE themselves, roll over
on their backs and pretend to be dead.
lying without motion until told TO rise
and embrace. which they would do with
every sign Of joy and pleasure. Wash
ington Star.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
NUMBER 90
EVEN WITH THE DUN."
a Spectator Squares Himself with His
Lawyer Creditor.

Lawyer Creditor.
The lawyer had won an important
case for the man. He had dabbled in
stocks OF one kind and another. and,
hard luck having overtaken him, he had
bolstered up his vanishing fortunes with
500, 600 of other peoples money.
But the other people had troubles of
their own. They had wants that needed
catering TO, andwhen they found that
the dealer in stocks had invested their
means of subsistence in an enterprise
that would benefit no one but himself
they arose with a howl of righteous in
dignation and brought a suit for dam
ages.
hat was whore the lawyer had his
chance. He knew the man was guilty,
and he told him so. But for all that he
cleared him. He charged a pretty big
fee, 50, 600 being conservative estimate
of the value Of his services. The man
paid him 80. 500 in cash and promised
to give him the other 5000 a month or
two later. That was more than three
years ago. The lawyer patiently waited
on his client for a year, and then he put
the matter in the hands of q collector.
In thec course of two years the collector
gathered in $500, and then, as his salary
was more than eating up the amount
collected, the lawyer took the case from
his hands and gave it to the office boy.
As an incentive to energetic work, he
said:
Jimmie, there isS100 coming to me
from Mr.. --. IL you can get anything
out of him, I'll give you half of it,"
Jimmie's eyes snapped, and he went
to work. He labored diligently for three
months. Monday morning at III o'clock
be would go into the Office and present
his employers claim, and so run the
gamut of the other five working days.
and then repeat the procedure the sue
ceeding week. The man got mad about
it at first and threatened to throw the
boy out Of the Office, but he finally
thought better of it and contented him
self with turning Jimmie away with
some singing rebuke.
Jimmie kept up the daily siege till
last Thursday. Then he was sick and
could not come down town. About 3
o'clock the lawyer was in his private
office holding a consultation with two
clients, when there came an imperative
ra~t-a-ta-tat on his door. He babe the
visitor enter, and a head. half concealed
by a shock Of bushy red hair, was thrust
INTO the room.
please, sir" said a high keyed voice,
'I'm from MI. --, an he wants to
know why your boy amt been over to-
day to dun i'm for that 500 he GEES
you."-Chicago Tribune.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
Guv'NOR,S DAY.


'Twuz gov'nor's day at the county fair.
Mo an my gal jes' come FUN there,
An we heard the speech at the goy'nor made,
bow he tol the farmers about their trade,
Rickommende1 wheat sown in July
10 cheat the chinch bug an Hessian fy.
He used to plant corn already popped,
An IT KEEP a-growin an never stopped o
Till jes' afore Christmas an hung on the trees
In little lace bags as nice as you please.
Said small watermilions wuz better'n big,
Cause they wouldn't break tho sppportin twig.
Skimmilk cheese wuz his favorite kind.
Fer rich food he alluz wuz inclined,
30 he liked his cheese 18th the skimmin's in.
An, my, jes' didn't them farmers grin
To hear him talk bout waterin stock
BY h'istin 'em down 18th a rope an block
To the water below IF the bank wuz high,
Cause exercise made the cows run dryi
An he said hay wouldn't get sour an black
IF you pat some ice IL the midst of the stack
To keep IL fun heatin- An how the bovs
Would 'preciate better u farmers joys
Ell he run the grin stone 18th a bicycle rig
An fitted the plow 18th the seat Of a gig
An our wives would bloom like a Sharon rose
Ell we chartered a Ciiinee TO wash the clothes
So't they could rest an paint chimney jugs
18th cranes an dragons an flies an bugs.
B'gosht almighty, wut doesn't he know?
'Twould puzzle an almanac TO show.
Oh, he's a wise'n, the gov'nor is,
To tell the people about their biz.
But III bet q cooky next county fair
That p'tic'lar gov'nor he won't be there.
j. l.. Heaton in 1.-THE Quilting Bee"
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31

the chief entrance 10 the church tho
doors of which are wide open. looking
usually out on TO the sea. All the cattle
ana the fiocks of the village have mean.
whlie been driven into the ~churchyard
ana stand crowded together in the sill
very lght OF the moon around the por-
tai. Taking up his position on the top
most step of the porch, the rector ex-
CLAIMS: God in his mercy, my dear
children, has sent me on this radiant
night OF the nativity to bless -FOUR cat
Tie n your locks, because it is only
right that the animals which constitute
your greatest help and source OF pros
perlty should participate in the ioy
which fills all u hearts. Now lead
your iocks past me-"
The shepherd and cattle herders then
begin to drive the animals past, while
the priest, dipping the sprinkler into
the silver ever of holy water, showers
the latter upon the horses, the asses, the
oxen, the COWS and the sheep. The
clang OF the bells around their necks,
their lowing, their baaing, their bray
ing and %neighing, as well as the cries
and words of command Of their drivers,
create a tremendous din, above which
ever and anon rise the solemn words of
the priest, "Benedicat vos omnipotens
Deus, Pater ct Filius ct Spiritus Sane
tusl' the choristers bringing the bless
ings to a close with a resounding
"Amenl"
Every n who has wintered in Spain
will recall to mind the "Missa del
Gallo" or cocks mass, T" celebrated in
all tbs churches on Christmas eve, or
rather Christmas morning. The chanti-
cleer being the bird that is first TO her
aid in the advent of the morning light,
the Spaniards, by a happy and quaint
c%onceit, like to imagine that he is anx-
ious on this night of nights to call upon
them even at midnight to be awake and
to salute the happy morning. In the
principal churches Of Madrid and Seville
this midnight mass in honor of the
"Dios Nino'' is rendered with exquisite
pastoral music, castanets and tambour-
ines playing an important part in the
orchestra, while now and again, by
means Of a special instrument, pathetic
and birdlike notes swell up with pecul-
lar beauty, as if some midnight bird
had lent its voice to mingle with the
angelic psalms to herald in the mystic
coming of the babe Of Bethlehem. In
the churches of the small provincial
towns and villages the instrumental
bird notes are replaced by those of an
ordinary rooster, which by some device
known to the peasants is made to crow
at the appointed period during the cele-
bration.
Not only on the continent of Europe,
but also in the southwestern counties
of England superstition prevails to the
effect tLat animals possess the power of
speech at 10 o'clock on Christmas eve.
Inasmuch, however, as only those per-
sons who are entirely free from mortal
sin are supposed to possess the privilege
of understanding their utterances, there
is no authentic record extant as to tho
character of their remarks on these &C.
casions. Ex-ATTAcHE.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
THE BLACK SNAKE.
He Is as Much at Home In Tree Tops as
on Terra Firma.

He Is as Much at Home In Tree Tops as
on Terra Firma.
There has been much discussion among
n~aturalists and in sportsmen's journals
regarding the ability Of the black snake,
our one constructor, to travel swiftly
amid the branches. Ten thousand men
have seen the sleek black streak of rope
accomplish the feat easily. Here is but
one incident:
The black snakes habitat includes Hi
nois. Lasalle county is not far north
of the center of the state, and perhaps a
little west of the center line drawn
north and south. There are some very
good woods in Lasalle county, because
through that county run two of the
Mississippi's tributaries - the Illinois
and one of it's branches, the Vermilion.
Bailey's creek is one of the little farm
land tributaries Of the Vermilion river.
Along the creek are reaches of woodland,
or at least there were awhile ago. In
those bits of woods--bits as compared
with Michigan forests-there are and
have been black snakes. great fellows,
worthy of their reputation farther east.
This is what happened II day when a
young fellow went hunting. 1t is worth
the telling, because it illustrates the
black snakes nimbleness among the tree
tops:
Wandering along cautiously and quiz
city, locking for o shot on either side,
the young man heard suddenly an un-
common rustling among the leaves
above him. He looked up and saw some
thing that astonished him. A fox sqnir-
rel-and a fox squirrel is the biggest Of
the squirrel kind-was leaping from
limb to limb, from tree to tree, in mortal
alright, evidently Geeing from some
deadly enemy. Close behind him, curv-
ing. twining and twisting, but with all
details Of its locomotion invisible from
below, so swift its progress and so easy
its passing from limb to limb and tree
to tree, came three to five feet of black
ness. II was a black snake pursuing the
fox squirrel. Its chase was hopeless, but
the ability and the hungry earnestness
of this one constructor Of our northern
woods were demonstrated remarkably.
AS for the man underneath-well, he
was a young fellow with a shotgun.
The young fellow with a shotgun is q
reasonably good shot in the country.
and he kills snakes. He poured a load
Of shot into that black streak among
the branches. and it dropped to the
ground, merely a foul, dead, moderately
sized specimen Of Boscanion constructor.
Recreation.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
WOMEN OF
English Customs Are Slowly Reaching
Them-The Mothers Rule.

English Customs Are Slowly Reaching
Them-The Mothers Rule.
The Armenian girl is little troubled
with education, beyond household du-
ties, spinning and needlework-and at
this last accomplishment she is always
an expert, especially at embroidery
unless, indeed, she attends one of the
ried on in many towns, where she will
learn English, French and possibly her
own language, for Armenians not infre-
quently adopt the vernacular of the
country wherein they live. She will al
SO acquire a thirst for fiction, English
and French. The Armenian girl is deep
ly sentimental and likes to read of love,
and marriage is, of course, the ultima
Thule of her ideas. This little matter is
generally arranged by her mother, and
nowhere are women of more Importance
or hold more weight in the family coun-
cils. The mother is at the head of the
patriarchal establishment, in which her
sons, their wives and often her nephews
and nieces dwell. She rules her sons and
sons wives, the latter, perhaps, with a
somewhat severe hand, especially dur
ing the first year of their married lives,
when, except to attend church, they
may not go out, though, when the
daughters-in-law in their turn become
mothers greater liberty is permitted
them.
In more advanced portions of the COM
munity a girls choice is practically un-
restricted, and it is well that it is SO, for
the Armenian church strenuousiy op-
poses divorce, and the marriage bond is
only soluble by death. Not in~frequently
the girls choice falls upon an English
man or other European, and many
merchants and telegraph officials in
Persia and Turkey find them excellent
wives.
The Armenian national costume con-
sists of voluminous skirt of heavy bro
caded material, a tight sleeyed bodice
OF the same stuff, much embroidered
about the front, with handsome iligree
silvc~ belts marking the waist. The head
coverings are fchus of fringed embroid.
cred silk, ard a multitude of chains
and coins hang round their necks. In
winter the embroidered bodice is ok
changed for a wadded one, and huge felt
shoes are worn over the ordinary boots
TO keep out the biting cold. Though the
Armenian women do not wear wells TO
conceal their features as a point OF re-
ligion, they net iafrequensly do cover
their faces with gauze or a corner Of a
shawl.
Some of the younger women, however,
have discarded their native costume for
that of London three years ago, and they
are evidently not quite at ease in their
newly acquired corsets. They copy the
fashion plates in English papers and
produce wonderful combinations of pink,
blue and violet. which are further adorn.
ed with quantities of brilliant jewelry.
They are full of curiosity regarding the
life Of civilized nations, particularly in
the matter of marriage, and never miss
an opportunity of obtaining information
ON the subject. st. Louis POST Dispatch.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31

Among the most pleas
ing features Of the uni
yersal good will that pre-
walls at ~Christmastide in
the old world is the kindly
disposition shown 10 er.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
How Gran. Got the Name of Ulysses.

How Grant Got the Name OF Ulysses.
The story was curious. AS related by
the father afterward, it appeared that
the common difficulty of choosing q
name for the babe arose. Multitudes of
suggestions only confused the young
parents the more, until at last it was
proposed to cast the names into a hat.
This was done. A romantic aunt sug-
gested Theodore. The mother favored
Albert, in honor Of Albert Gallatin.
Grandfather Simpson voted for Hiram,
because he considered il a handsome
name. The drawing resulted III two
names. Hiram and Ulysses.
Ulysses, it is said, was cast into
the hat by Grandmother Simpson, who
had been reading a translation of Fene-
Ions ''Telemachus'' and had been much
impressed by the description Of Ulysses
given by Mentor to Telemachus. He
was gentle of speech, benefcent of
mind" 1.-THE most patient Of men. :
HE is the friend Of truth. He says
nothing that is false, but when it IL
necessary he comedies what is true. His
wisdom is a seal upon his lips. which is
never broken a V for an important pur-
pose. "--Hamlin Garland in McClure's.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
A Mans Knee.

At the reception given to DR.. John
Watson in Syracuse two ~Scotchmen, in
highland costume, presented themselves.
As the day was cold, many OF the other
guests expressed the fear that they would
suffer discomfort from their bare legs.
Rearing .his ono of the Scotchmen
laughed and said "Do you know that a
mans knee is like a dogs nose? 1t is
bound to be cold anyway. That is q
fact, and swathing the knee in dannels
and trousers doesn't make the body a
bit warmer"
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
A rejection ON Her Age.

"That grim Miss Passay is mad
enough to bite me-"
Whats the matter?'
"Why she has just Joined the new
society that believes that human i'm.
pressions are mainly derived through
the sense of smell"
"Well?"
"Weil suggested that she was .
s~centenarian. cleveland Plain Deal
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31

st Christmas q
,teem. He Is g
! Mohammeda1
ddhists as . gr1
hen Japan ma
ugh the mass mass
L Mons Christie
tionedno to q
he cruelty Of /
member that
we're upon tn
it'd he WNnl
helpless and
at these warni1
{ Arthur. but
|essly shed n
"a for by the1
the war NJ
I'D time bapl
there was a}
~casional was
|ons, and tnI
the teachnsI
remains that /
ly al peace peace
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31

name?'' asked
|le more positiy;
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
same ola Wax.

Robert-When II get into my new
house. / mean that everything shall 90
like clockwork.
Richard--I see. The same as hereto
fo7e--tick, tickl--Bost0n Transcript
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
ANIMALS CHRISTMAS
The PART THEY ULAY IN EUROPEAN
CELEBRATIONS.

Curious Customs but Little Known In T,,.
Country-superstitions About Beast. and
Birds blessing the Floeks-A Roo.,er
Mass In spaia.
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-31
Postofice and His


Postofhce and His
There.
lountaineer from
wool hat, and he
|bboring town to
is first visit away
cond day after be
postofice to get
He was sure it
lad tearfully told
i'm while he was
fer me?" he In.
er.
e?" was the in.
name?' asked
10 more positiy,
manner" yelled
his head through
face Of the young
r ugly time, Ird
y name was Louj
n~taineer. ST. u
IT belong to thel
yer thar and picl
man gifts or govt
ne begins to pun
10 to put up With
led out a letts
| gave it to hin|
himself.--Wash
The herald., 1896-01-15
VERY POPULAR
A Confidence nan Who Tried to Sell tn,
Anaconda

A Confidence 1sn Who Tried to Sell the
Anaconda
KANSAS CITY, Jan. 14.-John Morrissey.
an old-time confidence man originally
from New York, is under arrest here
charged with swindling the Metropolitan
National bank out of $500 on bogus draft
and with swindling other Kensas City peo-
pie. He was captured at Sedalia, Mo-,
last night, while en- route east.
Morrissey had been in Kansas about a
week and under the claim cf being Law
reuce DAILY. supposed brother of Marcus
DAILY, the Montana millionaire and agent
of the Rothschids, easily became ingrati-
ated into the favor of several local business
men. He stopped at the best hotel in
town and submitted to q newspaper inter-
view in which he said he was here TO dis
pose of an Anaconda mine for the Roths-
childs. Morrissey became very popular
and he laughingly said today: 1.-THE peo-
pie forced themselves upon me. They
wanted to get in on the ground floor. l
had 10 accommodate them"
He sold one man 10000 shares of the
Fuller mine for $50, and with bogus
check endorsed by John II. McEwen,
president OF the Southwest Millers' Dis
patch, drew $3.50 from the Metropolitan
National bank. lie was on the point of
swindling several other men on bogus
mine claims when dispatch from Denver
disclosed his fictitious identity and he sud-
denly left town.
The herald., 1896-01-15
THE BOOM FOR ALLISON
Gets a Little Boost by the Iowa State
Register
His Friends Are Solid and the Northwest Is
Expected to Prove Loyal to
Ciarkson's Opinion

DES MONIES, Ia, Jan. Ex-senator Alli-
son, who arrived here from Washington,
when asked about the rumors that there
was serious disagreement between him
and his Iowa managers, said emphatically
that there was no truth in it. All of the
politicians denied the existence of any diff
ference of opinion on any subject.
The Iowa State Register today practi-
cally made the first formal announcement
of Mr.. Allison's candidacy. In an ex-
tended editorial that paper says:
"In re-electing Senator Allison the peo-
pie of Iowa made by their legislature, in a
sense, formal presentation of his candi-
dacy to the Republicans of the nation.
They honor him at home now and they
hope he may be honored in the nation
when the Republican convention meets in
St. Louis, having no doubt that he would
be signally honored at the polls in Novem-
ber. The Republicans of Iowa present the
candidacy of Senator Allison. especially to
the states of the great northwest. which
have always been first in the affections of
the Iowa senator. Senator Allison Is a part
of this great northwest. He knows it's
wants and will serve them. He lives in
Iowa, but he is neiGhbor of Illinois, Wis
consin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska,
Kansas and Missouri-these states are the
empire from which me halls"
CLARKSoN'S OPINION
CHICAGO, Jan. 14.-J. S. Clarkson of
Iowa, in an interview, when asked con-
cerning the contest for the Republican
nomination for president, said: ut is
going to be spirited and interesting, but
not an heroic contest. as in the rivalries
between Grant and Blaine. 1 think it is
going to be deliberate choice"
Mr.. Clarkson said he considered Allison
the strongest man at all points.
The herald., 1896-01-15
CLIMATE NEEDS DEFENSE
San Diego Wants Her Military Reserva-
tion Improved
War Suggesting the Proprlety OF
Erecting Coast Defenses

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-Senator Perkins
has sent the following letter to Secretary
of War Lamont:
"My Dear Sir:-The people of the Pacific
coast have of late had occasion to consider
their means of defense in time of war, and
are not reassured by the conditions which
they discover TO exist. Tho city of San
Diego, particularly, finds itself without for
tiications, military post or naval vessel,
aud its common council has adopted res
olution affirming the urgent necessity. of
means for such protection as is needed be-
ing quickly supplied. | would, therefore,
respectfully ask whether it is not in the
power of The war department to establish
military post on the reservation which was
set apart for this purpose on Point Iona.
Fourteen hundred acres were given to the
government for such post, and tho peo-
pie of San Diego are of the opinion that
the time has come when it is needful 10
put this land to the use for which it was
designated"
Senator Perkins presented in the senate
the resolution of the common council OF
San Diego requesting that the government
station a warship at that port permanent
ly, and that military post be established
on the reservation set aside for that
PURPOSE.
The herald., 1896-01-15
An Embezziemsnt Case

DENVER, Jan. 14.-It became known to-
day that the grand jury last week found
indictments against Matt Adams, ex-clerlk
of the district court, for the alleged embez-
element of $4,000, and against W. r.
Perry on a charge of embezzliug $1700 OF
county money. Mr.. Perry was arrested
today and gave bonds. 1t is said that Adj
ans is in South america and steps will at
once be taken to have him brought back.
The expert is still at work on the books.
Perry's defalcation became known two or
three years ago, at which time he went to
Europe. He recently returned to stand
trial. The indictment only covers part of
the alleged shortage.
The herald., 1896-01-15
The Merrill Murder

WASHINGTON. Jan. 14.-Through Gen.
eral Wheat report has reached the war
department from Captain Godfrey, Sew.
enth cavalry, at San Carlos agency, in
which the captain says he is satisfied that
Captain Mayors, the Indian agent there,
has done all in his power to de-
termine whether or not the muir
derers of the Merrill family have
been on the reservation since the murder
and whether the crime was committed by
Indians. The captain reports that he is
now convinced that the renegade NASSAU is
the murderer. If he has been on the res
ervation since the murder the Indians don't
know it.