davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17

ing. OF course the boy who set it afire
cannot hold it more than a second, so
he throws it swiftly to the boy next to
him. Tbs boy sees the flaming ball
coming and he must catch it in his
hands and throw it before it burns him.
He may take any boy in the ring by sur
prise, and if that boy drops it he is not
only out of the game but he must pay
a heavy forfeit for his carelessness.
This forfeit usually consists in making
the ''fumbler" stoop over and allow
himself to be struck once with a hat or
knotted handkerchief by each of the
other players.
When one ball is used up another
lighted and the game continues mer-
rily. OF course the players become
well blackened and sometimes just a
little scorched, but the intense excite
ment of the game makes up for all that.
Not only is this game played in the
south, but the boys of the north also
have a hand at it. Instead of cotton
they use the fluffy head of the marsh
flag, commonly known as the cat-tail,
which, as you know, falls apart when
dry in a eottony mass. This makes
just as good fire-ball as cotton. Where
cat-tails cannot be obtained sometimes
cotton batting is used.
Right in this connection many boys
would doubtless be glad to know that
dried cat-tails make excellent torches.
The stalks should be cut as long as
possible and the heads of the cat-tails
well saturated with kerosene oil. When
lighted they will burn for long time
with flare that will Guido most ready
made torches. No doubt there are COM
panies of boys who would like to march
in the political parades of the present
campaign. If they do they will find
cat-tail torches very great attraction
and they can be supplied at little or no
expense Chicago Record.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
CIVIL SERVICE REFoa.a.
Omeers Elected and Resolutions Adopt I'd
by the National League.

Omcers Elected and Resolutions Adopg ID
by che National League.
Philadelphia, Dec. lZ.-IAe Delegates
to the annual meeting Of the National
Civic Service Reform league. which he-
gan Thursday in Hotel Walton. held a
business session Friday morning. Pres
iGent Schurz was in bad voice. and
Henry Hitchcock, OF st. Louis, presided
The officers elected were:
President. Carl schurz. New YORK:
vice presidents. Charles Francis Adams.
Boston: Augustus r. McDonough. New
York; Rt. Rev. Henry c. Potter, New
York: j. Han Pleasant. Baltimore: Henry
Hitchcock. St. Louis Henry c. Lea, Phila-
delphia; Franklin MacVeagh. Chica go
William Potts. New York. and Archbishop
+. J. Ryan. Philadelphia
Charles j. Bonaparte, of Baltimore
chairman of the committee on resolu-
TORS. presented the report Of that body,
which was adopted after some changes.
synopsis of the resolutions follows:
They. refer TO the fact that for the first
Tune since the organization of the league
us principles were openly repudiated and
revival of discarded abuses threatened in
the platform put forth by a national con
Vention and in the public declarations Of a
candidate for the presidency, and CON
graduates the country that the purpose
thus foreshadowed to undo the good ac-
compished by persistent effort during a
generations space have failed of ron
summation" The league congratulates the
country on the truly remarkable" prog
less OF reform under the second adminis-
tration OF President Cleveland, and sSPe-
eialIy during the past year, and declares
that FOR this great achievement. advanc-
ing as II does the fundamental principles
Of free government. President Cleveland
deserves the sincere and heartfelt thanks
or all good citizens" The league recognizes
in the president-elect a friend TO ciyil-seIV-
ice reform. and urges that ne adopt as soon
as may be practicable a plan which may
enable him to base his nominations for
non-political presidential offices such as
postmasters and consuls, upon ascertatned
fitness and efficiency. regardless of party
or other affiliations. The league further
suggests TO the president-elect that the
public interest would be advanced If no re-
movals were made of fourth-class rost-
masters, except for cause. and il submits
the advisability of extending the system Of
registration of laborers to all departments.
AT the afternoon session a number
of interesting papers were read, and the
meeting adjourned sine die. 1t is prob
able that the next annual meeting will
be held at Cincinnati. The place will
be selected by the executive committee.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
TRADE REVIEW.
eonditiens Put OF Furthea Improv raent
Init the New Year.

InrIl the New Year.
New York. Dec I2-R q, dun & Co,
II their weekly review of trade, say:
Approach OF holidays and doubt about
the action or congress pu5 of further i'm
proYemeuts until the new year While in
austries have gained in working forces
they are waiting for comm. ensurat tie gaia
IN demand, ana meanwhile ere trying 10
clear away embarrassments which restrict
them. Speculation has been hating aud
timid. There is no sober-minded fear o.
Foreign dlIhclity. lat some have succeeded
IN Imagining hat congress might go SO far
oeyoEd Inc president prudent message re
gard4ng CuDa as 10 embroil this country
with Spain. Money is in abundant supply,
lending in London continues and there is
nothing TO cause less activity in genera
business except that the rush of oroers de-
ferred until after election has not been
continued. The volume of business shown
BY clearings has been for the week 81 per
cent smaller than last year
The wheat market Was weakened with
less gloomy news from other countries and
larger western receipts. though only $751;
al4 bushels, against 6,U05, 4U4 last year Dis
appointment about the break in prices NAV
help to increase receipts. The market has
declined IA cents, and the decrease in de-
:nand for flour with high rail rates has
closed nearly all the Superior Duluth anu
many of the other northwestern mills.
THE iron output December ] was IA, 27s
tons weekly. against l24gn November /.
and 2i37I a year ago, and unsold stocks re-
ported were 3l,901 tons smaller than No
vemher J. but these do not include stocks
Of the great steel companies. The entire
Industry IS for the time demoralized by
uncertainty regarding the great combina-
tions.
Textile Industries are working larger
force than in October, but there is not
much evidence of larger demand, and some
kinds of goods are accommodating. As raw
cotton is lower, some yielding in prices of
staples is expected and buying is on that
account more restricted. few qualities of
goods having slightly declined Print
cloths are weak in tone. with enormous
stocks. Wooden goods are not in better de-
mand. and there is general indisposition to
make commitments ahead
Failures for the week have been $50 in
the United States. against S33 last year.
and 4S in Canada, against 81 last year"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
NOTES FROM OTHER TOWNS.
Mccartney.

Your correspondent hegs leave t. be ex-
cused for not writing before as he. has been
gone from home some time.
The cold weather OF the past closed up
the river So it was safe for foot passengers
To cross but the soft weather OF the last
week has broken up the ice and the rise in
the river has made il dificult to cross in any
way
Corn husking is about finished aud we'll
hlied cribs is the result
Alarge crowd Of men gathered al John
Readings last week for the purpose Of rais-
ing a log stable, after which they all sat
down TO rich filled table 81 provisions cot
which your correspondent knows by eNper-
ienceJ The whole thing e1ded in love
feast
Several rabbit hunters from Dubuque
have secured our woods hunting rabbits for
the market so rabbit Is something hard to
ind.
our store near the station that was kept
by Dan Dodgc mas been sold to Jim Johnson,
who was formerly the operator at the G. Is.
& n depot Jim has laid In good supply
OF goods ana is down with prices to suit the
times
Frank slaught has built dine house just
on the hill known as Mccartney ridge
our school II the Elwen district kept BY
Clarence Brocket is increasing Ia number
and As Clarence says has more than usual
and more Ia come.
Revival meetings started at Bsrton last
week by Rev Dixon.
Geo W Kantz from cassyille was III our
neighhorhood last week selling agricultural
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
TOOK THEIR OWN LIVES.
Two Prominent California Ladies Found
Dead in Their Home.

San Francisco, Dec. 12.-Mrs. Sarah
II. Cooper and her daughter, Harriet
Cooper, were found dead in their homo
in this city yesterday morning with
ct suicide. Both were widely known as
workers in the cause of temperance.
Christianity and philanthropy 1t is
supposed that the deed was committed
because Of church scandal in which
they at first sided with the pastor and
then turned against him and were
snuhbed by FORMER friends.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
TREATY OF PEACE.
Establishment of a Permanent Court of
Arbitration Expected Soon.


Arbitration Expected Soon.
Washington, Dec. 14.-The negotia-
tons between the United States and
Great Britain for treaty of general ar
bitration, covering all subjects Of diff
ference between the two English-speak-
ing nations, present and prospective,
have advanced to a stage of complete
ness far beyond what the public has had
reason to believe. The purpose of Sec
rotary Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote
is to conclude the negotiations within
the next three weeks. All of the sub
stantial features of the treaty have been
agreed on. From the present status of
the negotiations it is believed the fol-
lowing will be the important terms of
the treaty:
Il A term of five years from the date of
the exchange of ratification within which
the treaty shall be operative.
20. court of arbitration of six members
three to be drawn from the judiciary OF
the United States and three from the
judiciary of Great Britain.
49, The submission to this tribunal of all
differences between the two nations, now
pending or to arise within the period of
five years, this not to include the Behring
sea question or the Venezuela ques-
ton, now before independent COM
missions. but to include the question of the
boundary between Alaska and British
North America"
The completion of this treaty will
mark an important epoch in the rela-
tons between the two English-spealing
nations, and in the judgment of those
who have been most identified with its
consummation it will be the most i'm
4 q
Ter in the history of their mutual deal
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
EIRE-RALL PLAYING.
a Splendid sport Of which the Boys Of
Texas Are Very Fond.

About the time every year that the
negroes begin contemplating the boys
Of Texas have rare sport playing with
ire-balls. just at evening they gather
from the field a pile of cotton-pods and
take them to nearby common or
field. As soon as it is dark they 90 out
in force, carrying with them can of
coal oil. or kerosene. Several of the
cotton balls are wadded together in
solid mass and saturated with the oil.
Then the boys separate in big circle,
standing Is or 20 feet apart.
''All ready" shouts the boy who
holds the dripping ball of cotton.
Ready, ready" comes the word from
the other players.
a match is lighted and in a moment
the coal oil in the cotton ball is blaz-
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
TRAINED cHAMELEoNs.
what Girl Accomplished with Two OF
Those Reptiles.

tA%"s+NN
These Reptiles.
Much has been writtel about the
beauty. the stupidity and the vicious
ness Of the lizard tribe, and l want to
say a word about the intelligence of
the chameleon. a little reptile belong
ing 10 the great lizard family. and III
size the nntipodes Of the alligator.
its big brother.
The incident | now relate came un-
der my personal observation and dem
onstrates that the chameleon is sus-
ceptihle TO education and can be
ranked with animals classed much
higher in the scale of intellectual de
velopment.
Miss Henrietta Keene. a little lady OF
IL years, living in Philadelphia. was
presented with two Florida chameleons,
and she at once began instructing and
educating her pets. By continued gem
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 ard Baby and
nodded their little heads knowingly.
She thcu Taught them 10 stand up
on their hind legs and put their little
forepaNs together and stand IN the at
ttude Of prayer looking solemn and
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 90 with every sign go JOY and
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
issues an Address.

San francisco, Dec. Charles r.
Lane, chairman Of the national bimetal-
list committee, has issued an address
to his followers urging them 10 sus-
pend active agitation Of thc subject OF
free coinage Of silver for the present
and to JON in unfolding he hands OF
Mai. Mckinley as president of the
United StateS, and 10 support him il,
all efforts to increase the prosperity of
the people
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
TRAGEDY IN IOWA.
Young Man Mortany Wounds lis Father
and Kills Himself.

YOUNG NAH MOriaIIy Wounds l. Is Father
and Kills Himself.
Missouri Valley, Ia, Dec. 1l.-At
eight o'clock Thursday evening Ben
Freeman, shot and mortally wounded
his father, DR.. Freeman. of this city.
Then turning the weapon on himself,
Young Freeman sent bullet crashing
through his own brain, dying instantly.
DR.. Freeman was an old resident of this
city and well known throughout the
county. Young Freeman only arrived
home from California last week. The
cause of the murder and suicide is not
positively known, but domestic troubles
are limited at.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
FelI from a Trnin.

Columbia, Mo, Dec. ia man with
S2,9i5 fell from Missouri. Kansas d
Texas train near Wilton and was killed.
There was nothing whatever on MS per-
son by which he could be identified.
His ticket read from Denison. Tex, to
ST. Louis. Coroner Parker has taken
eharee OF the remains and money.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
CAN'T ENFORCE IT.
Antitrust Law Practically a Failure
Attorney-General Reports.

Washington, Dec. little annual re
port of Hon. Judson Harmon, attorney
general of the United States, was sent
to congress Thursday. Concerning the
antitrust law, he says that the re-
stricted scope of its provisions, as con-
structed by the courts, makes amend
ments necessary, if any effective action
is expected from the department of
justice.
A new crimes act is one of the things
the attorney general thinks is needed
Further defects in the criminal laws
were discovered during the past year
Criminal legislation is hopelessly con-
fused, says the attorney general.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
A. TIis netrothe,f,s Cr.r.

Toledo, O., Dee. l4.-Oyer the grave
OF his late fiance in Calvary cemetery
sunday morning Edmund u Wright,
aged 20, member OF a prominent To-
ledo family, committed suicide. After
placing a bunch Of flowers on the tomb.
Wright sent bullet into his heart,
dying almost Instantly.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
Grand Jury Refuses 30 Ind,ot.

Denver, Col, Dec. 12.-Andrew j.
Spute. who was accused of the murder
of his wife and four children several
weeks ago in Smiths lake, where they
were boating, has been fully cleared by
the unanimous refusal of the grand
jury to vote an Indictment. Spute will
not begin suit to collect the $4,000 in
surance on his wife's life.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
Ban Clubs in the Western ASSOCIATE,

Quincy, ILL.,, Dec. Ill. Hickey, pres
ident of the Western Baseball associa-
ton, has notified the Quincy Baseball
association that he has awarded Quincy
the eighth franchise in the Western as.
ISOLATION. This makes the circuit com
plete as follows: Quincy, Peoria, Rock
ford, ST. Joseph, Des Moines, RurIing-
ten. Cedar RAPIDS and Dubunue.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
Population of indianapolis.

Indianapolis, lnd., Dec. 14.-Ihe new
city directory will contain enough
names 10 give indianapolis population
of 10000, figuring on percentage of
2h for every name in the book. This
shows an increase of 1000 over the
1895 directory. The last city vote was
a few hundred over 10000.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
Empioyment for 5000 Men.

Pittsburgh, Pa, Dec. 1l.--A general
resumption of operations in the river
coal mines will take place in few days.
giving employment to about 6,0oo men.
The miners will receive an advance III
wages Of 37ia cents per 100 bushels, the
agreement holding good until next
LILY.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17

London. Dee. II.-1he British ship
British Peer. Capt. Jones. which sailed
from london, October 4. FOR Cape Town
ana Portland. Gre. has beeH wrecked
Iii Saldanha bav. sonta Africa. 1t il be-
GeNed that ia persons persisted The
saic registered .aeS tons
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
coxey Leaves reople,. rartv.

MassiIIon, q, Dee. T. Cen" j. s.
CoXey has issued an open letierto Sena-
tor Marion Butler denouncing the dis
graeed peoples party. sold out 10 an
issue 50 insignificant as silver" He
tenders his resignation as member of
the national committee
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
80 Nenrs in .Innrnalism.

Philadelphia, Dec. 10 Eminent pub
lie men from many cities sat round
tile board nj the Hotel Walton WedneS-
day night and did honor 10 Col. Alex
ander X. Mcclure, editor of the Times
who that day completed ms ffteth year
ia journalism. toy. Hastings presided.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17

London. Dec. IA dispatch 10
news agency here announces the death
at san Reno, Italy. Of Alfred Nobel, a
Swedish engineer and chemist. Hcwas
The first 10 recognize the value Of nitro
giyceriue, and was the inventor If
number Of explosives.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
PROGRESS IN CHINA.
The Government Orders Establishment of
English schools.

English schools.
San Francisco, Dec. ll.-Tokio advices
say the Chinese government has
issu, astructions to the viceroys and
goyei 4ors throughout the empire to
establish schools for teaching the Eng
fish language and western sciences in
all the principal cities. The reason as
signed is that China desires to keep her
self on terms OF equality and in touch
with the great powers of Europe.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-17
GREATEST ON EARTH"
DR.. Miles Restorative Nervine.

Mr.. r. T Caldwell. is book keeper in
the First National Bank OF Fulton. Ky.
81 was completely run down, Ny nerves
became so unstrung through loss OF sleep
and worry that j felt sure / would be COM
awake all night long, and it took but little
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-03-27
Eager After the Nidder,
From the SorthGcld Ncw'


The widow who informed the suItu
upon returning from the burial of her
late husband that he was too late, DIS
a rival had proposed and been accepted
at the grave, was decidedly slow in
comparison with the estimable gentle.
men who are already engaged in can.
yass for the position Of Collector of
Customs for Vermont. The gentlemen
who are understood 10 be thus early in
the field are Hon. G.. G. Benedict of
Burlington, Col. George T. Childs of
st. Adams and Lieut.. Gov Mansur of
Island Pond, with several other as
pirants looking over the ground. The
canvass thus early commenced is I'M
derstood to have been precipitated by
Mr. Mansur. His reputation as "A
perennial Office holder leads to the con
clusion that in looking into the future
he was seized with sudden fear that
at the expiration Of his present term OF
office he might possibly become com
mon, every day, private citizen. The
thought was such chilly one that he
started III to propose 70
the widow who is not yet a widow. 1t
is no reflection on the other aspirants
that under these circumstances they
thought it necessary to inform certain
leading Republicans Of their intention
to be candidates.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-03-27

it's passing at this session. Thu
gcaernl impression is that the con
troy rsy will he settled by presenting
funding bill providing for an cxtcn
tion practically following the sugges
ions made by the railroad people.
The House Friday in the contested
election case Of Louisiana voted. 23l t'
80, to unseat Boatncr and give Bcnoit,
Republican. his place. Three Repub
lcans voted with most at the Demo
Gratis against the report.
The president has signed the bliI
providing that in considering claims
filed under the pension laws, HE death
of an enlisted man or officer shall be
considered az sufficiently proved II sat
isfactory evidence shows his absence
from his home and family for seven
years. But If he appears later the
pension shall cease.
Senator Gallinger has introduced Il
bill to amend the pension law SO that tho
fact that the applican was acceped
and mustered into the military or naval
service of the United States shall be
taken and held as sufficient proof
that such applicant was OF sound body
and mind at the time
The reply to Senator Hill's res llu-
tion, calling for the history Of the last
bond transaction, has been nearly com
plcted at the treasury department and
will soon go to the senate. The net
imports of gold during February were
50, 375, $50, which is more than twice the
net imports of February, 1895. Tho one
feature of the transactioI which light
be construed unfavorabIy to the
policy of popular loan is the statement
of Withdrawals of gold from the treasury
during the past 81, months. The aggrc-
gate of these Withdrawals from January
s. when Secretary Carlislc's circular
inviting bids became public to the
close OF business on the 18th was
$40, 975, 5l7 These Withdrawals have
been carefully analysed at the treasury
department with the help of Assistant
Treasurer Jordan of New York and ii
appears that SO, 065. l73 have been for
export and 81, i37, OF have been in
gold bars for the use of jewellers. This
leaves 500, i73, 277 withdrawn in gold
coin for other purposes presumably to
make payment for the bonds.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-03-27
The Railway Commission Law.

TTTVW t11U Nf010PtIIoT " '''V'T''F''TT'7
The law has been the gibc of the
public from the day of its enactment.
Major Grout has no rival claimant to
the honor of making the match from
which sprang this bonclcss, nervcless,
emasculated progeny. Had Speaker
Grout, in 1886, emulated the splendid
example of Speaker Martin, in 1882
in constituting the committee
that worked out, formulated and rca-
sonably reported the corporation tax
law of that wear. similarly bencficent
results for the state might have flowed
from his official action, and a cause of
personal reproach might have become
a source Of honor and enriable dis
tinction. But he betrayed the cause
of the people.