davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24
THE BRITISH OFFICES

The success Of Great Britains pos
tai saving bank system is familiar TO
most people, but is not SO WE'LL known
that each of the $4,000 pose-offices
which do a savings bank business is
also an Office of life insurance and for
the sale Of annuties. The savings bank
system permits deposits Of from one
shilling to ESQ a year. The interest is
paid at the rate Of IL per cent.
When q depositor's total account ex-
ceeds f200 no more deposits can be
made, but the depositOr can reduce his
account by buying consols through the
post-office, investing any sum from
one shilling upwards at the current
price Of the day. The post-office will
also sell stock obtained throug it,
charging commission of ninepence
for the purchase or sale of stock N
amounts below ELS Thousands of
working people thus become owners
Of government stock, while savings
banks under private management do
not endeaver to compete with the gov
eminent banks. Life insurance cam be
CD LS14hCu 1AA cil11OuIOS vi llU11 Id "
f100. The insurance is for children
between the age of and II years. The
policies can be made payable at death,
on the attainment of the age of 55, so
or 65, and UP to 40 years. A man or
woman Of "a or % can be insured for
f10 by payment throughout life of
four shillingS and four pence year
A policy holder whose annual payment
to the age of 60 of four shiIlings and
ten pence, or by a single payment of
"a 9s. The insurance premiums can
be paid by deposits in the savings
banks of sums not less than one shiil-
ing. The policy holder whose annual
payment is four shilIings and four
pence can put penny stamp ON a
blank each week and hand in the
blank at~the local post-office when it
has filled up. Or the premiums can be
paid out Of his savings bank deposits,
if he has any, when they become due.
insurance UP to f25 are made Witout
medical examination but in case Of
death within the year only the amount
OF the first premium viii be pad; in
the case of death before the third pre-
MUM is due, half OF the amount in
sured will be paid. AS postmaster
receives DO commission on life insur-
aHce the business is not pushed as it
IS by private companies. The annu-
tiles paid by the government are both
immediate and deferred. A man of 80
can secure an annuity of f1O by the
payment Of f2O4 los. 1Od; if he is so,
by the payment of f149 19s. p. A
boy of 10 can purchase an annuity of
IL payable at Sc for f5 lis. 3D., or As.
4d paid annually between 10 and so.
Nobody buys anmuities of so small an
amount as FL, but the payment Of
penny week affords a basis of calcu-
I2tion5 and the literature issued by the
government to advertise the system is
put in this form for convenience sake.
Buffalo Courier.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24
TWO BABIES.

There is a little baby
Always, gentle, always sweet,
Who doesn't lack a beauty
That can make a babe complete;
Who never cries untimely,
Who is never, never rude,
While anything she doesn't know,
No mortal baby could.
So winsome and 50 dainty,
Fen the careless turn to look
But oh! this perfect baby
Is a baby in a book
There is a little baby
With sunshine in her eyes,
With many a fault the critical
Might coldly criticise.
Her nose is over-saucy,
Her temper does incline
when her small world is going wrong
To take a twist like mine.
And half the people pass her by
Nor deem her worth a look,
But OH she suits me better
Than the baby in the book.
Mrs. George Archibald
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24
GAMBLING IN EUROPE.
Baccarat at the Clubs and Petits Che
VauX in Public

In Europe, except at Monte Carlo,
t2 bic gambling, such as roulette and
rouge ct noir, has long ago disappeared.
says Henry Watterson, in the Louis
vile COurier-Journal. Of course, bac-
carat, which is to the European gamb-
Ter what poker is to the American, is
played in the clubs and in other Sc
cluded places, often for very high
stakes. But the laws are everywhere
rigid against public gambling, and so
the Casino people have to resort to
other agencies for amusing the stran-
ger and Tightening his purse.
Petits Chevaux consists of a mechan-
iCal race course arranged to run by
electricity. Nine horses are placed.
Nine folded numbers are put in an oval
cushion passed around at the end of
a long handle among the players. Each
player takes one of these folded num-
bers corresponding to one Of the tin
horses, which are likewise numbered
from one to nine. The price varies
from one to two francs. All the tickets
disposed of, spring is touched and off
go the horses, dashing around and
round the track at breakneck speed,
but separating as they go. When the
momentum is exhausted one horse is
found in the lead. He who holds the
number corresponding to this horse
back for the bank. To vary this
scheme Of open and fragrant robbery,
beats are sometimes substituted for
horses, and yacht race takes the place
OF the horse race. Thus a man is given
the option of losing his money on water
equally with that of losing it on land.
Such game could never have existed
in America. 1t is too simply, obviously
and absurdly against the player.
But at last the fat-witted European,
along with the gullible stranger, has
got on to it, as the saying is, and less
petits chevauX and autour dulac no
longer suffice to lure the unwary. But
even in Europe there is a certain pro-
gress. So the Casino people have AIDED
to their old race course layout an
appendage or annex which looks very
like gambling. This is on either side
Of the machine or table, on which in
bright gold figures appear the numerals
to correspond with the horses. You
bet on one of these numbers. There
are nine of them. If you win you get
five to one If you bet on three in a
bunch you get even money. In order
to show, however, that this is not
gambling, there is a Iimit-from one
TO five francs, according to the wealth
and size of the casino or kursaal. I
am told that at the more ambitious of
these and late at night, there is a good
deal OF very steep rolling. But as l
never sit up late at night, l can give
no direct testimony CT this point.
1t viii be seen at once that the sole
merit of this method of pretending not
to gamble lies in the bold. transparent
robbery which it embodies. It is worse
than mock auction or church rattle
II l wanted to teach a child to be a
sport and to plant in its young and
tender bosom the thoroughbred's love
o. gambling, I would bring him here
and stake him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24
CHRISTMAS.

Christmas come and bring again
Holly berries all aglow,
Rowing minstrel's merry strain,
Joy-wreath and mistletoe,
Sweet reunions, friendly faces,
Tender thoughts; bring, too, for me,
My Lady's kiss and fond embraces,
And thy poet I will be,
Singing oft
In measures soft
OF love and thee!
w. r. Hill.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Earthquake shocks are reported in
England and Norway.
Forty students were arrested in Mos
COW end number of political papers
seized in their lodgings
Specie! Chinese ENJOYS now in Italy
have placed several orders for large
battleships and cruisers.
Godart and Surcauf, the French aer-
onauts, are about to organize balloon
expedition to the North Pole.
There is no truth in the reported es-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24

The officers of the United State So
cieties Of the Christian Endeavor So
ciety have announced that the dates
OF the next International Christian En-
deayor convention will be held July
TIP, 1897. San Francisco has already
been selected as the place.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24

fidence, Mr.. Teller said, there is OBJ
permit it to become a law without
silver attachment. No republican
senator was supporting the bill in
god faith
Mr., { )rman al i easing Mr.. Hale
said: You know you cannot accom-
plish anything this session. The
Dingley bill will not suffice. You can
not afford to pass it aud upturn the
business Of the country again at the
next session and moreover we won't
permit you TO do it." With tbs def
mite statement Mr.. German closed.
Mr.. Hale looked relieved and re-
remarked THAT is ample;' while Mr..
Allen from his seat said: then it is
understood that the Dingley bill IS
dead" Mr.. Sherman felt that
he could safely announce
chat the Dingley bill could be
passed and it was useless to waste
further time upon it.
Washington, Dec, 16.-Mr. Bal
ley created ripple of excite
ment at the opening session Of the
house by asking for the immediate con-
sideratiOn OF a resolution to investi-
gate the construction of the battle ship
Texas. Mr.. Dingley thought the res
olution ought to be considered by the
committee on naval affairs before be-
ing acted upon. The resolution was
referred.
THURSDAY.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE senate
passed the Lodge immigration
bill, with new section pro-
viding that exclusion shall not
apply to persons arriving from
Cuba during the continuance Of the
present disorders there The
bill amends the immigration laws
so as to exclude from admission to the
United States all persons over Is years
who cannot read and write the Ian
guage Of their native country or
some other language, but an admis-
sible immigrant over the age of is
may bring with him or send for his
wife, parent, grandpaTent or minor
child Or grandchild, notwithstanding
their inability to read and write. No
Immigrant failing to read and write
cut the slip in a test under the inspec-
tors shall be admitted; but shall be
returned to the country whence he
came at the expense of the steamship
or railroad company which brought
him, as now provided by law. An
amendment by Mr.. Elkins rep, W.
Va proposing a tax of $40 head on
immigrants coming in other than
American ships was tabled.
The bill was passed by a vote OF
50 yeas and 10 nays. Those voting in
the negative were Senators Black
burn, Blanchard, Caffery, Lindsay,
Mills, Mitchell CWis.) Morgan, Muir
ply, Palmer and Villas, all democrats.
AS the measure passed it is a substi-
tute for the house bill. A conference
was ordered, with Messrs. Lodge,
Chandler and Faulkner as conferees
on the part of the senate
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE house
passed the third of the
regular appropriation bills Cor
the support of the army and en-
tered Oh consideration of the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial bill. The
latter carries $21, 669, 1863, or $685.
500 more than the law for the current
year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24


humor,
The up-to-date girl need not grieve;
ii the bike won't go into her boomers,
II will surely go into her sleeve.
Puck.
Christmas once more! The season
Oh JOY and peace on earth,
VIXEN all is full to overflow
OF happiness and mirth;
y nen every heart with gladness
Is fain to chirp and sing;
Wien care and Grabbed rancies fly
And kindness is king.
Will you get me Christmas book,
my dear?"
She asked, with a kindly look,
And he answered: My darling, I've
got it here"
And he gave her pOcketbook;
Then she Rugged and kissed him for
half a minute,
For she saw there was something
handsome in it.
New York Press.
Christmas comes but once er year,
Niger don't stan no show,
Ev'ry white man git his sheer
Dis de way hit go:
Oughts er ought,
Five's er tigger-
All fer de white man
None fer de Niger
Sole my cotton de yuuher day,
F'otch ten cents er poun',
White man say, "Des step dis way"
En- look on de books en- foun':
q" 'Oughts er ought,
Five's er figger-
All fer de white man
None fer de Niger"
Heard er Shanghai rooster crow
Loud en- long fer day,
But 1 found er lock on de fowl-house
do.
En- er ole tukky gobbler say:
'Oughts er ought,
Five's er figger-
All fer de white man
None fer de niger"
Spec when it come to de las great day,
En- l ak fer a starry crown,
I'll hear de angels sing en- say,
Ez dey pint to de stairway down:
Oughts er ought,
Elves er figger-
All fer de white man
None fer de niger
Bart HOsey.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24

Bring in more coal and pile it higher
Beyond the bounds of reason;
A truce to economic fire
At this most merry season.
Stir up the flames to light the hearth
Their roar is full of laughter;
Today we live in warmth and mirth,
Though cold and care come after.
Let all the elders gather round,
Let children take their places,
Let joyful, cheerful looks be found
On all the firelit faces.
The shadows dance around the room,
The flames are growing DINNER,
But ever on the sacred gloom,
There spreads a ruddy glimmer.
'Tis then some veteran voice is heard
To speak in tones impressive,
And ev'ry heart is deeply stirred
To hear the tale aggressive.
The ruddy fire again we raise,
Once more the flames are leaping,
And laughter peals with ev'ry blaze,
A merry Christmas keeping.
Sam Wood.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24

Dame Fashion fills Christmas with
humor,
The up-to-date girl need not grieve;
ii the bike won't go into her boomers,
II will surely go into her sleeve.
Puck.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24
FN&Nt@-> -ATI~Sf--<l ~
4P0 GAIK

KRIS KRINGLEs MERRY JINGLEs.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-24

Christmas bells are gaily ringing,
Hear the merry, laughing chime;
HAPPY thoughts their peals are bring
ing,
Or the joyous Christmas-time,
Evry leaping tongue rejoices,
Clear and high their praises ring;
Shout, ye people, lift your voices,
Hail the birth of Christ the King
Peace on earth," all discord stilling,
Comes to man the sweet refrain;
Listen, how all hearts are thrilling
With the strange and mystic strain.
Now the notes fall soft and tender,
Dropping downward through the air;
Dreary hut or home of splendOr,
All the gracious message share
Now again triumphant sounding,
Jubilates high we raise
Gift to man, with love Astounding,
Christ's nativity we praise;
Rising sinking, dying, swelling,
All your cheerful music telling
Of the Christ-child wondrous birth.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30

Tho FIRST AUGUST prize consists Of
Cabinet ~ Twelve Games. Including
Bang. Cities OF our Country. Flip. Fox
and Geese. and other favorites. This Will
DO eVon to rHE FIRST ONE sending Ia
q correct answer Co $50. S3. which was
published on The first sunday IN August.
The SECOND PRIZE viii be, a Collec-
tiOn OF Tfir,v Beautiful Gems. among
them being garnet. turquoise. black onyx.
ll0ol-ef0ne. and various agates.
This uIl he given 90 the child sending
Tie greatest number OF correct answers
20 fIc other puzzles.
The names ~ those who have won these
wl ha announced next sunday that
being che frst Sunday in September.
All answer. must ho in NOT later than
this coming wednesday morning, WITH
OFT FAIL. ,.l.......A
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
CBPGAs.

Dear Timess-You asked Us 20 write you
some letters. and so I thought I'd send
one l read the Little Folks page every
week; l like Il. aud Ike TO see what
the childrea write. I didn't go away this
summer. Hasn't II been hot one.
though. Yours.
JIMMIE BARNEY.
Dear Mr.. Times:--I ain girl read
the Chudrens Page. ! don't want my
name signed. please. JGst say T.. Z. 4.
went away this summer, but dldn l
stay long. went % Maryland 10 seo my
grandmother She has big iaim ana
l had lovely time. she learnt me how
70 milk a COW aud how 70 make butter.
There's a brook on the farm, ana she
let Us wade In e. l gained nlnetseA
pounds. I'm homo now. Il. E' l.
Dear Times.-I wish / could write pet
ter, but you said you'd publish all the
letters I hope you wont leave mine out.
I'm only seven We live in the coun-
try. | Ike 70 better than the city. Some
times. though I like 10 90 TO the cry
I've seen The Times Building where you
are. think it's very handsome build
ing. and big one. saw 1t at the he-
union. Whew Didn't II have lots or
flags. though. hope you'll publish this.
WILLIE S.
Dear Edltor:-My prize consisting or
thirty-two curiositles. was received yes
terday. and am very much pleased.
llease accept many thanks Tor H.
Yours truly.
DUDLEY x. JOHNSTON.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30

l know little lass.e.-yes. l know her
very we'll.
Her name you ask7 don't believe shea
Ike % have ma tell;
But ] suppose In nave 10 call her some
thing Ia NY rhyme
And so IN name her Dust pro tenn.
"Jhe Gin who hadn't time"
This morning a; the breakfast table. I
was much afraid
Her hair had not been combed at all
twas such a "tousled" braid
She hadn't time TO comb I'll Ia! Al
very well mayhap
But ! wonder where she got tho tine 20
take the second nap.
And then she "hadn't time enough" 10
get 10 school IN season;
And then she missed her lesson and the
teacher asked She reason.
why. she hadn't 'ime" 70 learn ~
Now. I think q queer don't you?
Where she found thu time 20 read hat
book Of fairy tales quite through.
0, she's always very busy whom the .aSls
should te set
Qt We waited her convenience. WIZ. 10
might be waiting ye,0
And both her brothers know 7uite VOL
that she could never stop
For the fraction OF a jlftT .ust % help
thom mend their top.
An me, The fact. 7 fear that each M
biased mind must strike.
Is. the things she hasn't time Cor are tho
things she doesn't rss.
Minnie LeOna Upton.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
Literary NelN. Miles.

The leading article IN The Critic OF Au-
gust p. IS as striking as one might eN-
pect II 10 be from its unusual heading
"HullabalOo." IT IL a story Of the con-
yention as "the billboard OF modern
thought" on which are advertised our
noble desires or posted our national sins.
The recent episode at Chicago Is taken
as a text The article is full OF pungent
truths. toWibly and effectively expressed.
There is letter from Andrew Lang. a
string OF bautcring verses on the Yater-
cure fad (Ihe Barefoot Brlgade'J and
q number of little pictures illustrating
Burns birthplace and favorite resorts.
Primitive Buddhism; It's Origin aud
Teachings Is a title OF new book by
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Reed. The recently
awakened interest in the PHILOSOPHERS OF
the East and especially in the subject OF
buddhism, Will md "A fresh impetus In the
announcement OF this work. II claims 70
present, IN as brief a manner as Is con-
siStent with accuracy, the authoritative
teachings or primitive Buddhism as found
IN tho Sacred Books OF the East, the
official documents OF the early Buddhist,
and elsewhere. The book is TO be pub
lshed BY Scott, toresman * Co.. Of Chi
cage.
The same firm also announces the early
issue or new ana sumptuOuS holiday edi-
TONS OF Benjamin H. Tayl0r's Songs OF
Yesterday and Or. VIM. Mathews Get
ting on in the World
Believing that much Of the Increasing
diihculty encountered in hastily selecting
passages OF Scripture OF suitable de-
Youonal character, Sylyanus Stall -. H.
careful Bible student and the author Of
several VARIABLE books, has prepared
youme OF 800 selections from tie Bible
Tor daily devotiOns, Ind the Funk q Wag-
nails Company OK New York will publish
tho same IN a few days In a neat dollar
voIume. The selections arc also for use
III the chapel services OF colleges, the
opening deNOton5 In the public schools.
and Tor the daily use Of Christian In
deayorers and members OF other societies
OF young people.
The Shetland Islands viii be the scene
OF new novelette,. entitled PRISONERS Of
Conscience by Mrs. Amelia l.. Barr. The
nrst part or which VIII appear Ia the
September Century. The Characters in
the story are nsner-iOlk broaght Up In
the most rigid tenets OF CMYinism and
they are hedged about with the ''phAn-
toms OF gloomy creed. IhiOugJ INC
tragedies that enter the hero's life. be ~
brought 10 a mller faith, reading the
promises as well as the penalties vi th,
Scriptures. Mr.. Louis Loeb. the artist
who furnishes the Illustrations, vas sent
10 the shetland Islands 10 make 40
Messrs Henry Hoi, & Co. viii issue
Immediately International Biu,etaili..n
by President Walker Of the Massachu.
sets Institute OF Technology. The book
Is the outcome OF course OF lectures
d.vered aQ Harvard University al.i
was prepared without reference 70 tbs
impending political contest In the United
States. The volume. however, will not
only prove instructive with reference tol
tho question Wnicn Is destined 10 underlla'
that great struggle, but Will also prove j
most valuable work OF reference. treating
as Il does, OF the precious metals frofh
the earliest times down 10 the preseult
cay,
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
ADMINISTRATION.

g3.-TRANSPOSIT1O
Worace, Book l. ode VII)
Tell me. I conjure you, Lydia tair,
BY all the powers that dwell above.
Why you seek, with guile and srttul care,
sybaris to snare In tots OF love.
Know you not that he "a well-n,gh OSEf
And why. unless your spells drive out
All the noble strength that proudly won
The palm In many a manly oout3
Tell mo why he shuns the wrestlers' ring
And why he. TWO 10 dust and heat
Hates the sunny plain. and breads to brtns
lis arms and mounted equals meet.
Why IN. Gallio steed hs fails to guide
And boldly eu~b with otted rein;
WHY he fears the yellow T1oer's tide.
which once could not his course con-
s.raln.
Tell ne Why he fears the QUOT TO throw.
Ana why MS spear seeks not the mark;
why IN martial games he does not show
Ills muscles drm. with bruises dark.
+. 5. NJ.
If-CHARADE.
Dialect Dittes. Franco-Angiaise.
| meet % tAlf Aill-4 iNa4"o a. -4''''-N
Blancs soiree:
Ze creme dc Ia creme OF gay Paree vas
zare cen bright array;
Boot OF zem all.-ze bellies. ze lanes es
grsnas toilette arrsyed'
Fare beautee vas "a ordinalre be side zis
Yankee maid.
She vas &c ONE 20 naturel' re naive, re
dehouair-
She hat &c fraicheur. re sang fro!d, she
haf re savoir-faire.
Her eyes gay shone like stars $50 deed re
jewels cen ze hairl
She COON from ALL not ware long TWO
her pere's re millonaireD
I haf re introduction. Zen l haf re tete-
8-tete.
0 loafy belle Amerlcalne, at last I meet
my Fate
To win re brfde-to Win re gold-yas efes
chance so rare2
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
OUR SMALL PEOPLES DEPARTMENT.
STORIES AND PUZZLES.
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR VACATION?
WRITE AND TELL us ABOUT IT.
Read Below he Letters PbHhd We Lots More This Week, and Shall
Polish Those On Next SndayPii Awarded Then So Don't Fail
oR Read Your Page-An Letters Received Will Be Published.
HNo. ou One Sunday Then on

Tn, Next.

Craaawa says. some single word
lias by multitude been heard
And caused thousand thoughts 10 grow:
And. surely. Grandma ought 10 know.
Ga 1lma says "a SINCE smile
Iias travelled on for many a mile,
AID scattered hate and tears and woe;
And. surely. Grandma ought 10 know.
Grandma s1ys. "a helping hand
)llF reached across a m ghiy laDd-
Much further than our steps could go;
And. surely. Grandma ought 10 know.
--Tla Randall Pearce. la Little Men and
" omen.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30

4 red glass makes everything seen
through II red.
While blue glass turns everything blue;
So whom every one seems TO you selfish
or cross.
Perhaps the real fault IS I'm You,
--ifonuotta d. Eliot. in Little Men and
Women.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30

Prize Puzzls Column
ALL ANSWERS MUST Pc IN pY
WEDNESDAY, REMEMBER.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30

A Bridgeport (Conn.) couple sold their
child three years ago for one hundred
dollars. and now they want II baik
again. AS the purchasers OF the chpd
refuse to Yield the httls one. the paFsnes
have begun SUIT,