davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
AMIABLE IN ADVERSELY.
This Genial Greenhorn Took Every
thing Good Naturally.
Madisn, Dec. Is
Fisher .

Mrs. G. of Staten island had in her
fcation for the position of waitress
which she possessed upon her arrival
in this country was a pretty face. She
was voluble of speech and slow Of
comprehension, and many a house
keeper would have given her marching
orders at the end of the first week;
but Mrs. G. thought there was the
making of a good servant in her, and
so kept her.
After the girl had been with her a
month and had learned how to serve
soup without splitting it down the backs
of the diners, Mrs. G. gave a dinner,
to which were invited two very dig
nifed people, in whose home every
thing ran with the smoothness of a
chronometer, and she was naturally
anxious to approximate that smooth
ness in the service of her dinner
For two courses everything went as
heart could wish. Bridget refrained
from speech, spilled not thing, was
attentive to the wants of the guests and
looked as pretty as a fresh Irish girl
can, which is saying great deal.
But when she removed the fish and
attempted to take it downstairs to the
kitchen she tripped on the top step and
with a scream and a series of bumps
and crashes she and the fish accom-
plished the descent.
Mrs. G. and her family vainly tried
to keep from laughter. There was
such cheerful bump sound in her
uowngoing. The two dignified guests
were as adamant. They evidently
heard nothing. But even their risibles
were not proof against what followed.
Mrs. G. sat irresolute for a moment,
hoping that the girl would not require
assistance. And she did not. In the
richest of accents a voice came UP the
basement stairs:
did We hear me? Fell arl the way
downstairs an landed on me fut loike
a burrd. "-Harpers Bazaar.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

games with these institutions can be
arranged.
Miss Grace CIoes, captain of the vic
torious sophomore team of last year, is
acting IS captain Of the varsity team.
After the holidays the election Of a
captain for the coming season will
take place. Miss Cloes has just made
her selection Ct the regular team as
fellows: Forwards, Margaret Rogers,
Grace Greenbank, Grace Cloes; cen
tiers, Helen Verplar ok, Ferne Ryan,
Leta Sherman; guards, Gertrude Sher-
man, Frances Brayton ana Jane A.
Stearns. Nearly all of these played on
some enc of the teams last year. Miss
Sherman is the only freshman to make
the varsity team.
From now on practice games will be
played with the substitute team. This
includes: Forwards, Daisy Campbell,
Marcia Jackman, Anna Valentine;
centers, Mabel Fletcher, Gladys Gale,
Grace Merrill; guards, Carrie Dilatush,
Flora Mansfield and Lillian Stowel.
Miss Marcia Jackman is acting as
captain of this team. She was a mem
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

President Adams who with the pre-
ceptress finally decided that only fac
ulty members, married persons and
young men who had arrived at years
Cf discretion should be admitted
Then followed long debates on the
comprehension Of years Of discretion
The insinuation by the sopnomres that
this meant the practical disbarring Of
all the young men of the naughty
naughts did not tend to narrow the
breach between the class teams. Each
girl was finally PRIVILEGED to invite one
guest but the freshmen cancelled the
game and the result was contest with
team Of seniors and juniors. At this
same Dr.. Elsom and Lieut.. Brooks
were the officials and they displayed
admirable courage in extricating
themselves from the flying masses Of
braids and dashing UP and down be-
tween the goal pests keeping tab.
1t is probable that some public
games will be played this year also
and that some state games can be ar
ranged. Last year the Milwaukee,
Downer girls were anxious for game
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
A CHRISTMAS REVERE.

On winters evening long ago
Meath a graceful branch of the
mistletoe- -
Sweet Florence stood; and as our eyes
Met in a look of faint surprise,
While sweetest smiles played DER her
pressed my love in fond embrace.
But now full many a winters blast
Has over my life its sorrows cast,
Yet I see once more the CRATE aglow
And the doorway hung with the
m1stletoe,
And the beautiful Florence, tall and
fair,
Waits for a step on the outer stair.
The years roll on, and a fathers care
Has changed to grandfather's easy
chair;
And again the parlor ablaze with light
Brings back the scenes of a winter s
night,
And a grandfather's blessing l now
bestoW
On the Florence there meath the
mistletoe.
Long, sorrowful years have slowly
sped
Ger the mound where lieth my Flor
ence, dead;
Tho the silent grief 1 have borne each
day
Has faded my locks to a silvery
gray,
Yet the memories hid in this heart OF
mine
Are precious jewels to me divine
And l hope for naught but soon to 60
Where Florence waits meath the
mistletoe.
Madisn, Dec. Is. Willard Fisher.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

The game is an excellent and excit-
ing one. 1t is becoming the great
game in wCmens gymnasiums. Some
opp sition IVES shown it here at first
but this was because of it's innovation,
the girls athletic department having
remained deplorably behind for so
long. It is not as dangerous, nor does
it smack so much Of the sensational as
does that Ct girls fixing to crew work.
Il is good training in discipline and
makes the young women healthy and
strong and adds a zest to college life.
Some rules a hard to enforce. Some
players hang on to the ball with des
p3rate energy, and others, ca oturlag
It after a desperate struggle, run Q
quarter-stretch. Occasi- nauy mis-
ups result in showers of hair-ping ans
shrteks eft have it!"-.No it's
mine!" etc. Sometimes a goal is made
by pure luck and again someone is "a
simply-elegant-thrower." It is a fast
game but not a rough one As one
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

Some time ago an opportunity seemed
to present itself when a formal chal-
ienge was received from the ladies'
basket ball team of the University of
Nebraska to matched game in the
west. So enthusiastic were the prairie
girls for contest that Captain Grace
Cloes of the varsity team has received
letters upon letters from them urging
the badger girls to accept the chal-
1enge and offering t. pay all their ex-
penses to and from Nebraska and
promising them a royal time on their
visit. Monday Miss Mayhem, mistress
of ladies' hall ana instructor in ply
steal culture. laid the matter before
President Adams. He, alas, was op-
posed to the idea Of the young ladies
going outside of the state to play, but
said he would have no objection to
games within the state Accordingly
the girls will have to content them
selves with the glory f detecting the
Observation-Disclosures and Beloit teams il
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
DRIFT OF THE DAY.

Ambassador John Hay viii start On
his proposed Nile journey about the
middle of January, and will be &C
companied by his wife and daughter
Rev. Daniel L. Furber, D. D., of
the First Congregational church,
Boston, preached, last Sunday, the
same sermon he delivered in the same
church so years ago.
The calf, the white COW of Siam. the
hawk, the ape, the ibis, the cat, the
asp, the crocodile, dogs, beetles, frogs,
mice. and rats have all been held in
reverence in different parts Of the
globe.
The monument in honor of Chris
tan Frederick Samuel Hahnemann.
founder of the homeopathic system of
medicine, which is to be dedicated in
washington next spring, is almost
finished. The cost is $4,000.
The rapidity Of the development of
South Africa is hardly credible. Ten
years ago there was hardly a white
man in Rhodesia. Last month the
railway to Bulawayo was opened and
the town was lighted throughout by
electricity. Six hundred miles of
railway had been constructed in 10
months.
Boarding school girls near Topeka,
Kas., out for a lark one day, used a
haystack for shooting the chutes
performance and succeeded in bring
ing down the top of the stack on
themselves, and with it the farmers
wrath. He took legal advice and
threatens prosecution for trespass and
suit for damages.
A paper bicycle has now invaded
the field. One of them, owned by a
bicycle agent, is in use in London.
Paper fibre, similar to that sometimes
used in the manufacture Of railway
carriage wheels, is employed for tub
ing, and is as strong as any in use.
A factory is said to be contemplated
for the production Of bicycles of this
sort.
According to the latest statistics,
the population of Greece is increasing
more rapidly than that of any other
country, namely, at the rate of 1 .87
per cent. per annum. Compared
with France, which is only 0.42, this
increase will, if not checked, constf-
tute problem which will be as diff
fcult to solve as the reorganization
Of the Greek finances.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

she kept company with her big, fin =
ooking sweetheart she was always
neatly dressed, and on Thursday
nights how pretty she looked and how
tidy the kitchen was. Sometimes,
just by chance word or possibly by
line read in a great paper, she may
realize that she is not making home
or herself attractive to her husband.
Then she will perhaps determine to
see whether the fault is hers, and her
husband will return to his home some
evening to find it spick and span.
The floor and windows are clean, the
stove is BACKED and the tins are
shining. A cloth is spread upon the
table and the simple meal is decently
laid. The wife with her hair neatly
brushed, clean dress and apron and
her sleeves drawn down, will greet
him with an old-time smile, and she
Will say to him:
Dear, you used to love me better
tran the friends you meet outside.
I've been thinking that it was because
l was more attractive than any place
to you in those days, and that I
haven't treated you right in neglect
ing myself and the little home. So
I've made up my mind to have every
thing nice and tidy for you and try
to be somebody in the world for you
and for the children
In ninety-nine cases out of a hun
dred the husband of such a wife will
fall into line with delight, and YOU
will see him with clean face and
hands, his coat on and bright smile,
| seated at his honest table. Nothing
SO pleases the self-respecting man as
to live decently.
once these people, who are really
the strength and hope of the country's
future, have determined to be some
body they will make long strides in
| the right direction, and from Just such
beginnings we may look with certain
ty for the true gentleman and lady
of the future.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
THE ART OF MEAL SERVING.

If a man but knew it one of the
most fattering signs in his house
hold is the outward evidence, which
his wife and daughter are usually the
first to exhibit, of desire to be some
body. 1t takes three generations, it is
said, to produce a gentleman or a
lady.
Three generations Of men and wo-
uen determined to advance in life
yill accomplish wonders.
There is no reason why the honest
man of humber circumstances, even
though he be a day laborer, should
live in his home without an attempt
at decency and self-respect at least.
The wife of the day laborer wonders
vainly why she cannot keep her hus-
band at home She is always there
erself, and she is usually pretty tired
and careworn when night comes.
She gets the evening meal ready the
way she thinks the easiest.
cts only my husband" she says,
as she prepares the unattractive food
and sets a lot of cracked and broken
dishes upon one end of a greasy,
stained table.
She herself is neither tidy nor pleas
ant-looking. When a woman lives in
three rooms ON $40 or s12 a week,
and when all the family work-wash-
ing, ironing and cooking be
done in the same three tiny rooms,
which often also accommodate
growing family, she is to be forgiven
for much.
The husband comes home from his
days work tired and dirty. He
throws himself into the nearest chair,
asks for a bit of supper, eats it raven
orsly without the slightest regard for
real comfort, Or even decency, and as
soon as he has bolted his food he
picks his hat up from the floor or
Chairs and sets out for a walk, where
he may enjoy brighter surroundings,
where everything looks clean, invit-
ing and CHEEKY.
Then the poor wife signs bitterly
and rememb ers the time when he
used to come to see her when she
was a laundress in an uptown private
house in the bright days of her court
ship, and she says to herself that
marriage makes a great difference. +"
10 one would know her husband for
the nice, well-dressed young man who
used to come once week and sit in
the kitchen and tell her how happy
they would be when she was his wife
and they had couple of little rooms
Of their own for a home.
She forgets sometimes that when
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
NOTES OF THE DAY.

A hundred and twenty new trotters
were added to the 2:15 list during this
last season. The present generation
can remember when not one trotter
had made that record.
The semiannual dividends and inter-
est money paid in Boston the
month of November aggregated S3,771,-
743, as against So ,453 ,54S in May last
and $3,467,S42 in November, 1896.
Acorns are so thick on Ross island.
IN Portland, Ore, that owners of land
otherwise of little value are buying
hogs with the intention of fattening
them on the acorns and marketing
them
The calf, the white COW of Siam, the
hawk, the ape, the ibis, the cat the
asp, the crocodile, dogs, beetles, frogs,
mice and rats have all been held in
reverence in different sections of the
globe
The emperor and empress of Japan
and their officials and mobiles are great
ly interested in and have subscribed
literally toward the Women's univer-
sity at Toxic, which is to cost SITS 900.
A Dutch chemist in Java claims to
have discovered a process by which
starch may be converted into sugar at
half the present cost of sugar The two
substances are composed of the same
chemical elements.
Bicycle pedals are being fitted with
magnetized plates to attract plates on
the shoes of the rider and hold his feet
in place, thus doing away with the toe
clips, which are the cause Of many ac-
cidents to racing men.
The burial Of colored veterans
body in the special G. A R. plot at
Hiawatha, Kan, so incensed the wild
ow of a white commander of the post
that she had her husbands body dis
inferred and reburied in private plot.
An international meteorological OBJ
servatory is to be erected on the top Of
Mount Kosciusko at the southwestern
extremity of Australia The origina-
tor is Clement Wagner, who took the
first meteorological observations on
Ben Nevis, and the founder is R. Barr
Smith of Torrens Park, South Austria
lia
A physician writes to the London
Lancet that one reason why boys are
more liable to typhoid fever than girls
is that boys are more apt TO play
games in dirty streets and thus get dis
ease germs ON their hands and into
their stomachs.
In Maricopa county, Arizona terri
tory, there is a geological freak. 1t is a
fve-horned sheep. While he was in
Phoenix he created somewhat Of SEN
setion and was the pet, if not the lion,
of the hour Then he went down to
ella Bend and covered himself with
glory and blood by whipping the big
gest dog in Maricopa county.
1t is said that two-thirds of all the
deer in the Missouri river bottoms in
the region about Washburn, n. D.,
were destroyed last spring by the deep
SHOWS, floods and cyclones, and sports
men of the district are taking meas
ures to prevent the indiscriminate
slaughter of the remainder during the
open season.
The annual report of Captain Alex
Rogers of the Fourth cavalry, who is
acting as superintendent of the Yo-
semitic National park, shows that regu-
lar patrols have found that there is less
trespassing in the park than in past
years, and that the depredations by
sheep and their herders are the worst
evils they have to contend with
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

Der of last years freshman team. Mi
Dilatush, who is junior and is here
only for one year played at Vassar be-
fore coming to Wisconsin.
In addition to these teams it is ex-
pected that two more will shortly be
formed, the regular sophmore and
freshmen teams. These have not yet
been selected and many members OF
both classes are playing in the practice
games that follow after the hours
gymnastics held two afternoons a
! week in the gymnasium at ladies' hall.
1t is here that all the playing is done.
Miss Mayhem is coaching the teams
this year. Last year ]. G. Elsom
and Lieut.. J. w. G.. Brooks were the
Instructors. The costume worn Is
the blue gymnas UNI suit of serge used
fol the regular gymnastic work. 1t
consists Of a blouse resembling the navy
pattern, bloCmers, and rubber-soled
slippers.
The varsity and substitute teams
practice every Saturday. More atten-
ton will be paid this year to develop
ing signal and trick plays. Last year
being the first season Of playing the
work was rather elementary. Miss
Cloes, who by the way, is one of the
most attractive and popular of the
varsity girls, and, who 80 nobly up
held the honor of Wisconsin on the
Chicago tennis fields last summer, will
doubtless carry the work on to high
Gegree CT perfection.
The event last year IN basket ball
circles ives the public game played In
the early part of May between the
sophomore team and a team made I'D
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

ly a small audience watching with
much amusement the various exercises.
The gym is all that could be desired.
It IS large, we'll lighted and finely
equipped, making the work pleasure
as we'll as benefit.
The members of the freshman team
last year were:
Forwards Marcia Jackman, Sally
Ramsay, Clara Pfsterer, Mile Gath.
Emma Rothman; centers, Alice Turn
eaure, Edna Russell. Mabel Fletcher,
Rebecca Fraser, Ethelyn Green;
guards. Gertrude Sherman, Anna Val
entine, Seabury, Harriet Stewart and
Sarah StoWell.
The sophmore tenn was composed
as follows:
Forwards-Gertrude Anthony, Daisy
Campbell, Grace Cloes, Margaret
Rogers, Minnie Westover; centers,
Nellie Bush, Mary Dopp. Alice Sceets,
Grace Huber, Helen Verp1anck;
guards, Mc-tha Rohan, Emma Bibbs,
Anna Edwards, Belle Stanton and
GG4 LIuu9 oLllluIus
Heretofore the New York girls have
played within the walls Of their gym
nasiums ard men spectators have been
rigidly excluded. At Vassar college
and at Wellesley and Smith the girl
students have played oUt-of-do0rs but
the grounds @ all three colleges are
hid from the public gaze by high
fences and dense shrubbery. All this
is going to be che uged, however
Mrs. Grundy will probably be severely
shocked ct this. ARD the athletic girl
will be to blame, but as her shoulders
are broader than they ever were be-
fore, her chest deeper, her nerves
steadier, her eye br. shter md her
laugh cheerier she can stand the broad
sides Of criticism hurled at her without
f1inching.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

Of upper-class women in which the for
mer won after spirited contest. It
was to have been played between the
SC phmore ard freshmen teams but the
later declined to appear when the
sophmore players insisted on allowing
the young men of the university to
Witness it. 1t was, nevertheless an
exciting game. For weeks the con-
testants Qieted in preparation. Candy,
potatoes, gentlemen callers and all
ether soft ard sweet things were ia
Dooed and the girl who could eat al
ancooked egg with the greatest gusto
vas the envy Of her fellows. Regular
hours Ct sleep were taken. But much
Of this Spartan rig was for naught.
When the sophomre girls announced
that they wanted tie university band
and glee clubs p esent to furnish nl1-
sic for the occasion aid proposed in
viting the rest of their gentlemen
friends, the hitherto PLANT freshmen
rebelled. The matter was referred to
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
RURAL FREE DELIVERY

A subject that would stand more dis
cussion than it gets is free delivery by
the postofice department in rural dis
tricts. It is not impracticable. and the
chief questions about it are whether
the farmers want it ana whether it
would be worth what it would cost.
There would be some economics in it
resulting from the diminution Of
fourth class postoff1ces, and some gains
in revenue from an increased postal
business In thousands CT districts it
would pay very well. The $10,000,000
or so that might be saved by some
wholesale amendments to the law
which governs second-class mail mat
ter would pay the deficit on a good
deal of rural free delivery. -Harper's
Weekly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30
I FROM SONG LAND.
By Lily Redel.


The visit of BILLY Days Grip to
Chicago pleased her very much.
While strolling "On the Streets Of
Carlo" she met "The Passing Police
man" who, hunting for THE Lost
Child" introduced her to de Leader
of de Company B" that she might
have company in her strolls. AS they
came Near the Ivy Grown Cottage
of Brown" they heard ~The Little Vel
low Kid" who was making his daily
call on isabelle" singing MY Gal is
a High-born Lady" But having no
time to waste they walked on. Down
in Poverty Row they heard that
Sweet Rosie O'Grady" was Going
for a Pardon for "Mammy's Little
Piccaninny Boy who killed MY
Dear Chum' "All for the Love of a
Girl"
''On d Little Side Street Csuch as
often you meet they beheld THE
Sunshine of Paradise Alley comfort
ing 1.-TWO Little Girls In Blue" who
declared amidst tears and sObs that
Mother was Lady no matter what
"The Darkey Cavaliers" said against
it.
Close by the place where the famous
Ferris wheel stood in '92 and '93 they
saw elsie from Chelsea" E'Ridin' on
de Golden Bike" with a Sweet Bunch
of Daisies tied to the handle and
"Only a Rosebud" in her buttonhole.
They hailed her as she was passing
and spoke in admiring terms of the
cut of her bicycle costume. She told
er's Lane Roger and His Little
Sweetheart Nell" saw Jeff AND joe
with Mamie O'Reilly" and Sweet
Marie Coming Through the Rye"
on their way to "The Fatal Wedding"
where only a Little Band of Gold"
would seal the fate of two lives, and
I'm the Baggage-Coach Ahead" "The
Band Played On" and the Pride Of
the BALI was dancing to the tune of
''The Frog, the Calf, and the Sand
Hill Crane" When she left them she
invited them to the "Old Stage Door"
for, said she, "ThereIl be a Hot Time
in the Old Town Tonight"
While they were lunchfng a young
lady came in who went up to the
clerk as he stood behind the counter
and talked to him in low, earnest
tones. They could not hear all she
said but they did hear Gust Tell
Them That You Saw Me" after the
Ball" They inquired about "The
Strangers Story and the clerk said
She's the Daughter Of Officer Porter"
who said I'll Take Care of You
Grandma" because "Au Coons Look
Alike to Me-"
AS she (''Billy Days Girl"O was
boarding the train for her homeward
Journey she said to the conductor
Put Me off at Buffalo and he re-
piled, "Tarry Carrie, Till We Marry"
In the train she saw the "Play-
mates who were not yet on good
terms with each other because he
had SAID There is Only One Girl in
This World for Me- for "My Best
Girls a New Yorker and she had an
swered tT'l1 Tell My Ma on YOU be-
cause ] saw you Rowing Home with
Mollie' when the BELLS Of Fate"
were pealing forth 'sTake Back Your
Gold -
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

says: ''Of course, we don't break each
others ribs, or knock out teeth, or
step on each other's eountenances, or
punch each other on the quiet when
the referee isn't looking, but we play
a fast game
shown this year and there is frequent