davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
PlTH AND POINT.

Often the Way.-RuraIville Citizen Did you enjoy the band concert last night?" Another Ruralville Citizen All but the musc."-Puck.
 An -Ethel-"Wonder why Good Friday is called Good Fri day?" Freddy-"Why, you s'prisc me its named after Robinson Crusoe's faithful servant, of course."- Judge.
 Only There.-"Do you mean to say that you have actually seen such fash ion us that?" "Certainly l have" 'Where?" "On the fashion page of n Sunday newspaper. r."-Chicago Evening Post.
 The Difference.-Clara-'I don't know how you manage to break off your engagements. and still keep them as friends l can't" Maude-"But | always make it point to return all their presents. ."- Brooklyn Life.
 Did you hear old Gotrox boasting that his life had always been free and open to the observation of all the @orld?" "I did, And yet everybody knows that his first big money was made in q r."-Indianapolis Jour nal.
 --'T see that some scientist claims that death is largely matter of habit, depending upon thought and all that" he said. Nonsense" she replied. "Did you ever know anyone who was in the habit of dying?" she returned.-C 20 Evening Post
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18

a claim the novelty of hyperborean ex- istencel is not without its charms, and it is said that those who have becoma accustomed to living within the frigid zone find that life in the temperate re- gions is not as comfortable.
 Alaska has a summer, short, close, muggy and uncomfortable Those who have tried both say that they prefer the winter. During the winter the sun is invisible for many weeks, it's place being in a measure supplied by tho flashing splendor of the Aurora Borealis and the marvellous brilliancy ot the stars. When the sun returns to warm the frozen earth the daylight lasts for 24 hours at stretch for this is one of the lands of ''the midnight suh."
 The Yukon is one of the greatest rivers in the world, and is said to be longer than the Mississippi While it has not been thoroughly explored so far it is known to be navigable for large steamers for at least 2,500 miles. The Yukon and it's numerous tributa ries swarm with fish. no finer salmon in the world than the Alaska variety, and in ln6 QGdu Ol WlAlCI OuG nds Only tO DICK n hole in the icy covering of rivers or lakes to get an abundance of good, large fish. Beside fish the miner and traveller can often get shot at moose, and bear meat is to he had in the tim bered part of the region.
 There are two principal routes to the gold fields. One is by sea from Seattle to the mouth of the Yukon (port of St. Michael's) a voyage of 2.6O0 miles, last ing 15 days. At St. Michaels transfer IS made from the ocean to the river (Yu- kon) steamer, after q delay of few days, which is flat-bottomed and which reaches Dawson City at the mouth of the Klondykc river in 15 to 20 days. But-and this is very important but" unless the traveller lands at St. Michaels not later than August 25 he stands a good chance tor a bad one rather) of finding the Yukon closed by ice. In that case he can choose between spending the eight winter months on the bleak sea coast of St. Michaes or of walking 1900 miles on the Yukon to thd
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
THE LOGANBERRY.
Cross Between the Red Raspberry
 and the Blackberry.

Cross Between the Red Raspberry
 and the Blackberry.
 There has rarely been novelty in. troduced that has excited so much dis. cussion as the loganberry 1t has been highly praised by seedsmen who had plants to sell and has been declared worthless by hundreds who have tried it. From some facts concerning this berry gleaned from bulletin No. 45, of the New Jersey experiment station, it seems that both sides of the story have been founded on truth.
 The loganberry was originated by Judge J. II. Logan, of Santa Cruz. Cal, public-spirited gentleman who has never reaped any benefit from it nor attempted to do so. It seems to be an intermediate form between the red raspberry and the blackberry, having the color and flavor of raspberries and the shape of blackberries. It has been called red blackberry, but it is prob able that it is cross between a variety of the European raspberry and a wild blackberry native of the Pacific coast.
 At the New Jersey station it ripened with heraspberries and was found to be quite inferior when eaten raw, but of good flavor when cooked. The original stock is quite prolific. It is propagated by stolons, but the seeds grow readily. The plants grown from seed produce q fruit that is worthless, and this is the source of a great deal of stock sold by nurseries. It will not endure the hard winters of New England, but is hardy in New Jersey.- 'Farmer's Voice.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
IOWA TAKES THE LEAD.
First Western state to Begin Build
 ing of Permanent Roads


 ing of Permanent Roads,
 Iowa, from the first, has taken lead ing part among the advocates of im- proved roads and highways, and per haps nothing has more contributed to that position than the paper dealing with the financial phase Of the good roads question, read by Judge Thayer, of Clinton, at Council Bluffs, Ia., four years since. That paper was replete with facts aes5 arguments in favor of improved means of intercommunica- ton between towns and cities, and the United States department of agricul- ture, fully appreciating it's value, re- printed it and scattered it broadcast, and it has helped materially in educat- ing public opinion up to full recogni- tion of the importance of the subject as great national one. Iowa has now commenced practical exemplification of its faith in the matter. The super visors of Scott county have recently bought large gravel bank and a stone quarry and has several gangs of men at work on different roads, and will soon have solved the question of per-
 
 manent highways. They are fortunate in having the material necessary for road making so near at hand. Their method is, after grading, to lay a depth of six inches of rock, and two inches of macadam are laid on this, and over the whole two inches of gravel are laid Culverts of boiler steel are placed in fills, hills are being graded; and, when the good work is finished, the pauper labor of the county will be employed, as far as possible, in keeping the sur face of the roads in order. 1t could be wished all the counties of Iowa and other states needing improved roads were as favorably situated both as re- gards roadmaking material, and also that other cessary-funds-a Scott county seems to be. It gets S50,00O a year from her saloons, and her road tax raises this to $75,0 ,0OO a year, and is all available for road purposes. The cost of the 16-foot road now in formation IS between B and 40 cents a running foot. The average cost per mile of the improved road-"fne as any pike" is $2,00o. Here is an object lesson iii road making which should be taken to heart by good roads advocates in other localities, especially those which have the natural advantages of a supply of gravel or stone vailable.-Journal of Agriculture.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18

mines as soon as the river is frozen over. In this case he will require a pack of Indian dogs and one or two In dian bipeds to make the journey.
 The Juneau route is the other way to the klondyke. It is more direct and 4,000 miles shorter than the ocean route, but can be taken best in the win ter and only by men inured to hard ships. In this case, too, Seattle is the starting point. A coastwise steamer takes the traveller to Juneau, 900 miles. where the outfit can be purchased. From Juneau to Dyea is another 100 ten days. At Dyea the Chilkat India rs can be engaged to assist the traveller over Chilkat pass-and having safely crossed 1t he must build a boat to navi- gate the lakes and streams, because he has a journey of about 700 miles to reach the mines after leaving Chilkat. In the winter tE7 1oat gives place to snowshoes and the dog sled.
 As we have said, this direct course is only for stalwarts, but indeed none else should think of going to the Klondyke ana the fatigue ana hardshlps of such a journey will test even their best en- ergies.
 The expense of the trip is also worthy of consideration. On the ocean route the fare from Chicago to Circle City, the nearest point to the Klondyke, is about $250. But the cost of freight on the Yukon from the ocean to the mines may be calculated at 35 cents per pound, and as the prospective miner will re- quire one years provisions, which, with tools. etc.. will weigh one ton, this item will be an expensive one. In other words, the cost of getting there" ready to work will involve an outlay of about S1.500. That there is abunda1 ce of gold is certain, and stout-hearted men can get it. but it takes such to i'll the ueces- sary conditions.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
THE NEW ELDORADO.
Wonderful Riches of the Yukon
 River Gold Fields.
Locnted in Wild Country. E~ar from the Comforts of CfVilization-HOw to Get TheEe-Cost of
 the Tip.
Especial Letter.

Within the past few weeks the news papers have been publishing wonderful stories of the lucky miners in the gold fields of the Yukon river, and all over the United States and Canada mems minds are stirred with the golden possibilities. It has long been known to prospecting geologists that the streams tributary to the Yukon, and in some places the great ri> >r itself, wandered OCT sands of gold, but it is within the past few weeks that the discoveries Lave been made that have turned the eyes of the people thither. Some of the stories read like tales from fairyland. One man, for instance, who went to the klondyke last winter from Michigan, and who lived for months in a hole in the ground, suffering great priYations from the terrible cold and half starved, had almost decided that there was no gold in Alaska, when one day, after a 20-mile tramp, he came upon a little stream" to quote his own words, which emptied into a sort of a basin. The water was clear and the gravelly bottom was covered with mug. gets" Of course, he plunged into the icy stream and picked up all the gold in sight. (And there are not many of us who wouldn't endure very icy water for such prize.) That was the begin ming of his luck, and when he re- turned to his home in Michigan two weeks ago he had deposit check for $50,000, and owns an interest in sev- eral mining claims still.
 Then there is the case of a man from Kansas City, who "a year or two ago didn't have money enough to pay his
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18

house rent" and went to Alaska. He returned July 15 with $13O,0OO in gold nuggets.
 And now a brief description of the new Fl Dorado will be in order. The greatest discoveries nave been made in the streams flowing from the east into the Yukon. They are all i;4 British ter ritory, in that vast region marked on the map as Northwest Territory" which is one of the provinces of the dominion of Canada. So, while they are often spoken of as the Alaska gold fields, as a matter of fact all the rich placer mines about which the sensa- tional stories are told are not in Alas ka, but just across the border in John Bulls domain. The one hundred and forty-first degree of west longitude, which you can see on your map stretches from Mount St. Elias to the Arctic ocean, is the boundary line, and beyond few feet at Fort Cudahy and d few at Forty Mile there is no dispute about it, and the relocated mounted police of Canada keep the best of order in the new mining camps. Virtually, as far as climate is concerned, the gold fields might as we'll be in Alaska. The cold sets in early i'll September and lasts till the middle of May; and it is so cold that it is extremely hard to en- du-e unless one has a good constitu- tion, is strong and healthy and is we'll provided with warm clothing and furs. The mercury goes down between 60 and 70 degrees below zero, and during storms 20 or 30 degrees warmer is equal ly hard to bear. But, we'll provided in the matter of clothing, with plenty of food (for one ought to and gen eraily does have voracious appetite in the Arctic regions), there is no reason why 9 healthy man. not too old. should not stand the Alaskan winter or even be- come acclimated. Apart from the req sonable prospect of success in working
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
[M8ZsJ
 S ANE1
GROUND PLAN.

ta) is ten by ten inches square. three feet long, arched with one four-inch thickness of brick. The firebox walls are four inches thick. Cold air is ad- mitted on both sides of the firebox through flues four inches wide, passing from the rear of the box to the front of it and passing into the frame room just in front of fire or smoke fue. As shown in the ground plan, the smoke passes from the firebox to the left, back to the front, over the firebox, along the end wall, then the side wall, round the end wall to the chimney. In a larger build- ing a larger firebox and larger frames are needed. Any good bricklayer ought tc be able to put up this building.-W. o. Ham, in Farm and Home.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
HOW PLANTS FEED.
They Draw Sustenance from the Air
 We'll ns the Soil.

We'll ns the Soil.
 Bulletin AS, Utah experiment station: It may be interesting before we pass on the experiment proper to explain in very general way how plant obtains its food. The substances which make up the ash of the plant, the water which it contains, and most of the nitro gen of the combustible portion are taken from the soil and the air through the roots; while all the carbon and some of the nitrogen are taken from the air by means of the leaves When q plant burns, the carbon or charcoal 1t contains unites with the oxygen of the air to form an invisible gas, usu- ally known as carbonic acid gas. Since the burning of charcoal in one form or another is always going on at the earth's surface, it follows that the air we breathe, the atmosphere about us. must contain considerable quantities ot carbonic acid gas. The green coloring matter of leaves, known to scientists as chlorophyll or leafgreen, has the re- markable property, when under proper conditions of temperature and moist uIc, anu III lne presence oi llSnt, or taking the carbonic acid gas from the air, and of breaking it up in the cells of the leaf into charcoal and oxygen The greater part of the oxygen thus set free is thrown back into the atmos- phere, while the charcoal is caused to unite with water and other substances found in the cells to form the various classes of bodies that make m the combustible parts of plants.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
Effect of Food on MiIk.

The effect of food is an important fac tor, but not always appreciated in its in- fuence upon the quality of the milk. A specific breed possesses certain cap abilities, the fulfillment of which is dependent in large measure upon the food supplied. That is, while food may not exert a positive and immediate in- fIence in improving the quality of the milk. because of the inherent char acteristies of the animal to make a prod uct of a definite composition, still, un- less the animal is supplied with suff cient food. she cannot reach her normal milk giving capacity ty.-American Az riculturist.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18

the center of one side is a door two feet wide and extending down six feet from ground This leaves space three feet wide on each side for trays (c) which are two feet square and made of one by one and one-half inch material, the bot tom being covered with fine wire mesh. framework extends entirely around the room of two by three inch material
 nailed six inches apart, to support the drier frames. When a frame is filled, it is easily slid into place either on the right or left of the door. Close the ven tilator in the roof when the sulphur is put into bleach the apples. The frebox
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
FARM AND GARDEN.
SURPLUS OF APPLES.
How to Evapornte Fruit to Advan-
 taGS on the Farm.

Waste of the fruit crop is one of the causes of greatest loss. Many who can not dispose of the crop in a fresh state allow it to rot or feed it to stock. have found it profitable to eyaporate what ap- pies could not be sold fresh and so con structed an evaporator The plan was original with me and has worked to per lection. The building is eight feet long, four feet wide and nine feet high to the caves The walls are of good hard brick and eightinches wide. The firebox (a) is in the end opening on the outside. In
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
WANTED THE REAL THING.
Prof. Seneca Jones' Search for an AAyiI
 Purpose.

PrOf. Seneca Jones' Search for an Anyil Purpose.
 They were out in the pasture lot Farmer Slas Jones and his learned brother, Prof Seneca Jones. The pro- lessor had knowing smile on his face and a curious little instrument in his 1 hand.
 "Now, Sen," said Sias, "I wish to goodness you'd tell me what you're goin' to do."
 "Very well. Sil9s. This little machine have here photographs purposes, mo- tives, thoughts"
 "Go Tong, Sen! You're jokin'!"
 Indeed no, Sias. Every action of the brain, every pu!sation of the nerves, affects the atmosphere and makes it. self felt upon the sensitive plate of the camera. For instance" and here the professor drew d number of fine, even circles, one within another-''a pleas ant thought or purpose, will be repro duced thus. And a thought of extreme anger or a purpose of destruction wilt be pictured with the lines of the cir cle jagged, uneven, and the reverse of symmetrical, thus"
 
 you come way out here for?"
 You see, Silas. l wish to secure q picture of the maddest. most evil pur- pose on record for my forthcoming work, The Psychology of Purpose To this end have come out here, and if you will kindly take this red handkerchief and flag that bull down there until he charges into focus you'll oblige me and confer an everlasting boon upon lit erature."
 Silas turned pale.
 Reckon you don't know that bull. Sen. He's reg'lar man-eater."
 That's just what 1 want" cried the professor, delightedly; flag him on be quick, Silas"
 "He won't need much 1aggin', I guess" muttered Silas, casting a vague look at his brother; "the flies have worked his dander mp pretty we'll al- ready. Keep your eye on the fence. Sen, and don't lose any time gettin over it after you catch his purpose, cause he'll be about the maddest bull in Michigan. Watch your eye now = I'm goin'."
 Silas thereupon approached and made few preliminary passes with the red flag. The animal stamped his forefoot, whirled around and made bee-line for Farmer Jones, who put for the fence.
 Don't wait till he gets in focus" cried Silas, as he rushed past the pro- lessor; take it now!"
 But like the elderly Pliny, Prof. Jones was made of sterner stuff. He waited calmly, pressed the button not q moment too soon, and started after his brother. The bull, however, had charged into focus altogether too late for the professors well being. Sem eca Jones had barely time to toss his instrument to Silas whenw whiz-rip-- w-o-w-ker thud! the learned man was tossed over the fence and landed in a heap by his brothers side.
 II told ye, Sen," cried Silas; "ain't hurt, be yep"
 Hurt" in an instant Seneca Jones had risen in ali his wrath.
 "Where is that four-footed whrlwind of iniquity? Show him to mel I'll--"
 Just then silas inadvertently pressed the button of the instrument he was holding. It happened that it was point ed straight at the professor, who was. moreover, in exact focus. From these causes resulted deplorable loss to science, for-the plate broke!-Detroit Free Press.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
She CnuIdn,f Snx.

Twill you have me for better or for worse?" he asked.
 What foolish question, George" she answered. How can tell whether it will be for better or for worse? We've just got to take chances. That's all."-Chicago lost.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
The Care of separntors

All kinds of separators should be taken apart and cleaned out; the lower boxes and spindles and ball bearing, should be wiped off clean, and if they have begun to get worn and rough they should be replaced with new ones. Where the separators are run four or five hours every day they should bs cleansed out every two weeks or often- CT. By doing this the boxes will never heat, and your operators will run more smoothly and do closer slSimmiDg. You cannot expect to do close skimming un- less the separators run smoothly and at 3 higher rate of speed, and keeping the bearings clean and well supplied with oil is the main point in running thepi properly.-Dakota Field and Farm.
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
As to Golf.

They were talking of golf and she grew enthusiastic.
 "Ah," he said. 'I infer that you play"
 "Oh, yes" she replied. "I play the game, but I must confess that l don't speak the language very fiuently yet" -ChiaaUo Post
The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-18
Work in the Garden

The work of the garden is never end ed, as many imagine. There is always plenty to do for those who seek it and are interested in their work. The prin- cipal thing to do now is to keep the crops picked clean, and as soon as they are over to clear them away, carefully raling up and carting off all rubbish. At all times there may be found bits of stick, stones, paper, wire, tin cans, etc., to mar the appearance of the grounds; these are frequently carried there in the manure and should always be picked up and not thrown under the currant bushes or into some corners in the garden, as such cannot be hidden from the quick eye of the employer and should be taken clean naway.-Americap Gardening.
The San Francisco call., 1897-10-31
RECEIPTS OF PRODUCE.
A COOPERATIVE TOWN.

Muckawauago, on Frying Pan River,
Colo, Has Solved the Problem.
Muckawanago is the strangest town in
Colorado. 1t has population of 160 pee.
pie, consisting of thirty families. regu-
larly paid policemen, a commissary, a res
ident physician, and is conducted on the
cooperative plan.
1t lies, spot of brightly painted rustic
cottages and tents, on the Frying Pan
River, about sixty miles west of Leadvilie
on the western slope. 1t is peopled en-
tlrely by prominent residents OF Grand
junction, who have formed an assc citation
10 incorporate summer town in which
their families may find refuge from the
burning heat of Grand Junction, where
the thermometer often raches 100 degrees
in the shade.
Muckawanago has just been started
ana has already proven so popular that
steps have been taken 10 keep the modern
paradise rom the gaze of the envious
publc. the promoters of the PLAZA were
Orson Adams, DR.. Eldridge and Prpsi-
dent Jones OF the First National Bank OF
Grand Junction. The cliffs, covered
thickly with vegetation, slope down to
the Frying Pan, and in the bend OF the
stream the village is established.
commodlous cabin is commissary
headquarters. Between and 10 O'Clock
every morning supplies of groceries, bread
meat and milk are distributed in equal
proportion. he milk is shipped in Ien-
gallon tins to Muckawanago and is i'm e.
diateiy placed on ice, keeping it cool dur
ing the day.
Two policemen regularly patrol the VIII
lage and hunt up lost children. This is a
necessary precaution, as only three or
four men are in the place during the week.
Saturday evenings the heads of the Muck.
awanago families come up from Grand
Junction and remain over Sunday.
Fishing is pronounced excellent. SUM-
day David Roberts OF the City Flour Mills
of Grand Junction caught twelve pound
trout of the rainbow variety, VIII lie a fell
low fisherman landed a fish of the same
speci weighing ten and one half pounds.
Five and three pound trout are common
in the Frying Pan -Denver Pos,