davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
FOOD FOR SOLDIERS.
30 Large Contracts Let for Mess
gVrk and Canned Meats.

Ls'.cago, April 3.-Libby, Mcneil &
} Spy have received an order from the
united States for 100000 pounds Of
provisions, including mess pork and
canned meats, to be shipped at once
70 the navy yard in Brooklyn. The
chwarzschild & Sulzberger company
Kansas City has also received a
government order for 100000 pounds
Of provisions for immediate shipment
to the Brooklyn navy yard. To fill
this order the plant of the company
has been put at work both night and
day. Other large orders have been
prepared by the government to be
placed under contract within the next
forty-eight hours. The estimate Of
the immediate government orders for
canned meats alone will amount to
100000 pounds. All railroads are
giving preference in the movement
and time to government supplies over
all other traffic except mails.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
WILL NOT MODEST IT
FLYING SQUADRON" TO LEI
SPAIN'S FLOTILLA ALONE.
STAYS AT HAMPTON ROADS
Spanish Fleet Reaches Porto Rico in
Very Quick Time-ArriYal Doubted
by Some-Semi-Ofhcia Note Say
independence VIII not Be Consid-
cred.

Washington, April 2.-The flying
squadron is to remain at Hampton
Roads for the present at least. This
announcement was made late yester-
day by Secretary Long. The secre-
tary stated that the department be-
lleyes the present rendezvous of the
squadron the most available from
which the ships under Commodore
Schley could operate, carrying out the
purpose for which it was formed, the
protection of the North Atlantic sea-
board. He added that no orders have
been issued to Commodore Schley and
none are in immediate contemplation.
In the various phases of the situa-
ton yesterday the flying squadron"
stood out prominently as the
center of public interest, in connec-
ton with the rumored orders for sail
ing from the Roads, and the matter
was considered by the department. 1t
is stated on reliable authority that the
question of ships going to sea was
discussed, presumably, though it is not
officially so stated, in connection with
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
FOR THE FRIVOLOUS.
To be continued.

Il noticed that Clara had an engage
ment ring on her finger" "That
doesn't prove that there's wedding on
hand -Harper's Bazaar.
Tibbs-" Jimpson says it was so cold
when he was out sleighing the other
day that the reins froze stiff
Tobbs-"Hard lines. New York
Press.
AS soon as a girl thinks she owns
a man she begins to act hurt and dis
pleased when he doesn't put on an
overcoat when he goes out into the
cold.-Clevland Leader.
why, you naughty boy, what made
you tear UP our new picture book?''
Well-boo-hoo-why does it say on
it 'indestructible picture book?' -
Fliegende Blaetter.
II notice the exclusive people OF
New York amuse themselves getting
up family trees" eyes, and their
simian forefathers did the same thing.
-Clevland Plain Dealer.
Diggs- 'Pawnbrokers are a pro-
gressive class of men, aren't they?"
Biggs-"Why do you think so?"
Diggs-"Because they are always
advancing. Boston Traveller.
Gould I sell you a bible?" asked
the agent. 81 guess not" replied the
real estate dealer. 'You might try
Hebbardshee, in the next Office. He
%
Indianapolis Journal.
Fond mother-"Wonderfu how ideas
have changed since our grandparents
days. Scarcely any one now believes
in infant damnation." Bachelor
brother: 'Umph! Your husband
doesn't talk that way."--Brooklyn Life
Little Tompkins fellow
Brown tried to stuff me up with some
OF his travellers tales the other day
Talked about his trip to Italy and the
waving fields of macaroni but he
didn't catch me, you know. They
don't wave."-Punch.
Hicks There's a difference between
love and respect"
Wicks-tA wide difference. For in
stance, there's Hawkspur He says
he loves his wife because she be-
lieves every word he says; but. OF
course, it is impossible for him to
respect a person who would believe
even half what he ."-Boston
Transcript
Yes" said Col. Stillwell, 81 shall
probably join the ahmy if there is
any fighting to be done, and with
the less hesitative faw one reason. u
What is that?" my motives could
not be misconstrued. Nobody, could
accuse me of adopting that method OF
securing a title which 1 already hold
by popular acclimation, suh.''
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

the formation of naval militia as
far as possible in accordance with the
state laws. 1t is hoped that each of
these states will be enabled to prompt
ly acquiesce in the departments re-
quest to be prepared to assist in the
naval auxiliary work.
Madrid, April "A semi-official
statement has been issued which says:
One of the most immoral devices
which is being employed at the pres
ent moment to injure Spain and mis-
lead opinion in the United States is
that of supposing that Spain would be
disposed to recognize the independence
of Cuba in return for payment of in
demnity. Already, on this basis of
jingoist fancies, the people have been
led to believe that Mckinley based his
proposals on this idea This impress
sion has been utilized by Wall street
to attract speculation into lingo circles
and compel them unconsciously to aid
in spreading uneasiness. It is our
duty to declare in most authoritative
manner that this is untrue; that no
proposition containing the slightest
allusion to the independence Of Cuba,
either with or without indemnity, has
been made to the Spanish govern
ment; the government would straight
way reject any such proposition, and
there is no party of statesmen in
Spain disposed to listen to such So
luton"
Washington, April 2.-The Nadri
despatch announcing the arrival o
the Spanish torpedo f1otilla at Porte
Rico was quite unexpected in Wash
ington and created considerable com
ment in navy circles. So far as coul
be learned no information on thi
point was received by either the stat
or navy departments. The arrival o
the fotilla surpasses all forecasts
to the time necessary to make tn
trip and indicates high rate of spec
maintained across the ocean. In som
quarters there is disposition not ro
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

and felt that he was growing far NOR
like their father than she had ever
ventuIed to hope. This knowledge
however, sweet as it was, served to
make their partings far more painful
and she looked forward with dread to
the next sortie, which all knew must
soon be attempted
One last effort was to be made; if
that failed there would be no hope
left for Paris. Even Esperance, in
bearable oo1itirn-1eih7o1
her grief, was reused 20 a more
patriotic feeling than she had hither-
to shown, and this helped to make
the parting, on the night OF the 18th
Of January, rather more bearable for
was not this the PORTE du deses-
poir?' There was something grand,
inspiring, in the very name.
The time passed by YEARLY TO the
anxious Parisians. Esperanto thought
no day in the whole siege had been
quite so long and oppressive. NJ
Lemercier, coming in about noon. re-
ported that the movements of the
troops had been much hindered by
fog, but that the battle was now at
its height, the attempt being to force
the Prussian lines between Montre-
tout and La Marche.
With this news they were obliged
to content themselves for some time.
1t was not till dark that M. Lemer-
cier returned; and then to Esper-
ance's joy, he was not alone. In the
dim light she could just discern the
uniform Of National Guard, and
with an eager exclamation she hur-
ried forward, but suddenly checked
herself unable to conceal her dis
appointment, for its was not Gas
pard.
M. Lemercier FASTENED to introduce
the stranger, and Esperance, with
truly French politeness, recovered
herself at once.
Pardon, monsieur, 1 was expect
ing my brother. Do you bring US
neWs?" turning to M. Lemercier.
Yes, mon annie, news of Gaspard
but / trust not altogether bad news
Courage! Do not tremble so. Mon
sieur Ambrosin, who is a comrade of
your brother, tells us that he is
wounded, but 1 hope not seriously.'
Mon Dieu! when did he fall
Where did you leave him, monsieur
Surely, surely he is not still On 2
feld?" She looked at M Ambrosin
her eyes full of agonized entreaty.
81 hope not; but mademoiselIe will
understand that, in the midst Of
fighting, can really hardly tell what
We had taken Montretout
for some time our men held it gall
lantly, but later in the day we were
forced to evacuate it. In the re-
treat I was beside monsieur, your
brother, when a ball struck him, and
he fell. I think he was only stunned, /,
but mademoiselle knows that there is
no pause in a retreat. There were
near. 1t is very pos
sible that he is at this moment in this
city, being carefully attended to-"
Esperance shuddered. That been
possible was positive torture TO her |
Was it not also very possible that he
was still ON the battlefield lying out
there in the cold, among the dead and
the dying, perhaps dying himself
and alone! Her tears fell fast, as in
imagination she pictured all this to
hersef. A movement from NJ.
Lemercier aroused her. She found
NJ Ambrosin taking leave, and in
spite of her swimming eyes, called
up a sweet little farewell smile, and
a few broken words Of gratitude for
his kindness.
To be continued.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
THE MISSION OF WEEDS

Weeds are feared by farmers who
have made mistakes in the manage
ment of their fields, b. virtue Of which
the weeds have found chance to
prosper. Weeds, therefore, may be
said to have a mission; first, to cdr
cate the farmer; and, second, Uos
ameliorate the soil. Good and judiciL
effective means of keeping down
weeds. A foul place can be cleaned by
inauguraring, for a time, stout and
vigorous rotation of crops.-SoutherD
Cultivator
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
PRESS POINTS.

rather too enterprising advertise
ment was that of a patent machine
man in England, who had painted on
Nelson's old ship, the Foudroyant in
mammoth letters: England expects
every man to do his duty and take
pills" AS the painter did this with
cut negotiating with the owner of the
vessel, and without his employers
consent to disregard the owner, the
latter brought suit for one thous-
and pounds and got fifty pounds, the
artist also being mulcted the sum OF
forty shillings.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

ron" from sailing. The navy depart
ment has received information tina
| the cruisers Vizcaya and Oquondo. tn
two fine Spanish cruisers which hav
been lying in Havana harbor, ha
left that port. Their destination
not known, but there is reason to be
lieve they have gone to join the tor
pedo fiotilla.
Madrid, April, Saturday there
were no further DEVELOPMENTS
in the political situation. No
reply from the United States govern
government has, been communicated
to the government here. The rumor
circulated that General Woodford is
preparing to leave Madrid is not
credited. Although there was a heavy
decline on the bouse, which the gem
eral public regards as ominous, it was
learned that negotiations are progress
ing which much improve the stu
alton. Strong pressure is being
brought to bear by some European
powers upon the queen regent and the
cabinet for granting an immediate
armistice, to take effect as soon as the
Insurgents shall accept the PROPOSE
ton, thus securing time for negoti-
ations between the autonomist gov
eminent and the insurgents look
ing to the establishment of permanent
peace. 1t is not known what decision
Spain will take in the matter
In spite Of the gloomy aspect pre-
yaIling Spain may yet find way out
of the difficulty and grant all McKin-
ley has asked, though in a different
form. Diplomats friendly to both ma
tons have made strong representa-
tons to influential Spanish ministers
urging Spain to accept Americans
moderate demands, and representing
if it is not done this week it will be too
late. This has had decided effect.
Much pressure has been brought TO
bear on the papal nuncio urging him
to ask Spain to grant an armistice,
and at the same time ask the insur-
gents as faithful sons of the church
to accept. The plan will likely sue
succeed. The much discussed proposals
are brief. They begin with reference
to the Maine. Spain expressed regret
at the accident, and that it occurred
in Spanish waters, suggesting that the
question of SPANS responsibility be
referred to arbitration. The note
then declines the good offices of the
United States government in regard
to the recontradoes and an armistice
In regard to an armistice the note
says the matter is in the hands of the
Cuban government intimating that
an armistice will be granted if the in
surgentS ask for it.
The government had adopted steps
to mobilize quickly all the available
officers of the country. Or
ders have already been given to the
garrison at Madrid and other generals
to reinforce all maritime posts at
given moment. 1t reported the Span
ish naval department has received
numeI Gus oVertul es from the native
and foreign mercantile marine to
prepare priVateers. Senior Sagasta is |
alive to the gravity of the situation, !
and seems inclined to believe this bold |
front will deter the United States from !
pushing it's demands to war.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

, wrinkled old hands, she could get no
| warmth into them.
Madame began to be alarmed, and
NJ. Lemercier coming on at that
minute, was sent to fetch the doctor
They made a temporary bed close to
the fire, and between them carried
her to it, shocked to find what a
light weight she was. Then madame
| prepared some hot Cruel, while Es-
perance sat sorrowfully watching the
inanimate form, full of sad fore
bodings.
At length the pale lips moved, and
Esperance bent down to catch the
faint words.
Mon enfant bien-aime, who will
go to the market for you when I am
dead? You must not go out un-
protected
'Oh! my poor Javotte, do not speak
so. You must not die, indeed you
must not
well, my pretty, | should like to
i've, have prayed that I may live to
the end of the siege, that l might
take care of you; but l think it will
not be, for | feel myself very tired .
Dear, dear Javotte! you have dom
so much for Us. See, madame
you some Cruel, I will feed you
Javotte seemed thoroughly reused;
her black eyes turned anxiously in the
direction of the cruel
Madame has not used the good
oatmeal for me? All, what a pity! it
should have been for Monsieur Gas
pard tonight and such a large cup.
No, no, I cannot drink it,
Even Nine. Lemercier could not
restrain her tears. Esperance, with
a bitter cry, threw herself down by
the bedside
oh! Jayotte, Jayotte! you have
been starving yourself for our sake,
and now it is too late!"
Before she had recovered herself,
M. Lemercier returned with the doc
tor. But alas, there was nothing to
be done, the poor old woman was
evidently dying-cold, hungry, and
her own selt-denial had slowly but
surely done their work.
EspeTance waited for the end in
heart-broken silence. At Javotte's
request she brought the carved, black
rosary, and placed it in the withered,
nerveless fingers, while, with failing
breath, the old woman murmured a
mr.
she placed the beads round Esper-
ances neck.
Your souvenir of poor Javotte,''
she whispered.
Madame asked if she would not see
priest, and she assented family,
but before he arrived the soul OF the
faithful old servant had passed away.
Her last look had been for Esperance.
The poor child, full OF grief and self
reproach, had bent down to kiss the
cold brow, and had whispered, Dear
JavOtte, you have given your life for
us!' And Javotte had looked UP
with a beautiful smile, and said,
Mon enfant bien-aime, what would
you then? love you"
Then the smile had died away, and
she had fallen asleep like a little
child.
Javotte had seemed only an ignor-
ant old peasant woman; all felt now
that she was indeed a saint.
While they were still standing
round the bed, the priest entered with
his salutation of peace. Madame
fastened to tell him that it was all
over, and related poor Javotte's story;
and Esperance felt strange thrill at
her heart as she heard him reply.
And the king shall answer and
say unto them, Verify l say unto
you, inasmuch as you have done it
unto one of the least Of these My
brethren, We have done It unto me-"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

The hardest of all griefs to bear
Is a grief that is not sure.
Faber
The horrors of the bombardment
OF the city were now added to al
the previous misery. Smallpox and
famine had been carrying off hun
dreds and hundreds of the inhabi-
tants; now a fresh agent of death
made its appearance.
The first few days were full of ter
ror to Nine. Lemercier and to Els
perance. Numbers of shells had
fallen in their immediate neighbor-
hood, and they dreaded leaving the
house. But this alarm wore off with
the novelty, and very soon they went
about as unconcernedly as if no dan
ger existed.
Poor Esperance felt Javotte's death
deeply. Almost unconsciously she had
leaned upon the good old servant;
and now that her father was dead
and Gaspard scarcely ever at home
she felt very lonely, and often in need
OF advice and help, which no one
could give. Nine. Lemercier, good
and kind as she was, could not fill
the vacant place; hers was a good
natured, but weak character, wholly
unfit for any sort OF guidance, and
Esperance needed a much stronge
support.
The days passed slowly and pain
fully. Once only, ray Of comfort
came, and for a time the sinking
spirits of the Parisians were rated
News was brought from the provinces
by a carrier-pigeon, that Faidherbe
had driven back the enemy in tn
Pas Calais; that an unknown
general at Nuts, with 10000 men
had beaten the Prussians with 25,OO0
and that Garibaldi was at Dion gath
ering recruits.
NJ. Lemercier was much elated a
such an unexpected turn of fortune
and even Gaspard, who of late ha(
been respondent, grew more cheerful
and his spirits were a better gauge
than NJ Leme1 cier's. for he was ex
posed to far more danger and hard
ship
Three months of real experience a:
a National Guard of the marching
battalions, had taught Gaspard NOR,
about life than his whole previous
education. The discipline had beer
severe, the hardship great, the failur;
they had all done their work, an(
under their influence Gaspard wa;
greatly changed
Esperance soon found this out
even in the short visits he paid her
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

Fruit jars can be easily opened by a
new wrench consisting Of a curved
wire with a tube surrounding the cen
trail portion and handles on the ends,
to be gripped in the hand until they
decrease the size of the circle suf.:-
ficiently to grip the top
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
LOVER 100 BROWNE D
AN ILLINOIS TOWN COMPLETED
SWEPT AWAY
DISASTER DUE TO WEAK Dixie

SEawneetown Inundated by the Giving
Way of the Wall That Protected Is
From the River-Dish ess Is Ter
rible-Rescuing Parties Take Peo-
pie Off House Tops.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
HIS FRUIT.

The frost has quit the pumpkin, -.
To invade the water pipe,
And the plumber is admonishe0
That the plumbs are almost ripe.
Detroit Journal
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

Shawneetown, Ill, April By the
breaking of a dixie on the river this
town has been virtually wiped off oR
the face of the earth and many per-
sons have been drowned. Iust how
many lives were lost is not known.
but they must number over 100
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07

IA.
but they must number over 100.
Cypress, Junction, H., April 5.
The latest reports at $3.50 last night
said that the entire levee would soon
be destroyed and that every frame
house in Shawneetown will be dashed
to pieces. The wind is blowing at
thirty-fiVe miles an hour and the
rain cuts like glass. Fear is felt
for the rescue force now in Shawnee
town, as nothing can easily stand t6e
waves that are rolling ten feet high.
This is from a temporary telephone
station on a hill just this side OF
Shawneetown. If the gale keeps blow
ing the entire town is doomed.
Ridgeway, ILL.,, April 5.-J. T. Ho,-
gan of Omaha, H., left the scene Of
the Shawneetown flood half an hotg-
before the dixie broke. His brother
in-law, Sheriff Galloway OF Gauatil
county, whose home was in Shawnee
town, had the same good fortune. The
SA'SA IL WHY clllu LWO uauSoAkAGIS NSISS
swept away. Their bodies have not
yet been recovered. Hogan's story OF
the flood shows that the toWuspeopla
had absolutely no warning of the dis
aster.
Ridgeway, twelve miles FROM Shaw
neetoWa, is made the basis of relief
work. All rail communication being
cut off, boats were constructed and a
committee started to the scene They
reached Cypress Junction, a good way
to ShawneetoWn, and found dry lama
extending toward the river. They
arrived within two miles of the flood
ed town. More boats were started anG
the reSCuers crossed to Shawneetown.
They found hundreds who had escap ped
the rush of water perched on roofs,
trees and along the top of the levee
They were taken from their dangerous.
positions as rapidly as possible Over
two hundred, including women and
children, were taken to Cypress Junc-
ton.
Three boats will leave Shawneetown
today for Evansville with 400 people.
The water in Shawneeton is 20 feet
deep, surrounding the town completely
for two miles back. Great danger is
feared of it.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
CHAPTER VII.

To fear is harder than to weep
To watch, than to endure.
The hardest of all griefs to bear
Is a grief that is not sure.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-07
Won by w aiting.
y BY y
EDNA LYALL.
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER vi.
Oh, blest are they who live and die
like thee;
Loved with such love, and with such
sorrow mourned
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-08-17
The DREADED
CONSUMPTION
+. A. Slocum, M. c., the Great Chemist and
Scientist Will Send Free, to the Afflicted,
Three Bottles of His Newly Discovered
Remedies to Cure Consumption
and All Lung Troubles.

Mo- = could be fairer, more philan-
thropic or cary more JOY to the afflicted,
than the offer of T. A. Slocum, NJ. c., of
8 Pearl street, New York City.
Confident that be has disco vered an abb
solute cure for consumption and all pulmo-
nary complaints, and to make it's great
merits known, he will send. free, three
bottles of medicine, to any reader of the
FERGU COUNTY ARGUS who is suffering
from chest, bronchial, throat and lung
troubles OF consumption.
Already this new scientific course of
medicine" has permanently cured thous-
ands of apparently hopeless cases.
The Doctor considers it his religious duty
IA duty which he owes to humanity-to
donate his infallible cure.
Offered freely is enough to commend it,
and more SO il the perfect confidence of the
great chemist making the proposition.
He has proved the dreaded consumption
to be a curable disease hey ond any doubt.
There will be no mistake in sending-the
mistake will be in overlooking the generous
invitation. He has on file in his American
and European laboratories testimonials of
experience from those cured, in all parts of
the world.
Don't delay until it is too late. Address
T. A. Slocuin. NJ. c., 80 Pine street, New
York, and when writing the Doctor, please
give express and p~ostoffice address, and
mention reading this article in the FERGUS
COUNTY ARGUS.