davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

The quaint town of Nuremberg, in
South Germany, has become the prin-
cipal toy factory Of Europe. The best
wooden toys come from the Black For
est, where peasants carve them from
white pine and put them together dur
ing the long winter nights; and the
costliest wax dolls are fashioned in
Paris; but there is hardly anything else
in the wonderland Of childhood that is
not made in the dreamy medieval town
of Nuremberg.
When Dickens wrote his novels, there
was large toy industry in the East
End of London. and it did not escape
the keen eye Of that close observer. If
he were now living, he would find it
difficult to find traces of craft which
suggested some of the most charming
scenes Of his stories.
The London toy-makers have disap-
peared. Dolls may still be dressed
there for English nurseries, but they
are no longer made in England.
The bulk of the so-called French
dolls, which are sold all over the world
come from Nuremberg, where the toy
makers have mastered the art of joint
ing arms and legs and of extracting
musical squeaks and plaintive cries
from contracted waists. The old town
is also the headquarters Of the Euro
pean trade in Noah's arks, lead and
tin animals.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
The Mlonkfsh and the Dog.

A monkfish made quick meal of an
PASSPORT dog Saturday noon and was
captured short time later near one
of the sardine factory wharves, says
the Lewiston (Me) Journal. Very few
monkfish are seen in Passamaquoddy
bay, but at different times they are
found of large size and have been
known to come to the surface suddenly
and gobble up any sea bird that hap
pens to be on the water They are
among the homeliest fish that are
found along the neighboring coast, the
mouth being unusually large, and fish
ermen have known them to swallow
objects nearly as large as themselves.
In appearance they resemble big
sculpin, and the one killed here Friday
came in for full share of attention
from the many spectators on the
joying a swim along the water front,
watched by his owner and party Of
friends, when without warning the
monkflsh came to the surface with
open mouth and the dog went down
without much of fight for his life.
Later in the day some boys were
spearing founders in shallow water
when they saw an odd-looking fish be-
low, and with boat hook soon gath
cred it in. The dog was found inside,
but was considerably mangled by the
saw-like teeth of the fish, and It was
noticed that the dog was nearly as
large as the entire monkfish.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
An Ancient Chinese Newspaper.

No list Of newspaper curiositiea
would be complete that did not include
the Kin-Pau of Pekn. Like most
things in the celestial kingdom, it is
easily first in point Of antiquity, for
it has been published continuously for
over 1000 years. 1t began as month
ly, became weekly in 1861, and since
the beginning of the century has been
a daily. It is now up to date, pub
fishing three editions a day. and, to
safeguard the purchaser from wiles
that are not altogether unknown to
newsboys, each edition. is printed on
different colored paper, the first being
yellow, the second white and the last
gray.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
Built in Ninety Davs.

A notable example of American skill
and modern enterprise was afforded by
the convention hall in which the Dem
ocrats assembled in Kansas City on
July 4th to nominate candidates for
president and vice-president. This
great auditorium, seating fifteen thou
sand people, had been built in ninety
days, for on April 4th the building to
which the convention had originally
been invited was completely destroyed
by fire. 1t had cost quarter of mil
lion dollars.
The question had to be promptly de-.
cided whether the convention should
go elsewhere, whether temporary
structure should be put up, or whether
the old hall should be restored. The
people Of Kansas City, with their GUS
somary alertness, embarked upon the
most courageous of the three courses.
They would rebuild in ninety days.
On account of the rush of orders in
the iron business, an extra sum had
% be offered for the immediate manu-
:acture Of the great structural steel
beams, and the masons and carpenters,
Who labored day and night, by shifts,
we're also offered in many cases extra
compensation. For these reasons it
cost seventy-fve thousand dollars
more to build the second hall than the
drst, but it was complete at the ap-
pointed hour. Such structure would
nave OnSumed wears in hlildinp in
my other age of the world.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
Late Ea.l..


Long black gloves, elbow length are
one Of the smart fads OF the hour, and
they are worn with costumes where
there is a note Of black.
A novel hair ornament consists OF
two full blown roses attached to each
other by slender wire, which is in
visible when arranged on the hair.
The roses are worn geishawise, one at
each side of the head, and as the petals
are showered with brilliants they flash
and sparkle with every movement,
says. the Pittsburg Dispatch.
The latest silver novelty is the
prophecy" or good wish spoons, in
tended as a birthday or wedding glft
In size it is between the ordinary tea
and dessert spoon, and the carved de-
sign heavy and curious. Horns-of-
plenty are typical of worldly prosper
ity, the laurel wreath Of fame, the
torch of Hymen or success in love,
with climax of happy marriage,
palms for victory and the crown of
eternal life. "word done, heaven won't
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

| riageg
~ it, I answered. looking III
a., the window. Why, goodness me
| they must have forgotten to take the
label down.
''The girl followed my glance. and
| at the sight of the partially obliterated
letters, half concealed by the blind, her
face crimsoned with modification, and
biting her lip, she took up paper hur-
riedly TO hide her confusion
"I have made the same mistake, my
DEAR, said kindly matron on her
right. 1t doesn't matter much; lit
tie smoke won't hurt us. will it,?
No; I must change at the next
station she returned sweetly.
Excuse me- broke in, but this is
an express train
Do you mean to say it doesn't stop
at Peterborough
It doesn't stop at ALL said, sun-
til we get to York
I'm so sorry. murmured, turn
ing to the girl. Can assist you in
any way? If it is case of necessity
you know. we can communicate with
the guard
so, no-that isl mean don't
think it would be considered 3d. she
stammered, her face suddenly suffused
with bushes. You see, l was going to
wedding
''The elderly matron smiled. had
all could do to repress my amuse.
ment, while the loudly dressed young
man in the corner staggered audibly
80, we'll, shouldn't let that worry
me, If l were you,' said soothingJy
It's disappointing, but they will be
able to fix it up all right without you.
THE bushes deepened and the CIR
hung her head.
I'm afraid they-I mean. T.
She broke off in confusion, and the
old lady bent toward her.
60 1 quite understand, my dear she
said. 1T wouldn't be wedding with.
out the bride. I'm sorry for you, but
| you mustn't fret. 1t can't be helped
now, and you must send a wire di.
rectly we get to York.
This seemed to raise the girls spir.
its, and she began to laugh, a little
Historically perhaps at first. Then she
thanked me prettily for doing nothing
and begged me to smoke, and declared
she really didn't mind the smell at all
but rather liked it. When the trair
rushed through Peterborough She
laughed more merrily still, and wa.
80 charming and unaffected that loni
before we reached York we were chat
ting together like old friends. w,
found out then Chat we had mutual &C
quaintances, that our respective home.
were situated but few miles from
each other, and many other interestin:
facts.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
Lightning.

To persons OF a distinctively nerv-
GUS OF sensitive organization, the sea-
son of thunder storms is often period
of apprehension, if not Of actual daily
terrors. Perhaps no array of reassur-
ing facts or philosophical argument
will furnish much comfort to those
who live in constant fear of death by
lightning, but a recent report upon the
subject by Prof. Henry of the United
States weather bureau puts the matter
in such way as to show how unrea-
sonable is their fears. 1t appears that
the total number of deaths by light
ming in this country last year was five
hundred and sixty-two. That was more
than usual, yet it is less than one
tenth the number of those who lost
their lives in railroad accidents dur
ing the same period; and glance at
the number of deaths among those
who follow the sea, or those, even, who
pursue any one of number of other
familiar occupations, will also be reas-
surfing.
But because the chance of being
struck by lightning is really SO small
is no reason for neglecting wise pre-
cautions Prof. Henry lays special
stress upon the danger of wire clothes
lines, which, he says, not only imperil
the life of the laundress, but endanger
the house to which they are attached.
a dozen persons were killed last year
while removing clothes from such lines
or standing near them during thun-
der storm, and number of houses
supplied with them were set on fire.
Accepted popular expressions always
have sound basis Of truth. 1t may
comfort the timid, therefore, to note
that "about as much chance as he has
of being struck by lightning" is still
regarded as one of the strongest ex.s
pressions in the language.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
n9DD3DDDDaDgA9D39ADD3G
The Bride That Changed Tier Mind
GGs&&&Gg&@g@@@@@B

You say you don't believe in fate. y
you fellows" said young Fred Julian,
as he entertained party of boon com
panions in his bachelor rooms. .sWell
that's because, at present, you haven't
had an opportunity of judging from
personal experience"
We'll, and have your" asked a
chorus of voices.
Rather! 1t was a little incident
that occurred about six months ago,
interesting-to me, at least-and if
you like I'll tell you all about it."
DO" said his friends, and the young
man lounged back in his chair, and
with his eyes on the fire commenced
his narrative without more ado.
1T was one lovely day in the July Of
last year." she began, land was start
ing jubilantly off for months holt
day at Scarborough. knowing my
luxurious habits as you do, my friends,
you will not be surprised to hear that
when reached Kings Cross selected
corner seat Of first-class smoker,
and provided myself with plenty of
cigars and magazines. To complete
my anticipation of a pleasant journey,
just as had settled myself comfort
ably and the guard gave his whistle,
the door opened and pretty, excited
young lady came bustling in. She
seemed relieved at having caught the
train and sat down in state Of breath
less and smiling exhaustion.
II looked over at her from my cor
ner. so did loudly dressed, bounder-
ish looking young man from his, for
she was an extremely pretty girl, With
brown curly hair, small features, and
the daintiest little figure in the world.
frowned at the loudly dressed young
man, and he frowned at me, and Just
then the girl looked up and caught my
glance of admiration. She stiffenei,
and then her eyes fell upon my cigar,
which l had left smoldering in my
hand. and look of severe displeasure
came into her face.
care you aware. SIR she said, aus
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

When the train drew up. I proposed
to assist ner in finding out the tele-
graph office, and thither, therefore, we
went.
81 don't think Til send a wire after
ALL she said hesitatingly, as we found
the place.
why not? l said. in some sur
prise.
Because because think I'll go
straight home
But think of the anxiety Of the
poor chap said feelingly. Why, he
may be thinking all kinds Of dreadful
things have happened to YOU
She stood irresolute for moment;
then she picked UP form and wrote,
and, for the life Of me, could not re-
sist looking over. All that she said
was:
- have changed my mind.-Phyl-
lis
"'Of all the cool cheek, that is the
coolest l thought.
But stepped back and pretended
to be much interested in the company's
timetable.
Now we must find out the next
train back, said, as she turned again
to me; and then we will have some
tea. You must want some badly
But your train-you will surely
lose it, she murmured.
:" York is my destination said un-
truthfully.
After that found out there was
no train for half an hour, and we took
our way to the tearoom. where my
pretty companion made me her willing
and sympathetic confidant. She was
unhappy. very unhappy, at home, and,
in an lll-guarded moment, had agreed
to runaway match without the
knowledge of her parents. Now she
was thankful, very thankful, that she
had been prevented. 1t seemed like
fate. That was the summary of her
remarks.
There now, you fellows" broke off
the narrator abruptly. II needn't tell
you much more; only that we each
exchanged cards, agreed to see one an
other in London. and that we parted
cheerfully at York.
and did you fulfill those PROMISES"
said one of the listeners, with interest.
20, yes! We have seen some little
of each other since then"
And her name?"
will soon be Julian" said the
young man promptly Penny Pictorial
Magazine.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

Poultlces.

The application of heat is often ex-
tremely useful in the relief of pain and
of Inflammation, or in fastening the
maturing of boil or felon The most
usual way of making such an applica-
ton is by means of poultices. These
retain the heat much longer than hot
cloths, and have an advantage over
hot water bag when moist heat is
required.
The making of poultices is an art
which can be learned only by practice,
and unfortunately for many poor suf-
ferers few persons ever master the art.
A good poultice should be perfectly
smooth, moist, but not dripping, as
light as possible, and as hot as it can
be made without burning the patient.
A poultice of flaxseed is perhaps the
most common, but poultices may be
made of ground slippery elm, cornmeal,
bread, starch, or any other material
that will make smooth paste with
hot water, and will not dry too rapidly
and become caksd and hard.
In making flaxseed poultice, the
naxseed meal, the bowl and the spoon
for stirring should be previously
warmed, and everything should be
ready to the hand before start is
made. Boiling water is poured into
the bowl, and then the meal is added
gradually with constant stirring. This
is better than adding the water to the
meal, for then it is very difficult to
prevent Jumping.
AS soon as the paste is the proper
consistency-two parts of meal to five
OF water being about the right proper
tion-it should be spread an inch or so
thick upon piece of muslin, leaving
an uncovered margin of two inches.
Then on the face Of the poultice is
placed piece of flannel of the same
size as the muslin. The edges are now
quickly turned over and fastened with
safety pins or basted, and the poultice
is ready.
The flannel side goes against the
skin. layer OF cotton is placed over
the poultice, and. the whole is covered
Win uUOCl llSSuS VI OIL SILK,
The advantage of having the flannel
next the skin is that the poultice may
be applied very hot without burning.
If it is necessary to repeat the poul-
tees often, it is we'll to make bags of
the right size, sewn on three sides
and with two-inch flaps on the end,
which can be rapidly pinned after the
bag is filled.
A poultice, to be of any use, should
be changed as soon as it grows cool,
which is usually by the end OF two
hours.
If applied to a commencing boil, it
should be only little larger than the
inflamed part.
Generally it makes little difference
what material is used, the virtue be-
ing in the heat and moisture; but
sometimes faxseed irritates a very
tender skin, and then starch or bread
should be substituted.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
Whore Mosquitoes Are Thick.

1--WE have to fight mosquitoes all
night" saiG one of the Washington
night policemen at the white house.
This is the worst place in town for!
them. There is no opportunity to take
a nap around here. The big mosquitoes
would drive hole in you before you
could get your eyes half closed The
electric light on the front porch is the
main attraction that draws them to
the building. They swarm around the
light and occasionally fly in the front
door when 1t is opened for some one to
enter. The residence portion Of the
house is thoroughly protected with the
best fly screens, but despite these a
good many of the pestiferous insects
get in to make trouble. Once in, they
hunt places to begin propagating."
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

Throughout the empire OF Morocco
and In Tunis there are villages where
the elder members Of the adult popu-
lation follow professionally the pursuit
Of fattening young ladies for the ma
trimonial market of Barbary. The
Moors, like the Turks and most other
Orientals, give a decided preference to
moon faced" wives over lean ones and
are more solicitous as to the number
Of pounds which their brides weigh
than about the stock of accomplish
ments they possess. A girl is put un-
der the process of fattening when she
Is about IL years of age. Her hands
are tied behind her, and she is seated
on carpet during SO many hours ev-
cry day, while her papa stands over
her with a matraque, or big stick, and
her mother at times pops into her
mouth ball of couscoussou, or stiff
maize porridge. kneaded up with
grease, and just large enough to he
swallowed without the patient choking,
says the Brooklyn Eagle.
III the unfortunate girl declines to
be stuffed, she is compelled, so that
ere long the poor girl resigns herself
to the torture and gulps down the
boluses lest she should be beaten. In
Brazil corpulence is also considered
: the essential point Of female beauty,
and the greatest compliment that can
be paid to Brazilian lady is to tell
her that she grows fatter and fatter
every day.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
PNEUMATIC LlFE-sAyER.

The invention here shown speaks for
itself and it's advantages in saving
lives in case Of wreck, can easily be
teen. 1t is designed either to occupy
I place among the equipment of yes
eel or to be stationed near dangerous
rocks along the coast and not only
provides means Of support for those
In the water, but also carries a supply
Of food and water to maintain life UNI
Ill aid arrives. There is central COM
partment in which the food and water
Ire placed, to which access is gained
through water-tight door. At the
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

beneath the slot in the face of the box.
The crank is then turned until the por-
ton of the paper containing the first
row of pins is close to the slot. AS
the paper turns at sharp angle over
the rod the heads project through the
slot and stop further progress of the
roll until the last pin is removed, when
another turn is given to the crank and
new row presents itself.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

The detonations of heavy artiller,
are extremely Injurious to the ear. An
expert physician examined the ears Of
ninety-six soldiers before and after a
battle in South Africa. and found
marked changes in forty-four, or near
" fifty per cent. In seven cases he
found small hemorrhages in the ears.
and the firing caused the edge of the
ear drum to become red in thirty-seyen
cases.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

The night toilette of French wo-
m nl Y az carefully made as if she
were going to reception, instead Of
10 bed. Whether she be old or young,
e well-bred daughter of France brush
es and arranges her hair, cleans her
teeth, rinses her mouth with some
pleasant antiseptic WASH, dons a dam
y night dress. and prepares herself for
sleep with the care and elaboration
q girl attiring herself for her first
ball.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

q love romance with a decidedly
dovel turn comes from Debreczin,
hungary. A young man was rejected
py ms sweetheart because he was bow
legged. He went toea hospital and was
Informed that to straighten his legs
the operating surgeon would just have
% break and then reset them. and
that the chances of success were slim.
The young man insisted on the opera
tlon; it proved a success, and in two
months he returned to his sweetheart.
and now they are married.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

Snakes of all sizes abound in the
sumatra jungles. Monster lizards are
.nere, measuring six and seven feet.
The house lizard is about twelve
inches long and makes noise like the
bark of q toy terrier.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

Ia India the theaters are all free.
3 ne curtain rises at 9 in the evening
ana the plays usually last till a.. m.
Inc people like dramas presenting
the exploits of some NEUROLOGICAL
character.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
is suspended. and the ladder provides
means to reach the outlook at the top,
where flag and bell are in use as
signals.
HANDY PlN-HoLDlNo CABINET

Here is a little device that will prove
useful to dressmakers and others who
are compelled to use large quantities OF
pins. It is adapted to receive paper
of pins and present each row in posi-,
ton to allow each pine to be removed.
separately A rod is inserted in the
center of the paper roll and the ends
are mounted in brackets at the sides
Of the box. The outer end of the paper
is attached to the crank-shaft in front,
after being passed over the rod located
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

bottom Of the float is a ballast cham
Der which prevents overturning in a
rough sea, and to further aid in sup
porting the float at the top Of the
water number of separate air cham
bers are provided around the outer edge
with ribs to distend them and lessen
the liability Of puncture. Around the
buoy, just above the water line, a cable
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
Extraction of Rubber.

For the extraction of rubber from
the rubber tree new process consists
in cutting up the barn and roots and
soaking in dilute sulphuric acid. This
decomposes the woody portions with
out affecting the rubber, and in this
way the rubber and bark and roots arr
separated.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
Buckles ON Her Roses.

The Duchess of Marlborough (Con-
suelo Vanderbilt) shone respondent on
the queens birthday night at the re-
ception given by the Duke and Duchess
Of Devonshire. She was in palest blue
satin, the skirt of which was wrought
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06
A War That MAKES Apply 'ON[S.

Some persons look at the effects of
the South African campaign in one
way-some In another, says London
newspaper. One Of the oldest is
surely that Of the widow Of certain
Tommy whof fell at Colenso. A lady
visitor went 10 condole with her, when
shs looked b with : smile and said.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

with an air Of mingled difference and
confidence: "Oh, mum, do you trouble
about I'm? II was allays bad 'un.
I've got a nice lot Of money from the
newspapers and other Kind friends
enough to keep me comfortable. Oh.
mum, this ERE wars made q let Of
'appy 'onssa It has.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06


# The cost of a railroad is usually
reckoned by the mile, but London has
Just completed an underground road,
six miles long, which cost forty dollars
an inch. 1t is worth noting that the
locomotives and passenger coaches are
all Of the American type and the loco
motives are of American construction.
The rolling stock is fitted with Ameri-
can air-brakes, and is driven by an
American electric plant, the power for
which is furnished by steam-e engine
designed by one American firm and
constructed by another. 1t is none the
less worth noting that these con-
tracts were awarded to Americans
largely because British mechanics
were then on a strike and therefore
the British manufacturer could not
undertake to deliver the goods on
time.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-09-06

Frank Burke, aged thirteen years.
VINO died recently in Ansonia, Conn,
aad been delicate from birth. Shortly
before his death the discovery was
made that his heart was on his wrong
side.