davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Elephant stories.

Talking of elephant fables, the ami
NAL trainer said:
Take, for instance, the story of the
man who stuck a pin in the elephants
trunk and years afterward was del
uged with dirty water by the remem-
bering elephant. | am surprised that
any one should take this yarn serious
ly. Why, the average thickness of the
elephants hide runs from half an inch
to two inches deep. Now, imagine a
pin going through that thickness on an
e1rand of pain 1t would swallow a
pin and bres needle.
1.-The old fashioned elephant story
that has any real basis of truth is the
one that makes the big brute afraid Of
mouse. Experience in the winter
quarters of a show, where mice and
rats thrive. convinces one of this fact.
A mouse will make an entire herd
noisy with fright, and rat will put
them in condition of desperate fear.
An elephant may defend itself against
lion, tiger or any other natural enc
my, but the insignificant size of a
mouse battles his conception of often
sive or defensive warfare. The mouse
is too quick to be crushed underfoot
or to be caught by his trunk, and it
can scamper over his rough hide with
impunity The elephant realizes his
helplessness against such diminutive
foe and learns to fear it as he fears no
other animal" -Buffalo Express.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02

Powder Burns In Shooting Cases.
Powder burns have played a curl
ously important part before the courts"
has large criminal practice. Their
presence or cbsence is often depended
upon to determine proximity in mystic
rious shootings, and they have fire.
quently settled the question of suicide
or murder where the fact was In doubt
81 was interested in a case of that
kind in the early days of my practice
and prevailed upon prominent sur
geon of this city who is now dead to
ascertain for me by practical expert
ment upon a body in the dissecting
room exactly how far away the eX-
plosion of a pistol would produce burns
and powder marks. He used 80 cal
iber revolver and found that the fame
of the discharge made a distinct burn
ut a distance of 21a feet, and powder
marks were left at distance Of more
than two yards.
"Of course the grains were not actu
ally driven into the skin, as they are a,
| shorter range, but the marks were
/, clearly discernible and could not be
easily removed | was surprised at the
result, and 1t satisfied me that many
erroneous conclusions had been drawn
from such evidence in the past. 1t is
generally supposed that the weapon
must be held almost against the skin tc
leave traces of flame and powder
| New Orleans Times Democrat.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Ancient SundiaIs.

1t is probable that the earliest sun
dial was simply the spear of some no.
mad chief stuck upright in the ground
before his tent. Among those desert
wanderers, keen to observe their sur
roundings, it would not be difficult
thing to notice that the shadow short
ened as the sun rose higher in the sky
and that the shortened shadow always
pointed in the same direction-nOrth.
The recognition would have followed
very soon that this MONDAY shadow
changed in its length from day to day.
A six foot spear would give shadow
at monday in latitude 40 degrees Of u
feet at one time Of the year, of less
than two feet at another
This instrument, so simple, so easily
carried so easily set up, may we'll have
begun the scientific study of astrono-
my, for it lent itself to measurement,
and science is measurement, and prob
ably we see it expressed in permanent
form in the obelisks of Egyptian solar
temples, though these no doubt We're
retained merely as solar emblems ages
after their use as actual instruments
Of observation had ceased. An upright
stick carefully plumbed standing on
some level surface may therefore well
make the first advance upon the natu-
stick will be found to render the shad-
ow more easily observed.-E. Walter
Maunder in knowledge.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Letting Him on Easy.

Before | agree to undertake your
defense" said the eminent criminal
lawyer who had been called in, you
will have to be perfectly frank with
me and tell me the whole truth. Did
you embezzle the 100000 you are ac-
cused of having taken?"
Yes, sir" replied the accused man.
'I'll not attempt to conceal the fact
from you. stole every penny of it."
"How much Of it have you left?"
Its all gone but about f1O'
Young man." said the eminent law
yer, putting on his gloves, you'd bet
ter plead guilty and throw yourself on
the mercy of the court"
"l'll do it if you say so, sir. What
are you going to charge me for the ad-
vice."
Ten pounds. "-London King.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Nominating n President.

Until the constitutional amendment
of 1904 the president and the vice pres
ident We're voted for on the same bal
lot, the man with the second highest
number of votes becoming vice presi-
dent. The presidential electors have
not always been chosen by popular
vote.
Before 1900 it was the general Gus
tom for the state legislatures to choose
the electors, and it was not until 1928
that presidential electors were chosen
in nearly all the states by popular vote.
AS late as 1876 the Colorado legislature
chose the three presidential electors to
represent that state. There is nothing
in the constitution to prevent any state
legislature naming it's own electors
without appeal to the people provided
such a method of election is prescribed
by the state laws.
From 1900 to 1924 presidential candi-
dates were chosen by the members of
congress in caucus. In 1924 the elect.
from the candidates so submitted, and
the matter went to the house Of repre-
sentatives. Four years later Tennes-
sees legislature nominated Andrew
Jackson without any reference to the
congressional caucus. His opponent
John Quincy Adams, was nominated in
the old way, but that was the end OF
presidential nominations by congress
sional caucus.-New York Sun.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
He Prayed Hard.

An old man in Georgia named Jack
Baldwin, having lost his hat in an old
dry we'll one day, hitched rope to a
stump and let himself down. A wicked
wag named Neal came along just then
and, quietly detaching bell from
Baldwin's old blind horse, approached
the well bell in hand and began to ting
a-ling.
Jack thought the old horse was COM
ing and said: Hang the old blind
horse! He's coming this way sure, and
he amt got no more sense than to fall
in on me. Whoa, Balln'
The sound came closer.
'Great Jerusalem, the old blind foo
will be right on top of me in a mint
Whoa, Ball. Whoa, haw, Ball."
Neal kicked little dirt on Jacks
head. and Jack began to pray:
ooh, Lord, have mercy on-whoa
Ball!-a poor sinner I'm gone now
whoa, Ball. Our father who art in
whoa, Ball! - hallowed be thy = gee
Ball. gee! what'll do?-name. Now
lay me down to SIEGE, Ball"' Jus
then in fell more dirt. ooh, Lord, i
you ever intend to do anything for nj
back, Ball! whoa! = thy kingdom
come-gee, Ball! Oh, Lord, you know
was baptized in Smiths mill dam
whoa, Ball! no! up! murder! whoaw
Neal could h ID in no longer ant
shouted a laugh which might have
been heard two miles, which was abou
as far as Jack chased him when he go
Out.-Atlanta Journal
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
A Child,s ph,Iosonbx.

1t is one of the prime secrets of hap
piness to recognize and accept ones
natural limitations, but philosophy of
this kind is perhaps hardly to be ex-
pected of children.
A little girl had sent back her plate
for turkey two or three times and had
been helped bountfully to all the good
things that go to make a grand Christ
mas dinner. Finally she was observed
looking rather disconsolately at her un-
finished plate of turkey.
Whats the matter, Ethel?" asked
Uncle John. You look mournful.''
That's just the matter" said Ethel.
Il am morn full"
And then she wondered why every
body laughed.-Stray Stories.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Poor Air md Poor Living.

When Jim Bridger, the famous scout
OF the plans, grew old, he thought he
would like to retire from the somewhat
arduous life Of plainsman and settle
down to the ease of 1.-The east" which
to him meant Missouri. So he used his
best endeayor to find a competent man
to fill his place and went back to Mis-
souri,
A year or two passed, and Une day
Captain Russell, the commandant of
the post which Bridger had left, was
in sight When he came in, the cap
tain asked:
''Well, Bridger, what brings you back
here?"
Captain" said Bridger, 81 want to
go back to scouting again"
Indeed? Why, l thought you had
settled down in the east for the rest of
your life!
well, cap'n, I'll tell you how it is.
I went back to old Missouri, and if
you'll believe it they've got a railroad
station within ten mile O the old place
yes, sir, a railroad station! And
what's more, they've got ranch now
in every four mile. l tell you what
cap'n, the air amt pure down there nc
more!
rs that possible? But l though,
you'd like the good things to eat they
have down there. You like good things
to eat, l remember"
Good things to eat! Why, cap'n,
q didn't have Drilled beaver tail the
whole time l was there!'-Youth's
Companion.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Two Straight F1ushes,

I played poker for II years and new.
er saw a straight flush. A few nights
ago woman in millionaires' row
palace held one and, 'disdaining the
small pile of cash on the table, called
for her check book. Everybody ex-
cept an old bachelor who had learned
the game in the Union club laid down.
He, scorning to take advantage of q
weak woman, said:
Mrs. B.. let me advise you to be
careful. l shall see you for any amount
and raise you. The limit is off, sup
poser"
She said it was and cast check
for $500 in the pot.
Before see that may l ask ques-
tion?' he said to the assembled play
ers. 81 want to know this-in case
there are two straight Pushes, each ace
high, which suit wins? 2"
Diamonds" was the unanimous re-
ply
He handed to Mrs. B. her check and
laying down ten, jack, queen, king
! and ace of diamonds, remarked that
she was a Very brave woman. But
she assured him that her hand was
worth $500 and exposed ten, jack
queen, king and ace of clubs.
"How far would you have gone?
some one asked her, to which she made
answer:
81 shouldn't have thought of stopping
under $4,000, and l am half angry
that he didn't give me chance to bet
it's such glorious un."-New York
| Press.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Stands Without a Rival,

Mr.. Jno. n. Wllkie, of SO Adams
Ave, West, Detroit, Michigan, writes:
$" have been troubled with very Sc
we're headache for years and have
taken a great many different remedies,
but have never found anything to give
me as speedy and permanent cure as
krause's Headache Capsules: In my
opinion they stand without rival;
they have cured me every time. Sold
by Nick Doffing & Co, Extra, and n.
c. Bronson, Audubon; Druggists.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
65.536 Versions of Jack and Jill.

An English clergyman has written
the history of Jack and Jill on a new
and original plan. The first four pages
of the book are numbered l, the next
four 2. and SO on up to page S. The
stories are so arranged that any page
marked can be read after any num-
bered l. making good sense. In the
same way page 3 can be read after
page ! or page 2; page 4 will follow
page l. or 3, and so on through the
eight. Application of the laws of per-
mutation shows that the book thus
contains 65.536 stories Of Jack and Jill.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Arrests AyaIanches

Thickly planted trees are the best
protection against avalanches. The
snow which has fallen in the woods
cannot we'll shift its place, and when
the masses of snow from the slopes
above dash against the timber they are
unable to break through SO strong a
barrier, and after overturning some of
the first trees their progress is arrested.
Forest Leaves.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02

A little girl who was in the habit OF
tearing her dolls to pieces to see what
was inside somewhat surprised her
Sunday school teacher.
what was Adam made OFF," asked
the teacher.
"The dust of the EARTH" glibly an
swered the child.
what was Eve made of?'
After moments hesitation. "The
sawdust of the earth. New York
Tribune
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Effect of paterna1 Example.

Mr.. Tucker, who sometimes goes
cunning. was trying to teach Tommy
the meaning of the word brace" as
applied to game.
Now, Tommy" he said, ''f you
should go hunting and kill 20 pleas
ants, for instance, how many would
you say you had bagged?"
Fifty" geplied Tommy. = Chicago
Tribune.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02

If you deposit money in a bank and
leave it there for over six years with
out adding to it, drawing on it or deal
ing with it in any way, it comes under
the statute of limitations and is lost to
yol forever.
Suppose you bought gold ring and
without saying anything about pay
ments or delivery you turned round to
examine clock and a magpie flew i'll
and carried off the ring it would be
your loss. You would have to pay the
jeweler, While he need not give you
another ring. If you bought a horse
and said you would call for him in the
evening and if the stables We're burned
and the horse destroyed before you
called, you would have to bear the con
sequences. But if anything remained
to be done to the property purchased
the seller would be responsible. Sup
pose he undertook to put nail in the
horses shoe or suppose the jeweler
said he would polish up the ring, then
the loss would fall on him, not you.
If you wrote from London to a miller
III pilslol oleIiuS W sen lillh u cary
of wheat at 80 shillings a quarter and
he wrote letter accepting your offer
and posted it the same day, the CON
tract would be completed. Suppose
now the letter got lost, you concluded
that he was not going to buy and you
sold the cargo to some one else, you
would be liable for damages to the first
buyer, and the worst of it is you could
get nothing out of the postmaster gen
eral.-London Answers.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
A TrunlS1ess BODY.

An explorer lately returned from his
travels was relating his adventures.
81 peered.' said he. Into the thicket.
and there before me lay trunkless
body" Nonsense. remarked an inter-
fering critic who ever heard of a
trunkless body?' My friend" replied
the traveller quietly, 1.-The body was
that of an elephant" He then resumed
his story.-London Globe.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Improving His Time,

$50 you We're in Paris?"
YES" answered Mr.. Cumrox. Mrs.
G. and the girls wanted to 60"
did you visit all the points of in
terest?"
II should say so. We went to more
places in a week than we could learn
to pronounce the names of in six
months. "-Washington Star.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Her Damaged Horn.

well, we'll" remarked the maiden
all forlorn to the COW with the crum-
pied horn, you remind me of a bicycle
that has been in collision with some
thing"
The COW ceased Eliminating long
enough to inquire why"
81 observe" said she, that one of
your handle bars is twisted. "-Phila-
delphia Press.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02
Her Object Attained.

"Forgive me. my dear" said the gos-
sip humbly, but thoughtlessly men
toned to Mrs. Brown the things that
you told me in strict confidence"
There is nothing to forgive" replied
the wise woman pleasantly. 1T was
for that very purpose that / told them
to you in strict confidence" Chicago
Post.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02

A good book and good woman are
excellent things for man who can
appreciate their value, but too many
men Judge both from the beauty Of
their coyering.-Chicago News.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02

WANTED-Honest man or woman to travel for
large house: salary sos monthly and ex-
close self-addressed stamped envelope. MAN
AGER. $50 Caxton bldg, Chicago.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-08-02

Where the sun does not enter the
doctor must go.-Italian Proverb.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12

No man who has ever been elect
cd to the Office of Governor Of
Missouri has been compelled to
defend his position as such against
adverse criticism as much as the
the present incumbent, Lon. V.
Stephens. Stephens IS a misfit. The
Office is too large for the intellec-
tual capacity Of the man whose
attempts to fill it border close upon
the ludicrous and have occasioned
Missouri to be the object Of de-
rision from her sister states. The
administration of Stephens marks a
period of degcneracy in the party
in this state to which he belongs,
a degeneracy resulting from the
system of continuing ''the same
fine BREED in Office too long with
out a change other than to rotate ii
from one office into another.
However, although his genesis is
the same as that of Stephens, Mr..
Dockery will soon succeed the for
mer rs Governor of Missouri, and
it is sincerely hoped by all
concerned in the good repute Of
Missouri, will be an improvement
upon his predecessor. Dockcry is
undoubtedly a man of superior in-
telligcnce and it may be that this
qualification will offset to some ex-
tent the decline in the political
breed from which he springs.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12
Round About Us.

The Frisco Railroad is making ef-
forts to locate 600 Boer families in Pui-
aski County, this state.
A silver mine has been discovered
near Zalma. in Boilinger County, with
ore in paying quantities.
The next annual meeting of the
Southeast Missouri Teachers Associa-
tion will be held at Pennington, Dec.
$3.50, 1901.
Judge Jas. D. Fox, Of Frederick
town, was quite severely hurt in a
runaway accident at Farmingtown one
day recently.
The Sulliyan Sentinel is agitating
the question of making new county,
to be composed of parts of Crawford,
Franklin and Washington Counties,
with Sullivan as the county seat.
Four prisoness mace their escape
from jail at Jackson, Mo-, on the
night of Dec 1. Two of the men
Rufus and Monroe Benson, brothers
are under indictment for murder in
the first degree.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12
Belqrdde.

December weather is with us, but
the roads are still in pretty good con-
ditOn.
Aumon Adams returned last Satur-
day to his school.
Uncle Silas johnson was rustling
his cattle off the range last week.
Robt. Ramsey has sold his house
and lot here to Edmond Byrd for $500.
Philip Relfe has returned home, and
his many friends are giving him a
welcome greeting.
Married, at the home of the brides
parents, on Clear Creek, on Wednes-
day of last week, Mr.. Harry North, of
st. Louis, to Miss Maggie B. Byrd.
Several cases OF measles are reported
in this neighborhood.
Judge Goforth, William Byrd and
Mrs. Fannie McSwain are all very
seriously ill at this writing.
Rev. II. W. Chester, of Centerville,
Mo-, is holding a series af revival
meetings at the Buelah Land church,
near Sunlight. They have flourish
lug union Sabbath school there, Mr..
q. S. Ramsey, superintendent.
Quite number of buildings are be.
ing remodeled and several new ones
built in this locality. Is is reported
| that Grisliam s Stephens saw mill
cannot begin to cut lumber fast enough
tofill their orders, while the prosperity
teams are all very numerous hauling
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12

Senator Morgan, of Alabama,
was about right when be remarked
a few days ago that this country
should proceed with the building
of the Nicaragua canal regardless
Of stipulations England might at
tempt tc inject into the question.
If it is to be wholly an American
enterprise carried out by American
money, the American people as a
nation will not admit the interfer-
ence of any foreign power over
our right to control the canal un-
der any circumstances. The pri-
mary object of the canal is that of
= great public utility, the useful
ness Of which all nations may
enjoy under legitimate conditions.
It is 4 wrong proposition to put
the military aboye the commercial
importance of the canal.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12
Wealth of the Nation.

The report of the secretery of
the treasury showsa wonderful ex-
pansion of trade.
The imports of the year were
Ss49, ,941, 1s4, as against S697, 14S.-
4S9, an increase of 1852, 1872, ,695.
The most significant fact in this
connection is that the imports of
the raw materials of American
manufacture grew from 1922, ,657,-
ia in 1899 to 1905, 1876, 746 in 1900.
The total exports were valued at
81 1894, ,4S3,OS2. OF this vast sum
manufactures formed 31.65 per
cent as against 1921 per cent in
1899, 23.14in 1896 and 1877 per
cent in 1890. In ten years the eX-
port of manufactures has arisen
from S340, 900, 900 to $433, 900, 900.
In agricultural products the gain
in exports is equally gratifying.
In 1899 we exported of these S74S,-
H6, 142; in 1900, s35, ,s5s, 1913.
In all respects the gain is enor-
nous. Facts like these need no in
terpretation. They mean that this
country is rapidly gaining the
commercial re-eminence to which
we are naturally entitled by reason
of superior character and condit-
ions.-Post-Dispatcl.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12
Fraud Publication

The mails are periodically flood
ed with circulars from publishers
of class of papers and magazines
which the government ought to ex-
clude from circulation. Frequent
ly their advertisements appear in
legitimate publications. They Of
fer very tempting bait-promises
of a big return for very little
outlay. Sometimes the prize will
be for supplying missing letters in
names; sometimes for the. largest
list Of words formed from the let
ters of single word or sentence,
and sometimes something else just
as simple and easy. The gudgeon
who bites must send small fee to
get his name on the list, and short
ly thereafter is apt to get a letter
informing him that he had missed
the big prize but is entitled to
something else that is very valuable
if he will forward a little more
money. 1t may be gold ring
with turquoise set, said to be worth
several dollars, is to be sent on
receipt of only one dollar; but it is
safe to say such rings are not
worth a dollar a dozen.
The main object of such pub!i-
cations seems to he to advertise
their fake wares and weed!e vic
Tins, by false representations, in-
to buying them. The main head
quarters for these publications is
Augusta, Maine, but there are imi-
tators from other places. A safe
and sensible rule is to never deal
with anyone who offers you big
gains for nearly nothing. If you
have money to throw away better
tackle shell game or bet against
some other of gamblers tricks.
The publishers of the papers refer
red to are not philanthropists.
They are looking and working af-
ter their gain-not for the benefit
of others. Their schemes are
hardly rs reputable as regular lot
teries.-Jefferson Democrat.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12

There are FIVE or six candidates
out for tic speakership of the
House of Representatives, and
each man probably thinks that he
will be the chosen one. However,
it will be the fellow who stands
next to the egg suckers that will
get the lob.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12

oppose the measure. To them it
seems a height of folly to spend a
few million dollars in judicious
subsidies to bring in return of
hundreds of millions. All the
maritime nations of Europe sub.
sidize their shipping, which has
resulted in great profit to them.
The bill will undoubtedly pass in
spite of Democratic opposition.
Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1900-12-12

The army reorganization bill
which passed the House last Thurs
day carried nm amendment abolish
ing the army canteen. The vote
Of the House on this amendment
was overwhelmingly against the
canteen, and indicates a growing
public sentiment, so far as relates
to the army at least, against the
evils Of the liquor traffic. Tenn
perance people will regard the ac-
ton of the House on this question
as a great victory for their cause,
masmuch as their appeals to Con-
gress have heretofore had but little
effect.