davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
To Judge an Opnl.


An expert on opal mining has recent
" explained low the opal is judged as
to quality and desirability. First, he
says, color Is of the greatest impor-
lance. Red fire, or red in combination
with yellow, blue and green, are the
best. Blue by itself is quite valueless,
and the green opal is not of great value
unless tie color is very vivid and the
pattern very good. The color must be
true that is to say. it must not run in
streaks or patches, alternating with a
colorless or inferior quality.
Pattern is described rs being an i'm
portant factor, the several varieties be-
known as pin fire. when the grain Is
very small, harlequin" when the color
is all in small squares, the more reg
ular the better, and the flash fire" or
flash OPAL when the color shows as a
single flash or In very large pattern.
Harlequin is the most common and Is
also popularity considered the most
beautiful. When the squares of color
are regular and show as distinct, mi
mute checks of red, yellow, blue and
green, 1t is considered magnificent.
Some stones show better on edge than
| on top.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
Good Reason.
PROFESSIONALLY does the earth move?
Hardup (absentlD : Can't pay the
rent, uppose.-Exchange.
Very Tired

1t has remained for little girl to
nearly, If not quite, equal famous
witticism of Leigh Hunt. OF course
she spoke in childish innocence. where
the English essayist and wit used his
ripened intellect.
Hunt, in describing an exceedingly
warm day. it will be remembered.
spoke Of 1t as one which tempted him
to strip OF his flesh and sit in his
bones.
The little girl had been romping and
running all day. Toward nightfall her
father met her. Are you not yer.
tired, little one?" he asked.
"Oh. not SO very tired papa" she re.
piled. Then in IL burst of confidence
she whispered. "Cnly do feel as
though I'd like TO take my legs off aud
carry them awhile.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
Improvement of Corn.

"Uncle Henry" Wallace,is devoting
good deal of space In his paper, Wal
laces Farmer to the Improvement of
Iowa Corn. He calls attention 10 the
fact that while the Iowa Farmer has
been improving his live stock for TWEEN.
ty years and more he has given very
little attention to tie great Iowa crop,
corn. Among the many articles which
this subject has been series by Prof.
and these are illustrated by q number
of photographs showing different va
r'eties OF corn, perfect and imperfect
ears, the rsost profitable to raise, etc.
| he average Iowa farmer thinks he
knows MS much about corn as anybody
does but We miss our guess If he can
not learn a lot from these articles in
Wallaces' Farmer
In this connection we wish to say
that Walaces' Farmer is one of the
best agricultural papers that comes to
this office. 1t is handsomely printed on
paper of fine quality, filled with at
lractive illustrations, and IN addition
to Its regular features, its editorials by
"Uncle Henry" it's departments OF
Dairying, Horticulture, the Hog and
Poultry, ite Home Department, for the
women; contains full reports of the
leading fairs, live stock shows, and
sales, agricultural meetings, etc. 1t is
published weekly a. Des Moines, Iowa
at S1.O0 year, Bill subscriptions pay
able in advance and the paper stops
when the time is out. we can senc
| Wallaces' Farmer and the Democrat
both one year for only 225 and you ge
one of our nice premiums. Apply a
the Democrat office.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
EARLvILLE.

Miss Vida Woodall came from
Rock Falls, Iowa, on Saturday to visit
at the home of Miss Grace Matthews.
Miss Mary Young is spending her
vacation at home. Miss Young Las
been teaching in Marshalltown and will
return there after theIholidays.
John Cattron came home from Fay
cite Friday to remain for two week s.
vacation.
J.c. Nieman went to Chicago one
day last week.
John Armstrong, of Greeley, had
business in town Wednesday,
DIR. r.. w. Soper, and Mrs. Soper
went to Dubuque Friday, returning the
same day.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. A. Kendall are enter
tanning her grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Rolcomb, of Fredericksburg.
The Epworth students came home to
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
EADs GROVE.

Rev. Hubbell preached at the Fitch
school house Sunday Dec. 18th.
Will Smith madea business trip to
Coggon few days ago.
The three months old baby of Charlie
Gibson was buried at Thorpe on Tues
Gay, December 18th.
The oyster supper at Mr.. Frentress'
last Tuesday evening was not very
largely attended on account of the cold
weather.
Fred and Jake Mosher were Manches-
ter visitors last Monday.
Mrs. Dewey, of Manchester, has been
visiting her sister, Mrs. Dick Frentress,
the past week.
Floyd Harvey had the misfortune to
have an ankle badly spraiued while
chopping in the woods.
The Christmas tree entertainment
which was to have been at the Fitch
school house was given at the homs of
L. A. Wood instead.
Nettie Fowler visited in Oneida a
few days Of last week.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
DELHI.

Mr. and Mrs. ID. S. Corbin returned
Wednesday from Freeport, Illinois.
School closed Friday for weeks Va
cation
Roy Stone is home for the holidays
from U. l. U. at Fayette.
Will Burton is home for visit from
his school duties at Lucerne.
Michael Herrick, an old resident of
this place but for many years past an
inmate of the asylum for the insane
in Worth county, was buried at
this place Tuesday, December l6, aged
so years. Funeral service at the house
conducted by Rev. Salisbury.
John Toomer is home again.
Miss Alice hunt is home from school
at Cedar Falls.
Mrs. Peter Keith died recently at her
home in Wancoma.
}. w. Swinburne and Riley Hold
ridge attended bank meeting at Earl
vile Monday.
Mrs. Terry went to Independence
Saturday to remain uutil after Christ
mas.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. j. Reeder were over
from Earlvile Sunday.
Miss Opal Stoner went to her home
in Edgewood Saturday to spend her va
cation.
Friday morning at 80 O'Clock fire
broke out in the building known as the
old Pat McMeel place, but now owned
and occupied by Frank Berhans as a
dwelling and wagon shop, it was soon
reduced to asher, with the two build
iDgs on the west, one occupied by Frank
Mooney as blacksmith shop, the other
by Bryce Saunders blacksmith shop. No
insurance on any of the buildings.
Miss Ella Burton is home from school
at Cedar Falls.
Owing to sickness in town Christ
nas will pass very quietly for the most
of us. There will be no tree at either
church and no public gathering of any
kind.
A Meister and James Smith took
four Christmas trees to Manchester
Saturday from Porter's nursery.
Our sick are on the gain, for which
we are all very thankful.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
An onicct lesson to Grant.

This story Is told of the first time
Grant ever had charge Of large body
of men sent out to give battle BE was
colonel in the early part of 1862, de-
tailed to go to the relief of an Illinois
regiment, supposed to be surrounded
by Confederates at Palmyra, Mo-, but
when lie arrived the regiment had re-
lieved itself by retiring. Grant then
went out to Florida, in the same state,
and as the regiment toiled over the hill
beyond which the enemy was supposed
to be in waiting Grant says he would
have given anything to be back again
in Illinois"
At the top of the hill, instead of
troops drawn up in battle array, Grant
saw deserted camp. ut occurred to
me ut once that Harris had been as
much afraid of me rs had been of
him." said Grant. "From that event 10
the close of the war never experience
ed trepidation upon confronting an en-
envy, though always felt more or less
anxiety. never forgot that he had as
much reason to fear my forces as
had his."-Syracuse Post-Standard.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
HOPK1NToN.

Chicken thieves are said to be operat-
ing in the vicinity of Broadway.
AT noon yesterday occurred the mar.
riage of William III. Hull to Miss Liz
zie McCurdy, the ceremony being per-
formed at the home of the bride by
Rev. ID. q. Macintosh of the Freshly
terrain church.
LATE Matthews came down from
Manchester last Wednesday and oflici-
ated as Master of the Masonic ceremon-
les at the funeral of Thos. Dewad.
There were number of lnasons pIes-
ent from surrounding towns.
Died,-G. III. Crawford at his home
in Sioux City, Iowa, December 4, 1901,
age 6S years and nine mouths. Was born
in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1888; came
west when young man, and moved to
Delaware county, Iowa in 1858, and to
Hopkinton in 1860, making his home
here until few years ago, when he re-
Tired from business and moved to Sioux
City where his daughter lived
The death of Henry Schnier, ST., &C.
CURED on Monday and the funeral WAS
held yesterday, the interment taking
place at Worthington. Mr.. Schnier has
been suffering for some tine past with
a cancer of the stomach. He was one
of the old settlers of this township, and
a man who was universally held III the
highest esteem by all who knew him.
AS noted briefly in the Leader last
week, the marriage of S. T.. Carter to
Miss Louise Smith took place al the
home of the bride in Dubuque Wednes-
day evening of last week, the ceremony
being performed by Rev p. NJ Dwtllu
of the M. h. church of that city. Mr.
and Mrs. Carter arrived in Hopkinton
on Thursday morning and immediately
took possession of the house which haG
been already fitted up by the groom fol
their reception, and where they ara now
at home to their friends. The groom i.
not only one of the prominent men OF
Hopkinton, being its mayor and exten
: sively identified with the business inter
ests of the community, but he is ais,
4, prominent in county affairs and il
chairman of the board of supervisors
with which body he has served will
signal ability. The bride is not SO wei
known here, but during her visits sh
has impressed those with whom she ha
3 come in contact as lady of the mos
character and one who will be cordiall
welcomed to the social circles of tn
town. Only the most cordial congratu
t lations have been showered upon MI
S and Mrs. Carter, and all are hearth
unanimous for most felicitous future
/. Leader.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
PETERSBURG.

Herman Kruse marketed his pigs last
week Tuesday. They tipped the scales
at $50 lbs. apiece.
Herman Mensen and wife were Dyels-
vile visitors last Wednesday.
The roads are splendid and the farm
ers make good use of them.
Rumors are out, that rural free
mail delivery, will be established here
in the near future.
Barney Peters was in Dubuque last
Thursday, visiting relatives and friends.
He returned Friday.
Some of the farmers attended the
Carpenters auction sale last Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Domeyer and
daughter Mrs. II. G. Kramer, transact
ed business in Manchester last Satur-
day.
Cards are out announcing that Rev.
F. A. Brinkmann will read his first holy
mass December 30.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

The Duke of Marlborough is believed
to be the possessor of the costliest
painting in the world, which was Mt
one time the property of the first Duke
of Marlborough. The picture is known
as the "Blenheim Madonna" painted
by Raphael in 1907 and now valued at
no less than 100000. 1t is eight feet
high and represents the Madonna and
Child seated on throne, with figure
of st. John the Baptist on the left and
that of st. Nicholas of Bari on the
right. Its almost fabulous value Is
due to the fact that it is one of the
best preserved Of the artists works in
existence
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
spend the holidays on Friday night.

spend the holidays on Friday night.
Miss Laura Whipple went to her
home in Edgewood on Friday to re-
main until after New Years.
Mrs. Foster and Miss Mae left Tues
day for Williams, Iowa, where they
will visit at the home of Mrs. Fosters
son, William. Miss Mae Foster will
return on Thursday, but her mother
will remain for longer visit.
Miss Kate Commerford is spending
her vacation at her home in Manches-
ter.
Mrs. Eyerton went to Manchester
one day last week.
Miss Susie James is spending the hol.
idays at her home in Viola.
Miss Emma Staehle is visiting at the
home of her brother, Albert, in Burt,
Iowa.
John Klaus was shaking hands with
friends in town on Wednesday.
Mrs. Iday Crosby waited upon custo.
mers in her brothers store on Saturday,
! IL. a. zoe being very SICK.
Merle Dunn and LeVerne Steel were
both five years old on Wednesday, and
SO they celebrated the event by party
at the home OF LeVerne, to which a
large number of their friends were in
vited, much to their pleasure.
| L. +. Cruise was at the funeral of his
grandmother here on Tuesday.
August Philip, of Manchester, had
business in town on Friday.
VIM. Fults left Wednesday for Hart.
ley, Iowa, where the sad death of his
daughter, Mrs. Hill, occurred on Tues
day. Mr.. Fults and his family have
the sympathy of their many friends il
their bereavement
Elmer South, with the aid of carpen
ters, has his store building transformed
into photograph gallery, which is al
most completed. Mr.. South will hav,
the assistance of Mr.. Furman, VIII,
has studied his art in Chicago for som
time. This new enterprise of MI
South's should be we'll patronized b
the town people.
Will Cattron left for Hartley Wed
nesdsy, where he has secured a positio
In drug store.
Mrs. j. W. Malven and children, @
Dyersville, were in town on Thursday
Arthur Murley came home from EI
worth on Saturday night.
The funeral of Granma Cruise occu
ed at the home of John Cruise, Jr, O
Tuesday at noon, Rev. r. +. Patio
preaching the sermon.
Willis Bender left for Durand, Ill
nois, on Saturday.
Presiding Elder Green, of Dubuuu
delivered an interesting sermon in tt
Methodist church on Sunday night.
The medicine show which has bee
in progress at the town hall during tt
past week will continue to give ente
tainments here during the comi1
n, week.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
A. second Hand.

A Highland laird who could not AT
ford to Keep his own piper was accus-
toned to employ the village piper when
he had company.
On one occasion, through some over
sight, Donald had not been given his
preliminary glass Of whisky before he
began his performance. Accordingly,
he found his bagpipe in u most refrac-
tory temper. The laird asked him what
was the matter with 1t, and Donald re-
piled that the leather was so hard that
he could do nothing with it.
"What will soften lit" asked the anx-
ious laird.
"Och, just whuskyw said Donald.
A tumbler of whisky was at once
brought, which Donald Immediately
drank.
you rascalw said the laird. did
you not say 1t was for the bagpipes?"
"Och, yess, yess," said Donald, "bui
she will be ferry peculiar pipes this
She aye likes it blawed Highland
Bagpipe.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
Measuring the Heat of the Body

By means of an ingenious instrument
invented by DR.. Lombard Of New York
1t is ascertained that a woman's body
is warmer than that of a man by about
three-fourths Of a degree and some
times as high MS one degree, while in
no instance has the warmth of a mans
body been found to be greater than
that of female. 1t is also definitely
ascertained that children are decidedly
warmer than adults. the difference be-
Ing about / degree f., the younger the
child the greater the diversity. \ diff
ference in the heat of the sides of the
body is discovered to be an invariable
law. The left side of the head and ex-
tending downward to the base of the
neck is much hotter than the right side.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
PRAIRIE.
A merry, merry Christmas to all.

A merry, merry Christmas to all.
Our county Superintendent, H. j..
Schwietert, of Manchester, visited the
schools of Prairie last week.
Mr.. Ed Pratt, of Floyd, lowe, is visit
ing at the home of his brother, N. G..
j. Carradus and wife are the proud
parents of boy, born Wednesday.
Mrs. Popham spent last week with
friends near Earlville.
Joe Herberger, of Bankston, Iowa,
spent part of last week with relatives
here.
Mrs. Castle, of New Hampton, will
spend the holidays with her brother, M.
O. Pratt, of this place.
The teachers, of Prairie, attended the
Teachers Meeting at Masonville Satur-
day and all took an active part.
Miss Loretta Barry, a student of the
Visitation Academy, of Dubuque, ar
rived home Saturday morning to spend
the holidays here with her parents.
Frank Pope spent part of last week
With friends in Manchester.
ii. Dobbins, of Monti, spent Sun
day with friends in this vicinity.
The directors of Prairie town
ship met at the Stewart school house
Thursday afternoon and discussed the
subject, "Uniformity of Text Books
The decision was:a change of the text
books in March.
S. Popham sold his farm of 100 acres
to Mr.. Blotz, of Dubuque, last Monday
Consideration $1,000.
Quite number of our young people
attended the party at the home of d
Kennedy Friday evening, and all had
an enjoyable time.
Messrs. Joe and Tom Marshall called
on their lady friends Sunday evening.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
nnld Through Fright.

The recent case of boy who be.
came bald through fright has been dis
cussed by some people who do not be.
lieve 1t possible. But other cases have
occurred. Dr. PoZzi, Paris physician,
once treated fashionable woman who
had betn frightened by spending u
night In 4 lonely country villa evading
the attacks CT her husband. who had
been sei%Pl With violent hydrophobia.
When rescne sa!..e, SIC dropped para
lyzed, and u: ~; tie next few days
every hair Ct l;,r Lead fell out. Lon
don Standard.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

ooh, Mr.. Johns" exclaimed Miss
Gush, 81 heard you talking to pa about
plants, and do so want to talk to you,
for, you know, am very interested in
botany. like all kinds Of plants and
flowers, as, of course, you do, too, Mr..
Johns; but what varieties of plants are
you particularly interested in?"
'"rhe plants which | am most inter-
ested In" replied Mr.. Johns, ARE ma
chinery plants"
Miss Gush looked mystified for mo-
ment, but soon frightened up, remark
Ing;
81 haven't got 50 far as that YETI
London Tit-Bits.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
COCOON.

VIM. Meade, of Manchester, visited
his neice, Mrs. A. a. DeWoody, Tues
day.
John Smith went to South Dakota
Monday.
Mrs S. j. Edmunds, of Manchester,
visited her sister, Mrs. W. II. Sherman,
Friday.
Mrs N. M. Rowley has been very low
for the last few days, but is reported
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
much better at present

The two farms belonging to the Hen.
ry Hatch estate were sold this week,
the one north of Central City to E. II.
Kraemer, and the one south of town to
A. L. Buckner.
Alex. Houston and wife, have been
in Oregon for the past year, returned
home last Saturday. They report a
pleasant tine, and say that they like
the country very well.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

When Alabama was territory its
capital was Mt st. Stephens, in WASH
ington county. The convention that
framed the constitution under which it
was admitted into the Union was held
in Huntsville, where the first legis-
lature met in October, 1919, and the
first governor was inaugurated. Caha-
ba became the seat of government in
1920. In 1925 the capital was removed
to Tuscaloosa, and in 1916 it was again
removed, this time to Montgomery.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
why He Escapcn.

"Hy ne T.HCHptU.
The Literary Editor : That fellow
Scrlbbler sent in a poem this morning
entitled why Do Live?"
The Editor-What did you do with ii?
The Literary Editor : Returned L!
with an Enclosed slip saying. Because
you mailed this instead of bringing it
y."-Indian;.p News.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

Brackett-They say you are financial
" embarrassed. Do you owe very
large amount?
Crackett-I don't owe anything, but
there are several people who owe me.
ind | haven't the courage to ask for it.
Boston Transcript.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

"If you intend to dine on u.s.
queried the captured mariner why
did you greet us with fusillade"
"Because we always pepper our food
before eating it," grinned the cannibal.
Philadelphia Record.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25
CHRISTMAS.
(By Miss Louise Schroeder. ]

The merry bells are ringing.
Throughout the silent night,
Upon the sire cts and highways,
A light, shines clear and bright.
The moon In all Its splendor,
Adorns the starllt Sky,
And beams upon the shepherds,
While on the ground they lie.
Low strains of sweetest music,
Descending from the skys,
Awake them from their slumber,
And frees from sleep theireyes.
Strange forms of wondrous beauty,
Now bid them not tofear,
But praise with Joyous voices,
Their newborn king and seer,
They gaze In fear and wonder,
Upon their forms so fair,
AS floating .gaily onward,
They vanish in the air.
Then Fastening to stable.
Which humble Bethl'hem claimed,
They find newborn infant.
The king the angels named
TITS cold within this stable,
No fire burns brightly there,
No heavy doors and windows
Keep out the chilly air.
The little child Is shivering,
He is but thinly clad,
Yet he is Lord and Savior
OF all, both good and bad.
He smiles with infant sweetness
Upon this shepherd flock.
Who on their knees adore Him,
And praise Him as their God.
They give their humble off'rlng,
A little lamb or two,
Then haste away rejoicing,
Their labor to renew.
Now from the east three travellers
Approaching near are seen,
They too have had glad tidings,
For Joyous Is their mien.
A star of glorious splendor,
Is guiding them Alright,
But halts before the stable,
And yanishes from sight.
They gaze in blank amazement,
Upon this hut SO drear,
And doubt If Christ the monarch.
Should dwell within OF near.
They hear sweet voices singing
GOOD will on earth to men,"
And entering find the Saviour,
And murmur low, Amen"
They too have brought their off'rings.
Gold. incense, precious myrrh,
They bow down low before Him,
His blessings to Incur.
They tenderly caress him,
And humbly kiss Hisfeet.
They murmur words Of praise,
In accents low and sweet.
A maiden, tall and graceful
With eyes of lustrous blue,
A face of marble fairness,
And hair of golden hue
With heartfelt gratitude,
Gods blessing calls upon them,
And wishes them all good.
Who is the fair young maiden,
Whose eyes with Joy do beam?
And who this man beside her,
So worthy of esteem?
All oneis spOtless Mary,
The Virgin pure and sweet,
That man of noble bearing,
As Joseph we will greet.
He Joins In Mary's wishes
To these three noble men,
Who bidding them thrice farewell,
Turn toward their homo again.
And 10, that star Of beauty,
Their guide through deserts bleak,
Appears once more in splendor
Them safely on to lead.
And row the poor and lowly,
Thou whom the rich deSpiSe.
Receive their gifts from Mary,
Which for their wants suffice.
And thus all hearts are happy,
AS dawns this glorious morn,
All lips eXclaim rejoicing.
The Saviour now is born,
Manchester, Dec. %. l9
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

He-Yes, she is living under an as
sumed name.
She-Horrible! What is 1t?
He-The one she assumed immediate
ly after her husband married her.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

j. NJ. Kingsley was down from De'a.
ware after chickens Friday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Swinburne and 4. II.
Blanchard and wife were shopping in
Manchester Thursday.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

This would be much more peaceful
world II lots of grown UP people rs well
us children could only be seeS aad not
hcard.-Chicago News.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-12-25

Casey-Costigan got his life insured
for tin cints.
Conroy-How wus that?
Casey-He borrowed tin cints av TIL
foreman, and the foreman won't put
him on dangerous job as long as he
owes him tin cints!-Puck.