davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Catching Cod.

Once begun codGshing Oh the Banks
is lncessant, and when the fishing Is
good the men rarely ever sleep. Awak-
ened at 2 a. N. to fill their bait kids,
or tubs, they start at daybreak TO lift
these travis and remove the overnight
catch, rebaiting the hooks again. There
are about 5000 hooks to handle, and
this often occupies until cventide, when
the boats row back. After unloading
the deck is piled high With the glitter
Ing mass of fish. To eyiscerate this and
stow it in the hold keeps them until
midnight, when they snatch an hour or
two Of sleep.
Some can go without sleep for u
week. Others will rub wet tobacco in
their eyes so that the pain may keep
them wakeful a few hours longer. 9th.
ers again will work till they drop from
sheer exhaustion and sleep as they lie
until aroused by comrades. A Chinese
torture is to keep men without sleep.
and banking" does this to an extent
to satisfy even the most exacting Ce-
lestial The men sleep in their under
clothing. When above decks, they can
never leave off their ollskins for on the
Banks it is rarely fine. Mist and murk
prevail, and the rigging and sails drip
water always
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Probate Court.

The April term of the Probate Court
began at the court house, Tuesday morn
ing. Attorneys were in attendance from
towns outside of the shire as follows:
W. r. Jordan of Bingham, Augustine
simmons of North Arson, J. W. Manson
and Abel Davis of Pittsfeld, c. o. Small
and j. W. Foster of Madison, 4. W. Nc
Fadden of Fairfield and f. Holman of
Athens.
Wills of Willis Currier, Seth Mullen
and Evelin Augusta Lord were presented
and those of Francis A. Williams and
Rufus W. Pettingill were allowed.
Accounts in the estates of Harriet NJ,
Sanoorn, Harriet N. Longley, Amos r.
Wells, Joseph p. Thompson were pre-
sented and in the estates of Mary +.
Baker, Jacob V. Herrick, Ruby A. Han
son, William w Davis Enoch n Osborne,
John Gray, Joseph H. Tinkham, George
Kimball, Cora B. McDermid and vii.
liam H. Colby we're allowed.
Petitions for administration in the
estates of Jennie E. Rowe. Edwin Nc
Quilikin and Wayland leighton were
presented and administration was grant
ed In the estates of Ruby A. Hanson,
Carleton II. White and Elva K. and
Jessie M. Russell.
Melvin o. and Marion A. Jennings
asked for authority to adopt Florence G.
Beal.
Petition for license to sell real estate
was presented In the estate of Jane
Varney and authority granted in the
estates of Ruby A. Hanson, Carleton Ii
White Elva E, and Jessie M. Russell.
Widows petition for allowance was
presented in the estates of Fred @. Porter
and Roscoe l.. Harding and allowance
was granted to the widow of Cyrus K.
York.
A guardian for Harry w. Rowe was
appointed.
Inventories were filed in the estates of
Roscoe L. Harding, Enoch L. Ford, Fred
b. Laid and Sadie f. Thompson.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
A Clerical Pun.

On one occasion at Athy, where Can
on Stavely, the English divine, was
then stationed, he was visited by the
archbishop, whom he induced to visit
a new coffee house which had just been
opened in the interests of temperance.
Naturally the distinguished guest was
served with sample cup of coffee He
tasted it, while Canon Bagot and the
manager waited in complacent expec-
fancy of commentator.
They were disappointed. The cup
was hastily set aside by the bishop,
who calculated, with prolonged and I'M
mistakable emphasis:
"A-bom-in-ablew
Then the manager suddenly remem-
bered. "Oh, your grace" he explained,
"a box of matches fell into the coffee
tank this morning. and | did not think
1t right to waste all the contents of it."
"1f your grace will come again"
promised Canon Bagot, interposing
quickly, 81 faithfully promise you a
matchless cup of coffee"
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Letter to Bradbury Bros.
Skowhegan. Me.

Dear Sirs: What is lumber worth?
depends on the lumber" you say
"what sort do you wani?"
That's how some people talk about
paint. They ask: ~ hat'll You paint
my house for?"
The Yankee answer is: "How do you
want it paintedP One coat? two coats?
three coats? first class or cheap"
The proper answer is: II want the
best paint put on as it ought to be-
That's Devoe; but the usual answer is
81 want a good job; but want it cheap"
Which means: | want you to paint it
for nothing. | want to be fooled.
Lead and oil is the costliest paint there
is: not the best; it used to be best. De-
voc is best, since zinc came in: Devoe
lead and zinc
Zinc toughens the lead and doubl es
its wear
Zinc costs no more than lead; and we
grind by machinery
We have no patent on zinc; but no.
body else is treating it right. Devoe is
yonr paint.
Yours truly,
f. W. DEvoE & 70.
p s. Rawles Il 20. sell our paint.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

How many people use the expression,
"a regular Bedlam' without knowing
Bedlam's where or what" Bedam
was the popular corruption OF Bethle-
hem, the name Of an insane asylum in
London, first established in 1923. Ow-
ing to the prevalent ignorance of that
age, it was a place OF chains and man
aces and stocks and finally became so
filthy and loathsome that no man could
enter it. 1t was rebuilt several times.
but even as late as 1872 the institution
was marked by its cruelty to inmates.
The poor lunatics were chained and
fogged at certain stages of the moons
age Treacherous floors were arranged
that, slipping suddenly, precipitated
the unsuspecting ones into baths OF
SURPRISE
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

In China theft is so common that no.
body notices It. A young Chinaman
once slipped three oranges up his
sleeve at a party While making his
bow at parting the oranges slipped out
and rolled on to the floor He account
ed for the awkward event by saying
that his mother was very fond OF or
anges. His fault was straightway over
looked, and he was afterward held up
as an instance of filial piety. There are
several proverbs which go to show that
the folk think lightly of stealing. One
says that when tailors cease to pilfer
cloth their children will have to go
without food" and another declares,
"When silversmiths do not steal they
will certainly starve."
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

Some men SMOKE 81 l=4#s FOR the sake
Of economy because they can't afford q
good G! = and otAer men indulge IN
the neerschaum and bfer because fhr.
claim it is the only wy 10 get the fun
enjoyment out Of tobacco Tho qucs
ton Of economy doesn't enter INTO ths
scheme Of the latter class
a Walnut street manufacturer II
Turkish cigarettes sells 1t $50 Il
pound considerable quantity of .m-
ported tobacco. His customers are con
noisseurs. and they are men who ran
amply afford TO pay this exorb.tant
price and say the goods are worth it..
Some of them, 10 be sure. make IL last
longer by mixing it with Virginia long
cut, for the Turkish tobacco is exceed
ingly pungent, and little Of il viii
favor an equal quantity of the cheaper
weed. novice who was pricing this
tobacco expressed some surprise that
1t should be so expensive.
THAT isn't expensive replied the
tobacconist. There are Turkish tobac
cos that, with the duty added, would
cost as much as $50 a pound in this
country. Philadelphia Record
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
The ingredients of Fireworks.

The chief constituents of all fire.
works are gunpowder and its ingredi-
ents. Iron and steel filings and cast iron
borings, free from rust, are used TO in
crease the brightness of the display
and produce the Chinese fire. When the
rocket explodes up in the air, the bright
and varicolored sparks are produced by
these filings as they ignite in the oxy-
gen.
Copper filings and copper salts are
used to produce greenish tints. A fine
blue is made with zinc filings. A light
greenish tint with much smoke is made
out of sulphuret of anthony. Amber.
resin and common salt protected from
dampness produce yellow fire. Salts
of strontia make a red light. A green
light is also made by the salts of bari
um
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Death of Mrs. James Hill.

Mrs. Mary (NeiD, widow of James
Hill, who died about seven years since,
died at the family homestead in the east
part OF this town, which had long been
her home, Saturday afternoon. the 9th
instant, aged nearly so years. Her
fathers name was Andrew Neil, who
was a prominent citizen of Cornville.
She left one sister, Mrs. Charles Hayes
of Exeter, and five brothers, John of
Skowhegan, Geoige of Cornyille, Smith
of Exeter, Joseph OF Minnesota and Eben
of Los Angeles, Cal.
Mrs. Hill was the mother of seven
children, four of who survive her, viz
Fred Hill of Augusta, Perley of Scion,
Mrs. w. II. Ganret Of Augusta and Mrs.
Eugene Swain II Skowhegan. These
sons and daughters were all present at
the funeral serv lces which occurred at
the family hone, Tuesday afternoon,
the 8th instant conducted by ReY.
Daniel Onstott, pastor of the Methodist
Episcopal churchthere. Other relatives,
of whom there are many in this vicinity,
were also present and many neighbors
and friends OF the deceased to pay their
last respects to this beloved woman.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
John Randolph.

The most fragrant bit Of diplomatic
jobbery in the history of the United
States was perpetrated by that Virginia
scapegraee, John Randolph of Roanoke.
Randolph was appointed minister 10
Russia in 1880. He sailed for his posi-
in June of that year. but remained
there only ten days, and then departed
suddenly for England, where he raised
high jinks for nearly Il year, after
which, returning home in October,
1881. he drew $21 ,407 from the troasu.
~, with which he paid off some Of his
old private debts.-New York Press.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
ArbOr Day.

Gov. Hill has ssued a proclamation
designating May LIST as Arbor Day, in
which he says;
ain accordance with the statute which
makes it the duty of the governor to
appoint a day in the springtime for the
planting of trees, shrubs and vines, and
the adornment Of public and private
grounds, with the advice of the Execu-
tive Council. hereby designate Thurs.
day, the first day of May, as Arbor Day.
Let us devote this day to the improve
ment of our highways and public places,
and to beautifying our homes, that every
portion of our state may be rendered
more attractive.
l especially recommend that the teach,
ers and pupils of our public schools de
vote some portion of the day to the inn
provement of the grounds occupied by
them, and to exercises appropriate
thereto
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS: The fol-
lowing are the real estate transfers re-
Gently recorded at the county registry:
Norridgewock-Eli Elizabeth A. Parsons
to Hannah E. Robinson, 81; Il. W. Rowe
ct al to Nathan Adams, 81.
Detroit-A. p. Crosby to VIM. Fl.
Brown, $500; j. l.. Sedgwck to Martha
j. Southland, 5000.
kowhegan-Margaret A. Prescott to
Levi Butler, 81; Levi Butler to Geo. H.
Harvill, 81 Elbrdge Richardson to E. K.
Richardson, 81; Ebridge Richardson to
E. E. Richardson, 81.
Madison-S. j. Walton to H. +.
Gould, 500; E. NJ. Norton to NJ. H.
Moore, 81; Lizzie H. Durrell to H. Il.
Wright, 81.
Palmyra-Ann NJ. Lancey ct ais to
Chss. o. Burns ct al, $425.
Mercer-Ruel Kimball ct al to Frank
T. Wells, 81.
Pittsfeld-J. A. Hunter ct al to G. w.
Martin ct al, 1920; Geo. w. Martin to
Lizzie |. Martin ct al, 81; Nelson G.
Rowe to Selden L. Scribner, $l20; Fred
A. Remission to II. W. Gardner, 1854 p.
j. Whittier ct al to j. G. CVnAor, $40.
Ansor-Cordelia p. Aver to Cara
basset Stock Farms, 81.
New Portland-Wm. J. Smith to Mar
garet Smith, 81; VIM. }. Smith to Chris
TOPPER Hoyt ct ais, 81.
Concord-L. S. & !. W. Church to +.
+. jenkins ct III, $l75
Brighton-Chas. r. Jones to w. j.
Foss, S400.
Moscow Sarah j. Andrews ct al to
+. n. Gilman ct al, 81; G. :. Spaulding
to o. E. Lovtjoy, 81 c. s. Spaulding to
E. J. Hunnewell, $3.50.
Farfield-Eliz4beth D. Bates to Helen
N. Bates, 81; Edwin Bradbury to D. l..
Gray, 81.
Jackman-Saml Robinson to Omer
Poulin, 81,
Smithfield-E. E. Lowe to Levi w.
Ham, $1l2.50. james futile to n. b.
Cleaves, $50
Stsrks-H. S. Doyen to Charles n.
Morse, $3.50
Anson-Enery Porter & Co. to David
B. Abbott, Jr., 1876.
Skowhegan-F. II. Buzzell to r. A.
Buzzell, $500
st. Albans-A. c. Dillingham; ct al to
Allen Martin, $75.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale was so
years old, Thursday last, and notable
gathering in his honor occurred in Boston
on that day. 1t was spontaneous out
pouring of public feeling toward great
ly veaerated man, who had done much
good in his generation and awakened
gratitude in the hearts of thousands, if
not millions, of his fellow-men. His
career as a clergyman, a philanthropist
and as literary man has been and is
one worthy of the highest praise. sena-
tor Hoar, his life long friend, came from
Washington and spoke in his usual ex-
quisite manner. There were letters of
respect, affection, admiration from var
ious sources, and formal certifications of
regard from societies A significant
feature of the affair was the appearance
of prominent men of widely different in
terests who united in fervent expression
of genuine regard for this great man.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
The pefendnnt,s Pleading.

In a rural district in the west of Eng
land there lived an eccentric old farm
er who was continually appearing be-
fore the magistrates for allowing his
cattle TO stray on the highway
During the hearing of his case for a
similar offense upon the last occasion
he elected much laughter from the pre-
siding gentlemen on the bench" and
others.
The chairman. addressing the defend
ant, asked:
do you plead guilty or not guilty.
"Well, yer 'onor, | expects as l be
guilty. But don't be too hard on a
regular customer" Tit Bits.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

There seems to be some little question
in the minds of persons on free rural de-
livery routes whether people on those
routes are obliged to buy mail boxes or
whether they can make boxes for them
selves. One of the prerequisites to the
establishment of the system is "the cree
ton of boxes approved by the depart
ment for the reception of the mail deliv-
cred and collected" The government
has approved no less than a dozen kinds
of such boxes made by different parties,
they are of cast iron or galvanized iron
aud vary from about $100 to IS 90 or
more including locks and duplicate keys.
They are much better than boxes patrons
can make for themselves and one runs
no risks of dsapproval. 1t is very de-
sirable to carriers that all boxes on a Civ
en- route are uniform.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

William the Conqueror was a man of
very gross habit of body and at the
Siege of Nantes was hurt by the rear
ing of his horse, the pOmmel of the
saddle striking the king in the abdo-
men and causing injuries from which
he died in a few days. Before his
death he was deserted by all his at
tendants who stole and carried off
even the coverings of the bed on which
he lay The body remained on the floor
of the room in which the king died for
two days before it was buried by char
liable monks from neighboring mon
aStery
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

Whatever other States may do Mass
achusetts is likely to take decisive action
against the proposed amendment to the
constitution looking to the election of
u. S. Senators by popular vote. After
lengthy discussion the Massachusetts
House of Representatives sat down hard
proposition by a vote of 9S to So. Sen.
ator Hoar is strongly averse to this move
and is much gratified at the action of
the popular branch of the legislature of
the State he represents.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

The best in the way of facilities
for putting out fires is none too good.
Skowhegan has an effective hydrant sys
TEN, a steamer and good number of cis-
terms for it to draw water from, 40 fleet
i've, well disciplined fire department Of 40
men, and have had two force pumps
attached to water whe els, one 10 each side
of the river, which have In the past done
excellent service, but of late one of them
at least, has been allowed to become use
less by reason of the water wheel to
which it is attached not being kept in
proper repair. This certainly ought not
to have been allowed. There was much
uncertainty manifest at the recent meet
ing as to the best course to pursue in
the premises and a committee Of investi-
CATION will try and eliminate this ele-
ment and tell the next corporation meet
just what ought to be done. BY all
means the corporation should see to it
that these force pumps are put in run
nirg order and kept so. We trust they
will be, and await the report of this COM
mittee with much interest.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Sir Boyle Roche. Famous "Bu1Is."

Sir Boyle Roche, too whose bulls
made him famous, on one occasion as
sured a wonder stricken body Of voters
that If elected he would put stop to
smuggling practices in the Shannon by
having two frigates stationed on the
opposite points at the mouth Of the riy-
er. and there they shonld remain fixed.
with strict orders not 10 stir, and so by
cruising and cruising about they would
be able to intercept everything that
should attempt to pass between them"
Another time when on the hustings
he observed. England. il must be al
lowed. is the mother country, and
therefore | would advise them eng
land and Ireland to live in filial affec-
ton together like sisters, as they are
and ought TO be" This was only equal
ed by his, when opposing his antimin-
isteral motion, wishing the said mo-
ton was at the bottom of the bottom
less pit
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
A Kinp,H MinernhIe End.

Louis Nj, after having 10y open muir
der or secret assassination rid himself
of the most powerful nobility of France
died in miserable fear. begging his ply
stefan to do something for him. During
his last days he sent for ST Francis Of
Paula and offered him untold riches to
intercede with heaven for further
lease of life.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

The movement In favor of a better
lookup and a room for police headquar-
tiers, inaugurated at Corporation meeting
Monday last, is a good one. The town
is large enough and there ought to be
money enough in the corporation to have
better police arrangements and more
comfortable quarters for the poor fellows
who are unfortunate enough or wicked
enough to require the temporary use of
place of safety. Let US have decent
lookup and police headquarters that
shall be a credit to the town.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Johns Blunder.

A minister in Scotland who was max
ing call the other week upon a mem
Der of his flock whom he had not seen
at church for some time asked. whats
come over you that ! don't see YOU 1t
church at all nowf'
"Hoots. man, ven no ha' seen me
because sit ahiut the pillar"
THE pillar John? Good gracious,
the pillar! Why, it is two years since
it was removed from the front of your
seat"
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
Typographical Errors.

American authors, no less than Eng
fish, sometimes suffer for the sins of
the printer. \ line of Mr.. Aldrieh 5
which originally read "a potent medi-
cine for gods and men" was misprinted
"a patent medicine" etc. And MIR. Al
drichs equanimity was upset ON an
other occasion because in n serious
mood he wrote in one of his poems
"Now the old wounds break out afresh"
and was Mortified TO read that lie had
said Now the old woman breaks out
Afresh"
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
The TriaInR Brother.

"Br'er Jenkins, you so trifiin' dat
ve'ly believes eff you wuz 'pinted ter be
Waterman at de pearly gates de fust
ting you'd do would be ter let down en-
go fas' asleep"
"Br'er Thomas, you may well say
dat, kaze I'd sho' feel so good over de
ointment I'd des nachully halter go
ter sleep ter dream eff it wuz true
Atlanta Constitution.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

genus of beetles (Dendroctonus) which
destroys living spruce and pine trees.
His observations show that large areas
of spruce forest have been killed by
these beetles. As regards his report on
the Maine forests, | am sure there has
been a Misunderstanding. The extent
of destruction by these beetles has been
exaggerated" The spruce is an impor
tant tree in Maine and owners of timber
lands are very solicitous that no evil
shall overtake 1t. Those best posted in
beetle reported by Mr.. Hopkins.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

A confagration last week swept from
the face of the earth twelve large sum.
mer hotels at Atlantic City, N. J :, adding
about one million dollars to the already
excessive fire losses of the year. In
surance companies get another hard
blow in this terrible fire.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

fence to his next door neighborl-HI,
there, What are you burying in that
hoef
Neighbor-Oh I'm just replanting
some of my garden seeds.
Nubbins-Garden seeds, eh Looks
to me very much like one of my hens.
Neighbor-That's all right. The seeds
are inside her.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

Just when the Portland board Of
health had begun to believe that small
pox was almost stamped out two new
and rather mysterious cases were re
ported, Saturday. Two women, one liv
ing on Maple street and the other, Mrs,
Rafferty,, on Pleasant street, have well
developed traces Of the disease.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10
She PnId.

dollar en- half fer Il marriage Ii.
censew exclaimed the colored appli-
cant Then, turning to the bride to be,
"Lindy. does you think is wuth it,"
"Well," was the reply, Init do come
mighty high, but | reckon I'll halter
pay it. long ez | done come heah wild
youw-Atlanta Constitution
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

Ia the case Of the death of A. l.. Hesel-
ton of Augusta, Sunday last, given else
where in this paper, the coroner's jury
returned a verdict that Heselton came
to his death by means of sharp instru-
ment in the hands of some person to the
jury unknown. Judge Andrews of
Augusta Municipal court held the accus-
ed man, James Granger, for action of
the grand jury in the sum of $1,000, on
a charge of manslaughter. The crime
was the result of drunken carousal
whoever is the guilty person.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

People of the city of Waterville are
much interested in their forthcoming
centennial celebration. Gen. j. Manches-
ter Haines of Augusta, native of the
place, will deliver the address of the &C.
casion and DR.. Faunce, president of
Brown University, will preach the SER
mon. The celebration is in the hands of
an able and energetic committee, and
citizens will unite as whole in making
it a grand success, worthy of this manu-
featuring, business and educational GEN.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

Congressman Marlborough has sub
mitted an amendment to the Army APP
preparation bill which provides million
dollars for the establishment of post ex
changes or recreation buildings at army
posts. It's effect would be to supply
whatever was good in the army canteens,
without their injurious and dangerous
features. The money spent would yield
an ample return in the improved morals
of the troops Time hangs heavily on
the hands of soldiers in times of peace
and something to break the monotony
is very desirable.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

There is probably no Situation easier
to fill, as far AS mere technical obSery-
ance goes than that Of tae wife of the
president of HE United States. She has
Il set of simple official duties as hostess
Of the White House to perform. If she
is i'll or feels umn,e To perform them,
she is readily excused
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

The 44th annual session of the Grand
Lodge of Maine, /. O. G. T., was in SEES
sion at Watervlle, Wednesday. The
attendance was very large. The storm
cut this down somewhat, but thus far 1t
has been unusually large and promises
to be the best session held by the Grand
Lodge for a number of years.
The Somerset reporter., 1902-04-10

The Chinese exclusion bill as passed
by the House comes in for much criti
cism. 1t is more drastic measure than
the one now in force. 1t is expected
that the Senate will extract some of its
teeth before passing it.