davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
supe-.tition. of Today.

There are villages near the Universi-
ty Of Oxford where no notion Of med
ical science has penetrated and where
charms are the only recognized cure
for disease. A woman who has lately
been lecturing in the neighborhood on
sanitation found that whooping cough
was always treated by spider. The
spider was sewed into piece of mus
lin and hung on curtain rod, and the
death Of the spider meant the end of
the cough. Not long ago a child was
seized with the illness, and the doctor
ordered "poultices on the chest" When
he returned, he found that the mother
had carefully laid the poultices on the
oak chest which stood by the bedside
The remedy appeared to her perfectly
natural.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Thumb Rings.

Mems thumb rings are no rarities to
collectors. Some of the Roman speci-
mems must have been cumbrous wear
one In the MOntfaucon collection bear
ing the bust of Trajan's consort, Plo-
tina, measuring over three inches
across. Medieval churchmen of high
degree did not allow ''the largest, first
and shortest Of the fingers to go una
dorned. A massive gold ring was found
upon the thumb of the supposed skele-
ton Of Hilary, bishop Of Chichester,
who died in 1169, and the recumbent
effigy Of Bishop Oldham in Exeter ca
thedral is remarkable for the pressed
together thumbs being inclosed by a
single ring.
When the shrine of st. Thomas a
Beckett was robbed of its treasures, the
famous archbishop's thumb ring, given
to him by the king of France, graced
with ruby the size Of a hens egg,
found its way to the thumb of bluff
King Hal. and as the humor of the
king is always voted just the thing we
may be sure the royal hand was not the
only one so decked at court Mayors
and aldermen initiated their betters
when I was about thy years, Hail."
says the fat knight, 81 was not an ca
gle's talon in the waist. could have
crept into an alderman's thumb ring"
-Chambers' Journal.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Trait. of Three Cities.

A Chicagoan may frankly tell you
that you are losing valuable time II
you live elsewhere than in his city.
His mental attitude is the result Of
too much Chicago. A New Yorker pub
licly proclaims it that when you get
few miles outside of New York city
you really cease to live and are simply
camping out. That is the result of too
much New York. A Bostonian says
nothing, and you understand his mean
Ing perfectly. You realize that he is
not saying whole volumes to you, and
you are powerless to dispute a word
of it. You have a feeling that he is
pitying you because you do not know
that Boston is all there is.-Nixon
Waterman in National.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
.enIinne GiErIe, Fnus.

"Some years ago l visited an old
friend of mine in Minneapolis" said a
well known Milwaukee railroad man,
"and he spent considerable time taking
me about to show me the many inter-
esting places in that interesting city.
One day he took me out to see the ia
nous Minnehaha falls, and after l had
feasted my eyes on this beautiful work
of nature he invited me to accompany
him down the gulch through which the
little stream flows-at least half mile
and there called my attention to a
little cascade that is an exact minia-
ture of Minnehaha falls.
"'What do you call this cascade? l
asked of my friend.
"'We call this Mime Giggle.' Mil
waukee Sentinel.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Deafness Cannot Be Cured

by local application, as they cannot
reach the diseased portion of the ear.
There is only one one way to cure deaf
ness, and that is by constitutional re-
medies. Deafness is caused by inflam-
ed condition of the mucous lining of
the Eustaehian tube. When this tube
gets infiamed you have a rumbling
sound of imperfect hearing, and when
it is entirely closed deafness is the re-
suit, and unless the inflammation can be
taken and this tube restored to its nor
NAL condition, hearing will be destroy
ed forever; nine cases out of ten are
caused by catarrah, which is nothing
but an infamed condition of the
mucous surfaces.
We will give One Hundred Dollars
for any case of Deafness (saused by
catarrah) that can not be cured by
Halls Catarrah Cure. Send for cir
culars, free.
F. J. CHENEY s. Co., Toledo, o.
Sold by Druggists, 75c.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Famous Abductions.

Marriage by abduction was by no
means uncommon in the early ages.
The daughter of the king of Argus
was abducted by Ph9nician. The
Greeks carried off Europa from Tyre
and Aedea from Colchis.
Next to the abduction of the fair
Helen, perhaps the most remarkable
In its political consequences was the
King of Leinster's taking away Of the
wife of a neighboring petty sovereign,
O'Rourke of Breffni
The king Of Connaught avenged the
insult and drove from the throne his
brother Of Leinster, who appealed to
Henry II. of England for aid to re-
cover his lost sovereignty. The Nor
man conquest of Ireland followed, with
long centuries of war and devastation.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Thing. He Didn,t Under.tand.

AT the table on an incoming liner on
a recent trip one of the first cabin pas
sengers found in an oyster one of the
tiny seed pearls which look almost
exactly like bird shot. Apparently the
formation of pearls was a mystery to
him, for he examined the thing curious
ly, picked it up gingerly and laid it on
the tablecloth for further investiga-
ton.
Now, it is habit Of cooks at sea to
carry f1shhooks in their pockets, and
on this trip, by a curious coincidence,
part Of small hook got caught in a
piece of beefsteak that was served to
this particular passenger. AS soon as
his knife encountered the hard object
he started, picked it out carefully and
laid it beside his other find on the
cloth.
Then he beckoned to the waiter and
conidentially whispered in his ear.
Il don't want to be impertinent," he
said, "but would you mind telling me
where you shoot your oysters and why
you catch your steaks with hook and
line ?"-New York Post.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
WHAT fine Indian Eat..

The typical Indian home of today
consists of mud chinked log shack, a
tepee or two, usually hay barn and
sometimes a corral. AS a gen~lal rule,
they live in squalor, yet many Indians
possess nice homes and enjoy well
cooked meals from neatly set tables.
But the ordinary Indian eats meats
largely of questionable character. He
delights in dog stew and other savory
dishes. He has excellent teeth and an
envied digestion.
Indian children are shy and close
mouthed to strangers, but the squaws
are often loquacious. Their doors are
always open to visitors. The red man
has an aversion for soldiers and frank
ly tells them that he does not fear
them. Although he possesses an excel
lent constitution, disease finds in the
Indian an easy victim.-Detroit Free
pracc
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Conscience Stamps.

The postoffice department has "con-
science fund" of Its own. Not at all un-
usual is it for people to use a poorly
Cancelled stamp and then to regret
cheating the government out Of cents.
In order to secure peace of mind the 2
cent culprit will send good stamp to
the department with an anonymous ex-
PLANTATION. This stamp is turned over
to an official Of the files and mails d.
vision, who pastes 1t on large card
and draws a couple Of pen marks
across it. The effect would be just as
good If the repentant Cancelled the
stamp himself.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Clark Russell,s Start.

When young man of one and twen-
ty, Mr.. Clark Russell, the well known
novelist, was present at the trial of
dozen seamen who had mutinied be-
cause the food provided for them was
of the most abominable description. He
was disgusted to find that the mutt
neers were actually sentenced to sew
eral weeks Imprisonment for refusing
to be poisoned with the provisions dealt
out to them. From this sprang the idea
Of story of mutiny caused entirely by
the shipment of bad food for the crew.
The result was "The Wreck of the
Grosvenor," by which Mr.. Clark Rus
sell made his name.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
wheat Doe. Not Grow wild.

The existence of names for wheat in
the most ancient languages confirms
the evidence Of its great antiquity and
of its cultivation In the more temperate
parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.
From the evidence adduced by botan-
lists Of high standing. it seems highly
improbable that wheat has ever been
found growing persistently In a wild
state, although it has often been as
serted by poets, travellers and histo-
rlans.
In the odyssey" for example, we
are told that wheat formerly grew in
Sicily without the aid Of man. Diodo-
rus repeats the tradition that Osiris
found wheat and barley growing pro-
miscuously in Palestine, but neither
this nor other reputed discoveries of
wheat growing wild seem at all
credible, seeing that 1t does not ap-
pear to be endowed with the power
of persistency, except under continued
culture.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
When Frogs Are Best.
Q Q Q

Frogs legs are sold in Paris daintily
threaded on little willow wands. Peo-
pie buy them for the home table in
stead of, as is the practice in this coun-
try, eating them exclusively in restau-
rants. They make most palatable
broth for invalids and convalescents,
but ordinarily the legs are prepared by
removing the skin, rolling them in
flour, adding salt, pepper and butter,
with a pinch Of parsley. and cooking
them gently in a frying pan or on the
griddle. BY Parisians it is considered
that the frog is best in the fall of the
year, when it is fattest and most deli
cate. However, large numbers of the
batrachians are caught in the spring,
when they are said to be more easily
captured.-Saturday Evening Post.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
The Artist and the Critic.

Sidney Cooper. the English artist,
happening one day to visit the Royal
academy, where some of his works
were on exhibition, while couple of
critics were examining the pictures,
strolled up to where they were stand
ing. At that moment the younger Of
the two critics exclaimed, "Any ma
chine could turn out sheep like that!'
Mr.. Cooper put his hand in his pock-
ct, produced his card and. handing it to
the newspaper man, said, with gravity,
"If you will kindly send that machine
to this address when completed, I'll
send a check for $1,000 to the institute
for decayed journalistsr'
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
You Taste with Your throat.

Inc IDEA that the sense OF taste mas
any connection with the throat appears
peculiar at first thought. We have been
possessed with the notion that the
sense of taste lies in the tongue and
the palate. We all speak of fine pal
ate, and many persons express aston
ishment that they can enjoy delicacy
as well after having had plate fitted
to their mouths by dentist as they
could before they paid visit to that
clever gentleman.
The sense of taste is not confined to
the tongue and the palate, but is more
widely distributed. You taste also with
the epiglottis, that little valve at the
base of the tongue, and the iarynx, to
which the epiglottis acts as an assist
ant, also takes part in the process.
Concerning the palate, it is noteworthy
that we taste with the soft part, which
is at the back Of the mouth, but not
with the hard or front palate. That ex7
plains the mystery of the dental plate.
The tonsils do nothing for the sense Of
taste, nor does the uvula.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Tortoise Shell.

What is known as tortoise shelr'
consists Of the thin outer scales which
overlie the shell of species of sea
turtle. The shelling process consists
In spreading dried leaves or grass even
ly over the back and then setting them
on fire. The heat causes the shell to
separate at the joints, but does not in
jure it. A large blade is then inserted
horizontally between the. lamin@,
which are gently pried from the back.
Many turtles do not survive the proc
ess, but most of them live and get
new covering, just as a man will grow
a finger nail in place Of one he may
lose.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
No Thanks Due.

A minister went from Kansas City
down into the country to preach. Be
fore going into the pulpit he asked if
any one interrupted with "amens" and
other CALCULATIONS, as he could not
stand such interjections. He was told
of one old woman who always made
herself heard at all good points. She
was asked on this occasion to desist,
and she obliged for once. At the end
of the sermon the minister met her
and warmly thanked her for holding
her tongue.
mo need to thank me, no need to
thank me" she exclaimed. you said
nothing whatever to make me sboutw
Kansas City Independent.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
THE DESTRUCTIVE TEREDo.
Curious and Fragile Worm That
Digs Tunnels In Timber


1t was in 1871 that Holland narrow
ly escaped inundation along its coast
because the timbers of the sea dikes
In many parts were discovered to be
quite unsound. The timely discovery
of the real condition of the diSes saved
the country from an awful catastrophe
the full extent of which was COM
pretended by only few Dutchmen.
The timbers had been honeycombed
by the teredo, or shipworm. This
creature burrows into any wood i'm
mersed in sea water. 1t makes an en-
trance when young and digs channels
along the grain of the wood, living
and often dying in the timber. The
worm grows in some localities to a
length of twelve inches, its girth be-
ing one and half inches. and the
curious thing about its whiplike body
is its exceeding tenderness. 1t cannot
bear it's own weight. 1t will break II
subjected to any strain.
1t will burrow straight along the
grain of the wood unless turned aside
by knot or nail, and, no matter how
many of these worms may be burrow-
ing in the same piece of wood, they
never run their channels into one an
other. By some marvellous instinct
they keep clear of each others pre-
serves. We have recently seen a cross
section of a log eighteen inches In
diameter, and we counted no fewer
than 500 distinct burrows
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Buildtne super,tition,.,

In remote times a sacrifice of some
kind was always offered at the compile
tion of building, either public or pri-
vate. Sacrifices were not only offered
at the completion of structures of all
kinds. The foundations themselves
were usually laid in blood, whether the
structure was q castle, bridge, cottage
or church. Originally-tracingt the sub
ject back to heathenish times-the sac
rifice was offered to the god under
whose protection the building was
placed. In Christian times the bloody
rite was retained, but was given anoth-
er significance. In those days it was
generally believed that no edifice would
stand unless the cornerstone was laid
in mortar mixed with blood. Usually
the blood was obtained by sacrificing
a dog, pig, wolf, black cock or a
goat, and not unfrequently some male
factors blood was poured out to make
the ceremony more impressive.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
"A Cork.crex steenle.

The steeple of the parish church at
Chesterfield, England, is often called
the "corkscrew" steeple, for it has got
quite big twist. This is due to the ac-
ton of the sun on the wooden and iron
materials, and the warping is more pro-
nounced in the case of Chesterfield
church than in any other church in
England. Barnstable and Bristol and
one or two other places have leaning
sfeeples, but their tendency is decided
ly to "lean" and not to twist" The
church at Chesterfield is the nearest
rival in the United Kingdom to the
leaning tower at Pisa.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
IL HUNG CHANGES WIVES.
The First One, Though Alive, Was
Looked Upon rs Dead.

Looked Upon rs Dead.
The one romantic complication in the
life Of the late Machiavelli of. China,
Ii Hung Chang, is amusing or tragic
according as one may choose to look
at it.
Earl Ii early in his distinguished
career took a wife. During the Tai
ping rebellion his wife had to fly to the
Interior for safety. where she lived for
many months without communicating
with her husband. The Chinese states
man meanwhile, thinking his wife had
perished with other victims in the mas
sacre, enlisted the sympathies Of the
emperor, who ordered a magnificent
funeral. The empty coffin was follow
ed to the grave with all pomp and
ceremony of state by Ii Hung Chang
and representatives of the emperor.
After period of mourning Ii Hung
Chang took unto himself another wife
and settled down again to domestic
felicity.
Then the first wife appeared. She
had narrowly escaped the massacre
and had been living with her family.
Mrs. Chang No. 1 took exception to
Mrs. Chang No. 2 and wished to be
reinstated as principal wife, for the
law of China does not allow polygamy.
Ii Hung Chang was in great stew.
In despair he applied to the emperor.
The emperor said Mrs. Chang No. /
had been accorded a state funeral.
Therefore, to all intents and purposes,
she was dead. and he advised his min
lister to ignore her, which he did. AS
women are treated as mere chattels in
China, the first wife did not demur,
but went back to her family. among
whom she died.-New York World.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
How Man and Nature Use Case.

Man uses the same elementary gases
as nature does, with others that she
does not employ with the same inten-
tion. Both use oxygen for sustaining
combustion, but nature uses 1t system
atically for construction, which man
does not. Man uses hydrogen for COM
bustion, as nature does, but not for
construction. Man takes advantage of
nitrogen for concentration Of energy.
Nature takes the same advantage, by
which nitrogen, though negative. be-
comes the most important of vital
structures. But she does more. She
makes nitrogen constructive as well
as Commemorative, an art man has not
acknowledgements Magazine.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
The Nantucket DiaIect.

A family circle in Nantucket was
once discussing the use Of nautical
phrases when the mother said. "Girls,
never use them"
"Yes, thee does, mother"
well, watch me and see II do"
Shortly after she said to one of the
children, There, take this and carry it
to Cousin Phoebe and tell her that this
squares the yards with us, and thee
must scud, for it is almost schooltime."
Boston Christian Register.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Thought 1t Was Bargain Day.

Mr.. Closefist had been out walking.
He returned home tired and cross.
"Just what I might have expected" he
whined. 81 gave the only 10 cents 1
had in my pocket to beggar, and it
started to rain, and 1 had to walk
home. Don't ever talk to me about
the rewards of Providence"
"And did you suppose Providence
would postpone a shower of rain," his
wife asked, because you gave 10 cents
to beggar? You weren't expecting
much for your money, were youT'-
New York Commercial Advertiser.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
For The Complexion.

The complexion always suffers from
biliousness or constipation. Unless the
bowels are kept open the impurities
from the body appear in the form of
unsightly eruptions. De Wits Little
Early Risers keep the liver and bowels
in healthy condition and remove the
cause OF such troubles. c. E. Hooper,
Albany, Ga, says: II took De Wits
Little Early Risers for biliousness.
They were were just what 1 needed.
| am feeling better now than in years. {"
Never gripe or distress. Safe through
and gentle. The very best pills. Kerr's
Pharmacy, Jackson
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Scum bx the Pound.

In China liquids are sold by weight
and grain by measure. John buys soup
by the pound and cloth by the foot. A
Chinaman never puts his name outside
his shop, but paints instead a motto or
list of his goods on his vertical sign
board. Some reassuring remark is fire.
Quently added, such as Zone word
hail." "a child two feet high would not
be cheated" Every single article has
to be bargained for, and it is usual for
the customer to take his own measure
and scales with him.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
He Knew Them,

Kind Lady-Do you know your let
ters, little boy?
Boston Prodigy (aged seven)-If you
mean to ask, madam, whether or not
1 am able to recognize at sight the
twenty-six fundamental characters
upon which the English language is
based. l should reply to you that
learned those when was a mere child.
Ohio State Journal.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
An African Rixar

The Webbe Shebeyli, an African riv-
er, is one of the wonders of the Dark
Continent. Although it is large, rapid
flowing river, almost as large as the
Missouri, and flows for hundreds of
niles through fertile country, it never
reaches the sea. About thirty miles be-
fore its waters get to the point where
they should mingle with those of the
Indian ocean the whole stream sinks
out of sight into the sands of desert.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
How She Knew.

A young lady has just finished play
ing a selection from Faust"
Old Lady-How nice! always did
like "Home, Sweet Home"
Young Lady with a start-'Home,
Sweet Homer
Old Lady-Yes. Minnie plays it.
can always tell it when she crosses
her hands.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Ma..achu.etts superrtitions.

In parts Of Massachusetts, 1t is
thought that If girl puts piece Of
southern wood down her back the first
boy she meets will be her husband. In
Boston If marriageable woman puts
a bit Of southern wood under her pill
low on retiring the first man she sees
In the morning will, so says the super
stition, be the one whom she Is to
marry
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
The Heat of Australia.

Australia is the hottest country on
record. have ridden for miles astride
the equator, but 1 have never found
heat to compare with this. Out in the
country in the dry times there appears
to be little more than a sheet of brown
paper between you and the lower re-
gions, and the people facetiously say
that they have to feed their hens on
cracked ice to keep them from laying
boiled eggs.-Sydney Telegraph.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Keen RuaY.

An unhappy life is an idle one. Those
who are happiest are the most earnest
workers. 1t is folly to say that we
can find no labor. Life itself is a stu
pendous task. 1t is cowardly, however,
to shirk labor by feigning not to see
1t. Each mortal, if he does his duty,
will have a busy life.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
Her Point of View.

Mrs. Hiram Offen-How long were
you In your last place?
Applicant-Oi was there just a month.
ma 'am.
Mrs. Hiram Offen-A month? What
was the trouble?
Applicant-The trouble was, ma'am,
that was took sick, an Oi couldn't get
away amy sooner.-Philadelph Press.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
FIN the New Pnse with Good.

The Improvement to come in any life
from the turning of a new leaf" is not
to be based upon the turning of the
leaf so much as upon the constant and
resolute filling of the new page by dint
of unremitting and often strenuous ef-
fort. An evil habit is not changed in a
moment, but is supplanted by the good
which is cultivated into habit.-Nash-
willie Banner.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
A Hard Law,

A traveller getting outside of ST. Pc
tersburg discovered when he tried to
re-enter the city that he had left his
passport in the bedroom of his hotel.
The guards refused to let him pass and
refused to send for the passport. SAC
cording to you," said he, "the only
thing for me to do is to throw myself
in the Neva."
NO." said the sentry, Suicide in
Russia is strictly against the law"
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
German Dolls,

1t takes eighty men to make Ger
man doll. Each man makes small
portion Of the doll, but 1t is the same
bit all the time, and 1000 dozen dolls
can be made in a day in some Of the
big factories. After the men finish the
body portion Of the doll the women's
work begins. They paint, dress the
dolls and pack them for the market.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
A TwofoId Surprise.

"Miss Alice" said the nervy young
man, 'I think will marry you."
Indeed? Two very remarkable state
ments, SIR"
'Two! How two"
"One that you will marry me, the
other that you think" - Baltimore
News.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
An Ari.tncrntie Grain

Could plants lay claim to aristocratic
position, as representing an old family,
rice might safely claim to be of the
most ancient pedigree. 1t is the earliest
cereal known. Originally native of
India, it has crossed the ocean and
made a home for itself where heat
and moist soil could be found. 1t grows
in all warm portions of the globe and
furnishes the principal food of nearly
one-third of the human race.
Amador ledger., 1902-03-14
A Minnie ar sn Late.

Sweet Wife-Oh, Herald, the hall
clock just fell and narrowly missed
mother. Had it struck her she would
have been killed.
Herald (aloud)-You don't say 80!
(Aside) I always did say that clock
was sslow.-Indianapolis News.