davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
Familiarity Aids sight.

The exceptional powers Of vision at
h1buted TO unciyillzed nen and 70 CIV
iilzed men who pass their lives IN the
open air suppo-in2 taes exist, are Ca
lily explained They arc only mani
Tested while looking a familiar things
which the supposed possessors Of such
sight have been long trained to see.
The shepherd distinguishes sheep
where the town dweller sees nothing.
because the one is accustomed 20 fhe
place and objects and the other not
The herdsman distinguishes cattle and
the huntsman his prey because theg
are practiccd and see little differenees
which perhaps they cannot descr BE-.
but which they perceive almost uncon-
sciously. The sailor and the longsbore-
man detect what the visitor fails 70
see out on the horizon and will tell you
Of the peculiarities Of rigging which
enable them to distinguish one boat
from another.
OF course they are used 10 these
things and undoubtedly see more and
also guess more than the casual OBJ
server, for in my experience they are
not seldom wrong.-Popular Astrono-
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
We'll Preserved.

The man who essays to give lecture
or talk in the "slums" must have his
wits well in hand. He may encounter
apathy, but he is sure also to find an
embarrassing readiness Of tongue.
An earnest young man from a college
settlement was addressing a company
of fathers and mothers on the subject
Of christmas In the Home" telling
them of ways in which the day might
be made bright although money was
scarce. He had visited many houses
in many cities and was we'll informed
"I'm not talking about what other
people have told me-" he said genially.
Its what l know from my personal
experience. l have seen over a hun
dred Christmas celebrations and
Man, dear" came In a rich Irish
American voice from the rear OF the
room, Its wonderfully preserved ye
are for a man that oldw
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

1t is said that the great ape Of Siam
is in great request among the Siamese
merchants as cashiers in their count
ing houses. Vast quantities OF base
coins are known TO be in circulation in
Siam. and no living human can dis
criminate between the good and bad
coinage with as much accuracy as
these apes. These monkey cashiers
possess the faculty of distinguishing
the rude Siamese counterfeits in such
an extraordinary degree that no train
ed banker can compete with them III
their unique avocation.
In plying his trade the ape cashier
meditatively puts each coin presented
to him in his mouth and tests it with
grave deliberation. From two to five
seconds is all the time this intelligent
animal requires in making up his de-
cision. II the coin is all right, it is
carefully deposited in the proper recep-
tacle; if base. it is thrown violently 10
the floor, while the coin tester makes
known his dispeasure at being pre-
scented with the counterfeit by giving
vent to much angry chatter.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
At Washington.

The Philippines Committee of the
Senate has remedied the mistake of
the House with regard to Philippines
tariff legislation by adopting amend
ments to the bin which provide for
concessions to Philippines products
entering the United States. All
Philippines products will be admitted
at a reduction of 25 per cent. from the
Dingley rates, and, in cases where an
export duty is imposed in the Philip
pines, a further reduction will be made
at this end equivalent to the amount
of the export duty. The committee
agreed to other amendments, but the
changes noted are the important and
vital amendments. Senator Frye has
been authorized to report his ship
subsidy Dill. His report accompanying
the bill places the cost of mail subsidy
at 81, 700,000 He says the receipts
from ocean mail postage will provide
100000 of this amount, leaving a
deficit under the system proposed of
nearly $4,000, 900.
Senator Hale has presented the petit
ton of citizens OF Norridgewock, for
the adoption of an amendment to the
constitution. prohibiting polygamy;
dlHO ptliliOu u l4pCdl ~ uibu, NJ 40,
United Brotherhood of carpenters ard
Joiners of America, of Bar Harbcr,
asking for the enactment of the
Chinese exclusion law.
The President on Monday sent to Con-
gress the supplemental report of the
isthmian canal commission in which it
is unanimously recommended that the
offer of the new Panama Canal Co. to
sell all of its rights, property and un.
finished work to the United States for
$4,000, 900 be accepted The President
accompanied it only with a note of
transmittal.
The Philippine tariff bill and the ur-
gent deficiency bin have been under dis
cussiOn in the House, this week.
The state department will not be
drawn into the controversy which has
sprung up between the European powers
respecting the efforts made by them to
prevent the United States from going to
war with Spain.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

The passage of a Confederate bill as
money is not a violation of the statute
of the United States which makes il
an offense for any person, except I'M
der authority of a proper officer. 10
have in his possession any obligation
or other security engraved and printed
after the similtude of any obligation
or other security issued under the au-
thority of the United States, with in
tent to sell or otherwise use the same,
but to constitute a violation of such
provision the instrument used must in
its inception have been intended i
simulate some obligation or security Of
the United States. The general like
ness which one form of paper money
bears to another is not sufficient.-11l
Fed. Rep. q. r., Judge AmidonI. 369
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

A story once went the rounds in
Paris that an enterprising visitor to NJ.
Constans proposed to pick a quarrel
with NJ. Rochefort and Kill him.
MANY thanks said Constans, but
l do my own murders
The retort found its way to Constan-
tinople, and when NJ. Constans arrived
there as French ambassador he was
struck by the exaggerated Difference
of the Turkish officials from Armenia.
A man who did his own murders him
self was a remarkable figure 70 ad
ministrators who employed the kurd>
for that necessary business.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
He Meant the bird.

A man once received as Il present
from sea captain fine specimen of
the bird known as the laughing jack
ass.
AS he was carrying it home he met
a brawny Irish NAVY, who stopped
him.
"phwat kind Of burd is that, sorr?'
asked the man.
That's a laughing jaekass," explain
ed the owner genially.
The Irishman, thinking he was be-
ing made fun of, was equal to the oc-
casion and responded, with twinkle
of the eye:
cts not yerself; it's the burd l NAME
sorr!-London Spare Moments.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

Bingo diptociug into hi Wifr's room,
n Whisper I've brought three
friends home to dinner UNEXPECTEDLY.
Mrs. Bingo faghast3= What
Bingo-Yes, l have. They're down
stairs
Mrs. Bingo You wretch!
Bingo= Now. my dear, | couldn't get
out of It,
Mrs. Bingo Chaughtily)-Then you'll
have 10 take the consequences.
Bingo-But-
Mrs Bingo-You'll have to put up
with practically nothing.
Bingo- That's what | told them.
Mrs. Bingo-You did3
Bingo-Yes. l told them that they
needn't expect a single thing; that
wed scrape round ia the kitchen If
necessary and pick up whatever we
could, and that, as [ hadn't let you
know, that was the best we could do.
Mrs Bingo-What did you tell them
that for?
Bingo-It's the truth isn't it2
Mrs Bingo-Certainly not. AS IL 1t
makes any difference to me how many
friends you bring homel I'll show
you!-London Tit-Bits.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
Limit of MIcrosconic Power.

Professor McKendrick in his presi-
dental address to the physiology Sec
ed that the smallest particle Of matter
that can be seen with our present mi
croscopes is between one four-hun-
dredth-thousandth and one tive-hun-
dredth-thousandth of an inch in diam
eter The diffraction of light in the
microscope forbids the possibility of
seeing still smaller objects. Yet the
living spores studied by Psychologists
are sometimes probably even smaller
in size than the most minute particle
that the most perfect miscroscope can
show.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

King Edward opened the British
parliament on Thursday of last week
with speech that is said to be unsatis-
factory because of the paucity ofimport-
ant utterances. His Majesty referred in
gratifed terms to the world tour of the
Prince aud Princess of Wales; expressed
regret at the fact that the war in
South Africa was not concluded, said
he trusted the decision of sugar confer
ence would lead to the abandonment
of bounties and noted the conclusion
of the Isthmian canal treaty. He con-
graduates himself and the country
upon his friendly relations with foreign
powers His reference to the war in
South Africa was as indefinite as the
expression from the throne have
heretofore been on that topic. His
reference to the humanity of British
troops in that country was warmly
applauded, quite an unusual event in
the usually, extremely decorOus pro-
ceedings when an address from the
throne is being made.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
A snovStorm Indoors.

On a very clear, cold night an even
ing party was given in a salon in
Stockholm, Sweden. Many people were
gathered together in a single room, and
IT became SO warm In the course of the
evening that several ladies complained
of feeling i'll.
An attempt was made to raise a win
dow, but the sashes had been frozen
In their place, and it was impossible to
move them.
In this situation, as it was absolutely
necessary that air should be admitted.
pane of glass was smashed out. a
cold current at once rushed in. and at
the same instant fakes of snow We're
seen to fall to the floor in all parts of
the room.
The entrance Of frosty current into
an atmosphere which was saturated
with moisture had produced a SNOW
fall indoors Nature.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
A Free Bridge.

The town meeting held in Arson last
Saturday afternoon, in regard to the
new bridge that is soon to built to take
the place of the old one that was washed
away between that town and Madison,
drew large attendance. a special train
came up from the lower part of the
town bringing over 100, while the west
ern part of the town was equally as well
represented.
At the time appointed, Town Clerk B.
S. Collins called the meeting to order
and Orlando Walker was chosen moder-
ator. A letter was read from II. NJ
Heath of Augusta informing the voters
of the town that the Bridge Co. had no
right to sell their rights; or this town
and Madison to buy the same until per
mission is granted by the legislature.
Under article 3rd OF the warrant a
committee of five was appointed by the
chair, composed of Alden Getchell, b.
). Collins, John A Goodwin, F. w.
Bunker and James Briggs to act with a
similar committee from Madison to push
the matter of the rebuilding of the
bridge and take all necessary steps to
get the required co6sent.
The general idea is that an association
of the business men of this town and
Madison Can be found to build a suit.
able bridge at once giving a written
agreement to sell 10 the two towns as
soon as consent is obtained from the
Legislature.
At Madison a meeting for the same
purpose was held, Saturday. The meet
ing was called to order promptly at 2
O'Clock by Town Jerk ". +. Green and
f. G.. Merriman was elected moderator.
G. o. Small, Esq was called upon for a
report His report WAS as follows:
First, the Charter of the Bridge Co. is
perpetual and they have perfect right
to rebuild and collect toll at reasonable
rates if they so DESIRE Next, the Bridge
Company have no legal right to sell their
rights or the towns to buy the same un-
til permission is granted by the State
legislature.
He ended his report with the follow
ing proposition toward the adoption of
which preliminary steps have been taken.
THAT association of the business men
of both towns be found to buy the stock
of the bridge Co. at the price at which
it was offered to the towns, $500, and
build suitable bridge at once, giving a
written agreement to sell to the towns
of Arson and Madison az soon as consent
is obtained by the legislature; that a
committee be appointed to act with a
similar committee from the town of An
son to push the matter of rebuilding the
bridge and take the necessary steps, to
get the required CONSENT
Mr.. Small also stated that the division
of the cost of the bridge would have to
be settled by the towns themselves. The
dividing line between the two towns is
very indefinite, and the matter will prob
ably be settled by each town paying &C.
cording to to their respective valuations,
that of Madison being S1,000,016, and
Arson, about 100000. On a motion
made by F. l.. Powers it was unanimous
ly voted as the sentiment of the town
that the right to the bridge property be
acquired and free bridge established.
The following committee was appoint
ed to push matters: G. o. Small, ESQ.,,
A. L. smith, jr., J. r. Emery, Frank
WEIGH and John Chadbourne.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

A famous lawyer once had a singular
case to settle. A physician came to
him in great distress. Two sisters, liy-
ing in the same house, had babies of
equal age, who so resembled each other
that their own mothers were unable to
distinguish them when they were to-
gether, Now, 1t happened that by the
carelessness of the nurses the children
had become mixed, and how were the
mothers to make sure that they receiy-
ed back their own infants?
But perhaps" said the lawyer, the
children weren't changed at all"
"Oh, but there's no doubt they were
changed said the physician.
Are you sure of itY'
"Perfectly.'
"Well, if that's the case, why don't
you change them back again? l don't
see any difficulty in the case"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
A Marriage In Persia.


Before dinner Is served the bride
goes to the bath accompanied by fe-
male relatives and friends. At night,
as the procession of the bridegroom
approaches, aims are distributed, and
women and children look on from
neighboring roofs. Loud cries from
the women welcome the bridegroom
on his arrival, while the bride, care
fully yelled, mounts the horse await
ing her at the door, All the men who
have been Toasted and entertained join
in the procession, in which lanterns
are borne. The brides departure is the
signal for the discharge of fireworks
and a great beating of the big drum.
The final ceremony Is similar to one
observed by the Arabs and the Copts-
namely, the sacrifice of sheep. These
are killed as the bride steps over the
threshold of her new home.
One wonders what the idea is under
lying the sacrifices. Are they intended
as acts of Precipitation inherited from
an earlier age, when people thus en-
deavored ito appease the anger of the
gods" or of the spirits of their an
cestors? Or is it merely way of seal
ing in blood an important act and
venant?-Woman's Home Compan-
ion.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
The Canal commission has reported

The Canal commission has reported
unanimously in favor of the Panama
route and the sentiment in favor of
that route is rapidly developing. The
main objection to it before. was that
the owners of the rights and improve
ments asked 100000 600 for them,
but now they are willing to take $40
100000 which is supposed to be some
thing near a fair price. The Panama
route is much shorter than the Near
augua one and the country is said to
be more favorable for life and health.
Nicaragua is said to have a record as
an earthquake center not entirely
enviable. The disposition of the
Colombian government is an uncertain
quantity in connection with the Panama
route, while Nicaragua and Costa RIGA
have pledged themselves to give the
United States all the rights and privi-
lege it desires. Then again the Colon
bian government itself is not a force to
be relied upon. The men in power to
day may be out tomorrow and treaty
stipulations must be made, hard and
fast, before 1t will be safe to proceed.
There are numerous difficulties to
be overcome before such a mammoth
enterprise can be carried through,
whatever route is adopted. These will
however be overcome in time. The
two oceans must be united by water
way for ships.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

Reports are persistently published
to the effect that peace negotiations are
being made at BRUSSELS between Boer
delegates and European representatives.
A strong feeling exists in spite of Boer
denials that some peace movement is
afoot between Great Britain and Boer
authorities. 1t is to be hoped that this
is fact and that peace will be the early
result. There has certainly been
enough in the way of sacrifice of human
lives and enough misery and Suffering
In South Africa to enforce peace, il it
is ever TO come short of the humiliation
of the inhabitants of that unfortunate
country.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

The following will. though not espe-
cially curious in itself. throws a curl
Gus light on the streets of London in
the seventeenth century. John Cooke,
among other requests, left fl for the
maintenance of lantern and candle,
to be eight in the pound at least. to be
kept and hanged out at the corner of
ST. Michael's lane. next Thames street.
from Michaelmas day to Lady day, be-
night until the hours of 4 or 5 in the
morning. for affording light to passen-
gers going through Thames street or
st. Michae's lane."-All the Year
Round
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

The tide seems to have turned toward
the country towns in our State. 1t
appears by examination of Maine's
census returns that during the decade
from 1880 to 1890 the country towns of
the State lost 1850 in population, in
the decade from 1890 to 1900 these
towns gained 4944, The cities gained
during each decade, as was to be ex-
pected, and it is a gratifying and en-.
couraging fact that the towns now show
an increase rather than the contrary.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

A naval battle occurred in the bay
of Panama between the insurgents and
the Government forces. The insurgents
attacked with three gunboats and the
Government forces repelling the attack
from two merchant steamers, with iln-
provised batteries of rapid.fire guns, and
from hastily constructed fortiicstions
on shore. A third Government vessel,
which had been sent off in haste for re-
Inducements, took 70 part In the action.
Each side lost vessel. But more i'm
portant than this loss to the Government
was the death of Gen. Carlos Alban, the
intrepid Governor of Panama and Assist
ant Minister of War for Colombia, who
fell while directing the movements of
his men on the Lsutaro. This action
will have the effect to encourage the in
surgents and prolong the rebelliow
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

Somerset county makes a very hand
some showing in finances for the year
past. The net indebtedness of the
county, December 81, 1900-liabilities
above resources-was S., 0S4.6S; the net
Indebtedness, December, 1901, was $780,
30. This shows a gain in the standing
of the county, or reduction of the net
indebtedness, of S4,2lS3S. When the
large expense in connection with the
Terrio case is taken into account, this ia
good showing for the county, indicst-
ing that its affairs have been economical
ly managed. 1t is good thing to have
prudent business men Ia charge OF county
affairs.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
Grounds For Divorce.

A north side woman sat up till l
o'clock the other morning waiting for
her husband to come home. At last,
weary and worn out with her lonely
vigil, she went up stairs to retire only
to discover the missing husband there
fast asleep. Instead of going down
town he had stolen up stairs and crawl
ed into bed. and it made his wife SO
mad she didn't speak to him for
week.-Chicago News.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

The prediction is made that so much
rain, this winter, with water in the fields
and extensive ice patches on the mead
ows will be very hard on the grass and
reduce the hay crop of next season.
This seems quite probable, but it is hard
telling how these conditions will effect
Names principal staple. 1t is too early
to make close estimate. The hay crop
in Maine is about as reliable as any crop
in any State.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23
Must Look Out For Herself.

"No," Mr.. Goldrock said gently, az
have not the slightest objection to your
asking my daughter in marriage"
Thank you, sir" said the young
man with title, but no cash.
You 20 right ahead and ask her."
GOIdrock said mcditatiyely. Il have
given the girl fine education and
have taught her to read the newspa-
pers. If SHE does not Know enough to
say No she doesn't deserve any bet
ter luc.i." New York Times
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

The Louisiana Purchase exposition
seems to go hard, as such big shows are
apt to and it has been determined to
postpone it until 1894. 1t has been found
that 1t will be impossible to obtain many
OF the foreign exhibits that are desired
next year. 1t has probably been found,
too, that 1t will be impossible to insugu-
rate the exposition on the scale that was
intended within year. This would
have been practically impossible, aud IL
opened at the time first set it must have
been In very incomplete condition.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

President Roosevelt thinks well of
Rough Riders. He has decided to
appoint Morgan o Llewellyn surveyor
general of New Mexico to succeed the
present incumbent, Mr.. Vance. Mr..
Llewellyn is the son of ". H. II. Lew
ellyn, who was lieutenant colonel in
the Presidents regiment. The son
also served in the Rough Riders.
Comradeship counts with the President
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

Edwin Sprague, city treasurer, died at
his home in Rockland. Monday afternoon.
Deceased was prominent in business and
social circles of the city and was well
known throughout that section of Maine.
He was formerly editor and publisher of
the Rockland Free Press, now merged in
the Courler-Gazette.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

Hon. Henry o. Stanley, of Dixfield,
has been reappointed by Gov. Hill as
commissioner of inland fisheries and
game. If our memory is not at fault
Mr.. Stanley has held this position con-
tinuously since the office was created
by law, nearly 80 years ago, with the
exception of two years, 1879 and 1880
when Everett Smith of Portland served
in his stead. There were other candi-
dates for this Office in the event that
the veteran Stanley did not want it,
but would not stand up against him,
and should not. He knows the duties
of the Office thoroughly and performs
them with the greatest fidelity.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

Admiral Prince Henry of Prussia, while
in the United States will visit Chicago
Milwaukee Niagara Falls and Boston.
These points are embraced In the itinerary
which has been cabled by DR.. Won
Holleben, the German ambassador at
Washington.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-23

"How is your daughter Edith, Mrs.
Lakeside"
she is we'll and happy. You know
she is to be married ON the GOTH
Indeed And how is your other
daughter. Florence|
"She is also well and happy You
know she got her divorce on the 10th.
Washington Times.