davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
TAs Capture of Jensrson Davis.

How Mrs. Davis prevented her hus-
band from escaping In his flight after
the fall of the Confederacy Is told In
Mrs. Avarys book Dixie After the
War" After leaving Washington
Ga, Mr. Davis had heard that maraud-
ers were In pursuit of his wife's
cortege, and. turning out of his course,
he rode hard across country, found his
family, conveyed them beyond the
present danger. as he thought, and
was about to renew his journey
south. The party camped, when lie
was reused at dawn by his negro serv-
ant, who said troops were coming
Mrs. Davis begged her husband to
leave His horses and weapons were
near the road down which the cavalry
was coming In the darkness of the
tent he caught up what he took to be
his raglan, q sleeveless waterproof
garment. 1t was hers. She then
threw shawl over his head. He
went out of the tent. she keeping near
F'Halt" cried trooper. levellng
carblne at him. Mr.. Davis dropped
his wraps and hurried forward. Mrs
Davis saw the carbine, cast her arms
about her husband and lost him his
one chance OF escape, for he might
have slipped away In the dark.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
The End Of Booka.

What brings about the end of books
Is 1t fire, water, worms? AS every
ship launched Is bound to be wrecked,
every theater to be burned, the flnis of
the book Is It's reduction to ashes.
What became OF the Alexandrian H.
brary2 Did the Saracens burn it in
6402 There is this question asked
Was there any library at Alexandria
containing 100000 books? Glbbon In
cllnes to the opinion that there was no
such library. Canon Taylor insists that
X there had been a library 1t was burn
ed In the time OF Julius Caesar Ira
dillon seems to indicate, however, that
there was library In the serapeum,
by no means large collection, but
whether destroyed by Theophilus or
Theodosius Is not known. 1t looks as
II the charge brought against the Arabs
rested on no foundation. Explorations
OF Alexandria In 1S95-96 show no traces
of the serapeum. The seaport of Egypt
was built on damp foundation, and
granting that there was a library, II
not destroyed by fire, then the papyri
might have suffered from decay due to
water. Books of today taken to India,
to the southern states and to the West
Indies perish through mlldew.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Robinson Cruaoe.

The second volume of Robinson
Crusoe," by Daniel De Foe published on
Aug. 20, ITO, was the first story pub
lished in England with illustrations
The illustrations consisted OF a map
of the world, In which the different
voyages OF the hero Of the tale were
delineated. The first volume of Rob
inson Crusoe" was published In April,
i719, and became popular at once. A
second edition was printed seventeen
days after the first, twenty-five days
later another followed, and a fourth
was published on Aug. 8 Of the same
year. On Aug. 20 the second volume
was issued under the title of The
Further Adventures of Robinson Cru
soc; being the second and last part Of
his life and of the strange, surprising
account of his travels round three
parts of the globe. Written by him
self. TO which Is added a map of the
world, In which Is dellneated tho voy
age of Robinson Crusoe"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

~ slipped and fell on the blade OF bis axe,
cutting his leg quite badly below the knee
which will coufine him to the house Tor a
Time.
Mrs. Marcia Chase was called to Hart
laud, asst week, where she remained dul-
log he death and burial CT her sister, Mrs.
Mary Woodbury..
Mrs. Thomas Booker has been sui
ierer for the past week rom a stomach
trouble.
Mrs. Helen Burril, North Harll'nd,
has been the guest OF relatives 10 Lewis
ION Tor the past two weeks.
Mr.. A. R Conant OF PtIsheld AID Miss
Flora Jones visited at {. b. Chase's.
Saturday.
Tracy Lewis is working for w. o.
Chase 10 Sk)whegan.
Mrs. Hagan OF Augusta is visiting 10
the family OF Mrs. Jane Hall.
Frank Herrin. CornviIle, is nursing a
sore hand, caused by nail punc ure
Ms. Hattie Porter. who is employed at
Skowhegan, came home, Sunday, Tor a
stay during the holidays.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
A Turkish joke.

A certain sultan of Turkey was very
fond of gossip and sent for the bank
er, Abraham Beg, to learn the small
talk of Pera and Stamboul. AS Abra-
ham was being conducted to the sui
tan's residence by the master Of the
horse that functionary begged him,
should the sultan question him ON the
subject, to say that the funds were
at 80. his majesty having been SO in
formed by his ministers.
Poor Abraham consented.
He had not been long with Abdul
Azlz when he was questioned as to the
funds and replied as he had promised.
To the horror of the banker. the sui
tan expressed himself delighted and
handed Abraham a large bundle of
bonds to sell for him.
Abraham sold at IL and paid Abdul
Aziz 30. The sultan had originated
that little Joke"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

Those who are contemplating refur-
nlshIng their homes this spring and wish
to know what IL the newest idea in wall
papers will find much sensible advice on
the subject 10 the January number Of
Suburban Life In an article by Ralph
Henry Johnston, called 1.-THE New Sea
spn's Wall Papers," The article Is illus
trsted with reproductions of two OF the
new continuous freizes 80 much in VOC Ne,
and with examples OF fabric papers and
the new cut ont borders which bid fair
to be so popular since they may be used
to make freiz's, panels on the wall, or
for ceiling decor alton.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
LARONE.
Delayed from last week.

And now e, the deer rest. Abbott Jones
Harvle and Tobey have sho. one each
while Steward, Wing Libby and BurreIl
have gotten two each.
o. H. Stevens gets bad cut on the
hand while butching.
E. H. Tobey with crew is yarding
and viii Liter haul the bemlock from the
Tooey and Covel lot to the landing on
Martin stream The Darrell manufac'ur-
ers have contracted for their years supply
OF stove wood, which will be supplied by
Powers Farnham and Winslow.
School 10 No. - closed last Friday for
short vacation. This school was taught
by Marion Taylor of Norridgewock, who
Is a successful teacher, and no doubt, will
be kept In this school for the school year
al least.
w. T Murray has gone to Skowbegan,
where he has employment.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
PoIished and Yiaoroun.

Observing a passenger with the IN
lighted butt Of a cigar In his fingers,
the street car conductor requested him
to put 1t out.
ut is out, you chump.' responded the
passenger.
Pardon me-" resumed the conductor.
III have failed to make myself clear.
The condition to which had reference
was not one Of mere temporary non
combustion. but Of elimination, the
eradication, l might say, of the physic-
al presence OF your nicotine laden rem
nant, this process followed necessarily
by cessation of the odor now permeat-
ing an atmosphere already somewhat
deficient. | fear, in the essential ele-
ment of ozone. I'm a humble conduct
or, and my aim Is to please; but, you
big porcine stiff. you throw that cigar
through the door or I'll throw you and
1t both See?''
Excuse me. professor" replied the
passenger meekly. and the incident
was closed.-Philadelp Ledger
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Your Share In the Work
OF Patriotism
The Referendum League Asks Maine
Voters to Share In the Work
of Promoting Its
Principles.
To the Citizens of Maine

To the Citizens of Name
We are about to submit bill to the
Legislature asking them to submit to
the voters of this state constitution
al amendment which, il ratified by
them, will permit the people here
after to directly participate in the en-
actment or repeal of legislation to
such an extent as they think their in
terests require. The term by which
this legislation Is known is the Initia
tive and Referendum. This has the
endorsement of the Maine State
Grange, the Maine Federation of
Labor and it was specifically mention
ed and approved of in the state plat
forms Of the Republican, Democratic,
Prohibition and Socialist parties of
this state during the last campaign.
viii you share in the work which
remains to be done to make certain
that the wishes of the people of
Maine find expression in the passage
of the Referendum Resolve by the
next legislature? Volunteers are
tribute literature; will you be one OF
them? Funds are needed for print
ing, for postage and the general ex-
p6ubeb VI Uuo IodBuo Wohht Will y ou
furnish q portion?
Send US your name with information
of what may be done in your section
of the state and how you can cooper
ate with the league in doing it. If
able to do 80 send contribution for
the Leagues treasury. The blessings
Of a truly democratic government,
where each may readily impress his
will upon legislation, are worth al
most any sacrifice that could be
named, but fortunately very little
sacrifice is needed. A very little of
your time and a very little of your
money will be ample but the neces-
sity for that little is imperative. Get
in touch. Write us, telephone or
telegraph US, or, better still, come
and see us, but be sure that the work
of the Referendum, the paramount
issue of the hour, has your assistance
during the next few weeks.
Yours for Majority Rule.
State Referendum League of Me-,
HERBERT @. LIBBY, President,
KINGsBURY B. PIPER, Secretary
Waterville, Maine.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
A WeaIeY AnecdOte.

1t Is said that Charles Wesley was
sometimes easily annoyed, and on one
occasion at conference he became 30
irrItated at the prolix remarks Of a
speaker that he said to his brother:
"Stop that mans speaking Let us
attend to business"
But the offender was relating his re-
llgious experience, and, though 1t was
at SO great a length. John Wesley evil
IDENTIFY thought that no one had right
to interfere with 1t. He was therefore
allowed to continue, but the moment
came when Charles could contain him
self no longer.
UNLESS he stops" he whispered to
John, "I'll leave the conference"
BY this time John was enjoying the
mans simple story, and he only turned
and whispered to some one sitting
near:
"Reach Charles his hat"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Choice of Cows MIX.

A writer states that where CONNER
cial value Is the only point at issue a
milk must have a high percentage of
solids in order to be good" This is
not true, however. where weak diges-
ton Is to be dealt with. Skim milk con
tains nearly all the protein Of the whole
milk, but after the fat In the cream
has been removed the milk loses half
its fuel value. What Is left, however,
has value equal to that Of the whole
milk for the building and repair or
tissue, for the making of blood and
muscle and bone. while 1t has half the
value of the whole milk for supplying
heat and muscular power. Buttermilk
Is practically sour skim milk. Other
things being equal, the milk Of COW
which gives large quantity Is prefer
able to that of d COW giving a small
quantity The former is sure to have
a rugged constitution, good digestive
power, depth of respiration and good
physiological traits. A phlegmatic tenn
permanent In the animal IL desirable
Medical Record.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Keep the ArmhoIes Down,

1t Is strange that not one person in
a thousand knows how to help man
on with his coat or a lady with her
jacket They all make the mistake of
holding the garment too high. especial
ly the last sleeve. They lift IL so that
a man nearly dlslocates his arm reach
ing for It, The more futIlely he grabs
and claws and lurches for 1t the higher
they hold 1t until the wretched victim
would have to get on a pair OF stills
to find the armhole. The proper way2
Why, hold the coat so that the arm
holes are as low down as the mans
waist, taking care to keep the skirt OF
the garment off the floor, of course. II
there Is any struggle to find the last
armhole, drop 1t still lower. Never
raise 1t. Drop 1t until his hand slips
into 1t naturally.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
ALL THE NEWS
from Somerset towns
HlNCkLEY.

One bridge meeting has been reported.
Let others follow and see il our represen-
ta,ive, the Hon. George Weeks OF Fan
field, Rho has been eected 10 the 73d
Legislature, Gao not be present to at leas.
one meeting and encourage US 10 our IN
deTtakng az We expect his assistance at
the proper time.
Mr.. Carle Holt has moved his family
to Skowhegan and closed his house at
this place.
Mr.. Walter aud Edward Hnckley were
al home over Christmas, also Henry
Blake and Ray Tobey.
Rev. G.. W Hinckley returned home
Friday m. He has i'm proved some but
still remains quite an invalid.
Good VIII is busy and all hands are
happy, preparing tor their Christmas en-
tertainments. Where there are one hun.
bred and sixty boys and thirty-fve girls
there's something doing. So Merry
Christmas to all.
George Rick r has moved his family to
Canaan and will run the Canaan House
for change.
Mrs. Sophia Davis of Waterville re-
Gently visited friends 10 this place.
Mrs George Priest and daughters also
Mrs. Priest and son visited al 2. BesseY's
several days recently.
Mr.. John Curtis family took their
Christmas dinner in Waterville at Henry
Williams. where there was family
gathering.
Report says that young man in Gin
ton lie about 10 claim one OF our iair young
ladies.
Mr. George Foster Of Canaan attended
the State grange al Augusta last week
Victor Grange iostaIls her officers a.
the first meeting In January
Wedding cards have lately been receiV-
ed here, from Pomona, Cal. 10 which Mr.
Ray Grant took an active part. MI,
Grant LETT this place fourteen years ago
and his friends wish him joy for the years
TO come.
Mrs. Francis Parker OF Skowhegan Wis
tied friends in this place over Sunday.
Mr.. Bert Goodwin and wife are on a
visit to their son Ia Boston.
Mr.. Maloon Of Wa,erville has moved
his family toto the Palmer rent and works
for ]. Crawford in the blacksmith shop.
Arthur Totman, Merle Foster and
Letlie Pe.tigrew were home over Christ
mas.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
The Newborn and the Dead.

Lavater in his "Physiognomy" makes
the following curious remarks: II have
had occasion to observe some infants
Immediately on their births and have
found an astonishing resemblance be
tween their profile and those Of their
father A few days after this resem
blance almost entirely disappeared
The influence of the air and food and
probably the change of posture had so
altered the design Of the face that you
could have believed It different indi-
vIdual | afterward saw two of these
children die. one at six weeks and the
other at four years OF age. and about
twelve hours after their death they i'm
mediately recovered the profile which
had struck me so much at their birth.
only the profile of the dead child was,
as might be expected, more strongly
marked and more terse than that of
the living"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Spider Chased = Man.

A story Is told by an explorer Of a
large and fierce South American spider
which chases men II they come too
near its lurking places. On one occa-
sion he was pursued by one. Riding
at an easy trot over the dry grass" he
writes, 81 observed a spider pursuing
me. leaplng swiftly along and keeping
up with my beast. aimed blow with
my whip. and the point Of the lash
struck the ground close to 1t, when ii
instantly leaped upon and ran up the
lash and was actually within three or
four inches of my hand when flung
the whip from me"-London Standard.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
sMIThFIELp.

Flota. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Markham died December 2Ist after a
brief illness OF pneumonia. aged about y
years Flora was working hard for an
edu alton. A christian girl Interested il
the Sabbath school and all religious ser.
vices, and her death falls heavily on the
family, doubly so as the mother and lit e
ones are i'll Funeral services were held
at the home Sunday forenoon, conducted
by Rev H. M. Haywood. The burial
was a, Norrdgewock.
Work has been suspended on Mount
Tom" by the lumbermen until after
Chris mas.
Charles Simonds and family visited rel
atives 10 WaIerville, last week.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Arranging Chrysanthemums.

In the arrangement OF chrysanthe-
NUNS the japanese guard against sew
en- faults. Their stems must not be of
the same length. a single flower must
not turn its back or present its full
face, the flowers must not be hidden
by leaves, or, should they be arranged
in the way OF steps. full blown flower
should never be placed at the base Of
the composition, and one odd one must
not be allowed to fall between two
others alike in color Three flowers
should not appear to form a triangle.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

English cottagers have to use the
leaves OF shrubs and herbs for tea
such as the black currant. Our Penn
sylvania mountaineers use the Solldagc
odorata for tea, instead of the costly
China tea. Solidago odorato is a varle
ty Of the familiar goldenrod. In Loui
slana 1t is largely used by the French
population OF the remote districts
Checkerberry or teaberry (Gaultheria
repens) Is little spicy plant also used
for tea.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

Feb q, 1866, General Benjamin f.
Butler presented to congress the first
genuine American flag. made of Amer
lean materials by American labor, ever
constructed in this country. Prior to
that time all American government
flags had boSa made of English bunt-
ing. Since then all our official flags
have been the product exclusively of
American material and labor There
were twenty-slx stars In the flag at
that time
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Authorized by shakespeare.

Shakespeare has "slxt" for sixth"
Doubtless he so pronounced IT, for he
was credited with having written the
three parts of Henry the Sixt" and
he certainly wrote The Life of Henry
the Fift," as the old edition has it,
And 1t is worthy of notice that "ffta'
and "siexta" are the Anglo-Saxon
forms.-Professor Skcat In National
Review.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Carlyle and the Az.

Carlyle as a schoolmaster was a
terror to evildoers. Even the biggest
and boldest boys wilted when he
growled out Ounce" or "blockhead. ;"
He did not thrash often. as his scowl
was enough to hush n whole school,
but when he did thrash he meant bust
ness One day a joiner passing along
the road heard the most piteous bowls
and cries for mercy and help coming
from the schoolhouse. Rushing In and
handing his ak to Carlyle, he exclaim-
ed:
"Jlst doo't ootricht mon, and no
mlnce matters"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
BROWNS CoRNeR-CANAAN

Rev. Mrs. Corson came to this place,
Sunday to meet her appointment, but il
was SO stormy tina, she returned to her
home and held no services. She has AN
all day meeting a, This place January AZ
Mr.. Fred Barnes. Gay clerk at the Bay
View Wa,ervlle, and lady friend is spend
ing few days with his parents, MIR. and
Mrs. Laforest Barnes. His mother will
accompany them on their return for Wis
it 10 Watervlle during the holidays.
Mr.. Harry Chase OF Cornvlle accident
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Prince HohenIohs In Life.

When Germany sent Prince Hohen-
lobe to Paris In 1875 his physiognomy
was not prepossesslng. 1t was grave.
sad, without life. With dead, express
sionless eyes, the habit Of carrying his
head over his right shoulder, slow
step and the air of being overwhelmed
with the burden Of his moral preoccu-
pations, all this tended to repei rather
than attract.-Parls Figaro.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Tobacco Smoke and Flowers

A remarkable effect of tobacco
smoke on the color Of flowers may be
seen in the case Of the field scabia
named botanically Knavtia arvensis,
so frequently on the hills and COM
mons from August till October. II its
purplish blue blossoms, which form
nearly globose heads, are held in the
smoke OF tobacco their color will soon
turn to a bright green, about the same
color as the eaves.-Exchange.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
BRIGHTON.
Delay ed from last week.


Brighton Grange will hold Christmas
tree 10 Wesserunsette Hall, Monday Eve,
Dec. a4th, everyone is cordially invited &c
assist whether CHANGERS or not.
Osgood Forbus, who has Teen Ill for a
long time, Is still confined to the house
Charlie Davis. their nephew, Is assisting
them about getting their wood and caring
for their stock.
David Foss and wife have been stop
ping at their home for few weeks, while
here they sold their hay and had their
grain threshed
Ralph Matthews, Master of Brighton
Grange attended the State Grange at Au.
Rusta this week.
Miss Laura Corson Of Athens is visit
ing Mrs. Cecil Jewett this week.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

"See here" feebly complained the
victim after the accident, Il thought
you said 1t was perfectly safe to go
up In that old elevator?"
well" replied the elevator man, 80
1t was safe to go up. You see, the dan
gerous part of it was comm down.
Philadelphia Press
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
BLACKWELL,
delayed from last week.

Mr.. and Mrs. M. NJ. Moore called on
friends 10 Skowhegan. Thursday.
Mr.. Matthews called on NJ. M. Moore
Friday.
The school OF the Eames district has
began after two weeks vacation.
We are all happy to know that Miss
Ida Moore. who has been on the sick list
Is improving rapidly.
E. o. Danforth was 10 Skowhegan,
Saturday.
Mrs. Patten, who has been sick the
past week, 10 little better at this writlog
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

Charles j. Mcleod, prominent lum
herman of Penobscot county, was taken
to his home at Old Town Friday from
Moosehead, where Wednesday, while
crossing the lake from Northeast Carry
to Kineo, distance of 20 miles. his val.
liable pair of black driving horses broke
through the ice and were drowned. He
was thrown INTO the opening aud res
cued with great difficulty by one of his
drivers who accompanied him In fall
ing Two of his ribs were fractured. The
horses were valued at $500
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

This goes to show that composers be-
tween thirty and forty created the
greatest masterpieces. Yet the compos-
ers above forty should not despair, see
ing that Bach composed his mass in
II moll at the age of forty eight, Wag-
ner his "Mestersinger" when fifty,
Handel his Messiah" when fifty-six
and Haydn his Creation" when sixty
FIVE years OF age
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
Something 10 Look Big.

Mr.. Blgheart-Wlggins, old boy, we
have raised $50 to get the boss a
Christmas present and we want some
thing that will make show for the
money-something that will look big
you know Can't you suggest some
thing?
Wiggins-Sure. Buy $50 worth of
rice and boil lt.-Men and Women.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27

my husband is brute" said the
excitable woman.
Have you been scolding himr
"Of course l have"
"Ah, l suppose he talked back and
used harsh language"
Worse than that! He yawnedw
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-27
The Great Compoaera.

At what age did the great composers
write their masterpieces? This ques-
ton is answered in the London Musical
Times. The following table gives the
composers name. his recognized mas
terplece, the age at which it was COM
posed and the COMPOSERS age at death