davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18

women VINO are fortunate enough to
meet him or soldiers standing sentry,
stamping In the snow. are certain of a
gift, accompanied not infrequently by
a joke.
The kaiser's best side is seen at
Christmas. There is a story current
that once near the palace of Sans
Souci the kaiser came upon halt
frozen sentinel with very red nose and
eyes. The sentinel, with stiff fingers
brought his rife to the salute.
Gold day." said his majesty. The
sentinel did not reply, but his teeth
chartered.
"How long have you been on dutyT
asked the kaiser. Still no reply.
stupid said his majesty. why
don't you speak when / address your
The sentinel moved his jaws and lips
but no word escaped. The kaiser burst
out laughing and, turning to his ad.
jutant, said:
Take this chap into the palace, put
him before fire, thaw him out, par.
ticularly his jaws. see he gets a big
hot drink and a big feed, and, here, y
turning to the sentry, take this and
drink my health and the empress'w
The soldier found voice at last He
beloved out the one word Males
taetr'
The empress Is always practical with
her gifts. Every year her majesty
grows more popular among the best ell
ements of the people. Her unassuming
ways, entire freedom from hauteur,
consideration for servants and kindly
interest I'm the welfare of the poor and
helpless endear her in ever widening
circles Of Germans. She is fond of pre-.
senting ladies with costly lace.
The young princes, headed by the
crown prince, show little discrimina
ton In their gifts-scarfpins, rings
dogs, cigarette cases, matchboxes, and
so on, being their staple gifts. varied
sometimes by book, picture or q
statuette. Victoria Louises gifts OF
dolls to her friends are numerous. To
favored friends she does not mind pre-
senting kitchen ranges and furnished
dolls houses. She is in close asso
citation with the matrons' and soldiers
orphanages at Potsdam, and the num-
Der of little girls who receive her gifts
Is enormous. Stores of oranges and
honey cakes are collected by her for
distribution on Christmas eve.-New
York World.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
An Old Christmas Custom.

A century or two ago there was a
custom in Germany for all the parents
in town or village to send the pres.
ents they designed for their children u
one chosen individual, who called al
each house clad In motley robe, a
mask and huge flaxen wig. Knock
ing on the door, he called In loud
voice for all the good children to ap-
pear and receive the gifts which the
Christ Child, the Christ Kindlein, had
sent them. This was the primeval
Kriss Kringle. Coleridge describes this
custom and records that the bad little
children had a rod left for their cor
ection.-Brooklyn Citizen
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
A FASHION FROM WAR.
How Flat Watches Took Place of the
Old Time "Turnips"

When the neat man takes unto him
self watch as thin as parchment he
little thinks that that thin watch re-
suits from army regulations.
Up to the time of the allies taking
Paris the ordinary watch was convex
in shape and called from its outline a
"turnip." The officers of the Russian
and other armies objected TO this be-
cause its Dubious form made the uni
form of a man on parade look untidy,
whether 1t were carried in the coat or
the fob. In Paris, however, they found
that the watchmakers of the Palais
Royal had contrived chronometer
which got over the difficulty.
Flat watches We're the fashion In
Paris. The English when they ap-
peared in the streets OF the French
capital marched in not I'm gala dress
such as the others wore, but in the
raiment which they had worn on cam
paign. Great was the impression
which their habi!iments created, but
they at once adopted the smart fiat
watch and brought it back to England
for our own manufacturers to copy
London Standard.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
Notice To Our Customers.

We are pleased to announce that
Foley's Honey and Tar for coughs.
colds and lung troubles is not affected
by the National Pure Food and Drug
law as it contains no opiates or other
harmful drugs, and we recommend it
as safe remedy for children and
adults. Engbertson' Pharmacy. I'm
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18
THE kaiser'S
= Christmas.
\ ROBABLY no European cour
\ gives Christmas presents on 81
extended scale as the kaiser's

Every one gives presents to ev
cry one else, and for weeks before
Christmas secret inquiries are made
about the most suitable gifts to be
stow. The empress and her seven chill
dren mysteriously dash about Berlin
and Potsdam, visiting jewelers., toy
shops and other establishments where
something new or striking is to be had
and they hold levee every morning
Of tradesmen whom they have no time
to visit.
The kaiser does no shopping him
self, but he is the greatest Christmas
box giver of all, and his presents IL
every case exactly fit the desires of the
happy recipient. Early in December
he makes list of the persons to whom
he intends making presents. His wife
heads the list, and at the foot is usual
~ some old pensioner or invalided
housekeeper who has served the Ho
henzollerns for half a century.
Soon before Christmas the royal mini
sends the kaiser bag Of bright, new
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18

She-Doctor said ] must keep my
mouth shut when in the cold air.
He'll open the window immediate
ly.-London Scraps.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-12-18

gold twenty and ten mark pieces and
another of silver FIVE mark pieces. His
majesty fills his pockets when he goes
walking In the parks at Potsdam, and
the little children and old men and
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
WHAT WAS 1T
The Woman Feared7

What comfort to find 1t is not "the
awful thing" feared, but only chronic
Indigestion, which proper food can re-
lieve.
A woman in Ohio says:
II was troubled for years with indi-
gestion and chronic constipation. AT
times l would have such a gnawing
in my stomach that l actually feared
I had al dislike to write or even
think of what feared.
Seeing an account OF Grape-Nuts
I decided to try it. After short time
l was satisfied the trouble was not
the awful thing l feared but was still
bad enough. However, 1 was relieved
of bad case of dyspepsia by chang
ing from improper food to Grape-Nuts.
Since that time my bowels have
been as regular as clock. l had also
noticed before l began to eat Grape
Nuts that 1 was becoming forgetful of
where 1 put little things about the
house, which was very annoying.
but since the digestive organs have
become strong from eating Grape
Nuts, my memory is good and my
mind as clear as when l was young.
and 1 am thankful" Name given by
Postum Co., Battle Creek, Mich. Read
the little booklet, THE Road to Well
willie" in packages. There's reason y
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
WOMAN KNEW HUMAN NATURE.
Personal Experience Counted In Her
Endorsement Of New Pastor.

A Philadelphia congregation was
called upon not long ago to choose
pastor. The last three ministers had
been persona non grata with most of
the parishioners; and before selecting
another the congregation did some
pretty hard thinking. There was one
woman Of experience whose voice car
ried particular weight. Preacher after
preacher was invited to the pulpit for
a trial sermon, and all, In the final
analysis. were rejected by the female
arbiter. At last there came along
possible incumbent who met with her
approval.
THE reason I am sure he will give
satisfaction" she said, SIS because he
has the right kind Of wife for q
minister. She allows him to rant
around all he wants at home and
doesn't sass back. found out long
while ago-shortly after I was mar
ried myself, In fact-that a man who
hasn't that privilege at home works
of his spleen elsewhere. A minister
vents 1t on his congregation. That
was why we couldn't stand the last
preacher. This one will be all right.
We won't hear a peep out of him.
And upon that unique recommends
tion the congregation really did give
the man a call. According to last ac-
counts both he and the congregation
were doing we'll The wife has not
been heard from.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
Training the 6ersagIieri.

men in this famous force are subject.
ed to is of the most extraordinary
character.
Every one of the many drills in
physical exercises has been devised
with the sole idea of making the men
in the corps nimble. quick and daring.
They are known as THE Black Devils
of the Italian Army" and date from
1886, when they were organized in the
Sandman army by Gen. la Marmora.
There are ~ regiments of the Bersag.
lieri, and their particular business is
as sharpshooters.
4 1t requires some endurance to be
a member of the corps, for even when
they are used in maneuvers the tao
tical movement is nearly always made
in the mountains, where their exer-
cises in vaulting, turning somersaults
and walking greasy poles stand them
in good stead.
In the picture they are shown climb
ing poles with their bicycles strapped
to their backs. The wheels used are
specially designed for their work, be-
ing so arranged that they can be fold
ed and thus more easily carried on a
march across difficult mountain passes
where bicycle riding would be impos-
sible. The corps is particularly mo-
bile and, being composed of excellent
marksmen, is a particularly valuable
asset of King Victor Emmanuels army.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29

In South Africa, where the thunder
storms are terrific. lightning often
strikes ironstone beds. and blue flames
sometimes firing buildings-are al
legged to play about such outcrops two
or three hours after a storm.
The practical limit of deep-sea div
ing, under the best conditions, Is
placed by Hill and Greenwood of the
London hospital, at thirty-fve to forty
fathoms. A special study of eight
years has shown these psychologists
that the chief danger to the diver
arises from the nitrogen absorbed by
the blood and other body fluids. and
that it is the absorbed nitrogen that
produces the Ill effects of rising too
quickly. The breathlessness and op-
preston felt by the working diver are
results of poisoning by carbonic acid,
instead of direct effects of the great
pressure. With special air pumps and
extra precautions the experimenters
descended thirty-five fathoms in a
scotch loch, and, rising very slowly,
were none the worse for the expert
ence, but the oxygen required for regu.
lar working at such depth is SO great
in amount that pneumonia and convul-
sions are commonly produced.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
Nut Growing Industry of the South.

"Nut growing IL comparatively
new industry in the south Atlantic
and Gulf states, but it promises to de-
velop into one of the most important
in that section" said ]. 2. Reid.
prosperous planter Of Florida. THE
most popular nut is the pecan, and its
popularity is probably due to the de-
velopment of systematic methods OF
grading 1t and cracking it with ma
chinery operated by steam or electric
power. This makes possible the mar
keting of the meats Of the nut ready
for use.
1.-THE demand is always much great
er than the supply and many planters
are now turning their attention to the
nut raising industry. 1t is not un-
common for tree to bear as high as
200 pounds of nuts in one season and
most of these sell at from 60 to 10
cents q pound. 1t does not require
much figuring to show that the pecan
orchards which abound in some sec
tions are paying Investments"
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
One Of tie
Essentials

Of the happy homes Of to-day is vast
fund Of information as to the best methods
of pSomoting health and happiness and
right living and knowledge Of the worlds
best products.
Products Of actual excellence and
reasonable claims truthfully presented
and which have attained to worldwide
acceptance through the approval Of the
Well-Informed of the World; not OF indi-
viduals only. but Of the many who have
the happy faculty of selecting and obtain
ing the best the world affords
One Of the products Of that class, of
known component parts, an Ethical
remedy, approved by physicians and COM
'mended by the Well-Informed of the
World as valuable and wholesome family
laxative is the well-known Syrup of Figs
and Elixir Of SIENNA. To get its beneficial
effects always buy the genuine, manu-
factured by the California Fig Syrup Co.,
only, and for sale by all leading druggists.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
QUEER AND SLY CRIMINALS.
Journeymen BARRIERS Who Make Their
Living by Stealing.

''There's a queer and nasty kind
of criminal that we call the barber
thief" said Lecoq the detective. He
Is a journeyman barber who lifts your
scarfpin while he is shaving you.
These rascals have learned some
how or other to shave and haircut
fairly well. They go everywhere in the
rush season-California or Florida In
the winter. Atlantic City in the sum-
mer, and so on-and there the over
worked boss barber, with hands scarce,
IS only too glad to take them TN, and
to take them on without references.
"It doesn't take clever barber thief
long to make a good haul. In a day in
Saratoga one of these men lifted out
of millionaires' and sports neckties
diamonds and pearls to the value of
$4,000"
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
No Need For Alarm.

A. Barton Hepburn, at the conven-
tion Of the American Bankers Asso-
citation at Atlantic City, said of cer-
tain argument:
But that argument fails to cheer.
On the contrary, 1t fills us with gloom
and foreboding 1t is like the cry.
intended to be reassuring, that came
to the farmer across the turnip field.
"A farmer, on a frosty autumn af-
ternoon, went out into his turnip field
and began to gather turnips. The
early sun sank in the west, and as the
blush dusk came on. the farmer per-
ceived, at the other end of the field,
two men who, laying down bag, be-
gan to dig with frantic haste.
"The farmer watched the pair in
some perplexity. What could they be
doing? And he was Just putting his
hand to his cheek to shout and ask
them their business. when one Of them
rose up and yelled. loudly and re-
assuringly:
Don't let us disturb you; we are
only prigging few ourselves.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
BABY ITcHEo TERRIBLY.
Face and Neck Covered with Infiamed
Skin-Doctors No AvaiI-cured
by Cuticura Remedies.

my baby's face and neck were cov-
cred with itching skin similar to ecze-
ma, and she suffered terribly for over
a year. / took her to number of doc
tors. and also to different colleges, to
no avail. Then Cuticura Remedies
were recommended to me by Miss G..
l did not use it at first, as had tried
SO many other remedies without any
favorable results. At last l tried Cuti-
cura Soap, Cuticura Ointment and
Cuticura Resolvent Pills, and to my
surprise noticed an improvement.
After using three boxes of the Cuti-
cura Ointment. together with the Soap
and Pills, am pleased to say she is
altogether n different child and the
picture of health. Mrs A. c. Brestlin,
III N. Lincoln St, Chicago. ILL.,, Oct.
20 and 80, 1906"
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
Herklmer Statue at Herkiner, N. v.

cept him. AS the militia advanced in
basty march through wooded ravine
near Oriskany the British regulars in
ambush at the other end and the In
dams on both sides opened fire. The
rear guard of the Americans was cut
off from the main body and was dis
persed.
EARLY in the conflict Herkimer had
his horse shot from under him and a
little later a bullet shattered his left
leg Just below the knee. When his
friends urged him to leave the field he
replied:
mo, will face the enemy"
He ordered the saddle removed from
his fallen horse and had 1t placed on a
stump near by. Seated on this, with
the wounded leg, which had been
hastily bandaged, hanging from one
side, he issued his orders and received
the reports of his subordinates.
With his friends and neighbors fall
ing on all sides of him, and suffering
agony himself, he coolly took his tin
der box, steel and flint from his pock-
ct and lit his pipe. The statue shows
MIN Win tne pipe IN one ndnu Wnlle
with the other he is directing his
forces.
His GOODNESS infused new ardor into
the men. They fell to fighting the In
dams and British in their own fashion
from behind rocks and trees, and
finally, aided by sally from the fort,
they forced the attacking party to re-
treat. About one-third Of the militia
fell on the battlefield and many more
were carried into captivity.
Herkimer was carried on litter to
his house. 35 miles away. The ampu-
tation of his leg was badly done and
he died ten days later. In his last mo-
ments he called for Bible and read
to those about him the psalm begin
ming:
20 Lord, rebuke me not in thy
wrath, neither chasten me in thy hot
displeasure."
The base of the statue is boulder
from the battlefield of Oriskany.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
A Girls Giqqle.

Samuel Shadwell, touchy old man
living in an Indiana village, had a
pane of glass broken in his house one
night not long ago and next day he
had a ten-year-old girl named Minnie
Dayton arrested for 1t.
When the case was called in court
he was asked how he knew 1t was
Minnie. He admitted that he didn't
see her, but heard her giggle. When
asked If her giggle was different from
that Of any other girl re said 1t was.
but he couldn't tell why. Neither
could he initiate the giggle, and he
lost his case.
We all know what girls giggle is.
but II any of us were asked to give an
Imitation of it we'd probably fail. A
boy may litter, but when 1t comes to
giggling only girl can do that.
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29

tlons, was in the house restaurant
one day taking lunch with several
other members of the committee.
After lunch offered to buy cigars all
around and stepping up to the cigar
counter picked out box of large
cigars that looked good and told the
boys to help themselves. l fully ex-
pected to pay SO cents for three of
them, at least, and was greatly sur
prised when l called for the bill and
found 1t was only so cents for 12--six
for a quarter cigars.
81 naturally made no outward COM
Inent about the cheapness of my pur-
chase and inwardly hoped that no 9TH
er member knew what | had done.
In fact, / was greatly embarrassed
and kept a weather eye on the whole
party, expecting somebody to become
sick any minute. We wandered back
to the committee room and sat there
smoking several minutes before
Uncle joe came in.
when he did finally join us I, of
course, instantly proffered him one
of the cigars He took 1t and was
soon wrapped in silence and cigar
smoke. Presently he turned to me
and said: Jim, this is certainly fine
cigar, one of the best l ever smoked
Where did you get them?' l told him
downstairs in the restaurant. Calling
the committee messenger to him, he
handed him a crisp new one dollar
bill and told him to get dollars
worth of the same brand for him. You
can readily imagine how he looked
when the messenger came back with
a whole box full"
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
JOKE ON .uhcLE JOE" CANNON.
Smokes = Cheap Cigar Under the I'm.
preston II 10 4 Fine Ono.

Washington.-Senato Hemenway,
Of Indiana, than who there is no one
closer to Speaker Cannon, told one OF
his good stories about the speaker on
his recent visit to Washington.
1.-THE speaker prides himself on his
ability to pick out good cigar" said
the senator. "ln fact, his own great
weakness is for a good cigar and he
will spend 25 cents for a cigar any
day and economic by buying cheap
hat. Back in the fiftyseventh con.
gress, when Mr.. Cannon was chairman
of the house committee on appropria,
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
MAKES a SPLENDID SHOWING.
Missouri PacIf,c's Gross Earnings In
crease, and Expenses Decrease.

The Missouri Pacific system Qnclud-
ing the st. Louis, Iron Mountain 4
Southern and the Central Branch)
operated last year for 66.S per cent,
as against ratio Of 67.9 per cent.
in the preceding year, which. on its
face, Is a very creditable showing,
and which improves upon examina'
ton. Gross earnings were $4S,7O3,342
the largest in the history of the com
pany; net earnings were SIC. .1SS,27z
To net earnings add $3.2S3.282 other
income, and the total available income
is $19,471,555. of which taxes, inter
est on funded debt and equipment
trust obligations. and sundry Other
charges consumed COS per cent, or
$11,773,452. The $7.69S.l03 remainder
equaled 90 per cent. on the outstand'
ing $77,S17.875 capital stock.
That this result was not obtained at
the expense of the property is shown
by the following percentages: Gross
earnings increased 93 per cent; ex-
penditures for maintenance of equip
ment increased 81 per cent; expendi-
lures for maintenance of way and
structures Increased 9.S per cent; the
cost of conducting transportation In
creased 2.6 per cent; general ex-
penses increased IL per cent. The
secret of the company's showing is In
the small increase in the cost of con
ducting transportation. Expenditures
for maintenance increased in greater
ratio than gross earnings, but as
against an increase of 9.3 per cent. In
gross earnings - en- increase of but
2.6 per cent. In the cost Of conduct
ing transportation.
There is obviously nothing In the
showing made by the company for the
last fiscal year to account for the fact
that the stock is selling at the lowest
price since 1900, when 1t was non
dividend bearing security. 1t has
earned and paid ITS per cent. year
since then. The price OF the stock
must be supposed to be due. partly, to
financial conditions affecting all Sc
curities, and partly to the fact that
in the last two or three years there
has been no organized effort to sup
port Gould securities. They have been
left to find their level with investors.
Since the appearance OF the annual
report the transfer office of the com
pany has been fairly overwhelmed
with the opening OF new accounts in
odd lots
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
.HERK|MER IN BRONZE
STATUE OF GENERAL RECENTLY
ERECTED IN NEW YORK STATE.
Revolutionary Hero Once More on Bat.
tlefleId Of orlskany-is Shown
with Pipe In Hand Direct
Ing His Forces.

Herkimer, N. Y.-The bronze statue
of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer OF revolu-
tionary fame which has recently been
erected here represents the general.
with his leg shattered by a bullet,
seated on the stump Of u tree direct
ing the American forces in the battle
of Oriskany. The sculptor Is Burr q.
Miller. The piece was on exhibition
in the salon in Paris this year and
was the only one of 400 pieces in
bronze to receive honorable mention.
Gen. Herkimer was at the head of
800 hastily recruited militiamen and
volunteers, most of them his friends
and neighbors. who set out In July,
1777, to take relief to Col. Gansevoort
and his 750 followers in Fort Schuy-
Ter. st. Leger's forces had marched
up the ST. Lawrence on the Canadian
side, crossed over at Oswego and, pass
ing through the Mohawk valley, were
investing the fort. st. Leger's forces
consisted of 500 white men and 1000
Indians, the latter under the command
of the famous Brant, head Of the Six
Nations.
Gen. tterRlTneT Seul "Olu " wi.
Gansevoort of the relief that was COM
ing and asked that sortie be made
from the fort when the relieving forces
came up. SO that the enemy's attention
might be distracted.
When he got near the fort Gen.
Herkimer waited for the signal from
Gansevoort. 1t didn't come, and his
young recruits began to chide him for
the delay He refused at first to risk
the sacrifice of life which he knew an
advance with his 800 men would en-
tail.
He continued to wait, but the re-
marks of some Of his officers and SOL
diers became more insulting. They
accused him finally to his face of be-
ing a coward and Tory. The end of
1t was that against his better judg-
ment he gave the order to advance.
st. Leger had heard of his arrival
and had sent detachment to inter
The Springfield herald., 1907-11-29
Why Streets Are Straight.

There is no mystery about the
streets of New York." complained the
aesthetic stranger. at is all straight
up and down. North, south, east,
west; all straight paths. No cross
cuts and alleys, no zigzag turns and
twists and cowpaths, as in London
and Paris. Just long, straight, unin-
terrupted roads"
Built that way purposely." ma
tive explained. when the average
New Yorker has to go home, he needs
a straight road"