davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
a Story of Blaekis.

Professor Blackle Of Edinburgh. q
martinez In the class room, was one DAY
hearing a class with the individuals
Of which he was not acquainted. Pres
emily student rose to read a para
graph, his book held in his right hand.
Sir cried the professor in his auto
cratic way. hold your book in your
left hand
The student was about to speak, but
the professor stopped him with q
peremptory command,
NO words, sir your left hand, ]
say!'
Then the student held up his left
arm, which ended at the wrist
Sir SAID he Il nae nae left hand. :"
Before the professor could speak
there CAME a perfect storm Of misses
from the class. and when he did speak
the Kisses drowned what he said
Then be left his place and went down
to the student whose feelings he had
Enthusiastically hurt, threw his arm
around him and drew him close
my boy" said the professor. speak
ing softly. yet being heard by every
one in the room, you'll forgive ne
that | was overweight, ! did not
know! l did not know
Then be turned to the students, and.
with a look and a tone that came
straight from the heart, he said.
And let me say to all Of you that
am glad to be shown that | am teach
ing class OF gentlemen"
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Roll-Call at the Bethany.

The roll call of the Bethany Chris
tian Endeavor society was one of the
pleasantest social occasions in the
history of the society during its seven
teen years. About eighty five mem
bers, of whom four were charter
members, sat down TO bountiful
supper prepared by committee. of
which Mrs. Esther McQuillan was
chairman. Mrs. Mabel Judkins, the
enthusiastic president, presided at the
exercises. After the roli-call by Miss
Isabel Thomas, the secretary, the So
ciety listened to delightful reports
from four of the eight Bethany del
egates, who represented Somerset
Co. at the Y. P. S. c. E. convention
recently held in Augusta, Ethel Mer
riam and Marion Whittemore, Morris
Magoon and Clifton Whittemore, be-
ing the speakers. Remarks were
made by George Otis Smith and the
evening closed with appreciatiye
words from the pastor, Rev George
Merriam.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
NUMBER SO
Trio Of Motorcycle Mishans.

Three Skowhegan motorists, K. f.
Jackson. Fred Poulin and Leon With
am, have bond of sympathy, arising
from incidents Of last Monday, which
did not previously exist between
them. MIR. jackson mad been to Au-
gusta on his 4. E. and was returning
home early Monday morning. On ar
irving in the vicinity Of Blacks Mills,
some six miles from here, MS ma
chine ceased to operate and, after
little investigation, ne decided that
the batteries were exhausted. Ee
hunted up station on the Farmers
telephone line and asked Hackett 4
William Of this place to send him
some new battery cells. They were
very busy at the garage and SO made
arrangements with Fred Poulin,
salesman in the Ward Clothing
store, TO 60 to Mr.. Jacksonis assist
ance. Mr. Poulin got started prompt
y, but had only proceeded about FIVE
miles when he found his machine also
in trouble and he was unable 10 get il
started again
He left the batteries, of which Mr..
Jackson was so much in need. a the
farm home Of Laban Allen. instruct
ing him that very weary motorcyc-
list would doubtless come into view
from over the hills 10 the southwark,
within the next hour, who would an
swer TO the name Of jackson. He
asked Mr.. Allen to offer the batteries
TO him and, having teiephoned Hack
EFT & Witham the situation, left mis-
wheel in the ditch and started 10
walk to Skowhegan. On the whole
Mr.. Poulin was lot playing wholly in
i'll luck; he was overtaken by a team
and given a ride the last mile into
town, so had to make but four out Of
the FIVE miles on foot.
In the mean time Mr.. Witham, Of
the firm Of Hackett & Witham, felt it
his duty to go to the assistance Of his
fellow cyclists. and SO started out,
taking what he thought might be
needed. He met Mr.. Poulin, few
miles out, stopping only long enough
TO learn where his wheel might be
and then continuing his journey.
Not far beyond this meeting place.
Mr.. Witham found bad luck also on
his track, his machine commencing
to go wrong. The mishaps OF mis-
friends had made Mr.. Witham eau
tious and he wisely chose TO turn
about while there was Yet time. His
machine continued to furnish some
what uncerta ain power and finally
landed him at the Island Garage.
Mr.. jackson found the batteries at
the Allen homestead and. after ad-
justing them in his machine, came
home all right. Mr.. Poulin's wheel is
still beside the highway near the
Allen farm. Altogether, the three
gentlemen chiefly concerned in the
above incident had a very busy day
and add unique chapter to Skow-
hegan's motorcycle history.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Few great enterprises move for
ward without the loss of life in their
experimental stages. And so after
establishing a new worlds record for
his flying machine Orville Wright
met with a tragical mishap while
making two-man fight at Fort
Myer the other afternoon. The aero
pianist was accompanied by Lieuten-
ant Thomas E. Selfridge of signal
corps of the army. Lieutenant Self
ridge was fatally injured and died
that night. Wright was seriously
hurt, his leg being broken, but is on
his way to recovery. 1t was purely
an accident, some parts of the ma
chine breaking, SO that the air-ship
overturned. Success is ahead, and il
this disastrous accident doesn't take
the courage out of Mr.. Wright, he
will yet see the triumph of his own
idea in navigating the air.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Here and There Club.

On Saturday afternoon, September
10, the Here and There Club was en-
tertained by Mrs. Augustus Crowell.
Mrs. Fred Eaton and Miss Flora
Whitman we're guests of the after
noon. A delightful program consist
ing of monologue by Mrs. Fred Hill.
music by different members Of the
club, and an exceedingly interesting
memory contest was most thoroughly
enjoyed by all present.
A delicious buffet luncheon was
served by the hostess, consisting OF
fruit, sandwiches, Russian tea, cake
and ice cream.
The next meeting OF the club will
be held on October s, With Mrs. Her
bert N Pratt.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
The Next Step.

Both the constitutional amend =
ments submitted at the election on
Monday were adopted by large ma
jorities. At present it appears that
the amendment first named on the
ballot, the Initiative and Referen-
dunn, received a majority of about
thirty thousand.
In Oregon, where the Initiative and
Referendum has had its most exten-
sive application, the first use made of
it, after its adoption, was to secure a
Direct Primary law Bills providing
that nominations for political office
should be made by direct ballot, at a
special or primary election, using the
Australian ballot system, have been
before almost every Maine legislature
of the last decade, but have failed OF
adoption. The direct primary idea
has seemed to have widespread APP
provaI bRt, either through the failure
of the friends of the measure to agree
on the form of the statute, or quite
possibly through the energetic OPP
position of those who do not like to
see the field of professional politics
limited, as it would be likely to be il
caucuses and conventions were re-
placed by direct nomination system,
the bills have failed of enactment.
The Direct Primary is regarded as
the "next step" by those who have
been prominent in the Initiative and
Referendum movement, and this view
seems to be quite general also, out
side of the Initiative and Referendum
League. 1t may be safely prophesied
that the 74th legislature will enact a
statute providing for it, or will sub
NIT two direct primary measures to
the people and allow them to take
their choice, as they may do under
the recently adopted Initiative and
Referendum amendment.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Judge Taft, by arrangement of the
national committee, will make three
campaign tours. The first began at
Cincinnati, Ohio, yesterday, Wed
nesday) and will end Oct. at Gales
burg, Ill. The trip will take him
through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North
and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska,
Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. He
will make one or more set speeches
in each of these states, and fill in
with numerous short addresses from
the rear platform of his special train.
The second trip will take him into
Kentucky, Tennessee and possibly
North Carolina. The last trip will be
in the East.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

"a New York lady said Partisan,
"once ventured TO demonstrate with
Paqun because he had charged her
500 for ball dress.
THE MATERIAL she said, could be
bought for 500. and surely the work
would be well paid with $50 more
Madame, said Fanuin, with his
grandest air go to your American
painter, Sargent, in his little lite
street studio and say to him: Here
is a yard of canvas. value % cents, and
here are colors. value 81. Paint me a
picture with these colors OH this can
vas, and will pay you S1.75.' What
will the painter say? He will say,
Madame, those are no terms for
an artist" I say more l say. II
you think my terms too high. pay me
nothing and keep the robe Art does
not descend to the littleness of bag
Cling"
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

His friends and neighbors and
townsmen to the number of 500, on
Friday evening, gave Bert M. Fern
aid, Governor elect, fine reception
at his beautiful home in Poland. The
Poland Band and the Poland orches-
ira furnished the music, while Poland
Springs water was served. In the
speeches nothing was said about pol
itics. 1t was simply home affair, a
demonstration by Mr.. Fernald's
friends and neighbors in honor of his
election.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
sKOwAEGAN MARKET


OsTs-6sla cts.
HIpE> ANp >NiS~-hrass, 4 -ts. tumres
VI lamb >k'n' IS s - - ali ssln> 3 - -
BttSs-Hard picked yellow eyss. ss.so &c. $3.50.
pa beans, 8 60
Bsxf-O' eee', 'e It's. ...,.
PatlrkN -FcN IS, 20 o. q is per b. ct'tEen, %
RoUNr Hoe-S cts.
TsltpW-RousN. e;s. Pef H..
Bt-7-Er- Firsi -us ty stamped 3 7S per n.
E1os-zg ets. fer oos IRISH,
Portrot> Nt'~ SO pei bashe
CHEfss-ioc &c IS Pe' b
EE7hit NAEKHT.
Fiory-Spurs - aesi Patent S7.So TO SIS Is. Win
ter hesl pat 1000 &c s. SO. Winter wheat -hOce,
Sboc
CorS-Si.eo per bag msa, and cracked corn, S SC
pe- bag oats 6 cts bu.
< $ AEAI, S. Is per bag.
Fksp-Middlings, Si.e5 per e~t, G.slen. Si.es pa
e~t.
SrSiNG BsAS-SI.So per e~t
MIXED FsEp-$I.sS pei cNt.
SAIT PoES-Is CTS ID; BY Inc hb. lzoo 5s. Sso.Oe-
CNEEss-7o cts per 10.
BrTTxS-I 20 10 81 cts. per b.
E0Gs--sS cts per doz. fresh.
TEAs-sS TO 90 cts per 70
CorrEK-So to IS cts per ~
LAFp-Donestic +. cts Pure, 3 .cisi Co"poupd
10 cts.
AotAssKs-Purs Ponce. l.o cts. Pre- EarbadOes
90 cts.
Sr6AE -Granulaied Sugar, besi quality 's lbs. Tor
500; Brown, rs lbs for S. %.
PoIAToES-So to = Cts PET uaSAel
bk, FiSA-Cod, 10 Is. pc IL Pollock. sets,
OHioss-y cts per ID.
Poci rvy.Fswis 1t cts perth Chicken 70 cts. pss
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Local Forest Fires.

Word were telephoned here about
four o'clock on Saturday that the
woods was on fire on Herrin Noun
tain, in the east part of the town, near
the Raymond Kicker farm. The
chiefs call was sounded on the FIRE
alarm and as quickly as possible Chas-
Steward, chief of the fire department,
and R. Francis Parker, with twelve
members of the Skowhegan fire com
panies started for the locality named.
They found the fire in some second
growth pine wood on what is known
as the Leavitt Lot. 1t was burning
chiefly in the underbrush and pine
needles and did not often involve the
tops of the trees. There was an old
cutting nearby, with the pine tops,
as they had been left after the log
cling operation. out the men were able
to keep the fire out OF this and finally
TO get it under control. The method
employed was TO dig trenches IN the
dirt. an area of soil freshly turned up
serving to limit the spread of the
flames to some extent. Work of this
nature was continued until Sunday
forenoon. Even on Monday there
was smoke enough from various
points on the acre or more that was
burned over so that il was thought
best to keep someone on hand 70
watch it constantly and be ready 10
summon aid, should il break out
anew.
Another similar fire occurred on
the l4th instant, on the land of Eu-
gene Parker in the same part Of the
town, but this was put out with some
what less difficulty.
How true it is that those who drink
today to drown their SORROWS 60 down
with them morrow.
An ounce of thinking before going
into project would often save ton
OF thin king afterward.
No upholsterer ever made sofa as
soft as a hay cock, and no artist ever
surrounded that sofa with pictures ~
beautiful as those seen from a nay
field.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
The Best Way to Starve.

If one feels bound to undertake star.
walton for a period. it is best, trained
physician tells US. TO make the process
not quite complete by eating a little
at the usual intervals OF fasting ahso-
lutely for a comparatively long time
This makes freak treatment quite
harmless Psychologists find that as
the body is starved fat and sugar dis
appear first, and then the minor or.
Eans are drawn upon TO support the
brain and heart. continuing until nc
more material can be spared. Exhaus
ton is then very near.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

A very intelligent and we'll posted
gentleman from Chicago, called to
Maine by the death of his father, says
that the result of the election here
will serve as a stimulus to Western
Republicans to take off their coats and
do their level best. Had the Republi-
can majority in Maine been unusually
large, sense of security and laxity
would have been felt, which is al
ways dangerous condition in po-
itical campaign. He says that while
the Western Republicans have no
doubt of the election of Judge Taft,
it's nobody's walk over, and they will
now hustle:from this day onward.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Did as He Was Told,

A well known Brooklyn clergyman
In a talk TO his Sunday school urged
the children to speak to him whenever
they met. The next day a dirty faced
urchin accosted him in the street with
How do. doc:'
The clergyman stopped and cordial
ly inquired. And who are you, sir
I'm one of your little lambs re-
piled the boy arably. Fine DAY.
And. fitting his hat TO the back OF his
head he staggered of. leaving the
worthy divine Fpeechless with amaze
ment.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Meetings at the Bethany Church.

A convention of the association of
Baptist Churches of the kennebec
valley is in session at the Bethany
church and that society extends an
invitation to the public to attend.
Delegates are in attendance from
various churches of the Baptist de-
nomination, situated in the towns and
cities along the Kennebec river, from
Arson to Gardiner, and several
speakers of note from other localities
are present. The sessions commenc
ed this morning, and there is also an
afternoon and evening session today.
The convention closes with the SEES
sion of tomorrow Friday forenoon.
Among the speakers are DR.. c. H.
Spaulding and Rev =. E Norcross of
Boston, DIR. J. B. Wilson of Portland,
DR.. l. B. Mower of Waterville, Rev
L. H. Pope of Augusta. and Mrs, b. p.
Peckham.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

In an Iowa town an action for eject
ment was tried by the court without
a jury" the suit having been brought
by a religious society to recover pos
session of cemetery. The defendant
a physician In active practice, had
bought the ground for the use Of the
society. but when afterward he sew
cred bis connection with the organiza.
ton it was discovered that he had tax
en- the title in his own name and evi-
IDENTIFY intended TO bold on to it. After
duly weighing the evidence the court
ordered judgment for the plaintiff
stating briefly the reasons for the de
ciSion, whereupon defendants coun-
sci desired TO be more fully enlight-
ened in the premises.
Certainly" said his honor I'm ad-
dition 10 what l have already said
there are but two other reasons. One
is that the church seems to need a
cemetery. and the other is that the
doctor has failed to show that his prac.
tice is sufficiently large to necesSitate
his maintaining his own burying
ground
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Gaxella Huntino,

Gazelles in Nubia are hunted by a
powerful breed Of hounds in build
somewhat heavier than a greyhound
In spite of being far swifter than the
hound the gaEelle falls a victim from
the nervous habit OF constantly stop
ping 10 look back to sec II 1t is pur-
sued II also expends its strength by
taking great bounds in an almost YER
teal direction. thereby not only losing
time. but exhausting itself. so that II
Is overtaken without difficulty.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Mr.. Hearst of the independence
League, in political speech at Col
umbus, o., made specific charges
against Senator Foraker of working
while U. S. Senator for the Standard
Oil Co., in matters of legislation and
produces letters which had passed be
tween Senator Foraker and John D.
Archibold, Vice President of the
Standard Oil Co., from which it ap-
pears that in 1900 and 1902 the Sena-
tor and Mr.. Arcbbold were in close
business and political relations.
Hearst alleges that the Senator re-
ceived from the Company, two
checks, one for $4,000, and another
for $44, 500. So as not to embarrass
Mr.. Taft, Senator Foraker will not
participate in the campaign, but says
he will soon in a public speech show
the people of the country that the
transaction was entirely legitimate
and proper, and did not at all COM
promise his official position. We
trust he may be able to show this, but
he does just right in Withdrawing
from the campaign, for the country
will tolerate no one who is ever sus
pected of helping the schemes OF the
hated Standard Oil Co. This exciting
episode has called forth from the
President another strong letter favor
ing Mr.. Taft's election.
Hire a mileage book of r. T. Patten
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Already candidates are in the field
for the speakership of the next house,
and Hon. George G. Weeks of Fair
field, receives honorable mention.
Mr.. Weeks has had valuable legisla-
tive experience, having served two
terms in the senate, 1899 and 1901, and
four terms in the house, 1893, 1897, 1908
and 1907. He is a cultured, pleasant
gentleman, we'll up in parliamentary
rules, and would make a model
speaker.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
At that rate how long will it take the
Democrats to capture the legislature?

The twin cities of Saeo and Bidde-
ford have suffered the most destruc-
tive fires in their history, and they
certainly have the sympathy of the
entire state. 1t is great wonder that
during the protracted dry spell de-
structive conf1agrations in the cities
and towns were not more frequent,
although the fore At fires made up for
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

After Mark Twain had found that
his summer cottage at Redding
Conn, had been burglarized, he post
ed the following on the front door OF
his villa, which is called "Innocents
at Home:"
''Notice. To the next burglar:
There is nothing but plated ware
in this house, now and henceforth.
You will find it in that brass thing in
the dining room over the corner by
the basket of kittens. If you want
the basket put the kittens in the
brass thing Do not make a noise
it disturbs the family. You will find
rubbers in the front hall by that thing
which has the umbrellas in it, chif
foniere, think they call it, or per-
COLA or something like that. Please
close the door.
"Yours truly,
S. L. CLEMENS"
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Congressman Longworth is credited
with one of the best epigrams of the
season when he said of the presiden-
tial contest that it is a lease of one
man standing on his record, and the
other running away from it,
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

1t seems almost too good to be true
but the State of Arkansas, in its re-
cent election adopted ate-wide
Prohibition. In view of the attitude
of the South, it is no time for Maine
to turn it's back upon the principle.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Prof. Carey of forest fame, says that
the big timber and land owners are
more than ever operating with
those who are studying the science of
forest planting and preservation.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

II suppose" said the stranger with
in the gates. the lid is on all games
Of chance in this town"
Don't you believe IT. stranger re
Joined the native The marriage Ii
cense office is still wide open FIX
change.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

The country joined with Judge Taft,
last week, in the celebration of the
61st anniversary of his birthday. He
is Just the right age to assume the
burdens and responsibilities of the
Presidency-full of life, vigor and in
telligence.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

The triumphant denomination of
Governor Hughes of New York is a
call to duty right straight from the
hearts of the people. The professional
politicians, who have been in the habit
of managing matters, were rather
slow in getting at public sentiment,
but having aecertained it had the
good sense to take all stumbling
blocks out of the way. His renomina =
ton is in the line OF the idea that 1.-the
people shall rule" This gives us
New York for both state and national
elections. Had Hughes been turned
down, New York would have been
doubtful.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Obadiah says his defeat was due to
'tthe concentration of forces" That
is right. But we had a lingering no.
tion that it was on account of larger
number Of votes being thrown for a
gentleman named Bert M. Fernaid.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Mr.. Bryan, most always pleasant
and agreeable, appears to be losing
his temper. That's pretty good sign
of coming defeat. But then, he is so
used to it.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Hon. Henry R. Hastings OF Oxford
county and Hon. Luere B. Deasy of
Hancock county, are announced as
candidates for President of the next
senate.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Cumberland county and Kennebec
county did so magnificently in the
late election that they are fully justi-
fed in Dragging about it.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

Somehow since the election the peo-
pie of Maine have been infused with
new courage. And we think the Re-
publican triumph has a good deal to
do with it. Uncertainty and doubt
destroy business confidence, and tend
to unsettle matters. The surety of
stable and conservative government
goes long ways in restoring conf
dence to the minds and hearts of
business men.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

What would you do. my boy" asked
a professional vocalist proudly, III you
could sing like me-
Have some singing lessons" replied
the lad.-Philadelphia Inquirer
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

In the next Maine senate the Dem
ocrats will have 8 members, and the
Republicans % members, a gain of
one Democrat over two years ago.
In the house the Democrats will have
"a members, and the Republicans 81.
Two years ago the Democrats had So
members, and the Republicans 88.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

eHow long, o Lord, how long?" is
the cry of the distressed people of
our State, who have waited and
prayed for rain, 10 these many days.
Not a drop of rain has fallen for a
month; the earth is dry and parched,
the wells are drying up and the lakes
and streams wasting away, while
forest fires have done their work of
desolation. Fourteen towns have
suffered from these forest fires.
Night and day large crews of men
have been at work fighting the flames
until they are under subsection, al
though thousands of dollars worth of
property has been destroyed. The
atmosphere has been clouded by
dense smoke, while the sun has ap-
peared as a ball of fire.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

The Savings department OF the Sec
ond National Bank pays interest at
the rate of 4 per cent; interest COM
mences the frat OF each month on de-
pOeits made on or before the 18th.
The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24

The abuse of the Waterville Sentinel
during the campaign added at least
ten per cent to Congressman Bur
leigh's majority.