davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Truth About the Century Plant.

The century plant, so named because
of the popular idea that it blooms but
once in hundred years, in one sense
makes good it's name, for it blooms only
once, then dies.
In the genial climate of southern Cal
ifornia it reaches maturity and blooms
in fifteen or twenty years, while in
colder climates the period may range
from forty to fifty years. There are
many species of the Agave family, ma
tive to northern Mexico, where it is
called the Maguey. The plant furn-
ishes ''pulque," the national drink of
Mexico.
At the time of blooming the plant
throws up single stock of rapid
growth to the height of twelve to TWEEN
ty feet, from which the tassel-like flow
ers sprout forth This great flower
stalk draws all the sap and vigor from
the body of the plant, which soon with
erS and dies.
At the base of the thick green leaves
are found little suckers, each with a
root, which, when planted at once be-
gin to grow The end and edges of the
leaves are well armed with stiff sharp
spines, the prick of which is very pain
full
This is natures way of protecting
the plant from the ravages of rabbits
and other desert rodents.-Technical
World Magazine.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
He Knew His Business,

A story is told of a well-known
amateur yachtsman, who was one
night anchored near a rocky and
dangerous shore. Suddenly, just be-
fore dinner, a stiff, inshore wind start
ed up. The anchor began to drag. An
other was rapidly thrown overheard,
but in the increasing squall that, too,
failed to hold. The schooner seemed in
imminent danger of driving on the
rocks. but at last another anchor grip
ped, and the danger was past.
The yachtsman, nearly exhausted
from his efforts, dropped on the deck
to recover his breath and rest. In the
quiet that followed there came to his
ears the click-click- Observation-Disclosures of
a busily manipulated spoon against Il
bowl.
He listened for a moment and then
went below. The cook was preparing
salad-dressing.
"Why, SAM he exclaimed in aston
ishment, didn't you know that we
nearly went ashore?"
"Oh, yassir, yassir," came the undis-
turbed reply. Il thought she was goin'
on de rocks, Suah."
''Well, in a case like that, don't you
ever go up on deck? We had a mighty
close call"
well, you see it's like this You
can't leave mayonnaise a minute,
cause it'll turn right back"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Tanning tho AnimaIs

A bright but inexperienced young
woman consented to take charge of the
boy infant class. She found them
jumping from the tops of the steam
radiators. Fifteen minutes later the SUI
perlntendent found fourteen meek mas
cuilne infants" seated sedately in a
tightly squeezed row before the teacher,
every eye fixed inquiringly on the lady's
bright countenance. How in the world
did you accomplish this?" demanded
the astonished superintendent "Oh."
she replied, Il just piled all / couldn't
get my arms round in a heap on the
bench and sat on them until l got them
interested in bear story."-Youth's
COMPANION
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
DROPS FROM THE CLOUDS.
Dangerous Species of Exhibition
that often Results in Death.

Dangerous Species of Exhibition
that often Results in Death.
The double parachute descent made
the other day from an estimated height
Of $4,000 feet by the Misses Louie May
and Dolly Shepard, probably constitutes
record in long drops
One writes probably" because there
is always a doubt in these cases, ow-
ing to the difficulty In verifying the
actual attitudes reached by the para
chutists before letting go, says a writer
in Parsons Weekly.
Prof. Baldwin, who first populari3ed
this highly dangerous species of exhibit
ton at the Alexandra palace, London,
in 1888, made several descents from al
titudes exceeding q mile, but was pre-
vented by the authorities from carry
ing out his intention Of dropping from
height of two miles. Later, however,
he descended in the provinces from a
height of 1900 feet. This was his rec
ord, so far as this country is concerned
He soon found emulators, though !;
several OF WnOm met WIN violent
deaths. Thus, an Englishman named
George Higgins, after descending safely
several times from attitudes exceeding
10000 feet, was eventually killed at
Kirkstall, near Leeds. This happened
ON Aug. s. 1891. A few months later
a Miss Van Tassel was similarly dashed
to death at Dacca, and on May 90 1903,
Miss Edith Brookes, aged %, was killed
near Sheffield.
On the other hand, there have been
chronicled some remarkable escapes of
a nature akin to that experienced by
the Misses May and Shepard. Thus at
Wakefield, some years back, a we'll
known parachutist named Cissie Kent,
was carried high above the clouds
through something going wrong with
the "test" cord, yet managed to alight
safely in the middle of the town after
narrowly escaping being impaled on the
spire Of All Saints church. Owing to
similar mishap Miss Alma Beaumont
was, at Glasgow once borne aloft to the
height of 12,7O0 feet before being able
to let go. Nevertheless, she suffered
no hurt, although twenty minutes were
occupied in the descent.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Whale Dance 4<hhe KOryakS

The whale dance Of the Koryaks,
natives of Northeastern Siberia, is an
other case where the host has all the
pleasure. Like the man who mixes the
cocktail, says Here's to you" and
drinks it himself, the Koryaks kill the
white whale, or the beluga, cut it's
head off, eat its flesh, entertain its
head as a guest and then set that
member adrift with the expectation
that 1t will return to its former COM
rades and urge them to visit it's hosts
and be entertained in the same royal
manner. Certainly the Koryaks. not
noted for mental development, have
peculiar sort Of humor or they would
not carry out the ceremonies attend
Ing the whale feast without laughing
at themselves. AS the diet of the Ko-
ryaks is limited TO fish, seal and whale
flesh, with Russian brick tea as an oc-
casional luxury. the taking every year
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
THE TREATY TREE.
Where Penn and the Delaware
Chiefs EXCHANGED Tokens

Chiefs Exchanged Tokens.
The treaty tree" the original Ameri-
can Hague, where our first peace con-
gress was held, with William Penn on
the one side and the Delaware chiefs
on the other. was a mighty elm that
stood at Shackamaxon, on the banks of
the Delaware river. Kensington, one
of the suburbs of Philadelphia, now
surrounds the spot.
As was customary on such casions,
the parties to the treaty exchanged
belts of wampum, and the belt said to
have been given Penn on this occas-
ion is now in the collection of the
consists of eighteen strings of black
and white beads, and in the center are
two figures. representing a European
and an Ifltiian, with hands Joined in
friendship. In exchanging tokens with
the chiefs Penn said:
The friendship between you and
me l will not compare to a chain, for
that might rust, or the falling tree
might break. We are the same as if
one mans body were TO be divided into
two parts We are all one flesh and
blood" When the Indians handed
Penn the wampun belt of peace they
said
I'VE will live in love and peace with
William Penn as long as the sun and
the moon shall endure"
The treaty tree was blown down in
a windstorm March 10, 1910. Its age,
estimated by rings, is 2S3 years. The
William Penn society erected a marble
column upon the site as permanent
monument.-Kansas City Star.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

called upon defend the Individual against the tyranny
of the majority He must frequently defy defeat
public opinion by protecting the individual from its
reasonable demand.
The lawyer must often share with his client public
odium He must often stand between relentless public
opinion victim. In defending the rights of the
Individual he must often contravene the interests of the
many. This is peculiarly true Of our country and
the time for with popular passion
fury by frenzed agitators and with great constitutional
limitations standing the only popular ag
gresson the lawyer must frequently thwart the public
will by invoking the sacred guarantees of the consu
ton.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

of good quantities Of beluga, NAM
NAL of II feet long, is essential to
their welfare. The white whales are
now very scarce in the bays of the
Okhotsk seas. They are captured in
open assures in the ice foes, which
they are obliged to frequentfor breath
ing purposes. When an animal is
caught the festival is held, the entire
village taking part. The idea under
lying the celebration is that the cap
tured whale has come to visit the set
Element. He must be treated with re-
spect, as he, that is his head, is des-
tined to return to sea where he will
tell of the good time he had while be-
ing relieved Of his superfuous flesh,
how gloriously he was entertained,
and will induce his comrades, like the
fox In the fable, to go and have their
tails cut off close behind their heads.
-Wflliamsport (Pa.) Grit.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
BUYING IN SMALL AMOUNTS.
Problem of the Butcher in Light

Problem of the Butcher in Light
Housekeeping Ncighborhoods.
THE man who runs a grocery and
fruit store with a meat market attach
ment in light housekeeping neighbor-
hood is always sure Of his share of
funny experiences" said a man who
has just this sort of job in upper Man
haitian, according to the New York
Sun.
These light housekeeping customers
take more of our time in proportion to
the money they leave with us than any
other class, but they keep us so amused,
and they're usually so young and pref
ty and jolly that we never think of
really getting mad at them.
Buying steak to fit the skillet is a
light housekeeping proposition we're
often up again. What we call Delmon-
leo steaks are best for this and they're
favorites with all the women who play
the light housekeeping game. We take
the bone out and skewer the steak up
so it'll just fit their pan, and they
u
plate just the size Of her skillet, SO we
make the steak fit the plate. We get
so used to selling Just two chops that
we take small purchase like that
quite as a matter of course.
~ remember the day before Thanks
giving a pretty little thing came in
with her tape measure. She said she
wanted to buy small turkey. The
turkey must be just the size to fit into
pan which just went into her oven,
and she'd brought along the tape meas
ure to make sure. l told her I'd never
seen such a small edition of our ma
tional bird and that she'd better COM
promise on chicken. She was a good
deal disappointed, but we found fine
chicken that went into her pan, with a
couple of inches to the good. Then she
had me look over big basket of sweet
potatoes to find some nice, long, slen-
der ones because she wanted them to
Just fit around the chicken in the pan.
She bought just four.
Cheese is another thing the light
housekeepers always go slow on. They'd
rather buy a few cents worth every
day than have a crumb left over for a
stray mouse to nibble on. Lots of
stores object to selling less than
pound, but when a pretty girl appeals
to you for Just cents worth and per-
haps to make up for it plunges reckless
ly and gets four eggs and quarter of
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
The Sensitive Bachelor.

bachelors are the most sensitive, the
most serupulous mortals on EARTH" said
the widow. Eat any rate, the bachelors
l know are. 1 dined with one not long
ago. During the first part Of the meal
he seemed uneasy.
If any Of my friends should see
me now he said, they would think /
am out with some other mans wife,
"'Why?' 1 asked.
"He pointed to my wedding ring.
""Shall I take 1t OFF, I asked.
Would you mindY said he.
Not at ALL 1 said, and / slipped
off the ring.
Since then when going anywhere
with that bachelor or any other bach
elor~ l save him from embarrassment
by taking off my wedding ring before
we start. I find they all appreciate my
consideration Of their feelings. Now, If
that isn't sensitiveness raised to the
nth power, what s?"-Philadelphia Tel
egraph.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

ruler. Take the Office Of President, the highest
utive Office in the nation His term is four years, sub
feet reelection. The idea fixed a short is
that of preventing injurious results from the
arbitrary and unauthorized action of ambitious and
unprncpled President if there should be such
In Office
1t may not be generally known that the convention
that framed the constitution first prescribed presi
dental term of years, with a prohibition upon
election and only the convention nearing its
and-so far the record shows-without any discus
sion suggestion of therefor this changed
into four years term, and without the ineligbiity
the judgment Of many among whom I one, there
mistake in that change.
In the light of history think it would have been bet
ter to have left the presidential Of years.
with accompanying negibility.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
500 Reward, 500.

The readers of this paper will be pleased
TO learn that there is at least one dreaded
disease that science has been able to cure
In all It's stages, and that is Catarrh. Halls
known to the medical fraternity. Catarrt
being a constitutional disease, requires q
constitutional treatment. Halls Catarrh
cure Is taken internally, acting directly
upon the blood and mucous surfaces of the
system, thereby destroying the foundation OF
the disease, and giving the patient strength
by building up the constitution and assist
Ing nature In doing its work The proprie-
tors have so much faith in its curative pow
ers that they offer One Hundred Dollars for
any case that 1t fails to cure. Send for list
Of testimonials.
Address f. ]. CHENEY < CO., Toledo, o.
Sold by all Druggists, 75c.
Take Halls Family Pills for constipation.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
NOT A MIRACLE
Just Plain Cause and Effect.


There are some quite remarkable
things happening every day, which
seem almost miraculous.
Some persons would not believe that
a man could suffer from coffee drink
ing SO severely as to cause spells of I'M
consciousness. And to find complete
relief in changing from coffee to Pos
tum is well worth recording.
Il used to be great coffee drinker,
so much so that it was killing me by
inches. Ny heart became so weak 1
would fall and lie unconscious for an
hour at a time. The spells caught me
sometimes two or three times day.
MY friends, and even the doctor,
told me it was drinking coffee that
caused the trouble. I would not be-
lieve it. and still drank coffee until
could not leave my room.
Then my doctor, who drinks Postum
himself. persuaded me TO stop coffee
and try Postum. After much hesitation
1 concluded to try it. That was eight
months ago. Since then | have had but
few of those spells, none for more than
four months.
81 feel better, sleep better and am
better every way. l now drink nothing
but Postum and touch no coffee, and
as I am seventy years of age all my
friends think the improvement quite re-
markable."
There's a Reason
Name given by Postum Co, Battle
Vile" in pkgs.
Ever read the above letter? A new
one appears from time to time.
They are genuine, true, and full of
human interest.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Where the Letter FaiIeth.

One can have too much even of 6
good thing. According to Mr.. Rafferty,
in the Washington Star, the phonetic
impulse of the day needs to be restrain
ed. The gentleman in question regard
ed city building with interest.
"Dolan," said he, what does them
letters, MDCCCXCVIT mean?"
'sThey mean eighteen hundred and
nirety- seven"
'Dolan," came the query, after q
thoughtful pause, don't yez think
they're overdoin' this spellin' reform q
bit!''
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Aids a Diver to Lift,

The difficulty diver experiences in
lifting weights beneath the water is
partly overcome by new Italian inven-
ton, which has been formally adopted
by that government. The mechanism
is diving suit, the artificial arms of
which are worked from the inside by
the wearer. The leverage thus obtain
ed enables the diver to lift objects
heavier than he could otherwise handle.
In addition to this Improvement over
the old method a high-power electric
light that will penetrate the water for
some distance is placed In the helmet.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Thunl bless Monkeys.

The radical difference between the
hand of man and of the monkey lies
In the thumb. In the human hand
the thumb has the opposing power y
which means that the thumb can be
made to touch the tip of each or any
of the other fingers on the same hand
the monkeys thumb is non-opposable.
=pittShnrg DiSnatch.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
CURE AT CITY MISSION.
AWfa1 Case of Scabies-Body Mass
of Sores from Scratchfng-Her
Tortures Yield to Cutfcura

Tortures Yield to Cutfcura.
"A young woman came to our city
mission in most awful condition phys
fcally. Our doctor examined her and
told us that she had scabies 1.-THE itch),
incipient paresis, rheumatism, ETC.,
brought on from exposure Her poor
body was mass of sores from scratch
ing and she was not able to retain solid
food. We worked hard over her for
seven weeks, but we could see little
Improvement. One day l bought a cake
of Cuticura Soap and a bottle of Cuti-
cura Resolrent, and we bathed our pa
tient well and gave her full dose of
the Resolvent She slept better that
night and the next day got box of
Cuticura Ointment In five weeks this
young woman was able to look for
position, and she is now strong and
well. Laura Jane Bates, s. Fifth Ave-,
New York, \. Y, Mar IL, 1907"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

"Alpheus,' said the young wife ant
mother, what shall we name the baby?'
George Washington" responded the
absent-minded professor.
But, dear
"You object to that, presume, because
your washerwoman has named her baby
George Washington"
mot at all, Alpheus, but-but you for
get that our baby is a girl"
20, so it is. Well, call her Georgia
Washington. Penelope, have you. done
anything with that thesis of mine on the
Origin of the Epiphytic Orchidacea'? ]
can't find it."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Insisting on Accuracy

Did you arrest this man?' asked the
police justice.
Il did not, your honor" answered the
officer. formerly a resident of Boston.
obviously | could not arrest him. for he
was not in motion at the time. 1 merely
effected his capture, your honor"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Not Quite.

Mrs. Jenner Lee Ondego-Well here
you are. in your new fiat. Got everything
moved in?
Mrs Seldom Holme-All but one load.
The man has gone back after my merry
widow hat.-Chicago Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
His Grent Hone.

Il can't see anything of special
interest in that manuscript of yours, -
said the publisher to the aspiring au-
thor. Il didn't anticipate that you
would" replied the author. But l
thought possibly your readers might
have more intelligence "-Milwaukee
Sentinel
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Ont of the Dim Past,

ACKNOWLEDGMENT was eating grass.
but I'm not yelling 'Ee-yah and pre-
tending to like it, he said.
Regardless of what the fans in the
grand stand and on the beachers might
think of him, he continued to tear up
handfulS and chew it because he hadn't
anything else to eat"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

Acetylene lighting is quietly gain
ing favor, and the German Acetylene
Association finds the gas is supplied
the public by rs places in Germany,
202 in the United States. 16 in the
United Kingdom, and 10 in the British
colonies while Germany alone has
10000 private installations.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

a pound Of coffee at the same time
who'd have the heart to refuse her?
These hair-splitting calculations
aren't often necessary on account Of
lack of money, but just because there's
no place to keep leftovers."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
RecollectiOns,

Adam Zawfox-Jevver work on a
farm?
Job Sturky-Wunst, when l was about
half growed up. l lasted three days The
farmer said l had a hired mans appetite,
all right, but he didn't think I'd ever learn
to work IN TO il
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

poisoning me. Dizzy
spells almost made me
fall, sharp pains like
knife thrusts would
catch me in the back,
and finally an attack
of grip left me with a
c o II s t a t agonizing
backache. Doan's Kid
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
In Due Form,

Orlando Spoonamore had proposed
Il shall have to refer you to papa.
said the young and lovely Clarinda Hewli.
gus.
Orlando reflected.
Yes he said Il suppose that is the
correct procedure. | take the initiative
and you order the referendum."-C Chicago
Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
He Did.

First Waiter-You tried hard enough
to work that swell guy for a tip. Did he
give you one?
Second Waiter-Yes; he gave me two.
He handed me a dime and told me never
to judge mans wealth by the clothes he
wore
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
A Big Responsibility.

''EIe seems a busy chap
You bet he iS.''
'Still, he can't make living
"He hasn't time. That man is trying
Herald
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22

ney Pills helped me quickly and in
three weeks time there was not a
symptom of kidney trouble remaining"
Sold by all dealers. 90 cents a box.
Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, n. V.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Another Pulled PrOverb,

Fociferatious raucous in a torrent,
Oft from canine thoracic cavity,
Prove in the sequel to be more abhorrent
Than the mordacious act they would
imply.
H. Nj. S.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Higher still.

The Clerk (haughtily)-I bettered
myself.
The Prize Fighter (cheerfully)-I
did more. l bested the other.-Balti-
more American.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-10-22
Within His Reach.

Ardley Keap-For two cents I'd write
to my rich old uncle in London and strike
him for loan.
Scion Boddey-Well, for 2 cents you
can do it-now.