davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
ARMADmLo AS A FIGHTER.

Marvellous story OF a Hunters A.
venture Near Oakland, Cal.
Some curious stories of the wild and
woolly west have been sent to eastern
newspapers, but the following dispatch
from Oakland to the Buffalo Times
easily surpasses all others in the riot
Gus imagination Of the writer, who has
cent one Of the most timid Of animals
yut on the warpath against a hunter :
Even those who are familiar with
the armadillo in his native wilds are
not apt to give him credit for his fight
ing abilities. While nature has pro-
Vided him with a defensive armOr
which is a protection against most Of
his enemies, instances Of his attacking
man, even in self-defense, are extreme
" rare.
The experience of Fred Petmecky on
q recent hu..ting trip proved that an
armadillo can and will fight when able
% choose its battle-ground, and its
method Of attack is unique and terrible.
While riding toward camp one evening
Mr.. Petmecky heard a hound baying
N a thscket- Knowing the dog was
aware it was unlawful for it to run
deer and not expecting to find anything
more dangerous than a wampus or
gruf1ni, he left his rifle In the scab-
bard and went to investigate. He found
the hound baying at a huge armadillO,
which he seemed afraid to attack.
On seeing its new enemy the arma-
dillo rapidly prepared for action. Max
ing a noise like a lion, 1T sliced
small Sapling in its mouth and Topped
It's tail around another. Then, by con-
tracing its body, 1t bent the sapling
held by its mouth as far as 1t was
able Having thus transformed itself
into catapult. 1t released its hold and
ing itself into ball as it few through
the air, 1t struck Mr.. Permecky on the
shoulder, knocking him down. Nearly
stunned by the force of the blow and
the fall, the hunter staggered to his
feet just as the armadillo was ready
for a second attack, which it made
with like results.
The hound. which had seemed to be
surprised and too terrified to take any
part in the strange battle, now recov-
cred itself and, before the armadillo
could launch itself at the man again,
seized 1t by the unprotected portion of
its body and killed 1t.
Had 1t not been for the faithful
hound Mr.. Petmecky's injuries might
have been serious. AS it was he was
too bruised and battered to mount his
horse and proceeded to camp on foot,
bringing with him the dog and one of
the saplings bearing the marks of the
armadIllo's tail as proof Of his singular
adventure.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Salt Is a Necessity.

Animals will travel long distances
and brave great dangers to get at
saline earths, called salt ticks; horses
and cows are most healthy when pro-
vided with Jumps Of rock salt in their
hangers or pastures and even bees will
sip a solution of salt with avidity.
Men will barter gold for 1t In coun-
tries where 1t is scarce, says the Frisco
Magazine, and for it husbands will sell
their wives and parents their children.
In some districts of Africa salt is far
more expensive than the purest white
sugar in Europe and children will suck
a lump OF it in preference to sweet
meats. But the existence Of a greater
or less appetite for salt In all individ-
uals shows that this substance serves
more important functions than that of
merely gratifying the palate.
Salt being large constituent Of the
human body and forming about half
the local weight of the saline matters
of the blood, the constant loss of it by
the secretions, the bile and even tears.
requires to be made up by its employ
ment as a condiment. The free acid
found in the stomach and which forms
an essential constituent of the gastric
juice, is obviously derived from the
salt taken with our food; and the soda
of our blood and in some of the secre-
lions is doubtless obtained from the
decomposition in the system Of common
salt, which is the only mineral food of
man and the only saline condiment es-
sential to health.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
The Glory of New York.

What other city is there Of like size
which matches New York in position.
1t is q seaside city; the salt water
laves it's feet. AS the traveller ap-
proaches it he thinks of Venice rising
from the sea or is perhaps reminded Of
ancient Tyre, which "stood out in the
sea as a hand from a wrist" and Of
which the houses were impressively
tall. Impressive" is not too indulgent
word for the skyscrapers Of New
York-clean faced, simple, original and
audacious, they are characteristic Of
the land and of the people. They are
not ugly concessions to utility, but a
rather grand adaptation of architecture
to circumstances. The ancients, har-
assed with dread Of piracy, would not
have dared to build city like New
York on the edge Of a great harbor
open to the sea. It is something which
the modern world alone could have
given us.-Londou Spectator.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

the time is coming when the whole
earth will be covered with water. OF
course that means the complete extinc-
tlon Of the human race and Of every
kind of life; but, Il has been said, you
need not get excited about it, for that
supreme condition will not come for at
least 100000 years. The statement,
as here given, is general in its nature,
but the scientist has figured it down to-
detail. To be exact, the annual re-
duction of the land surface height is
about six-thousandths of an inchs
which, after all, is not startling, for
six-thOusandths of an inch is an al
most inappreciable quantity. But when
that reduction goes on year after year,
and still year after year, there is no
avoiding the scientific conclusion that
the Great Hour will come in time, I'M
less, indeed, some cataclysmal disturb
ance that cannot now be foreseen
should interfere with the natural
course of things. But you need not
lose any sleep over the matter.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Table Talk.
Katherine L. Daimler.

Come eat a piece of pie with me"
said the Knife to the Soup-ladle. mo,
thanks" said the Soup-ladle. Il may
be in the soup, but 1 never eat pie
with a knife"
Lets go to sea-" said the Spoon to
the Salt. you are an old salt"
THAT'S so. But what'Il we go in?'
asked the Salt. 1.-The gravy-boat," said
the Spoon.
II hate SOUP" said the Soup-tureen.
"And 1 hate toast" said the Toast
rack. "Well, let's swap trades" said
the Tureen. "You hold the soup and
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
why Sailors DON'T Swim.

"You think it's strange, do you," said
the sailor, ''that us shellbacks can
hardly ever swim?'
Strange and almost criminal" re-
piled the druggist firmly. Sailors who
can't swim don't understand it at
ALL"
The sailor frowned.
''Supposin',' he said, "on q cold,
black night you found yourself in the
sea, not a spar left of the wreck,
every shipmate drowned, nothin' any
where but the cold, the blackness, the
bitter water. In them conditions" he
said, what would you ruther do
swim and swim and swim in agony
til you died or sink right down and
die at wunst?''
81 think I'd rather die at once" said
the druggist, shuddering.
$50 sailors think" said the other,
land it's to spare themselves possible
long hours Of agony that they like not
tc learn to swim. And they encourage
their sons not to learn, too, if there's
any likelihood Of the lads follerin' the
sea."-New Orleans Times-Democrat.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

ton after another. The long stretch
of ground lying between it and the
river was of such a soft, marshy ma
ture, apparently without bottom, that
the building was constantly in danger
of cOllapsing; but even when these OBJ
stacles were overcome, and the house
placed upon the shore of the river, a
very severe flood arose, surrounding the
house to depth halfway to the second
story, and placing it in mid-stream. In
order to prevent 1t being washed away,
the blocking and rollers had to be
weighted down with immense beams
and steel rails. The rushing waters
abating sufficiently, the house was NOV
ed and lowered upon a large coal
barge This being done and everything
made ready, 1t was gradually towed
down the Allegheny river, but, due to
the four low bridges between it and its
destination, the barge had to be scut-
tied before passing each bridge, the
water being pumped out afterward. To
add to the excitement, it had to be low
cred through a lock; and, even when
the river trip was completed, three
tracks Of the Buffalo, Rochester and
Pittsburg railroad had to be crossed
within thirty misunderstanding
American
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
HOW TO DISCOVER SPRINGS.

Indians and FrOntiersmen Know q.
Good Deal From Signs About Them.
There is undoubtedly practical art
of discovering springs. Indians or
frontiersmen can find water in the,
desert when a "tenderfOOt" can not.
Mexicans and experienced prOspectors'
can similarly find ore. These arts con-
sist mainly in the recognition of super.
fetal signs which escape the ordinary
observer.
It is not necessary that the operator
should consciously not these signs sep
arately and reason upon them No
doubt he frequently does so, though he.
may not give away the secret of his
method to others. But In many In
stances he recognizes by association
and memory the presence of a group
of indications, great or small, which
he has repeatedly found to attend
springs or ore deposits.
This skill, due to habit, is often al.
most unerring for a given limited dis
trict, but under new conditions It
breaks down. Old miners from Cali.
fornia or Australia have often made In
other regions the most foolish and
hopeless attempts to find gold, because
they thought this or that place Cooked
just like" some other place In which
they had mined successfully.
Apart from the magnetic minerals,
there is no proof that ore deposits ex.
hibit their presence and nature by any
attraction or other active force. With
regard to water, however, there may
be an action affecting the temperature
and moisture Of the everything surface.
Even here, however, 1t seems more like
ly that such effects are manifested
visIbly to close observer rather than
by direct affection OF his nervous or
muscular system. The favOrite fields
for water OWNERS are regions in which
water is abundant, but not gathered
upon given horizons Of impermeabIer
strata underlying porous rocks
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Town Built Too Soon.

There is in Connaught, ireland, a re-
markable curiosity, which gives an ex-
ample of official oversight. When the
great famine Of 1847 was upon the land
the government Of the day conceived
the idea Of opening a line of navigation
from Galway to Ballina, by way of
Tough Corrib and Tough Mask, so as to
avoid the dangers of the western coast.
From Cong a canal was actually made
to Tough Mask as part of the general
scheme. The work gave a great deal
of employment and SO far the canal
served the purpose. But when it was
completed 1t was found the canal would
not hold water. The fact that the rock
Of the district is Of very porous char
acter had been overlooked.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Where Water Means Life.

AS illustrating the scarcity of water
in some parts Of Australia and the high
value set upon it, 1 would draw atten-
ton to the case of three Afghans who
were murdered in West Australia.
Water was scarce, and yet these three
orientals washed themselves in a road
hole-the sole source of supply-ad-
joining a selector's homestead. In a
fury he shot the three of them, and at
his subsequent trial the jury unani-
mousely acquitted him.-WidO World
Magazine.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

Cats delight in racing about, but
not so often, think in circles, as dogs
10. They prefer straight lines and
sharp turns with the geiuine goat jump.
This sudden flight into the air, which
appears to take place without the ami
mails knowledge or intention, cannot
here be preparatory to life in the
mountains, but the cat finds the high
jump very useful, not only in bouncing
on its prey, but in escaping its heredit-
arg enemy. Brehm records q move
ment play of young channels. When in
summer the young chamois climb up to
the perpetual snow they delight to play
on it. They throw themselves In a
crouching position on the upper end Of
a steep snow covered incline, work all
four legs with swimming motion to
get start and then slide down on the
surface of the snow, often traversing
a distance of from 100 to $50 meters
in this way, while the snow flies up
and covers them with a fine powder
Arrived at the bottom, they spring to
their feet and slowly Chamber up again
the distance they have slid down.
1.-The Play Of Animals" by Karl Groos
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
FIND BOOK FARMING PAYS.
AgrfcuITurists Work Less Mt Hap
hazard Than In the OIden Time.

ASFfculTuriSts Work Less mt Hap
hazard Than I'm the OIden Time.
The day when farmers ridiculed
book farming is now past. The agri-
cultural experiment stations have made
so-called book farming popular. Fact
has taken the place of theory and the
progressive farmers of the present day
eagerly peruse the bulletins from their
respective state experiment stations and
the farmers bulletins that are issued
by the United States department of
agriculture. With the most wonderful
strides made in every calling during
the last twenty-five years agriculture
has kept pace.
The evolution in farming methods
and implements can hardly be under
stood by the present generation. 1t re-
Quires a knowledge OF the old-time
methods TO make the comparison
Years ago when some of the labor-sav-
ing agricultural implements were in
vented they were decried by the farm
ers as being quite unnecessary, ETC. To-
day, with steam plows, and, in fact,
neary all farming operations being per-
formed by labOr-saving machines. it is
very difficult even with their use, re-
quiriIg so few hands, to secure enough
laboring men to save the crops during
the critical stage of harvest time. At
all busy seasons the farmers, especially
those located near large cities and
towns, complain OF the scarcity of help
Were 1t not for these very same labor
saving machines and the practical les
sons and valuable information furnis-
ed TO the farmers from the experiment
stations the situation would border on
the critical. The successful farmer of
to-day is in a sense a scientific farmer.
He does not follow the obsolete methods
OF his ancestors. If he is in doubt
about any Of his farm work he asks
questions.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
EXPENSIVE WILD LUxURIEs.
Massachusetts Paying High to Re-
stock Woods with Game.

Massachusetts Paying High to Re-
stock Woods with Game.
Raising birds to restock the forests
OF Massachusetts, with game for shoot
| ing is costing the State more than SO
a bird for such as the hunters shoot,
says the Worcester Telegram, as a di-
rect result Of the liberating Of such
birds as are raised in the State or
| imported from the south and turned
loose The efforts of the fish and game
commission have amounted to nothing
but large expense, and the lecturing
on that subject with the hope of get
| ting more sections Of the State inter
ested in undertaking to raise several
| kinds of birds in what Is called the
next-to-nature way is costing a lot
more money with very small prospects
Of success. Springfield is casting about
for a man who would be glad to IN
dertake the work and guarantee a good
| deal Of knowledge Of how to do it.
AS long ago as 1915 there was a sys-
tenn or protection of the game in for
ests of Massachusetts. They had deer
wardens then to prevent even the III
dams shooting deer out of season.
That such precautions ever benefited
the population Of the State to the
amount IF a cent for each individual
during lifetime has never been demon
strated. 1t has resulted in long years
Of law protecting for deer, and large
bills to be paid by the State for dam
ages they have done to crops The
deer is the most expensive wild luxury
the State has ever had, except posi-
bly, the gypsy moth.
The partridge and quail luxuries
stand high in the list. The attempts
to raise cartridges have failed in Wor-
cester county only a little less COM
pletely than elsewhere. The importa-
ton Of thousands of quail from the
Southern States has not increased the
hunting. The different kinds of pleas
ants have been another though less
expensive, luxury at the expense Of
the State.
There is more and better hunting in
the countries where there are no
game laws, OF where Tie expense Is
borne by private enterprise. Condi-
tons change and different kinds of
game take up their OWL ways in Sec
lions where no attention is paid to the
stocking and protecting. 1t has been
proved to be useless to try to make GER
tain kinds of game prosper in the 10
calities their kind deserted years ago.
1t is always useless as a paying propo-
sition to stock a section of country
with the kinds Of game, fish or fowl
that are not there, because OF changed
conditions since the original habita-
ton was sought by the same kinds.
All the science In the world has not
made the partridge prosper in the linn
its of a city. Such birds as may be
domesticated are never fit to turn
loose again, because they have in a
measure lost the instinct to hide from
the hunters. The trout brooks that
are not stocked at all afford the best
fishing when left alone for a time.
The lakes and ponds that have been
stocked. for the most part, have been
spoiled as natural fishing places. Mas
sachusetts is OVERRIDING the game bust
ness.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
ForethOuUht.

Sick Man-You got that will all
ready?
Lawyer-Yes, sir; it's all complete.
Sick Man-Can 1t be broken easily!
Lawyer-No, sir; it 'ud cost thou
sand dollars to break it.
Sick Man-Then you tear it right up,
and make one that can be broken for
about $25; l amt goin' to run them
children into a big expense like that
Toledo Blade.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
what . GeoIoEist saxn.

Don't get excited when the editor
tells you something that distinguish
ed Frebch geologist says about the
earth. 1t is that the average height
of the land surface all over the globe
IL being reduced every year, and that
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Probably Not

"a French scientist says fish cannot
hear"
Then. Of course, they haven't any
idea what the wild waves are saying y
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Case OF Unconscious HumOr,

"Your friend Bardlet left some verses
with me to-day that were quite anus
ing" said the editor.
Indeed" replied Dudley. "I didn't
think he was humorous poet"
Neither does he."-Philadelphia
Press.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
More Trouble.

Squiggs- gumption enough ia
fire that cook of yours yet?
SQuaggs-Sure hired bouncer who
did the Job nicely; but we've more
trouble on hand now.
SQuiggs-What' that?
Squaggs-Can't get any one to fire
the bouncer.-Toledo Blade.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Easy ANYHOW.

"He lost all his money on a she
game"
"He's a sucker"
NO, a shell fish. Houston Post
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

,npeck's wife is dead"

"Henpeck's wife is dead
"Ah. well, suppose she is happy
now"
81 don't know about her, but Hen
neck is."-Houston Post.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Brevity.

'Too many words are wearisome,"
said Kwoter. "Brevity is the soul Of
wit"
Not always" replied the observer:
but, in any event. it is always COM
mendable."- Philadelphia Press.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
JOHNNY

III hold the toast" "I'd look well
trying to hold a quart of soup
wouldn't I?' sneered the Toast-rack.
Il believe I've got chilli said the
Salt. "Well, who wouldn't, living in
a cellar all the timer jeered the
Olive-fork.
''Isn't this room a little cold?" ask
ed the OIL 81 feel a little CONCEALED. y
81 don't think So" said the Red Pep
per. "I'm hot"
"Heigho!" sighed the Napkin
whats the matter?' asked the Fork.
I'm wondering whether I'll ever grow
big enough to be a table-cloth."
"You are very impudent," said the
Big Spoon to the Little Spoon. well,
/ can't help it," said the Little Spoon
"Jack used me when eating his cram
berry sauce last night, and I'm nat
urally saucey."
''I think it's real meant" sobbed the
Dessert-spoon. "Here they're going to
have rice pudding for dinner tonight,
and I've got to go upstairs to give
Jack lis cod-liver oil. Ughw
at was very much disappointed at
dinner last night" said the Table
cloth. 81 simply love currant jelly,
and nobody spilled bit of it on me"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Worry Regarded a. a Disease.

Physicians are beginning to recog-
nize worry as a disease, to be pre-
Dcribed for like any other Daalady.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
RAMS HORN BLASTS.

Warning Notes Calling the Wicked
to Repentance.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

Judge a mans ability by what he
does, not by what he threatens to do
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

Conceit blinds
many a man to
the truth.
Faith is reason
resting on revela-
ton.
Ev cry master
must ever be q
pupil.
If a goddess
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15

Some men would rather go away
back and sit down than stand on cere-
mony.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-08-15
Pictures by telegraph.

What would you think if you saw In
your newspaper some evening an actu-
al photograph Of some event or scene
that took place in Europe that day? 1t
would seem like magic, wouldn't it:
And yet such a thing is entirely within
the range of possibility. A scientist of
Lyons, France, NJ. Belin by name, has
recently succeeded In transmitting the
photograph of a landscape by wire,
and the distance to which a picture
may be sent seems to be only Ques-
ton of further experimentation. He
transmits the picture direct from a
carbon print. Little metal points glide
over the surface of the paper, which
Is in relief. 1t is these depressions or
elevations on the surface Of the paper
that are sent over the wire. At the re-
ceiving station the Impressions are
sent to a sensitized film by the aid of
q mirror and a lens. NJ. Belin's meth
cd is different from that OF Prof. Korn
of Munich, who has for some time
been sending photographs of persons
by wire.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-14
BISHOP AT JACKSONVILLE.
Large Glass is Confirmed in Catholic
 Church.

Church.
 Jacksonville. July 13.-(Special. )-- Confirmation services were held at the Catholic Church here yesterday.
 Bishop Allen of Mobile oficiated, and Father Stdh1 was master of ceremonies. There were fifteen confirmed, from here and neighboring places.
 Among the number were Hoke Row an, Forney Rowan. Mrs. Gaboury and two daughters. Adeiia and Josephine of Jacksonville, Mir. and Mrs. Nelson, Margaret Wolf. w. Kernhan and Miss Yeotman of Piedmont.
 A large number of friends and ac- quaintances were in attendance.
 Mrs. John Burke has gone to Shelby Springs, where she will spend month.
 Miss Estelle Johnson of Rome, Ga. is the guest of Miss Marie Burke of this city.
 The Japalack Club of Jacksonville young people returned this morning from it's camp at Sulphur Springs. where they have spent the last ten days.
 The primary department of the Meth odist Sunday School gave party to the little children of that department Thursday afternoon at the home of Miss Louise Nixon. one of the teach CTS. From { to I o'clock the tiny tots enjoyed kindergarten games on the lawn and refreshments were served out of doors.
 Mrs. Carl Leigh of Gadsden is visit ing at the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Caldwell of this city.
 Mayor R. Wilkerson has recovered from a short but severe Illness and Is able to be out again.