davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

large "tangle-legged" grasshoppers. Master
toad took kindly to this species Of food, but
owing to to the nature OF the insects legs anu
their extreme length he found difficulty IN
swallowing In order to aid In the process, as
soon as he would get firm grip on the grass
hopper he would look for stick or stone by
means of pushing against which he could force
his prey down his throat. Now in order to see
what the toad would do if no stone or stick
were at hand all of those articles were re-
moved from his vicinity, and then he was fed
another big grasshopper with great knotted
legs.
Now it must be remembered that the pres
ent writer is not vouching for this toad story;
he is simply setting it down as it has been
told by an observer, and If it is nature
fake" the blame must go elsewhere. The toad,
finding he could not swallow the big grasshop-
per- looked about as usual for stone and,
finding none, he attempted to use the ground
as a pusher. He was unable to get the right
angle to secure sufficient force, and so as a
last and perfectly effective means, he stood on
his head and without the least difficulty forced
his food down his throat.
This toad unquestionaby was wonder.
One day. we are told, he happened to find an
angleworm of great length. He took hold OF
one end and succeeded In swallowing about
an inch and half Of the worm, which then
realizing It's danger apparently, wound the rest
of its body boa-like around the neck OF the
toad. This gave the worm leverage enough
to enable 1t to tug away at that part which the
toad already had swallowed. The result was
that although by mighty effort the toad
could swallow about half an inch, the worm,
when the relaxation came, succeeded In with
drawing three-Quarters of an inch. The toad
saw his breakfast slipping away from him, but
his infinite wit came to his rescue 1t is said
that he sat up like a squirrel took one mighty
swallow and then before the worm could get
in it's withdrawing work. he pressed his fore
feet against his throat and held the swallowed
part Of the breakfast in place; then, SO the
story goes. by a series Of quick successive
swallowing and throat squeezing. the toad soon
had the worm in the dark interior where he
was needed for breakfast.
Toad migrations are not extraordinarily I'M
common events. They have taken place IN
many parts of the country, and once the toads
In travelling succeeded In stalling a railroad
train on the Canadian Pacific line The story
of this runs to the effect that the wheels
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

is pfetention that bantams are profit
able and it pays to keep them for
their eggs, etc., etc. But this is but q
miserable trucking to the almighty
dollar. 1t may be, and doubtless Is. a
fact that bantams are valuable fowls
to keep solely for profit, considering
the small amount Of food they con-
sumo, but IL is as pets that they are
generally bred, and miserly indeed
must be he who would grudge the lit
tie beauties their daily bird-like re-
past.
Nevertheless, bantams, though kept
for pets, do Lag eggs-just as good II
not as big as those of the larger breed.
and their flesh, though it seems wick
ed to kill them for the table, Is de-
licious. So they can justly claim a
practical value aside from mere ap-
pearances which are so much In their
favor that one does not stop to inquire
do they pay?"
The very prettiest sight, without ex-
ception, that we have ever seen In the
line Of thoroughbred poultry was a
large collection of bantams, number
ing one hundred and fifty, all In one
flock, of a half dozen varieties, and
puzzling us to tell which was the most
cute and beautiful birding in the lot.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
GOOD QUALITIES OF BANTAM
Though Kept for Pets They Do Lay
Eggs and They Are most Delicious
for the Table.

A bantam biddy has apparently
large ideas about her relative impor.
lance, but the bantam male that
doesn't strut around as though he felt
as big as an elephant is sick. In good
health he never fails to appear as
important looking as a village police
man, says writer in Fancier's Month
ly. And are not his little. dainty, de-
mure wives just the most cunning bits
OF feathered life in all the poultry
world? OF course, they are. One can
not look at a housekeeping bantam
cock escorting a trim, tiny hen with
out smiling in admiration. They are
so very small, seem so very wise and
old and at the same time so pert and
sancy, that nothing will so quickly and
entirely captivate boy or a lady
that has any inclination for pets as
will the bright little bantam.
Many a poultry fancier now grown
gray-haired and aged, can look back
to the day long ago when he first
owned a flock of bantams and wished
for nothing more on earth to fill the
measure of his youthful delight. There
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
WAY OF FATTENlNG TURKEYS
Good Method Is to Allow Birds to
Roam at Will over Small Grain,
Glover and Corn Fields.

have had good deal of experience
in rearing turkeys. BY giving the
flock good attention / seldom lose any
The birds have free range at III times,
as they are of a roaming disposition
and won't do well in close confine-
ment. I feed twice daily; in the
morning, wheat, sunflower seed, buck
wheat and some kind of cooked
vegetables; in the evening whole corn,
writes Anna S. Lembke of Cass coun-
ty, Iowa, in Orange Judd Farmer. Dur
ing the day the birds wander at will
over the small grain, clover and corn
fields. In the former two they get a
large quantity of insects and in the
latter more or less vegetable food. In
the wheat fields they also get consid-
cradle grain left after the crop is har-
vested. When they are in the barn
yard give them all the skim milk and
buttermilk they will drink and supply
them plenty of coarse grit where they
have access to it at all times. A pail
of slaked lime is also within reach.
Plenty of fresh water is essential at
all times.
Some people pen their turkeys for
a few weeks before marketing, but
I find the birds do better If allowed to
run at large. There is no danger of
overlooking by this method. It Is
necessary, though, to see that they
get all they will eat up clean. At this
time | feed boiled potatoes and scald-
ed corn meal, but never much oats, on
account CT the bulls. A few weeks be-
fore marketing, when the birds begin
to take on fat rapidly and many times
don't care to come home, then / give
them such appetizers as boiled rice,
clabber and cheese. never house the
turkeys. but let them roost In the
trees. The birds are SO tame they
will eat out of my hands. They do
much better when treated in this kind
of way.
7 examine them occasionally to see
how they are Pumping up. All that
have well filled breasts and are fat
are selected for the Thanksgiving
market. The others are fed for the
Christmas batch. In order to have
good-sized birds for these two mar
kets. l hatch as early in the spring az
possible, so as to get the fowls veil
matured and capable Of filling out
well. have found the plan above to
be common sense in fattening. much
better than the feeding OF highly con.
centrated food, which too often de-
ranges the digestive organs. 1t Ia
better to feed somewhat too little than
70 overdo the thing.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
Sfrou Hats and Autos

'You might scarcely think" said Mr.. Mac
Blink chat there was anything in common be-
tween straw hats and automobiles, but by that
way of thinking you'd be surely forgetting
their cost Of upkeep, in which respect they are
strikngly alike
'"They say it costs more to keep an automo-
bile than 1t does to buy one; precisely the
same is true of the straw hat You take my
owl experience for an Illustration.
early in the season l bought a straw hat
for which paid ST. know place where you
can get very good straw hat for that money,
and IL it hadn't rained all summer l should
have been on the straw hat account under no
additional expense.
"But 1t always does rain more or less,
just as it has done this summer, and as is very
well known II drop of rain gets on a straw
hat it is all up. Raindrops on straw hat
will accumulate dust, and then you have to
have the hat cleaned, and that costs money! In
some places Is cents; in some IT,
IL find by reference to my books that
have paid out this summer In straw hat &C.
count for upkeep only $780, which is a good
deal. While the automobile man has been
spending his money for gasoline and things
have been blowing mine for hat cleaning and
1t has cost me more to keep that hat going
than 1t cost me originally.
"But in this find some slight satisfaction.
In this respect at least / find myself on the
same footing with the man who at the Begin
ming Of the season bought instead Of straw
hat an automobile"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

crushed the creatures and so creased the rails
that progress was impossible for some time.
The passengers said that they could have
stood the situation more philosophically II the
blockaders had been frogs, for then the ques'
ton of the food supply would have been
settled for lot of hungry people. Frogs legs
make good eating.
It is not generally known, perhaps to the
layman that toads, like frogs, lay their eggs
in the water Countless millions of eggs VIII
be deposited in some morass They hatch OUT
the young get big enough, and migrate IN
body to the dry land, sometimes going long
distances as an entity. These it is said, are
the marching armies of toads which astonisn
neople and accounts of which are spread
broadcast over the earth.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
IP9QJI 81 ii. MI!lIl,,r[R21Y
.11lHJ{>6 III n ES ~

A load of coarse sand is good for
the chickens.
Be sure the coops are all free from
lice and filth.
Corn is not good for an exclusive
diet in hot weather.
Give the chickens plenty of air In
their roosting places.
The greatest loss in the poultry
yard comes from disease and vermin.
Hens are nuisance on thu farm
only when they are not well cared
for.
II you expect your hens to lay
during winter you must look after
their wants.
Chemically pure crushed charcoal
can be obtained in different sizes suit
able for different poultry.
A pasture that has some low
swampy land is an excellent place TO
pasture ducks and geese.
In selecting a site for the poultry
buildings It pays to study carefully
the matter from all sides.
When a hen does not respond prop
-ru, to good care and feeding 1t is
q fYiff sign that she IS not cut out"
for profit In the poultry yard.
Get rid Of some Of the ROSTERS that
are now worrying the hens to nc
good purpose. They are deadlockH
and eat up the profits Of the focks.
In getting ready for the winter sea
son we must see thai all nests are
cleaned out. ar all buildings repaired
and the pigeon loft generally cleaned
and overhadleA
Hunt up private customers and
agree to sell them strictly fresh eggs
then do 1t. A good price should be
secured and payment will be made In
cash instead of groceries.
AS the melting period Is great
strain upon fowls, they should receive
food that is rich in heterogeneous prop
critics, go that they may be assisted
in growing their new coat.
It is advantageous to have extra
males kept alone and thus change the
males in Che pens. This gives
chance for rest and results in a large
percentage of fertile eggs.
White fowls intended for show pur-
poses can be much improved In color
of plumage by keeping them In the
shade as much IS possible while they
ara lust finishing their mott.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
Pure-Bred Fowls.

Separating males from females has
the advantage of preserving vitality
and strength to grow a new coat of
plumage, which is the one essential
object in pure-bred specimen, par
ticularly If he is to be shown, says a
writer in an exchange. If mating is
continued, without separating male
from female, each is likely to injure
the new plumage while tender with
very bad results. usually take my
male birds In the evening and place
them on the roost at the end of the
breeding season and watch them the
following morning and insist on peace
between them. AS one is sure to be
boss of the others, l usually take the
one intend to be boss and put him
in the male yard day or two ahead
of the others, and this usually has the
desired effect of peace.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
IT. Toad OuR BEST FRIEND 6 q, %
VIZ

Windham who did not thoroughly accept tne In
terpretation were Colonies Dyer and Elderkln In
few minutes the light Of the torches showed an
immense concourse of toads or frogs, whenever
they were, bearing down the main street OF tue
town, croaking and "glucking' like myriad OF
night demons It suddenly struck the people that
IL Judgment day at hand, notwithstanding
the fact that Colonels Dyer and Elderk1n seemed
to have been singled out by the visitors, the day
of accounting according to the Bible was an all
embracing affair, and thereat all the 'W1ndnam
people started trembling violently.
There are living today a good many persons
who are direct descendants of the Colonel Elder
kin whom the batrachians called to judgment that
night In Chicago until recently there lived
Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Norris, direct descend
ant of Colonel Elderkn. Mrs Norris had hearo
the story of the invasion of the village score Oh
times from the lips Of her grandmother, VINO as
a child was taken time after time to see the place
from which the night disturbers came. 10 the
days OF their deaths Colonies Dyer and Elderkin
were called Frog Dyer and Frog Elderkin, and
II local Connecticut authorities are to be believed
there has not been seen from that day to this
either toad or a frog in the meadow and pond
from which started that midnight migration.
To get away, for a moment, from frogs and
toads, and in order to lead back to them again.
let it be said that out in Utah the gull is care
fully protected bird. Olive Thorne Miller speaks
of them as great, beautiful snowy creatures who
look strangely out OF place so far from the sea
shore" I have been told that these gulls are
sacredly protected by the law and the people of
the western state, and have also been told that
the early settlers the Mormons, believed that the
Lord has sent the birds to his chosen people.
1t is no wonder that it believed the gulls
we're specially sent. Clouds of grasshoppers had
destroyed the crops in that early day in many
of the western territories. They attacked Utah
by the million millions Then it was that the
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
interior Of Hen House.

]. F. Jacobs in Missouri Valley Farm
er. The high side of the house faces
south. K, which is partitioned of
from main coop, can be used as Feed
and scratching pen. 1t also makes a
convenient place for driving in the
fowls inclined to roost out of doors.
The nest box, L, is IL inches square,
with back II inches high. Door. j.
is hinged with leather and lies on
top when not in use. When in use
it fastens with button at N. The
sloping top of nests prevents their
being used as roosts. The floor Of
house should be made of concrete and
in cold weather covered with straw.
My building is IL by 16 feet and will
house rs chickens.
The details of the plan are as fol-
lows:
A, 6-foot post. B, post enough
higher than A to give pitch to roof
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

intention so to do, they have inaugurated verl-
table reigns of terror.
Years ago, in the little Puritan settlement
OF Windham, Conn, out of which sprang as
many notable American families, perhaps, as
have come from any other colonial hamlet, a
migration of toads led the people to believe
that the tocsin of the last day had been sound
ed and they were all summoned sinners and
siness; to answer at the bar of judgment Ira
dition says that the migration which brought
this fear upon the people was one Of the frogs
Scientists of today lean rather to the toad
theory. but 1t made little difference to the
frightened populace which species of batra-
chan brother it was that brought horror into
their midst
Now it happened that there lived in Wind
ham two colonial colonies, big men and digni-
fed by names Dyer and Elderkin. 1t may do
no harm at this late day to say that both these
military titled gentlemen were more fond OF
good living, the story goes, than was per-
hans exactly consistent with the strictest Pur-
itan thoughts. Some of the elders of the place,
& ia said, looked bit askance at some of the
views of Colonels Dyer and Elderkin. There
were slaves in that day In Connecticut and
.Windham held its share.
One peaceful night in May the Windham
families retired at their usual hour, not long
after candle light" At midnight they were
wranped In the profoundest slumber, but no
sleep however sound could withstand the roar
that broke upon that peaceful hamlet in the
watches of the night. There were blended the
noises of a million throats 1t was cultural,
harsh and horrible, and 1t came out OF the
lefty bIackness of midnight The people OF
Windham jumped from their beds panic strfck-
on, threw on what clothes they could. and
rushed outdoors, many bearing pine torches.
which ate little light holes in the inky black
ness.
The slaves were Frustrated with fear and
cluno Tn the knees of their masters. The noise
ceased not for an instant, but on the contrary
Increased with every moment, and then, to
The added horror Of all. the noise found shape
In words which one Quickeared. imaginative
wonan interpreted into this. all but two of
che people accepting the Interpretation read
Nv: Judgment day; Judgment day; Colonel
Dyer and Elderkin too, and catch Niger too"
It is perhaps needless to say that the only
two people among the white inhabitants OF
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

trim trained nurse In spotless white
may be seen leading small boy by
the hand up and down the shady ave-
nues near the Fitch mansion. The
boy in turn leads the deerepit terrier
by chain, and the pretty nurse
watches over both child and dog with
tender solicitude. The child Is Mrs.
Fitch's little grandson, and the terrier
is the aged pet Of the Fitch house
hold. Tim Connors was born over
the sea twenty-five years ago. He
came to the Fitch family when he was
two years old, and has been beloved
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

member OF it ever since. He has Ia
ken part in many bench shows. and
has had many blue ribbon tied to
his collar by admiring judges.
Though gray, deaf and half blind, he
still displays all the good points OF
his breed, and is just as full OF fight
as ever. At the approach OF strange
cur his hair bristles, his feeble old
body stiffens, low growls issue from
his throat and only the restraining
leash prevents battle.
Tim never is forgotten when the
Christmas presents are bought. and
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
Terriers Life a Long One

when her master retired from the
service. Topsy Walker, a pug dog of
Tarrytown, died recently at the ripe
old age of seventeen, while another
pug is still living in the same town,
aged nineteen, though it is stone blind
and has only three legs.
Tim Connors is an Irish terrier, be-
longing to Mrs. Fitch, the widow of a
New York millionaire, with country
seat near Irvington. On sunny days a
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

Consumers are looking for the best
and they are generally willing to pay
good prices for superior food prod
ucts. They want smooth, solid. we'll
favored tomatoes, tender, delicious
sweet corn, not too ripe. but ripe
enough. Everything good soon gives
the grower a reputation and makes
easy sales.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

nj, partition 8 feet high. c. tight
floor. H, trough 10 by IL, to catch
droppings. d. door to admit person.
e, e, small doors for fowls. l, glass
windows protected on inside with net
ting and made to slide open for VEN
tilation. F, 1 by 6 board with notches
Is inches apart for perch poles.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

there is always a dainty bowl for his
porridge, a new collar, blanket, a
set of combs and brushes or some
other dog luxury for him on Christmas
morning. Every year he Is taken to
the Adirondacks, where Mrs. Fitch
has a summer camp, and regains
some of the freshness of his lost
youth chasing rabbits in the primev
woods.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
STIm connors" Seemingly Withou
Doubt Is the Oldest Dog Living
In America.

If there is any older dog in Amer
lea than Tim Connors it has not yet
been discovered. The oldest dog on
record in the United States was a
black spaniel which sailed the seas
as a navy pet for twenty-four years,
and was still as lively as q puppy
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
Duck Farms.

A good many duck farms Rave been
started ct a distance from good mar.
kets, and they may be successful-but
tina owners are not saying so.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

NCLE SANS scientists have had
more than one good word to say
for the toad. Several govern
ment publications have been is
sued, | am told, telling about the
toad and its good work. There
is no department IN nature which
is overlooked by the scientists of
Secretary of Agriculture James
Wilson's department. If it is be-
liavad hv the exnerts that any
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06
QOUErRaSE1'
@EEss=s-=-~-JN
EXCELLENT HEN HOUSE PLAN
Building That viii Accommodate
Seventy-five Chickens-For Com
fort Hard to Beat.

Considering comfort. convenience,
cleanliness and cost believe my
chicken house hard to beat. writes
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

May Cultivate Cotton.
Efforts are being made to cuItip1As
cotton In Hawaii
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-10-06

benefit may come to the people Of the United
States by the study of the habits Of partcu-
lar animal, that animal is studied forthwith
and studied carefully.
In folk lore history and in the history OF To-
calities which hardly be classed as folk
lore the frog and the toad frequently have
been confused sometimes stories have been
told of frog visitations and 1t has turned out
that the invading army was composed of toads.
The reverse Of the statement also has been
found to be true on several occasions
Some years ago army of track hopping
tramp toads took possession of the gravel road
bed of the Sioux City and Pacific railway, and
in unbroken column miles In length, as the
local story had 1t, the toads marched past the
town of Blencoe, Iowa. 1t is stated that there
were many millions In this mighty army
that nothing like an accurate estimate of the
toads could be made. The ground was said
to be brown with the color of its visitants.
II there such army OF the batra-
chians as it is said there was it would be no
wonder il the residents of the infested district
might have feared that the toads would divert
their course from the railroad into the towns,
to repeat Pharaoh's plague of the frogs, when
the rivers brought forth frogs abundantly,
which went up into the houses, and into the
bed chambers, and even upon the beds, and
upon the people, and even into the ovens and
into the kneading troughs."
Now the toad is not nearly so handsome