davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Planting Wedding Oaks.

Princess August Wilhelm, wife of
the kaiser's fourth son, has set herself
the task of reviving one of Germany's
Oldest customs, that according to which
newly welded couples Immediately af-
ter the marriage ceremony plant cou-
pie Of oak saplings side by side in a
park or by the roadside of their ma
tive town.
The town of Mulchausen, in Thurin-
gia, is the first to respond to the prin-
cess appeal. A municipal official ap-
pears at the church door after every
wedding and invites the bride and
bridegroom to drive with him in a car
riage to new road near the town and
there plant oak saplings.
The tree planting idea was started
by former elector of BraDdenburg
with the object of repairing the raw
ages caused by the 80 years war. The
elector forbade young persons to mar
ry until they had planted a number of
fruit trees.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Her Majesty Selected Richard Vaux,
Then Secretary of Legation, as
Her Partner, and Praised His
Skill and Grace.

1t was in the autumn Of 1879, at a
reception given in Philadelphia to
Samuel J. Randall then speaker Of
the national house Of representatives,
that l first met Richard Vaux, who
for many years before his death,
which occurred in 1895, when he was
IN his eightieth year, was regarded
as one Of the Quaker City's most dis
tinguished citizens and one of the
worlds best known penologfsts. AS
ne appeared at that reception, Mr.
NauX was a typical dandy in dress,
despite the fact that he then had
Bixty-three years to his credit. His
clothes had the artistic touch that
only the most fashionable and expert
OF tailors can give. His feet were
Immediately shod 1t took only a
glance to tell that he was proud of his
profusion of curly hair. Yet, in the
presence Of his genial smile, the hu,
morOus twinkle in his eye, and his
sincere and charming manner one
thought of only the true gentleman
behind the mask of faultless-almost
foppish-dress
Speaker Randall introduced me to
Ar. Vaux, and in doing so remarked
that the latter had once been prom
6nent in the diplomatic service of the
country.
Not exactly prominent" amended
Mr.. Vaux, when Mr.. Randall had de-
parted. 7 was only secretary of the
Legations at London and Brussels, and
in a great many respects I have al
ways regarded a secretary of legation
as nothing more than a high grade
clerk. But" and Mr.. Vaux smiled
fascinatingly-" was one expert
ence / had as secretary of legation of
which l have always been proud, and
] am sure l have every reason to be
proud of it. l will tell you about it.
When I was secretary of the Amer
lean legation at the court of st.
James, Queen Victoria was having the
most brilliant court and social expe-
rience of her reign, for the prince
consort was then living and she had
not given up her love Of gayety to go
In lifelong mourning in memory of
him. At that time the queen was not
ed for being especially fond Of dane
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22

DR.. Hiram G. Cortlandt, the well.
known theologian of Des Moines, said
in a recent address:
Thomas A. Edison tells us that he
thinks the soul is not immortal; but,
after all, what does this great wizard
know about souls? His forte is cleo
tricity and machinery, and when he
talks of souls he reminds me frresist-
IDLY of the young lady who visited the
Baldwin locomotive works and then
told how a locomotive is made.
"'You pour she said, "a lot Of sand
into a lot of boxes, and you throw old
stove lids and things into Mrnace,
and they you empty the molten stream
into a hole in the sand, and everybody
yells and sweaTs. Then you pour it
out and let it cool and pound it, and
then you put it in thing that bOres
holes in it. Then you screw it to-
gether, and paint it, and put steam in
it, and it goes splendidly; and they
take it to drafting room and make
a bluep rint of it. But one thing for
got-they have to make boiler One
man gets inside and one gets outside,
and they pound frightfully; and then
they tie it to the other thing, and you
ought to see it gop"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
An Unnecessary Confession.

A hearty laugh was occasioned at
the Birmingham police court by a pris-
oner who gave himself away in a very
delightful manner. The man was the
first on the list, and the charge against
him was merely one of being drunk
and disorderly. He stepped into the
dock, however, just at the moment
when the dock officer was reading out
a few of the cases which were to come
before the court that morning, and a
guilty conscience apparently led him
to mistake these items fer list of his
previous convictions.
He stood passive enough while the
officer read out about a dozen drunk
and disorderlies, but when he came to
one "shopbreaking" the prisoner ex-
claimed excitedly, THAT was eight
years ago, your honor" Everyone be-
gan to laugh, and the prisoner, realiz-
ing the blunder he had made, at first
looked very black indeed, but finally
saw the humorous side of the matter,
and broad smile spread over his face.
His blunder did not cost anything
Birmingham Mail.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
HOLIDAYS in the States.

Washington's birthday is a holiday
in all states. Decoration day in all
states but Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Labor
day is observed everywhere. Virtu-
ally every state has legal holidays
having to do with its own special af-
fairs-battle of New Orleans in Louis
lana, Texan independence and battle
of San Jacinto in Texas, Admission
day in California, and so on. Missis-
sippi is like the federal government
in lack of statutory holidays, but by
common consent independence day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas are OBJ
served. A new one is Columbus day
in few of the states.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
DIFFERENCE IN THE RACES
Mexicans in the Main Unjust In
Blaming Americans for Lack
of PoIiteness.

All the Mexican correspondents
who have written on the subject of
why Americans are not better liked
by Mexicans agree that it is largely
question of a lack of politeness on
the part of the foreigner here, and in
some eases an ill-conceaIed contempt.
The latter is ineXcusable, and certain
1y must emanate only from inconsid-
crate or poorly educated persons, from
which no nation is free. PoIiteness,
however, is largely a matter of form
and training. 1t is Undeniable that
the Anglo-Saxon salutations, methods
Of expressing thanks and ap0recia
ton, etc, are simpler and shorter
than the Latin forms. To many who
have all their lives been accustomed
to the briefer Saxon ways, an attempt
of the more elaborate Latin politeness
seems, for them, nothing short of af
fectation, and they simply cannot do
it. There are exceptions among Amer
leans and Englishmen who readily
adopt the courteous phrases of the
Mexicans and use them naturally, but
IlICJ oIC ILlC CACCDIlOIlOs anu II ID
difficult to see how this can readily
be changed. Our Mexican friends
should understand, on the other hand,
that if AngIo-Saxons do not, as rule,
go through as many social formalities
as the usages of the land prescribe,
they mean no offense thereby. They
are accustomed to taking good
many things for granted that their
Latin cousins give verbal assurance
Of. Naturally, it is the duty of the
outlander to conform as nearly as he
can to the ways of his adopted coun-
try, but human nature and settled
habits are pretty hard to make over,
particularly unless you catch them
while they're young.-Mexican Her
aid
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Bankers and Bank Notes

Four men, three of whom were con-
nected with brokerage concerns in the
Wall street district, were discussing
United States paper currency and the
disappearance of counterfeits. 1--WE
are SO sure nowadays" said one of
the party, ''as to the genuineness of
bills that little attention is paid to
them in handling, except as to de-
nomination" To prove his assertion
he took $40 yelIowback from his
pocket, and, holding it up, asked who
could tell whose portrait it bore. No
one knew, and by way of coaching
the broker said it was the first treas
urer of the United States. Again no
one knew the name. "Why, It's
Michael Hillegas,' said the man
proudly. But in confidence, I'll tell
you, I didn't know it five minutes
ago."-New York Tribune.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
NecO Version of Old Anecdote

talk before; he was in good spirits,
and, besides, he seemed to take quite
a liking to the newspaper man.
How many questions the reporter
had asked and had answered for him
I don't know, except to say that they
were many, when he put this ques-
ton: But how will the public take
this proposition, Mr.. Vanderbilt?' Mr..
Vanderbilt smiled tolerantly; I could
see plainly that he thought the matter
under discussion was so unimportant
as hardly to merit attention. Then
he replied, still smiling, and in a ge-
NAL off-hand manner: How will it
take it? Why, I don't believe the
public cares the first damned thing
about the matter. l don't believe it
interests the public in the slightest
Then the interview drifted on to some
other subject, only to come to an end
little later, with Mr. Vanderbilt bid
ding the reporter a cordial good day.
q would take my oath that Mr. Van
derbilt made no other reply than the
one nave ISpSdlGu " gOu, AOI L dSCiL u
his conversation with the reporter
from beginning to end. Therefore, you
can imagine what our establishment
was when, on getting the newspapers,
we discovered that Mr.. Vanderbilt
was quoted in one of them as having
said in response to the question, But
how will the public take this PROPOSE
ton, Mr.. Vanderbilt?' oh, the public
be damnedr At once l was for cor
recting the statement, and l made
such a suggestion to Mr.. Vanderbilt,
who, l have always believed, never
felt that the reporter had willfully
misrepresented him. But, Mr.. Van
derbilt shook his head determinedly.
mo he said, 1t would be of no
use. You can never catch up with a
lie
so I have kept silent until now,
added Mr.. Laying, and l am only re
lating the incident now because, just
this morning, l saw the 'public-be-
damned story shifted by a public
speaker to the shoulders of Commo-
dore Vanderbilt, who had been dead
eight years when the remark that is
the basis of the whole story was sup
| posed to have been made"
| Copyright, 1910, by E. ]. Edwards, All
Rights Reserved.l
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Dresses From fhe Far East

noon frocks the tunics are generally
made of some lighter material, but
the trimming is always elaborate and
consists of ribbon interlaced in the
corsage and under the tunic, and of
the new metal lace" as it is called.
This lace is made entirely of gold
or silver thread and it is to be worn
this year more than any other lace.
1t is used a good deal also round the
bottom Of pot" hats.
The Oriental tendency of the day"
a west end modiste said, ''manifests
itself strongly in the turban hats,
which are becoming so popular, and
in the Egyptian wells and daintily col
lored scaTfs.
Beads will be moro popular than
ever this year and they will adorn
frocks, belts, and shoes. The latest
stockings from Paris for evening wear
have designs of colored beads worked
on them.
Pearls, real and imitation, are also
to play great role this season. They
Will be worn as necklaces or in huge
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
CrinnIa Ridee RicurIe

George Anstey, aged II, a cripple,
OF Leicester, England, is one of the
most remarkable cyclists in the coun-
try. Both his legs are withered and
useless, but the Leicester Cripples'
Guild has provided him with a two
wheeled pedalless machine, with a
padded tube covering the axle bar.
Across this he lies face foremost, and
with wooden clogs strapped to his
hands he propels himself along the
streets and roads in a marvelously
rapid manner. He has complete con-
troll Of the machine, his hands acting
as pedals, steering, gear, and brake
combined
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22

A disagreement about advertising arose
with a weekly Journal.
Following it, an attack on US appeared in
their editorial columns; sneering at the claims
we made particularly regarding Appendicitis.
We replied through the regular papers and
the weekly" thought we hit back rather too
hard and thereupon sued for libel
The advertisement the weekly" attacked
us about claimed that in many cases of appen-
dicitis an operation could be avoided by dis
continuing indigestible food, washing out the
bowels and taking a predigested food Grape
Nuts.
Observe we said MANY cases not all.
Wouldn't that knowledge be a comfort to
those who fear surgeons knife as they fear
death?
The weekly" writer said that was a lie.
We replied that he was ignorant of the facts.
He was put on the stand and compelled to
admit he not DR.. and had no medical
knowledge Of appendicitis and never investi-
gated to find out if the testimonial letters to
our Co. were genuine.
a famous surgeon testified that when
operation was required GrapeNuts would not
obviate it. True.
We never claimed that when an operation
was required Grape-Nuts would prevent it.
The surgeon testified bacteria Igerms1 help
ed to bring on attack and bacteria was
grown by undigested food frequently.
We claimed and proved by other famous
experts that undigested food was largely
responsible for appendicitis.
We showed by expert testimony that many
cases are healed without knife, but by stop
ping the use Of food which did not digest, and
when food was required again it was helpful
to use predigested food which did not over
tax the weakened organs of digestion.
When pain in the right side appears it is
not always necessary to be rushed of to
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Metal Lace" And Many Other Orien
tai Effects for Women's
Clothes.

Tt is a fact universally recognized
today that in the matter Of woman
dress there are no mere details and
that every item of her toilet has a
part in producing a total and harmoni-
Dus effect.
Thus. if a woman wishes to appear
we'll dressed, it is not sufficient to
have her hat and frock in the latest
style: she must also see that her veil,
the handle Of her umbrella, her scarf,
even her handbag, all conform to the
tendency which rules the fashion of
the moment.
This season Oriental colors and
draperies have been introduced into
the salons and this main idea is be-
Ing carried out in every article Of
wearing apparel.
For evening dresses the most fash
ionable are gold or silver tunics over
q gich-colored foundation. For after
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22

hospital and at the risk Of death be cut.
Plain common sense shows the better way
is to stop food that evidently has not been
digested.
Then, when food is required, use an easily
digested food. Grape-Nuts or any other If
you know it to be predigested (partly digested
before taking).
We brought to Court analytical chemists
from New York, Chicago and AIishawaka, Ind,
who swore to the analysis of Grape-Nuts and
that part of the starchy part of the wheat and
barley had been transformed into sugar, the
kind of sugar produced in the human body by
dfgesting starch (the large part of food.
Some of the State chemists brought on by
the weekly" said Grape-Nuts could not be
called "predigested' food because not all of
it was digested outside the body.
The other chemists said any food which had
been partly or half digested outside the body
was commonly known as 'predigested."
Splitting hairs about the meaning of word.
It is sufficient that if only one-half of the
food is "predigested," it is easier on weakened
stomach and bowels than food in which no
part is predigested.
To show the facts we introduce DR.. Thos.
Darlington, former chief Of the n. 7. Board
of Health, DR.. Ralph ". Webster, chief Of the
Chicago Laboratories, and DR.. B. Sachs, n. Y.
If we were little severe in our denuncia-
ton of a writer self-confessed ignorant about
appendicitis and its cause, it is possible the
public will excuse US, in view Of the fact that
our head Mr. C. w. Post, has made lifetime
study of food food digestion and effects, and
the conclusions are Endorsed by many Of the
best medical authorities of the day.
Is it possible that we are at fault for
suggesting as a Father and Mother might, to
one of the family who announced pain in the
side: stop using the food, greasy meats,
gravies, mince pie, cheese, too much starchy
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
New News =
OF us TERI0AY
.AyE ~ E0kzNu%uZ~

meet her I was told that the queen
had beheld and liked my dancing, and
SO had sent for me.
"She received me with a cordial.
but very dfgnifed bow, and permitted
me to lead her out upon the floor.
AS l went through the first half If
the dance with her l was in maze
Of terpsichorean delight believe I
never danced better in my life, and
l doubt if ever had more graceful
or responsive partner All, all too
soon the delightful experience was
over. For, as was her custom, the
queen changed partners the latter
half of the dance; but as she parted
from me she smiled graciously and
gave me a few words of commenda-
ton that l have never forgotten.
You dance very well, Mr.. Vaux,' she
said"
Mr.. Vaux's countenance was lighted
with a glow of happy Renaissance.
"That experience and those words
of praise are among the most graft
flying incidents Of my career" he
continued, land I think 1 am safe in
saying that I am the only living
American who has ever had the high
privilege of dancing with Queen Vic
toria." Then, after a moments
pause, he added: I'm fact, l never
heard of any other American, living
or dead, who ever did dance with
her"
scN-o+ az,aD JaYnac p11rbanau ubo,
he was our minister to Great Brit
ain?" l asked.
mo, Mr.. Buchanan never danced.
He couldn't, ," Mr.. Vaux replied with
mock solemnity.
Copyright 1910, by E. J. Edwards. All
Rights Reserved.)
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Pretty Gnnd Dafinitinn

We hear some funny things in Fleet
street sometimes, and the following
definition of the height of aggravation,
by gentleman in rather shaky boots,
whom we encountered in a weII-known
hostelry the other day, struck us as
being particularly choice.
THE eight of haggravation, gentle
men," said this pothouse humorist, set
ting his pewter on the counter and
looking round proudly, with the air of
one about to let off a good thing, the
eight of Internationally, trying
to ketch a flea out o yer ear with a
pair of boxin gloves. London Tit.
Bits,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Before Days of Free Press.

Many of the restrictions that hamp-
cred the influence of the press re-
NAMED in force until the close of the
eighteenth century in England. 1t was
not till that period that newspapers
obtained the right to criticise the pol
icy of ministers and of the king. Mr..
Times, was prosecuted for censuring
the duke of York. He was sentenced
to pay fine of $3.50, stand in the
pillory for an hour, be imprisoned for
a year and give security for his good
behavior for seven years. The order
with regard to the pillory was can
celed, but he had to serve his term in
Jail.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
English Women Smoke Pines.

The latest fancy of the woman
smoker is pipe-not the tiny affair
that suffices for the Japanese, but a
good-sized brier or a neat meer-
schaum. The pipe is boldly carried
along with a gold card case and chain
purse. For some time now the Gig
arctic has given place to a cigar,
small in size and mild in quality.
Women said they were tired of the
cigarette, and wanted abigger smoke.
London Mail.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22

Few people who know mistIetoe
only as desirable feature of Christ
mas decorations understand that the
plant is q parasite DANCE 7us TO the
life OF trees in the regions in which
1t grows. It is only a question of
time. after mistletoe once begins to
grow upon a tree before the tree it
self will be killed. The parasite saps
the life Of the infected branches. For
tunately, it is Of slow growth, taking
years to develop to large proportions,
but when neglected, it invariably ruins
all trees it reaches.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
John Franklin MiIler's Story of the
Way in Which He Glanced to EN-
bark in the SeaIskin
Business.

Don't tell me that luck-pure luck
doesn't play an important role IN
the affairs of men. | know better"
The speaker was John Franklin Mil,
Ter, who, a year or two before, in
1881, had been elected to the United
States senate from California
Il presume" continued the senator,
who made a fortune out of sealskins,
that the majority OF fortunes are the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Rat Bounty Excites Merrim.nt

Seattle, fearing the introduction of
bubonic plague by rats, has offered a
bounty of ten cents rat. This moves
Tacoma, safe from infection from the
sea, to raucous laughter, and the Led
ger says that the bounty, though not
intended for rodents of Tacoma,
Everett, Bellingham and other popu-
lous and busy centers, has been find
ing its way into the pockets of non
residents of Seattle for nonresident
rats. But the joke would be on MS if
it were found that our rat popula-
ton had found its way into the Seat
tie census"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Takes HireaIf sario,,s,,,

Nicola Tesla, dining by himself in
hotels great dining room, takes
table where he can be seen. Through
out his meal he wears a deeply stu
dious, a completely absorbed, attitude.
He may bring to the table a portfolio
filed with papers. These he may
sean with prolonged solemnity. In
any event, he sits an eloquent tableau
of profundity-New York Press.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
Earnest of Whales

The largest whale of its type of
which there is scientific record was
captured recently off Port Arthur,
Tex. He measured sixty-three feet
in length, and was estimated to be
about three hundred years old. Cap
tain Cob Plummer, mate of a United
States pilot boat, sighted the monster
in the shoals off the jetties, and the
crew of his vessel captured the man.
nal. The huge body was towed ashore,
exhibited and much photographed be-
fore being cut up.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-12-22
TWO Very Old Ladies'

We have heard great deal lately
about long-lived people, but it is prob
able that the oldest two people in the
world today are Frau Dutkievitz and
another old lady named Babayaslika
The former lives at Posem, in Prus-
sian Poland, and was born on Febru-
airy q, 1885. She is therefore one
hundred and twenty-five years old
The latter, however, is nine months
her senior, having been born in May,
1884.
She is still fairly hale old woman,
and for nearly one hundred years
worked in the fields. Her descendants
number close on leo, and these now
make her a joint allowance. She lives
at the village Of BaVelsko, whose
neighborhood she has never quilted
during the whole of her long life She
remembers events which happened at
the beginning of last century much
more clearly than those of the last
40 years.-Dundee Advertiser.