davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Declares Reading Is Like
a Narcotic-Clouds Mind

The habit of reading for amusement
becomes with thousands of people ex-
actly the same kind of habit as wine
drinking or opium smoking; 1t is like
narcotic, something that helps to
pass the time, something that keeps up
a perpetual condition of dreaming,
something that eventually results in
destroying all capacity for thought,
giving exercise only to the surface
parts Of the mind and leaving the
deeper springs of feeling and the high
Der faculties of perception unemployed.
The result of all this reading means
nothing but cloudiness In the mind.
That is the direct result. The indirect
result is that that mind has been
kept from developing itself. All de-
.velopment necessarily means some
pain, and such reading as I speak of
has been employed unconscionsly as
means to avoid that pain, and the con-
sequence is atrophy.-Lafcado Hearn.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Electricity Plays a Part
in the Formation of Hail
According to One Theory

The formation of hail through elecs
tric action, according to one theory, is
ain interesting and even wonderful
process. The wind draws out cloud
into long, narrow strip. In that
FORM. owing to the great amount Of
surface exposed to the air, the cloud
evaporates rapidly, producing intense
cold.
Dry particles of snow are then
formed and these, by friction with
water drops, quickly become charged
with negative electricity. But the
water drops carry positive electricity.
and since negative attracts positive q
film Of water is formed upon each snow
particle and is instantly frozen into a
layer Of ice.
At this thickness it's outer surface
remains moist, the water not freezing
so rapidly there, whereupon the cleo
trio charge changes from negative to
positive and the particle is repelled by
the water drops and driven to the outer
parts Of the cloud. Here the increased
cold covers it with snow, and friction
charges it anew with negative cleo
tricity.
Repulson is now once more changed
for attraction, and the particle rushes
back into the cloud receiving upon its
surface another film of water, when
is turned into d second ice layer.
Thus the growing hailstone darts
zigzag through the cloud, piling up
its alternate layers Of snow and ice,
until gravitation gains control ana
sends it with a jingling crowd Of Its
fellows spinning to the ground.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Jacana, Tropical Bird. Wins
Mate With His Love DANCING

In tropical South America and on
some of the islands of the Pacific Is
found the beautiful bird known as the
jacana, 1t is famous for its so-called
love dance, which is executed by the
males to excite the admiration of the
female birds. When the mating sea-
son approaches the jacana will single
out it's favorite lady and try to win
her admiration with all it's bewitch-
ing maneuvers. In the dance the
wings are spread and worked in such
manner that the beautiful colored
feathers produce brilliant effect.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
DADDY.)EVEN|NQN
FAIRY TALE IA
APRIL FOOLS DAY.
6y Nary Graham bonner inner

"It was the first of April" said
be great joke to call up the aquarium
on the telephone and to ask for Mr..
Fish.
$50 all day long the telephone was
ringing and latter Mr.. Fish was asked
for the person who did the telephon-
ing would say,
"'April FOOL
swell, the fishes splashed and they
said,
"'We give folks a lot of fun. We
help them with their little jokes All,
it's fine to help play April Fools Day
jokes
"But then they saw that their keep
ers were getting a little cross that
they should be called to the telephone
so many times for no reason at all
that they said,
"'This thing should STOP and they
said this just before the afternoon of
the first of April when it was really
time to stop fOoling.
"'Well," said one of the fishes wig
SllIlS lis Ills anu It's tuii, VIC dlC SOlhS
to have party here this evening"
"T don't know that like that idea,'
said another fish, for when there are
parties we have to share our food or
at least we should
"'YOu don't understand about this
party said the second fish, splashing.
Pray let me explain
"'Oh, another kind of a party said
the first fish, and perhaps they will
bring us food instead of making us
give some?
"'YOu talk like q little pig with
snout instead of fish with fms said
the second fish.
"'Well, just felt very hungry to-
day." said the first fish.
"'No excuse said the second fish.
"'Well, I'll learn better manners
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17

"You Talk Like Little Pig"
perhaps said the first fish, after I
have been here longer, for you know /
haven't been in the aquarium very
long,
''The other fish grinned a silly grin
and it's watery eyes looked very fool
ish as it said,
"I notice that you say that per-
haps you may learn better manners.
You are evidently not sure
"'One can't be sure of anything
said the first fish, and least of all of
my manners, of which / only own
few
"'You speak of them as though they
were few things you could pick up in
a basket said the second fish, splash
ing with amusement.
"'Never mind how speak, said the
first fish, 'let's go on to another sub
ject.'
"This party said the second fish,
is like one which they had last year.
1t wasn't given quite so early in the
season, but this year they evidently
can waste no time about having a
party here.
"'The party is called a reception
and many fine and famous people
come to it. They talk and they eat
the food which grown-ups and people
like, chicken salad and ice cream.
"They talk and they have very
dull time. l have never found out
quite why they have these parties here,
for they are so stupid. They have the
aquarium looking very beautiful, all
decorated with flags and lights.
"'But those silly people come here
where there are lovely tanks for fishes
and they never even put their hands
in them.
"'To be sure there wouldn't be
room for the people in the tanks, but
doesn't 1t seem silly to think that they
don't want to get In our tanks?
cit does said the first fish, 1t
seems like a joke, an April FOOLS
joke
"'No,' said the second fish, it is past
the time for joking. See! Here they
GOMEZ
"And the fishes who had been there
watched the people hold their recep-
ton In the aquarium. And the fishes
smiled their fishy smiles, and the
fishes splashed their fishy splashes and
said,
ITO think Of how they live and
breathe and talk and eat out of water.
How queer people arer
Sand when the party was over the
fishes shut up shop as they called it
which meant they said goodnight to
each other and didn't begin the bust
ness of talking and eating until the
next day."
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
This Planet Has Experienced
a Great Many Glacial Periods

One often hears of "the glacial peri
cd" or "the icy age" of the earth, but,
strictly speaking, this expression Is
not correct. It is now established be-
yond all reasonable doubt that this
planet has experienced not one but a
great many glacial periods. Evidence
has been found which proves that tho
latest, or Pleistocene glacial epoch. had
several important subdivisions and
that all of the present continents have
experienced glacial epochs at different
ages. Great ice sheets were formed
at different periods back of the Pro-
terozoic age-that is, the age of the
oldest known sedimentary rocks, a
great many million years gao.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
SCIENTIFIC NOTES

To conserve lubricating oil
practically all machinery in Swe-
den has been given ball bear
ings.
Colorado led the states for
production of tungsten last year,
with California in second place
and Nevada third.
Berlin inventors have perfect
ed a process employing electric
ity for coating only one side of
q sheet of meta. with tin.
A quickly attached paper
cover for tumblers has been in
vented that is said to keep car
donated drinks fresh until
wanted.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
TarantuIas Construct Their
Burrows and Nest in Ground

Tarantulas are plentiful in the
rough, broken country in the southern
part of California. They are repulsiye-
looking creatures, with fat, hairy bod
ies, overplentiful wiry legs and cruel
poison mandibles. They stay in their
burrows during the dry season, but
as soon as the rains begin they sally
forth. The tarantula constructs very
skillful burrow and nests in the ground.
1t has a cover so nicely fitted that it
can scarcely be detected from the
surrounding soil. The cover opens
and shuts upon a hinge and on the
inside are holes into which the occu-
pant thrusts its mandibles and thus
ssholds the fort" against intruders.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Hot Potato Salad.

Boil half-dozen potatoes and
slice while hot; fry thin slices of Da-
con, (half cupfuD, cut in bits until
brown. Pour off all but two table
spoonfuls of fat and into this stir one
tablespoonful of flour; mix one-quarter
Of a teaspOOnfM of mustard with q
quarter Of a teaspoonful Of salt and
a few dashes of cayenne; stir and mix
until well blended then add a half
cupful OF: mild vinegar; let the dress
ing boil; add the bacon bits, small
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Hawaiian Waters Have More
Than 400 Kinds of Fishes

Aquariums are invariably most
fascinating spots, but among them
all perhaps that at Honolulu, in the
Hawaiian islands, stands as one of
the most remarkable. Such a bewil-
deringly lovely spectacle of fish of all
shapes, colored with the most wonder
full of rainbow tints. The colors are
laid on in curious patterns, and the
contrasts are so vivid and so unusual
that almost no artist would imagine
them. There are more than 400 vars.
cites of fishes in Hawaiian waters.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Discovers the watch Tick"

An Illinois watch repairer discov-
cred what he terms watch tick"
He says it's new tick in watch, and
makes its home inside the works. A
watch was brought In to him for re-
pair. In taking the works apart the
Waterman discovered tiny insect In
side. IT had made nest there.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Mashed Potatoes.

Press hot boiled potatoes through
a ricer, and for each quart add tea
spoonful of salt and four Tablespoons
fuls of butter. Add hot milk and
cream to make Of the right consist
ency and pile into q baking dish.
Brush over with a white sauce and
sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs.
Set into q hot oven and bake until
brown.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Unnecessary to Slit Crows
Tongues to Enable Them to
Learn to TaIk-lt Is Cruel

The organ of the Agassiz society
contains a discussion by prominent
bird authorities concerning the old idea
OF Sitting a crows tongue to make
the bird talk. The following is alb
stracted:
''It is common practice in the West
to catch the young birds in early June
and place them in a cage, where they
tecome very tame and usually talk as
well as parrot. Many people keeping
these birds have believed it necessary
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
HERE AND THERE
A true actor never overacts

A true actor never Overacts
his part.
A bulldog barks first and bites
afterward.
An egotist is a man who en-
joys talking to himself.
Analogy is merely method OF
convincing without proof.
A mans shoes may get tight
by imbibing water, but he
doesn't.
The successful blacksmith can
either shoe a horse or make
horse shoe.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
NEIGHB0RS

AS often as we thought of her,
We thought of q gray life
That made a quaint economist
Of a wolf-haunted wife,,
We made the best of what she bore
That was not ours to bear,
And honored her for wearing things
That were not things to wear.
There was a distance In her look
That made us look again;
And If she smiled, we might believe
That we had looked In vain.
Rarely she came inside our doors,
And had not long to stay;
And when she left, 1t seemed somehow
That she was far away.
And once, when we had all forgot
That all Is here to change,
A shadow on the commonplace
Was for moment strange.
Yet there was nothing for surprise,
Nor much that need be told
Love, with its gift of pain, had given
More than one heart could hold,
Edwin Arlington Robinson,
in Yale Review.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Weights Of
Vegetables
Housewives Warned Of Short
Measures.

That housewives may be protected
against short weight practices OF
wagon peddlers, Chicago's city sealer
has issued a table of weights of vege-
tables to the peck and bushel.
Warmer weather is coming on and
with that the wagon vendors of the
vegetable needs of the family are be-
coming more numerous on the streets
and alleys. The sealer warns against
purchase by measure, which is pro-
hibited by ordinance, and advises that
every housewife insist that the COM
modities be weighed.
He advises that the following list
be cut out and kept in a handy place:
Number of pounds to the peck.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Business Poor in the HamIets.

Turnips-'I say, old chap what sort
of business did you do with your
Shakespearan repertoire this season?"
Carrots Rotten Twelfth Night
didn't see the second night; AS You
Like It wasn't as they liked it; "A
Winters Tale couldn't be continued !;
The Midsummer Night was frosty
the Merchant did no trade, and The
Tempest swamped u.s." -
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
What Produces Odor.

No substance that refuses TO dis
solve in water has an odor. 1t is the
actual substance itself, floating in par
ticles in the air, as in the case of light
and sound. The damper a thing the
more powerful the odor it gives off.
A pleasant proof Of the fact can be
had by walking in garden after rain.
1t is the vapor of liquid that smells
and not the liquid In the mass itself.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Alcohol From Moss.

IT has been discovered that very
good grade Of alcohol can be made
from moss. Accordingly the Swedish
government has been petitioned by
syndicate for permission to make l.
B21 900 gallons Of alcoholic spirits from
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Costly Experiment.

do you subscribe to the theory
that a little learning is dangerous
thing?
"Yes,'' replied Mr.. Gadspur. 81
thought I knew enough about my au-
tomobile to take it apart and put it
together again, but this bill of $154.17
from a repair shop proves that 1
didn't"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Tests for Clothing Material
BY the U. S. Department Of Agriculture.

When buying clothing good Judge Oh
excellent the
but with different weight and frmness
that the
Is the quality be the seasons
fashionable Its probably to slight
variations in the finishing the fleeing popularity the style
practice samples
justfabe
slightly
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Time to Chance.

First Overseas Soldier-Now tell me
about the good-looking sister of yours,
old chap. Is she a brunette?
His Chum-Well, she was when i
left, but you gotta remember / haven't
been home for eighteen months.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Quick Work.

Nobbs-"Why, hello, old chap!
Heard you had been In railroad
wreck, and here you are up and
around. Speedy recovery, eh?" Hobbs
SPEEDY is no name for it. The
claim agent was on the train and set
tied with me for 5000 right ON the
spot"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17

Myrtle A. Aldrich, who writes cheer
full verses that are reprinted in papers
the country, is telephone
operator at West Burke, VT, and Is to-
tally blind.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17

white moss, Of which there are enor-
nous quantities available. The quail
ity of such alcohol is said to be very
good and its cost less than spirits
made from grain or potatoes. 1t can
be easily denatured.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Thirty-seeond Degree Wise Guy.

Thirty-Second Degree Wise Guy.
Howell-Rowell is a great believer
IN preparedness.
Powell-Right you are; he never
goes home late at night without know
ing just what kind of story he is go-
ing to tell his wife.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17


right heavily with mineral its shape after
silk, cumbes.
q
The washing rolled
Bring boiling
rubbing
be
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Found Out.

NAISJ coNh SO1Ss
me I was the first
girl he ever told
he loved.
Betty - When
did he tell you
that?
Kitty Monday
night. Why?
Betty--Oh, moth
ing; only he must
have been lying
to NE Tuesday
night.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
The Beast!

His Wife-If had known you for q
drinking man wouldn't have married
you.
Mr.. Gaysport-That's another argu-
ment in favor of sowing an early crop
Of wild oats.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Confusion of tongues

did you find conversation difficult
in PARISH"
"Yes. All the Americans wanted to
speak French and all the Frenchmen
wanted to speak English"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
HaIfneSs.

Halfness is the great enemy of spir-
itual worth; whatever shames half
doing out of men Is of unspeakable
value.-John Stuart Mill.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17

to slit their tongues before they could
learn to talk. This is wholly unneces-
sary and cruel and should be prevent
ed by law.
"The discussion of Sitting crows
tongues is relegated to the medieval
limbo of belief of the i'll luck of pea
cock feathers; of dragon flies sewing
up ones ears; of whisky for snake
bite; of man-eating sharks; of rab-
bits feet and the number 10; of going
Under ladders, spilling salt and break
ing mirrors"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
SeasonabIe Dishes.

The common vegetables become I'M
new way or with new garnish.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17

doubtless left over from the time (not
very long ago) when the city pave
ments had not reached their present
excellence"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Evidently.

"Scme poet used to say that his
only books were women's looks"
HE evidently went to a coed col
lege."
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
~ .sNA,MES.~
Il; . S 81 SS@7y9D!!! : :: :
Admires the Conquerors.

Admires the Conquerors.
"Poor Dibblebyw
whats the matter with fimT
He's the worst henpecked man
know. And what do you suppose his
hobby is?''i
"I can't imagine"
"Napoleonana."
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Beet Relish.

This is a very good relish which
may be made in small quantities, or
canned and kept all winter. To one
quart of cooked chopped beets add
one quart Of chopped cabbage, two
cupfuls of sugar, one tablespoonful
of salt, teaspoonful Of pepper, a half
teaspoonful Of cayenne, and one cup
full of freshly grated horseradish; add
vinegar to make 1t Of the right consist
ency. This is canned cold.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Maybe.

"The rich have
no financial wor-
ries."
maybe that's
why many Of them
seem to find life
so dull"
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
puffed Crackers.

Split milk crackers and dip them IN
ice water; put into hot oven with a
bit of butter on top Of each and when
they are we'll pulled, drop a spoonful
Of jelly on each and serve at once.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17

The bushel weights are, of course,
just four times the figures given
above.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
Sheep Around the World.

The worlds census of sheep runs
to well over 450,OO0,00O.
The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-04-17
BOOK Sx1e 1'e11S "fe1<-

shredded onion and the potatoes.
Serve very hot.
Hot SIaW.
Shred cabbage very fine and drop
into boiling water, cooking five min
utes; drain and season with a table,
spoonful of chopped onion, little
hot vinegar, butter, salt and pepper.
Let stand an hour in the warming
oven,' then serve.
Nord stern. [volume] (La Crosse, Wis.) 1856-1921, 1919-01-31

0o0urh Die itct@ briitcnocn IeuoIM
tjoucn ncltc Nnhrunq er5aItcn mir
oen, Die Giuridtung elmer 9uit
Eotrouile lit oorgcIhlaqu l%por0cn,
nm Oieiem illeqitimeu &crfcbr Gin
bot SIT tt}tn.
Go2 milroe oen AuionQ ST elmer
HoIi5ciaufiidlt iibcr Ser @ltit biG0cu.
cine WtoErcgtl. mclfc id)ou lehr bnI0
allQemoin in Grtulauua gr}oQcn mcr.
Den 0iirftc. Ole in 10 ftr3cr 3ait
mod)tiQ oCrpolIfonmnctr 2uftIhiif
-ohrt. mIIdc troBoam itou 10 cr-
hcbIid7g2 in Sen Icbtcn rSohrcn Qc
ltiitat mor0cn, nod in 0eu Gin0,r.
'd'lIhcn Irett, mag lid iAon ehor, uI5
NON hcutc onHft. }t eiuem dltferIt
'pid'tiqCn Toftor iiir Sen jnternQti0-
noIan @onneI5nerfehr hernu56il0cn
in0 Die Belt mna fonmeu, mo sic
'rnta pnn 10 i'bcrihuttcu0ar @ihtid
fit c~rihejnen0c Troqc ser .@cbcrr
id'unn Ser Y}acrc" nurdl Sic Gntnif
lurd 6r@ 2uftucrfchr3 cbiolut mirh.
"a in Ser 2uft mc0er @i6raltorS nod
7orhanclcnfort5 anQcleot pcrNcn
f0nren, miro Sic GontroQc Sos 9rtft.
Nerf'hr& rod ltnQcohut idnricriqe
0rob(emc bicten
Nord stern. [volume] (La Crosse, Wis.) 1856-1921, 1919-01-31
Sslideuismus ais 9opan5i Iauf.

uIS fbPuhd' (AIApt
0a pl0tlih un0 uDermittelt Der
8oIidetpismus in Argentinicn oui.
itlO Damn erbGlt on5 BrOpnganou
Gomite 0es Senators Guermdn ii
8uibingtou autbentiide S%niOrmation
oariiber, onB Der 9olihcDiti &ubel
bier in Den 8erciniaten Gtaotcn rol.
le. limo che man iif's perijchI.
tauft Der 8oliheui5nms nit ic,lem
angeblid, roaenoen 8ubcl nut IN
Den 8olooiItriften Siioairifa5 nui.
@ernoe mic 9nnS 9cmpf III oQcn
8aiIpn. llcbcran 90 routnbe Rubcl
Der 9olid)ctpiIten, ipclfer Die gllten
Wienlf}en betbort, - uno babel b.
ben sic golI6epifis oobeim fcl6tr
fcinen Rrbcl. Die 8olidemifi limo
oifclbur Wooe ~getuoroen, - ais 70,
pan5. Niles has fir Den 4uqen6lld
bier uno bort unbrquem eriheint,
Miro nit Dem 8oIihctpifi Stantpcl
a6qefcrtiqt. 8is zines it0nen Cages
qons unoerIcbcr5 Der wirtlih {
9olIdciuismuS bcrcingeihIjfrn IT
un0 iib ~fcI.De;St.