1'LATTSMOUTli WEEKLY HERALD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1Kb?.
$7f fthttemcmth $tfeehfa $craUl.
3CNOTTS BnOS,
Publlsbors & Proprietors.
THE PUMP-SNAKE. '.
Dakota Farmers Discover a' Reptile
They Can Train and Use to
Croat Advantage.
Mt. Vernon, I. T., correspondence, 0:
In central Dakota, on the "Missouri bot
toms" there exists one of nature's atmn
cst freak n. The settlers term it the "pump
snake." How it came there arul "where
it camo from is yet unknown. It first
matlc its appearance in Emmonn county
in the spring of 1SSG. A full grown
pump-snake measures about sixteen fret
in length and about throe inches in diam
eter. They are of gregarious habits,
roaming the prairies in large heards, as
many as 300 having been counted in a
einglo flock. In dissecting one of these
reptiles there is found a tube which ex
tend. from the roof of the jaw to the ex
tremity of the tail and terminating in an
opening. This tube ia about two inches
in diameter and lined with a tough, yield
ing substance similar to rubber. The
pump-snake is easily trained to answer to
tho call of man. The inhabitants in this
section trap them in large numbers.
A farmer on Cat Tail creek has a flock
of twenty pninp-snakes trained to a re
markable degree of proficiency. At the
blast of a whistle the snakes assemble on
the banks of the creek. The leader (there
is always a leader to a herd of these
snakes who is elected by two-thirds major
ity), dashes into the water of 'tbe creek,
leaving only the extremity of its tail on
the bank. Another snake immediately
grasps tho end of the leader's tail in his
jaws, a third snake takes hold of the sec
ond snake's tail in" a similar manner, and
so on until there is a continuous I line of
snakes joiend end-on, extending to the
water troughs in the cattle yards, 300 feet
away. The leading snake commences to
swallow or pump the waters of the creek,
which passes through the whole line of
snakes as it would through a hose, and
falls in a heavy stream into the trough.
Thia'agriculturist told of art extraordi
nary circumstance which occurred a short
time ago. While working in the field
near his home he observed flames issuing
from the roof of his barn. Wild with
excitement he hurried to the burning
building only to see that it was a hopeless
task for himself alone to extinguish the
flames. In dispair he gazed at the work
of destruction; suddenly he heard a loud
rustling in the tall grass, whence issued
Lis herd of pump-snakes on the run. The
leader hurled himself into the creek, the
rest instantly adjusting themselves, heads
and tails, from the creek to the burning
building. The last snake, standing on
its head, waved its long and flexible
body, from the tail end of which issued
a stream of water that was thrown with
terrific'force on the burning building.
Back and forth dashed the tail-end of that
life hose, squirting the water where it
would do the most good, while the loud
pumping of the leader could be heard
above the roar of the 'conflagration.
Within fifteen minutes the last spark was
out. Then, and not until then, did the
pump-snakes quit work. They were
completely exhausted, the leader having
fainted away. Tho main part of the
building and its contents were saved,
thanks to the presence of mind of these
wonderful snakes.
Tha territorial government is'becoming
awakened to the extreme usefulness of
these interesting creatures, and laws are
to be enacted to protect the pump-snake.
Sioux Cty Journal.
Kenton the Home of Kings.
From All the Year Round.
Kenton was no longer a royal 9eat at
the time of the conquest. It belonged
to the king's thane, Ulward Witt, who
perhaps kept a stud farm there and watch
ed the mares and foals as they cantered
over the soft herbage. Presently there
was an end of Ulward, perhaps at lias
ting's fight, perhaps 3 an exile and in
some foreign broil. Anyhow, a Norman
Earl ruled in his stead, no other than
Robert of Jlortain, of whom and of his
son Williatn, readers of Mr. Freeman's
histories will have heard enough. That
on rebelled against the conqueror's eon
Henry, and in that rebellion lost all his
English lordships, and among them the
Manor of Kenton.
The site was pleasing then, as it is now.
On one side flowed a gentle stream, bor
dered by willows and osiers, where often
a heron might be flushed and a hawk
might find its quarry. To the south the
demesne was bounded by that famous
river, the Thamesis, full of all manner of
fish and furrowed by barges with their
huge sails, that brought the wines of
Oaacony or the rich stuffs of Cyprus to
the very gateway of this noblo dwelling.
To the north stretched the great forest
of Middlesex, abounding in wild game.
There is just a morsel of the old forest
at Littleton,- between Kenton and Asbford,
where everything looks wild and savage
as if the land had been untouched since
the conquest and where the conies frisk
about in droves.
Here was a dwelling fit for a king, arid
the king hiiuMelf being of that opinion,
lie took it into his own handd and made
a royal palace of it. And here the court
came At interval audi a train as may
be imagined, with its gleam of gold anil
steel anions thw wild woodland glades,
with the blare of horn and the cry of
dogs, and the clatter of all the strange,
outlandish tongues of thwse who follow
ed the royal train. And yet it was hard
ly a stranger night, and perhaps not more
brilliant spectacle, than Kenton after
long ages of a tranquil repose may wit
ness on any racing day. What crowds;
what strange tongues; what unintelli
gible cries; what noble horses; beautiful
women; splendid equipages; what sooth
sayers, mountebanks, jugglers; what
crowds of loyal subjects of King Sport.
A Story of Bishop Simpson.
An incident showing his gifts is relat
ed by his uncle. Late on Saturday night
he arrived at a town in the mountainous
regions of Pennsylvania, where he was a
total stranger. The next morning he
made his way to the Methodist church,
and accosted the pastor, telling him he
was a brother in the ministry. Simpson
being extremely awkward and plain in
appearance, the pastor was half inclined
to omit the courtesy due to a brother
preacher, of asking him to deliver a ser
mon. If ho inquired of the bishop as to
his name h must have failed to catch it,
for he certainly had no idea to whom he
was speaking. His request for the strang
er to preach was therefore expressed in
the most formal and constrained manner.
The stranger randtly agreed fc fill the
pulpit, and th pastor' chagrin was evi
dent, as he resigned himself to his fate.
The bishop preached one of his powerful
sermons, and everybody in the audience
whispered to his neighbor, "Who is heV"
Before he had taken his seat, the pastor
had him by the hand. "What did ytm
say your name was" "Simpson." "What!
Not the bishop?" "That is what they call
me." The minister instantly sprang to
his feet and shouted, "You have just had
the privilege of listening to Bishop Simp
son. Lot us sing, 'Praise Ood from whom
all blessings flow.' " From the Ameri
can Mayazine for September.
No Need of Catching Colds
Speaking of colds, I have a theory that
no one need ever have one unless he choos
es; in other words, that it is quite possi
ble so to train the skin, that wonderful
organ which is generally looked upon as
the paper wrapper of our human bundle,
as to render it non-susceptible to sudden
changes of temperature or atmospheric
moisture, whence colds come.
And as this is exactly the season to
commence such a system of pcllar educa
tion, as it is proved effective in many
instances within my own knowledge, and
as it is within easy reach of every one to
try, I write it here. The theory is that
no skin that has been exposed freely for
half an hour at the beginning of a clay to
a temperature lower than it will encounter
through the day, will note small changes
or be affected thereby.
A cold is simply a nervous shock, receiv
ed by the myriads of minute nerve termi
nals that brittle over the surface of the
human body, transmitted to the centers
and so back again tu raucous membrane,
the peculiar seat of this special irritation.
Let us then so train these seusiiive fibres
that they will pass by, unnoticed, changes
of atmospheric condition, and the matter
is accomplished. From the American
Magazine for September.
Lincoln Abhors the White House
When he was in Washington a few days
ago Frenk JJatton related some facts in
regard to ex-Secretary Robert Lincoln's
remarkable aversion to the idea of being
a candidate for the presidency. He says
no one can doubt the absolute sincerity
of the ex-secretary in protesting against
any movement being made in his behalf.
He implores his friends, if they have any
regard for him, pot to think of or men
tion the matter. He has no desire to en
ter the white house again in any capa
city. Indeed, he seoms to have a horror
of the place. His presence there at the
assassination of his father, and again after
the shooting of President Garfield, has
caused him to associate thoughts of vio
lence and death with the presidential
office of whicti he cannot rid himself.
It is belived that he has a superstitious
feeling that if h were elected president
he would himself be in danger fo assassi
nation. To a well known army officer not
long ago, who inquired of him about his
presidential chances, Mr. Lincoln replied :
"If you ever he of my wasting the
office, or being a candidate for it, you
may declare that I am an idiot and I will
confess it."
CIveThem A Chance!
. That is to say, your lungs. Also all
your breathing machinery. Very wond
erful machinery k is. Nat only tlic lar
ger air-passages, but the thousands of
little tubes and cavities leadidg from
them.
When these are clogged and choked
with matter which ought not to be there
your lungs cannot do half their work.
And what they do they cannot do welL
Call it cold, cough, croup, pneumonia,
catarrh, consumption or any of the fam
ily of throat and Lose and head and lung
obstructions, all are bad. And all ought
to be got rid of. There is just one sure
way to get rid of them. That is to take
IJoschees German Syrup, which any
druggist will sell you at 75 cents a boj
tlc. Even if everything else has failed
pyou, you may depend upon this for cer
tain. (1)
LIFE AT WEST POINT.
AN EX-CADT GIVES A FEW BITS OF
HIS EXPERIENCE.
Ilia Kaoeption mt tba Ilarraeka Under
going an Ordaal of Impertinent Uue
tlonlng Th "Flebaa" and Their Mw
ter Oue of the NuIudom.
My own exerience on reporting at West
Point may be taken a a fair example of tbe
way in which newcomer are treated. My
appointment required ma to report to tbe
adjutant of the United State military
uemiiny on June 11, and at ft o'clock on that
day I presunted injiwlf. Tha adjutant ex
amined ray appointment papers, and sent me
oyer to the hospital to stand my physical ex
amination. At tbe hospital I waa told to atrip off all
my clothing, and a board of surgeon pro
ceeded to examine me with a view to ascer
taining whether or not I possessed the physi
cal qualifications necessary to enter the
United States army. They made me bop
across the floor on one foot and back on tbe
other, weighed and measured me, tested my
eyes and lungs, and Anally sent me back to
the adjutant with a sealed envelope con
taining their verdict. The adjutant opened
the envelope and informed me that I hod
been accepted. He then sent me over to the
barracks in charge of an orderly. Right
there my trouble commenced. Thus far I
had come in contact with regular army ofll
cors only, and nothing had happened to im
pair my dignity or lessen my self esteem, but
now I was to be placed under a cadet cor
poral, and learn for the first time that be
tween plebes and yearlings there is a great
gulf fixed. On my arrival at the barracks I
was met by two cadet officers, a sergeant and
a corporal, and the following conversation
ensued :
"Take off your hot, sir," said the corporal,
"and hang it on the floor."
I obeyed, wondering if that was the only
hatraek Uncle Sam allowed his boys.
"What is your name, sir?" asked the ser
geant. "John Smith," I answered.
"Hir," said the sergeant, "sir, what do W9
care whether your name is John or George
or Eachariah? Now, sir, what is your namof"
"Smith," said I.
"No, sir," said the corporal, "your name is
not Smith, but Mr. Smith, and remember to
put a sir on when you peak to your superi
ors. Now, sir, what ia your name!"
"Mr. Smith, sir." I replied.
I thought all this was funny, and couldn't
repress' a smile, I was at once ordered to
"stop that smiling," but, of course, smiled
only the harder.
The corporal, a stout fellow nearly six feet
high, stepped up near to and directly in
front of me, and stooping down nearly to
my shoes, jumped up sticking his nose in my
face. This maneuver surprised me so com
pletely that I did not know what to do or
say.
"Sir," he yelled at the top of his voice, "do
you intend to obey me?"
I felt tempted to knock the fellow down,
but not knowing whether or not he really
had any authority over me, I concluded that
prudence was tho better part of valor, and
remained quiet, but was now so thoroughly
angry that I no longer felt any inclination to
smile. After having deviled me to their
hearts' content, these two cadet non-commissioned
officers conducted me to the office of
Cadet Lieut D , who had been detailed to
take charge of the new men.
"What is your name, sir?" asked the lieu
tenant. "Mr. Smith, sir," I answered.
ffWell, Mr. Smith, hold up your head, get
your heels together, drag in your chin, get
your shoulders back, and assume the position
of a soldier when you speak to me, sir."
"Now, sir," continued Lieut. D , when I
had assumed tbe position of a soldier, "do you
see that book up there?"
"Yes, sir," I replied.
"Well, then, keep your eyes fastened on the
letter M on the back of that book while I ask
you a few questions, and don't you dare to
lay your slimy eyes on me, sir. Who is your
predecessor, sir?"
- "flis name is Jones," I answered.
"No, sir," he yelled, "how dare you put
yourself on an equality with an officer of the
United States army and graduate of this in
stitution? Mr. Jones is your predecessor,
sir." sif.
I nhide haste to disclaim all intentions of
putting myself on an equality with Mr.
Jones.
"What was your previous condition of
servitude, sir?" was the naxt question, J un
derstood by this that my questioner wished
to know what had been my condition of life
previous to arriving at West Point, and so
answered that I had been a farmer son.
Lieut. D then asked me if I had any
pistols, bowie knives, confectionery or black
ing. I confessed having a box of the latter
article in my trunk, and was ordered to turn
it in to him immediately. Cadets, I after
ward learned, are not allowed to keep black
ing in their rooms, but have their shoes
blacked in the shoeblack's shop under the
barracks. When Lieut. D had finished
questioning me, he assigned me to the room
which I was to occupy until I had passed my
entrance examination. Every boy before
being admitted into the academy must pass
two examinations, the physical, which I have
already described, and the academic. The
academic examination generally lasts about a
week, Paring that tin tbe applicants for
admission, known officially as "candidates,"
but called "beasts" by the cadets, are sub
jected to every sort of indignity by the cadet
officers, whose duty it is to protect them.
The candidates that succeed in passing their
examinations become at once cadets of the
fourth class, and are no longer called "beasts,"
but for a whole year are known to their fel
low cadets as "plebes." Soon after their ad.
mittance tbe plebes are transferred to camp,
where the first and tbe third classes (the
second always being absent on furlough) have
preceded them, and where they are destined
to spend two months of torment. While in
camp the plebes are slaves to the other class
men, and spend a great part of their spare
time in doing "menial service" for their mas
ters. "Mauial service" in cadet slang means
cleaning guns, polishing waist plates, sewing
torn gloves, bringing water or doing any odd
job that a yearling (third class man) or first
class man may want done.
"Standing attention" to the other cadets
is considered by the plebes one of the worst
nuisances that they have to endure. When
ever a yearling or first class man enters a
plebe's tent or speaks to him, the latter is ex
pected to strike a brace and keep it until his
superior (?) gives him permission to stand at
ease.
Cadets of the first, second and third classes
call each other by name without the prefix
"Mr.," but "Mr," the plebes and make the
plebes "Mr." them. This Is done to show the
fourth class that it Is not the equal of the
others. Ex-Cadet in N. O. Times-Democrat
Coal Dust Vara a the Tea.
Bituminous coal prevents tbe wearing of
lowcut vests in many western cities, unless a
man is willing to put on a clean shirt every
morning, and to change it again at night if
he is going where good clothes are worn.
A Case of Deafness Cured
Oitico of Shaw te lJ.ildwin's Wholesale )
Notion House, Toledo, '., D.c
11. 1S?'J. )
F. J. Cheney & Co-. Toledo. 0.--I.-Hr
Sirs: About three monts ago, noticing a
letter udilressed to you in the lice from
Gen. Slevin, in reference to the c ure of
his sou by the use of Hall's Catarrh (Jure,
we were induced to commence the use of
it for our daughter Nellie now fourteen
years old, who has been "suffering from
catarrh about eight years, during which
time she has been treated by one of the
best physscians in the city. We have al
so tried the use of almost all the known
remedies for catarrh, with no more success
than temporary relief. Many nights have
we laid awake to hold her mouth open to
keep her from strangling. Her hearing
hail also become affected. We were
afraid that she would never recover. We
have now used six bottles of II all's Ca
TAUiui Cum:, and we believe Nellie, to be
entirely cured. In a few days after com
liteueiiig the use of it wi noticed a decid
ed change for the belter, ami from that
right along she has improved, until now
she breathes as easily ;is any one. She
sleeps well and her hearing is perfectly
good- We feel that the disease is entire
ly removed. We write this unsolicited
letter, feeling that it is due you, and with
the hope that others may be benefited in
like manner. We can hardly realize that
such a change could be effected in so
short a time after battling with the dis
ease so long. We are still using the rem
edy at intervals, as it seems to build up
her system, You are at liberty to use
this in any manner you see proper.
We are yours, truly,
Mh. and Mits. S. Uui.nwis,
220 Franklin Avenue.
373old by Druggists, Toe. 20ml
"Early to Bed."
Crowing children should have all the
sleep nature demands. To make sure of
this, the bedtime should be no later than
7 o'clock for children under 10. This
habit of early bedtime will take care of
itself, if it be persevered in by parents at
first. Some men and women wonld be
not only stronger, but cleverer, if they
had had all the sleep they needed when
children.
The difference between children whose
parents enforce obedience in this respect
and those little old people who nit up
late at night is 'cry marked. Tho clear
eyes, rosy cheeks and round strong limbs
of the former should rebuke parents who
allow children to sit up because they
wish to. Nothing can be more pernic
ious than to allow children up late at
watering places. They taste then of the
highly spiced society li fe, none too healthy
for the strongest, and in the hot house
air and stimulating influences, their na
tures are forced to results that may break
down their own health, and the hearts of
their parents also. Demorcufs Monthly.
Bucklen's Arnica Salve
The Best Salve in the world fox Cuts,
Bruises, Sores, ulcers, Salt Kheum, Fever
Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains,
Corns, and all Skin Eruptions, and posi
tively cures Piles, or no pay required.
It is guaranteed to give perfect satisfac
tion, or money refunded. Price, 2.1 cents
per box. For sale by
301y F. O. Frickk Co.
Learning to Cook.
The New York Cooking school has had
a remarkable success. It was started a
few years ago by several charitable ladies,
who went into the undertaking with the
idea of elevating the standard of domes
tic labor of giving young girls who arc
compelled to earn their own living the
practical means of learning how tp do it.
It has taught thousands of pupils and
has established branches in many cities
in the eastern states. Its managers are
thoroughly interested in their work and
nobly help it along. Mrs. Theodore
Bronson, its president, among others, has
given much aid, not only financially but
personally in its management.
At the annual meeting, sjomc time ago,
it was reported that 10,00-1 lessons in
cooking had been given by the school.
Teachers graduated from the school had
been sent to many missions, girls' schools
and clubs in New York and elsewhere.
A large number of girls from public
schools of New York form vacation
classes that is, during the summer
vacation they give up'much of their time
to the study of the art of cooking.
Good Hons keeping.
' The best and surest Remedy for Cure of
all diseases caused ly any deraaserocat of
the Liver, Kidneys, Stomach and Itowcls.
Dyspepsia, Sick Headache, Constipation.
Bilious Complaints and Malaria of all kinds
yield readily to the beneficent influence of
It ia pleasant to the taste, tones up the
system, restores and preserves health. ,
It is purely Vegetable, and cannot fail to
prove beneficial, both to old and young.
QAs a Blood rurifier it is mperior to all
ethers. Sold everywhere at. 1 1.00 a botU.
Jonathan IIatt
WHOZiESALE
CITY M EAT M A
POUK PACK HBS am. i.kai.kks in BCTTIIK AND KfJUS.
BEEF, PORK, MUTTON AND VEAL.
THi: BEST THK MAKKKT AFFOBHS ALWAYS ON HAND.
Sugar Cured Meals, Hams, Bacon, Lard, &o.f &c
of our own make. The best brands of OYSTKUS, in cans mid bulk, at
wholksaij: and khtail.
C3r3T"VJ3 '32SZVI CALL. !
L VMUEit! L IfMIIIilt!
RICHEY BROS.,
CoriMT IV:irl and S'viiMi SlrM'ls.
DKAI.HItS IN AM. KINHS ill'
I
LUIDDe
I L.UUIJ
SHI
XX2IHD FAIXTTS, X.X2AX2,
lowest Spates. Terms Gash
T1JE :-: 1
-HAS THE IiKST EnfHPJTJ)
JOB
IN PLATTSiVlOUTH
W sir prepttfl'ttcl ti do sill
kinds off M PRIKMSft
osa slaort
Lce""ei l-oqds,
Bill
Envelopes,
Visiirg Gqi'ds,
Ciictlcii's,
oi qqy otlei clqss of pidrijiqg.
SEND
US
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AND
ood
ATISFACTION
The Platt.suH.uth AWtkly HeraM has iho largest circulation '
any paper in CiiS3 County. Republican in polities. Atlvertite in it
and if you have not already, subscribe for it.
J. W. jMaktiu.
AITD H.STAIL
UUOII) Ul
(KIGALI1)
fa
OR CASS COUNTY.
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