Varied 19th century snippets offer humor and morals
A minister receives slippers, a boy notes many slippers at home. An actress says rest is death while work can be fatal. People prepare speeches for a surprise party. Women favor colors and long green, while dancers hear doctors on bone twisting. Husbands and wives are urged to share affection, and taxpayers are warned about misstated income. College handwriting irritates, while instrument players' sons fix car horns. Youth urged to act quickly. dancers see no grass growing on floors. The hand workers complain of supporting talkers.
Working for Government
The piece argues that all citizens effectively work for the government through taxes and that a system requiring disclosure of tax in prices would alter public sentiment toward taxation. It likens tax costs to unpaid labor and suggests broad taxpayer burdens.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brawley
California
United States
When Water Was Unhealthy at Harvard College
A Harvard historian notes beer was the standard drink for about 160 years after the college’s founding in 1636 because water was deemed unwholesome. Water safety was poorly understood in ancient times, and large families faced high child mortality likely tied to unprotected water supplies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harvard College
Early water purification advances and current contamination concerns
The article notes that many deaths have occurred and that water purification is a relatively new practice. It recalls the first filter beds built in 1829 in England and observes that while cities usually have clean water, many rural wells and springs remain contaminated.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
The Leaners Reflect on Street Leaners in Towns
An older essay laments men and boys leaning against posts and walls to watch crowds. It questions why women rarely do so and suggests loungers waste time and imply idleness. It argues the body should stand and move, urging youth to avoid habitual leaning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Suel
Dodging Unpleasant Subjects Cartoon Verse
A newspaper joke pokes fun at avoidance of unpleasant topics. It features a colored brother in court who pleads guilty to a still charge and quips that he does not want to hear more about it. The piece extends the humor to politicians, fathers, children, and readers avoiding sore subjects like economy, yard disorder, and unpaid bills.
The Rats of Brown: A Dreadful Pest in Everyday Life
The article warns that brown rats breed thrice yearly with litters around ten, potentially generating vast numbers in three years. It condemns their disease threat and intrusion into cellars and sheds, urging families to control them with dogs, cats, and well baited traps to protect homes.
America has no friends says statesman
A statesman laments that the United States has no friends among nations, noting envy from creditors and foreign resentment. He argues better living conditions foster envy and language differences fuel misperceptions, urging efforts to build friendship with other countries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
United States
Dolton Man-Well on Wives and Arguments
A humorous dialogue with Dolton Man-Well declaring wives control disputes and that the man should apologize to end an argument.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dolton
Dolton Man
Neighbor's Lily Bulbs Grow into Wild Onion Row
The piece notes a neighbor who shipped away last spring with fine lily bulbs and now features a row of wild onions along her front walk. It adds a bold general remark about how attire links to dressing speed.
Quiet humor anthology snippets and dog narrator riff
A collage of jokes and vignettes features a talking house dog observing his boss and kitchen routines, a shopkeeper discussing mourning bands, parrot chatter about a husband, and a father son exchange on costs of a night out. The piece mixes punchlines and light social humor.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Kinney Hood Printing CO
138Th Street
Riverdale Station
Chicago
Albert M. Levy, Inc
N. Wabash Ave
Riverdale
Dalton
Congress
Canale County
Tilingis
Karl—Smith
Jake
Karl
Angus
Young Angus
Monarch Roofing CompAny
Henry N. Yonker
115Th Street
A. W. Hamann
Roseland
Michigan Avenue
Illinois
Anthony Basile Plumbing
Chicago Street
Last 137Th Street
Riverdale, Ill
Fray’s Flower Shop
Gapey Gertie
Wat
Oae
Central Garage
Pohlers & Stahnke
Props
Washington Ave
Quinn
Lincoln Avenue
Carl Dieck
Coal and
Free A. M. Dykstra
State St
Pullman
Acme Coal CO
Riverdale, Illinois
Commodore
Acme
Cook County
Twin City
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