davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

we We're on our way to visit a poor Womal
who was quite i'll, and whose husband ha'
: recently died Of consumption, leaving he
Ientlrely destitute, with three children t,
support, and not a friend ol. relative In til,
whole vide world.
We found Mrs. Hammond much better
though still very pale and weak; ant
4 sitting beside the bed, attentiveiy listen
I ing tosthe poor widows tale of want ant
suffering, was handsome, gay, careless
Tom Ghandos.
Ncllie's face grew crimson, and the hot
tears sprang unbidden to her eyes, but
Tom did not seem to notice her confusion.
He bowed politely and arose to go, but 1
detained him.
"Well, really, Mr.. Chandos, this does
surprise me: for of all places under the
sun, this is the very last where I'd ever
thought Of meeting you"
''That's because you believe me to be
thoroughly selfish, and SO I am as a gener-
al thing but Mrs. Hammond has no small
claim on my benevolence, and | came to
do what l could for her in her present
sore Distress
"Claimt Why, how can that be? II
DON'T understand you at all, Mr.. Chan
dos
Perhaps not, but there is nothing SO
very strange about if. Mrs. Hammond's |
husband, when never saw, was misera-
bic Mason, which explains the reason of
my being here, and sinks me still lower
in the. estimation of at least one tair lady, /
L feel qttfte sure" he said, glancing ro-
guishly at Nellie.
''Oh, please, Tom, don't say another
word ]" She sobbed. SIT isn't that Twapt
to be restored to my old place in your
heart-I dare not hope so much-bllt only
to be forgiven, and then go home and die:
.or I'm hateful, silly, willful little
plague, and no good to anybody, and I'D
tlst as leave be dead as not y za% #=
The trembling hand she timidlv held
'ut was quickly put aside. Tom caught
ler in his arms, and kissed her a dozen. II
lines, regardless of the astonishment of
'ood Mrs. Hammond and the gaping won-
er Of thesthree little Hammonds.
II began to think you did not love me c
ne bit" she said smiling through her i
ears. =
"Well, / must confess,I did not take ii
1uch to heart" replied Tom, with the q
tmost assurance, because, you see e
liss Nell, knew you better than YOU II
lew yourself, and felt confident of win
ing you, despite your solemn assevera- L
OH never to marry SLason,'' n
ooh, you did? And l, like simpleton, v
'ying my eyes out and breaking my heart :
| for nothing. I'll never do it again, :
as long as live!'' fb'
81 hope not, dear, for I hope you will w
ever again lose your temper for such
itie," he answered very graHelY he
''No, only / do like to have my own eN
ay.'' s., sfE.E
Yes, am quite convinced OF that, but Ese
III must learn to bow gracefully to the f /
evitable, for you are fated to marry ed
ason.' .... o-
Il know, but Iswouldnt, Tom7 ifyou m
dn't happened to be the Mason.7'
argument! Tom, said no an
ore,
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23
The Back Hunters Story.

speaking of duck shooting on st. CIail
Flats, > sighed an old citizen, as he took
! seat in gun store yesterday, Il don'l
/ think there are us many birds ltp there az
Il there was ten or fifteen years ago. Why,
: sir, the channels used to be just black with
L EN-, and they were so tame that YOU could
e knock 'cm OH the head, =
; Everybody sighed to think those good
old days and ducks could never return. and
the veteran hunter continued:
remember | was out one day in April.
got in among the bipeds, and how many
do you suppose l counted:''
''ihree hundred yentllre,l one of the
audience, aftera long interval.
Three hundred! Why, always killed
over a thousand every time went out
NO, sir; | counted over sixteen thousand
great big, fat, plump, delicious ducks, and
then had only connted those on one side
OF the boat"
"How long did 1t take yo1e?n
| Il don't know, sir; had no watch
| with me. Time is nothing to Il man count
w..
ducks were small | counted two for one.
| BF-and-by got tired OF counting. and got
ready for the slaughter. p"
How many did you kill:''
swell, now, [ suppose | cold lie about
it aud say | killed nine or ten thousand,
but I'm getting too near the grave for that
No, didn't kill a blasted one, and that's
where the strange part of the story comes
in. When | began to lift that gun up
those ducks knew what | was up to Just as
we'll as human being, and what did they
do? Why, sir, about two hundred of them
made sudden dive, swan under the boat,
and all raised on her port side at once and
upset her! Yes, sir, they did: aud there
was in the North Channel in ten feet of
water, boat upset, night coming on, and
i'll my wet clothes.'
'EWell?''
'tWell, l climbed up on the bottom of
The boat, tloated five miles, and WIS picked
lp by two Indians. We towed that upset
ooat to an island, and here another Curl
,us thing comes in. Under the boat were
NO hundred and siXty-tour large, plump
lucks. They had been caught there when
he upset. and all we had to DO was to
laul 'em out and rap 'cm on the lead.'
"Why, why didn't they dive down and
,et from under the boat!n asked an anna
eur duck-shooter.
"Why didn't they, sir-Nhy didn't
hey: Well, sir, might have asked 'em
Why they didn't, but it was late, a cold
Wind had sprung up. and / didn't feel like
alking. All know is that counted over
ixteen thousand ducks, was upset, cap
ired two hundred and sixty-four, and
ave affidavits here i'll my wallet to prove
] have stated. Does any man
ere want to see the documents 2"
No man did. They all looked out Of the
Iindows and wondered if they could lie
lat way when they had passed three-score
ears Free Press
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23
Mining Stocks.

The San Francisco alta says that within
the last five years that city has spent $685.
100000, collected by assessments on min
ing stocks, for work that has not paid 3d.
000,O0o, and, with all its yield and present
true value, is not worth $lO,000,00O. More
than eighty per cent. of the expenditure
has gone into mines that have never paid a
dividend, and ten per cent. more has gone
into other mines, i'll which the assessments
ha,a exnaadnd tho di,ridnnda
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23
'H'Rae Human Hg0dy.

Only one-tenth of the human body is
solid matter. A dead body weighing one
hundred and twenty pounds was dried in
an oven until ali moisture was expelled,
and its weight was reduced to twelve
pounds. Egyptian mummies7 bodies arc
thoroughly dried. They usually weigh
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

Old PfosF What I say IL this, doctor:
7 approve Of foS-huntsng as manly,
heaIlh-giving, and iilyIgerating amnse-|
meIat, but not pursuit. sir. irish Doc
tor Faith, yell find many t agree Wish
ge there, especially foxes.
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

Il believe in personal devil, said Mr..
Moody, at q revival meeting held in re-
mote Western city. ss1'nat's true, that's
true--you're right there, stranger, said
an old farmer, rising from his seat in his
earnestness. Whereupon a ealm-faced,
pIacid-looking woman rose from the other
end Of the pew, took him by the ear, and
led him slowly out; and the assembly knew
then for the first time that the old mans
mind vas filled with domestic thoughts in
stead Of the hereafter
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

4 fiassy old gentleman enters railway
car, and, without consulting any Of the
passengers, at once let's down two windows.
Old Gentleman docking round eompla-
.eently1-ss-A cold morning this, but Unjust
say | like fresh air!!n Fellosr- Posseages.
(gll:fiy}-''It seems to me, sir, that under
the circumstances it might probably suit
yoss better, and would certainly be more
comfortable fer nh, if you would get ont
and sii Oh tile roof. II
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

.sI1o fish heart il another ot those dis
tressing eoill'liii7lms That men of science
are eternally springing on . long suffering
world. OF course fish hear. q went fish
ing nes one day, and the strongest words we
said were By hokey, and We never caught
i fish; and when we looked into flle water
We saw every old and deere fffall III the
party held an ear trumpet iii their right
i'm. agfete Hapea Register
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

Before the the train left Bay City, yester-
day morning, for Detroit, y woman nearly
six feet tall and having Il complexion like
a fresh-burnea brick entered the depot. fol-
lowed by a dog almost as big as Il yearlin@
calf. Having purchased ticket, the wo-
man stood beside the train until the con-
ductor came along, when she led off with {:
"You have been pinted out to me as the
boss of this train.''
'z9cs'm," was his modest reply.
swell, Pm going to Detroit for the old
man.
s'Yes.'
''And this dog is going along with me.
He goes where | goevery time in the year. :"
Yes, he can go down in the baggage
car
Not any he can't. That's what stop
ped you for. This ere dog is going long
i'll this 'ere car, and nowhere else -
'"The rules OF the road .-
Rules be hanged My Old man can be
banged around by everybody, and he never.
demands his rights; but Lucinda hain't
Thomas-not by a jugful!'
"Madam, let me-
Il don't want no clawing Off" she i'll.
teTtipted, as she peeled pair of black nit
tens off her big red hands. ''I'm going.
and the dogs going: and what want to
know is whether you want to raise row
on the cars, or have fright now and here ?''
The conductor looked the dog over, and
was about to shake his head, when the wo-
man began nntying her bonnet, and quiz
city remarked:
" S'pose, being as | am b woman, it
would be no more than fair for the dog to
sail i'll with me. Come here, Leonidus!"
Madam" replied the conductor, as he
felt shiver go up his legs, s.take your dog
and get aboard"
Honest Injun -
eyes,,
NO row after the cars starts''
Mo-
'"Then that settles that, and Fin much
obleeged, though Won did kinder hang off
at first. Leonidls, foller me and behave
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

To me comes the brakeman, and seating
himself on the arm of the seat, says, Il
Went to church yesterday
..1es?' l said, with that interested in
fteclion that asks for more. ssAnd what
church did you attends.
(Which do you guess 2. he asked.
Some union mission church, . hazard
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23
NO row after the cars starts'

'"Ihen that settles that, and I'm much
obleeged, though you did kinder hang off
at first. Leonidus, foller me and behave
yotlrseIf.-F Free Spress.
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

And with graceful gesture of adieu
Isshele him sieks:t heart.
| That afternoon, Lenllox walked unan-
95nounced into Laura S room.
II thought q i.lropsln and say goodbs
before Won went down stairs, said liz.
VI leave tonight. Z
Indeed Where are you going ask
ed Laura. D s
|. "oh,sI tIoiIe. know. was his savage
reply.
o,l can take . note 1oe i george for met
Yes, if You get It reAdy,' said he.
Very Welt viii write it now
La,lrals the room, and Lenno1 stood
.laeodfly ~ tile window
Presently Mamie e.lnae aud stood neal
him.
ed.
SeH, Am, an, ssas tho short ans syer.
And WON'T you tell l,s where ~
The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23

Nav, y he said Il don't like to run on
these branch roads very much. / don't
often &c to church, and when | do | want
to runon the main line, where your run is
regular, and you so on schedule time and
don't have to wait on connections. don't
like to run on Il branch. Good enough, but
[ don t like it,
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
Christmas Sentiment,

Saws Il writer in the YOnker's Gazette :
"Thcre is so much about Christmas that
sayors of harmony, concord, peacc--a
peace that means not merely the cessa-
ton of hos.iltics between conflicting in
trrrsts in our social world, but that Sc
rcner, broader, deeper peace which
mites man to man by all the ties ot
friendly intercourse which proceed ont OF
M universal desire to make Christmas Il
bright spot among the fading memories
of the wear. like the sentiment the
more because it pervades every comml-
nifty and brings to view the better side OF
every mans character. Not Il ScrooRc
nor a Grndgliud ON earth can wholly
steel himself against its humanlAmB IN
huence, and though heclosingo of the day
NAV find no charity dispensed or glad
ness awakened, yet it will at least surely
find the edge Of his habtnal severity
bllntcd. Ii there Is ever peace ON
earth. " in its fullest sense, 1t Is ON Christ
mas. do not believe that custom aud
usage alone have made the modern ami
vcrsary day of the Saviour nativity one
of rejoicing; it has ever occurred to me
that since first the glad tidings went out
from Bethlehem the event has left its I'M
press on each succeeding generation,
and that each recurring "happy morn
has found the chord of human sympathy
and love responsive TO the mystic glow
! If this were not so | think we should sec
less Misunderstanding and cordial greetings
| than we do now, more limited sphere
/ of action for the aims gathercr, fewer Wis
! it's from Santa Claus, fewer Christmas
| tree festivals, listen to poorer and less en-
citing homeIy old stories Of Legendary
lore, hear less cnroIing Of "Chustnn'
awake find sparser harvest of mistIo-
toe. and we would have far more con
tracted views of our life-clouds silver
lining. And then, too | like the meth
ODDS we have taken as II nation to show
our appreciation of that day. They are
beautiful; they are just. They help us
to consecrate our lives and to shape them
in the channel that is best suited to then
moral Development Where thoughts
and motives are pure and simple, we may
look for good deeds. Where the observ-
once of Christians is made known through
benevolent acts, kind words TO the dis
tresscd, family gatherings, happy chll-
drcn and the distribution Of gifts, wheth-
err the celebration be to honor the day for
the days sake on not, the occasion IS one
that We should be truly thankful for.
This world of ours is bettered by Christ
mas and every one Of us should help to
make il memorable.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22

called the young husband to his side,
gave him the hand of his darling, and
said, Take her and may God bless you
both, my children. If | have lost n
daughter have found son and shall
have another arm to lean upon when my
eyes grow dim and steps unsteady
and"
More he would have said but u great
ringing OF bells summoned them to sup
per-and such II supper. 1t would have
made grim Famine commit suicide in de.
SPAR to have looked upon the tables, and
Time throw away his hour-glaSs and sit
blythely down and enjoyed the feast.
The good mother had known the secret
from the first, and with her pride stimu-
lated had distanced all former efforts,
even TO produce Christmas supper, and
the only complaint was of excessive full
ness, when again the vlolns summoned
the party to the hall.
A few more hours of such happiness
as rarel y comes TO earth and the old
house became silent The company had
departed, hut not before the Deacon had
invited all to be present that day year,
| whispering ut the same time something
in the ear of his daughter that sent the
blood bounding to her checks and caused
her to turn suddenly and shameiaced
away.
Was he right?
Come with me this joyous, blessed
day. You will be welcomed right royal
ly. Come and assist in tho festivities
and taste to repIction of the good cheer,
and when the blight-cycd babe is christ
cncd, join with all in wishing TO him, aye
even to all upon earth, a happy, merry,
bountiful Christmas.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
Wealth Not OmnipOtent.

Wealth is potent in its own sphere,
but impotent beyond it. 1t can put n
telegraph under the sea and cover the
land with network of wires as with
spiders web. 1t can build railroads and
bridge oceans. 1t can buy houses and
lands and every material advantage; but
here its power stops. 1t cannot pur-
chase goodness, or justice, or gentleness,
or patience, or love, or true friendship.
II cannot make character stronger, or
life sweeter. 1t can say to the minister,
/ will feed you and clothe you while You
are making men better, and to the
teacher, will take care OF You while
you are making men wiser, but it can do
nothing without the brain OF wisdom
or the heart of goodness. 1t can buld
railroads, but it is powerless to build
men
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
Pleasant Remembrances.

Sitting here, | find myself holding
levee of departed Christmas nights. 81
lently, into my study Of imagination
come these apparitions, clad in snowy
nantes, brooched and gemmed with
froSts. Their numbers do not care TO
count, for they ure the number OF my
years. The visaGes of some are sad
enough: but, ON the whole, tbs u con
gregation of jolly ghosts. hear sound
us of light music, whisk Of women's
dresses whirled around in dance, and the
click us Of glasses pledged by friends.
Before one appaiitlon Is mound on
which the snow is lying. | know that
spring Of mistletoe. o, spirit III the
midst Under it ! swung the girl | loved
and kissed her, too. And thou, too,
with hcncher in hand; | remember thy
rcigning night. Where now are the
many boys aud girls that thrust their
fingers in thy blaze?
The kindly Christmas tree, from which
| trust every gentle reader will pull
benton or two, is already sparkling with
the sweet fruits of its season. You,
young ladies' will pluck Cuttings fruits
from it; and with the sugnr-plum you
will find one of those delicious conun-
drums, which the confectioners intro
duce into the sweetmeats, and which APP
ply to the cunning passion OF love.
There are some standing about the tree
who don't care about the love-riddle part.
Patience, little people! dozen Christ
masses more and you will be reading
those wonderful conundrums AS for us
older folks, we watch the young people
pulling at the branches; but we no long
er reach for the fruits, and for us the
Christmas lights have mostly gone out.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
CHRISTMAS MELODIES.
PICCOLA'S PRESENT.

Poor sweet PiCcOla! Did you hear
What happened TO PiCCOla, children denr2
,Tis seldom Fortune such favor grants
As fell to this little maid of France.
Twas Christmas time, and her parents poor
Could hardly drive the wolf from the door,
Striving with pOverty's patient pain
Only to live till summer again.
No gifts for PiccOla! Sad were they
When dawned the morning of Christmas days
Their little darling no joy might stir,
81. Nicholas nothing would bring to her!
But PiccOla never doubted at all
That something beautiful must befall
Every child upon Christmas day,
And so she slept till the dawn was gray.
And full Of faith, when at last she woke,
Che stole to her shoe as the morning broke;
such sounds OF gladness filed the air,
Twas plain st. Nicholas had been there!
IN rushed Piccola sweet, hall wild;
Never was seen such joyful child,
See what the good saint brought" she cried,
And mother and father must peep inside,
Now such q story who ever heard2
There was Il little shiyering bird
A sparrow, that in the window few,
Had crept into PiccOla'3 tiny shoe!
\ How good poor Plccola must have been!
She cried, as happy as any queen,
While the starving sparrow she fed and warmed
And danced with rapture, she was 80 charmed.
Children, this story tell you,
Of PiCcola sweet and her bird, is true,
In the far OIL land Of France, they say,
Still do they live % this very day.
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CEalsT.
MAS"
BY EDGAR FAwCETr.

With snow In pale Volumes by savage winds hurled,
The night before Christmas has wrNpt the wild
world;
And now 10 its noises tho little ones bark
Where the nursery window looks forth on the dark.
While weirdly against the black blank Of the sky
Those phantOms OF snow-coud pass htrry1ng by,
The brains OF the children shape form after form
From out the wan yapory whrl Of the Storm
Huge hons that ramp; mighty hOrsts that prancei
White wallowing whales u prOdglOus eXpanse--
Till now they discern strange figure, whose back,
Is bent by the weight Of 4 pondcrOus puck,
And streaming in front OF him, palmer than day,
The beard oil Kris kringle like blown ocean spray!
Alb, happy Young dreamcrs, dream on as We viii !
Scenery ST. Nicholas trudging to fill,
Through harsh wintry gusts with benevolent tread,
The stockings you hang beside mattel or bed
Hug fast your dclusOn, o soft dlmpei arms,
And gain while you can its illuS0ry charms
Too soon will reuty's hand tear asiue
The sweet vail OF fancy whose tilamcnts hide,
Like the bcmiSh, deepsunk in the roses red YOUTH
That stern Disappointment lir's actual truth
And yet, darling 2ealoS, content in your creed,
How brs were your fate through tho future, indeed
II each dlsenchantmrnt on earth left behind
Such precious result as awakening 10 find
That III place Of your Santa Claus wrought from
cloud,
Was the love that ongirds you fond, 7islsnt
proud
Love eager TO bring ere the morrow shall rise,
New mirlh TO your laughter. new light 10 your ewes!
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS.

Those Christmas bills. those Christmas bill'l
How many heart with anguish ills,
When knocks, and rings, and posImen's feet
Make cchOing noises through the street,
And passing round from door TO door,
Leave horrld notes which thus "implOre
Your kind attentions please to pay;
Our books are closed on New Years Day"
The wine we bought is all used out
And left no trace Except the gOUt,
Yet port and sherry, pale and brown
In hideOus columns are put down.
The butcher, too! 1t cant be that
So many joints Of lean and fat
Were all consumed within this house;
Which cook asserts would staryc a mouse.
III not believe it, nor that tea
Could such a source OF Iuin be-
And surely this can't be the price
OF figs and almonds, prunes and spice!
We have MT lived on lard or cheese,
Yet rows Of figures stand for these,
And here's the drapcrl Now my wife
Has gone in debt, I'll bet my life,
II Eve in Eden stole the fruit
At least she wore no iRen suit,
And Adam had no bills OF hers
For gems, or lace or sGalskin turs.
Oh, happy tiinc oh, peaceful hours
OF making love and tending flowers;
The simple blessings Heaven grants
Good gracious, here's bill for plants
I'll read no more, they ID drive me villa,
I'll have my own "peLition fled"
We've ridden at the "paCe that kills"
] cannot pay these Christmas bills
---MlViair
The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22

Snowballs filled with Christmas gifts
is late idea of holiday humor. A frame
of whalebone or wires in halves is filled
with TOYS and bon-bons, covered with
thick paper, the halves lightly fastened
together and covered with pure white
wadding. The balls may be made small
and the fun of pelting the family with
them forms part of the ceremonies OF
Christmas morning, the ball flying open
and scattering the presents over the re-
cevers head. Or a huge SNOWFALL is
made and rolled into the room, as part of
the Christmas tree festivities. The semi
circular whdlebone or crinoline "dress
improvers" can be put to good use for
snowballs in their way by joining pair
and covering round with cotton.
IydERsoLL may defy birthstone and
doubt the reality Of Sweet Bye and
Bye" but if he undertakes to pluck a
single bristle from the beard OF Santa
Claus, there will hs row.