davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

to the Conservatory Ito and from
the door of which she was always
escorted by either Madame Won Breeks
Won Starch or Mistress Huffey) she
found there new pupil with mag
n,ficent bass voice, and that new pu-
pill was the fair-haired, blue-eyed young
fresco-painter. Not one word OF this
meeting, nor of the meetings that fol-
flowed 1t two or three times a week for
six months thereafter, did the naughty
girl breathe to either of the three grand
mothers. and the two younger of the
trio exulted greatly over the strict Wig
lance with which they guarded the
future bride (according to their long
laid plars) of Diedrich Won Breeks, the
rich Holland merchant, due in New
I DIRK with the new year. But their ex-
ultat!on came to an end on New-Year's
Eve. On that evening the Conservatory
OF Music gave a pupil concert, and the
very first duet was sung by Miss Ger
trude Won Breeks and Mr.. Everdell
Tremlett. III VAN had the latter
begged to be left ous of the programme;
in vain had he summoned to his aid {.
mysterious throat disease. His pro-
ICoSoL uCS1dItu ludG shy he IuuSu, OF
lose his place in the Conservatory, and,
what was still worse. prove himself an
''ingra-a-te!'' And so the three grand
mothers, sitting in great state near the
stage, were horrilied-that is, two of
them were (great-gran munched her
caraways as placidly as ever)-by see
ing and hearing their grand daughter
made operate love to, in very real
love-mak ng way, before 4 most fash
ionable audience, by the young man
who frescoed their parlors.
In moment the whole truth flashed
upon their minds, and how they sat out
the rest of the concert, so great was
their indignation, they never knew.
But at last, much to their relief, it came
to an end, and the omincus silence with
which they received the pretty culprit
her for the storm (the after
claps of which have recorded at the
of my story that burst upon
her head as soon as they reached home
When it was over Gertrude was allowed
to seek her room. Here she threw off ]
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

lay crisp thousand dollar United
States Treasury But never did
Everdell or his wife hear from or see
her again, for very soon after their mar
rage she passed quietly out Of life, and SO
will remain an enigma to them forever.
And Madame Won Breeks Won Starch
and Mistress Huffey, having succeeded
in marrying the merchant from Bergen
op-Zoom to a distant relative of the Won
Starch family-sought out and lowered
for that purpose-departed with the
bridal pair for that once-renowned mill
tary town, and 1.-the land of the free
and the home Of the brave knew them
no more. -MargGret Eyti,age, IN Har-
per's Weekku.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

we are following TN old British custom
Of the Druids, who hung the green up
within doors when the frost came, in
order that the sylvan spr.tes might still
find home in the Wintry weather I'M
der the forest bough, and bring bless
ing to the house that gave it to them.
Although in Latin countries the day
and its preceding night are celebrated
with countless bells and masses and
candles, aud with midnight banquets
to sustain the tatigues Of the ceIebra-
ton, yet the children there have no
such luck in school holidays proper to
the season as children do with us, their
longest holiday ending the day but one
after the festival, while our little lads
and lassies look forward to Twelfth
Night as the winding up OF their joys.
Nor are our children confined to any
one form of the Christmas genius. AS
every nationality is represented with US,
SO every form of Christmas sprite and
guardian is happily welcomed, from the
Santa Claus who came over with the
Knickerbockers, his pack full Of toys
and sweetmeats, to the Petit Noel of
French settlements, who goes about
dropping silver pieces into the chill
dren $ two shoes at the foot of their lit
tie beds; and all up and down the land
the flowers of summer are replaced by
the flowers that bloom in the tiny flames
upon the boughs of the Christmas tree,
which, if it was originally exotic, has
now established its growth, and if it
has not become almost native of the
soil, has certainly taken out naturaliza-
ton papers, and become citizen of our
homes il not our forests.
We may console ourselves for the
neglect that the great festival has met
with in these regions of ours by remem-
bering that Christmas was not celebrated
at all till nearly half way into the sec
ond century of the Christian era, and
even then it was an exceedingly nova
BILE feast, often COMPOUNDED with anoth-
er. that Of the Epiphany, and sometimes
only honored so late as the month of
May. Nor did it become firmly fixed
till two or three hundred years after
that, when, by the best authorities of the
old Roman archives of that early time
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29
THE THREE GRASDMoTHERs.
Our Bachelors Christmas Dinner.

And you would marry this fellow, &
said Grandma On Breeks Won Ssstarch
in her bassooniest (that is the only wore
can think Of with which to describe
them) tones, ..if you could?''
eyes. ma'am,' replied Gertrude,
meekly but firmly.
1.-THE idea is simply preposterous,
declared Grandmother Hutfeys fife-like
voice.
..Preposterous indeedH' responded
the bassoon. More than preposterous
-disgraceful! Amechanc! a common
working man! a house-painter!'
lies a fresco-painter, timidly cor
rected Gertrude.
(Which amounts to the same thing, 1,
groaned the bassoon. 3
Michael Angelo began Gertrude,
Heaven preserve ns!'a shrilled the
fife; .'she's bringing some Irishman
into the discussion now. Be silent,
miss. Wen not hear another word
from you. And understand distinctly,
once and for all, that if that person
calls here tomorrow, which no doubt
he will have the impertinence and as
surance to do, you are to dismiss him
instantly, OF sUe aoall. =
''And endeavor to begin the new
year. the bassoon took up the strain
again-'.in a manner beftting a de-
scendant of the illustrious General Won
Breeks Won Starch, whose unexampled
bravery made him and Bergen-op-Zoom
the city of his birth-famous, not only
throughout Holland, but the entire
world, at q time when you were not
dreamed OF. -
As for Great-gran Peeky, she had sat
softly rocking to and fro in her cushion
ed rocker, munching her caraway bis
cuits--a store of which she always car
ried in little sachel suspended at her
side-sleepily regarding the group of
takers, and saying not word herself.
But that was nothing strange for her.
She scarcely ever spoke save in monosyl-
tables, and never even in them when
Madame Won Breeks Won Starch and
Mistress Huffey were laying down the
law Ca favorite occupation of theirs, by
the-by1, to servants, trades-people, or
grand daughter Gertrude. And the last
thing that could have occurred to either
of the amiable lawmakers would have
been the idea OF appealing to the old
adSay loL OH opiaIoA oH dIt SuUiCCt
whatever. It sutficed them that she
paid without grumb bling the greater part
of the expenses OF the household out of
the income which was to cease at her
death, and yet allowed them to manage
all things pertaining to it in their own
way.
Gertrude-so named by Madame Won
Breeks Won Starch in honor of the pa
tron saint of Bergen-op-Zoom-had lost
both her parents in her infancy, and her
father having been reduced 10 poverty
some time before he died by various
gentlemanly vices, she had been left
wholly dependent upon her three grand
mothe4s.
OF these Great-gran Peeky was the
mother of Grandmother Huffey, who in
turn was the mother of Gertrudcs
mother, while Grandma Won Breeks
Won Starch held the same close relation
ship 10 her father.
The bassoon grandmother was at the
head of the American branch of her
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

rledlV traced, and even while we were
reading this mother and land
laughing over it, and I saw at the
same time something like q tear glitter
its soiiiieti aid ei.fnplea page, there
was a step at the door, and the we'll
known whistle-he was always whist
ling-and then he was in our arms
the same bonnie, blue-eyed boy with
that high, fearless look; the same mis-
chievous dimple in his chin; the same
loving smile that seemed the most
precious love-light in the world to us,
tLat will never die or be lost in this
weary life!
Home for the holidays! 1t was his
first year at school, and he had plead
ed so for this homecoming, that we
could not refuse, and all our plans had
included hiEl-for what would Christ
mas dinner have been without our
boy?-and we had his sled, 1.-The May
flower" out, for there was d furry of
snow, and we tried not to let him see
how fond and foolish we were about
him, or how we followed the sound Of
that whistling voice through the house
and wondered if there ever was such
another dear boy, and planned out just
what sort of Il man he would be!
That was one week before Christmas.
All in moment q hand cold as ice was
laid On our hearts-the snow that had
fallen in its white chilliness brought
death with it, for it fell into our sum-
mer garden and covered the one tender
flower blooming there.
II think" said the Gardener, clasping
The plant with gentle hand,
This flower is much too tender
For the winds of this lower land"
/ can tell you nothing about it except.
the vague sense of nights that were as.
days, and of days that were as nights.
OF sad, solacing words from people who
meant we'll, but who were all uncon-
scious Of widening a wound. Was it
Longfellow who said: Before great
grief we are dumbon There was a
blind cropping of the little arms-a.
fond, feverish caress, and the last
whispered words:
Papa, m-a-m-ma, [ am going
home for the holidays" and then:
His Lord looked down on the flower
en-: And His heart went out to its need.
lis just the plant for my garden,
\ plant of celestial seed
AND into the gates that were golden,
And DER the fadeless plain,
And c ose by the wonderful river of life
He planted the flower again.
know we were not alone in our sor-
row; that the first snow fell on ether
little graves that cover precious dusty
that at other tables there are vacant,
chairs; that ever since the King of Is
rael cried in his bitter anguish: "Oh,
Absalom, my son! my son! Would
God | had died for theer' hearts have
been broken and homes desolated, as
ours is in these sad HOLIDAYS.
s. And yet, dear heart remembering thee
Am not richer than Of old?
Safe in thy immortality,
What change can reach the wealth hold1
What chance can mar the peace and gold
Thy love hath left in trust with me?
g can not feel that thou art far
Since near at needs the angels are
And when the sunset gates unbar,
Shall not see thee waiting stand,
And white against the evening star
The welcome of thy reckoning hand?'~
- TjeJ1o1f To.ou p.ooe
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

InaG OF the pas
S o on gran d.
mother, though
much more mel
cdiots.
"Oh yes, thank
you, - said Ger
trude, w t i u
/. blush; and turn
ing to the piano
again she played
the whole air
skillfully a n d
gracefully.
Its u beau
tiful thing, said
the painter, still
standing in the
doorway; 'but l
think the song
beginning in this
way and he
prepared to
whistle again,
when he eneoun-
tered the frozen
frown of Mad
anne Won Breeks
Won Starch. as
she stepped into
the room from
the balcony, and
fled.
And the next
day the piano
was closed and
locked, and the
fair performer
a prisoner n her
own room; and
Grand m 9th er
Hufey. meeting
Mr.. Everdell
Tremlett as he
came to work,
requested HMM
one brief SEN
tence to :" get
through hiswork
and go about
his business as
soon as pos
sible.
But love--bless
his merry little
heart! laughs
at locks u n d
locksmiths, and
the very next
t i'm e Gertl uGe
went for h er
singing lesson
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

Sih t.iliihS, bHe
date was deeid-
ed, whether cor
rectly or not
making really
very little mat
ter, SO long as
tn c fact for
which the date
is desired is thus
hallowed WI t h
rem e m brance.
Nor do we now
actually k e e p
t h a t identical
date, since the
change from
Old Style to
Newstylebrings
the time round
to quite another
dry still.
With all the
celebration that
Christmas re-
ceiyes the world
over, we doubt
if it anywhere
has such yari-
Gus and general
celebration ason
our own shores.
In the N b,
amid st SHOWS
a II d hemlock
boug}ls, the day
has a delightful
domesticity, a
sense of shut-in
c o mfort and
well-b be ng;; far
Their soutn fire.
or ok ers and
pistol : shooting
give it a strange |
a t m os P h ere; |
and still further |
south its songs
are given to |
balmy breezes
la d G n already |
with the scents
of roses, of or
ange II 0 wers, |
a n d of clean |
ders, that make |
the day as ge- |
II i al and a s |
pleasant as it /
must have been
nearly two thOu- /
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

a wish you a happy New Year!''
said Pingrey.. ooh, that's easy enough
to say replied Henderson; $ but what.
will you do towards making my New
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

women been accorded any portion Of
that place and power which is their
due as the mothers and co educators Oh
the human race. ET0rpe7's Bagar.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

Year happy ene!n' Anything ean,'''
SAID P:ngrey. ''Do you mean it?'''
cried henderson, dramatically. do
you mean it?'' "Well, well. good-bye,l
farewell. - What's the matter with
yon?' asked the mystified Pingrey.l
" Why, you are gong away forever,
aren't you? You said you would do any
thing you could to make me happy
Farewell, old boy, FAREWELL And
Henderson walked briskly around thet
corner, while the perplexed Pingrey
stood as if rooted to the spot for the,
space Of five minutes -Bostos Irda--
SCRIPT
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

Christmas is time in which the,
memory of every remedlable sorrow.
wrong and trouble in the world should
be active with us.-Dickens.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29

But the star that shines il Bethlehem
Shin IS still and sha not cease.
And e listen still TO the tidings
OF G4ory and of Peace.
-Ade q de a. Proctor.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-12-29


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Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-20
ANOTHER CRUSH OF BILLS.
Many Vacant Desks But no Dearth of
New Measures

ATLANTA, August 1S.-In the House
this morning there were fifty-tive absen-
tees at the roll call. After the consultation
between the friends of the majority and
minority bills for redstricting theState the
final debate was set for Thursday
next, when it is expected that the veXa-
tlous matter will be disposed Of
Mr.. lulsey, Of Fulton, offered resolu-
tlOn allowing the State to settle with the
bOndsmen of the late Samuel r. HOvle the
defaulting Tax Collector of that county.
The new bills were as follows:
BY Mr.. Waldrop, Of UniOn-Preventin
the driving of cattle from infected sections
into other parts of the State.
By Mr.. EasOn, of Telfair-FOr the relief
OF MOrdecai Sheftall late of Chatham. as
to land grant IN Putnam county.
BY Mr.. Hawkes., of Sumter-Amendino
section 1871 of the Code.
By Mr., Gary, of RichmOnd-For the re-
lief Of the Clinch Rifles, of Augusta. from
jury duty. ~
By Mr.. Gray, of Houston-IncOrpora
ing Fort Valley.
By Mr.. Hulsey, of FultOn-AIlowino
the Governor to sell certain lands on the
Western and Atlantic Railroad in Cobb
county, with the consent of the lessees.
BY MIR. HOge, OF kultOn-Requirine a
transcript of judgments and making them
binding in certain cases.
BY Mr., Hulsey, Of Fulton -IGeapopat
ln@ the 4tfantic, Gulf and NOrthWestern
ltailrOad. to rua from pqcktown, North
Georgia, TO Apalachcola, Fla, with n
branch to Atlanta. Also, chartering the
Mechanics Savings Bank, of Atlanta.
Also, amending the act creating a Board
OF Commissioners for Fulton county,
By Mr.. Brooks, Of Efoyd-A local option
liquor law for that county. Ia ~
by Mr,:J James, of uglass-Changing
the rime. o. holding Douglass superfof
Court. Also. Iepealing section 1d76 of the
Code relating to organizing new corpora.
tiOns.
BY Mr.. Bishop, of Daws6n-Fizir;5 .l,o
fees for, dispossessing of intruders and
tenants holding over. WI"
BY Mr., Sweat, af Clinch-Amendino
.ns WIG lands lazy as 70 giving in' fof
BY Mr., Russell, of Olarke-Authorizine
Athens TO establish public school svs7
tem,. Also, incorporating the Athens
Danielsyille and Eastern Railroad.
BY Mr.. McDonough, Of Chatham
Authorizing Superior Courts to grant
charters to shell or plank road companies.
BY Mr., Falligant, OF Chatham-AIlow-
iAg pAatnaI4 10 issue bonds for a new
court house. Also, authorizing the Chat
nam Commissioners to levy a tax for
school and jail purposes.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-20

Busoy, OF the male idiot department. Joe is
d uWari, only three feet high. weighs only
nlty pounds and is As wears old The bufId--
nj anu GROUNDS are abundantly supplied
WIN wafer water plugs and a stationary fire
engine OF tremendous capacity. So that a fire
70 10 any damage at all seems almost an i'm
po79ibilltY IN any part Of the institution
Wenty thousand dollars has already been
subscribed Tor new hotel at ThOmasville
A. a meeting held Wednesday the following
ooara OF directors was chosen: ). A. Smith.
SoI9hel -. II. Cooke, II. J. Mcintyre. DR.. r.
;. BOWef, }. l.. Finn, II. Il. AinsWOrth and
H. Wolf. They were instructed bv the stock
holuers 10 proceed with the erection Of hotel
on such a site as they might select. A reso-
~ lutloh also authorized the board 10 invest the
amount OF the moneys subscribed, or which
may be subscribed. to the building.
Ihey are empowered, also, if neces-
sary. TO mortgage the building and grounds
for twO-t thirds of their value The board sub
sequently met and elected the following OIL
cel'-; President. John l.. Finn: Vice Presi-
4eni' .. H. Cooke: Secretary and Treasurer.
H. ). Mcintyre. It Is expected that the hotel
viii be ready for occupancy before the holi-
days.
The Washington Gazette has the following
concerning Mr.. Hancock the plow man: M
i, hancOck, The famous plOw man. was
Drought mere last sunday by Officer Beal to
answer charge of cheating and swindling
preferred by Mr.. Eben Wilkinson. He was
not KEPT IN the custody of the officer at all.
and appeared before the court Of inquiry held
by Judge Wingfield Monday morning 1t
was charged that he sold the right to Ebert
county to Mr.. Bryant. of Greene county,
ami also 10 Mr. Wilkinson; but he proved that
he bought back the right from Bryant and then
sold lt 20 Mr.. Wilkinson. The Judge decided
that the evidence was not sufficient to commit
AMI Mr. Hancock was discharged. He then
went 10 Green county ia answer auit
Drought 10y Mr. Bryant. The facts IN the ease
are these: lie sold the right to Elbert county
20 Mr.. Bryant for fifty dollars and afterwards
bought Do back at the same price. lie then
sold % to Mr.. Wilkinson for one hundred and
eighty five dollars. Mr.. Bryant Is now suing
Tor one hundred and thirtv-fivc dollars. the
amount Mr.. Hancock made on the trade
We d3 not know on what grounds Mr.. Bryant
Is bringing ms suit; we only know that he
wants the one hundred and thirty-ifve dol
lars 90
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-20
VAST TSUMS IN THE WATER.
TABULATED STATISTICS ON THE
RIVERS AND HARBORs.

"
Nearly Three Hundred Works Covered
by the RepOrts-242 of the Improve
ments Confined to Waters in Single
Sales.--future Plans in Five Southern
States.
WASHINGTON, August 19.-The report
of the Engineering Officers in charge of
the River and HarbOr improvements for
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1888. have
nearly all been made. Those already in
cover 29l works of Improvement for
which there was appropriated in the last
river and harbor bill (that of Auoust
1882 $l1, 1880. OF these works 242 are
improvements Of rivers and harbors
wholly within single State, and 40 are
improvements carried on in two or more
states. The reports Of the engineers are
accompanied by financial statements
which in most cases cover five points.
viz: The amounts appropriated to carry
on the work from the date of the begin
nlng OF the present year, the project of the
improvements; the amounts Appropriated
by the act of 1882, the sums remaining mn
expended and available for the carryinG
on of the work during the present wear.
the estimates of the cost of completing the
various Improvements according to the
present project, and the amounts which it
is thought can be profitably expended
during the coming fiscal year and which
the engineers recommend should be
appropriated by Congress at its
next session. In MANY eases
the original estimate of the cost
OF Improvement is given, and in a few the
probable annual cost of keeping the work
in repair after its completion. The fol-
lowing table gives the amounts appropria-
ted to July l, 1888, and recommended for
appropriation for the fiscal year 1884. Five
are on account of improvements, on which
it is proposed to continue work in the
Southern States:
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-20
A SCARE FROM NEW ORLEANS.
Rumors that There is a Case of the Dread
Disease in the City.

Rumors that There is a Case of the Dread
Disease in the City.
GALVESTON, August 19.-An evening
paper Of Saturday published the follow
ing: ''The belief obtains ground in this
city among some persons who have been
in communication with friends in New
Orleans, that there has been at least one
case of yellow fever in that city within
the past few days, although there has
been no official announcement of the fact
by the Crescent City authorities. The
belief, however, is merely founded
upon rumor or suppOsitiOn, but
it is strong enough to cause very
marked sentiment III favor of quarantin-
ing against New Orleans. The lack of
confidence in the Board of Health and the
physicians at New Orleans tends to
strengthen faith in any rumors of yellow
fever that come from that city, because
it Is alleged that these gentlemen inva-
riably try to conceal the fact when the
fever does appear there. An Associated
Press representative learns from
a member of the Galveston Board
of Health that DR.. Fly, President of the
board, was to telegraph from New Or
leans if he found that the report had anv
foundation. DR.. Fly did not 90 to New
Orleans especially for this purpose, but
the gentleman said that some one would
probably have been sent if DIR. Fly had not
been going that way. Nothing has been
heard from DR.. Fly, and it is said that he
left New Orleans yesterday for Louisville"