davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26
COLD COMFORT.
~* 3 a5pnau Gelehrntfoee in tbe Q91oe,r uinee. -

The Begging Frauds Who Sought to
DO No Injustice to the Queens
English.
1t was on the fourth floor of the
Motfat Block. The occupant Of an
Office sat reading his paper, when the
door opened and Queer-loukiug old
chap, having 4 very old hat and
very bad pair Of boots, and making
very thin coat do great deal OF
duty, entered and bowed and said:
They wouldn't let me come up
in the elevator, and 80 | clumh the
stairs. Is il proper 10 say clumbHn
The occupant looked up. and thcn
returned 10 his article on The SAIL
Industry OF Michigan"
"Wc}I, never mind whether it is
or not. continued the man, as he
shut the door and leaned against il.
clumbcd, and here am struck
the town last week. | am not Ger
tain rs 10 the propcmesS OF the word
struck. but | arrovcd here and have
had an internal hard time OF it. My
friend, | am nigh onto SIXTY years
old.
The occupant looked up, rcfoldci
his paper, and went on With his NJ.
ticlr.
Nigh on 10 sixty and clean dis
couragcd,' said the old man. Pact
is. | kinder think, if somebody don't
gimme quarter or smthiu' as
Christmas present, Ill prccipitate
myself into the river. believe pre-
cipitate is the word, though |
wouldn't swear to it. Would YOU
like to warm an old mans heart
with a Christmas gift"
The occupant turned around and
punched the fire, and then his eyes
sought the paper again.
twenty-five cents would buy me
a handsome present and save my
life, but if you haven't got but fif-
teen III let You off. Ayaricc is not
the prrdominating trait in my char
acter. | believe prcdominate was
properly Sed there, though I'll leave
II to you.
There was deep silence in the
room for sixty seconds.
Well, we might say ten. Thai
would buy plug of tobacco, and as
long as | had anything 10 chew ON
shouldn't think of drowning myself.
Yes, ten cents would kinder cntitle
me to mingle in with the joyous tes-
Invites of the occasion. J GU needn't
be in any hurry about handing it over;
I've got all the time there is.
This time the silence continued
for one hundred and twenty seconds,
and was thick enough TO knock down
oyster soup.
i presume you have n nickel
about Your person. whispered the
old man after a while. won't
agree to cut much of a figure in the
festivities for that sum, but III make
t 20 a. far rs possible.
There was more Silence. Not a
leaf stirred nor a bird chirpcd.
Good by" said the stranger, as
he opened the door and backed out.
when am fslIcd out Of the river
next spring please attend the in
quest and identify ne a, the man
whose life wasn't worth FIVE cents!
90 to precipitate! Precipitatc may
not be the word, but gO-I III gonc.'
Detroit Free Press
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

'Weu, if that isn't sublime GOODNESS, in
terrupted Alice.
And Will You take" Stella went on. not
noticing the interruption. Miss Smythe.
Miss Reynolds and Jessie Fergus with Us if
they'll goa''
Indeed. III 90. exclaimed Jessie,
springlng to the girls side. And I'm sure
Mary ana Bella Will too. Girls you must.
feel that we have miSjudged Stella and that
now she i offering Us chance to do her
justice And in what better way could we
could any one-begin the New Year than
by setting right as far as possible, the
wrong Of the old?''
There was no resisting this appeal. And
whsc few moments after some one called
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

SO when Stella started for the dressing
room, q short time after supper, she was
followed by nearly all her SchoolmaCeS.
An when She stopped to draw on her over
shoes She found herself seized on the right
by Bella Smytae and ON the left by Alice
Hays while Mary Reynolds sought for and
found the pocket in her skirt. and in the
pocket were cake. the notices, the grapes
and the almonds and raiSinS that had been
served to her at the supper table. ''Oh. for
shame Miss Polly Wautacracker~ burst
from the lookerS-on. They are nine. :"
said Stella dehanJly, Il did not steal
them. They We're gi,eu To me. and have
a right to do with them a please.
For shame-' said the girls again. And
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

years sle has been all mine have tried to
make her life happy. Tonight ] told her
that / was going 70 see Santa CIaus-I could
give her nothing but cheap doll for her
Christnlas-an and that | would bring her from
him some goodies
Don't say another word, don't say
another word. " cried Miss Hays. What
young wretch-s We have been. !"
why didn't you tell Us before?" asked
Bella Symythe.
Because / thought it would seem too
much like begging you are 50 well OF, com
pared TO ne Besides, I've never really
wanted for anything: and as for Dearie,
shes sne Of the merTiest children in the
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

son has the better her chance of succeeding in
the world. And besides his kindness i'll this
way my fifth cousin sends five dollars
month. That five dollars just pays my rent,
and the dollar and 4 half that | earn i week
by knitting WOODEN baby-ShirtS and socks
for store near by is all the other money |
have. My clothes are made Il make them
myself, and that's the reason they fit 50
badly, Miss Hays, from the wardrobe of
my dear mother, who became very poor before
she died, and could leave me nothing else.
The gold chain and locket She gave To Deare
Dearie was two wears old when mamma left
us; She is four now; and during the two
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

out: Miss Hays cariager' away went the
five girls to stop in little less than half an
hour before the door of neat, brick house
in pleasant old-faShoned street
There they got out OF the carriage and
Stella led them in at the front door and up
the stairs until they reached the attic, where
she softly pushed opened the door of a low
ceilinged room and an old woman sitting in
a rocker by tiny stove, started out of Il
doze to welcome her "DeariaS been as
good as gold ever since she began, and
then stopped suddenly and stared in sur
prise at the unexpected visitors. Thank
you, Auntie Brown. Come girls" said
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

mo ladylike girl would do such thing
added Bella Smythe. Dressed in silk and
velvet, too" said her cousin Caroline
with gold chain and locket, and getting
five dollars month spending money! said
Alice Hays.
Stella looked from one scornful face to
another; the tears came to her eyes, but She
forced them back and with trembling lips
she turned to Alice and said: Your car
rage will be here for you III few mo-
mentS, will it not. Miss Hays?'
1T will. Miss Polly Wantacracker. And
what them" was the reply.
"Will you take me home in it? And"
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

she did. She sat on one side of Stella and
Mary Reynolds on the other, and while eat
ing from the heap of dantieS on their own
plate they kept sharp lookout on the heap
on hers. She ate very slowly, but, one by
one, cake notices, bunch of grapes, al
mondS, rasins quickly disappeared "She
never ate Them whispered Bella to her
cousin Caroline, who sat next to her.
shes eaten nothing but some macaroonS
and her icr-cream. They're gone into her
pocket. We've got her now Come TO the
dressing-room when she starts for home
and You'll see some fun. Pass the word to
the other girls"
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

world, and thinks her sister, Miss Polly
Wantacracker-''
Don't! DON'T begged her listeners.
please let all that be forgotten. And ~
We beg of You, let us four girls he aunts,
cousins, grapdmotherS, or something, 10
Dearie, from this day forth"
BLESS her heart, she's awake said JeS-
sic.
And the little one tossed the curlS oui OF
her eyes-raiSed her head from the pillow
sat up in bed-looked bravely from one to
another with big, blue, wondering eyes, and
then ltsped in sweet, chirpy, baby voice:
How do, ladies; me wish you a happy
New Year. - Detroit Free Press.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

A LIFE more happy seemed to fill
The homestead meath the sheltering hill.
A gentle stir, like winds at play,
That kept in mind each Christmas Day.
Upon the roof-tree, sloping down,
OF late had come q glistening crown
Of snow. and dropped beneath the caves
The woodbine's red and withered leaves.
As thus the homestead peaceful stood
Amidst the winter quietude,
Inside the housewife Piled her art
With busy hands ard anxious heart.
For many days a conflict dire
Is waged 'twiXt eatables and fire;
Still does the crane not cease to groan,
And still the oven holds its own.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

Plant il in the church and lei it bca: fruit
to bless the widow and the orphan
Plant it in the stately hau where youth
and hope, with beating heart and beaming
eye. may cougTegate to pluck its fruits.
Plant it ii The cheerful home, and lei it
bear toys ard sweets for the little ones,
dainty keepsakes for youth and middle age,
and comfortable tokens Of fond affection for
the aged.
Plant il ever with song Of praise for
Him whose birth it commemorates.-.Hrs.
Hattie Il. Chute, In 81. LOUIS Magazine.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

Now, conscious of her skill and might,
The house-dane, with her skirts drawn tight
And cap askew. with flying strings,
The closet fills with dainty things.
The children peep with eyes aglow
TO see her place the pies in row,
And steal to get with smack and sniff
Of Steaming conseryes just a Whit.
These they can see. but then they know
The stockings placed all in n row
Upon the morn will burst with toys
And make the day replete with joys.
And at The mornings first faint beam,
God bless us! how the children scream
They toot the horn and pound the drum
TIL We with noise are quite o'ercome.
So full of JOY they will not eat.
We know they'll hunger ere the treat
That mother has prepared is ready;
No wonder they're bit unsteady.
The stage-coach horn salutes the ears,
And every heart with pleasure cheers,
For Oh this day to the old home
The sons and daughters gladly come.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

A pleasant salute-The boughs Of .
Christmas tree
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26
POLLY MANUFACTURER.
Margaret Eytinge's New Year
Story for the Girls.

"Shc is the meanest girl l ever saw in
my life" said Alice Hayes.
"A regular little miser," added Mary
Reynolds.
WHO is ," asked Jessie Fergus, the new
scholar.
why, that girl over there in the corner
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26
A FRUITFUL TREE.

The Many Beautiful Things That
Are Planted on the Christmas
Tree.
What plant we in the apple trec2
Sweets Tor hundred fOwcry
springs
sang our poet Bryant.
What plant we in the Christmas
tree?
Not sweets for a hundred flow
cry springs such sweets as those
the poet sung, but sweet anticipation
of many a glad surprise when the
tree shall yield its fruit, in many a
curious and appropriate shape, to
those who are destined TO pluck it
Tie wife plants thought Of the
husband the husband q thought of
the wife. and hO.h a hOught of chill
drcn and friends: the child thought
OF its parents, and brothers and SIS
tiers a thought Of each other; tho
lover a Ugh for his sweetheart, the
sweetheart a blush for the lover;
and all plant, or should plant a
thought Of reverence for the little
Christchild. in memory Of whose
birth this tree springs afresh from
year TO year in Thousands Of happy
homes. which owe their all, thai is
best and dearest, to the steady. on
ward progress Of a Christian civil
ization.
Yes, plant the Christmas tree
plant il wherever there are hearts to
gladden. and lives to be made better
~, Taf,,s. md E.,r,.i.r
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

The feast at last. The grace is said,
And up hobs every eager head,
And bright eyes, like some greedy power,
Go seeking what they may deyour.
The turkey at the feast IS lost;
The chickens get the drum-sticks crossed
And empty plates, Just filled with pies,
The good wife marks with smiling eyes.
Each finds his limit reached at last;
The apples come; the nuts are passed;
The mugs of cider trimming stand,
And jokes fly round on every hand.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

So goes the day till evening comes;
And on the hob the kettle huns;
The roasting apple puf1s its cheek,
And children play at hide and seek.
Perhaps this day in years to come
Nav find them wanderers far from home
And with joy-haunting memories cheer,
The shadows of that changeful year.
Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-26

The Many Beautiful Things That
Are Planted on the Christmas
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14
Lost Adyion.

IL was the misfortune Of the late
Democratic convention in Fort Worth
that the Houston Post of the 18th
failed to reach here in time to allow
the delegates to proftby its sagacious
advice. The words of wisdom that 1t
came freighted with would have saved
the delegates much thought in formu-
lating platform, had they been read
by the members of the convention.
The delicate and unpretentious man
ner of the Post in outlining the policy
of the convention am ounts almost to
diflidence, and betrays mild sense of
the worth of the counsel administered
to the gentlemen of the convention.
ut Is needless to suggest to the con-
vention its line of duty" Is the modest
tone of the Post, which would have
relieved the delegates from much em-
barrassment had they known in sea-
son that they were to be free to follow
their own sense of principle aud party
expediency, like school-children who
are let out for half-h oliday by the
master, and graciously told that they
are to be allowed the plea sure of spend
ing it as they like, unrestrained by
magisterial conventionalities. The
Post, as further mark of confidence
in the ability of the convention to get
along without mentor, freely con-
cedes that it "believes that every dele
gate understands the duty of the
hour" and will do the best he knows
how. Yet, it cannot forbear last
word of caution, lest the convention
might go wrong, and admonishes the
members that tariff plank" should
be put in that would not prove often
sive to either of the two extreme wings
of the party, but would act as an emol-
lent to the bruises of everybody, and
draw the party to its support like flies
around the bung-hole of a molasse.
barrel.
1t was, we repeat, the misfortune o.
the gentlemen of the convention tina
through some misadventure the Pos
did not reach them until after adjourn
ment, when they had completed thei
labors and constructed the Democratic
platform by their own unaided efforts
and the suggestion of tariff plank
that would pacify both sides and salts
fly neither was not observed by them
Depending on themselves, they wen
rashly ahead and put up platform t.
suit the Democratic party, without any
glittering generalities, and left it TO
the party to deal with as it sees fiji
But had they been made aware of tin
Posts adverse counsel there can be lii
tie doubt that they would have ad
journed over until its reception, afte
+ reading which their course surel
would have been different.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14

qualities that give him extraordinary
strength in New York make him as
strong In the doubtful states Of Con-
necticut and New Jersey.
There are fatal objections to other
candidates that do not apply to Bay
ard. Thurman could not carry his
own state. Ohio is undoubtedly Re-
publican, and has never given a Dem
ocratic electoral vote since 1852. Cleve-
lands veto of the elevated railway bill
has set the anti-railroad people against
him In New York. Mcdonald Is not
strong in the East. Morrison, Car
Isle and Dorsheimer possess the fullest
confidence of the party, and could poll
full vote but in every particular OF
special personal strength Bayard is
their equal, and has the qualifications
of unusual strength in New York that
no other an,possesses.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14
What Says The Gazette2

We favor free grass on the commons OF
Texas, but by free grass eve are not to be
understood as advocating the rights" of cat
tie kings, to divide up the country between
themselves and put an armed force of line
riders on the commons to hold their claims
against the nesters and to worry and devil
the life out OF the poor toiing yeoman. We
favor free grass for all, with no line-riders OF
exclusiveness on the part of the cattlemen
Let everybody's cattle run at large, like they
used TO, and have "round-ups" quarterly
semi-annually or yearly, MS the occasion may
require. Is this the kind OF fee grass oui
contemporary the Fort Worth GAZETTE, ad
yocates?-Bowie Free Press.
The law prohibits herding on the
public commons.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14

THE first fence-cutter convicted In Texas
was received at Huntsville last week.
So say many exchanges. The law
multiplies the causes of crime, and
then Furnishes the criminal. Lessees
of great pastures will turn their cattle
into the public commons las long as
there is any while the grass is abun-
dant, and when it becomes scarce pas
ture their cattle within their barbed-
wire Enclosures. These fences will be
cut until the penitentiary needs en-
largement-and the dear little school
children of one section will be educated
at the expense of no dear little school
children in another section.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14

THE New Haven iConn) Palladium says:
1.-THE president, with that practical wisdom
which has distinguished his course during
his entire administration, has sent to the va
rious depait ments and bureaus of the gem
eral government Instructions looking TO ma
tional exhibits that shall Illustrate the
workings OF The executive or administrative
authority in all It's ramifcations. Offical
notification of this has been sent to the vari-
Gus foreign governments who now under
stand that tho United States is to be n part OF
the exposition, and that its official action
will be commensurate with that in 1876. II
is therefore argued that congress cannot
ask the exposition authorities to pay the
large costs growing out OF this; that 1t is the
business of the nation, not of n section, and
that 1t is the duty of our law makers to fur
| nish ample funds both for the construction
of the buildings and the necessary expenses
incidental thereto, and also that the severa
departments and bureaus may make theii
displays on scale consistent with the dig
nifty OF the government and with the prid,
of American citizens"
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14
THE BooK-AGEST.

TEXAS IDiL.
For the Gazette.
what will You have 2" the merchant said,
"What will you have?" said he,
To the stranger that stood at his door,
To the stranger that stepped in his store,
Wondering some, who he might be.
Whose face he thought he had seen before,
Thinking, or hoping, he came TO trade;
mot anything, sir the stranger said,
And as he spoke he bowed his head;
But soon he asked the merchant bnck,
AS soon as he saw that trade was slack
ON seeing him Idle he asked him back.
He only proposed an interview,
Had something new, he wished to shew,
And then he drew sack to view;
a small cloth sack, its color vas black,
From where concealed IL hurg,
IS under his coat IL swung,
Suspended by tape or cord,
As hangs on hip soldiers sword
The stranger was quite genteelly dressed,
In black cloth coat and satin vest,
And pants of blue, all nearly new,
With black silk hat, and red cravat,
And looked as neat as any drummer
That you viii meet, in winter or summer.
VI wish TO shew you, now," he said,
Something newiyou'll wish TO buy,
Whereat the merchant raised his head,
And looked ut the sack with curious eye.
IN ow what can II be?" to himself he said.
He hoped to see a sample of snuff.
or, of some other as salabl stun,
Or OF prints, or silks, or tobacco, or wine,
Ora patent, just out, or some jewelry fine.
The sack, the while, the merchant eyed,
still standing by the strangers side,
Who, from 1t took, and opened-a book.
You ought TO have seen the merchants lool
When first his eyes upon 1t fell,
book to buy, and not to sell.
His form 1t rose, his features fell.
| And what to say he could not tell;
He merely thought: Don't that beat-well,
The book was fine but the price was high,
Far more than he'd pay II he wished 10 buy
Now, what did he do? And what do you think
A ok was TO him neither victuals nor drink
He told fib; he did. indeed
He told the man he could not read.
| The stranger IS heart began to sink,
His eyes grew dim, his cheeks grew pale,
As all his hopes began to fail,
| While listening to the merchants tale,
or there etiecting any sale.
The merchant said he had no wife,
He had no home, he had no child.
The merchant smiled, the man looked wild
For he was puzzled on so In life,
For once In life book-man baked,
He looked at the floor and then at the door.
He gave one sigh and said good-s
Ard Tout of the door he quickly wa!kei:
And In that store, and on that floor,
With Jack and book was seen no more.
fou ought to have heard the merchant roa
As there he stood and held his side,
And laughed so hard he almost cried.
HIS terrible fibs nearly broke his ribs.
But now, the book-man. where Is hee
All right again, AZ you viii see.
For he went To the merchants house III,
day
And he sold two books to his wife for pay.
now III be be boupi when the merchar
found
That that was the case,
That the laugh went round. clean MI, ,o,n,
'Tother side OF his face.
SAN MIcrrr
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14
Another County Heard From.

SAN PEDRO, June 10, 1884,
To the Editor OF the Gazette.
Enclosed find money order for THE
WEEKLY GAZETTE. Your free-grass
stand is sound, and must prevail, or
Northern Texas is put back 100 years.
| addressed you letter from Marlin,
last December, taking the same ground,
and in our Republican convention at
your city in May last, as delegate l
took the same ground, in advance OF
the platform of the party which failed
to come up to it. If The Democracy
In their convention this year will give
"free-grass" platform. the Republi.
cans will be without a state issue, and
viii! sustain your party In the state
against their own.
Yours respectfully, &C.,
A. II. MONROE.
Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-14
Disinterested Testimony.
fHillsboro Visltor.l

The editor of this paper was q resi-
dent Of West Texas at the time the
public school lands were first put on
the market to actual settlers in small
quantities. and well remembers the
Influx Of farmers and the wonderful
rapidity with which Comanche, Brown
and adjoining counties developed, the
population of some Of these counties
more than doubling In one year. He
also we'll remembers how immigra-
ZION ceased and the country came to
stand-still as soon as that law was
repealed and syndicates allowed to file
upon the school lands in large guam
titles, and the actual settler forced
to pay the syndicate as much for their
file as he would have to pay the state
for the land. Poor men can't
lease land in large bodies, but they can
buy small farm and with few COWS
TO help keep the pot boiling while
they are putting in the farm, attain q
feothold and home. Rich cattle syn
dicates can't keep his little bunch of
cows oil OF the free grass. But they
can lease so, 600 or 100, 900 acres around
MIN and then compel him to sell his
cows u them aud that Is the game.
IL Is false idea of the subject to
argue that the big cattle kings want
Tree grass. 1t Is al hallucination and
q snare, built up by railroad interest
ana interested parties to perpetuate
the lease system. A residence of more
Than ten years In West Texas enables
US to speak knowingly on this sub
Ject. We have seen the actual oper-
atoms OF every land law OF the state
since the school and asylum lands